You have probably noticed more and more jobs moving online lately. While it’s frustrating that companies seem to be outsourcing everything these days, do you know that this trend is creating new opportunities for tech-savvy youths in Kenya? Believe it or not, the rise of artificial intelligence and remote work means that talented Kenyan youths can now land high-paying jobs without ever leaving home. In this article, we explore the top remote jobs that leverage Al to connect qualified candidates like you with companies abroad. From customer service to medical transcription, you’d be amazed by the well-paid remote gigs now within reach, thanks to a laptop and a stable internet connection. So plug in and get ready to learn how Al and the work-from-home revolution are bringing new prospects to Kenya’s youth. The future is flexible – and it’s already here. 

 

The Youth Unemployment Crisis in Kenya 

Lack of Job Opportunities: The harsh reality is that Kenya’s youth face a dire lack of job opportunities. Each year, over 800,000 young people enter the job market, but only about 100,000 new jobs are created annually. This results in a massive gap that leaves many youth unemployed. Traditional sectors like agriculture, tourism, and trade are not expanding fast enough to absorb the growing youth population. Also, many Kenyan youth lack the skills and education required for available jobs, especially in the growing technology and services sectors. While university enrollment has increased, many graduates still struggle to find work that matches their qualifications. Limited access to technical and vocational training programs also prevents youth from developing in-demand skills. For youth in poor, rural areas or informal settlements, the barriers to employment are even higher. Limited access to education, job opportunities, financing, and professional networks prevent many from gaining the skills or experience needed to find work. Most cannot afford the costs of transportation to access opportunities in cities and towns. 

However, technology and online work are opening up new doors for Kenya’s youth. Remote jobs that utilize Al and digital platforms can help address the crisis by providing youth access to work opportunities regardless of their location or background. With access to a mobile phone or computer and internet connectivity, the youth can gain valuable skills and experience through online courses and freelance work. They can find clients and jobs on global websites and build their businesses with minimal overhead costs. While still a small sector of Kenya’s economy, technology-enabled remote work represents an important opportunity to harness youth talent, reduce unemployment, and drive economic growth over the long run. With the right investments in infrastructure, education, and policy support, remote jobs and Al can help transform the future of work for Kenya’s youth.

 

How Al Is Creating New Remote Working Opportunities 

More and more companies are realising the potential that Al and machine learning have to offer. As a result, new job roles are emerging that leverage these technologies. The good news for Kenya’s youth is that many of these jobs can be done remotely, from anywhere in the world. Such roles include;

Data Labeling

Data labeling involves manually labeling raw data to help train machine learning algorithms. For example, labelling images to identify objects, emotions or actions. This work is often done remotely by human data labellers and pays reasonably well. With some basic training, Kenya’s youth could find work doing data labelling for tech companies.

 Online Tutoring 

Al and education technology companies are creating new ways for students to learn remotely. This includes online tutoring, where tutors help students one-on-one via video chat. Subject matter expertise, strong communication skills and a good internet connection are the only requirements. Online tutoring provides a flexible way for Kenyan youth to earn an income, especially those with teaching experience or degrees. 

Virtual Assistance

As more business functions become automated, human virtual assistants are needed to handle personalised customer service and administrative tasks. Strong organisational and communication skills are key for this role. Virtual assistants can work remotely for companies all over the world, scheduling meetings, handling emails and more. This provides an opportunity for Kenya’s youth to gain valuable work experience in a growing field. While still limited, new Al and remote job opportunities are emerging that provide viable ways for Kenya’s youth to earn an income. With access to resources for building technical and soft skills, young Kenyans can find work that fits their abilities. As companies continue to adopt new technologies, the potential for remote jobs will only increase, opening up more chances for employment on a global scale. 

 

Top 5 Remote Jobs Enabled by AI Technology

Artificial intelligence has revolutionized many industries by automating tasks and creating new opportunities. Kenya’s youth can leverage Al to access remote jobs that provide a decent living. Here are 5 remote roles one can do;

Virtual Assistant 

As a virtual assistant, you handle administrative tasks for individuals or businesses from anywhere. Al helps by managing schedules, emails, travel plans, and more. With training, you can earn $30-50 an hour.

Online Tutor

Al enables interactive learning software and platforms where you tutor students remotely in your area of expertise. You need a bachelor’s degree and experience in teaching. Typical pay is $14-22 an hour.

Transcriptionist

Transcribing audio into text is tedious work, but Al has made it more efficient. As a freelance transcriptionist, you can convert audio files, interviews, podcasts, and more into written text. Pay averages around $15 an hour. 

Website Tester 

Al tools help companies build and optimize websites. As a website tester, you evaluate websites and mobile apps, identify issues, and provide feedback to developers. You get paid to surf the web and can make $10-15 an hour.

Online Survey Taker 

Companies use Al-powered survey tools to gain customer insights. As a survey taker, you provide opinions and insights by answering online surveys in your spare time. You can earn $5-15 per hour depending on the complexity of surveys. 

While not an exhaustive list, these Al-enabled jobs are a start for Kenya’s youth looking to earn a living remotely. With hard work and persistence, you can land an opportunity, gain valuable experience, and build a career. The future is bright in this fast-growing digital economy. 

 

Skills Needed for Remote Al Jobs

To land one of the in-demand Al and remote jobs, you’ll need to build up your skill set. Focus on developing both technical and soft skills that will make you an attractive candidate for companies around the world.

Technical Skills 

The most important technical skills revolve around data and computers. Build up your knowledge of statistics, data analysis, and data visualization tools like Excel, SQL, and Tableau. Learn a programming language like Python, which is commonly used for machine learning and AI. You should also understand natural language processing, computer vision, and the basics of building Al models. 

Communication Skills

As a remote worker, strong communication skills are essential. You’ll need to be able to clearly explain complex ideas and data insights to colleagues and clients over the phone, email and video chat. Practice active listening, asking good follow-up questions and paraphrasing what others say to confirm understanding. Your written communication should be concise yet compelling. Develop these skills through online courses or by volunteering to give presentations at local tech meetups.

Problem-Solving Skills

Al and remote jobs require a lot of independent work, so you need to be able to think on your feet. Build your problem-solving skills by working on side projects that push you outside your comfort zone. When obstacles arise, stay positive and break down big problems into smaller steps. Learn from failures and try different approaches. Over time, you’ll gain confidence in your ability to solve difficult challenges without much guidance. 

Adaptability 

The pace of change in Al and tech is rapid. New algorithms, tools, and programming languages emerge constantly. To keep up, you must be willing to step outside your comfort zone and learn new technologies quickly. Look for ways to expand your knowledge, such as following industry leaders on social media, reading blogs about innovations, and experimenting with different Al frameworks in your spare time. An adaptable, growth-oriented mindset will serve you well in these dynamic fields. 

With continuous skill-building in these areas, you’ll open yourself up to exciting opportunities in Al, machine learning, and remote jobs. The future is bright! 

 

Resources to Help Kenyan Youth Find Remote Al Employment

Online Courses 

Many free or affordable Al and tech courses are available online. Platforms like Udacity, Coursera and Udemy offer courses in machine learning, data analysis, and software engineering. These teach skills that can lead to remote Al jobs. Local universities like Strathmore University and Kenyatta University also offer online tech courses. 

Learn to Code

Coding is an essential skill for many Al jobs. Languages like Python, SQL, JavaScript and C++ are in high demand. Free resources like Codecademy, Khan Academy, and freeCodeCamp can teach you to code at your own pace. Many offer project-based courses that provide hands-on experience. 

Build Your Portfolio 

A portfolio of data analysis and machine learning projects showcases your skills to potential employers. Participate in online competitions on Kaggle and Driven Data to gain experience. Contribute to open-source Al projects on GitHub. Build your apps or chatbots and share them on your portfolio website. 

Networking 

Networking opens up opportunities for mentorship, collaboration, and new jobs. Connect with others in the Al field through sites like LinkedIn. Join local tech communities and attend events. Check for student programs from companies like Anthropic, PBC and Anthropic that offer training, networking and internships.

Job Boards 

Websites like Remote.com, FlexJobs and AngelList post many Al and tech jobs that can be done remotely. They allow you to filter by location, experience level, Company and job type. Many smaller companies don’t advertise on major job sites, so these niche boards are useful. Make sure your resume is optimized for applicant tracking systems to increase your chances of being seen by a recruiter. 

With hard work developing in-demand skills and persistence in your job search, you can find opportunities in the growing field of Al. The resources are out there – you just have to access them. Keep learning, building and networking, and the right remote job can be within your reach. 

So there you have it. With AI and remote work, opportunities are opening up for young Kenyans like never before. The key is finding an area that plays to your strengths and interests, getting the skills and tools you need, and putting yourself out there. It may take some work at first, but the potential payoff is huge in terms of interesting work, good pay, and the flexibility to build the life you want. The world is changing fast, and with the right attitude and effort, you can change right along with it. The future is yours for the taking if you have the drive to envision it and the guts to go make it happen. Believe in yourself and the possibilities. You got this!