from ALFRED SHILONGO in Windhoek, Namibia
Namibia Bureau
WINDHOEK, (CAJ News) – NAMIBIAN President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah has urged the international community to embrace ethics, transparency, and fairness in the development and use of artificial intelligence (AI), warning that unchecked technological advances could undermine humanity’s collective well-being.
Speaking during the High-Level General Debate at the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York on Sunday evening (Namibian time), Nandi-Ndaitwah underscored the need for global standards to govern AI adoption.
“Namibia acknowledges the technological advances in all fields, but ethical boundaries must be respected,” the president told delegates.
She cautioned that AI must never become “a substitute for human judgment or responsibility,” stressing the importance of accountability in a fast-changing digital world.
The address marked Nandi-Ndaitwah’s debut at the UNGA since assuming office in March 2025.
Her election was historic: she became Namibia’s first female president and only the fifth head of state since the country gained independence in 1990.
Her appeal resonates with ongoing debates about the risks and benefits of AI. Around the world, governments and institutions are grappling with concerns over data privacy, bias in algorithms, potential job displacement, and the ethical limits of autonomous decision-making.
The United Nations itself has elevated AI governance as a priority, with Secretary-General António Guterres recently calling for an international watchdog body to oversee AI applications in sensitive areas such as warfare, healthcare, and justice systems.
Namibia is already moving to align with these global trends. The government is developing a National Artificial Intelligence Strategy alongside the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).
A key outcome so far is the AI Readiness Report (2025), which evaluates Namibia’s preparedness to harness AI responsibly.
The strategy prioritises key sectors of national development.
In healthcare, AI tools are expected to enhance diagnostics and expand access to services in underserved areas.
In education, machine learning systems could support personalised learning, while in agriculture, AI-driven precision farming has the potential to improve yields and sustainability.
Namibia also sees opportunities in mining, where AI could strengthen safety and efficiency in one of its most important industries.
Yet challenges remain. Gaps in data infrastructure, the absence of formal regulation, and limited electricity access in rural communities pose barriers to widespread AI adoption.
Nandi-Ndaitwah has acknowledged these hurdles but insists they can be overcome with international cooperation, capacity-building, and responsible investment.
Her intervention at the UN reflects Namibia’s growing ambition to shape the global technology agenda.
Despite being a small economy, the country has cultivated a reputation for principled leadership on climate change, conservation, and sustainable development.
Now, by championing ethical AI, Namibia is signaling that the digital age must be guided by values as well as innovation.
“AI must serve humanity, not replace it,” Nandi-Ndaitwah concluded, urging member states to ensure that future technologies advance inclusivity, equity, and justice.
— CAJ News