STAFF WRITER
Minister of Innovation,Youth,Sports, Arts and Culture Sanet Steenkamp says Namibia’s dream to introduce Artificial Intelligence in the education sector will face challenges from an uneven access to computers and internet between the rich and poor.
Speaking at the launch of an Artificial Intelligence Readiness Assessment Report on Monday Steenkamp also raised concern over the unavailability of an Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy saying this exposes the country to risk of unchecked technological experimentation, algorithmic bias and potential harms to vulnerable populations.
Steenkamp’s speech was delivered by her deputy Dino Ballotti.
The education minister said the full rollout of AI in Namibia faces real challenges from a digital divide that remains stark along gender, geography, income and disability.
“Namibia currently has no dedicated national AI strategy or policy. This limits our ability to coordinate and govern AI development in a holistic and forward-looking manner. There is no regulatory framework specific to AI, which increases the risk of unchecked technological experimentation, algorithmic bias and potential harm to vulnerable populations,” she said.
Steenkamp said Namibia is committed to a human-centred, rights-based approach to artificial intelligence.
She said the country will work with all stakeholders in the public sector, private sector, academia and civil society to develop a policy framework that ensures equity, inclusion and sustainable development.
She added that Namibia also struggles with broadband coverage, digital literacy and access to devices are still limited in rural areas and among low-income communities.
“While Namibia has strong innovation potential, AI research and private sector involvement remain nascent. There is a clear need to support AI startups, invest in local innovation ecosystems and establish public-private partnerships. Public awareness of AI is low and media and civil society capacity to critically engage with AI issues is limited. This undermines inclusive policy dialogue and democratic oversight,” she said.
Steenkamp said Namibia’s readiness to harness AI will define the trajectory of the future.
“Formulating a national AI strategy, establishing a multi- stakeholder advisory council, strengthening data governance, investing in infrastructure, supporting innovation and research, promoting inclusive education and digital literacy, integrating ethics into curricula, raising public awareness, encouraging regional cooperation and embedding AI into national development planning are all essential actions that must be pursued together,” she said.
According to Steenkamp, AI is not just about machines and algorithms but is also about people.
“ It is about ensuring that children in rural Namibia benefit from adaptive learning platforms, that farmers can access climate-smart data, that healthcare workers are supported with diagnostic tools and that our youth can create, innovate and thrive in the Fourth Industrial Revolution,” she said.
She said Namibia welcomes the proposed next steps by UNESCO, including a Regional Forum on AI Ethics, as well as continued collaboration with our partners across the African continent.
“These initiatives will place Namibia not only as a beneficiary of AI, but as a contributor to its global governance.
“ I wish to reiterate that this launch is not the end. It is a beginning. A national conversation has started, and it is now our shared responsibility to ensure that artificial intelligence works for the many, not the few,” she said.
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