Afrika Techno Policy

Without doubt, recent years have seen concerted efforts in the development and regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). Some of this has been driven by the Global North, as Scott Timcke has written , although the UN’s High Level on AI has sought to create global regulatory principles. More recently the African Union (AU) released the awaited continental Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy in August 2024. The AU’s AI Strategy seeks to shape the direction of emerging technology across Africa, from its implementation to its regulation. The strategy is a welcome initiative, particularly as the rest of the world has been taking visible steps in AI investments and in shaping regulations which, in turn, impact on Africa. It can be expected that the AU member states will approve and implement the strategy, especially since it holds potential to aid Africa’s socio-economic transformation and cultural renaissance.  Africa's AI efforts In addition to the AU’s AI strategy, African AI act...

Here at Afrika Techno Policy we explore the intersection of AI, law, and political economy in Africa through critical lenses. We are a collective of scholars, practitioners, and activists united by a commitment to examining the transformative potential and challenges of AI technologies on the African continent. We come from diverse backgrounds - legal theorists, political economists and policy analysts - but we share a common goal: to foster dialogue on how AI is shaping and being shaped by African realities.  We seek to move beyond techno-deterministic narratives, instead situating AI developments within broader historical, cultural, and political-economic contexts. The rapid proliferation of AI technologies across Africa presents a pivotal moment for democratic rights. From automated healthcare diagnostics in rural clinics to predictive policing in urban centers, AI is reconfiguring social, economic, and political landscapes. Excitement about the potential is understandable but...