AI Report on Southern Africa http://misa.org AI use cases in Southern Africa in Media Internews Network Zambia investigated the title: Artificial Intelligence (AI) Adoption by Journalists in Zambia Survey Report, into the use of AI tools by journalists in Zambia toward the end of 20238. According to the study, 60% of journalists surveyed have implemented generative AI tools in their newsrooms, with the most used AI tools being generative AI, such as chatbots or conversational AI tools. The study also reveals that AI tools have improved the efficiency of newsroom operations, although some respondents found the integration process challenging. One of the study’s recommendations is that media houses should provide adequate training to their staff to ensure a smooth transition to using AI tools and develop AI policy to ensure its ethical use. Media houses should use AI tools thoughtfully and supplement them with human judgement and expertise to ensure that their stories accurately represent the communities they serve. The report revealed that in Zambia: ● 60% of journalists are using AI tools ● 74% of journalists yet to receive AI training ● 85% of newsrooms do not have AI policies ● 75% do not perceive AI as a threat to their job In Zimbabwe, The Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE), located in Bulawayo, was the focal point of discussions during the meeting in Bulawayo, with its AI innovations taking centre stage. CITE is at the forefront of incorporating AI technologies into their newsrooms compared to other media organisations. A CITE representative at the Bulawayo meeting highlighted their utilisation of AI in journalism, highlighting its potential to aid journalists in various tasks, including content creation, fact-checking, tailoring content to specific audiences, categorisation, and data analysis. CITE started using AI on May 7, 2023, when they introduced an AI newsreader named Alice. This implementation aims to enhance the delivery of news and increase audience engagement. Alice is highly esteemed among Zimbabwean social media audiences. Alice was featured in online broadcasts during the election coverage, hosting the Meet Your Candidate series and delivering the daily The Brief news bulletin. The National University of Science and Technology (NUST) participants at the meeting said it was commendable to see CITE following in the footsteps of countries such as China, regarded as the first country to unveil AI in newsrooms. From an analysis of AI uses in the region, AI use rapidly expands, with several key trends identified. User cases were analysed in terms of the type of AI technologies they were using or developing, and functional AI was the most common AI type found. 8 24