The Malawi Cohort of the Commonwealth Student Community for AI Governance was launched through a virtual convening on 7 October 2026, bringing together students from across Malawi to engage with AI-related priorities in their national context and contribute to the wider Commonwealth dialogue on AI governance.

In his address, Dr. B. Shadrach, Director, COL-CEMCA, reflected on Malawi’s digital development priorities in the context of Malawi Vision 2063 and the Malawi Digital Economy Strategy 2023–2028. He outlined priorities including digital infrastructure and connectivity, access to devices and computing resources, data governance, AI literacy, cybersecurity and data protection, while noting the potential for AI to support sectors such as agriculture and healthcare.

Dr. Shadrach encouraged students from different disciplines to work together on issues that extend beyond technology, including research on infrastructure and access challenges, policy and governance, and the development of locally relevant AI solutions. He also encouraged the students to contribute through policy briefs, white papers and institutional recommendations, while learning from experiences emerging from other Commonwealth student communities.

The launch included reflections from student community members, followed by group discussions in which students examined AI-related challenges and priorities in Malawi. Discussions identified the digital divide, limited internet and smartphone access, low digital literacy, language barriers, limited local data, the absence of a comprehensive AI governance framework, cybersecurity concerns and over-reliance on AI in education among key areas requiring attention.

Students proposed strengthening AI and digital literacy, developing locally relevant AI models and datasets, improving access to AI tools and infrastructure, establishing clearer frameworks for responsible AI use, and increasing public awareness beyond educational institutions. They also discussed the role of the student community in contributing to policy discussions, conducting research and developing practical solutions for Malawi’s AI future.