By Brighton Chiseva
Masvingo city is abuzz with anticipation as Professor Arthur Mutambara, former Deputy Prime Minister of Zimbabwe and a leading voice on artificial intelligence in Africa, prepares for a two-day intellectual engagement in October, bringing a message of urgent technological adoption tempered with strategic caution.
On October 6, 2025, Prof. Mutambara will launch his latest book, “Deploying AI to Achieve the UN Sustainable Development Goals,” at the Civic Centre’s Charles Austin Theatre at 1900 hours.
The event, which is free and open to the public, will be followed by a public lecture the next day at Great Zimbabwe University titled “Why and How Africa Should Embrace the AI Revolution” from 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the Moot Court, Herbert Chitepo Law School.
Speaking to TellZim News Prof Mutambara said key takeaways from the Public Lecture were understanding why it is called an AI Revolution and that Africa was not guaranteed to benefit from it.
“The key takeaways are that attendees would understand why it is called the AI revolution, It is not guaranteed that Africa will benefit from the Revolution, the continent must prepare and the details of the preparations,” said Prof Mutambara.
He also said people will understand the potential applications of AI in Africa, dangers and risks of AI to the continent.
Commenting on the significance of these events to TellZim News, Media lecturer and researcher Dr. Last Alfandika expressed particular excitement about Prof. Mutambara’s engagements.
“As a researcher in Journalism, Media and Communication, I am particularly excited about Prof. Mutambara’s forthcoming book launch on October 6 at Charles Austin Theatre and the public lecture to be held the following day at Great Zimbabwe Law School on artificial intelligence.
“His focus on deploying AI to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals is both timely and relevant, especially for Africa. The continent is at a crossroads: while we face pressing developmental challenges, we also have a unique opportunity to leapfrog by embracing emerging technologies,” Said Dr. Alfandika.
Dr. Alfandika emphasized the transformative potential of AI beyond mere economic metrics.
“What I find most compelling is not just the promise of AI for economic growth, but also its potential to transform communication, health, education, agriculture, and governance in ways that directly impact ordinary people,” said Dr Alfandika.
However, the media scholar also stressed the importance of contextualized AI adoption saying its adoption should be rooted in ethics and inclusivity.
“The conversation about AI in Africa must be rooted in ethics, inclusivity, and our own contextual realities. We need to ensure that AI adoption empowers communities, protects human dignity, and reduces rather than widens inequalities,” he said.
He said attendees at the public lecture can expect crucial insights into Africa’s AI future, including understanding why this moment constitutes an AI revolution, recognizing that Africa’s benefit isn’t guaranteed, learning specific preparations the continent must make, exploring AI applications tailored to African contexts, and understanding the unique dangers and risks AI presents to the continent.
“Prof. Mutambara’s engagement is therefore important as it opens up a critical space for dialogue about why and how Africa should embrace this revolution, and how our institutions, universities, and policymakers can align AI with the continent’s development aspirations,” said Dr. Alfandika.
In his new publication by Springer Nature, Prof. Mutambara makes a compelling case for global AI adoption, stating: “The staggering, unprecedented and transformative power of Artificial Intelligence must be harnessed to address socio-economic and political problems worldwide.”
While acknowledging the genuine risks presented by the technology, the former Deputy Prime Minister emphasizes that “prioritising these prospects is far more important than being consumed and overwhelmed by the potential risks, vulnerabilities, and uncertainties. He insists that“Artificial Intelligence must be utilised to enhance the quality of life for all Earth’s inhabitants,” calling for “relentless determination, laser-like focus, and unwavering effort” to achieve this global ambition.
The book provides a comprehensive framework for how AI can accelerate achievement of all 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals, while addressing critical concerns about digital imperialism, data colonialism, and technological exclusion that particularly affect emerging economies. Prof. Mutambara puts “a premium on decoloniality in AI systems and democratizing AI technology” throughout his work.
With Prof. Mutambara’s unique combination of governmental experience and technological expertise, both events promise to provide thought-provoking insights for students, academics, policymakers, and technology enthusiasts alike, offering a platform to explore how Zimbabwe and Africa at large can harness artificial intelligence for sustainable development while navigating the technology’s complex challenges.
