President William Ruto disclosed on Monday that the Government of Kenya has been employing artificial intelligence (AI) to ensure bursaries and education funds are allocated to the most deserving students. Speaking during the U.S.-Kenya Business and Investment Roundtable in New York, Ruto highlighted the pivotal role AI is playing in advancing the country’s education sector.

Highlights:

• Kenya is using AI to distribute bursaries and education funds based on financial need.
• AI helps assess the financial status of parents to ensure fair distribution of funds.
• President Ruto expressed confidence in the technology’s ability to streamline the process.

AI in Education Funding

Responding to enquiries on how Kenya is utilising technological advancements like AI, Ruto explained that the technology has already been integrated into the country’s education sector. He stated that AI is used to evaluate which students are truly in need of financial assistance, ensuring that education funds are allocated fairly and efficiently.

“We are leveraging AI to do two very important things, one of which is in education. We use AI for our means-testing instruments on how we distribute education money to beneficiaries,” Ruto revealed during the roundtable discussion.

Determining Financial Status

According to the President, AI is being used to determine the financial capacity of parents and guardians, allowing the government to allocate resources to students who genuinely need financial assistance. Ruto emphasised that this system would prevent wealthier families from benefiting at the expense of needy students.

“By using AI, we are able to generate algorithms that give us an accurate assessment of the financial status of each parent,” he explained, adding that the process will improve efficiency in distributing education funds at all levels.

Legislation and Policy Framework

Ruto assured the roundtable that the government is taking steps to ensure the legal framework for AI use in education is in place. He mentioned that Parliament is currently working on legislation to support AI’s integration into Kenya’s education system and other sectors, such as agriculture, where it will be used to distribute fertilisers to farmers.

“We have just completed the policy, and I’m pleased to report that Parliament is working on legislation and guidelines that will support our AI journey,” Ruto stated.

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Confusion Over New University Funding Model

Ruto’s announcement comes amidst ongoing controversy regarding Kenya’s new university funding model, which has been criticised by various stakeholders. The new system, which determines the amount of funding students receive based on their economic background, has been labelled discriminatory by students and educators alike.

In recent weeks, university students have taken to the streets in protest, arguing that the model unfairly penalises students from middle-income families who receive less funding than they need. Critics argue that the system lacks clarity and is failing to meet the financial needs of many students.

With AI now being used to identify those who qualify for education funds, the government hopes to resolve some of the issues that have arisen from the new funding model. However, it remains to be seen how effective this approach will be in addressing the ongoing concerns raised by students and educators.