Afrika Techno Policy

In recent months, I have been thinking a lot about the ethics that should guide the development and deployment of modern technology. A lot can be said about getting the foundation right to realise the ultimate purpose of technology - which is to benefit human beings and the world in which we live. The lens through which we view technology, will ultimately determine the lens through which we create it. Naturally, the lenses can take varying forms. They can be   philosophical, ideological, political, ethical or moral perspectives.   Whichever perspective one chooses should ensure a better life for all. Say, then, we make the correct choice and we manage to create technology that   serves that ultimate goal. Does it go without saying that the result will be just that? In other words, say we create technology which understands that umuntu, ngumuntu ngabantu, and which seeks to protect that ethic, what happens when it is deployed? What happens when human beings, beautiful a...

In recent months, I have been thinking a lot about the ethics that should guide the development and deployment of modern technology. A lot can be said about getting the foundation right to realize the ultimate purpose of technology - which is to benefit human beings and the world in which we live. The lens through which we view technology, will ultimately determine the lens through which we create it. Naturally, the lenses can take varying forms. They can be philosophical, ideological, political, ethical or moral perspectives. Whichever perspective one chooses should ensure a better life for all. Say, then, we make the correct choice, and we manage to create technology that serve that goal. Does it go without saying that the result will be just that? In other words, say we create technology which understands that umuntu, ngumuntu ngabantu, and which seeks to protect that ethic, what happens when it is deployed? What happens when human beings, beautiful and flawed as they are, enter t...

In the first instalment of this series , ethics were defined as the ‘dynamic basis upon which the normative evaluation and guidance of AI technologies should be founded.’ Determining the most appropriate ethical framework for AI is a complex task, and it is likely that no single approach can fully address all the challenges involved.  In the African context, the impact of AI (good or bad) will have to be measured and evaluated by African countries themselves. In this instalment, key stakeholders in AI research on the continent are urged to actively participate in this discourse by seriously considering the philosophy of ubuntu as a viable and legitimate ethical framework for AI. As the custodians of ubuntu it is incumbent on Africans to champion its value in the ethics debate and present it as a viable option to the rest of the global community. I write this piece to both the younger and older versions of myself – and others like me.  The younger who silently thought ‘can anyt...

AI is hot on the lips of academics, policy makers, technologists and lay persons alike. It is shrouded in as much mystery as it is in intrigue. I will admit that, like many people, I came late to the party. In fact, I cannot even manufacture an affinity to it through a carefully curated love of science fiction. The closest I can get, perhaps would be vague memories of scenes from i, ROBOT and if I’m truly honest, 16-year-old me did not watch it for the broody robot or the deep philosophical questions of whether it should “save the girl” or apply the nano something to the thingamabob.     (scene from I, Robot ) It did remind me of Tesla’s unveiling of its humanoid robot creation Optimus . Elon Musk announced at the launch that the intention was to create fully-functional robots which would lead to a “ future of abundance, a future where there is no poverty, a future where you can have whatever you want in terms of products and services. ” What is unique about Optimus, is t...

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...