NAIROBI, Kenya – In an unexpected twist, Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei found himself in hot water after sharing an AI-generated deepfake video on his official X (formerly Twitter) account.
The video, designed to resemble a CNN broadcast, falsely depicted journalist Fareed Zakaria discussing Kenya’s diplomatic role in Sudan’s peace process.
After sharp backlash from Kenyans on X, Sing’Oei issued a public apology, acknowledging that he had unknowingly spread misinformation.
“I sincerely apologize for inadvertently posting an AI-generated video disguised as a genuine commentary from Fareed Zakaria of CNN,” he wrote.
Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei apologises for AI-generated video on Kenya’s Sudan peace efforts, regrets the confusion; commits to AI training to avert future missteps.
“I regret any confusion this may have caused and thank everyone who flagged the video as a deepfake.”
Government Moves to Address AI Misinformation
Sing’Oei’s misstep highlights a growing concern: how easy it is to fall for AI-generated content—even at the highest levels of government.
In response, the Foreign Affairs Ministry is now working with tech companies and global partners to explore ways to combat AI-driven disinformation.
“Our Ministry has been working with partners and tech companies to explore the potential of watermarking AI-generated content to ensure that such material does not pose as human-generated content,” Sing’Oei stated.
Watermarking AI-generated media has been a hot topic in the fight against deepfakes, with platforms like Google, OpenAI, and Adobe developing detection tools to prevent misuse.
PS Korir Sing’oei apologises for sharing AI-generated video.
Introducing the AI Diplomacy School
Beyond damage control, Sing’Oei announced that Kenya is taking proactive steps to educate policymakers on AI-related challenges.
The government is working with big tech firms to launch the School on AI Diplomacy (SAID) at the Foreign Service Academy.
“We are designing—with the collaboration of partners and big-tech companies—the School on AI Diplomacy (SAID) at the Foreign Service Academy,” he said. “A program I will attend—to equip policymakers better to navigate these emerging challenges.”
With AI deepfakes increasingly being used to spread misinformation, Kenya’s move to integrate AI literacy into diplomacy could set a precedent for other governments navigating the intersection of technology and policy.
A Wake-Up Call for Digital Literacy
Sing’Oei’s misstep serves as a lesson on the dangers of AI-generated misinformation, proving that even seasoned diplomats can be caught off guard.
As AI tools become more sophisticated, governments, journalists, and the public will need to stay one step ahead in detecting and countering deepfakes.
