How a dung beetle inspired a better AI model | Nanjira Sambuli

Ubuntu and Utu, traditional African philosophies emphasizing interconnectedness and collective well-being, provide a vital framework for ethical artificial intelligence development. This "UbunTech" approach challenges the dominant "data as oil" paradigm by treating data as a representation of living cultures and communities rather than an exploitable resource. Tech policy visionary Nanjira Sambuli highlights how grassroots initiatives like Masakhane and Lelapa AI are already implementing these principles through "small language models" like Inkuba, which prioritize efficiency and local relevance over massive scale. By shifting from a "Great Power Competition" between metaphorical "elephants"—nation-states and corporations—to a model of relationality, AI can be transformed from a tool of dominance into a "global commons." This transition ensures that indigenous wisdom and marginalized voices, such as those of rural African women, are visible and protected within the digital ecosystem, ultimately sustaining a healthier technological environment for all.