Harare – The Insurance Council of Zimbabwe (ICZ) recently celebrated the successful conclusion of Artificial Intelligence (AI) Competition, an initiative designed to harness the innovative spirit of university students in addressing contemporary insurance challenges.
The competition, which encouraged students to submit and present research papers on AI applications within the insurance sector, culminated in a vibrant awards ceremony held on Wednesday evening in Harare.
This pioneering endeavour by ICZ underscores the growing recognition of AI’s critical role in developing strategic solutions for global complexities, particularly within the financial landscape.
The competition saw a rigorous battle among the final top three contestants, who presented their AI-focused research papers on technical grounds, showcasing their profound understanding of this burgeoning field.
The esteemed winners of the competition were announced as:
Augustin Mupeti, who secured the top prize of USD 4,000, Courage Gomera, awarded USD 2,800 and Noreen Maribha, receiving USD 1,500
The accolades were officially handed over by Mr. David Nyabadza, Chairman of the Insurance Council of Zimbabwe, and Ms. Mary Takavarasha, an official from the Insurance and Pensions Commission (IPEC).
Dr. Mutenga, one of the distinguished adjudicators, lauded the participants’ calibre, stating, “We were focusing on the ability to demonstrate a high level of technical originality, relevance to this ecosystem and also application focus thinking, responds to African context, our own challenges and also some of the greater challenges that we have in Africa.”
This sentiment highlights the competition’s emphasis on practical, contextually relevant AI solutions for Zimbabwe and the broader African continent.
The ICZ initiative served as a vital platform for nurturing local talent and fostering technological advancement within the insurance industry.
