Kenya has been urged to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into its national education curriculum as part of efforts to strengthen digital skills and prepare learners for the fast-changing global job market.
Technology giant Microsoft believes that early exposure to AI will help accelerate the country’s adoption of emerging technologies and reinforce its position as a leading innovation hub in Africa.
According to Winnie Karanu, Microsoft’s AI Skills Director, embedding AI education into Kenya’s formal curriculum will require strong policy support, teacher training, and institutional capacity building. She emphasized that introducing AI studies at all levels of education— from primary to tertiary—would ensure young people acquire the practical, future-ready skills needed in the modern economy.
“I think there is an opportunity to think around how we can turn this into actual policy — where we capacitate teachers, embed AI into the curriculum, and build the right level of capacity in our educational institutions,” said Ms. Karanu.
She noted that while several nonprofit organizations and private tech companies are currently offering digital training programs, there is a need for the government and education sector to take a more structured and sustainable approach.
“Right now, a lot of training is being done by nonprofits or other tech firms. The real opportunity lies in leveraging the existing infrastructure within our education system to deliver consistent AI skills training and improve learning outcomes over time,” she added.
Experts agree that integrating AI studies into Kenya’s education system would not only enhance students’ digital literacy but also equip them to thrive in industries driven by automation, data science, and machine learning.
The move aligns with the government’s ongoing efforts to promote digital transformation, innovation, and youth empowerment through technology—key pillars in achieving Kenya’s Vision 2030 and the Digital Economy Blueprint.
As the world races toward an AI-driven future, Microsoft’s call serves as a timely reminder that investing in AI education today is the foundation for national competitiveness tomorrow.
