Technology experts in Abuja have warned about Africa’s looming digital marginalization due to heavy reliance on foreign-made artificial intelligence (AI) tools. They argue that these Western AI systems fail to reflect African cultures, languages, and realities, thus impairing how young Africans learn and communicate. At a recent press briefing, discussions centered on the cultural and information gaps created by exclusive dependence on AI models trained on irrelevant data. Experts emphasized the potential erosion of Africa’s digital identity and cultural context, as these tools often overlook local nuances. In response, Jafi.ai, a homegrown AI initiative, aims to address these issues by developing technology grounded in African realities. Samuel Ekpo, from Jafi.ai, stated that this project seeks to combat Africa’s “digital invisibility.” The briefing underscored the necessity for increased investment in local AI research to ensure that future generations benefit from technology that acknowledges and respects their unique cultural identities.
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