Zambia is set to introduce its Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy in October, marking the occasion of the country’s 60th independence anniversary.
Six decades after the country of southern Africa gained independence from Britain, on October 24, the strategy will be disclosed, according to Felix Mutati, Minister of Science and Technology.
“The introduction of the AI strategy will symbolize Zambia’s rejuvenation at 60 years and demonstrate that the country’s economy will henceforth be driven by AI,” he said.
Speaking at the just finished Corporate Governance Conference and Gala Awards, he was in Livingstone, a border town in the southwest.
Mutati disclosed during the Institute of Directors event that the government was collaborating on the AI Strategy with the Finnish government and the Tony Blair Institute.
The minister assuaged Zambians’ concerns that AI would result in a large-scale loss of jobs.
“AI is here to boost productivity and efficiency. Its aim is not to take away jobs from Zambians, but to enhance their work,” Mutati explained.
Zambia would use this technology to boost its economy under the AI policy.
Additionally, it was disclosed during the awards ceremony that President Haikande Hichilema’s administration was working on a Startup Bill, which would open the door for the establishment of a venture capital fund to assist entrepreneurs in the nation of Southern Africa.
Another step was the government’s recent ratification of the Institute of Directors Bill, which was hailed by Edward Kabwe, President of the Institute of Directors.
“Approving the bill demonstrates the government’s commitment to advancing corporate governance within the country,” Kabwe stated.
Meanwhile, the institute is collaborating with the Industrial Development Corporation to foster good corporate governance practices in the private sector.
