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Kazi the Podcast E10: Technology, AI, and the Future of Work in Tanzania
Kazi the Podcast E10: Teknolojia, Akili Unde na Mustakabali wa Kazi Tanzania
Akili unde (AI), mifumo ya kiotomatiki (automation), na teknolojia za kidigitali zinaendelea kubadilisha ulimwengu wa kazi kwa kasi kubwa. Ingawa mabadiliko haya yanafungua fursa mpya za ajira na uzalishaji, pia yameibua maswali kuhusu uhakika wa ajira, haki za wafanyakazi, na ujuzi unaohitajika katika soko la ajira.
Haya ni baadhi ya masuala yaliyojadiliwa katika Toleo la 10 la Kazi the Podcast, lililowakutanisha wadau kutoka sekta ya elimu, teknolojia, na vyama vya wafanyakazi kujadili athari za maendeleo ya teknolojia katika ulimwengu wa kazi nchini Tanzania.
Teknolojia Inavyobadilisha Ulimwengu wa Kazi
Kwa mujibu wa Abdalah Alli, Mhadhiri kutoka Chuo cha Ustawi wa Jamii, maendeleo ya teknolojia si jambo jipya. Hata hivyo, kasi ya mabadiliko imeongezeka kwa kiasi kikubwa katika miaka ya hivi karibuni kutokana na matumizi ya akili unde, majukwaa ya kidigitali, na mifumo ya kiotomatiki.
Kennedy Mmari, Mwanzilishi Mwenza na Mkurugenzi Mtendaji wa Serengeti Bytes, alieleza kuwa matumizi ya teknolojia tayari yamekuwa sehemu ya maisha ya kila siku na yanaendelea kuingia kwa kasi katika maeneo mengi ya kazi. Ingawa teknolojia inaweza kuongeza tija na ufanisi, wafanyakazi wanapaswa kuendelea kujifunza ujuzi mpya ili kuendana na mabadiliko hayo.
Fursa au Tishio kwa Wafanyakazi?
Moja ya maswali makubwa yaliyojadiliwa ni kama akili unde itachukua nafasi ya wafanyakazi.
Kwa upande wake, Yesaya Rajab Athumani, Afisa Tehama Mwandamizi kutoka Mamlaka ya Usimamizi wa Bandari Tanzania, alieleza kuwa ingawa baadhi ya kazi zinaweza kupungua, teknolojia pia inazalisha fursa mpya. Alisisitiza kuwa wafanyakazi wanapaswa kujipanga na kuendana na mabadiliko badala ya kuyaogopa.
Washiriki walikubaliana kuwa uwezo wa binadamu katika kufanya maamuzi, ubunifu, na kutoa tathmini za kitaalamu utaendelea kuwa muhimu hata katika enzi ya akili unde.
Nafasi ya Vyama vya Wafanyakazi
Mjadala pia uliangazia athari za mabadiliko ya teknolojia kwa wafanyakazi na vyama vyao.
Winstone Katema, Afisa TEHAMA kutoka TUICO, alibainisha kuwa matumizi ya mashine na mifumo ya akili unde yanaweza kupunguza baadhi ya nafasi za ajira, hususan katika sekta za fedha na viwanda. Alisisitiza umuhimu wa wafanyakazi kujiunga na vyama vya wafanyakazi ili kuimarisha sauti yao katika kulinda haki na maslahi yao.
Washiriki walikubaliana kuwa masuala ya teknolojia, akili unde, na mustakabali wa kazi yanapaswa kuwa sehemu ya majadiliano ya pamoja kati ya waajiri na wafanyakazi.
Kujiandaa kwa Mustakabali wa Kazi
Wajumbe wa mjadala walitoa wito wa kuwekeza zaidi katika elimu ya TEHAMA, mafunzo ya ufundi stadi, na sera zinazowawezesha wafanyakazi kuendana na mabadiliko ya teknolojia.
Kwa ujumla, ujumbe mkuu wa kipindi ulikuwa kwamba maendeleo ya teknolojia hayaepukiki. Hata hivyo, kwa maandalizi sahihi, uwekezaji katika ujuzi, na ushirikiano kati ya serikali, waajiri, taasisi za elimu, na vyama vya wafanyakazi, mabadiliko hayo yanaweza kuwa chanzo cha fursa badala ya tishio kwa wafanyakazi.
Sikiliza toleo kamili la Kazi the Podcast kupitia Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, SoundCloud, pamoja na tovuti ya FES Tanzania.
Artificial intelligence (AI), automation, and digital technologies are rapidly transforming workplaces across the world. While these changes are creating new opportunities, they are also raising concerns about job security, workers' rights, and the skills needed to succeed in the future economy.
These were among the key issues discussed in Episode 10 of Kazi the Podcast, which brought together experts from academia, technology, and trade unions to explore what technological change means for workers in Tanzania.
Technology is Changing the World of Work
According to Abdalah Alli, a lecturer at the Institute of Social Work, technological change is not a new phenomenon. However, the pace of innovation has accelerated significantly in recent years, driven by automation, digital platforms, and AI.
Kennedy Mmari, Co-Founder and CEO of Serengeti Bytes, noted that technology is already part of everyday life and is increasingly being adopted across workplaces. While automation can improve efficiency and productivity, it also requires workers to develop new skills to remain competitive.
Opportunity or Threat?
One of the key questions explored during the episode was whether AI will replace human workers.
For Yesaya Rajab Athumani, Senior ICT Officer at the Tanzania Ports Authority, the answer is more complex than many people assume. While some jobs may disappear, new opportunities are also emerging. He argued that workers should focus on adapting to change and developing skills that complement technology rather than competing with it.
The discussion highlighted that human judgement, creativity, and decision-making remain essential in many professions, even as AI becomes more widely used.
The Role of Trade Unions
The episode also examined the impact of technological change on workers and labour organisations.
Winstone Katema, ICT Officer at TUICO, warned that automation could reduce employment opportunities in some sectors, particularly finance and manufacturing. He stressed that trade unions must continue protecting workers' rights while also helping workers prepare for technological change.
Participants agreed that issues such as AI, automation, and digital transformation should increasingly become part of collective bargaining and workplace dialogue.
Preparing for the Future
The panellists called for greater investment in digital skills, technical education, and policies that support workers during technological transitions. They also emphasised the need for stronger collaboration between government, employers, educational institutions, and trade unions.
The overall message was clear: technology and AI are reshaping the future of work, but with the right preparation, workers can benefit from the opportunities these changes create rather than being left behind.
Listen to the full episode of Kazi the Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, SoundCloud, and the FES Tanzania website.