President William Ruto.
President William Ruto has announced that he has enrolled for a master’s degree in Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the Open University of Kenya.
The President,a PhD holder, said he enrolled to deepen his understanding of the fast-evolving world of technology and its impact on governance, business and society.
Speaking at Konza Technopolis during the launch of the first phase of the smart city’s infrastructure, President Ruto said the decision was a personal step toward understanding the technology that is rapidly transforming modern life.
“I have enrolled myself as a student on AI because I want to understand it. AI is disruptive. It will change the way we do business, the way we run government, and the way we deliver services such as health and education,” he said.
The course — Master of Science in Artificial Intellegence — is offered at the university as a two-year programme that is fully online. With his busy schedule, the President will now have to schedule time to attend classes, do assignments as well as sit examinations.
The programme costs Sh187,500 (Sh101,500 for the first year and Sh86,000 for the second year).
The President noted that the world is entering a new technological era that demands leaders who not only talk about innovation but also take time to learn and adapt. He said his decision to return to class was symbolic of the mindset shift required to keep up with global technological advancements.
Next frontier
The Head of State described AI as the next frontier of global transformation, saying leaders must not only speak about innovation but also take deliberate steps to learn and adapt.
“Artificial Intelligence isn't just another buzzword — it's the future. Those of us in leadership must keep learning so that we can make informed decisions in a world that is changing faster than ever before,” he said.
He added: “By 2026, the Open University of Kenya will enroll 100,000 students. It will be the largest university in Kenya. We have invested in the most modern resources to support learning—making it affordable, accessible and fully digital. The cost of online courses will be just a fraction of what other universities are charging.”
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