Joseph Isangura
Tanzania is set to host its first-ever Artificial Intelligence (AI) Forum—a national platform designed to shape future policy, support local innovation, and explore how AI can power the country’s development.
The event, slated for July 28–29, 2025, will take place in Dar es Salaam and is expected to bring together experts, students, policymakers, and tech entrepreneurs from across the country and beyond.
Announcing the forum on June 20, Dr. Nkundwe Mwasaga, Director General of the National ICT Commission of Tanzania, described the initiative as a timely response to the rapid evolution of AI globally.
“AI is no longer just a futuristic idea—it’s already shaping how we live, work, and solve problems,” said Dr. Mwasaga. “It’s not just about machines; it’s about people. Farmers, teachers, public officials, innovators—all of them are being affected by how data is used and how intelligent systems are deployed.”
Themed “Shaping the Future of Ethical Artificial Intelligence and Data Governance for Inclusive Socio-Economic Development,” the forum will focus on responsible AI development, especially in the context of data governance, digital inclusion, and national transformation.
Dr. Mwasaga pointed out that the global landscape of AI is being driven by a few dominant powers who control the majority of the world’s data. “The United States and China are ahead because they own and control most data,” he noted. “We are now investing in national data centers and pushing for strong data protection laws to ensure our sovereignty in the AI space.”
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Beyond policy talks, the forum will serve as a launchpad for Tanzanian startups that are building AI-powered solutions. Innovators will showcase technologies in agriculture, health, finance, and education—helping to bridge the gap between local challenges and high-tech answers.
Also on the agenda are discussions on the rise of generative AI—a field made popular by tools like ChatGPT and DALL·E—as well as the ethical challenges posed by artificial general intelligence (AGI), a more advanced form of AI that aims to mimic human cognition.
International experts from the European Union and African tech ecosystems are expected to join and contribute insights on regulation, innovation, and collaboration.
As calls grow louder for governments to take the lead in managing AI’s impact, Tanzania’s forum is being seen as a proactive move toward evidence-based policy and inclusive growth.
“This isn’t just a tech event,” Dr. Mwasaga added. “It’s a space where Tanzanians can shape their digital destiny.”
