Zambia is establishing another Artificial Intelligence (AI) Centre of Excellence in the capital, Lusaka, just weeks after announcing the opening of a similar facility in collaboration with Google.

Felix Mutati, science and technology minister, revealed the latest initiative, which will see the Katoba Secondary School in Chongwe District transformed into a centre of excellence.

This comes just a month after Google and Zambia partnered to set up an AI Centre of Excellence at the University of Zambia.

The Google facility is meant to enable young innovators to develop tech solutions to solve the country's social problems.

In terms of the second centre's plans, the minister has formed a four-member task force team to lead the school's transformation.

“The school will help to train other schools countrywide in the roll out of AI assisted learning aides and technology,” he explained.

Mutati spoke as he presided over a solar panels handover ceremony and AI training for teachers and learners at the school this weekend.

Ecobank funded the initiatives.

“AI is the future. It will enhance learning and teaching. The school will be at the forefront in spreading AI to all schools across the country,” Mutati said.

“AI will help teachers prepare their lesson plans in an easier way and check the progress of their teachers. It will make the education system more responsive to the needs of both pupils and teachers.”

According to Aina Moore, Ecobank's managing director, the investment would provide learners with access to the latest technology as well as a reliable power source.