In a time where AI is reshaping industries and economies, visionary Africans are leading the charge in ensuring that AI is ethical, beneficial, and fair to all. Time Magazine’s TIME100 AI 2024 list, which celebrates pioneers in AI, has highlighted the accomplishments of three visionary Africans.
Chinasa T. Okolo, a Nigerian-American computer scientist and a Brookings Institution fellow, advocates for responsible AI adoption, especially in Africa. She promotes this through policy advocacy, public speaking, and publishing research papers. Okolo has contributed in shaping the AU’s strategy for responsible AI adoption and Nigeria’s national AI strategy.
Mophat Okinyi, a former content moderator from Kenya, helped make ChatGPT a success. He labeled inappropriate contents for an algorithm that identified unacceptable content for ChatGPT. Opposing the gruesome work environment and unfair compensation, he founded the Content Moderators Union, the first union dedicated to protecting the rights of AI data workers in Africa.
Kauna Malgwi, a former Nigerian content moderator for Facebook, struggled with psychological issues as a result of the tedious work. She currently leads the Nigeria chapter of the Content Moderators Union and testified at the European Parliament in Brussels, helping to pass the Platform Work Directive, which secures the rights of platform workers.
These trailblazers are not only pushing the boundaries of AI policy, but also shaping the future of AI. Their advocacy for ethical AI will leave mark not only in Africa, but globally as well.
