The rapid rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has presented enormous potential for economic and social transformation across the globe. However, in the Global South, it is also intensifying an already-existing problem: digital colonialism. As Michael Kwet poignantly argues in his 2019 article, Silicon Valley giants have long dominated the digital landscape in the Global South. The explosion of Generative AI (GenAI) threatens to deepen this divide, raising critical concerns and opportunities that must be addressed.
The Dark Side of AI Colonialism
At its core, digital colonialism refers to the control and exploitation of the digital economy by a few powerful corporations, primarily based in the Global North. This imbalance is exacerbated by AI, where data, often extracted from the Global South, is processed and monetised by Western tech companies without benefitting the data originators. Generative AI models are largely trained on Western data, which reinforces existing biases and marginalises the cultural, social, and economic realities of the Global South.
In regions already grappling with unequal access to infrastructure, AI tools and services become yet another form of technological dependency. This dependency leaves countries in the Global South vulnerable to external control over critical sectors such as healthcare, education, and governance. Governments often lack the regulatory frameworks or bargaining power to protect local data sovereignty, leading to an outsized influence of foreign companies on their digital economies.
The Opportunities for Reclaiming Digital Sovereignty
However, it’s not all doom and gloom. AI also presents the Global South with opportunities to leapfrog traditional developmental pathways. If harnessed appropriately, AI can empower local innovation, boost entrepreneurship, and bridge gaps in essential services. African nations, for example, have the chance to train their own AI systems on local languages, healthcare data, and environmental contexts to create solutions that are truly representative of their populations.
The key lies in building local AI ecosystems. Governments, academic institutions, and entrepreneurs must collaborate to create AI solutions that address local challenges and empower people at the grassroots level. For instance, Kenya’s AI research efforts and South Africa’s AI hubs showcase a growing interest in AI-driven development that prioritises local needs.
Striking a Balance
As the Global South confronts these growing technological challenges, there is an urgent need for policy reforms and international collaboration. Nations in Africa, Asia, and Latin America must assert control over their digital resources by enacting laws that promote data sovereignty and curb the monopolistic power of Western tech giants. Regional AI research hubs can play a crucial role in nurturing indigenous innovation, while global partnerships should be built on equitable terms, where technology transfer and capacity-building take centre stage.
At its heart, AI should be a tool for empowerment, not exploitation. The Global South must seize the opportunity to shape its own digital future, taking charge of how AI is developed, deployed, and utilised for societal good. By reclaiming digital sovereignty, the region can ensure that AI enhances, rather than erodes, its economic and social independence.