‘AL IN DUE TIME’: ADDRESSING THE ETHICAL AND LEGAL GAPS OF AL SYSTEMS IN TANZANIA BEFORE UNLOCKING ITS FULL POTENTIAL

Abstract

As Artificial Intelligence (Al) continues to gain traction across various parts of the world, its viability has primarily been assessed through lenses of technological advancement, infrastructure and economic potential. Tanzania, a country still adopting to other emerging technologies such as cloud computing, digital infrastructure, ‘Jamii Namba’ (Unique Digital Identifier) and e- governance, has only recently embraced Al. While it is evident that the use of Al is likely to revolutionize sectors such as healthcare, education, agriculture and public services in Tanzania, its rapid development calls for exercising caution before jumping on the ‘Al bandwagon.’ By addressing the ethical and legal considerations, Tanzania can adopt a proactive approach to its regulation before Al expands further. The objective of this article, therefore, is to explore the ethical issues presented by the said Al technology, if not properly managed. The analysis includes reviewing the existing frameworks in Tanzania and analyzing potential implications. Ultimately, this paper poses the question: Is the rapid push toward formalizing Al truly what the country needs if there are factors that remain unaddressed? In doing so, the paper argues that the use of Al in Tanzania should not solely be seen as an economic driver but also as a technology requiring comprehensive legal and ethical frameworks. This article seeks to contribute to the contemporary discourse by proposing key recommendations on how ethics, legal frameworks and Artificial Intelligence can evolve together in Tanzania to promote a responsible and sustainable integration of Al.