Wuzhen’s 2026 World Internet Conference: Namalomba calls on global community to adopt people centered approach to AI

Malawi’s Minister of Information and Communications Technology, Dr. Shadric Namalomba, has called on the global community to adopt a people centered approach to Artificial Intelligence, saying the technology must bridge rather than widen the digital divide.

Delivering a keynote address during a ministerial meeting at the ongoing 2026 World Internet Conference in Wuzhen, China, the Minister stressed that the true measure of AI’s success lies in its tangible impact on vulnerable populations including women, youth, farmers and persons with disabilities.

“Our responsibility as leaders is not merely to advance artificial intelligence, but to make sure it advances humanity,” the Minister stated, warning that without deliberate intervention, the rapid pace of AI development threatens to widen existing socioeconomic gaps.

Highlighting the digital divide currently facing Malawi, Dr. Namalomba noted that while the country has made strides in infrastructure aided by partnerships with Chinese government and partners such as Huawei, significant hurdles remain.

Key challenges include the high cost of smart devices, limited digital literacy in rural areas and the need for strengthened regulatory frameworks to manage data governance and cybersecurity.

To address these disparities, he noted the necessity of transitioning from basic data protection laws to effective, real world enforcement through knowledge exchange and skill building initiatives in addition to targeted investment to lower the costs of smartphones among other devices.

The government of President Professor Peter Mutharika aims to attract foreign direct investment, secure technological partnerships and share insights with others on how the country can safely and effectively integrate AI into national development agendas.