100k trained in Artificial Intelligence

MORE than 100 000 citizens have been trained in foundational Artificial Intelligence (AI) skills since the launch of the National AI Strategy by President Mnangagwa in March as Zimbabwe pushes to become a regional leader in Artificial Intelligence (AI).

Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services, Tatenda Mavetera, revealed this in an interview where she outlined the Government’s progress in implementing the country’s digital transformation agenda.

Delivering an update on the strategy’s rollout, Minister Mavetera said the training is a core component of a broader initiative to equip Zimbabweans with the skills necessary for the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

This initial phase of capacity building, which leverages the Udacity platform, moves from basic digital literacy to advanced AI competencies.

“Indeed, we want to thank President Mnangagwa for his vision and leadership, as he has instructed us to craft a clear policy on the adoption of Artificial Intelligence in the country.

“The National AI Strategy is based on six pillars, one of which focuses on AI talent and capacity building. Additionally, it addresses digital infrastructure, AI research and innovation, the transformation of services through AI, and collaboration,” said Minister Mavetera.

She detailed the phased approach to implementation, beginning with the establishment of an AI office within the Ministry of ICT.

Minister Mavetera said a National Regulatory Committee, operating under the Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (Potraz), has been set up to provide oversight and ethical governance.

“In light of these six pillars, our initial step has been to establish an AI office. We need to establish a National Regulatory Committee, which will operate under Potraz.

“This committee has already been set up and our next step is to navigate the security processes through the Cloud Gateway Unit (CGU),” she said.

The Government is also upgrading critical infrastructure, including data centres and high-performance computing capabilities through Graphics Processing Units (GPUs), recognising them as the backbone of AI development.

“We can never speak about AI when we do not talk about GPUs,” Minister Mavetera said, emphasising the need for computational sovereignty.

To ensure that the benefits of AI reach all corners of the country, the ministry is intensifying efforts to bridge the urban-rural digital divide.

Minister Mavetera highlighted the expansion of the Presidential Internet Scheme, which has established approximately 120 free Wi-Fi hotspots to date.

“It’s indeed true that as a Government, we need to bridge the urban-rural divide. To achieve this, we have developed various initiatives,” she said, revealing a target of 1 000 hotspots by 2030.

She also cited the deployment of digital trucks travelling across provinces to provide services and access to rural communities.

The Government is upgrading existing digital centres to ensure they serve as functional hubs where citizens can access free Wi-Fi and enrol in digital skills programs.

In a move to stimulate local innovation, Minister Mavetera announced the launch of the AI Grand Challenge, a competition targeting youth in four key sectors that include agriculture, tourism, mining, and a combined education and health category.

“As part of phase one, we announced the launch of the AI Grand Challenge, which commenced on Monday.

“I officiated and presented prizes last Friday in Nyanga. This initiative aims to empower our youth to develop ICT and AI-enabled prototypes and applications,” she said.

The minister called for continued collaboration with Parliament and other stakeholders to ensure that Zimbabwe not only adopts AI but becomes a creator of technology.

“Our goal is to ensure these centres are effective because they serve as locations where individuals, both in rural and urban areas, can access digital services for free,” she said.

Such accessibility is crucial for the success of the national AI agenda, said Minister Mavetera.