• Nowadays, artificial intelligence (AI) offers numerous capabilities that can assist farmers in enhancing their productivity.

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Discussions on what the future looks like in an Artificial Intelligence (AI) era is gaining momentum in Tanzania and abroad. Currently, most discussions focus on how to optimize the use of AI to benefit humanity and reduce potential harm. 

Previously, discussions about AI were often held internationally. Now, local public and private stakeholders are conducting these conversations domestically to highlight how AI can enhance social and economic conditions beyond basic communication applications. 

I had the privilege of attending several highly attended sessions at Innovation Week Tanzania and Future Ready Summit 2025 in Dar es Salaam. One notable session focused on the future with artificial intelligence, featuring Mo Gawdat, an AI visionary and best-selling author. 

One of the key aspects of this session’s discussion that I appreciated is its ability to encourage us to consider how AI can be utilised to improve the lives of the majority in Tanzania. Currently, AI tools are perceived as sophisticated and exclusive to the privileged.

These tools are often associated with corporate environments and the creative industry. Should this limited application persist? Absolutely not. 

Philip Besiimire, the Vodacom Tanzania CEO and John Rutere, UNDP Deputy Country Representative in Tanzania, believe AI can be transformational in many sectors including those that impact the majority of Tanzanians. 

AI should be embraced and used ethically to improve humanity and not otherwise. Mo Gawdat sharing insights during the Innovation Week which i attended recently, highlighting the benefits and the danger of AI. Photo|Courtesy.

AI for good

During the panel titled “Rewriting Tomorrow: AI for Good Growth and Global Change,” Besiimire stated that AI will have a significant transformative effect on agriculture, health, and education. These sectors, which profoundly impact our lives, require constant innovations and special attention to enhance their productivity. 

Agriculture is a significant contributor to the economic growth of our country. However, for many years, farmers have relied on subsistence farming methods, resulting in reduced yields. According to the National Population and Housing Census data from 2022, over half of the population, specifically 57%, is employed in the agricultural sector. 

Today, artificial intelligence (AI) offers numerous capabilities that can assist farmers in enhancing their productivity. These include weather forecasting, detection of plant diseases and soil nutrient levels, and evaluating the ripeness of produce. 

The question Is; What is the level of access to AI technologies among farmers in Tanzania? What are the costs associated with obtaining these AI tools? To what extent are efforts being made in Tanzania to develop AI-powered tools beneficial for farmers? 

While we strive to maximize the utilization of AI across various sectors, numerous challenges remain. These include the need for investment in infrastructure, enhancement of knowledge and skills, and the creation of an enabling regulatory environment. 

Investment in infrastructure is key

Besiimire argued that internet infrastructure, education, and regulation policy are crucial for advancing AI adoption and use in communities. He emphasized that success will depend on private sector collaboration with the government and regulators.

We have seen several sectors and organizations where AI has been adopted without comprehensive guidelines or policies, posing risks to end users if malicious actors exploit these vulnerabilities. 

Building on this perspective, Rutere emphasizes the strategic opportunity AI presents for countries like Tanzania “AI presents a unique opportunity to leapfrog development gaps—if harnessed intentionally.

For countries in the Global South, including Tanzania, AI can help address long-standing structural challenges in service delivery, productivity, and decision-making.” John Rutere, UNDP Deputy Country Representative in Tanzania

Concerns about the negative impact of AI are driving both local and global movements to regulate the technology, even though it is still in the early stages of experimentation.

Gawdat believes that these threats arise from a lack of ethical consideration in the development of AI tools, rather than from the technology itself. 

“Existential threats in the future will not arise from artificial intelligence itself, but from malicious individuals who exploit AI for their own benefit at the expense of society,” Mo Gawdat stated during his keynote address at the summit. “It is possible to train AI to act in our best interests.”  

In a world of constant innovation and profit pursuit, moral obligations can often be overlooked. However, it is important to consider ethical development of products because ethical products have generally had positive impacts on humanity beyond profits thereby transforming the world more than those with adverse consequences. 

Friendly regulations, fast growth

In my opinion, before pushing for stringent laws and regulations for AI, it is advisable to educate young innovators on developing ethical technologies that have a positive impact on society. Additionally, raising public awareness about the ethical use of AI can help maximize its benefits and prevent misuse. 

AI policies, strategies, and regulations should aim to support the growth and adoption of emerging technologies across various sectors without restricting innovation.  

AI can have a significant impact if people increase their awareness of the technologies and how to use them effectively. It is important to invest in research and development by both organizations and the government, and to align youth skills with the direction of AI and other emerging technologies.  

The government should uphold its promise to spend over 1% of GDP on research, development, and digital transformation, as stated by Prof Kitila Mkumbo, Minister of State, President’s Office, Planning and Investment, during the “Building the Future-Ready Tanzania” ministerial dialogue.

Nuzulack Dausen is the CEO of Nukta Africa, a Tanzanian digital media company specialising in research of emerging media and communication practices, training and production of digital and data-driven content. He is an international journalist covering mostly business, economics, finance, energy, governance and technology.