Zambia's Minister of Science and Technology, Felix Mutati, has announced that the country is in the process of establishing an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Framework. The Zambian government is formulating an AI Strategy in partnership with the Tony Blair Institute, known for its strategic advice to governments and leaders.
In addition to this, Zambia is collaborating with the European Union (EU) to develop a Startup Bill. Emphasizing the importance of a supportive framework for AI deployment, Minister Mutati stated that the government is actively revising the Cyber Security and Cyber Crimes Act to facilitate AI integration.
The Minister made this announcement via an X post during the launch of the Future of AI in Africa Conference in Lusaka. He also shared that at the Copperbelt Agricultural Mining Industrial Networking Enterprise (CAMINEX) event in Kitwe in May 2024, the government had completed drafting the AI strategy to harness the latest technologies' benefits. Mutati revealed that the AI strategy would be launched by July 2024.
Moreover, the Minister announced in early June that new guidelines would soon regulate ICT practitioners' activities in Zambia. Plans to issue a Statutory Instrument (SI) aim to curb misconduct and irregularities, ensuring professionals adhere to ethical standards and best practices.
Zambia joins other African nations, such as Nigeria, in developing AI frameworks. In April 2024, Nigeria enlisted 120 experts to create a co-developed framework to promote AI adoption, with the initial draft of the National AI Strategy securing $3.5 million in seed funding from potential partners.
Similarly, South Africa is considering AI regulation and plans to establish an AI Expert Advisory Council to guide the creation and implementation of AI-related policies and regulations.
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