Dr Ekrah Ndung’u Warns of Massive Job Disruption as AI Reshapes the Future of Work

By John Kariuki

The National Chairperson of the Kenya National Association of Private Colleges, Dr Ekrah Ndung’u, has warned parents, students and education stakeholders to urgently prepare for sweeping changes in the global job market driven by emerging technologies.

Dr. Ekrah said the world is already experiencing a major shift in employment patterns as artificial intelligence, robotics and advanced digital technologies reshape industries and redefine the skills required in the workplace.

According to the education leader, the next decade will witness unprecedented disruption in the labour market, with millions of traditional jobs expected to disappear as automation and digital transformation accelerate.

“Within the next ten years, about 92 million traditional jobs are expected to vanish, while nearly double that number of new careers will emerge in artificial intelligence, robotics and other technology-driven sectors,” Dr. Ekrah said.

She noted that the rapid pace of technological advancement is fundamentally transforming the way businesses operate and the type of workforce they require.

Dr. Ekrah advised parents and young people to be strategic when choosing career paths, urging them to consider whether a profession is future-proof before committing time and resources to education and training.

“Parents and young people must begin asking critical questions before choosing a career. One of the most important considerations today is whether the profession will still be relevant in the future,” she said.

She emphasised that education institutions must also adapt quickly to ensure that training programmes align with the emerging demands of the digital economy.

The education expert warned that the world is now entering what many scholars describe as the Fifth Industrial Revolution, a new phase of technological development where humans and advanced machines increasingly collaborate.

Unlike previous industrial revolutions that focused primarily on mechanisation and automation, the fifth industrial revolution integrates artificial intelligence, robotics, biotechnology and digital connectivity to transform industries at a much faster pace.

Dr. Ekrah observed that every industrial revolution in history has brought both opportunities and challenges, often accompanied by massive job losses and global economic upheaval before new opportunities emerge.

“The fifth industrial revolution is already here, or almost here, and every revolution brings with it massive job losses and global disruption before societies eventually adapt to the new reality,” she said.

She cautioned that companies across the world are rapidly adopting artificial intelligence to improve efficiency, productivity and decision-making, a move that is expected to significantly reduce the demand for routine and repetitive jobs.

As a result, future workplaces will increasingly demand new digital skills and technological competencies.

Dr. Ekrah said progressive companies are already shifting their hiring priorities and will soon begin demanding specialised certification in artificial intelligence and emerging technologies as a basic requirement for employment.

“Forward-looking companies will be demanding AI certification as part of the skill set required for many professional roles. This is the direction the global workforce is heading,” she said.

She compared the speed of technological transformation to a powerful force that cannot be stopped.

“The pace of change feels like a truck with no brakes going downhill. It is unstoppable and very fast,” Dr. Ekrah remarked.

The education leader emphasised that the best way to prepare for the future is by equipping young people with adaptable skills such as digital literacy, innovation, problem-solving and technological competence.

She also called on training institutions, universities and private colleges to continuously review their curricula in order to keep pace with global technological developments.

Dr. Ekrah said institutions that fail to modernise their programmes risk producing graduates who are ill-prepared for the rapidly evolving job market.

She further encouraged young people to embrace technology and remain open to continuous learning as the future of work becomes increasingly dynamic.

“Learning will no longer be something you do once in life. It will be a continuous process as technologies evolve and new opportunities emerge,” she said.

Dr. Ekrah also urged policymakers and education stakeholders to strengthen partnerships with the private sector in order to ensure that education systems respond effectively to emerging global trends.

She noted that preparing young people for the digital economy is not just an education issue but a national development priority.

As technological disruption continues to reshape industries worldwide, Dr. Ekrah believes that those who embrace innovation and invest in relevant skills will be better positioned to thrive in the new global economy.

Her message to parents and young people was clear: the future belongs to those who are ready to adapt, learn new technologies and stay ahead of global change.