• Namibia to launch national campaign on AI, digital and media literacy
• Govt cites rise in scams, deepfakes, and disinformation as key threats
• AI framework in development to guide ethics, transparency, and data protection
  

Amid the rise of digital applications and growing risks from disinformation, the Namibian government says it is urgent to educate the public. The goal is to help citizens better understand how to use and recognize the limits of emerging technologies, particularly Artificial Intelligence (AI). Namibia’s Information and Communication Technology Minister, Emma Theofelus, delivered the message during the opening of the Africa Tech Festival in Cape Town, South Africa.

“We see AI being adopted in education, academia, journalism, and social media. But this must go hand in hand with improving digital and media literacy among the public,” Theofelus said.

According to authorities, AI is now present across several sectors in the country, from finance and education to administrative services. While this rapid adoption creates industrial and economic opportunities, it also raises new uncertainties. The Information Ministry noted that the country is facing an increase in artificially generated content that is increasingly hard for the public to detect, at a time when cybersecurity and digital trust concerns are on the rise.

“We are also seeing people being scammed out of their hard-earned money or being told they have won prizes using a synthetic voice that sounds like it comes from a credible source,” the Minister added.

To address these challenges, Windhoek plans to launch a nationwide awareness campaign. The initiative will include programs in schools, public sessions explaining generative technologies, and stronger regulations on the use of AI tools in media and public services. The government also plans to work with the private sector and civil society organizations to broaden the campaign’s reach.

Authorities stressed that digital education is essential to any innovation strategy. The goal is to ensure that AI is used responsibly and that citizens can identify potential risks, especially during election periods. Namibia is also preparing a national AI framework to define principles for transparency, ethics, and data protection.

Adoni Conrad Quenum