Staff Reporter
Zimbabwe has been selected as one of six African countries to pilot the implementation of UNESCO’s global recommendations on the ethical use of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cabinet announced, on Tuesday.
Speaking during a post-Cabinet briefing, in Harare, yesterday, Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Dr. Jenfan Muswere, said the milestone marks Zimbabwe’s growing role in shaping responsible digital transformation on the continent.
“Cabinet considered and noted the Zimbabwe Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment Report. The assessment confirms that Zimbabwe is taking significant steps in ensuring that the development and deployment of AI technologies is done in a manner that is inclusive, ethical, and beneficial to society,” Minister Muswere said
The pilot is being sponsored by UNESCO through its Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) tool, which evaluates countries’ preparedness to adopt AI within ethical frameworks. The thematic areas covered by the RAM tool include legal, social and cultural, scientific and educational, economic, technical, and infrastructural dimensions.
Minister Muswere noted that Zimbabwe’s selection was based on its commitment to responsible innovation and its adoption of the UNESCO Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, which the country formally endorsed, in November 2021.
“This recommendation provides an internationally agreed set of principles and guidance to policymakers. It ensures that AI, as a game-changing technology, is used to enhance human development while protecting citizens from associated risks..
The national AI readiness report provides a diagnostic overview of the country’s current capabilities and identifies priority areas for policy development and capacity building. It is expected to inform Zimbabwe’s future investments in digital infrastructure, research and innovation,” Minister Muswere added
Meanwhile, the ethical integration of AI as essential in promoting transparency and accountability in both public and private sector operations, especially in the context of the fourth industrial revolution.
Zimbabwe’s participation in the UNESCO pilot positions it to take advantage of the transformative potential of AI for socio-economic development, while also reinforcing its commitment to safe and equitable technology use
