A new report by Cambridge University Press & Assessment has found that 7 in 10 Kenyans believe artificial intelligence (AI) is the biggest challenge education systems must prepare the next generation for.
The findings come from a national survey conducted by YouGov on behalf of Cambridge. The survey polled 1,084 adults in Kenya on the role of technology and human skills in the future of education.
The report is titled Humans at the Heart of Education. 70% of respondents identified emerging technologies that include AI and automation as one of the top challenges the education sector must address.
The report also cautions that education should not focus on technology alone. 58% of Kenyans said digital skills are among the most important capabilities to be fostered in the next generation.
Cambridge argues that digital skills can quickly become outdated. This makes it critical for education systems to focus on lifelong digital competence. They should equip learners with the ability to adapt, think critically and use technology responsibly over time.
Human skills such as creativity, critical thinking, collaboration and self-management were also highly valued by respondents. More than half of the respondents identify creativity and innovation as essential skills for the future workforce.
Teachers remain central in the AI age
The report strongly emphasizes that teachers are more important than ever. It warns against using technology as a substitute for educators, arguing that such an approach risks creating a two-tier education system where some learners benefit from skilled teachers while others rely solely on digital platforms.
The report calls for technology to be used to empower teachers, help reduce workload through automation of tasks like marking and lesson planning. This frees up time to focus on “hard-to-teach” human skills such as empathy, creativity and critical thinking.
This view is widely shared by the public. More than 90% of Kenyans surveyed believe teachers should play a significant role in shaping education policy, alongside parents, students, communities and employers.
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