By E, KNA
Nakuru will host Kenya’s first ever Artificial Intelligence Conference, where experts will be focusing exclusively on modernizing Technical and Vocational Education and Training eco-system, aimed at positioning the TVETS at the epicenter of global AI conversations.
The Conference, taking place on October 17th at St. Mary’s Pastoral and Conference Centre in Nakuru, will be jointly hosted by the Rift Valley Institute of Business Studies (RVIBS) and XE-AI of United Kingdom (UK) with support from the Ministry of Education and the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA).
Director and Chairman of RVIBS, John Gitau, said the Conference was expected to bring together over 300 business and corporate leaders, policymakers, representatives of United Nations specialized agencies, educators, scholars, innovators, industry leaders and researchers from across Africa and the globe.
He explained that the Delegates are expected to collaborate on co-creating national AI strategies with regard to the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions across Kenya, adding that the 2025 Artificial Intelligence and future of TVETs Conference, will offer Kenya a unique opportunity to explore ways of using AI to align curriculum with industry demands.
The Director elaborated that AI could be further used to collect real-time data from job postings, employer surveys, and economic indicators, to inform curriculum reform and national qualification planning.
By analyzing large-scale labor market data, such as job advertisements, occupational trends, and sectoral demand, Mr Gitau argued that AI systems could effectively support TVET curriculum updates and the identification of emerging skills.
This pioneering AI and TVET event, according to organizers, is not only meant to cement Kenya’s position as Africa’s AI hub, but also to provide Kenyan authorities and institutions with a vital platform to influence and shape global AI conversations.
“It is a pivotal step in aligning Kenya’s AI ambitions with global standards and trends”, noted Mr Gitau.
He went on to say that the AI Conference was more than a conference as it was a platform to shape the future of Kenya’s TVET ecosystem as the world of work was fast-evolving and that the country should race to catch up.
By 2027, it is projected that nearly one in four jobs will change because of advances in Artificial Intelligence, the green economy and other technological advancements, added the Director.
In an interview with Kenya News Agency, Mr Gitau pointed out that the shift in global job market trends and industry needs calls for a rethinking of how TVET education and training systems prepare young Kenyans today.
He pointed out that while AI may yield 69 million new jobs globally, 83 million could disappear, making reskilling and upskilling more urgent than ever.
“In the face of this disruption, digital tools are being used globally to modernize TVET systems, with hopes of making them more efficient, inclusive, and forward-looking. Kenya is no exception to this emerging trend,” he observed.
Highlighting the importance of the Conference’s timing, the Director noted that TVET systems in Kenya must evolve to meet the changing demands of the local, regional and global labour market.
He added that integrating digital tools such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), big data analytics, and digital career platforms into TVET could enhance curriculum relevance, personalize learning experiences, and improve alignment with labour market needs.
The Director, however, cautioned that this requires strong data infrastructure, interoperability between all stakeholders, relevant ministries and safeguards, to avoid excluding learners or institutions with limited digital access.
Some of the speakers who are experts in policy making, AI, education, research and industry lined to deliver their presentations at the event include Principal Secretary, State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET), Dr Esther Muoria, Professor Chris Odindo of De Montfort University (UK), Chief Executive Officer of National Research Fund (NRF) Professor Dickson Andala and the Chief Executive Officer, Kenya National Commission for UNESCO Dr James Njogu.
Deputy Vice Chancellor-In-Charge of Academic Affairs at the Open University of Kenya Professor Caroline Omulando, Nakuru County Executive Committee Member (CECM) for Education, ICT and e-Government Ms Zipporah Ngugi, Open, Distance and e-Learning (OdeL) expert at the University of Kabianga Dr Florence Kamonjo, ICT Director & AI Expert at Egerton University Dr Moses Thiga and Product & Business Strategy Lead, Chrome Browser (San Francisco, USA) Dr Tom Bruno will also make presentations.
The Conference comes at a time when the government is planning to change how examinations are produced and assessed in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) institutions.
In August this year, the government indicated that in the planned overhaul, the State will use Artificial Intelligence (AI), in what the Ministry now says will enhance efficiency, credibility and alignment with industry needs
Principal Secretary (PS), State Department for Technical, Vocational Education and Training (TVET) Dr Muoria, announced that AI examination centres are already being established across the country.
The centres will enable the Kenya School of TVET to generate exams, marking schemes, and results in a single day using AI technology.
“We feed our occupational standards and curricula into the system, and AI crafts the examinations and marking schemes, then produces results immediately. This will significantly modernize our assessment processes,” said PS Muoria.
She added that the initiative forms part of a broader government push to integrate technology into skills training and testing, while also bridging the gap between graduate competencies and market demands, particularly in emerging fields such as AI.
According to Dr Muoria, 150 TVET institutions are being equipped as AI centres of excellence under a partnership with Huawei.
Trainers have already undergone AI instruction at the Kenya School of TVET, with the knowledge cascaded to institutions across the country.
Organizers of the 2025 Artificial Intelligence and future of TVETs Conference say the event will pay premium attention to AI applications across EduTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, ClimaTech, GovTech, FinTech, TradeTech, and InduTech.
According to the Director and Chairman of RVIBS Mr Gitau, the Conference themed: ‘AI for TVETs in Kenya’ ,will culminate in the unveiling of an AI-powered Career and Skills Portal and launch of AI Powered Virtual School.
The School will offer personalized learning, enhanced accessibility, practical skill development through simulations, and improved employment readiness, by connecting students with industry needs and future job trends.
The virtual school will also provide adaptive learning pathways, support for diverse learners, real-world problem-solving tools, and efficient, unbiased assessments, ultimately creating a more inclusive, equitable, and effective vocational training landscape.
Scholars and practitioners with input from delegates, will draft key policy recommendations and develop cross-border talent development pacts.