Artificial Intelligence is no longer an abstract notion confined to futuristic novels or the lofty halls of academia; it has arrived on our doorsteps, reshaping the way we work, think, and live. In Zimbabwe, as in many parts of the world, AI manifests in two distinct yet interconnected forms: Generative AI and Agentic AI. Each of these “sides of the coin” carries its own promise and pitfalls, and today, we explore how both are already making their mark on our society and what they mean for our future.
At its core, Generative AI is a quick-witted creative tool. Imagine a busy Harare journalist or a university student pressed for time, typing a simple prompt into a model such as GPT-4 and receiving in return a finely crafted article or essay. Generative AI excels at responding swiftly to immediate needs, be it drafting an email, composing a legal summary, or even weaving together a piece of music or digital art. It is the sprinter in this technological race: prompt-based, stateless, and remarkably adept at producing creative output when it is required in a flash.
Yet, as ingenious as Generative AI may be in its rapid fire delivery, it also comes with limitations that must be acknowledged. Its responses are based solely on the prompt provided, without memory of past exchanges, which means nuances and deeper contextual understanding can sometimes be lost.
Moreover, it occasionally fabricates details or “hallucinates” information, outputting content that sounds convincing but is misleading or mistaken. For a small business owner in Bulawayo, for instance, using Generative AI to draft a marketing flyer might result in text that is polished but insensitively divorced from local cultural references or historical accuracy. In our everyday conversations over a cup of tea, many Zimbabweans have remarked on how such technological shortcuts can sometimes result in content that lacks the true flavour of our experiences.
On the other side of this digital coin lies Agentic AI. This form of artificial intelligence is designed not merely to respond to single prompts but to operate autonomously.
It is the long distance runner of AI, built to handle a complex array of tasks by breaking down high-level goals into manageable pieces, all while maintaining a memory of previous interactions.
Picture a system that monitors agricultural conditions in rural Zimbabwe: it not only evaluates current weather patterns and soil moisture but also remembers historical data to adjust irrigation in real time, predict pest invasions, and optimise crop rotations.
The potential of Agentic AI extends well beyond agriculture. In our healthcare system, for example, an AI capable of continuously analysing patient data, recalling past medical histories, and tailoring treatment plans is poised to revolutionise rural clinics where human specialists are in short supply.
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However, despite its strategic advantages, Agentic AI comes with its own set of challenges.
Its design requires significant infrastructure, steady electricity, reliable internet connectivity, and highly-skilled operators to maintain and oversee these systems.
For many parts of Zimbabwe, where infrastructure can sometimes be patchy, deploying such technology on a large scale demands careful planning and investment.
The complexity of integrating multiple agents and ensuring they work in harmony can also lead to coordination breakdowns. In the local parlance, even the best-laid plans can sometimes “go awry” if the roads are not properly maintained.
From the perspective of everyday life in Zimbabwe, the differing strengths of Generative and Agentic AI highlight a significant choice. Generative AI offers immediate creative assistance, making it ideal for tasks that demand quick, reactive solutions.
Whether one is drafting a community newsletter, composing routine correspondence, or even generating ideas for local artistic projects, its capacity to produce polished output on demand is undeniably attractive.
However, those who are focused on long term challenges, such as improving healthcare delivery, enhancing agricultural productivity, or streamlining governmental services, would do well to invest in Agentic AI.
This technology, with its ability to maintain context, recall previous events, and manage complex chains of tasks, has the potential to be a backbone for systems that require sustained, strategic oversight.
In discussions about technology, it is easy to fall into a binary choice; after all, the popular narrative often spins technology as either good or bad, efficient or inefficient.
But as we have seen today, when it comes to AI, the truth is far more nuanced.
These developments, while exciting, also come with a word of caution: without critical oversight, the very qualities that make Generative AI appealing can also lead to instances where inaccuracies and superficiality creep into what should be well considered outputs.
Conversely, in the more remote parts of Zimbabwe, where resources are scarce but the need for sustainable, forward-looking solutions is acute, Agentic AI holds enormous potential.
In agriculture, a sector that remains a cornerstone of our economy, imagine an AI system that does not merely offer gardening tips but actively manages a farm’s entire operation.
It could track weather patterns, optimise irrigation schedules, predict crop diseases, and suggest crop rotations based on decades of accumulated data.
Such a system would be akin to having an expert consultant working around the clock, ensuring that every decision is informed by a wealth of historical and real-time insights.
However, the deployment of this technology requires overcoming logistical challenges such as ensuring a stable power supply and reliable connectivity, as well as investing in the local talent needed to monitor and interpret the AI’s data.
These technological debates are not merely academic.
They are already shaping the contours of our economic and social landscape. The future of AI in Zimbabwe is not contingent on choosing one side of the coin over the other.
Instead, the real opportunity lies in integrating both approaches in a manner that plays to their respective strengths.
Generative AI, with its immediacy and creative flair, provides the spark for daily tasks and innovative ideas.
Agentic AI, with its capacity for long term planning and strategic oversight, forms the backbone of complex operations that require consistency and depth.
The two are not adversaries but rather complementary forces that, when combined judiciously, can drive holistic progress across various sectors.
This dual approach to AI also has implications for education and public policy here in Zimbabwe.
Schools and universities need to update their curricula to not only include AI literacy but also to distinguish between these different types of technologies.
An informed public, equipped with the knowledge of both the creative and the strategic facets of AI, will be better positioned to demand ethical standards, to question oversimplified narratives, and ultimately to harness these tools in a way that serves the community’s broader interests.
In local debates and policy forums, it is imperative that stakeholders, from government officials and private entrepreneurs to community leaders and educators, engage in open, critical discussions about how these tools are deployed, ensuring that every innovation is matched by appropriate ethical considerations and regulatory oversight.
As we peer into the future, the potential transformation wrought by AI in Zimbabwe is both exhilarating and fraught with challenges.
The twin promises of Generative and Agentic AI remind us that technological progress is rarely a zero-sum game.
Much like the two sides of a finely minted coin, one side does not cancel out the other; instead, they together define the true value of a system.
For everyday citizens, whether they are jotting down ideas in a bustling Harare café or tending to fields in a rural district, understanding these nuances is key to making informed choices about technology. It is not a question of “either/or” but rather “how best can we use both?”
The conversation is not without its complexities.
Critics caution that the rapid deployment of Generative AI without adequate safeguards could lead to a proliferation of misinformation and shallow content.
On the other hand, the very foundation upon which Agentic AI stands — robust digital infrastructure and expert oversight — remains work in progress in many parts of Zimbabwe.
The digital divide, still palpable between urban centres and rural areas, poses a significant challenge.
- Dr Sagomba is a doctor of philosophy, who specialises in AI, ethics and policy researcher, AI governance and policy consultant, ethics of war and peace research consultant, political philosophy and also a chartered marketer. — esagomba@gmail.com/ LinkedIn; @ Dr Evans Sagomba/ X: @esagomba
