Buhlebenkosi Nkomo
Zimbabwe is moving to develop artificial intelligence (AI) language technologies that could enable systems to understand and communicate in indigenous languages such as Ndebele, Tonga, and Shona.
Responding to questions in Parliament, Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services Minister Tatenda Mavetera said Government was developing national language processing technologies aimed at making AI systems more relevant to Zimbabwe’s linguistic diversity.
“We are working with our universities and tertiary institutions to develop what we call national language processing,” Mavetera told Parliament.
She said the process involves developing datasets in languages such as Ndebele, Tonga, and Shona, which will be used to train AI systems.
Mavetera said the initiative seeks to ensure that emerging technologies incorporate Zimbabwe’s indigenous languages and become more accessible to local communities.
She said the work forms part of Zimbabwe’s broader Artificial Intelligence Strategy, which includes digital skills development, research and innovation.
The Minister said collaboration with higher and tertiary education institutions was critical in developing AI solutions that reflect the country’s linguistic and cultural diversity.
However, Government did not provide a timeline for when AI systems capable of communicating in indigenous languages would be available for public use.
For communities in Matabeleland North and South, where Ndebele and Tonga are widely spoken, the development of such technologies could in future improve access to digital platforms and information in local languages.
