By Michael Gwarisa
In a powerful convergence of global innovation and local ambition, the University of Zimbabwe (UZ) and University College London (UCL) recently concluded a groundbreaking three-day workshop on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and health, aimed at reimagining healthcare delivery in Africa.
Held at the UZ Innovation Hub, the event brought together top academics, health professionals, researchers, and policymakers — all aligned on one message: AI is no longer a futuristic concept — it is already reshaping lives and saving them.
UK Development Director Jo Abbot, in her keynote address, emphasized the urgency of embracing AI to strengthen Zimbabwe’s health sector and meet national goals under Vision 2030. She described AI as a “force multiplier” for development that, when deployed responsibly, could revolutionise how healthcare is delivered in resource-constrained settings.
At the heart of our Vision 2030, just like Zimbabwe’s, is a belief that technology — particularly AI — can make the world safer, healthier, and more prosperous,” said Abbot. “But for that to happen, digital tools must be embedded within local systems and tailored to solve real problems.”
She spotlighted the Neotree project, a UK-Zimbabwe-Malawi initiative using AI and local data to improve neonatal care. Already operational at Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, Neotree supports clinicians with real-time decision-making tools that have boosted survival rates for fragile newborns.
“Neotree isn’t just a high-tech tool; it’s high-impact,” she explained. “If scaled across low-income countries, it could help save over 500,000 newborns every year. That’s the power of smart, context-driven innovation.”
Abbot praised the University of Zimbabwe for offering Africa-led solutions, such as its Master’s programme in Mechatronics, Systems and Artificial Intelligence, which is equipping local students to be creators, not just users, of emerging technologies.
“This is the kind of homegrown innovation that can ensure Africa isn’t left behind in the AI revolution,” she said, highlighting UK investments in programmes like AI for Global Health and AI for Development, jointly funded with Canada.
Adding local insight and academic weight to the conversation, UZ Pro Vice-Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Administration, Professor Atwell Mamvuto, urged Zimbabwe to fully embrace AI’s potential to transform health systems.
“In an era where technology is reshaping every person’s life, AI presents an unprecedented opportunity to revolutionise healthcare delivery, enhance diagnostics, and improve patient outcomes in our nation,” said Prof Mamvuto. “This workshop enabled us to explore AI’s role in transforming health challenges in Africa and beyond.”
He noted that AI is already enhancing precision medicine, streamlining drug discovery, predicting outbreaks, and even powering robotic surgery — and stressed the need to prepare in key areas such as digital infrastructure, data protection, ethical frameworks, and talent development.
“Our universities must lead in AI education, training the next generation of data scientists, engineers, and healthcare innovators,” Mamvuto said. “Health is arguably the sector most ready for AI disruption.”
During the workshop, 25 early-career researchers co-designed AI-driven public health projects, supported by the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) and visiting faculties from British institutions.
“This is not a distant dream, ladies and gentlemen, but a tangible goal that we can achieve through collaboration and innovation,” Mamvuto added. “As a university, we are committed to pioneering AI research in health across disciplines, aligned with our National Development Strategy 1 and Vision 2030.”
Both Abbot and Mamvuto highlighted the critical importance of ethics and trust in AI implementation. Mamvuto announced that UZ has begun establishing an AI ethics review pathway in consultation with relevant ministries to ensure AI innovations prioritise patient confidentiality, consent, and safety.
“The integration of AI into healthcare must be guided by principles that prioritise patient certainty and confidentiality,” he said. “Trust is the backbone upon which we build our health systems.”
