Kenyan youths have been challenged to embrace artificial intelligence to prepare for the changing future of work.
eMobilis Technology Training Institute co-founder and managing director, Ken Mwenda, says that in an era where technological advancement is dominating, the fusion of human intelligence and artificial intelligence has become a driving force behind innovation.
He notes that although there are legitimate concerns about the rapidly advancing technology, there are also numerous artificial intelligence examples that prove it’s shaping the future for the better.
“AI will revolutionize labour, it won't necessarily eliminate jobs, but it may complement them. AI has the potential to bring about numerous positive changes in society, including enhanced productivity, improved healthcare, and increased access to education,” said Mwenda.
He was speaking during a forum that brought together more than sixty youths in the artificial intelligence (AI) space.
The event offered a forum for those who were passionate about AI to interact, share ideas and best practices, and learn about the role AI plays in developing digital work readiness skills and increasing job opportunities in the digital economy.
Kenya so far has 2500 Artificial Intelligence professionals including machine learning, and data science practitioners among others according to AI Kenya.
In 2022, Kenya was ranked fifth in Africa with regards to the government's readiness to adopt AI in public services. The ranking was published by Oxford Insights, which placed Kenya at position 90 globally. Kenya's score was the highest amongst the seven member countries of the East African Community.
Joan Mbesya, the co-founder and the CEO, Tech Mindset AI Africa said AI is taking everyone where they will encounter AI in one way or another.
She urged young people not to leave what they are studying but to study AI in their domain.
“In the next five years if you look for a job and you don’t have AI you will be replaced by AI. From your domain, do not leave what you are studying. What I would encourage you is to study AI application within your expertise domain because the organizations that you are going to work for are not going to proceed without integrating AI,” said Mbesya.
Alice Kimani, Private Sector Engagement Lead- Ajira Digital and Youth Employment said, KEPSA has linked over 100,000 young people to digital and digitally enabled work.
“My call to young people is to invest in new skills as skills are changing every day, and also keep abreast of what is happening in the labour market,” said Kimani