Story by Mhlomuli Ncube
THE academia has been identified as key in leading Zimbabwe’s efforts to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) in national development.
While Artificial Intelligence is opening up vast opportunities for Africa’s development, scholars and policymakers are also having important conversations on how equitable opportunities must be availed in both urban and rural communities.
The stakeholders met recently at Lupane State University in Matabeleland North province to brainstorm on the important subject.
“It is very important to ensure that we give opportunities to both rural and urban learners equitably if AI is to be inclusive.
“The same facilities in urban schools must also be there in our rural ones so that our children get similar exposure.
“Our curriculum which is already heritage-based, must also advance learner education by availing similar tools in both rural and urban centres,” the stakeholders said.
Institutions of higher learning are also channelling resources into research on how AI can assist the national development discourse.
“We need to stay ahead. If we don’t control AI, we risk AI controlling us. We need to contribute to its innovation seriously,” Lupane State University Dean, Faculty of Humanities, Dr Mbulisi Ndlovu said.
Deputy Chief Secretary in the Office of the President and Cabinet, Reverend Paul Damasane weighed in, “We must now ask ourselves some critical questions: How can we deepen inter-institutional research collaboration to localise AI innovations for rural schools? What systems are required to continuously train educators in emerging technologies while preserving pedagogical integrity? How do we ensure that Al, in pursuit of efficiency, does not erode community values, cultural heritage, and learner agency?”
On its part, the Second Republic continues to provide resources like ICT materials and solutions to rural schools.
These tools have been noted to be critical in ensuring rural learners stay abreast of new innovations and technologies like their urban counterparts.
