In an era marked by unprecedented advancements in artificial intelligence (AI), a Unicaf-organised event titled “Are You AI-Ready?” brought together key stakeholders from diverse sectors of the economy in Zimbabwe. The event, held at a local hotel, aimed to initiate discussions around the country’s preparedness to harness the potential of AI technologies.
The event, which attracted an overwhelming response, saw more than 120 attendees, including representatives from prominent organizations such as ZMDC, Netone, Econet, Compulink, NBSZ, Mukuru, Corious Law Firm, DMH Law firm, FBC bank, and Dicomm McCain. Notably, Netone, a leading mobile network operator, demonstrated significant commitment by sponsoring 16 of its employees to attend the event.
The central question posed during the event was whether Zimbabwe is AI-ready. The discussion, led by a distinguished panel comprising industry experts including the CEO of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, Econet’s Digital Innovations Manager, an Old Mutual Digital Services InsureTech Product Manager, an Arrupe Jesuit University lecturer, and a senior specialist consultant with Business Intelligence MedScheme Holdings, shed light on the challenges and opportunities faced by the nation.
One of the critical issues highlighted was the need for widespread access to computers and the internet to fully utilise AI capabilities. Zimbabwe currently faces infrastructure challenges, with only 14.2% of the population having access to a computer, and 58.8% of households possessing smartphones. Additionally, only 53% of Zimbabwean households have access to electricity, further limiting the potential of AI integration for a significant portion of the population.
Despite these challenges, the event showcased success stories, such as Old Mutual’s achievement in reducing man-hours in a department by 92% through AI implementation. The discussion also emphasised the importance of government and private sector initiatives in utilising AI to enhance efficiency, reduce costs, and improve service delivery, potentially benefiting even remote rural areas.
The event’s sole VIP attendee, Ms. Viola Dondo, Executive Director of the Computer Society of Zimbabwe, emphasised the urgency for Zimbabwe to participate actively in the AI revolution. Strive Masiyiwa’s comparison of AI’s impact to that of the Industrial Revolution underscored the need for proactive measures to prevent the nation from falling behind.
The event garnered attention from media houses, including ZTN, NRTV, and Techzim, which will feature the discussions in upcoming TV episodes, amplifying the conversation about Zimbabwe’s readiness for AI.
