On August 21, 2026, the Panos Institute of Southern Africa, with the support of Diakonia Zambia, hosted an information session on the topic of artificial intelligence AI and its impact on civic participation. The event was officiated by Eng. Dr. Brilliant Habeenzu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Technology and Science. The session focused on the transformative potential of AI in reshaping governance, economic growth, and citizen engagement.
Key discussions highlighted the economic potential of AI for Zambia, with projections indicating it could contribute up to 8 to the nations GDP by 2030. The participants explored how AI could be leveraged to foster greater transparency, enable data-driven policymaking, and empower citizens. However, a significant portion of the session was dedicated to addressing the risks of AI, including algorithmic bias, the spread of misinformation, data privacy concerns, and the potential erosion of democratic values if AI development is not properly regulated.
In response to these opportunities and challenges, the government, led by President Hakainde Hichilema, has committed to several initiatives. These include establishing comprehensive policies and legal frameworks for AI governance, strengthening the existing Data Protection Act, and launching both a National AI Strategy and a National Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy. These strategies aim to promote digital skills training, establish innovation hubs, implement regulatory reforms, and forge partnerships with academia, civil society, and the private sector.
