Ruto meets OpenAI CEO Sam Altman as Kenya eyes Eastern Africa's first AI academy

President William Ruto met OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman on the sidelines of the G7 Summit, where they discussed ways to strengthen artificial intelligence capacity and digital skills in Kenya.

In a post on X, President Ruto said the talks explored a potential partnership that could see Nairobi host Eastern Africa’s first OpenAI Academy.

The proposed initiative would focus on expanding AI education, building digital skills, supporting teachers and learners, and positioning Kenya as a regional hub for AI talent and innovation.

Ruto described the engagement as part of efforts to deepen collaboration in AI and digital transformation, noting that the initiative would help integrate emerging technologies into education systems and equip young people with skills needed for future jobs.

On the margins of the G7 Leaders’ Summit, I held discussions with OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman on opportunities to deepen collaboration in artificial intelligence and digital transformation.

We explored potential collaboration through establishing Nairobi as the… pic.twitter.com/7FQyOIBIgn

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) June 17, 2026

He added that Kenya aims to play a more active role in shaping the global digital economy by investing in innovation and expanding access to technology-driven opportunities.

"I underscored the importance of harnessing emerging technologies to create opportunities for young people, drive innovation and ensure Africa plays a meaningful role in shaping the future digital economy," he said.

The proposal has triggered mixed reactions on social media, with some users welcoming the focus on AI education, while others questioned whether the plan goes far enough in terms of infrastructure, research investment and local technology development.

OpenAI, the San Francisco-based company behind the initiative, is arguably one of the world's most influential artificial intelligence research and deployment organizations.

Founded in 2015 as a non-profit laboratory, the company later transitioned to a commercial model to secure the massive funding and computing power needed to develop advanced AI models.

The company captured global attention in late 2022 with the launch of ChatGPT, a conversational tool that sparked a global wave of investment and interest in generative technology.

Backed by billions of dollars from Microsoft, OpenAI has consistently driven the international conversation around how artificial intelligence should be built and regulated.