Nnadiebube Journal of Philosophy

This paper provides a comprehensive philosophical and socio-technological analysis of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the African context, by emphasizing how AI aligns with and promotes the unique cultural, ethical, and developmental values of the African people. It begins by exploring foundational concepts of AI, including its definitions, core components, and typologies. The study then pivots to the African context by using the philosophy of Ubuntu as a case study in expressing the intrinsic African worldviews and how AI was gradually integrated into the African perspective. This paper submits that though the basic elements of AI can be Western, it should not be seen as a propagation of Western worldviews in the African milieu, but should be regarded as a model that is adapted by Africans to foster the African core values and contributions to humanity. The paper adopts the analytic and quantitative research methods to examine how African philosophy interfaces with AI technologies, and to consider real-world case studies such as the Masakhane Project, Ubenwa, and SunCulture, all of which are AI models created by Africans to promote African worldviews. This paper argues for the indigenization of the AI models used inAfrica, to reflect African epistemologies, ethical norms, and communal aspirations; and that with the right intentions and investments in policy making, education, and cultural preservation, AI can become a transformative tool forAfrica’s sustainable future.

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