Source: China disburses $71m for ICT infrastructure development – NewsDay Zimbabwe May 18, 2018
Information Communication Technology and Cyber Security minister Supa Mandiwanzira has revealed that China has injected over $70 million towards development of the country’s information, communication and technologies (ICTs) infrastructure.
BY Jairos Saunyama
Speaking during the commemoration of this year’s edition of the World Telecommunication and Information Society Day (WTISD) in Murehwa yesterday, Mandiwanzira said the funding will see the establishment of more boosters in rural areas to improve connectivity.
“As you heard, we received $71m from China that is meant for ICT development. The money is there and this will see the establishment of boosters in a number of areas among other things,” he said.
Mandiwanzira added that it was high time Zimbabwe adopts artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate progress towards achievement of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).
“For the first time in the history of mankind, innovation will no longer depend on human celebral capacity and population growth. It is incumbent upon us to ensure that this new technology is used for the net benefit of our global society.
“AI may usher in phenomenal progress towards the achievement of SDGs. The solution to such human concerns as cancer treatment, social security and community safety all lie with the successful application of this incredible technology,” he said.
Speaking at the same event, Postal and Telecommunications Regulatory Authority director-general Gift Machengete said adoption of AI would help eradicate poverty.
AI is the ability of machines and computers to learn from data trends, to perform tasks normally requiring human intelligence such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision making and translation between languages.
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