Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an inescapable global […]

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is an inescapable global reality, and Zambia’s education system must act swiftly to integrate the technology across all levels of learning, according to education and technology advocate Henry Kabwe, Board Chairperson of the Zambia National Education Coalition (ZANEC).
In an exclusive interview with Zambian Business Times (ZBT), Kabwe argued that AI is fundamentally transforming societies worldwide and should be embraced as a tool for education, innovation, and national development rather than resisted.

“Artificial intelligence is here to stay and we cannot run away from developments that are taking place worldwide,” Kabwe stated.

He emphasized that AI education should begin from early childhood and continue through primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions to equip learners with the skills required to thrive in a rapidly evolving digital world. Kabwe commended Zambia’s progress in making Information and Communication Technology (ICT) compulsory in schools and called for this to be complemented by comprehensive AI literacy initiatives.

“We really need to catch up with the world. We should never remain behind,” he said.
His remarks come amid ongoing debate about the use of AI tools in education, with concerns from some universities and lecturers about potential academic dishonesty and diminished critical thinking among students. Kabwe described outright resistance to AI as “retrogressive,” urging institutions to adapt assessment methods to ensure learners demonstrate genuine understanding and the ability to apply knowledge.

He recommended that educators focus more on tests and evaluations that require students to apply concepts, rather than simply reproducing information generated by AI systems. “AI should never be something we use to tell us what to do, but we should be able to tell it what we want,” he added.
Kabwe stressed the importance of regular AI refresher training for teachers and lecturers to keep them current and effective in today’s classrooms. “Those that are teaching must actually be able to do refresher courses on AI and equip themselves to be up to date, relevant, and applicable in today’s world,” he noted.

He further advocated for any national AI strategy to prioritize educator capacity-building, ensuring teachers have the skills to guide learners in using AI responsibly and productively. Kabwe concluded that AI offers significant opportunities for addressing national challenges and driving economic development.

“Education is not just a test to see who can pass or fail. Education is also a process through which we should be able to develop as a country and come up with solutions to some of the challenges facing us,” he said.

Article by Karen Ngulube