Prof. Arthur Mutambara urges Global South to unite for an inclusive technology-driven future
By Sihlobo Bulala
Professor Arthur G.O. Mutambara, an academic and technology expert currently serving as the director and full professor of the Institute for the Future of Knowledge (IFK) has emphasized the need for the Global South to unite in an era of emerging technologies.
Speaking during the launch of his book “Artificial Intelligence: A driver of Inclusive Development and Shared Prosperity for the Global South,” held in Bulawayo, yesterday, he highlighted the need for Africans and the global south to harness AI for inclusive development and to improve the quality of life.
“We as Africans, we as Zimbabweans must make technology work for ourselves. We must use technology to improve the quality of life of our people,” he said.
Arguing that the global south, comprising of 6.6 billion people, is the global majority and must address its own socio-economic challenges than rely on the global north, Prof Mutambara highlighted the inequality and lack of shared prosperity in wealthy nations as warnings that should urge Africa to pursue equitable and inclusive growth using Artificial Intelligence (AI). By highlighting Africa’s collective GDP of $3.1 trillion, he stressed that Africa can negotiate better globally if united.
“So, when we use AI to solve the problems of the global south, you’re solving the problems of the majority of the people in the world,” he highlighted.
AI has been identified as a large economic driver and is projected to contribute to $11 trillion to global GDP, surpassing the size of Africa’s entire economy. Its adoption is reported to have the power to drive productivity and efficiency, making individuals more productive. However, as AI takes centre stage, countries are urged to acknowledge the risks that come with adopting AI which include job displacement, job modification and the creation of new jobs whose solution lie in reskilling and preparing people, especially youth for modified and entirely new jobs.
During the book launch, Prof Mutambara highlighted the need for a mindset shift in education, focusing less on degrees and more on skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, and digital literacy, including AI. African institutions were also advised to prioritize employability, and entrepreneurship, urging corporate leaders to build strategic AI roadmaps and talent banks as the new adage would be “Show me what you can do, don’t show me your certificate.”
“All we are saying is as Africans, let us have an appreciation of the various transformative technologies that are defining AI revolution. You must give our young people the skills, the capabilities for them to accept and enjoy new jobs,” he said.
One of the emerging subjects highlighted during the event was the need for legal frameworks to move with technology. These legal frameworks will enable, encourage and guide the use and deployment of AI, creation of AI systems and participation in the hardware that drives AI. Legal frameworks that adapt to AI can encourage innovation and foster global competitiveness as countries will be better positioned to lead in the global economy, and attract investment. More so, given that AI is affecting every sector, policy reforms would be necessary to protect rights and freedoms of the people as AI systems can impact privacy, freedom of expression and access to services. In addition, as AI makes more decisions, there must be clear legal standards for transparency and accountability to identify responsible parties when things go wrong.
According to an ‘AI governance in Zimbabwe’ report by Thomson Reuters Foundation published on May 7, 2025, a clearer AI regulatory framework is imminent. While it was reported that there is a data protection law that addresses AI and a draft policy in AI, there is currently no law dedicated to AI, no national AI strategy and no expert body on AI.
