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{
    "id": 1475556,
    "url": "https://info.mzalendo.com/api/v0.1/hansard/entries/1475556/?format=api",
    "text_counter": 337,
    "type": "speech",
    "speaker_name": "Nominated, ODM",
    "speaker_title": "Hon. Irene Mayaka",
    "speaker": null,
    "content": "country and the rest of the world, but that we are also playing catch-up with the rest of the world in terms of what more can we do in the internet space. One of the things that I have always grappled with and wish that we could do as a country is this: We do have many of us who are consumers of Artificial Intelligence products within our spaces. It can be on Facebook, X or any other social media. Most of us use things like ChatGPT and most of those things are revenue generating streams. But that revenue is getting out of our country. What if we had a situation where our young people could come up with some of those applications and make Artificial Intelligence-generated applications so that they can also generate revenue within our country so that we do not have to spill out our revenue to other countries? For me, what this Bill seeks to do is to ensure that we give our young people a space where they can have innovative ideas and be taught about this. In terms of what we now call a knowledge-based economy, that is the other thing that is going to be supported by the Technopolis Bill. Start-ups as well will also be supported. Most people right now are doing start-ups, and others have gone into the gig economy. We have not yet ventured into that space as a country. The gig economy would enable most people to work at flexible hours. For example, I can decide I want to sleep during the day and work at night. But, at some point, we also need to have laws in place that enable such environments to operate with people who are being protected within the law. When we have those technopolis expanding to other areas, we will also be forced to go back to the drawing board and think of how else we can improve our labour laws and our employment laws so that they can also have the flexibility that is within the innovative space. In the innovative space, we do not have to work from 8.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. One can choose to work at night or three days a week and do other things for the rest of the days, but you are still able to be protected within a legal framework. In my thinking, I just want to believe that we will go in that direction. As I conclude, I just want to give a few other advantages that we will see with technopolis. One, of course, as has been said by the Chairman, and I just want to emphasise it, is the designated geographical area. As we said, we do not want a situation where we are only confined to one particular space and so, this Bill also seeks to revoke the current Konza Technopolis Development Authority so that we can have a Bill that covers all the technopolis. Also, it will enable us to attract and retain world-class talent within our country because we do have a lot of that. We have young people who do a lot of international and global jobs, but they do those for other companies. We want to enhance that resource within our space as well so that, as a country, we can also attract people from other countries to come and do world- class jobs for us. The other thing that the Bill seeks to assist is premium destinations for technology- driven businesses, research institutions and, as I said earlier, innovation ecosystem. This will also help us in the adaptation of a sustainable environment practice, and also the fact that right now, there are many conversations that are going on about climate change. There are many conversations that are going on about going green. The technopolis will be able to give us advanced knowledge on how we can enhance and ensure that we become a green country. As I finish, the Bill also offers incentives and other forms of Government support, and encourages investors as well. I urge Hon. Members that this Bill is one of those that we say is a differentiator for us. It will take us to the next level, and I just like to invite them to support this Bill, so that it can sail through, and we can begin to get into the implementation stage. With those few remarks. I second. Thank you."
}