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By Jackson Isdory, CMU

The Deputy Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Education, Science, and Technology, Prof. Daniel Mushi, has urged African higher learning instututions to set up concrete and relevant strategies for leveraging Artificial Intellegence (AI) in the education system.

Prof. Mushi said this during the official opening of a workshop on ‘Artificial Intelligence, Data Protection, and Twenty-First Century Higher Education Institutions in Africa’, organised by the Association of African Universities (AAU), in collaboration with the University of Dar es Salaam (UDSM), which was held at UDSM for three days from 3^rd December 2024,

“The rapid transformation of the education sector through technologies such as artificial intelligence demands deliberate and collaborative initiatives. Workshops like these are critical for creating actionable strategies to navigate these complexities while ensuring equity and ethics”, said Prof. Mushi.

Prof. Mushi said that the workshop's thematic focus aligned with Tanzania’s efforts to advance digital technology in education. He commended the government’s enactment of the Personal Data Protection Act, noting its importance in safeguarding sensitive information handled by higher education institutions.

“This law serves as a cornerstone for developing robust frameworks that guarantee data security while fostering trust in our educational systems”, he said.

In his welcoming remarks, UDSM Vice-Chancellor Prof. William A. L. Anangisye highlighted the university's longstanding commitment to fostering academic excellence and innovation in Africa.

“UDSM has always been at the forefront of addressing African dynamic and contemporary issues. This workshop reinforces our role as a strategic partner in higher education and positions us as a key player in shaping policies that guide the ethical use of technology”, said Prof. Anangisye.

The workshop brought together notable experts, including scholars, administrators, and stakeholders from across Africa, to address pressing legal challenges shaping the future of higher education. It underscored the growing need for African universities to strengthen their governance structures, enhance ethical frameworks, and develop innovative policies that align with global trends in education technology.

This event also highlighted UDSM's continued leadership in shaping the educational landscape and its commitment to facilitating meaningful discussions on the responsible integration of AI within academic frameworks.

Key discussions on AI, Ethics and Data Protection

The workshop’s agenda addressed various critical issues related to integrating AI into higher education, focusing on its ethical, legal, and operational implications.

The key topics discussed included ensuring academic integrity and intellectual property rights in the age of AI, strengthening data protection laws across educational institutions, and building governance frameworks to manage the implementation of AI technologies.

Dr. Sosthenes Materu, the Dean of UDSM School of Law (UDSoL), emphasised the interdisciplinary nature of the discussions. "AI and data protection are not just technological concerns; they carry significant legal and ethical implications. This platform enables African institutions to collaborate on crafting solutions that are contextually relevant to our unique challenges”.

Mrs. Larissa Odzebe Gidisu, AAU senior administrator said that higher education institutions in Africa must proactively address these challenges to remain competitive in the global academic landscape," she remarked. "The collaborations and discussions happening here are a step toward ensuring our universities are not left behind in the digital age”.

This event aimed to produce a comprehensive roadmap to help African universities navigate the complexities of the digital era. The workshop has set the stage for deeper collaborations and practical solutions to drive innovation and address contemporary legal challenges in higher education. The outcomes are expected to have far-reaching impacts on Africa’s educational systems.