diff --git a/python/semantic_kernel/__init__.py b/python/semantic_kernel/__init__.py
index f4a1673db76e..698296c51027 100644
--- a/python/semantic_kernel/__init__.py
+++ b/python/semantic_kernel/__init__.py
@@ -2,5 +2,5 @@
 
 from semantic_kernel.kernel import Kernel
 
-__version__ = "1.16.0"
+__version__ = "1.17.0"
 __all__ = ["Kernel", "__version__"]