Olatoun Gabi-Williams, founder and curator of Living Sustainably Here: African Perspectives on the SDGs, has issued a stark warning regarding the potential for a new form of colonialism in Africa driven by artificial intelligence (AI) and data extraction. Speaking at the launch of ‘Our Digital Lives and Indigenous Pathways,’ the second volume of the anthology Living Sustainable Here, Gabi-Williams stressed the importance of protecting Africa’s cultural heritage and knowledge systems.
During the event held at the CANEX book fair in Lagos, she urged African nations to implement concrete measures aimed at preserving indigenous knowledge and cultural resources. Gabi-Williams highlighted that the continent must focus on developing its own digital infrastructure and databases to ensure local communities maintain ownership of their cultural heritage information.
She noted that while technology holds great promise for documenting and promoting indigenous knowledge, it also brings risks associated with consent and intellectual property. She emphasized the critical nature of ownership in these initiatives, asserting that African countries should either own the digital platforms for preserving their knowledge or create strong safeguards in collaborations with international tech firms.
Gabi-Williams also expressed concerns regarding the repatriation of colonial-era artifacts to Africa, suggesting that it is vital to involve indigenous knowledge experts to accurately reconstruct the meanings of such items. She warned that without local expertise, foreign companies could dominate the narrative around these artifacts, stripping them of their cultural significance.
Additionally, Gabi-Williams highlighted the importance of integrating Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) education into the curricula of African universities and schools to foster interdisciplinary thinking among students. She pointed out the role of digital learning platforms in addressing educational disparities across the continent.
As the CANEX book fair continues to emerge as a vital platform for Africa’s literary community, Gabi-Williams recognized the importance of initiatives like the CANEX Prize for Publishing in Africa, which provides financial support for independent publishers.
