MPs call for clear AI laws in Tanzania

Dodoma. Members of Parliament have urged the government to develop clear policies and legislation to regulate, guide, and monitor the use of Artificial intelligence (AI) in the country.

Lawmakers have also been encouraged to embrace AI tools to prepare campaign strategies ahead of the general election.

Opening a training session for MPs on artificial intelligence, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Social Welfare and Development, Ms Fatuma Toufiq, said AI is already in use in Tanzania, yet no formal legal or policy framework exists.

“There is no law or policy governing AI—no guidance on how it should operate or be supervised—so we must understand how to prevent its misuse. The aim is to protect those vulnerable to its adverse effects,” said Ms Toufiq.

She stressed that women, in particular, are more likely to suffer from the negative consequences of AI misuse.

Omuka Founder and Director, Ms Neema Lugangira, said AI could assist MPs in developing strategic plans for political, parliamentary, and election-related tasks.

She noted that AI’s strength is its capacity to rapidly process data and generate content aligned with a specific public image or profile.

“Artificial intelligence holds immense value. But to unlock this, it must be deployed responsibly. A key priority for MPs should be formulating a national AI policy,” she said.

She added that such a framework would allow Tanzanians to benefit from AI-driven innovation while safeguarding against potential harms.

Ms Jesca Msambatavangu (Iringa MP-CCM) reassured the public that the training was not about job displacement, but enhancement.

“When I go to campaign, I’ll explain to people: if you see a strange image of me, don’t panic—that’s AI, and it’s fake. Your real MP is here—I would never do anything like that,” she said.

The Union of Tanzania Press Clubs (UTPC) executive director, Mr Kenneth Simbaya, called on journalists to verify AI-generated material by tracing it to sources.

“Verification is essential because AI can also make mistakes. As journalists, we must keep learning to ensure accurate reporting. AI may be smart, but the person using it must be smarter,” he said.

MPs who took part in the session came from the Parliamentary Committees on Infrastructure, Foreign Affairs, Defence and Security, Education and HIV/Aids, and Governance, Constitution and Law.

The training was organised by digital learning provider Omuka, the German development agency GIZ, and the Women Political Leaders (WPL) Institute.