The eighth edition of the Tanzania ICT Forum has officially been launched today at the Julius Nyerere International Convention Centre (JNICC) in Dar es Salaam. The event brought together key stakeholders to discuss the critical role of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics in advancing economic and social development in the country.
Minister of Information, Communication, and ICT, Hon. Jerry Silaa, highlighted the Tanzanian government’s commitment to accelerating investments in information and communications technology (ICT), which he termed as the backbone for achieving a digital economy.
“The world is currently undergoing the Fourth, Fifth, and Sixth Industrial Revolutions, where economic, social, and production activities are heavily driven by advanced ICT technologies,” Silaa said.
He further elaborated that the government continues to invest in policy, legal, and institutional reforms, as well as capacity-building for Tanzanians, to ensure the country plays an active role in global ICT transformations.
“I have witnessed firsthand how AI and robotics can improve public services and boost the economy in ways that were unimaginable a few years ago. After visiting several booths, I have seen how AI and robotics technologies can be applied across various sectors,” Silaa explained.
He emphasized the potential of AI and robotics in solving pressing challenges faced by developing nations, including Tanzania. These technologies could drive efficiency, reduce costs, and foster innovation in critical sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and resource management.
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“AI and robotics can enhance our education system by ensuring access to quality learning for every student, regardless of location or economic background. Through this, we can ensure every Tanzanian contributes to the nation’s development,” he noted.
Silaa expressed hope that the forum would provide valuable insights and experiences on leveraging AI and robotics for better service delivery and work efficiency across various sectors.
Abdulla Mohammed Khamis Abdulla, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communication, and ICT, emphasized the international scope of this year’s forum, which features participants from both within and outside the country. He announced that Tanzania has the honor of hosting the first-ever African Union-organized competition on AI and robotics.
“The objective of this forum is to bring together ICT stakeholders to discuss issues related to ICT, promoting its use across the nation. The theme of the forum is harnessing AI and robotics for economic and social transformation,” Abdulla stated.
Prof. Leonard Msele, Director General of the ICT Commission, reflected on the evolution of the forum, which began in 2017. He noted that the focus of this year’s discussions is on AI and robotics, as these topics are dominating global conversations on digital transformation.
“We began this journey discussing the digital economy and other ICT matters, but now we have chosen to concentrate on AI and robotics, as these are the areas of greatest importance today,” Prof. Msele concluded.
The forum is set to continue with various sessions exploring the future of AI and robotics in Tanzania’s digital transformation.