Human-Centred AI Adoption for Sustainable SME Growth in Zimbabwe

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly transforming how small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) create value, improve operational efficiency, engage customers and compete in digitally enabled markets. However, AI adoption in developing economies cannot be approached solely as a technological implementation challenge. In Zimbabwe, SMEs operate within a context characterised by resource constraints, uneven digital capabilities, infrastructure limitations and persistent digital divides, making a human-centred approach to AI adoption particularly important. Drawing on the human–machine collaboration perspective underpinning the 5th Zimbabwe Conference on Information Communication and Technology (ZCICT), the paper conceptualises AI adoption as a socio-technical process in which human creativity, contextual knowledge, ethical judgement and algorithmic capabilities are integrated rather than treated as competing resources. The paper proposes a conceptual framework linking humancentred AI adoption, digital capabilities, organisational readiness, responsible AI practices and SME innovation to sustainable business growth. Particular attention is given to trust, employee participation, skills development, explainability and context-sensitive implementation as mechanisms through which SMEs can derive inclusive and sustainable value from AI. The proposed framework contributes to the emerging discourse on AI-enabled digital transformation in developing economies by shifting attention from automation alone towards meaningful human– machine collaboration. It further aligns with Zimbabwe's Education 5.0 orientation by emphasising innovation, industrialisation, skills development and the translation of knowledge into practical socio-economic value. The paper argues that sustainable AI adoption among Zimbabwean SMEs requires not only access to AI technologies but also deliberate investment in human capabilities, organisational preparedness and responsible digital transformation.