Towards an Ubuntu/Botho ethics of technology

Abstract

Humanity and technology have been in co-evolution and co-development in human history and it has been an intricate part of our daily lives today. However, since the Industrial Revolution, technology has had a negative impact, especially in the African context. The 4IR poses questions if emerging technologies such as AI will continue to have a negative impact in Africa or if Africa will harness its power to compete in the global economy. There have been many global discourses about AI in how it can change socio-economic structures and our way of life. This study investigates technology as power and the landscape of global AI ethics. It emphasised that AI ethics should take into consideration the historical impact of technology in Africa to establish patterns as emerging technologies are not in isolation from history. This study used a critical literature review methodology and decoloniality as a theoretical framework. It used an interdisciplinary study of technology and Ubuntu ethics from an African theological and philosophical perspective. This study identified that the global AI ethics discourse is dominated by Western ethics which embed universalism. This study highlighted that universalism is an imposition as AI does not impact countries the same way and a one-size-fits-all ethical approach is incompatible. The study argued that African ethical perspectives such as Ubuntu are appropriate in the African context to deliberate on the impact of AI. This study also identified that the current AI ethics discourse emphasizes the impact of AI on humanity and less or not at all on its impact on spirituality and the environment. This study contributed a holistic Ubuntu AI ethics approach that includes humanity, spirituality, and the environment in the African context generally and South Africa specifically.