More than 200 professionals have graduated from the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) Artificial Intelligence Academy, marking another milestone in the country’s drive to equip its workforce with practical artificial intelligence skills for the modern workplace.
A total of 207 graduates were honoured during a ceremony held at The George Hotel, comprising 127 graduates from the fifth cohort of the Generative AI for Educators programme and 80 from the second cohort of Generative AI for the Legal Profession.
Addressing the graduates, UNESWA Vice-Chancellor Professor Justice Thwala said artificial intelligence was no longer a technology of the future but an integral part of everyday professional life.
He said AI had moved beyond research laboratories into classrooms, offices and courtrooms, making AI literacy an essential skill for professionals seeking to remain relevant and effective in their respective fields.
Professor Thwala noted that the programmes were designed not only to teach participants how to use generative AI tools, but also how to use them responsibly.
He said educators could use the technology to prepare teaching materials more efficiently and dedicate more time to supporting learners,
while legal practitioners could streamline the review and summarisation of lengthy documents without compromising their professional judgement.
“The technology assists; the professional remains responsible,” he said, stressing that ethical and responsible use of artificial intelligence remains fundamental despite its growing capabilities.
He added that by mastering these tools, graduates would be able to improve workplace productivity, reduce the time spent on repetitive administrative tasks and focus more on strategic decision-making and problem-solving.
Professor Thwala challenged the graduates to become champions of responsible AI adoption within their institutions and communities, 
demonstrating how the technology could improve service delivery while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism and integrity.
He said the University remained committed to supporting lifelong learning through continued innovation and the expansion of AI training programmes that respond to the evolving needs of Eswatini’s workforce.
