Influence of Artificial Intelligence Adoption on Employee Productivity in the Public Sector: A Case of SMC 460/2026 Participants at Kenya School of Government Lower Kabete Campus
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53819/81018102t4391Abstract
This study examined the influence of Artificial Intelligence adoption on employee productivity among public service officers in SMC Cohort 460/2026 at the Kenya School of Government, Lower Kabete Campus. Public service institutions ought to use Artificial Intelligence to improve employee productivity, reduce routine manual work, strengthen decision making and enhance service delivery. However, OECD notes that AI adoption in government is limited by skills gap, legacy systems, data constraints, financial limitations and concerns over privacy, fairness and transparency. The study adopted a descriptive survey design and a mixed methods approach. Data were collected using an online questionnaire from 88 respondents and analysed using frequencies, percentages, means, standard deviations, Pearson correlation and thematic analysis. The findings showed that 79 respondents, representing 90 percent, had used AI tools in their work. ChatGPT was the most widely used tool, followed by Google Gemini, Microsoft Copilot and Grammarly. AI tools were mainly used for summarising documents, editing grammar and language, drafting reports, research support, data analysis and preparing presentations. The level of AI adoption was moderate, with strong awareness, access and perceived usefulness, but weak institutional guidance and training. AI adoption positively influenced productivity by improving report quality, reducing manual effort, reducing delays and supporting workload management. The study concludes that AI has practical value in improving public service productivity, but effective use requires clear guidelines, training, data protection safeguards and responsible human oversight.
Keywords: Artificial Intelligence adoption, employee productivity, public service, AI tools, Kenya School of Government, Lower Kabete Campus
References
African Union. (2024). Continental artificial intelligence strategy. African Union. https://au.int/en/documents/20240809/continental-artificial-intelligence-strategy
Brynjolfsson, E., Li, D., & Raymond, L. R. (2023). Generative AI at work. National Bureau of Economic Research. https://doi.org/10.3386/w31161
Cazzaniga, M., Jaumotte, F., Li, L., Melina, G., Panton, A. J., Pizzinelli, C., Rockall, E., & Tavares, M. M. (2024). Gen AI: Artificial intelligence and the future of work. International Monetary Fund.
Communications Authority of Kenya, & Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. (2025). Analytical report on information and communication technology based on the 2023/24 Kenya Housing Survey. Communications Authority of Kenya and Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.
Davis, F. D. (1989). Perceived usefulness, perceived ease of use, and user acceptance of information technology. MIS Quarterly, 13(3), 319–340. https://doi.org/10.2307/249008
McKinsey Global Institute. (2023). The economic potential of generative AI: The next productivity frontier. McKinsey & Company.
Microsoft, & LinkedIn. (2024). 2024 Work Trend Index annual report: AI at work is here. Now comes the hard part. Microsoft.
Ministry of ICT, Innovation and Youth Affairs. (2022). Kenya National Digital Master Plan 2022–2032. Government of Kenya.
Ministry of Information, Communications and the Digital Economy. (2025). Kenya Artificial Intelligence Strategy 2025–2030. Government of Kenya. https://ict.go.ke/sites/default/files/2025-03/Kenya%20AI%20Strategy%202025%20-%202030.pdf
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2025). Governing with artificial intelligence: The state of play and way forward in core government functions. OECD Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1787/795de142-en
Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2026). Building an AI-ready public workforce. OECD Publishing. https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/building-an-ai-ready-public-workforce_b89244c7-en.html
Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). Free Press.
UNESCO. (2023). Guidance for generative AI in education and research. United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization.
