Redefining Tech Ethics from Africa's Perspective

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Redefining Tech Ethics from Africa's Perspective

Exploring Ethics in Technology Through an African Lens

The EthicsLab at the University of Cape Town (UCT) is offering a unique opportunity for scholars, artists, and practitioners to engage with the ethical dimensions of emerging health technologies from an African perspective. This initiative, supported by the Wellcome Trust, fosters a vibrant community of inquiry that encourages critical, creative, and collaborative exploration of technology and ethics.

A Hub for Cross-Disciplinary Inquiry

Over the past two years, the EthicsLab has become a central hub for interdisciplinary research into the ethical, socio-political, and philosophical aspects of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), neuroscience, and genomics. The program brings together individuals from diverse backgrounds to examine how African humanities can contribute to global conversations about technology and ethics. This approach emphasizes the importance of local knowledge and perspectives in shaping the future of technological development.

Ethics as Worldmaking

At the heart of the EthicsLab’s mission is the concept of ethics as worldmaking. Technologies do not simply influence the future—they actively shape the moral, political, and social worlds we live in. They can reinforce existing hierarchies or challenge them, prompting us to consider what kinds of worlds they help create and what forms of life are valued within them. This perspective transforms ethical inquiry into an act of imagination and responsibility, encouraging participants to envision and design futures that promote human and planetary flourishing.

Key Initiatives and Retreats

Several retreats have been organized through the program, each highlighting its interdisciplinary and imaginative scope. One notable event, "AI as Worldmaking: Colonial Dimensions and Planetary Futures," brought together scholars from Africa and Latin America to explore the entanglement of AI with colonialism and its implications for planetary politics. This retreat emphasized the importance of critical dialogue between African and Global South thinkers, aiming to re-center African knowledge within global AI discourse.

Another significant gathering, "AI and the Imagination," focused on how AI reshapes creativity and aesthetic expression. Literary scholars, artists, and writers explored the conceptual disruptions AI introduces to ideas of originality, authorship, and authenticity. Participants considered how ethics is embedded in acts of imagination and artistic choice, and how AI might transform this inner ethical terrain.

Pathways for Participation

As the program continues to grow, the EthicsLab offers multiple pathways for engagement:

  • Academic retreats – These provide opportunities for deep, collaborative discussions on pressing ethical issues.
  • Research residencies – Scholars and practitioners can immerse themselves in the lab's environment to develop their work.
  • Catalyst grants – These support innovative projects that align with the lab's mission.
  • Webinar speaking opportunities – Individuals can share their insights and engage with a broader audience.

Each pathway supports interdisciplinary exploration, creative engagement, and cross-border collaboration. Together, they form a convivial research community dedicated to reflecting on how emerging technologies are reshaping our understanding of humanity.

Applying for Opportunities

Applications for participation in the EthicsLab are open on a rolling basis until 30 September 2026. Submissions will be reviewed as they are received, providing flexibility for interested individuals. Those interested in learning more, applying, or participating in upcoming opportunities are encouraged to visit the EthicsLab website.


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