Minister of Higher Education, Dr. Jessie Kabwila, says Malawi stands to benefit greatly from the outcomes of the 3rd UNESCO Global Forum on the Ethics of Artificial Intelligence, held in Bangkok, Thailand, from June 24 to 25, 2025.
Speaking during a press briefing in Lilongwe, Dr. Kabwila described the forum as a vital international platform, gathering ministers and senior delegates from all 194 UNESCO Member States to promote ethical and cooperative development of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
“It was an honor to represent Malawi and contribute to shaping the global AI agenda, especially from the perspective of the Global South,” she said.
Dr. Kabwila shared that during the Ministerial Session on “Dialogue on International Cooperation on Artificial Intelligence,” she highlighted Malawi’s progress in using the UNESCO-supported Readiness Assessment Methodology (RAM) on the Ethics and Governance of AI.
“Malawi is among 28 African nations that have successfully completed this assessment. The RAM Executive Summary Report, which includes key findings and recommendations, will be shared with stakeholders soon,” she noted.
In her address at the forum, the Minister underscored three key messages: AI must be harnessed to reduce bias and promote inclusion across gender, class, and youth. Early AI adoption is crucial to prevent technological marginalization. Malawi seeks UNESCO’s support in establishing itself as a Regional AI Hub for Southern Africa.
“This visionary initiative aims to strengthen capacity, innovation, and coordination in the region,” said Dr. Kabwila.
She reported that Malawi’s proposal received positive feedback, with delegates commending the strong political will demonstrated by President Dr. Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera, which she said added weight to the country’s ambitions.
Dr. Kabwila also hinted at potential collaboration with Slovenia, which hosted the previous global AI forum, as Malawi pushes forward in the areas of digital inclusion and ethical AI leadership.
However, she warned that the Global South risks being left behind. “By 2030, AI is expected to contribute over $15 trillion to global GDP, but only 10% of this is likely to benefit the Global South due to delayed adoption and weak infrastructure,” she said. “This is a wake-up call. For Malawi, the path forward is clear—rapid, ethical, and inclusive AI integration must be our priority.”
On the sidelines of the forum, the Minister held bilateral talks with Malaysia’s Ministry of Digital, where both parties agreed to jointly pursue research and development in smart technologies.
“This South-South cooperation is promising and will drive innovation in both our countries,” she said.
Dr. Kabwila reaffirmed that Malawi’s AI ambitions are closely aligned with the Malawi 2063 Agenda, which emphasizes human capital development, innovation, and digital transformation.
“As Minister of Higher Education, I am committed to leveraging AI across sectors—from agriculture and mining to education, health, and energy,” she concluded. “Education remains the foundation, and we must integrate AI into our curriculum to prepare our youth for a responsible and prosperous digital future.”
