Bongani Ndlovu, [email protected]
CHINA has called for greater access to artificial intelligence (AI) technology for developing countries, saying open-source models can help nations build their own digital capabilities without facing high costs and technological barriers.
In a post on X, the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe said China’s AI development was people-centred and driven by practical applications, with open-source technology offering opportunities for shared economic growth.
The embassy said China had released more than 1 500 AI models, with cumulative downloads of its open-source models surpassing 10 billion.
It cited DeepSeek and Kimi as examples of Chinese AI models adopted by developers in more than 140 countries, adding that open-source systems allowed local deployment while helping safeguard data sovereignty and security.
“AI should be a public tool for shared growth — not a technological barrier,” the embassy said.
China’s AI industry output exceeds US$160 billion, according to the embassy, which said more than 30 percent of large manufacturers in the country were using AI to improve productivity.
The technology is being applied in manufacturing, agriculture and healthcare, with the aim of improving efficiency and the quality of production.
The embassy also cited the 2026 Stanford AI Index Report, saying leading Chinese AI models had achieved world-class performance, narrowing the capability gap with international competitors.
It said open-source Chinese AI solutions offered comparable performance at a fraction of the cost, potentially making advanced technology more accessible to developing countries.
In Africa, AI is also being positioned as a tool for responding to climate-related challenges.
The embassy highlighted MAZU, an AI-powered early-warning system supporting the United Nations’ Early Warnings for All initiative, which issues tiered alerts for extreme weather events up to 24 hours in advance.
The system is intended to help communities prepare for droughts, floods and other climate shocks.
The embassy further said China would provide 5 000 AI training places for developing countries over the next five years and establish joint AI cooperation centres to share expertise and strengthen local technical capacity.
For Zimbabwe, access to affordable AI tools and training could create opportunities to develop local solutions in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare and manufacturing.
However, translating these opportunities into tangible benefits will depend on access to digital infrastructure, technical skills and the responsible use of the technology.
