Moffat Mungazi
Dr Evans Sagomba
Everything AI
THE technological evolution of the modern world has been breathtaking.
In Zimbabwe, like elsewhere, we have experienced seismic shifts in how we connect, interact, and consume information.
But with progress often comes challenges, and the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has brought with it complex dilemmas we must grapple with.
So, how did we get here?
To understand this, let us trace the timeline of social media and its transformation of society, where our journey began long before we had generative AI systems at our fingertips.
The dawn of social media
Let us roll back the clock to 2004. This year is commonly cited as the beginning of the “age of social media,” marked by the launch of platforms like Facebook and Orkut (now obsolete).
Of course, for some of us, earlier social networks like Fotolog had already been a way to share snapshots of our lives back in 2003.
But this new wave of social connectivity seemed different — it promised something game-changing.
Social life appeared as though it had transcended physical spaces to become digitally hyper-connected, forever altering how we communicated and shared experiences.
Young people across the world, including Zimbabwe, embraced this transition eagerly. It felt revolutionary.
Our digital footprints became expressions of identity, and we found ourselves immersed in a vibrant network of shared thoughts and ideas.
But little did we realise that beneath the glittering surface of this connected world lay growing questions — questions about privacy, data, and the implications of being so thoroughly interconnected.
Enter AI: How algorithms changed the game
Fast forward a few years to 2007.
Facebook unveiled its Ads platform, marking another major milestone.
Companies now have access to powerful AI-driven tools that could target users with unprecedented accuracy.
But with this innovation came the famous saying: “If you are not paying, you are the product.”
What does this phrase mean?
Essentially, it suggests that platforms are not offering their services for free out of goodwill. Instead, they rely on monetising users’ data, behaviours, and preferences.
In effect, you are not just using these platforms — you are being commodified by them.
Your clicks, likes, and interactions fuel a vast machine of advertising and data collection.
For many, this felt unnerving. We began to understand that hyper-connectedness came at a cost: our privacy.
It was not just a trade-off — it was a deal we had not fully understood when we signed up.
Over time, concerns deepened. Were we voluntarily opting into surveillance disguised as personalisation?
AI’s next big leap: From products to feedstock
Now, let us talk about where we stand today.
In early 2023, AI systems like ChatGPT burst onto the scene.
Millions of people across the globe flocked to these tools, marvelling at their ability to generate content, answer complex queries, and streamline tasks.
Zimbabwe, too, saw widespread curiosity about how these systems might be used in education, healthcare, and business.
But as AI boomed, so did questions about the cost of its accuracy.
What do we mean by accuracy?
Here is the reality: AI systems depend on human creativity and knowledge to function.
They learn by consuming vast amounts of human-generated content —everything from blog posts to academic papers to artistic works. In this way, human creativity becomes the “feedstock” for AI.
You might ask: Why is this a problem? Isn’t AI just using content that is publicly available?
Well, not quite.
There are concerns about systemic copyright infringement, where intellectual property is used without permission.
There is also the issue of “enshittification” — when AI-made content floods the internet, diluting its authenticity and creativity.
Imagine a world where our favourite online spaces are polluted by low-quality, machine-generated noise. That is the risk we face.
The human labour behind AI
But AI systems don’t work without human effort.
After feeding on existing content, these systems need fine-tuning.
Humans are employed to filter, refine, and adjust the algorithms.
Often, this labour is invisible, unrecognised, and undervalued.
Yet it’s crucial to ensure that AI outputs align with ethical standards and user expectations.
Here is another question: Can AI replace human creativity?
The answer, for now, is no.
AI models might generate outputs, but they lack the originality, emotion, and cultural context that make human creations so impactful.
Ironically, while AI depends entirely on human knowledge to function, it also risks damaging the very ecosystems it relies upon.
If the internet becomes saturated with AI-generated content, where will authentic human creativity flourish?
Zimbabwe’s perspective: What does this mean for us?
In Zimbabwe, the challenges posed by AI are both global and local.
On the one hand, we face the same questions about privacy, intellectual property, and misinformation as the rest of the world.
On the other hand, AI’s rapid adoption brings specific implications for our education system, businesses, and creative industries.
Should we celebrate AI’s ability to revolutionise sectors like agriculture and health care, or should we tread cautiously?
Can we develop systems that work for us, rather than exploit us?
The reality is that in this AI age, Zimbabweans are as vulnerable as anyone else.
Our creative talents, ideas, and knowledge risk being extracted, commodified, and used without fair compensation or acknowledgment.
And as global AI systems continue to evolve, who will stand up for our voices?
Where do we go from here?
So, what can we do? Let us talk about the solutions.
First, governments and policymakers must step in.
AI developers cannot regulate themselves—they are incentivised by profits, not ethics.
Strong legal frameworks are needed to protect intellectual property, ensure fair use, and hold companies accountable.
Zimbabwe has a chance to lead by implementing forward-thinking AI policies that prioritise human rights and creativity.
Second, transparency is key.
Users need to understand how AI systems work, what data they use, and what impact they have.
Companies should provide tools that let individuals control their digital presence, adjust their data settings, or opt out of AI systems altogether.
Third, education is vital.
Zimbabweans need to be equipped with the knowledge to navigate this AI-driven world.
Grassroots initiatives can help communities understand both the opportunities and the risks of AI, fostering informed discussions about its use.
Reclaiming human creativity
AI might be the future, but human creativity is the foundation it rests upon.
In Zimbabwe and beyond, we must ensure that this creativity is not exploited, undervalued, or lost in the noise of machine-generated content.
The age of AI is here, but it does not have to be dystopian.
With the right policies, education, and awareness, we can turn the tide.
The question is: Will we rise to the challenge? The answer is up to us.
If you have more questions, send them to the editors or direct to me and I will respond to them in next week’s issue.
Dr Evans Sagomba, MPhil, PhD, is a Doctor of Philosophy in Philosophy, who specialises in AI, Ethics and Policy Researcher, AI Governance and Policy Consultant, Ethics of War and Peace Research Consultant, Political Philosophy, and also a Chartered Marketer/CMktr, FCIM, Email; [email protected], Social media handles; LinkedIn; @ Dr Evans Sagomba (MSc Marketing)(FCIM )(MPhil) (PhD) /X: @esagomba.
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