Deputy minister of education, innovation, youth, sport, arts and culture Dino Ballotti says a lack of an artificial intelligence (AI) regulatory framework could potentially harm vulnerable communities.
“There is no regulatory framework specific to AI, which increases the risk of unchecked technological experimentation, algorithmic bias and potential harms to vulnerable populations,” he says.
Ballotti was speaking on behalf of education minister Sanet Steenkamp at the launch of Namibia’s Al Readiness Assessment Methodology Report in Windhoek on Monday.
Insufficient broadband coverage and low digital literacy in rural areas and among low-income communities are the biggest challenges in providing AI awareness, he said.
The deputy minister said Namibia has potential for AI research and innovation and called on the financial support of AI start-ups and the establishment of public-private partnerships.
