Leveraging local development on AI WITH the tide of the Fourth Industrial Revolution – whose ongoing technological advancements has the potential to impact on industry and society across the globe – it has become increasingly imperative that the world embraces Artificial Intelligence (AI). *Follow Our Channel:* https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaX77yH5fM5bBLKuyp1O Harnessed properly, AI boasts huge potential to stimulate research, spur innovation and accelerate national development leveraging on safe, inclusive, intensive, ethical, responsible, accountable and sustainable knowledge-driven technology. Tapping into that initiated research and innovation, society suitably arms itself with the technology to tackle various challenges in areas like education, business, healthcare, climate change mitigation, mining, manufacturing and agriculture, among others. Ultimately, this empowers communities and improve people’s lives – the cornerstones on which social transformation and economic development can be robustly built. To drive industrialisation and modernisation, AI can also be used as a catalyst to supercharge growth. As Zimbabwe continues to vigorously pursue the national aspiration of attaining an empowered and prosperous upper-middle income society by 2030, the country is alive to the need to embrace AI to spur development. President Mnangagwa stated this position during the official opening of the 57 Plenary Assembly Session of the SADC Parliamentary Forum in Victoria Falls early this month. The President – who is also the SADC chairman – said opportunities, challenges and experiences for the regional bloc, and indeed the entire world, can be optimised through technological cooperation and knowledge sharing across all sectors to enhance development. “Cyber-physical systems have proliferated in all facets of society and economic activity within Africa and beyond, anchored on Artificial Intelligence and innovation. The potential benefits of artificial intelligence and innovative technologies are multi-pronged, which in turn offer solutions for resource optimisation,” he said. President Mnangagwa called on all socio-economic sectors to adapt accordingly. This, he said, will be instrumental in leaving no one and no place behind as the country’s development trajectory hits new heights. For good measure, Zimbabwe scored a historic milestone in the country’s agricultural revolution when President Mnangagwa recently commissioned the first-ever AI-powered grain silos at the Grain Marketing Board Kwekwe depot. Several others have also been lined up across the country, with those in Manicaland at the GMB Mutare and Timber Mills in Headlands nearing completion. The AI-controlled grain silos are a real game changer as they boast key features crucial in advancing the country’s agricultural sector, especially in grain storage. Their digital tracking, which creates a transparent and traceable record for every batch of grain, is complemented by analyses of data to pre-empt potential issues, recommend optimal storage practices and optimise energy use. With advanced technology such as sensors and automated environmental regulation, temperature, humidity, grain moisture, and carbon dioxide levels can be monitored and controlled. The necessary adjustments help in preserving grain quality and preventing spoilage. To obtain optimal storage conditions, these state-of-the-art grain silos are equipped with ventilation fans, automated airflow systems, dehumidifiers and heaters. Following the cue, Zimbabwe Newspapers – the country’s major player and largest integrated company in the media industry – took the initiative to rally robust conversation and concerted action around the AI and machine learning after recently hosting the inaugural conference in Mutare, through one of its leading family newspapers, The Manica Post. The over-subscribed event attracted various stakeholders – from Government ministries, departments and agencies to actors in the Information and Communication Technology sector, higher and tertiary education institutions, private sector players as well as schools – all of whom shared a common goal of contributing to how AI can be harnessed for development. Different key speakers made engaging and enlightening presentations during the event, sharing thoughtful insights on topical issues like policy perspectives and regulatory landscape, among others. Zimpapers Acting Chief Executive Officer Mr William Chikoto said the company will continue collaborating with Government in crafting AI policies for the country’s adoption, citing last month’s launch of the Zimbabwe Media Policy by President Mnangagwa. “As we embark on this journey today of exploration and innovation, let us seize this opportunity to learn, collaborate and pave the way for a future where AI and machine learning drive progress and development for Zimbabwe,” said Mr Chikoto, in a speech read on his behalf by Zimpapers Chief Technology Officer, Mr Gorden Mwerenga. Tertiary education institutions have also embraced AI as a dynamic force driving innovation, revolutionising industries and shaping how local and global challenges are being solved. Manicaland State University of Applied Sciences (MSUAS) Vice Chancellor, Professor Albert Chawanda highlighted that the institution, which is deeply rooted in applied sciences, is strategically committed to contributing meaningfully to Zimbabwe’s technological and industrial revolution. “Our institutional mission is to produce knowledge and innovations that are practical, responsive to national development needs and informed by both global best practices and local realities. We must not only equip our graduates with knowledge but also inspire them to innovate ways that draw from our heritage, address challenges facing our communities and unlock opportunities for sustainable development,” said Professor Chawanda. Professor Chawanda said MSUAS the range of academic programmes in which AI and machine learning feature prominently that the institution offers for study reflects their commitment to harnessing the transformative potential of emerging technologies to improve lives and drive sustainable development. AI expert and academic Dr Evans Sagomba underscored the importance of embracing AI in today’s digital age. “Embracing AI unlocks significant opportunities for growth and progress. As the world shifts toward digital solutions, AI becomes a potent tool to modernise key sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education. “For instance, in agriculture, smallholder farmers can use AI-driven weather forecasts and market analysis to improve productivity and income; while in healthcare early detection and personalised treatment become more accessible. These improvements not only drive efficiency but also help people overcome practical challenges with innovative solutions,” said Dr Sagomba. “Sectors such as agriculture can leverage AI-based predictive analytics and weather forecasting systems to help smallholder farmers optimise crop yields and manage resources more efficiently. These innovations collectively demonstrate how AI can be adopted to meet practical everyday needs in Zimbabwe, empowering both businesses and ordinary citizens. He elaborated that AI adoption can spur local innovation and create new job opportunities, strengthening Zimbabwe’s competitive edge in a global economy. “By incorporating AI tools in essential services and local businesses, the country can streamline operations, reduce costs, and enhance the quality of services available to all. “This transformation, when paired with thoughtful policies and community engagement, means that the benefits of AI are not limited to big corporations as they would also extend to the ordinary man on the street, empowering everyone to participate in and benefit from a modern, tech-driven society. “In Zimbabwe local newsrooms can utilise AI tools that enable content creation and translation into Zimbabwe’s 16 native languages. This will not only help preserve the nation’s cultural and linguistic heritage but also makes news more accessible to the diverse population. “Also, AI has led to the emergence of locally developed chatbots like ZivAI that provide customer support, e-commerce assistance, and personalised information services; especially in light of restrictions that limit access to international AI platforms,” said Dr Sagomba. AI, he stressed, can be used as a pivot to leverage socio-economic transformation and development. “AI can serve as a strategic pivot for socio-economic transformation by modernising key sectors and driving efficiency across the economy. In the finance and mining sectors, AI applications can streamline operations and maintenance processes, which broadens economic opportunities and supports sustainable growth for both businesses and the ordinary citizens. “AI also fosters local innovation and skills development, empowering communities to actively participate in economic advancement. Mobile-based AI solutions, for example, can be deployed to extend essential services like government assistance and health information to rural areas where access is limited. Initiatives like these, combined with Government policies and digital transformation programmes, can ensure social cohesion and remove social barriers,” he said. In Zimbabwe, the use of AI innovations can be a viable vehicle to drive our acceleration to a digitalised future that spurs socio-economic transformation.