BY: WANJIRU KAMAU
Artificial intelligence is often discussed as a threat to jobs. Stories of machines replacing workers and software automating tasks have fuelled fears that technology could worsen unemployment, especially among young people.
For Kenya, however, the more important story is not about jobs disappearing. It is about new jobs being created.
When the Government unveiled the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2030, it committed to a Sh152 billion roadmap aimed at positioning Kenya as Africa’s leading AI hub. The strategy recognises artificial intelligence as a tool that can drive economic growth, improve public services, strengthen businesses and create employment opportunities across multiple sectors.
Africa is the world’s youngest continent, with an estimated 12 million young people entering the labour force every year. Kenya faces the same challenge. Thousands of graduates and school leavers enter the job market annually, often finding that opportunities are not growing fast enough to match demand.
The technology is projected to contribute up to $2.4 billion, or approximately Sh310 billion, to Kenya’s economy by 2030. Across Africa, AI is expected to generate $1.2 trillion in economic value by the end of the decade, increasing the continent’s GDP by 5.6 per cent through higher productivity, improved public services, greater financial inclusion and employment creation.
These figures show that AI is not simply a technology trend. It is becoming a major economic driver.
Much of the public debate focuses on automation. Some jobs will undoubtedly change as organisations adopt AI-powered systems. However, history shows that technological revolutions do more than replace tasks; they create entirely new industries and professions.
The rise of the internet created jobs such as app developers, digital marketers, social media managers and content creators. Artificial intelligence is already creating demand for machine learning engineers, data scientists, AI developers, cybersecurity specialists, AI trainers, digital ethics experts and AI governance professionals.
Many of these roles barely existed a few years ago.
What makes AI particularly exciting for Kenya is that its opportunities extend far beyond the technology sector.
Agriculture remains the backbone of Kenya’s economy and one of the country’s largest employers. AI-powered tools can help farmers predict weather patterns, detect crop diseases, manage pests and improve yields. These innovations will create opportunities for agritech entrepreneurs, drone operators, digital extension officers and data analysts who can help farmers make better decisions.
Healthcare is another area where AI can make a significant difference. Intelligent systems can support disease diagnosis, analyse medical images and improve patient management. This will not replace doctors and nurses. Instead, it will create demand for professionals who can develop, manage and deploy digital health solutions while helping medical workers deliver better care.
The education sector is also set to benefit. AI-powered learning platforms can personalise lessons, identify learning gaps and support students more effectively. As these tools become more common, opportunities will emerge for educational content developers, digital learning specialists and technology trainers.
The creative economy, which continues to attract young people, could experience some of the biggest gains. Musicians, filmmakers, photographers, graphic designers and writers can use AI tools to improve productivity, reach wider audiences and create new products. Technology can help creative talent scale its impact rather than limit it.
Many young entrepreneurs struggle because they lack resources. AI-powered tools can help them manage customer service, analyse markets, automate routine tasks and improve business efficiency at a fraction of the traditional cost. This lowers barriers to entry and enables more young people to build and grow businesses.
Kenya already has several advantages that support this transition.
The country has more than 65 million mobile connections, a strong digital payments ecosystem and a reputation as one of Africa’s leading technology centres. Research cited in the National AI Strategy identified more than 301 AI solutions operating across 27 African countries and 41 sectors, with Kenya playing an increasingly important role in this growing ecosystem.
The success of AI will depend less on technology itself and more on the people who can use it effectively. Encouragingly, AI skilling initiatives have already trained more than 600,000 individuals, providing a foundation upon which the country can build.
The strategy highlights several challenges, including skills gaps, uneven access to digital infrastructure, limited investment in local research and concerns that some communities could be left behind. These issues must be addressed if the benefits of AI are to be shared widely.
Universities, technical institutions and vocational training centres must equip learners with digital and AI-related skills. Businesses must invest in reskilling their workforce. Policymakers must create an environment that encourages innovation while ensuring ethical and responsible use of technology.
The countries that will benefit most from artificial intelligence are those that prepare their people to participate in it.
Kenya has already taken an important step by developing a national strategy and investing in the foundations needed for growth. The next task is to ensure that young people have the skills, opportunities and support required to turn that vision into reality.
Artificial intelligence will shape the future of work whether we are ready or not.
The real opportunity for Kenya is to ensure that its young people are not merely users of AI technologies developed elsewhere, but creators, innovators and entrepreneurs building solutions for Kenya, Africa and the world.
If that happens, the country’s Sh152 billion investment will not simply be a technology programme. It will be an investment in the next generation of Kenyan jobs.
