Youth urged to use AI responsibly

DODOMA: The Permanent Secretary in the President’s Office–Youth Development, Ms Jenifa Omolo, has encouraged young people to use artificial intelligence (AI) deliberately to seek knowledge, improve ideas and increase productivity.

The PS made the call in Dodoma yesterday during a youth conference organised ahead of International Youth Day, which will be commemorated nationally in the capital today.

“Do not use it (AI) to deceive, steal other people’s work, spread false information or commit fraud. Protect your personal identity as young people, verify what you read, and remember that decisions that affect people’s lives require wisdom, ethics and human accountability,” Ms Omolo advised.

She told participants at the well-attended event that mobile phones could waste their time, but could also help them build skills, find markets and connect with opportunities.

“Ask yourself every day: Is the technology you are using building you or wasting your time? The answer to this question lies in your choices, my young people,” the PS said.

According to Ms Omolo, Tanzania needs young people who know their rights and fulfil their responsibilities. She insisted that patriotism was not just about words, but about working honestly, protecting public property, respecting the law, maintaining peace, helping those in need, protecting the environment, and rejecting corruption, hatred and discrimination.

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Ms Omolo added that youth participation was not measured only by the volume of one’s voice, but also by the quality of one’s arguments, respect for others and willingness to participate in implementing proposed solutions.

“Social media has provided young people with a significant platform to express their views. Use that opportunity to build and educate. Use social media constructively. Differences of opinion should not lead you to humiliate others.

“Before sharing information, ask yourself: Is it true? Is it useful? And will it affect peace, dignity or another person’s life? This is the ability to combine participation with responsibility,” she urged.

The PS assured participants that the government would continue to fulfil its responsibilities by putting in place policies, systems, oversight mechanisms and an enabling environment.

Through the Youth Development Fund, she said, the government provides four per cent loans from councils’ own-source revenues, public procurement opportunities, skills development programmes and empowerment initiatives across various sectors.

“These programmes will have greater meaning when you, as young people, use them with discipline, integrity and long-term goals aimed at building sustainable livelihoods,” she added.

For his part, Assistant Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in the United Republic of Tanzania, Dr Majaliwa Marwa, said reproductive health was an important part of human rights, public health and sustainable development.

He noted that young people who have access to accurate information, quality and youth-friendly health services, and protection from violence, child marriage, teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence and abuse, have a greater chance of completing their education, developing their talents and contributing to national development.

“This meeting also reminds us that young people are not only leaders of tomorrow; they are leaders of today. Under the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), young people are an important force for accelerating development,” Dr Marwa said.

He said Sustainable Development Goal 3 emphasised the importance of good health and well-being; Goal 4 focused on quality education; Goal 5 promoted gender equality; Goal 8 highlighted decent work and economic growth; Goal 9 focused on innovation and infrastructure; while Goal 10 called for reducing inequalities.