AI in Tanzania's workplaces: Friend or foe?

Dar es Salaam. The rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the workplace is a double-edged sword.

While concerns about job displacement are valid, experts believe AI can augment and enhance employee capabilities, not replace them entirely.

This was the central theme of a High-Level Annual Conference on "Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Work: Exploring Tanzania's Readiness" held by the Association of Tanzania Employers (ATE) on Thursday, June 20.

Deputy minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office (Labour, Youth, Employment, and People with Disabilities), Mr Patrobas Katambi said replacing human beings is impossible despite technological advancement.

"At most, I can agree with the term 'displace.' There are areas where replacement is impossible, for example, in the judiciary. Artificial intelligence cannot understand hypothetical situations. In judgement, we need collaborative evidence or interpretation based on reality, which can take time for AI,” he explained.

Furthermore, Mr Katambi said AI cannot work by itself without being fed data and programmed by human beings.

“Therefore, there are areas where AI will need human tuning, so our replacement might not work very well. However, we can largely agree that it can affect jobs known as 'donkey works,” he said.

According to him, staying in the comfort zone was a large challenge, calling on citizens to adapt to the ongoing global changes and demands.

Mr Katambi said it is important to continue safeguarding country foundations, which will help to move forward and accomplish significant tasks.

He mentioned the government's investment priorities including infrastructure and technological capabilities; education, skill development, and present legal systems.

"We should have a system that starts with the formulation of good policies and laws. We have our own laws and penal code on cyber matters. We have made changes, despite the ongoing technological growth,” he said.

The Information Communication Commission director general, Dr Moses Mwasaga, emphasised the need to balance AI and employees in the workplace.

“A combination of a robot or AI with a smart employee can boost productivity by up to twenty times,” said Dr Mwasaga, stressing the importance of employers ensuring their employees acquire new skills to thrive in the changing world.

“We need AI assistants, professionals who develop and use the systems ethically, machine learning trainers, chatbot designers, and robot coordinators. Creating our systems is crucial; we can’t rely solely on external solutions,” he elaborated.

ATE’s chief executive officer, Ms Suzanne Doran said events taking place in recent decades, including the Covid-19 outbreak, climate change, wars, and technological advancements, have significantly impacted the world of work.

“The future of work will continue to be influenced by innovation to meet challenges brought by advanced technology, including digital growth. AI will play a crucial role in enhancing and advancing the performance in different sectors,” she explained.

Ms Doran urged employers to focus on increasing performance, skills, and efficiency at workplaces, noting that the advent of AI necessitates guidelines to promote economic development, efficiency, and productivity, noting that reskilling and upskilling workers are essential for job protection.

Reflecting on the past, the Trade Union Congress of Tanzania (TUCTA) secretary general, Mr Henry Mkunda, drew parallels between today’s technological changes and the Industrial Revolution when workers protested against job losses due to machines.

“Once again, the landscape is shifting, with AI now poised to take over. The lessons from the Industrial Revolution's technological changes can guide us in navigating the current scenario,” he shared.

As AI continues to advance, preparing for its impact on the workplace is crucial. Through strategic planning, skill development, and collaborative efforts, Tanzania can harness the benefits of AI while mitigating its challenges.