Zengeni leaves indelible mark at global forum

Herald Correspondent

The 3rd UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence (AI), was held from June 24-27, 2025, in Bangkok, Thailand, where Dr Tendai Zengeni left an indelible mark.

Zimbabwe was well represented by a delegation led by the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of ICT Dr Beaullah Chirume as well as the chief director in the Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Mr  Jonathan Gandari.

In tow was a Zimbabwean UNESCO AI Expert without Boarders and also a UNESCO Women for Ethical AI member, Dr Tendai Zengeni from Africa University in Mutare.

Dr Zengeni has extensive experience in the realm of Ethics of AI and emerging technologies. She was also appointed the vice board chairperson at NetOne, a telecommunications company.

Dr Zengeni, a prominent advocate for women in technology, was invited to the Global Forum as a Speaker for the Women Leaders at the forefront of AI Policy and Technology session which was powered by UNESCO Women for Ethical AI and she addressed a critical question regarding the persistent gender gap in AI-related fields.

The conference, aimed at empowering women in tech, provided a platform for Dr Zengeni to share insights from her extensive experience in Zimbabwean initiatives.

Dr Zengeni highlighted several systemic and cultural barriers that contribute to the under-representation of women in AI. She noted that:

Stereotypes and Sociocultural Norms: In Zimbabwe, STEM fields, including AI, are often viewed as male-dominated, which can discourage girls from pursuing these subjects early in their                            education.

Limited Access to Resources: Many girls lack access to digital devices and coding training, which are essential for developing skills in AI.

Educational Pipeline Leakage: Even when girls excel in STEM subjects, financial constraints, societal pressures and a lack of role models often lead to higher dropout rates at the higher education level.

Workplace Biases: Women entering AI careers frequently encounter discrimination, pay gaps and fewer opportunities for advancement.

Despite these challenges, Dr Zengeni emphasised several successful initiatives in Zimbabwe that are effectively bridging the gender gap in AI:

• CodeGirls Zimbabwe trains young girls in coding, robotics, and AI, fostering interest from primary to tertiary levels.
• The First Lady Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s SHETECH, where she is a patron and offers scholarships and boot camps specifically for girls in tech, AI and related fields.
• The University of Zimbabwe has implemented special scholarships for women in computer science and formed partnerships with industry players to encourage AI research.
• The Ministry of ICT’s National ICT Policy promotes digital inclusion for women, including AI-focused training programmes.
• Female-led tech startups showcase successful innovations in agri-tech and health-tech AI.
• Women in Tech ZW connects aspiring female AI professionals with mentors in academia and industry.
• Influential figures inspire the next generation through conferences and media visibility.

Dr  Zengeni stressed the importance of several key lessons from Zimbabwe’s efforts:

• Grassroots Engagement Matters: Early exposure to coding and STEM subjects in schools helps dismantle negative stereotypes.
• Public-Private Partnerships Work: Collaborations between universities, NGOs and tech firms amplify impact.
• Policy Support is Crucial: Government incentives, such as tax breaks for tech companies hiring women, can drive systemic change.

To replicate Zimbabwe’s progress globally, Dr Zengeni urged for:

• Increased investment in girls’ AI education, such as subsidised laptops and coding camps.
• Stronger policies enforcing gender equity in tech hiring and research funding.
• Amplification of African women’s success stories to challenge biases and encourage participation.

In conclusion, Dr Zengeni’s insights at the UNESCO conference underscore the potential for targeted interventions to close the gender gap in AI.

By highlighting Zimbabwe’s initiatives, she provided a roadmap for other regions to follow in fostering an inclusive tech landscape.