As Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology continues to advance and proliferate globally, the Kenyan government has been commended for embracing its potential to modernize the country’s Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) ecosystem.
The government’s plan to integrate AI into the production and assessment of examinations in TVET institutions has specifically been welcomed as a transformative step. Announced in August this year, the initiative aims to enhance efficiency, credibility, and alignment with evolving industry needs.
Mr. John Gitau, Director and Chairman of the Rift Valley Institute of Business Studies (RVIBS), noted that AI is reshaping industries worldwide, bringing both opportunities and disruptions. He emphasized that while AI is a powerful source of innovation, it also presents new challenges for youth employability.
“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,” Gitau said.
With proper training and support, he argued, young people in TVET institutions can transition into tech-focused roles and secure sustainable employment. However, he cautioned that the global shift in labor market trends calls for urgent reskilling and upskilling. “While AI may yield 69 million new jobs globally, 83 million could disappear, making preparation more urgent than ever,” he observed.
Gitau lauded Principal Secretary in the State Department for TVET, Dr. Esther Muoria, for announcing that AI-enabled examination centers are already being established nationwide. These will allow the Kenya School of TVET to generate exams, marking schemes, and results in a single day.
“Occupational standards and curricula will be fed into the system, where AI crafts examinations and marking schemes, then produces results immediately. This will significantly modernize Kenya’s assessment processes in the TVET sector,” Gitau explained.
He added that by leveraging AI platforms, TVET institutions can create synergies, share experiences, and develop solutions to common challenges, while aligning training more closely with industry demands.
In support of the government’s agenda, RVIBS, in collaboration with XE-AI of the United Kingdom, and with backing from the Ministry of Education and the TVET Authority (TVETA), will host the 2025 Artificial Intelligence & Future of TVETs Conference on October 17 at St. Mary’s Pastoral and Conference Centre in Nakuru.
According to Gitau, the conference comes at a pivotal time as 150 TVET institutions are being equipped as AI centres of excellence under a government-Huawei partnership. Trainers have already received AI instruction at the Kenya School of TVET, with knowledge now cascading across institutions nationwide.
The event is expected to attract over 300 delegates, including business leaders, policymakers, UN agency representatives, educators, innovators, and researchers from across Africa and beyond. Together, they will explore national AI strategies and the transformative role of AI in TVET.
“By analyzing large-scale labor market data such as job advertisements, occupational trends, and sectoral demand, AI systems can support curriculum updates and help identify emerging skills,” Gitau said. “The 2025 Artificial Intelligence & Future of TVETs Conference offers Kenya a unique opportunity to explore ways of using AI to align curriculum with industry demands.”
Organizers stressed that the event is designed not only to cement Kenya’s position as Africa’s AI hub but also to provide a platform for Kenyan authorities and institutions to influence global AI conversations.
“It is a pivotal step in aligning Kenya’s AI ambitions with global standards and trends,” Gitau remarked. “This is more than a conference – it’s a platform to shape the future of Kenya’s TVET ecosystem as the world of work evolves rapidly. By 2027, nearly one in four jobs is projected to change due to advances in artificial intelligence, the green economy, and other technologies.”
Gitau underscored the importance of ensuring TVET systems evolve to meet changing labor market demands. Integrating AI, big data analytics, and digital career platforms, he argued, can enhance curriculum relevance, personalize learning, and improve alignment with employer needs.
However, he cautioned that successful implementation will require robust data infrastructure, interoperability between ministries and stakeholders, and safeguards to ensure institutions and learners with limited digital access are not left behind.
A distinguished panel of speakers will headline the event, including Dr. Esther Muoria, Professor Chris Odindo of De Montfort University (UK), National Research Fund CEO Professor Dickson Andala, and UNESCO Kenya Commission CEO Dr. James Njogu. Others include Professor Caroline Omulando of the Open University of Kenya, Nakuru CECM for Education Ms. Zipporah Ngugi, University of Kabianga’s Dr. Florence Kamonjo, Egerton University AI expert Dr. Moses Thiga, and Dr. Tom Bruno, Product & Business Strategy Lead for Chrome Browser (San Francisco, USA).
The 2025 AI & Future of TVETs Conference will also spotlight AI applications across multiple sectors, including EduTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, ClimaTech, GovTech, FinTech, TradeTech, and InduTech.
The event will culminate in the unveiling of an AI-powered Career and Skills Portal and the launch of an AI-powered Virtual School. The school will provide personalized learning pathways, practical skills through simulations, improved accessibility, and stronger links between students and industry needs.
Organizers noted that the virtual school will deliver adaptive learning, real-world problem-solving tools, and efficient, unbiased assessments—paving the way for a more inclusive, equitable, and effective vocational training landscape.
The conference will close with the drafting of key policy recommendations and cross-border talent development pacts, providing a blueprint for how Kenya can harness AI to prepare its workforce for the future.
