Artificial Intelligence has become the new gospel of progress, promising speed, accuracy, and efficiency. Yet, as the world rushes toward automation, Zimbabwe’s Deputy Minister of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services, Honourable Omphile Marupi, is urging a quieter kind of revolution, one guided by conscience.
Speaking at the 2025 Southern African Broadcasters (SABA) Convention in Victoria Falls, Hon Marupi called on the media to adopt AI responsibly, warning that technology must never outgrow the values that make journalism human. “We must embrace Artificial Intelligence, but never erase the human touch, our values, and ensure we do not mislead society,” he said, in a tone that echoed both caution and conviction.
His statement resonated beyond the conference walls. It was a policy reminder that the future of broadcasting is not just about coding and content creation, but about credibility and character. Zimbabwe’s position, as implied by Marupi’s remarks, is to support technological advancement while preserving national ethics, journalistic integrity, and cultural identity.
SABA President Mr Stanley Similo reinforced that sentiment, saying Africa must innovate without losing its moral centre. “The future looks great, AI makes work more efficient. However, we need to be cautious when adopting these innovations and make sure we do not distort our values and humanity as Africans,” he said.
This call to balance mirrors a broader continental policy shift, the recognition that Africa must define its own AI ethics frameworks. The emphasis is not on rejecting progress, but on ensuring that digital intelligence operates within human boundaries. Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation Chief Executive Officer Mr Sugar Chagonda echoed this, urging regional collaboration to safeguard the authenticity of African narratives as the media landscape evolves.
SABA’s enduring mission since its establishment in 1993 has been to promote integrity, collaboration, and responsible storytelling across Southern Africa. The 2025 edition of its convention captured that spirit once more, reminding the continent that in the age of algorithms, the truest measure of intelligence remains human.
