At least seven out of ten Kenyans believe that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the biggest challenge the education sector must prepare the next generation to face.
The survey conducted by Cambridge University and YouGov which engaged over 1,000 adults in Kenya, emphasized that seven in every ten Kenyan adults interviewed chose emerging techs such as AI and automation as one of the top three challenges for the education sector to address.
Director in charge of partnership for education at Cambridge, Kagendo Salisbury, observed that the greatest possibilities for education systems lie not in technology alone, but in what humans and technology can achieve together.
Further, the survey dubbed ‘Humans at the heart of education’ also analysed other public health issues such as mental health and pandemics at 49 percent, cyber security (38 percent) and climate change (32 percent).
Kagendo argued that while people in Kenya want the education sector to prepare young people for new technology, it does not just entail teaching them digital skills, which can themselves easily become obsolete as the pace of technological change accelerates.
“Kenya is leading the way in integrating technology into everyday life – from business and banking to helping communities connect and thrive. This progress builds on our human strengths of creativity, collaboration and problem-solving, which is part of Kenyan life,” she stated.
Consequently, the Director noted that Competency-Based Education (CBE) is laying the foundation to embed and deepen these strengths alongside digital skills and critical thinking, preparing a generation to lead, innovate and adapt in a fast-changing world.
“By giving this balance the same priority as investment in infrastructure and devices, we can fully realize Kenya’s potential and ensure our young people flourish,” she asserted.
Meanwhile, the report calls on Kenya and global education systems to focus on education that builds the whole person, builds change with people across the system, and equips teachers to be agents of change.
In addition, the survey, which polled 1,084 adults in Kenya aged 18+ between 26th August and 2nd September 2025 on the role of technology and human skills in the future of education revealed that 58 percent of people in Kenya cited digital skills including AI and data literacy as among the most important things that need to be fostered in the next generation.
While Kenyans highly prize digital skills, human skills are also crucial with 51 percent demonstrating creativity and innovation as among the top three skills to be fostered in the next generation.
However, the survey cautioned teachers against delaying in adopting the new technology as failure would create a leeway for them to be replaced by technology.
“More than nine in 10 people in Kenya believe teachers should play a large or significant role in deciding education policy. The same number also believe parents and guardians should play such a role, while 82 percent said the same number of students, 81 percent the community, and 75 percent employers,” the report notes.
The survey was undertaken by Cambridge University Press and Assessment’s Partnership for Education team (Cambridge), a Partnership for Education which is focused on national education system development globally.
by Micheal Omondi
