How varsity students are grappling with rise of AI

Lisa Ajiambo, final year student at the school of information communication and media studies

Kenya finds itself at a crossroads of technological transformation, where artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept but a present reality, reshaping the nation’s governance, economy and social fabric.

From the Kenya Revenue Authority’s AI-powered systems boosting daily collections from Sh60 million to Sh1 billion, to the Hustler Fund’s algorithm-driven financial inclusion for underserved communities, the potential is undeniable.

Yet this rapid adoption comes with pressing questions about ethics, accessibility and long-term societal impact that Kenya must address to ensure its digital future benefits all citizens equally.

The government’s push for AI integration under the Kenya National Digital Master Plan (2022–32) has already transformed service delivery, expanding digital offerings from 350 to more than 22,000.

Deputy Chief of Staff Eliud Owalo envisions a future where physical government offices become obsolete as digital platforms streamline everything from business registration to healthcare access.

This digital leap forward mirrors successes in financial technology, where AI-driven credit scoring through the Hustler Fund has empowered women-led enterprises and small businesses previously excluded from formal banking systems.

The fund’s mobile-based approach demonstrates how targeted AI applications can bridge Kenya’s persistent economic divides when implemented thoughtfully.

Rongo University vice chancellor Prof Samuel Gudu says higher education institutions must set ethical standards for AI use.

“Universities must lead in setting ethical standards for AI use. Education should not just prepare students for digital careers but also equip them to navigate AI-driven ethical dilemmas,” he said.

His stance aligns with global discourse on responsible AI. A 2022 Unesco report highlighted the need for ethical frameworks in AI education, warning that unchecked AI adoption could reinforce biases, infringe on privacy and undermine human decision-making.

Rongo University has integrated AI ethics into its curriculum, ensuring students develop both technical skills and critical awareness.

PROMISE AND PERIL

One of Kenya’s most tangible AI success stories is in revenue collection, as noted earlier. AI-powered systems that detect tax evasion and seal financial leakages have significantly increased collection.

“The sources of revenue remain the same, the people in government remain the same, but we’ve leveraged technology to enhance efficiency,” Owalo said.

This efficiency has strengthened Kenya’s fiscal independence, reducing reliance on external debt.

Beyond finance, AI has revolutionised service delivery. Under the Kenya National Digital Master Plan (2022-32), government services have expanded from 350 to more than 22,000 digital offerings.

Owalo predicts that soon, “physical visits to government offices will be unnecessary as digital platforms streamline services”.

Education presents both AI’s promise and peril. Universities like Rongo have taken proactive steps by integrating AI ethics into their curricula, preparing students for a workforce where human judgment must complement machine intelligence.

Dr Maren Akong, a lecturer and Writers Club patron, calls for moderation. “AI should enhance creativity, not replace it.”

This concern comes as studies indicate that 40 per cent of Kenyan university students now use tools like ChatGPT for assignments, raising valid concerns about academic integrity and the erosion of critical thinking skills.

University students remain deeply divided about AI’s role in academia and creative fields, reflecting broader global debates about technology’s impact on learning and originality.

Lisa Ajiambo, a fourth-year communications student and digital content creator, utilises AI tools for video editing and audience analytics but says one should not get carried away.

“There’s a dangerous tipping point where convenience can erode authentic creativity,” she says. Her concerns echo findings from a 2023 African Academic AI Network study, showing 62 per cent of creative arts students struggle to maintain originality when using generative AI.

The anxiety about AI’s cognitive impact extends beyond creative disciplines. Francis Oluoch, a second-year education major at Maseno University, worries about its implications to his future career.

“When my classmates use AI to generate lesson plans or solve math problems, they are skipping the mental gymnastics that make us better teachers,” he says.

MODERN LEARNING

Some students are more optimistic, championing AI as an essential tool for modern learning. Purity Anyango, a first-year media studies student at Rongo University, is in this school of thought.

“AI doesn’t diminish our creativity, it gives us more time to focus on big ideas by handling technical tasks like colour correction or audio balancing,” she says.

Her experience reflects broader trends identified in Unesco’s 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report.

The report highlighted how AI-assisted editing tools can increase media students’ output quality by 40 per cent when used as supplements rather than replacements for human judgment.

As noted, students’ perspectives range from cautious skepticism to enthusiastic adoption.

This mirrors the broader societal negotiation occurring as AI transforms workplaces.

The students’ insights suggest that educational institutions must strike a delicate balance.

They should equip students with cutting-edge AI skills, while preserving the human elements of creativity, critical thinking and ethical judgment that remain invaluable in the digital age.

As these youths prepare to enter the workforce, their ability to navigate this balance may determine not just individual success but also the nation’s capacity to harness AI as a tool for inclusive development.

The employment landscape is similarly in flux. While global reports predict AI could displace 85 million jobs worldwide by 2025, Kenya’s unique ‘hustler economy’ may prove more resilient.

Startups like Ushauri AI, which provides Swahili-language agricultural advice through chatbots, demonstrate how homegrown solutions can create new opportunities rather than simply replace traditional jobs.

The government’s establishment of 180 digital hubs in TVET institutions has already generated 182,000 digital jobs, suggesting Kenya might follow Owalo’s vision where citizens “create jobs rather than wait to be employed”.

ETHICAL DILEMMA

Beneath these successes lurk significant ethical challenges that could undermine Kenya’s AI progress if unaddressed.

Algorithmic bias in financial and government systems risks perpetuating existing inequalities, particularly against Kenya’s large informal sector workers who lack digital footprints.

Privacy concerns loom large as citizens unknowingly surrender personal data to opaque AI systems, while the rapid spread of AI-generated misinformation threatens to destabilise elections and public health initiatives. These problems already emerged during the Covid-19 pandemic. The urban-rural digital divide exacerbates these issues, with only 42 per cent of rural Kenyans having Internet access compared to 78 per cent in cities, creating a nation of AI haves and have-nots in education, healthcare and economic opportunity.

Infrastructure limitations compound these challenges. Frequent power outages disrupt digital operations nationwide, while the high cost of AI hardware puts advanced tools out of reach for most individuals and institutions.

Rural schools lack the connectivity to implement AI-enhanced learning. Clinics cannot access diagnostic tools that could save lives. Farmers miss out on predictive analytics that could transform harvests.

These gaps threaten to create a permanent technological underclass unless addressed through targeted interventions.

While AI has demonstrated remarkable potential to boost revenue collection, expand financial inclusion and improve service delivery, its unchecked adoption risks exacerbating existing inequalities. The urban-rural digital divide, algorithmic biases and ethical concerns in education demand immediate attention to ensure AI benefits all Kenyans equally.

Three critical actions must guide Kenya’s AI future: First, policymakers must implement robust governance frameworks that mandate transparency in public sector AI systems and protect citizen data rights.

Second, educational institutions need to dramatically expand digital literacy programmes that teach both AI applications and their ethical implications.

Third, targeted investments in rural digital infrastructure, including renewable energy-powered hubs, are essential to prevent a new technological underclass from forming.

The private sector and civil society have equally vital roles to play. Tech innovators must develop localised solutions like Ushauri AI’s Swahili chatbot that address Kenya’s unique challenges.

Meanwhile, media and watchdog groups should monitor AI implementations to hold institutions accountable for biased or exclusionary practices.

Kenya’s choice is clear: either proactively shape an AI future that serves all citizens, or risk having that future dictated by unchecked technological forces.

Decisive action should be taken today through smart regulation, inclusive education and equitable infrastructure. By doing so, Kenya can become a model for responsible AI adoption in Africa.

The algorithms of tomorrow are being written today. Let’s ensure they encode Kenya’s values of equity and innovation for all.