The Malawi National Commission of UNESCO in corroboration with the National Commission for Science and Technology (NCST) has called on for support from government through the ministry of education to help fasten issues surrounding ethics in the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country.
Making the call at a conference organised to implement recommendations on ethics of AI in Malawi held at Capital hotel in Lilongwe on Friday, Mike Kachedwa who spoke on behalf of the NTSC Director General said its high time ethics were considered and taken seriously in the application of AI in the country.
Kachedwa said government through the ministry of education should help facilitate issues surrounding ethics as AI is part of the education curriculum right now.
“We are proud that the ministry of education is with us today as we discuss around the recommendations on ethics of AI in the country. This field of AI is very important as it helps to fasten several procedures that were previously manned by people however it has its negative side if it is not ethically controlled so we want to work on that hand in hand with other stakeholders”, he said.
On his part, Director of Science, Technology and Innovation in the ministry of education Professor Chomora Mikeka said he hopes that AI will be guided by well researched ethical standards that will help promote the field.
Professor Mikeka said the importance of AI cannot be over emphasised as it is also important in the successful attainment of the Agenda 2063.
“It is important to acknowledge the importance of AI in the country but there’s need to consider issues of ethics in the field. Humanity and human dignity should always come over and above all man made products. Therefore AI is to be enjoyed so as a ministry we are here to support the coming of technology and safeguarding humanity”, he said.
The conference’s core purpose was to raise awareness and promote ethical standards of AI in Malawi and was attended by several stakeholders such as the academia, justice system, ministry departments among others.
