Moffat Mungazi
Dr Evans Sagomba
Everything AI
ARTIFICIAL Intelligence (AI) is advancing at an unprecedented pace.
For those who immerse themselves in technology, keeping up with the latest tools, trends, and implications demands effort and constant learning.
Yet, what about everyone else?
What happens to those without access, skills, or even the awareness needed to navigate this new world?
Are we on the verge of an AI literacy crisis, one that might profoundly deepen societal divides, especially in Zimbabwe?
What is the AI literacy crisis?
Why should we care about “AI literacy”?
AI literacy is about understanding and effectively using AI tools, integrating them into work and life, and recognising the implications they hold.
The crisis emerges when a significant portion of the population falls behind in this understanding.
What is so alarming?
AI technology, unlike many past innovations, is advancing at such speed that the gap between the “AI-literate” and “AI-illiterate” might widen faster than any divide we have seen before.
In Zimbabwe, where access to digital infrastructure remains uneven, the risks of such a divide are heightened.
While urban populations might have exposure to modern technology, many rural communities remain disconnected, leaving them even further behind.
Who are the “AI-illiterate”?
Could you be one of them?
Picture millions, even billions, globally, who successfully navigated the pre-AI reality, managing businesses, thriving in their careers, and contributing meaningfully to society.
Yet, with the AI wave sweeping through industries, they might suddenly find themselves sidelined.
In Zimbabwe, consider the teacher in a rural school, the farmer relying on traditional methods, or the small business owner in Harare with limited internet access.
These individuals may lack the resources to explore AI tools, the education to use them, or even the knowledge that these tools exist.
As AI becomes integrated into global markets, the risk is clear: entire segments of the population may be left out of opportunities and progress.
What drives this crisis?
But why does this gap emerge?
To start, AI’s rapid evolution is overwhelming, even for the tech-savvy.
How, then, can those who are less familiar keep up?
Misconceptions, lack of access, and inaction by key institutions like governments and employers further fuel the problem.
Is Zimbabwe ready for AI’s societal shifts?
The country faces challenges in digital infrastructure, from inconsistent power supply to high costs of internet access.
These systemic barriers exacerbate the challenge of achieving AI literacy.
Is AI dehumanising us?
At its core, AI thrives on data.
The internet is already transforming curated information, dictates what we see, and even influences how we interact.
Have you noticed how often decisions online are no longer entirely your own?
From personalised ads to automated customer service, AI is eroding human choice.
Zimbabwean users, particularly in urban areas where mobile payments and digital platforms dominate, may notice this trend.
However, the full implications are not always clear.
As AI mediates more interactions, are we truly in control?
Or are we simply feeding data into systems that grow smarter and less reliant on human oversight?
For those unfamiliar with these dynamics, AI’s omnipresence can feel like an invisible force not seen, not understood, yet profoundly influential.
What’s the worst that could happen?
Imagine a Zimbabwe where AI shapes job markets, but only benefits the few who understand it.
Farmers using AI-driven platforms to predict rainfall patterns or manage crops might excel, while those unaware of such tools risk falling further behind.
Employers adopting AI-based hiring practices may overlook talented individuals who lack the digital skills to engage with the process.
And as misinformation and disinformation become more sophisticated through AI, communities may struggle to discern truth from fabrication.
Is it hard to picture?
This reality is already taking root globally.
Without proactive measures, Zimbabwe may face amplified social and economic inequalities, even as AI creates opportunities for some.
How do we address the crisis?
What can be done to bridge the divide?
To address the looming AI literacy crisis, it is imperative to begin with awareness.
Recognising the problem is the first step in mitigating its impacts.
Discussions about AI must extend beyond tech-savvy communities and into the broader population.
This means creating platforms for dialogue in schools, workplaces, and local community spaces.
For instance, schools in both urban and rural Zimbabwe can organise AI awareness campaigns tailored to different age groups and literacy levels.
Such efforts should aim to demystify AI, highlighting not only its capabilities but also its limitations and potential risks.
Awareness drives can empower people to see AI not as an abstract, foreign concept but as a tool that can directly affect their lives and livelihoods.
Education must then take centre stage, with institutions playing a crucial role in bridging the knowledge gap.
AI literacy should be integrated into the school curriculum from an early stage, ensuring that students graduate with a basic understanding of AI’s workings and implications.
For those who have already left formal education, governments, NGOs, and private organisations could introduce free or subsidised training workshops.
In Zimbabwe’s rural areas, mobile units equipped with AI learning tools could travel to underprivileged communities, bridging the divide between urban and rural access to education.
Online platforms offering AI education should be made accessible at minimal costs, or better still, be free, addressing the financial barriers that may otherwise hinder learning.
However, education alone cannot solve the problem without access.
The Zimbabwean Government, along with private sector players, must prioritise improving digital infrastructure.
Affordable internet services, consistent electricity supply, and access to devices are prerequisites for fostering an inclusive AI-literate society.
The use of solar-powered community centres equipped with computers and reliable internet could serve as hubs for digital learning in areas where infrastructure is scarce.
Similarly, partnerships between Government and tech companies could provide affordable devices, reducing the entry barrier for low-income households.
Alongside education and access, there is a need for ethical policies that safeguard vulnerable populations.
Policymakers in Zimbabwe must ensure AI tools are, not only accessible, but also equitable.
This involves regulating the deployment of AI technologies to prevent discrimination or the marginalisation of less tech-savvy groups.
For example, if AI becomes widely used in hiring practices, policies must ensure that applicants without access to digital tools are not systematically excluded.
Moreover, regulations should enforce transparency in AI systems, giving citizens the right to understand how decisions are made and to challenge outcomes that seem unjust.
True progress will require empowerment, a step that goes beyond awareness, education, and access to equip individuals with the ability to utilise AI meaningfully.
Efforts must be made to develop AI tools tailored to Zimbabwean contexts, such as improving agricultural productivity or enhancing healthcare delivery.
For instance, farmers could use AI-based platforms to predict rainfall patterns or optimise crop yields, while rural healthcare workers could leverage AI to assist with diagnostics and treatment planning.
Empowerment also involves fostering innovation among Zimbabweans, encouraging them to not just use AI but to contribute to its development.
Initiatives that support local tech entrepreneurs could position Zimbabwe as a leader in creating AI solutions that address uniquely African challenges.
To achieve these goals, collaboration is key.
Governments, businesses, educational institutions, and civil society must work together to create a comprehensive strategy that addresses the AI literacy crisis.
Without coordinated efforts, the risks of exclusion and inequality will only deepen, leaving many Zimbabweans behind in a rapidly advancing world.
Now is the time for decisive action, as the stakes could not be higher.
By building an AI-literate society, Zimbabwe can ensure its citizens are empowered to thrive in an AI-driven future.
A call to action
The future of Zimbabwe and indeed, the world, depends on our collective ability to navigate the AI revolution.
Are we prepared to ensure no one is left behind?
To those in positions of influence, whether in government, business, or education: take action now.
Promote digital inclusion, invest in AI education, and advocate for ethical AI development that benefits all, not just a privileged few.
To individuals: start learning today.
Seek out resources, ask questions, and challenge yourself to engage with emerging technologies.
If you have access, share your knowledge and help others rise with you.
AI holds immense promise, but only if we address the risks of exclusion and inequality it brings.
Let us ensure Zimbabwe’s journey through the AI revolution is one of empowerment, inclusivity, and progress.
The time to act is now
If you have more questions, send them to the editors or direct them to me, and I will respond to them in next week’s issue.
Dr Evans Sagomba, MPhil, PhD, is a Doctor of 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 protected], Social media handles; LinkedIn; @ Dr. Evans Sagomba (MSc Marketing) (FCIM)(MPhil) (PhD) /X: @esagomba.
