Kenya has received major global recognition after Ambassador Philip Thigo the country Special Envoy on Technology was named among the world top one hundred public servants shaping the governance of artificial intelligence.
Thigo was included in the Apolitical Government AI 100 2026 list which recognises senior government officials and policymakers influencing how governments adopt regulate and apply emerging technologies in the public interest.
The recognition places Kenya among a select group of countries playing an active role in global conversations on technology policy and institutional reform.
Ambassador Thigo has been at the centre of several multilateral processes defining the emerging global framework for artificial intelligence governance. Kenya played a leading role during the Seventh United Nations Environment Assembly where member states adopted a landmark resolution linking artificial intelligence governance with environmental sustainability and planetary boundaries.
In the digital governance space Thigo has been actively involved in the World Summit on the Information Society plus twenty review contributing to discussions on inclusive digital transformation capacity building and the role of emerging technologies in development.
He has also contributed to the implementation of the Global Digital Compact including work connected to its supporting institutions such as the Global Dialogue Mechanism on Artificial Intelligence and the Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence which aim to promote inclusive and evidence based global cooperation.
Reacting to the recognition Ambassador Thigo described the honour as both personal and collective.
“I am deeply honoured to be recognised by Apolitical in the Government AI 100 2026 a list that celebrates public servants around the world who are pioneering the responsible adoption regulation and capacity building of artificial intelligence in government,” Thigo said.
“This recognition is not just a personal milestone it reflects the collective effort of visionary public servants and partners with whom I am privileged to work and whom I now call friends,” he added.
Thigo said artificial intelligence holds immense potential to transform public services and drive inclusive development but warned that its deployment must be guided by strong values.
“Artificial intelligence has immense potential to transform public services and drive inclusive development but it must remain ethical human centred and equitable,” he said.
He thanked Apolitical for highlighting the role of public leadership in shaping the future of technology in government.
“My heartfelt thanks to Apolitical for championing the role of public leadership in shaping the future of artificial intelligence in government and for highlighting those of us committed to ensuring that this technology serves humanity,” Thigo said.
On the Government AI 100 2026 list Thigo is featured alongside prominent global figures including United Nations Secretary General Envoy on Technology Amandeep Singh Gill and United Arab Emirates Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications Omar Sultan Al Olama.
The recognition reinforces Kenya emergence as a trusted voice in global technology governance and underscores the importance of ensuring African perspectives are represented as emerging technologies reshape economies societies and public administration.
