- Zambia’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant artistic traditions are unlikely to be overshadowed by AI
WANDERA ZAHURA
THE dawn of the 21st century has witnessed a profound transformation in the world of work, driven by the rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies.
As the global economy undergoes a digital revolution, the role of technology in the workforce becomes increasingly crucial, posing both opportunities and challenges, especially for nations striving to address unemployment issues.
Zambia, like many other African nations, faces significant unemployment challenges, particularly among its youth.
The prevalent mismatch between skills possessed by the workforce and demands of the market exacerbates this. Against this backdrop, the integration of AI into the economy could be a potential game changer.
Opportunities
The opportunities presented by AI are many and varied. For instance, AI has potential to bridge the gap that exists between the skills demanded by Zambia’s labour market and those possessed by the workforce.
By offering accessible, targeted, and adaptive online learning platforms, Zambia can empower its workforce with the actual skills that are needed for emerging roles in the economy.
The focus of using AI applications has potential to be a job-creation engine, particularly among the tech-savvy youth.
Contextually, the integration of AI applications, for example in the financial sector, could create entrepreneurial opportunities in fields such as data analysis, risk assessment, cybersecurity, and software development, thereby contributing to expansion of the country’s financial services industry.
AI-powered solutions can also boost e-commerce platforms, creating opportunities for jobs in logistics, online marketing, and customer services.
In addition, integrating AI into Zambia’s agriculture sector, for instance, by using AI-powered smart-sensors and data analytics can enable farmers to monitor soil conditions, weather patterns and crop health, thereby facilitating informed decision-making.
These, among other measures, can drive greater efficiency, sustainability and resilience in the agriculture sector, creating a ripple effect of generating more job opportunities and driving overall development.
Challenges
However, while AI brings a plethora of opportunities, the efficiency gains achieved through its processes may inadvertently result in the obsolete or lesser demand for traditional labour or loss of jobs, particularly for employees in the manufacturing and low-skilled industries, thereby posing a significant challenge for workforce development.
Navigating this shift will necessitate a strategic focus on upskilling or reskilling initiatives to ensure that the Zambian workforce remains adaptable and relevant.
Imperative to note is that Zambia has a significant informal economy and the introduction of AI may have varying impacts on this sector.
While formal industries may experience increased efficiency, the informal sector may face challenges in adapting to technological changes, potentially widening economic disparities.
This factor, in addition to the anticipated resistance to technological change (either due to a lack of awareness or fear of job loss) and the pertaining inadequate regulatory frameworks governing the ethical and responsible use of AI, may lead to potential abuses and unintended consequences.
Zambia’s digital divide, characterised by unequal access to technology and the internet, poses a challenge. Limited access to AI tools and resources will, in the moment, hinder certain segments of the population from benefiting from new job opportunities and skills development.
In addition, Zambia’s reliance on foreign technology for artificially intelligent solutions may pose some challenges in terms of dependency.
Developing indigenous AI capabilities and solutions could enhance self-sufficiency and reduce the risk of being overly dependent on external sources.
Employment areas where AI cannot replace human touch
As Zambia prepares for the transformative impact of AI, there remain sectors and areas where the human touch and expertise are expected to prevail, unaffected by the disruptive forces of automation. While AI holds immense potential for innovation and efficiency, certain domains in Zambia are inherently resistant to complete automation due to their intricate human-centric nature.
For starters, Zambia’s rich cultural heritage and vibrant artistic traditions are unlikely to be overshadowed by AI.
The nuanced and emotive aspects of creative expression, be it in visual arts, literature or performing arts, rely heavily on human intuition, emotions, and cultural context that AI will struggle to replicate.
In addition, industries specialising in artisanal crafts and handcrafted products, often rooted in cultural heritage, require the personal touch and creativity of skilled artisans.
AI struggles to replicate the uniqueness and individuality associated with hand-made crafts, making these areas less susceptible to automation.
In as much as the adoption of AI into Zambia’s agricultural sector has potential to catapult the country into a new era of productivity, its agriculture sector, deeply rooted in traditional practices, requires a level of adaptability and local knowledge that AI may find challenging to emulate.
Farmers’ understanding of soil conditions, climate nuances, and local crop varieties remains irreplaceable by automated systems.
Furthermore, occupations such as nursing, social work, and caregiving inherently involve complex human interactions, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
AI, while having its applications in healthcare, lacks the innate ability to provide the nuanced care and understanding that human professionals bring to these roles.
Also, community development, social activism, and certain roles within the non-profit sector demand a deeper understanding of local dynamics, cultural contexts, and human needs.
These aspects, deeply ingrained in community-based work, are challenging for AI algorithms to comprehend fully.
Last, but definitely not the least, leadership roles involving complex decision-making, strategic planning, and a clear understanding of local contexts are less likely to be fully automated.
The human touch in leadership, involving intuition and cultural understanding, remains vital for effective governance.
Thus, while AI is set to revolutionise many aspects of Zambia’s workforce, these few areas underscore the enduring value of human skills, creativity, and cultural understanding.
Embracing a harmonious integration of AI while preserving the strengths of human-centric industries ensures a balanced approach to technological advancement in Zambia.
The coexistence of technology and the uniquely human elements of culture, creativity, and care will undoubtedly shape Zambia’s future in the era of AI.
The author is a human resource practitioner.
