Voices from the AI Campus | Kenya

In his role at the Emerging Leaders Foundation — Africa, Edward has spent the last seven years helping young public servants build agency, skills and influence across civic and economic life. Edward sees the next generation as powerful catalysts for innovation and change, especially when equipped with the right skills, values, networks and opportunities to lead in governance and technology.

Edward has a background in software engineering and nearly a decade of experience with emerging technologies. But it was the Government AI Campus AI Fundamentals for Public Servants course that helped him bridge the gap between technical knowledge and public sector application. The online course covers how AI works, its capabilities, risks, regulations and how a human-centred approach can help governments use it ethically.

“It really helped me deepen my understanding of AI despite already having a technical background. It also helped me navigate the complexities of adopting this emerging technology within the bureaucratic structure of the public sector."

Taking the course sparked change beyond Edward. He hosted sessions to share his learnings with young public servants, many of whom entered fearful of AI taking over their roles. By the end, 40% had shifted their view — now seeing AI as a tool for job creation and smarter services. The AI Campus course’s combination of real-world case studies, interactive content and frameworks helped accelerate this mindset shift and turn ideas into action.

For Edward, AI is also about leadership and inclusion. It’s about ensuring African countries aren’t just consumers of new technologies, but designers of their future. He shares,

“The Campus changed the way I work. It’s a game changer.”