Responsible AI in Africa: Challenges and Opportunities (Social and Cultural Studies of Robots and AI)

This open access book contributes to the discourse of Responsible Artificial Intelligence (AI) from an African perspective. It is a unique collection that brings together prominent AI scholars to discuss AI ethics from theoretical and practical African perspectives and makes a case for African values, interests, expectations and principles to underpin the design, development and deployment (DDD) of AI in Africa. The book is a first in that it pays attention to the socio-cultural contexts of Responsible AI that is sensitive to African cultures and societies. It makes an important contribution to the global AI ethics discourse that often neglects AI narratives from Africa despite growing evidence of DDD in many domains. Nine original contributions provide useful insights to advance the understanding and implementation of Responsible AI in Africa, including discussions on epistemic injustice of global AI ethics, opportunities and challenges, an examination of AI co-bots and chatbots in an African work space, gender and AI, a consideration of African philosophies such as Ubuntu in the application of AI, African AI policy, and a look towards a future of Responsible AI in Africa. This is an open access book. Foreword References Acknowledgements Contents Notes on Contributors List of Tables Introducing Responsible AI in Africa Background AI in Africa Responsible AI Global AI Ethics: African Perspectives Structure of Volume Conclusion References Epistemic Just and Dynamic AI Ethics in Africa Introduction The African Context and Actionable AI Ethics Towards an African AI Ethics Conclusion Bibliography Responsible AI in Africa—Challenges and Opportunities Introduction What Signifies Responsible AI Principles of Responsible AI Accountability Transparency Explicability Bias Evaluation Challenges to Effective AI Adoption and Implementation in Africa Digital Literacy Infrastructure Price Barriers Lack of Local AI Talent Datasets Government Support Survey of the Landscape of AI in the Continent Emerging Trends and Concerns in AI Deployments in Africa Recommendations for Improving Responsible AI Progress in Africa Conclusion References Working with Robots as Colleagues: Kenyan Perspectives of Ethical Concerns on Possible Integration of Co-bots in Workplaces Introduction Emerging Frontiers for Robots Contextual Information Literature Review Methodology of Study Findings of the Study Awareness of Co-bots Extent of Deployment of Co-bots in Kenyan Information Workspaces Merits and Demerits of Co-bots in Information Workspaces Co-bots in Information Workspaces in Kenya Ethical Concerns About Considering Co-bots as Colleagues in the Information Workspaces Limitations Conclusions References Artificial Intelligence in Africa: Emerging Challenges Introduction Overview of Artificial Intelligence Emerging Challenges to AI Adoption in Africa Skills Acquisition Uncertainty Lack of Structured Data Ecosystem Lack of Relevant Government Policies Ethics User Attitudes Insufficient Infrastructure and Network Connectivity Addressing AI Adoption Challenges Discussion Conclusions References The Use of Gendered Chatbots in Nigeria: Critical Perspectives Introduction Methodology Findings—The Use of Chatbots in Nigerian Banks Discussion on Gendered Chatbots Recommendations Conclusion References AI Policy as a Response to AI Ethics? Addressing Ethical Issues in the Development of AI Policies in North Africa Introduction Ethics of AI An Overview of AI Ethics Issues An Ecosystems Perspective on AI Ethics AI Policies and Strategies Concepts The AI Policy Landscape AI Strategies in Africa Processes for the Creation of AI Strategies in North Africa Specific Aspects of AI Strategies in North Africa Discussion Conclusion References Towards Shaping the Future of Responsible AI in Africa Introduction The Meaning of AI The Current Landscape of AI Deployment in Africa Healthcare Financial Services Security Services Education Transportation and Logistics Telecommunication Public Service Delivery Politics Agriculture The Future of AI in Africa What Can Africa Do to Achieve Responsible AI? Framing the Role of AI for Africa Identification of Relevant African Values and Principles to Be Embedded into AI Systems Increased Involvement of Relevant Stakeholders The Role of Africa in the Global AI Discourse Conclusion References Responsible Artificial Intelligence: Recommendations and Lessons Learned Introduction What Is AI and Why Should We Care? AI Is Not Intelligent AI Is Not Artificial AI Is Not the Algorithm Responsible AI Ensuring the Responsible Development and Use of AI Regulation Standardisation Assessment Codes of Conduct and Advisory Boards Awareness and Participation From an Individualistic to a Social Conception of AI Human-Like or Rational? Social AI Towards a Social Paradigm for AI Conclusions References Index