By: Nana
Appiah Acquaye
Mozambique has officially
launched the Mozambican Association of Artificial Intelligence (AMIA) in
Maputo, marking a significant step towards strengthening the country’s national
artificial intelligence ecosystem.
The launch ceremony was
opened by the Chairman of the Board of Directors of the National Institute of
Information and Communication Technologies (INTIC), Prof. Dr. Eng. Lourino
Chemane, and included the swearing-in of members of AMIA’s leadership bodies.
The creation of AMIA comes
as artificial intelligence continues to transform sectors including
agriculture, health, education, banking, industry, commerce and public
administration.
Speaking at the ceremony,
Chemane said AI had moved beyond being a technology of the future and had
become a reality of the present, presenting Mozambique with opportunities to
accelerate economic and social development, improve the efficiency of public services,
stimulate innovation and create new opportunities for young people.
He said the establishment of
AMIA demonstrates that Mozambique has professionals, researchers, academics,
entrepreneurs and young innovators with the interest and capacity to contribute
to the country’s technological future.
“AMIA is expected to be a
technical platform capable of bringing together the Government, the private
sector, academia, the technological community and civil society, contributing
to the development of Artificial Intelligence solutions adapted to the needs of
Mozambique,” Chemane said.
The INTIC CEO also
highlighted efforts by the Ministry of Communications and Digital
Transformation, through INTIC, to create favourable conditions for digital
transformation and the responsible adoption of emerging technologies.
As part of these efforts,
INTIC is coordinating the preparation of a proposal for a National Strategy for
Artificial Intelligence, which is expected to guide the adoption, development
and responsible use of AI in Mozambique.
Chemane also stressed the
importance of data governance to the development of artificial intelligence,
noting that work is underway on a proposal for a National Data Governance
Policy and Strategy.
Representing the Commercial
and Investment Bank (BCI), Dr Arafat Bique expressed the bank’s commitment to
supporting initiatives capable of generating development, value and economic
growth.
Bique said BCI intends to
support ideas that create value for society and contribute to national
development, while describing AMIA as a potential space for knowledge sharing
and investment in building trust around artificial intelligence.
