The Ministry of Information and Communication Technology has proposed the Information and Communications Technology Authority Bill, 2024. This legislation aims to establish the Information and Communications Technology Authority (ICTA) as a statutory entity, superseding the existing ICT Authority. The bill outlines comprehensive measures to enhance ICT services’ security, efficiency, and integration across the public sector and the broader economy.

The Cabinet Secretary for ICT, Eliud Owalo, has introduced a bill that aims to register and license ICT practitioners within the country to regulate the industry. The bill also seeks to standardize the ICT sector by ensuring the provision of secure, proficient, and high-performing ICT services.

What is the ICT Bill 2024?

The ICT Authority Bill, of 2024, aims to establish the Information and Communications Technology Authority (ICTA) as a statutory entity in Kenya. This bill seeks to enhance the provision, security, efficiency, and integration of ICT services within the public sector.

Here is a breakdown of what the bill entails:

Objectives and Principles

The primary objectives of the ICT Bill are to:

• Promote the provision of secure, efficient, and effective ICT resources.
• Standardize ICT services and infrastructure.
• Integrate ICT in the delivery of public services.

The bill is underpinned by principles that emphasize inclusive access, cost-effectiveness, fostering innovation, and ensuring that ICT infrastructure and services are flexible, adaptable, and interoperable.

Establishment and Functions of ICT Authority

The ICT Authority (ICTA) will be established as a corporate body with perpetual succession, capable of suing and being sued, managing property, and entering into contracts. Its key functions include:

• Designing, implementing, and managing national ICT infrastructure.
• Formulating and enforcing ICT codes and standards.
• Promoting digital literacy and ICT skill development.
• Accrediting ICT service providers.
• Implementing security measures and monitoring potential cybersecurity threats.

Impact of the Bill on the IT Industry

According to the proposed legislation, ICT practitioners and service providers must register with the designated authority to operate within the country. Accreditation requires payment of a fee and annual license renewal. It’s important to note that only those licensed by the authority will be legally permitted to work in the field once the bill becomes law.

The bill aims to eliminate practitioners lacking the necessary qualifications for licensing, amidst declining service delivery. This may deter many from entering the field. Although the bill could enhance service efficiency, the disadvantages seem to surpass its intended purpose.

A significant amendment in the bill is the elimination of the university degree requirement for licensing, a contentious point in the ICT Bill 2020. The 2024 bill stipulates that applicants must possess the “minimum technical qualifications,” along with the necessary experience and skills as prescribed by the Authority.

Should this bill be enacted, ICT professionals will require accreditation and licensing, a process that will classify them based on qualifications and skills. ICT service providers will also need to demonstrate experience in a specific work category and possess the necessary ICT resources for that category.

Licensing and categorizing practitioners may hinder the dynamic nature of ICT, a field that individuals can enter without formal training. Young tech enthusiasts, recent graduates, and aspiring professionals may find themselves deprived of opportunities to gain practical experience in the field.

Urge for Public Participation

Kenyans in the IT industry raised a public outcry after the Finance Bill was brought to the public raising concerns of dubious taxes and levies and limiting resources for the foreseeable future. Recently, an Addendum from the Ministry of Information, Communications & The Digital Economy was posted on MyGov weekly newspaper indicating that the bill is closely becoming a reality.

Remember to submit your comments in the emails provided on the bill; [email protected] and copy to [email protected]

If you are doubting the impact your commentary will make, remember the proposed Road Maintenance Levy review and how feedback from us, Kenyans impacted that decision. It’s important your voice is heard.

Despite these intentions, the bill continues to face resistance from the ICT community, concerned about the potential impact on professionals and the industry’s accessibility. Roger Taracha, an engineering leader, fintech and sound tech invites you to a space on X to discuss this ICT bill and a wide range of topics about the industry this Friday 12th July at 7pm. They will have all ICT stakeholders in Kenya—government, private sector, and individuals— participating. Their goal is to gather and submit comprehensive feedback to the government. Link here

Are you ready for the most ambitious video game ever made? Rockstar Games is set to break all records with the budget for Grand Theft Auto VI, rumoured to be around a staggering $2 billion. This eye-watering sum places GTA VI as the most expensive video game of all time, far surpassing its predecessors and competitors in the industry.

Setting a New Standard

The budget for GTA VI is not just high; it is monumental. To put it in perspective, Rockstar’s previous blockbuster, “Red Dead Redemption 2,” had a production cost of $540 million. Meanwhile, “Cyberpunk 2077,” despite its ambitious scale and technological aspirations, came in at approximately $436 million. Even the widely popular “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III” had a budget close to $1 billion.

The massive budget for GTA VI is driven by several factors. Firstly, the sheer scale of the game is expected to be unprecedented, promising an expansive open world filled with intricate details and immersive experiences. Rockstar is known for its meticulous attention to detail, and with such a hefty budget, fans can expect a level of realism and interactivity that surpasses any game currently on the market.

Additionally, the development cycle for GTA VI has been extensive, reflecting Rockstar’s commitment to quality and innovation. The game’s development involves cutting-edge technology, extensive research, and a large team of developers, artists, and designers working tirelessly to bring this vision to life.

To truly understand the scale of GTA VI’s budget, it helps to compare it with other high-budget games:

1. Red Dead Redemption 2 – $540 million
2. Cyberpunk 2077 – $436 million
3. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III – $1 billion

These figures highlight just how extraordinary GTA VI’s budget is, effectively combining the costs of multiple blockbuster games into one. This financial commitment underscores Rockstar’s ambition to create a gaming experience like no other.

Anticipation and Expectations

With fans eagerly awaiting its release, GTA VI is already generating immense hype. The first trailer alone broke records, showcasing the game’s potential and setting high expectations for what is to come. While the exact release date is still unconfirmed, the anticipation continues to build as more details emerge.

Final Thoughts

In a world where the gaming industry continues to push boundaries, Rockstar’s GTA VI stands as a testament to what is possible when creativity, technology, and an unprecedented budget come together. This game is not just another entry in a beloved franchise; it is set to redefine the standards of what a video game can be.

Stay tuned as we await more updates on what promises to be the most revolutionary game ever made. The future of gaming is here, and it looks like it’s going to be a wild ride.

X, which I will forever still call Twitter, has recently introduced new policies to tackle the dissemination of explicit and non-consensual content, including AI-generated deepfakes. This initiative marks a significant change for the platform, which previously allowed explicit posting without stringent guidelines, resulting in numerous complications and misuse. We all thought it would go the Tumblr route and ban explicit content entirely but nop.

The new guidelines specifically ban the sharing of “synthetic, manipulated, or out-of-context media that may deceive or confuse people and lead to harm.” This includes content that sexualizes individuals without their consent. The aim is to protect users from harmful and misleading media that can cause significant distress and damage reputations.

One of the key issues that these new policies address is the prevalence of deepfake technology, which has been increasingly used to create explicit and non-consensual images and videos. Celebrities, such as Jacob Elordi and Taylor Swift, have been notable targets of these deepfakes, which spread rapidly across social media platforms, causing substantial personal and professional harm.

Despite the implementation of these new policies, challenges remain. The rapid spread of explicit deepfakes and the evolving nature of AI technology means that X will need to continuously adapt and enforce its guidelines to effectively combat this issue. The platform’s efforts are a step in the right direction, but the effectiveness of these measures will depend on consistent enforcement and user awareness.

The introduction of these guidelines is a crucial development for X. By setting clear rules and taking a firm stance against non-consensual explicit content, the platform aims to create a safer and more respectful online environment. This move not only protects individual users but also reinforces the platform’s commitment to integrity and trust.

As long as you remember to not open X in public or around your parents, you’re going to be okay.