\u200e
Sithembinkosi L Jiyane
Sports Reporter
www.zimgbcnews.co.zw<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u200eThe National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Consultation is currently underway at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo, marking a significant step in Zimbabwe\u2019s journey toward a home-grown, inclusive AI policy framework.
\u200e
\u200eOrganised by the Ministry of ICT, Postal & Courier Services with the support of UNESCO and other UN agencies, the consultation has drawn close to 100 participants from across government ministries, academia, the private sector, civil society, and development partners.
\u200e
\u200eDr. Beaulah Churume, Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT, Postal and Courier Services, highlighted that the development of Zimbabwe’s AI strategy has been an inclusive process, involving workshops in regions such as Mutare, Harare, Bulawayo, and with upcoming sessions planned.
\u200e
\u200eThe Minister emphasized the importance of creating AI models that are relevant to the Zimbabwean context and culture, rather than adopting foreign models that may not meet local needs.
\u200e
\u200e”Our AI models must reflect Zimbabwean culture and context to ensure they serve the nation effectively, rather than simply copying models from abroad.”
\u200e
\u200eZimbabwe\u2019s national AI strategy is structured around four key pillars: AI talent development, infrastructure development, AI adoption and service transformation, and governance with ethical considerations. The strategy aims to position Zimbabwe as a leader in inclusive and sustainable AI development in Southern Africa, in line with Vision 2030 and the National Development Agenda.
\u200e
\u200e”The four pillars of our AI strategy\u2014talent, infrastructure, service transformation, and governance are designed to drive inclusive and sustainable AI growth in Zimbabwe.”
\u200e
\u200eThe one-day event builds on momentum from earlier workshops held in Kadoma and Harare, and is designed to further refine Zimbabwe\u2019s draft National AI Strategy.
\u200e
\u200eHonourable Commissioner Engineer Martin Muduva emphasized that technology should be used as a driving force to uphold and safeguard cultural identity, not as a force that diminishes it. Its purpose must always be to preserve and strengthen cultural heritage.
\u200e
\u200e\u201cTechnology must promote, not dilute, our cultural values. It should ensure cultural preservation.\u201d
\u200e
\u200eDiscussions are focused on expanding stakeholder engagement, clarifying strategic priorities, and ensuring ethical and contextually relevant use of AI technologies in the country.
\u200e
\u200eProfessor of Artificial Intelligence, Tawanda Mushiri, described AI as the lifeblood of modern society. He emphasized that just as a heart sustains human life, AI sustains progress and innovation.
\u200e
\u200e \u201cAI is now our heart, anyone without a heart is dead.\u201d
\u200e
\u200eHe highlighted that AI is simplifying tasks across industries while at the same time creating new career opportunities. Instead of replacing human potential, it is opening doors for growth and development.
\u200e
\u200e \u201cAI is making jobs easy and is creating many job opportunities for many.\u201d
\u200e
\u200eAccording to Mushiri, artificial intelligence is not only enhancing existing systems but also paving the way for inventions and solutions that were once unimaginable.
\u200e
\u200e\u201cIt will create new things.\u201d
\u200e
\u200eHe further explained that robots represent one of the most practical forms of AI, functioning as versatile machines designed to perform multiple tasks efficiently.
\u200e
\u200e\u201cA robot is a multifunctional machine, a robot is part of AI.\u201d
\u200e
\u200eMushiri stressed that the impact of AI is not confined to industries and laboratories but starts at a personal level, influencing daily life at home.
\u200e
\u200e \u201cAI starts at home.\u201d
\u200e
\u200e\u201cThis consultation is about building a strategy that reflects our national values and priorities,\u201d said a Ministry official. \u201cThe voices here today are shaping how AI will be governed and applied in Zimbabwe.\u201d
\u200e
\u200eThe consultation in Bulawayo underscores Zimbabwe\u2019s commitment to developing an AI strategy that is both inclusive and culturally grounded.
\u200e
\u200e By bringing together diverse stakeholders and prioritizing local context, the country is taking decisive steps toward harnessing AI for sustainable development, innovation, and job creation, while safeguarding its cultural heritage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u200eFollow Zim GBC News for Updates \u200e Sithembinkosi L JiyaneSports Reporterwww.zimgbcnews.co.zw \u200eThe National Artificial Intelligence Strategy Consultation is currently underway at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST) in Bulawayo, marking a significant step in… <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8938,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8937","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8937","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=8937"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8937\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8939,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/8937\/revisions\/8939"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/8938"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=8937"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=8937"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/zimgbcnews.co.zw\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=8937"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\u200e\ud83d\udcf1 WhatsApp\/Hotline: +263 773 820 323
\u200e\ud83c\udf10 Website: www.zimgbcnews.co.zw
\u200e\ud83d\udcd8 Facebook: Zim GBC News
\u200e\ud83d\udc26 X (Twitter): @ZimGBCNews
\u200e\ud83d\udcf8 Instagram: @ZimGBCNews
\u200e\u25b6\ufe0f YouTube: Zim GBC News
\u200e
\u200eZimGBCNews | Global News On An African Perspective\u00a92025<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"