AI Report on Southern Africa http://misa.org Areas of Focus Southern Africa will be the primary focus area of the study, which will be broken up into three distinct sections. ● Section A: AI Readiness ● Section B: AI use and deployment ● Section C: AI and Disinformation: A Zimbabwean Elections Perspective Methodology 1. Literature Review The first stage of the research was a deep dive into the application, evaluation, and policy landscape of AI, including academic, legislative, corporate, and academic documents from Southern African contexts. The literature review revealed that there is significant potential for the adoption of AI in Africa, particularly in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and education. However, it also highlighted the need for tailored policies and regulations that address the unique challenges and opportunities faced by the region. Additionally, the review emphasised the importance of collaboration between governments, academia, and the private sector to ensure a holistic and inclusive approach to AI implementation in Africa. Overall, the findings from the literature review provide a solid foundation for the subsequent stages of the research, which will involve data collection and analysis to further explore the potential impact of AI in Southern Africa. 2. Stakeholder focus group meetings The second part of the research will include three focus group meetings in Harare, Bulawayo in Zimbabwe and Johannesburg in South Africa, with AI experts, including lawyers, academics, civic society leaders, activists, and media practitioners. These focus group meetings aim to gather insights and perspectives from a diverse range of stakeholders knowledgeable about AI and its potential impact in Southern Africa. The research intends to capture a comprehensive understanding of the opportunities and challenges associated with AI implementation in the region by engaging with AI experts from different fields, such as law, academia, and media. 5