AI at Africa's Crossroads: Extractive or Generative Future?

University of Michigan School of Information professor Ron Eglash will give the closing keynote address for The International Workshop on Social Impact of AI for Africa at 5:05 p.m. EST on Saturday, February 26. Find registration details here.

AI at Africa's Crossroads: Extractive or Generative Future? 

Abstract:
In African traditions, the crossroads is where the trickster makes their appearance. Eshu, Legba, Anansi and others create complexity when our decisions fold back on themselves. AI has created yet another crossroads, and again the trickster brings surprises. What might have seemed like Africa’s worst challenges could be the basis by which computational aids can facilitate more sustainable and egalitarian futures. Blending the heritage algorithms of Africa’s past with fullstack decolonization can guide us through the crossroads, on the path towards generative justice. 

Speaker bio: 

Ron Eglash is a professor in the School of Information at University of Michigan. He received his B.S. in cybernetics, his M.S. in systems engineering, and his Ph.D. in history of consciousness, all from the University of California. His work as a Fulbright scholar was published as African Fractals: Modern Computing and Indigenous Design. His “Culturally Situated Design Tools” software, offering math and computing education from Indigenous and vernacular arts, works on the theory of generative justice. Design experiments with artisanal cyborgs and more can be found at https://generativejustice.org/.