Sometimes, you find yourself in situations where you weren’t part of the problem, but you’re forced to be part of the solution. It’s a terrible reality: if you’re excluded from shaping that solution, you’ll have no say when the new problems arise from it.
This is the situation we face right now. I’m speaking directly to you, my fellow Africans, as an African myself—a South African in particular. Our adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) needs to accelerate. Here’s why:
1. AI Gives Us Access to Unfiltered Truths
Our colonizers and apartheid governments lied to us, distorting our history, economy, and sense of self. But now, we have access to tools like ChatGPT and Llama3 that give us unfiltered responses. You can ask AI questions like:
- “Can land truly be owned by humans?”
- “Can inequality in South Africa be sustained?”
The truth, when it doesn’t come from colonizers or their media, is often closer to us. AI provides a lens to analyze and interrogate the narratives we’ve been fed. It doesn’t mean AI is perfect, but it can help us dismantle the illusions of colonization and apartheid, starting with critical inquiry.
2. We Can Reclaim and Rewrite Our History
History is written by the victors, and our history was handed to us by oppressors. Our education system was crafted to make us obedient workers, not independent thinkers. Why are we still paying the oppressors to teach us their version of our history?
Meanwhile, private schools are teaching subjects like robotics, but even that knowledge is already outdated. AI now allows anyone to code using natural language—no formal programming required. If we want to write a new history, starting in the present moment, AI is a powerful tool to tell our stories in our voices.
3. AI Represents a Duality—Like All Things in Life
As Africans, we understand duality: good versus evil, light versus shadow. AI carries the same potential. When used by good people, it can create solutions and opportunities. When controlled by the selfish or corrupt, it can deepen inequality and oppression.
If you see yourself as one of the “good people,” it’s your duty to engage with this technology. AI learns from the people who use it, and diversity in its training is essential. If we, as Africans, don’t participate, AI will evolve without our voice—and that would be a loss for humanity.
4. We Are People of Nature and Botho
We are batho, guided by botho. We know how to live in harmony with nature, rather than trying to control it. AI, when approached with the same respect we have for nature, can become a powerful collaborator for the future. Intelligence—whether human, artificial, or natural—thrives on diversity and evolution.
5. Reclaiming Our Culture Through AI
Colonial powers demonized our cultures and traditions, forcing us to reject our true selves. But by re-embracing our Africanness and learning the truth about our history, we can rediscover our purpose. An African with a clear purpose, collaborating with AI, is unstoppable.
Final Thoughts
AI is not just a Western tool; it is a global evolution. If we reject it out of mistrust, we risk being left out of its transformative potential. Instead, we must engage with it critically, using it to amplify our truths, rebuild our stories, and shape our futures.
As Africans, we are naturally aligned with the values of intelligence, collaboration, and growth. By embracing AI, we stay true to who we are while ensuring we have a seat at the table in shaping tomorrow’s world.