Artificial Intelligence and the Re-Engineering of Social Values in African Societies
Keywords:
Artificial Intelligence, African Social Values, Ubuntu Philosophy, Technology and Society, Value Re-engineeringAbstract
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a powerful socio-technical force reshaping norms, institutions, and moral reasoning across contemporary societies. In African contexts, where social life is traditionally grounded in communalism, relational identity, moral responsibility, and respect for authority, the growing integration of AI-driven systems raises critical questions about value transformation and cultural continuity. This paper critically examines how Artificial Intelligence contributes to the re-engineering of social values in African societies, focusing on its implications for communal ethics, authority structures, identity formation, media practices, and social inequality. Anchored on Technological Determinism, the Social Construction of Technology (SCOT), and African Humanist Philosophy (Ubuntu), the study adopts a qualitative and theoretical approach, drawing insights from sociology, philosophy, media studies, and science and technology studies. The paper argues that while AI-driven technologies often promote individualism, algorithmic authority, and cultural homogenization, they also possess the capacity to reinforce African social values when guided by culturally responsive design, ethical governance, and participatory frameworks. The study concludes that aligning AI development with African philosophical traditions is essential for ensuring that technological innovation supports social cohesion, human dignity, and sustainable development rather than undermining them.Downloads
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