MIRRORING ZIMBABWE'S NATIONAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY IN THE CONTEXT OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE ADOPTION IN RECORDS MANAGEMENT IN ZIMBABWE

Abstract

Zimbabwe unveiled its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy on 13 March 2026. The development was hailed as a significant step towards artificial intelligence (AI) adoption in the country. This study interrogates the impact of the national strategy on AI adoption in records management in Zimbabwe. The study examines the contribution of each of the six core pillars of the strategy in relation to AI adoption in records management. The pillars are talent development, infrastructure, service transformation, governance, research, and strategic collaboration. The strategy lays a solid foundation for AI adoption and implementation. In addition, it enhances technological sovereignty and the protection of domestic data assets, and seeks to develop national infrastructure, skills and collaborations, from which records and archival institutions may greatly benefit. These factors are set to rescue Zimbabwe from the low AI adoption and implementation tier on the world AI readiness and adoption rankings. Nonetheless, the study reveals many implementation gaps owing to the discrepancy between theory and practice. Among the national strategy's shortfalls in records management are skills deficiencies, regulatory lapses, low capital investment, chronic power shortages, and tight fiscal constraints, thus making a mismatch between strategic ambition and execution capacity. The study serves as a critical reminder of the importance of political will and commitment, and resource mobilisation and alignment for the country to make meaningful strides in AI adoption and implementation. Data in this study were obtained from the review of literature and documents on AI, national AI strategy and policy and AI adoption and implementation.