Participating in the Advanced Certificate Course on AI Ethics and Policy in Africa , has deepened my understanding of AI ethics and policy in Africa. It also provided me with a platform to raise my voice as an Arab and Muslim from North Africa, allowing me to share the unique challenges and biases I face. These include the persistent association of terrorism with my religion and the widespread labeling of Arabs as ‘savage’ or ‘closed-minded’—stereotypes that continue to shape global narratives and technological biases.
The African-centered approach of this course offered a critical lens to interrogate AI governance beyond Western-centric models. Moving forward, I aim to apply these insights in advocating for responsible AI governance, ethical innovation, and inclusive AI policies that reflect Africa’s diverse realities, values, and challenges.
1. Course Requirement :
From September to December, I participated in the Certificate Course on AI Ethics and Policy in Africa, hosted by the UCT Ethics Lab and the Global Center on AI Governance. The course required participants to actively engage with the material and articulate their thoughts on AI ethics and policy in an African context. As part of the program, we were required to:
- Submit two reflection notes on selected topics.
- Present one of the reflection notes in a 10-minute oral presentation to the class.
2. Overview of the Course :
The course highlighted the growing importance of responsible AI governance in Africa, where AI technologies have the potential to tackle inequalities, improve food security, enhance healthcare access, and promote financial inclusion. However, there is also increasing concern over exploitation and discrimination through AI-based systems.
Understanding the limitations and risks of AI in Africa is crucial for informed policymaking and ethical AI development. The course emphasized the need for a deep understanding of AI technologies, particularly in terms of their ethical and policy dimensions within African societies. A key framework introduced was the African ethical lens, which enables the assessment of ethical dilemmas and policy considerations across issues such as:
- Gender equality
- Environmental impact
- Employment and social justice
- Healthcare and privacy
- Sustainable development
The course aimed to ensure that AI augments human potential in Africa while maintaining a delicate balance between technological progress and human agency.
3. What I learned :
The course explored the intersection of law, policy, and ideology in AI development, asking not only what the ethical considerations and regulations of AI are but also what they should be—particularly in a context shaped by historical inequalities.
Understanding African policy and ethical considerations on AI.
Colonialism’s Impact on Machine Learning & Why Algorithms Are Not Innocent or Independent. ML as a Product of Colonial Structures Because (ML) is not developed in a vacuum—it reflects historical power imbalances, including those rooted in colonialism.
Differentiating African ethical principles from global AI governance frameworks.
Analyzing the social, ethical, and discriminatory impacts of AI in Africa.
Engaging critically with AI governance and regulatory developments in the African context.
5. AI and Humanity: The Ethical Challenge of Human Dignity
One of the most thought-provoking aspects of the course was the discussion on AI and human dignity, framed through the African philosophy of Ubuntu.
“Ubuntu comes out of a philosophy that says, the only way for me to be human is for you to reflect my humanity back at me.”
Ubuntu, which emphasizes interconnectedness and collective well-being, offers an alternative ethical framework for AI governance:
- AI should enhance rather than replace human agency.
- Co-existence between AI and human workers should be prioritized—job displacement should be addressed through upskilling rather than automation-driven unemployment.
- African epistemologies should be recognized in AI development, ensuring that AI systems reflect local knowledge systems rather than being shaped solely by Western-centric values.
“I Am Because We Are.” A person with Ubuntu is open and available to others, affirms others, and does not feel threatened by their abilities. They possess a self-assurance that comes from knowing they belong to a greater whole—and are diminished when others are humiliated, tortured, oppressed, or treated as less than who they are.
— Aloo Denish Obiero
This quote perfectly captures the ethical challenge of AI: as we advance technology, we must ensure that AI does not diminish humanity but instead uplifts and empowers communities. AI should serve as a tool that enhances human dignity, equity, and collective well-being, rather than reinforcing exclusion or exploitation.
