Ethical debates are surfacing at the Kenya National Drama and Film Festival as the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in scriptwriting raises questions about creativity and fair competition.

• Some adjudicators suspect AI is being used, viewing it as a form of cheating that gives an undue advantage.
• Officials, including Department of Literature chair Prof Miriam Musonye and Association of Film Producing Educational Institutions of Kenya secretary Mr Vincent Akuka, advocate for training teachers and producers on AI as a tool for efficiency and innovation.
• The festival is also piloting the removal of standard backdrops (back-cloths) to reduce costs and logistical challenges, a decision informed by findings from zonal, county, and regional editions.