AI Tools — What They Actually Do (and Don't Do)

The Practical Reality of AI in Kenya

AI tools are not magic, and they're not going to run your business for you. What they are: incredibly fast assistants that can draft text, analyse data, generate ideas, summarise documents, and automate repetitive tasks.

A ChatGPT subscription costs $20/month (about KSh 2,600). If it saves you 10 hours of work per month at KSh 500/hour, that's KSh 5,000 saved — a 2x return. The math works when you use it as a tool, not a replacement for thinking.

AI Tools and What They're Best For

ChatGPT (OpenAI): best all-rounder. Writing, brainstorming, code generation, data analysis, summarisation. The free tier is usable; GPT-4 on the paid plan is significantly better.

Claude (Anthropic): excellent for long documents, careful analysis, and nuanced writing. Handles large context (entire documents) better than competitors. Free tier available.

Gemini (Google): integrates with Google Workspace. Best when you work heavily in Gmail, Docs, and Sheets. Can search the internet for current information.

Midjourney / DALL-E: image generation. Useful for mockups, concept visualisation, and social media graphics. Not for final production work — clients want real photography.

Each tool has strengths. Don't marry one — use the right tool for each task.

What AI Cannot Do

• •Verify facts — it generates plausible text, not verified truth
• •Access live systems — it can't log into TIMS, iTax, or eCitizen for you
• •Replace professional judgement — tax advice, legal opinion, and medical guidance need qualified humans
• •Guarantee originality — AI may produce text similar to existing sources
• •Understand your specific client's context without your guidance