Purpose-Driven AI: Future Ready Summit Champions Technology for Human Flourishing in Africa

Monday, 26th, May 2025

By inAfrika Reporter

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes the global economy, Africa’s leaders are rewriting the narrative-placing human flourishing, ethical innovation, and digital sovereignty at the heart of technological progress. This vision was center stage on the afternoon of Day 3 at the Future Ready Summit, where Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer at Google X and best-selling author of “Scary Smart,” delivered a rousing keynote: “Rewriting Tomorrow: AI for Good, Growth & Global Change.”

Co-hosted by Vodacom Tanzania, the Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH), and UNDP, the summit convened technologists, policymakers, and youth to explore how AI can be a force for inclusion, resilience, and sustainable development-not just in Africa, but globally.

Mo Gawdat’s keynote challenged the audience to move beyond tech hype and focus on AI’s true purpose: “We need the world to fully understand the possibilities of AI, before it is too late. This is a pivotal moment for Africa, as we stand at a point of advantage. We have the onus to augment our intelligence in partnership with AI in a way that brings about a net good for the continent. Responsible AI is not just about technology-it’s about shaping a future where innovation uplifts every individual, protects our rights, and drives sustainable progress”

Vodacom Tanzania’s real-world impact was a highlight of the summit. M-Pesa, the company’s flagship mobile money platform, processes over $135 billion annually and now leverages AI-driven analytics to extend credit and financial services to millions traditionally excluded from formal banking. The M-Kulima initiative, supporting over three million smallholder farmers, uses AI-powered tools for pest management and soil analysis-boosting productivity and rural livelihoods. These advances are fueled by Vodacom’s ongoing investment in digital infrastructure, with over TZS 156 billion invested in 2024 alone to expand connectivity and opportunity even in remote communities.

Phillip Besiimire, Managing Director of Vodacom Tanzania, underscored the company’s purpose-driven approach: “AI is not a one-size-fits-all solution but a powerful enabler when tailored to local realities. Through strategic infrastructure investments, partnerships, and human-centered innovation, Vodacom is helping Tanzania leapfrog traditional development barriers. By advancing AI-enabled financial inclusion, smart agriculture, and resilient connectivity, we are contributing to a future where technology fosters equitable growth and empowers Tanzanians to thrive in a digital economy.”

COSTECH’s leadership throughout the summit reinforced Tanzania’s commitment to digital sovereignty and ethical technology governance. By championing locally hosted data solutions and nurturing homegrown talent, COSTECH is ensuring that AI’s benefits remain within the country and aligned with national priorities.

Georgie Ndirangu, international journalist and summit host, captured the afternoon’s spirit:

“This summit was more than a conversation, it was a catalyst for action. With voices like Mo Gawdat and the leadership of Vodacom Tanzania and COSTECH, we are not just discussing the future, we are actively building it. Together, we have set a new standard for how AI can be a force for good, growth, and global change.”

As the session concluded, participants were energized by a renewed sense of purpose and a shared vision for harnessing AI in service of humanity. The collaborative energy between Vodacom Tanzania, COSTECH, UNDP, and the wider tech community signals a future where Tanzania and Africa lead in responsible, rights-based, and inclusive digital innovation.