The African value of Ubuntu : for an ethics of global artificial intelligence inclusion

First published as: The role of the African value of Ubuntu in global AI inclusion discourse: A normative ethics perspective, Patterns 3, 8 April 2022, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.patter.2022.100462 (CC BY).Reprinted with permission of the authors

On the sui generis value capture of new digital technologies: The case of AI

Much of the academic interest surrounding the emergence of new digital technologies has focused on forwarding the engineering literature, concentrating on the potential opportunities (economic, innovation, etc.) and harms (ethics, climate, etc.), with less focus on the foundational and theoretical shifts brought about by these technologies (e.g., what are “digital things”? What is the ontological nature and state of phenomena produced by and expressed in terms of digital products? Are there distinctions between the traditional conceptions of digital and non-digital technologies?. We investigate the question of what value is being expressed by an algorithm, which we conceptualize in terms of a digital asset, defining a digital asset as a valued digital thing that is derived from a particular digital technology (in this case, an algorithmic system). Our main takeaway is to invite the reader to consider artificial intelligence as a representation of the capture of value sui generis and that this may be a step change in the capture of value vis à vis the emergence of digital technologies

WldS Reduces Paraquat-Induced Cytotoxicity via SIRT1 in Non-Neuronal Cells by Attenuating the Depletion of NAD

WldS is a fusion protein with NAD synthesis activity, and has been reported to protect axonal and synaptic compartments of neurons from various mechanical, genetic and chemical insults. However, whether WldS can protect non-neuronal cells against toxic chemicals is largely unknown. Here we found that WldS significantly reduced the cytotoxicity of bipyridylium herbicides paraquat and diquat in mouse embryonic fibroblasts, but had no effect on the cytotoxicity induced by chromium (VI), hydrogen peroxide, etoposide, tunicamycin or brefeldin A. WldS also slowed down the death of mice induced by intraperitoneal injection of paraquat. Further studies demonstrated that WldS markedly attenuated mitochondrial injury including disruption of mitochondrial membrane potential, structural damage and decline of ATP induced by paraquat. Disruption of the NAD synthesis activity of WldS by an H112A or F116S point mutation resulted in loss of its protective function against paraquat-induced cell death. Furthermore, WldS delayed the decrease of intracellular NAD levels induced by paraquat. Similarly, treatment with NAD or its precursor nicotinamide mononucleotide attenuated paraquat-induced cytotoxicity and decline of ATP and NAD levels. In addition, we showed that SIRT1 was required for both exogenous NAD and WldS-mediated cellular protection against paraquat. These findings suggest that NAD and SIRT1 mediate the protective function of WldS against the cytotoxicity induced by paraquat, which provides new clues for the mechanisms underlying the protective function of WldS in both neuronal and non-neuronal cells, and implies that attenuation of NAD depletion may be effective to alleviate paraquat poisoning

The role of the African value of Ubuntu in global AI inclusion discourse: A normative ethics perspective

Historically, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has been excluded from the benefits of the previous industrial revolutions, as its people and their resources and aspirations have been objectified through foreign domination, and its culture has either been fragmented or appropriated. While artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to generate vast amounts of wealth, its application could lead to further social and economic exclusion of SSA due to a lack of access to technological advancements and the historical injustice and exclusion based on protected characteristics. Through an examination of the concept of inclusion, this paper explores how to improve the terms on which African populations and subpopulations and their concerns are included in the global AI ethics discourses. Specifically, it is argued that the SSA value of Ubuntu could be of immense value in AI applied normative ethics, particularly toward an inclusive approach for the implementation of the universal AI ethics principles and guidelines

The role of the African value of Ubuntu in global AI inclusion discourse: A normative ethics perspective

Historically, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has been excluded from the benefits of the previous industrial revolutions, as its people and their resources and aspirations have been objectified through foreign domination, and its culture has either been fragmented or appropriated. While artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to generate vast amounts of wealth, its application could lead to further social and economic exclusion of SSA due to a lack of access to technological advancements and the historical injustice and exclusion based on protected characteristics. Through an examination of the concept of inclusion, this paper explores how to improve the terms on which African populations and subpopulations and their concerns are included in the global AI ethics discourses. Specifically, it is argued that the SSA value of Ubuntu could be of immense value in AI applied normative ethics, particularly toward an inclusive approach for the implementation of the universal AI ethics principles and guidelines

Road map for research on responsible artificial intelligence for development (AI4D) in African countries: The case study of agriculture

Individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds are increasingly engaging in research and development in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The main activities, although still nascent, are coalescing around three core activities: innovation, policy, and capacity building. Within agriculture, which is the focus of this paper, AI is working with converging technologies, particularly data optimization, to add value along the entire agricultural value chain, including procurement, farm automation, and market access. Our key takeaway is that, despite the promising opportunities for development, there are actual and potential challenges that African countries need to consider in deciding whether to scale up or down the application of AI in agriculture. Input from African innovators, policymakers, and academics is essential to ensure that AI solutions are aligned with African needs and priorities. This paper proposes questions that can be used to form a road map to inform research and development in this area

Road map for research on responsible artificial intelligence for development (AI4D) in African countries: The case study of agriculture

Individuals from a diverse range of backgrounds are increasingly engaging in research and development in the field of artificial intelligence (AI). The main activities, although still nascent, are coalescing around three core activities: innovation, policy, and capacity building. Within agriculture, which is the focus of this paper, AI is working with converging technologies, particularly data optimization, to add value along the entire agricultural value chain, including procurement, farm automation, and market access. Our key takeaway is that, despite the promising opportunities for development, there are actual and potential challenges that African countries need to consider in deciding whether to scale up or down the application of AI in agriculture. Input from African innovators, policymakers, and academics is essential to ensure that AI solutions are aligned with African needs and priorities. This paper proposes questions that can be used to form a road map to inform research and development in this area