AI tops future challenges for Kenyan learners, survey shows
By Nicholas Waitathu
Seven in ten Kenyans believe Artificial Intelligence (AI) is the biggest bottleneck education sector must prepare the next generation for, a new Cambridge and YouGov survey reveals.
The survey that engaged over 1,000 adults in Kenya emphasized that Seven in 10 Kenyan adults surveyed chose emerging techs such as AI and automation as one of the top three challenges for the education sector to address.
Kagendo Salisbury, Director, Partnership for Education, Cambridge observed that the greatest possibilities for education systems lie not in technology alone, but in what humans and technology can achieve together.
The survey dubbed “Humans at the heart of education” also inspected other public health issues such as mental health and pandemics at 49 per cent, cyber security (38 per cent) and climate change (32 per cent).
The survey was undertaken by Cambridge University Press and Assessment’s Partnership for Education team (Cambridge). The Partnership for Education is focused on national education system development globally.
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.
Said she, “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 added, “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 realise Kenya’s potential and ensure our young people flourish.”
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.
The survey polled 1,084 adults in Kenya aged 18+ between 26 August and 2 September 2025 on the role of technology and human skills in the future of education.
Other key findings include 58 per cent of people in Kenya said digital skills including AI and data literacy are 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 per cent demonstrating creativity and innovation as among the top three skills to be fostered in the next generation.
The survey cautioned that teachers should not 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 per cent said the same of students, 81 per cent the community, and 75 per cent employers.,” the report notes.
