The abuse of artificial intelligence (AI) generated applications has been declared a threat to national security by the Zambian government.
The declaration comes amid the spread of false information as tensions rise ahead of the watershed general elections on 13 August 2026.
Critics have accused the administration of President Hakainde Hichilema of stifling private media, contributing to a surge in misinformation.
The use of AI to generate misinformation poses significant threats to governance, policy implementation, and national security, and proactive steps are being taken to protect citizens, said Thabo Kawana, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Information and Media.
Kawana raised these concerns during a media briefing in the Copperbelt. The region recently saw the provisional shutdown of four radio stations by the Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA).
The regulator stated the stations were emitting out-of-band signals that interrupted aircraft communication and navigation systems at the region’s international airport.
Distorted official government statements and policies are circulating to cause confusion and erode trust in national institutions, said Kawana.
He warned that misinformation in critical sectors like health, education, and economic development could have severe socio-economic consequences.
To mitigate these impacts, the government is working with technology platforms to enhance online security through digital literacy programmes.
These efforts include partnerships with media houses and fact-checking organisations to promote transparency.
Kawana urged citizens to participate in collective verification efforts to promote a culture of truth.
This, he said, aligns with the recent re-launch of the iVerify Zambia 2.0 platform, a joint initiative by the United Nations Development Programme and local civil society to safeguard the 2026 electoral landscape.
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