EZULWINI – The Minister of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) Senator Savannah Maziya is advancing Artificial Intelligence (AI) use in the public service.
The minister who was represented by her Principal Secretary (PS) Phesheya Dube said while opening the two-day training of Members of Parliament (MPs) on AI governance on Tuesday, the Eswatini government will not be left behind on the usage of AI while the rest of the world continues.
In her speech, the minister said that Eswatini was not only committed to keeping pace with global advancements but to also lead in responsible and ethical AI adoption.
The workshop was organised by the newly established AI research group based at the Royal Science and Technology Park (RSTP). The minister said the meeting which ends on Wednesday follows the national AI Indaba workshops which her ministry facilitated in 2024.
The other building block to the national AI-adoption push was seen through the recently launched “Government in Your Hand” strategy. This strategy which included a digital application prioritises digital skills development and aims to enhance public service delivery through technology.
“Today marks a significant step forward in our journey to harness the potential of AI for the benefit of our nation. As you may know, the Ministry is responsible for drafting the national AI strategy, along with the national strategies for the Fourth and Fifth Industrial Revolutions,” Maziya said.
The minister said the significance of MPs’ AI training emphasised the importance of collaborating with the legislature for advancing AI knowledge.
“This awareness workshop is designed not only to enhance your understanding of AI for personal use but also to equip you with the knowledge needed to debate AI-related legislation from a well-informed perspective,” Maziya said.
Maziya said the gained insights will empower the politicians to encourage citizens, particularly the youth, to utilise AI knowledge for entrepreneurial ventures.
“It is crucial that we promote the ethical use of AI, steering our young people away from unethical practices such as hacking and illicit Facata activities,” minister Maziya said.
The minister also said the workshop was for shaping a collective vision on how AI can enhance governance and improve lives.
The MPs are trained on a variety of topics, including: transforming public service with AI; understanding the tools and trends that can enhance the public sector; hands-on AI tool session engaging with NotebookLM and ChatGPT; AI prompt engineering; learning how to communicate with AI systems; AI benefits and risks; ethical AI for politicians and; outlining the national strategic approach to implementing AI initiatives.
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