Google to Establish AI Center of Excellence at the University of Zambia

Google will set up an Artificial Intelligence (AI) Center of Excellency at the University of Zambia.

This follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding the American technology firm signed with the Ministry of Technology and Science in June 2024.

Technology and Science Minister Hon. Felix Mutati says the AI Center of Excellency will be the first of it’s kind in Southern Africa.

Mr. Mutati says Google will set up the Center of Excellency at the Zambia Research and Education Network (ZAMREN) which is housed within the University of Zambia.

Speaking after touring the newly built ZAMREN House in Lusaka, Mr. Mutati said the Center of Excellency will give an opportunity to young innovators to find solutions to the pressing challenges the country is facing.

Young people will be coming here to create products and solutions from their ideas that can help us alleviate certain problems.

Hon. Felix Mutati, Technology and Science Minister, Zambia

He also commended ZAMREN for connecting 150 institutions countrywide to high speed internet.

Mr. Mutati said some of the skills training Institutes under his Ministry are benefiting from the internet.

He thanked ZAMREN for allowing students to access free internet for their research purposes.

And ZAMREN Board Secretary Ronald Hatoongo said his institution will continue providing internet services to learning institutions to promote innovation.

Mr. Hatoongo thanked the Ministry of Technology and Science for the support it has been rendering to ZAMREN over the years.