Technology has transformed our lives, making them better, richer, and more connected, as Robin Sharma said in 2018. My 11-year journey at the Bible Society of Zimbabwe in the Marketing department has seen the advancement of technology and the introduction of artificial intelligence. A recent Bible transformers generative AI workshop, which uses image creators to mimic biblical characters and bring them to life to enhance people’s connection with the Bible, was recently held in Nairobi, Kenya. This shows how far Bible societies have come. The core business of the Bible Society is translating and distributing the Bible into local languages in Zimbabwe, and my job has been to market and sell Bibles. As a branch (Bulawayo), we have managed to sell more than 200,000 Bibles and counting.

Born at Phelandaba clinic in one of the oldest suburbs in Bulawayo, where at every corner there is a vendor selling something, it was then that I was drawn to selling and marketing as a whole. So, when the opportunity at the Bible Society presented itself, I could not resist, as it allowed me to combine my love for making a difference in the lives of people and hitting those sales targets. It has been the most rewarding part of the job, and I have never looked back since.

Artificial intelligence is here to stay, and businesses must adapt to stay relevant. But how practical is AI in Zimbabwe? And what impact does it have on consumers and businesses?

To answer these questions, let’s get a better understanding of what artificial intelligence is. Artificial intelligence uses algorithms and data to make decisions like humans would, improving lives. Bringing this to everyday business in Zimbabwe, how can businesses take advantage of AI and contribute to the African GDP, which is expected to rise from 3% to at least 10% by 2030, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA)?

The banking sector in Zimbabwe is one of the first to adopt the use of artificial intelligence. However, the extent of its use is not yet known to consumers and businesses at large, according to Leonard Shumba. Banks have embraced digital banking in the form of mobile banking, internet banking, and ATM banking. Banks like Stanbic Bank have gone as far as having self-deposit ATMs, but the use of artificial intelligence in the sector is still not clear. AI implementation in the banking sector will help companies and individuals transact more smoothly and potentially cut down long queues in some banks.

The challenge then comes in trying to educate older pensioners on how to use technology, let alone artificial intelligence, and how it can ease the process for them. Whether the banking sector has the capacity to go into rural areas where 60% of the population still resides (ZimStats 2023 census) and educate vendors to accept artificial intelligence in place of human beings with the idea of improving services remains to be seen.

Big corporations like Delta Beverages, with employees close to 5,000, could make use of artificial intelligence to manage their employees. Mr. Okeleji, founder and CEO of Seamless HR, a software first launched in Nairobi, Kenya, has adopted the use of AI. The aim is to propel businesses forward across the African continent, teaching and implementing AI with hopes to reduce ghost workers and overall staffing issues within organizations. The application even helps with payroll, which may help keep track of employee funds and the entire company as a whole.

However, dealing with human beings is complex, and artificial intelligence may not always be able to solve all problems. For example, it does not have the capacity to sympathize or thoroughly view disputes from both ends of colleagues. In such cases, AI is there to assist in the smooth and effortless running of human resources departments, not to replace human beings.

As Zimbabweans embrace AI, businesses must consider the benefits and challenges of adopting this technology. An average Zimbabwean may use AI through applications like WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram. As 32.6% of the population has access to the internet, while 82.4% is said to have a cell phone (Datareportal 2024), there is still work to be done to improve these numbers. Many are using AI to improve their businesses as it acts as a personal assistant, while some still shy away from it due to a lack of knowledge. Education and implementation of AI in businesses and daily life are essential for Zimbabwe and Africa to maximize resources and improve services. What should be noted is that AI will never fully replace human beings, but it will make our lives better.

Cynthia Nobuhle Mpofu is a Marketing professional who has a BCom Marketing Management Degree from IMM and has been in the field for the past 10 years. She also holds a Digital Marketing certification, as it is one of her passions