The government has been urged to introduce flexible policy frameworks that will allow universities to adopt and update Artificial Intelligence (AI) curricula faster as the technology continues to evolve.
Speakers at the launch of the Africa AI Upskilling Programme said lengthy curriculum approval processes risk leaving institutions of higher learning behind as new AI tools and applications emerge at an unprecedented pace.
Ayomide Akindolie of FATE Foundation said universities needed greater flexibility to incorporate emerging technologies into their teaching programmes without navigating prolonged approval procedures.
“We need to include up-to-date AI curriculum without having to go through that very long process of getting approvals for the curriculum,” Akindolie said.
He noted that although universities operate under strict government frameworks governing curriculum development, the rapid evolution of AI required a different approach.
“AI is changing at enormous speed. Every day, there is something new. What does it look like for our universities to be able to keep up with the speed of the changes in AI and make sure it is reflected in the curriculum?” he posed.
Akindolie called for a departure from conventional curriculum governance processes, which he said could take years before new courses are approved and introduced.
The speakers also called for AI training to extend beyond universities to businesses and other sectors of the economy, arguing that the technology's benefits should translate into practical solutions for communities and enterprises.
Catherine Masolia, chief executive officer of Somo Africa, said AI adoption should be continuous and tailored to local needs, particularly in supporting entrepreneurs and small businesses.
“Benefits of AI need to translate beyond the universities and trickle down to business,” Masolia said, adding that Somo Africa intended to use the technology to support entrepreneurship.
National Research Fund Kenya chief executive officer Dickson Andala said AI could improve productivity across several sectors, including agriculture, healthcare and education.
“Through AI, we can be able to promote smart farming and in health we can enhance delivery of health services, and in teaching we can make it efficient by incorporating AI,” Andala said.
He revealed that six universities in Kenya had been brought into the programme, which includes training trainers in AI skills and integrating the technology into teaching.
USIU-Africa Vice Chancellor Prof Mwenda Ntarangwi said the university had already taken steps towards institutionalising AI through policy development and training for new students.
“We are ahead of the game at USIU because we already have an AI draft policy,” Ntarangwi said.
He added that the university had introduced AI modules for students joining the institution, noting that the technology offered opportunities for innovation and development.
