Story by Theophilus Chuma
THE Government has intensified implementation of the National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, with the Zimbabwe National AI Charter set to be launched within the next two weeks as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s digital transformation agenda.
The development was announced by the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Honourable Tatenda Mavetera, during the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Breakfast Meeting held in Harare on Wednesday.
The charter, which has now been finalised, is expected to provide the ethical and governance framework guiding the development, deployment and use of AI technologies in Zimbabwe.
“The true measure of our strategy lies not in its launch, but in its implementation. I am pleased to report that significant progress has already been made since the launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.
“One of the key milestones achieved is the finalisation of the Zimbabwe National AI Charter. The Charter serves as the foundational values-based framework underpinning the implementation of the National AI Strategy. It provides guidance on the ethical, transparent, inclusive and accountable development and deployment of Artificial Intelligence in Zimbabwe.
“The National AI Charter will be publicised soon. I had a conversation with my colleagues before coming here and they assured me that it will be launched within the next two weeks. This demonstrates Government’s commitment to implementing the objectives outlined in the National AI Strategy.
“The Charter is aligned with the Constitution of Zimbabwe, the National Development Strategy 2 (NDS2), and the readiness assessment and evaluation reports that informed the development of the National Artificial Intelligence Strategy.
“In addition, the terms of reference for Zimbabwe’s National Digital Regulatory Committee are now being finalised, with the appointment of the committee expected in the near future,” said Honourable Mavetera.
The announcement comes three months after the launch of the National AI Strategy, which is intended to harness emerging technologies to drive economic growth, innovation and public service transformation.
Stakeholders at the meeting described the strategy as a critical platform for boosting productivity and accelerating the adoption of AI-driven solutions across key sectors of the economy.
Zimbabwe Council for Higher Education ICT Director, Dr Gilford Tapera Hapanyengwi, called on educational institutions to align with the strategy and develop policies that support its implementation.
“We now need our educational institutions to develop sub-sector policies that fully embrace the six pillars articulated by the Minister. Within the education sector, the focus is on training and research. This presents an opportunity for real-world challenges to be addressed through Artificial Intelligence and showcased through the Grand Challenge initiative,” he said.
AI expert Dr Nancy Kwangwa stressed the importance of ensuring inclusivity throughout the development and deployment of AI technologies.
“We must consider the entire AI lifecycle, from research and development to deployment and all the activities in between. Let us ensure that we adopt an inclusive approach so that no one and no place is left behind,” she said.
Meanwhile, Government has launched the AI Grand Challenge, an initiative aimed at promoting innovation, critical thinking and the development of practical AI-based solutions to address national challenges.
The forthcoming launch of the National AI Charter is expected to mark another key milestone in Zimbabwe’s efforts to build a responsible, inclusive and innovation-driven digital economy.
