DAR ES SALAAM, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Tanzanian Members of Parliament (MPs) on Wednesday urged the government to develop clear policies and legislation to regulate, guide, and monitor the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the country.
The lawmakers made the appeal during a training session for MPs on artificial intelligence held in the capital, Dodoma.
Fatuma Toufiq, chairperson of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Welfare and Development, said AI was already used in Tanzania, yet no formal legal or policy framework existed.
"There is no law or policy governing AI, and there is no guidance on how it should operate or be supervised, so we must understand how to prevent its misuse. The aim is to protect those vulnerable to its adverse effects," said Toufiq.
Neema Lugangira, MP and founder of Omuka Hub, a catalyst dedicated to constructing a digital home, said AI could assist MPs in developing strategic plans for political, parliamentary, and election-related tasks.
"Artificial intelligence holds immense value. But to unlock this, it must be deployed responsibly. A key priority for MPs should be formulating a national AI policy," she said. ■
