AI Is Steeped in Big Tech's Digital Colonialism

Artificial intelligence (AI) has been touted as the solution to many of the world's problems, from climate change to healthcare. However, there is a darker side to AI that is often overlooked: its role in perpetuating digital colonialism.

The Story of Digital Colonialism

Digital colonialism refers to the domination of developing nations by Western tech giants, who use their access to big data and AI to exploit these countries for profit.

One example of this is the case of Facebook's Free Basics program, which was launched in India in 2015 with the aim of providing free access to basic internet services. However, the program was criticized for violating net neutrality and favoring content from Facebook and its partners. It was eventually banned by the Indian government in 2016.

This is just one example of how Big Tech has been accused of using its power to pursue its own interests at the expense of developing nations.

The Role of AI in Digital Colonialism

AI is an even more potent tool for digital colonialism, as it allows Big Tech to extract even more value from developing nations. By gaining access to vast amounts of data from these countries, Western tech giants can train their algorithms more effectively and create new products and services that cater to the needs of these markets.

However, this also means that these companies are able to control the narrative around AI development and its impact on society. Developing countries are often left out of the conversation and have little say in how AI is developed and deployed in their communities.

Digital Colonialism

• In Ethiopia, Chinese tech giant Huawei has built a state-of-the-art AI surveillance system that can track people's movements and monitor their social media activity.
• In Kenya, Google has partnered with the government to collect data on wildlife migration patterns, but has faced criticism for failing to involve local communities in the project.
• In Nigeria, AI-powered facial recognition technology has been used to identify protesters during the #EndSARS movement, leading to arrests and human rights violations.

The Way Forward

To prevent AI from becoming a tool for digital colonialism, there are several steps that need to be taken:

1. Increase transparency and accountability: Big Tech needs to be more transparent about how it collects and uses data, and should be held accountable for any abuses or violations of human rights.
2. Empower developing countries: Developing countries need to be given a greater voice in AI development and deployment, and should be given the resources and support they need to build their own capacity in this area.
3. Foster collaboration and knowledge-sharing: There needs to be greater collaboration between Western tech giants and developing countries, and a greater emphasis on knowledge-sharing and capacity-building.

By taking these steps, we can ensure that AI is used for the benefit of all humanity, and not just for the profit of a few Big Tech companies.

Conclusion

AI has the potential to revolutionize the world and solve many of its problems. However, we need to be aware of its darker side and its role in perpetuating digital colonialism. By taking steps to increase transparency, empower developing countries, and foster collaboration, we can ensure that AI is used for the greater good of humanity.