By Aldridge Dzvene
HARARE – The Zimbabwe Media Commission (ZMC) has placed human agency at the centre of Zimbabwe’s digital journalism transformation, urging media practitioners to harness artificial intelligence as a tool that complements, rather than replaces, professional judgement, ethical decision-making and editorial responsibility.
The message emerged during a capacity-building workshop on the application of artificial intelligence in journalism, where media practitioners were equipped with practical AI skills while being reminded that the credibility of journalism will continue to depend on the human capacity to verify facts, exercise ethical judgement and serve the public interest.
At a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly changing newsrooms across the world, Zimbabwe’s approach signals a deliberate policy position that technological advancement should strengthen, not diminish, the role of journalists. While AI can accelerate research, transcription, translation and content production, it cannot replace the human values that underpin responsible journalism, including accuracy, fairness, context and accountability.
The Commission’s emphasis on human agency reflects an understanding that the greatest competitive advantage in the digital era will not simply be access to technology, but the ability of professionals to apply that technology responsibly. This places journalists at the centre of innovation rather than at risk of displacement.
The workshop also demonstrates that Zimbabwe’s digital transformation agenda is investing not only in technological capability but also in human capital development. Building future-ready newsrooms requires skilled journalists who understand both the opportunities and the limitations of artificial intelligence, ensuring technology remains subordinate to editorial integrity.
As misinformation and AI-generated content become increasingly sophisticated, human judgement becomes even more valuable. Verification, ethical reasoning and contextual analysis remain uniquely human responsibilities that safeguard public trust in the media.
The Commission’s initiative therefore marks an important shift from conversations about replacing labour with artificial intelligence to discussions about augmenting human capability. In doing so, Zimbabwe is promoting a model of digital transformation that places people, professional ethics and public accountability at the heart of technological innovation.
This approach aligns with the National Development Strategy 2, which recognises human capital development, innovation and digitalisation as complementary pillars of national development. By empowering journalists to work effectively with artificial intelligence while preserving human agency, Zimbabwe is laying the foundation for a resilient, ethical and globally competitive media sector capable of supporting an increasingly knowledge-driven economy.
