Zimbabwe committed to ethical AI development

ZIMBABWE remains committed to the ethical development and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI), in line with global best practices, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Dr Beulah Chirume, has said.

The country is among the 193 UNESCO member states that adopted the Recommendation on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence in November 2021, demonstrating its dedication to responsible AI governance.

Speaking at the AI Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) workshop in Mutare last Thursday, Dr Beulah Chirume highlighted Zimbabwe’s efforts in shaping an ethical AI landscape.

“This workshop represents an important milestone in Zimbabwe’s journey towards harnessing the transformative potential of AI while ensuring its development and application align with our shared values of ethics, inclusivity, and sustainability,” said Dr Chirume.

She further revealed that Cabinet has directed the development of a National AI Strategy, which the RAM workshop is expected to complement.

“This reflects our recognition that while AI holds immense potential to transform economies and societies, it also presents ethical challenges that require deliberate and well-structured policies to mitigate,” said Dr Chirume.

To address both overt and inherent risks associated with AI, Dr Chirume said the UNESCO recommendation urges stakeholders to develop assessment tools to help countries review their policy, legal, and regulatory frameworks.

“This is to ensure that the development and application of AI systems in both the public and private sectors are ethically compliant, taking into account issues related to rights and personal privacy,” she said.

The RAM framework is structured around five key thematic areas: economic, legal, policy and regulatory, social and cultural, scientific and educational, and technical and infrastructure.

Dr Chirume said RAM is designed to evaluate capacity gaps, develop policy recommendations, and establish a roadmap aligned with the country’s national priorities.

“The final product, which is a country report, will ultimately serve as a useful resource for governments in addressing AI’s challenges and risks. The UNESCO recommendation provides a comprehensive and actionable framework for member states to assess and strengthen their capacity to implement AI responsibly,” she said.

“One of the critical tools outlined in this recommendation is the RAM. This tool serves as a guide for countries to evaluate the existing frameworks, capacities, and competencies necessary for ethical AI adoption.”

Dr Chirume also highlighted Zimbabwe’s active participation in the Southern Africa Sub-Regional Forum on Artificial Intelligence (SARFAI), hosted by Namibia and UNESCO. The forum facilitated discussions on AI opportunities and challenges, with a particular focus on ethical considerations.

“As a result of our engagement in SARFAI, Zimbabwe was selected as one of six Southern African countries to pilot the RAM. This underscores our commitment to advancing AI in an ethical manner that aligns with national development priorities,” said Dr Chirume.

She expressed gratitude to UNESCO for its continued support, which has been instrumental in guiding Zimbabwe through this process.

She said Zimbabwe, like many other nations, stands at the crossroads of a technological revolution.

“AI has the potential to transform key sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture, and governance, driving innovation and improving the quality of life for our citizens. However, this potential can only be realised if AI is developed and deployed responsibly, with a strong emphasis on ethics, inclusivity, and accountability,” said Dr Chirume.

“The RAM process offers us a unique opportunity to assess our readiness for AI adoption, identify gaps in our existing frameworks, and develop targeted policy interventions. By doing so, we can ensure that AI serves as a force for good, empowering our citizens and advancing national development in a way that leaves no one behind.”

Acknowledging the rapid advancements in AI, including generative AI and chatbots such as DeepSeek, Meta, and ChatGPT, Dr Chirume said there is an urgent need to ensure that Zimbabwe has adequate infrastructure to support ethical AI usage.

“We are challenged to ensure adequate infrastructure for the ethical use of AI, and there is a need for collaboration,” she said.

Dr Chirume stressed that the ethical development of AI requires a multi-stakeholder approach, involving government, academia, civil society, and the private sector.

“This workshop provides a platform for open dialogue and knowledge-sharing, enabling us to pool our expertise and insights to shape a shared vision for AI in Zimbabwe. Let us seize this opportunity to work together to ensure that the roadmap we develop is both comprehensive and actionable,” she said. —chroncile