MozFest House Zambia took place on November 20-21, 2024 at the Lusaka International Conference Center. Over 500 technologists, activists, funders, and creators gathered to explore the transformative potential of collective action towards ethical, open, and equitable AI that serves communities across Africa.

MozFest House Zambia was a testament that joy, imagination, and solidarity are a critical part of the equation of how we get there. In today’s interconnected and complex systems, the process of creating solutions is as important as the solutions themselves. MozFest House Zambia exemplified this, showcasing how impactful work and discussions about AI are thriving in community-led spaces rather than confined to exclusive boardrooms.

Angela Odour Lungati’s keynote resonated deeply, a reminder that technology is a tool—not the solution itself. “Technology alone will not change the world,” she emphasized. “How it is used is what is going to change the world.” MozFest House Zambia reinforced the idea that the power to create meaningful change lies with diverse, cross-industry, engaged communities working collaboratively toward shared goals.

Mainstage Highlights:

1. Angela Odour Lungati, Executive Director of Ushahidi, delivered a compelling keynote on empowering communities through data, tracing the transformative journey of Ushahidi. Her fireside chat with Koliwe Majama expanded on this vision for data equity in Africa. Key word to remember: collective intelligence lies in us first, not in the machines we create.
   
2. Dialogues & Debates: Working Open to Advance Transparent & Trustworthy AI explored how open-source approaches can empower local communities to shape AI technologies that reflect diverse needs.
   
3. Dialogues & Debates: Harnessing South-South Solidarity: explored how the solidarity of efforts across the Global South is most urgent to challenge the current technology ecosystem.
   
4. The Data Futures Showcase spotlighted innovative projects revolutionizing data ownership, offering insights into protecting cultural heritage and fostering self-determination.
   

On the main stage, a series of compelling lightning talks wove together themes like climate justice and philanthropy, highlighting the critical role of cross-sector collaboration in shaping sustainable solutions for the future.

Community Sessions and Workshops

MozFest House Zambia brought workshops and sessions that exemplified the festival’s commitment to co-creating and building an equitable, just, and sustainable digital world. Across two days, participants engaged with community-led sessions around urgent and local issues:

1. Responsible AI for Agriculture
   During this session, participants explored the role of AI in transforming African agriculture and unpacked strategies for equitable tech adoption.
   
2. African Intelligence for Artificial Intelligence
   This workshop delved into community-driven approaches to developing AI models that support African languages and art. It highlighted how collaboration and creativity can ensure trustworthy, inclusive AI.
   
3. Protecting Human Rights Defenders
   Co-hosted by Meta, this session shared regional strategies to safeguard activists and journalists in high-risk environments. It emphasized collaboration in creating robust protections against surveillance and digital threats.
   
4. Tech and Gender Justice in Elections
   Focused on combating gendered disinformation in African political campaigns, this session spotlighted the systemic challenges women face online. It also offered tools and strategies to create safer, more equitable digital spaces for political participation.
   

Art, Interactive Booths, and Collective Care

Attendees enjoyed art installations, film screenings and different interactive booths by Common Voice, Firefox, The Engine Room, and CNN. The art installations and experiences were all active moments where attendees were encouraged to participate.

1. KeyZazi Art Installation
   
   Participants during the two days experienced this digital collage which celebrates the diverse voices of African communities while addressing critical themes of inclusion, advocacy, culture, and pay equity. By highlighting diversity in gender, age, abilities, and access, it emphasizes how technology can bridge societal gaps. The work also weaves in cultural elements, blending tradition with modern innovation, while confronting issues of climate justice and urging responsible innovation for equitable progress. KeyZazi is a call for collective action, unity (umoja), and the transformative power of technology in building a more inclusive and just world.
2. Afrofeminist Data Museum Installation
   
   The Afrofeminist Data Museum is an Afrofeminist product by women for women in Africa. It was inspired by the need to decolonize digital archiving and representation to center and amplify the historical role that African women have played in data and technology innovation. It is the first African curated critical tool that brings the digital to the person through creative engagement with data and technology through art and tech tools for reflection, dialogue, and cultural immersion.
3. Weaving Stories: Our collective tapestry of AI and Leadership
   
   This art installation utilized interactive string art and digital storytelling to explore solidarity, togetherness, and community leadership in AI. It encouraged attendees to explore how AI can empower communities in fields like healthcare, education, and nutrition, highlighting interrelated sectors and collective expertise – through yarn weaving, participants connected ideas together building a collective visual tapestry of possibilities.
4. Serenity Space
   
   The Serenity Space at MozFest was led by Rudo Chigudu, who created a space for rest and relaxation. She also provided and implements care practices in collaboration with the MozFest community to ensure everyone’s experience at the festival was held, safeguarded and seen. And everyday during lunch, there was a scheduled meditation session so folks could regroup, find their center before they jumped into more sessions in the afternoon.

MozFest House Zambia was a magical convergence of what it means to fight for an equitable digital world, and how to collaborate and ensure collective care along the way. The gathering proved to be a platform for critical conversations about the future of technology and its role in fostering global solidarity. Over two days, pressing issues such as gender disparity, digital literacy, access, and infrastructure were placed at the heart of discussions about technology and AI. And the MozFest House Zambia community had innovative solutions that addressed these issues from the abundant place of lived experience.