CSO's Calls for Technology-Friendly Legislation to Accelerate Development

Musa Juma Executive Director at MAIPAC

By Staff Writer, Arusha

maipacarusha20@gmail.com

As the world enters into new era of artificial intelligence and technological advancements, civil society organizations in Tanzania have called upon the government to enact legislation that facilitates rapid progress through technology. Their aim is to ensure that technology is harnessed for the benefit of society, rather than hindered by restrictive laws.

The stakeholders acknowledge that this new technology comes with its challenges but are committed to providing education to the public regarding its opportunities and potential consequences. They aim to empower the community to use technology effectively in areas that will bring tangible benefits to the nation and its citizens.

 

Speaking at the  conference, Mussa Juma, Executive Director of the Media Aid for Indigenous and Pastoralists Community (MAIPAC), referred to the ongoing debate on "Tackling Information, Including Mis- and Disinformation in the Era of Technological Advancements.

" He highlighted their commitment to working with the government to ensure technology is used to benefit society within the boundaries of the law, regulations, and national protocols.

"Our goal as civil society organizations is to see our community benefit from this new technology, particularly in agriculture, livestock keeping, education, and all aspects of human development. We urge the government to create a conducive environment for the community by formulating policies and laws that support technological growth without affecting our cultural heritage," said Mussa.

Rose Reuben, Executive Director of the Tanzanian Media Women's Association (TAMWA), urged civil society organizations to allocate a budget for collaborative efforts with the media to effectively reach the public.

She noted that, in current practice, civil society organizations invite journalists to cover only the opening ceremonies of their events, missing an opportunity to involve them in the entire process, which would enable them to understand the ongoing discussions and report in-depth to the public.


In a related development, Nuzulack Dausen, CEO of Nukta Africa, emphasized that the use of artificial intelligence is becoming unavoidable for civil society organizations. He encouraged them to invest in and embrace this technology to remain relevant.


Maxence Melo, CEO and Founder of the social media news platform Jamii Forum, stressed the importance of fact-checking information before disseminating it to the public to avoid misinformation and inaccuracies.

The discussions and initiatives coincide with the theme of Civil Society Week 2023, "Tech X Society: Then, Now, and Beyond," as stakeholders seek to navigate the evolving technological landscape for the benefit of the nation and its citizens.

The collaboration between civil society organizations and the government is seen as a crucial step in harnessing the potential of technology for positive societal change