Our AIRA Talks serve as a platform for regular and consistent discussion amongst thought leaders, practitioners and policymakers from Africa and other parts of the world who are interested in learning more about developments in digital rights on the African continent.
Digital platforms and artificial intelligence (AI) technologies play a significant role in shaping information landscapes within global conflict zones, including in Africa. Countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Sudan, and regions in West and Central Africa have witnessed how social media platforms amplify misinformation, fuel ethnic violence, and serve as tools for state and non-state actors in information warfare. While these technologies offer potential benefits, they also present challenges especially related to misinformation, surveillance, and human rights. AI-driven content moderation systems often struggle with African languages due to limited data availability and linguistic diversity. For instance, platforms like Facebook have faced criticism for inadequate moderation in languages such as Amharic and Tigrinya, leading to the unchecked spread of hate speech and misinformation.
Similarly, Meta’s oversight board highlighted failures in moderating content in Nigerian languages, resulting in prolonged exposure to harmful content. The deployment of AI-powered surveillance tools in African nations raises significant human rights issues. In South Africa, for example, AI surveillance has been criticized for lacking regulation, potentially infringing on privacy rights and democratic processes. ‘
Additionally, the use of AI in monitoring electoral processes, while aimed at enhancing transparency, poses risks of misuse in the absence of robust legal frameworks.
This special AIRA Talks today also doubles as the launch of our annual report on Political Microtargeting. It’s still the global election season and we’re witnessing even more, the impact of digital campaigning, political microtargeting on data privacy, and our democratic processes. We hope that the findings of this report as well as the plenary following will help to spark conversation
This series of lightning talks is part of our broader efforts to discuss the African Union’s 2024 Year of Education, which emphasises the importance of strengthening education systems across Africa. We bring the perspective of digital rights and digital technologies in thinking about resilience in education systems.
Presenters from 6 organisations within AIRA delivered high-level, concentrated insights to shape conversations, inform policies and drive advocacy around education and digital rights on the continent.
South Africa boasts of having one of the highest numbers of internet users on the continent and has often topped the chart on indexes measuring internet freedom on the continent such as the Freedom on the Net Report 2023.
As the country approaches a critical general election in 2024, however, existing inequalities and trends that concern digital rights emerge and must be addressed. Issues such as balancing freedom of expression against other fundamental freedoms, the practice and legislation on hate speech, tech platform accountability and a potentially threatened civic space arise and may have a direct impact on civic participation as the election comes up.
This panel brings experts working on digital rights and policy in South Africa and globally to discuss imperatives that stakeholders in South Africa must impose upon themselves if the upcoming elections will be free, fair and truly democratic. The panel will discuss what roles each stakeholder has in ensuring that digital rights are upheld and respected in the South Africa election and if, perhaps, South Africa can model what digital democracy must be on the continent and in the global world.
Exploring recommendations for AI policy approaches in Africa in light of AI utilizations and framing of already existing policy agenda. Including
Exploring the intersection between climate justice and digital rights including:
Discussing the protection of digital rights during the Zimbabwean Elections of 2023:
Discussing Gender Equity, Data Governance and Digital Transformation in Kenya
What specific gender biases and challenges exist in the current data governance regime and practices in Kenya
How policy can address these gaps
If the AU Data Governance Framework provide a sufficient framework to promote gender-responsive data governance.
What some opportunities for collaborative initiatives and policy advocacy for more gender-responsive data governance are in Kenya
Discussing the ethical, social, economic and policy implications for Generative AI in Africa
Discussing the digital rights implications and anticipation during the 2023 Nigeria Elections
Discussing the digital rights implications and anticipation during the 2022 Kenya Elections
Discussing the topic, “Advancing Digital Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, Lessons from CSOs and Private”
Discussing the progress, opportunities and challenges of Data Governance in Africa
