Graduates urged to embrace AI as new technology takes root

Graduates Urged to Embrace AI as New Technology Takes Root in Kenya
NAIROBI – Industry leaders and educators have issued a clarion call to Kenya’s graduating class, urging them to actively embrace artificial intelligence (AI) or risk being left behind in a rapidly evolving job market. The push was central to a high-profile business forum in Nairobi, where speakers emphasized that AI is no longer a futuristic concept but a present-day tool transforming sectors from finance and agriculture to healthcare and creative arts within the country. This guidance comes as local companies increasingly adopt AI-driven solutions for data analysis, customer service, and process automation.
The forum highlighted a stark reality for new graduates: the skills that secured jobs a decade ago are no longer sufficient. Executives from leading firms in the banking, telecommunications, and tech sectors detailed how AI is automating routine tasks, thereby elevating the value of critical thinking, data interpretation, and strategic implementation. AI will not replace you, but a professional who uses AI will replace one who doesn’t, warned a panelist from a prominent tech hub, underscoring the need for graduates to view AI as a collaborative tool that augments human intelligence, not as a threat.
The reaction from academic institutions has been swift, with several universities announcing plans to integrate AI literacy and practical modules across diverse curricula, not just in computer science. We are moving beyond theory. Our graduates must leave university with hands-on experience in using AI platforms relevant to their fields, stated a dean from a major Nairobi university. Career counselors are also adapting their advice, encouraging students to pursue certifications in AI-related disciplines and to develop a mindset of continuous, lifelong learning to keep pace with technological shifts.
The long-term outlook suggests that Kenya’s economic competitiveness will be intrinsically linked to its workforce’s fluency in new technologies like AI. By proactively upskilling, graduates can position themselves not merely as job seekers but as innovators capable of developing local AI solutions for local challenges. This strategic embrace of AI is poised to create new career pathways, drive entrepreneurship, and ensure that Kenya’s young and dynamic population remains a leading asset in the continental and global digital economy.