AI must impact communities: Minister Mavetera

Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Honourable Tatenda Mavetera

Ray Bande in Nyanga
Artificial Intelligence (AI) must be employed to solve problems faced by citizens in their everyday lives for it to be relevant and beneficial to the country, Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Honourable Tatenda Mavetera said.
Minister Mavetera said this while delivering her keynote address during the closing ceremony of the AI for Impact Challenge that came to an end yesterday here in the resort area of Nyanga.
A total of 738 applications were received from all over the country and only 68 successful ones were selected to take part in an AI for Impact Challenge boot camp in Nyanga, where the number was further trimmed to 18 for the next stage of the initiative.

ICT, Postal and Courier Services Minister, Hon. Tatenda Mavetera (third from right), presents a cheque worth US$21 000 and a trophy to Midlands State University Computer Systems Engineering student Nigel Ephraim Basarokwe (center) after he won first place in the Data Track category during the AI for Impact Challenge, organised by POTRAZ, in Nyanga, Manicaland Province, yesterday. Looking on are Permanent Secretary Dr Beaullar Chirume (right), Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Advocate Misheck Mugadza (second from right), and POTRAZ Director-General Dr Gift Machengete (third from left). Picture by Nyasha Chawatama

“We are gathered here in Nyanga for the AI for Impact Challenge and while that may sound like simple three or four words, they remind us that AI is not an end in itself, but it must go further to touch lives in communities,” he said.
“Until a farmer in Gokwe received an animal disease alert in real time, a nurse at a clinic in Binga getting diagnostic and treatment processes using AI assistive devices or an informal trader at Mbare Musika getting business loan application detail as well as market trends using AI, we have not achieved the real purpose and benefit of AI,” she said.
“That is the impact we expect. Impact does not happen as an accident. It requires bold and deliberate steps carefully taken to achieve it.”
In his presentation during the same function, Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority of Zimbabwe (POTRAZ) Director General Dr Gift Machengete outlined the process through which the AI for Impact challenge went through.
“We had a total of 738 individuals that applied for this initiative, ranging from students, innovators, researchers to software developers and others,” he said.
“Out of this huge number, only 68 projects were selected to take part in the Nyanga Boot Camp. These were drawn from different sectors that include healthcare, agriculture, public service delivery, financial technology among others.
“The most promising projects selected here will progress to the next stage as we move towards making an impact in our communities.”
Presenting the welcome remarks, Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Advocate Misheck Mugadza underscored the need for the province to employ AI in marketing its tourism products.
“AI can enhance destination marketing. By embracing these new technologies, we can position Manicaland as a smart tourist destination,” he said.
“We must ensure that AI responds to our needs as a community while enhancing our global competitiveness.”