Technology and Talent: NSSF Career Expo ignites conversations on AI careers

The 16th edition of the NSSF Career Expo kicked off in high gear on Monday at Makerere University, drawing hundreds of students eager to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the global job market.

Organised by the National Social Security Fund Uganda (NSSF), the annual career development initiative opened with vibrant discussions under the theme “Man or Machine: Exploring AI’s Impact on Careers.” The expo aims to spark curiosity among young people and help them understand how emerging technologies are transforming industries and redefining the skills needed to remain competitive in the modern workplace.

Students packed the halls to engage with experts, industry leaders, and policymakers in conversations about automation, digital transformation, and the opportunities that artificial intelligence presents for the next generation of professionals.

Technology Must Drive Productivity

Delivering the keynote address, Monica Musenero Masanza challenged students to look beyond the excitement surrounding new technologies and focus on their broader economic impact.

“Too often we look at technology in isolation,” she said, drawing an analogy of admiring a comfortable, attractive car without considering whether the surrounding economy can sustain its use.

“The real goal of technological change is to accelerate productivity, expand market access, foster innovation, and improve service delivery,” Musenero explained. “Industrial revolutions are not simply about gadgets. They are about increasing the speed and scale at which value is created.”

She emphasized that digital transformation, including the rapid rise of AI, is shifting value creation from traditional sectors of the economy into the digital space, fundamentally changing how economies function.

According to the minister, the critical question is not merely how technology saves time but how that saved time is used.

“If AI helps you finish your assignment quickly, what do you do with the rest of your time?” she asked. “The purpose of saving time is not idleness. It is to create more value.”

Musenero also highlighted the responsibility of leaders in science and innovation to guide young people through this technological transition, describing youth as the driving force behind Uganda’s future prosperity.

Preparing Graduates for a Changing Workplace

For NSSF, the expo forms part of a broader strategy to prepare young Ugandans for an evolving labour market shaped by technology and globalization.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Gerald Paul Kasaato said the Fund recognizes the growing disconnect between traditional education pathways and the rapidly changing demands of the workplace.

“Every year, over 25,000 students graduate from universities and tertiary institutions across the country, yet the world of work is evolving every single day,” Kasaato noted.

“We believe the Expo gives students an opportunity to better understand these realities and prepare themselves for meaningful careers.”

He described the career expo as a platform where students can interact with industry players, explore career opportunities, and gain insights into the skills required in the digital economy.

Nationwide Outreach

This year’s edition of the expo is expected to reach thousands of students across the country. Organizers say the initiative will be hosted in 14 universities and campuses, reflecting NSSF’s commitment to extending career guidance beyond the capital.

While the opening day was hosted at Makerere University, the expo will continue its nationwide tour to other institutions in the coming weeks, including Victoria University Uganda, which officials described as one of Africa’s fast-growing centres of learning.

A Platform for the Future

Over the years, the NSSF Career Expo has grown into one of Uganda’s largest student engagement platforms, bridging the gap between academia and industry while exposing students to emerging global trends.

With artificial intelligence increasingly influencing sectors ranging from finance and healthcare to agriculture and manufacturing, this year’s theme places Uganda’s young workforce at the center of a critical conversation: how to remain relevant in an age where machines are transforming how work is done.

For many students attending the opening day, the message was clear—technology will not replace ambition or creativity, but it will redefine the skills needed to succeed.