AI won't take Zimbabwe civil servants' jobs

The Public Service Commission (PSC) has reassured government employees that the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and other digital technologies will not lead to job losses, emphasizing that the modernization of the civil service is aimed at enhancing efficiency, not replacing workers.

Speaking at a public lecture at the National University of Science and Technology (Nust) in Bulawayo, PSC chairperson Dr Vincent Hungwe outlined the Commission's vision for a smarter, more responsive public service. The lecture, attended by Nust Vice Chancellor Professor Mqhele Dlodlo, lecturers, and students, focused on "Integrating Digital Governance and AI in Co-Creating a Smart Public Service."

"With over 172,000 workers, the Zimbabwean public service is the backbone of national development. Our goal is to empower civil servants, not replace them," Dr Hungwe said. "Artificial Intelligence will handle repetitive data tasks, freeing up our public servants to do what machines cannot — show empathy, exercise judgment, and provide the human touch."

Dr Hungwe said the public service of the future will be human-centred, anticipatory, and frictionless. He described a system where AI predicts and prevents social issues, such as teenage pregnancies or substance abuse, by dispatching social workers proactively. By eliminating bureaucratic bottlenecks, the initiative aims to reduce corruption and put services directly in the hands of citizens.

The lecture marked PSC's 11th engagement with universities across the country, reflecting the Commission's commitment to bridging academia and governance through digital innovation. Dr Hungwe highlighted the role of Nust students and researchers in driving Zimbabwe's digital transformation, stressing that the public service must now evolve from a recruitment-focused entity to a vanguard of digital innovation.

He also underscored the importance of developing graduates with practical skills, including coding, data analysis, and community engagement, to meet the demands of a modern, technologically driven public sector.

"Your vision will create a Government where applying for a passport, a business licence, or social support is as simple as a few taps on a phone. We must move from reactive service delivery to predictive, preventative governance," Dr Hungwe said.

Dr Hungwe, who also chairs several other constitutional commissions including the Health Service Commission, Police Service Commission, Prisons and Correctional Service Commission, and Defence Forces Service Commission, emphasized that integrating AI and digital governance will define Zimbabwe's public service over the next five years and position the country to compete globally in service delivery and administration.