By Lauryne Akoth
Alice Wahome, the Cabinet Secretary Ministry of Lands, Housing and Urban Development noted the Ministry is keen on leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) to enhance operations of Land Use studies and Land Cover Classification.
Speaking during the Pre-AGM conference of the Institution of Surveyors of Kenya (ISK) in Mombasa, the CS noted that her Ministry plays a critical role in the utilization of technological advancements to attain the vision of secure land tenure and a sustainable built environment for all.
The two-day conference under the theme: “Harnessing Artificial Intelligence (AI) for an Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) compliant Surveying” brings together Land and Built Sector Professionals from the public, private sector, and academia.
Wahome emphasized the need to use AI and ML technologies in the management of land resources.
“Ongoing developments such as population growth and connected issues of food security and urbanization have put land and water resources under considerable pressure,” said the CS.
“There is therefore a need to employ AI and ML for smart administration and management of land as a scarce and finite resource,” she further added.
AI, the CS observed, is advancing at a record speed, and becoming a prevalent topic of discussion for a variety of industries and sectors, including the surveying industry.
She advised Surveyors, Valuers, Estate Agents, and Property Managers, to employ ML algorithms to effectively analyze data, to stay afloat in their competitive environment.
“AI-powered software and tools will continue to help surveyors collect, process, and analyze large amounts of data, making it easier to map out land features, identify potential hazards, and assess the impact of development projects,” stated the CS.
The Surveyors were challenged to see how the use of specialized drones and other unmanned airborne vehicles could be utilized to provide real-time mapping for decision-making and property management.
Ms. Wahome emphasized that harnessing AI through the ArdhiSasa platform will transform land administration and management, ensuring enhanced efficiency, transparency, and accessibility for all citizens.
To resolve the challenges posed by varying charges for endorsing sectional plans across different counties, the CS said there is a need to make changes to the regulations to make it clear what counties should charge for endorsing survey plans.