BY PHESHEYA IAN KUNENE
EZULWINI – The future of governance in Eswatini might just be one algorithm away.
That was the focus on Tuesday morning as Members of Parliament filed into the Royal Villas for the opening of a two-day AI in Governance Training Workshop, hosted by the Ministry of ICT in collaboration with the Royal Science and Technology Park.
Minister for ICT, Savannah Maziya, represented during the official opening, said the training aimed to give politicians an upper hand in the fast-evolving digital landscape.
“This workshop is designed to equip you with knowledge needed to debate AI-related legislation from a well-informed perspective,” she said in her keynote address. “You will gain insights into the socio-economic benefits of AI.”
And with Eswatini steadily positioning itself in the digital economy, the workshop’s theme, “Empowering Eswatini’s Politicians: AI for Governance and Economic Prosperity”, couldn’t have come at a better time.
The sessions were anything but boring. Day One saw MPs deep dive into topics such as Transforming Public Service with AI, Prompt Engineering, and a Hands-On AI Tool Session led by Mr. Mbulelo Mabusela, where NotebookLM and ChatGPT got their fair share of political curiosity.
University of Eswatini also played its part, walking the lawmakers through the logic of AI prompts, while ICT portfolio chairpersons nodded along, visibly soaking in the tech talk.
“AI is not just a buzzword,” said one facilitator. “It’s the future of decision-making, and yes, even budget debates.”
On Day Two, things got real. Ethical AI Principles for Politicians was on the table, and it wasn’t just tech-speak.
“It is crucial that we promote the ethical use of AI, steering our young people away from unethical practices such as hacking,” Maziya urged.
Ziphozonke Dlamini took the MPs through a sobering reflection on AI risks and benefits for the Kingdom, highlighting both innovation and caution in equal measure.
Closing the workshop, the Program Director called on MPs to make use of their newfound tech know-how. “AI isn’t coming, it’s already here,” he said. “And governance can’t afford to be left behind.”
If this workshop is anything to go by, Eswatini’s lawmakers are getting AI smart, one prompt at a time.
(Pics: Eswatini Govt)