African perspectives on sustainable AI: Ethics in the future

African perspectives on sustainable AI: Ethics in the future

On June 17, 2025, at 1:00 p.m., the Ethical Innovation Hub (EIH) of the University of Lübeck invites you to a virtual ethics innovation lecture. The speaker is Jahaziel Osei Mensah from the University of Ghana. The theme of the event is “Epistemic Justice and the inclusion of indigenous African perspectives in the discussion on sustainable AI”. This highlights the greatly underrepresented role of African perspectives on sustainable AI, despite the continent bearing the brunt of the impact of AI use in the Global North. This problem is also addressed in the research by Eke et al. (2023) who analyze the ethical implications of AI in Africa.

A central finding of the lecture is that the adoption of Western ethical frameworks has negative consequences for Africa. This is particularly evident in increased environmental costs arising from raw material extraction, carbon emissions from AI training and the disposal of electronic waste. However, in African traditions, the environment is viewed not just as a resource, but as a living space that houses deities and ancestors.

The need for an African-centric approach

The aim of the event is to develop an African-centric framework for sustainable AI that puts environmental sustainability at the forefront. This requires the integration of African communitarian values ​​and epistemologies into AI regulation. This is also done by Strathmore University which emphasizes that ethical AI in Africa should be promoted through transparency, fairness and consideration of local values.

Another important element are the political challenges arising from the dependence on technological innovations from the Global North. According to the research, there is a need to achieve greater inclusion of African perspectives in the global AI discussion in order to reduce the gap between stakeholders.

Ethical and cultural integration

The lecture will also address the importance of integrating African moral traditions, such as communality and interconnectedness, into the ethical framework for AI. The aim is to promote fair and social responsibility in practical AI practice. In addition, education plays a crucial role. By integrating ethical concepts into academic training, future generations of developers can be made aware of the ethical dimensions of AI. The Federal Agency for Civic Education In this context, highlights the relevance of feminist African ethical approaches that emphasize values ​​such as care and responsibility.

Of particular note is the high vulnerability of African communities, particularly women, to the social and environmental impacts of AI technologies. The lecture therefore not only offers a deep insight into epistemic justice, but also suggestions for incorporating African ethical perspectives for a sustainable and just future of AI.