Technology and Moral Responsibility: An African Critique of Algorithmic Ethics

Abstract

The proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) systems across diverse sectors globally has provoked critical ethical inquiries concerning fairness, responsibility, and justice. Predominantly shaped by Western epistemological frameworks, prevailing algorithmic ethics often marginalise non-Western traditions and exclude African voices from global AI governance. This paper critiques the Eurocentric bias inherent in mainstream AI ethics by advancing an African philosophical response rooted in Ubuntu—an indigenous moral framework that emphasises communal personhood, relational autonomy, and shared responsibility. Through a conceptual-normative and hermeneutic methodology, the study synthesises philosophical literature, policy documents, and recent case studies to examine how Ubuntu can inform the ethical design, deployment, and regulation of AI technologies in African contexts. It further employs the Discovery-Translation-Verification (DTV) framework to operationalise Ubuntu principles in technical and governance settings. Findings reveal that Ubuntu offers a robust normative alternative capable of addressing testimonial and hermeneutical injustices, while reshaping algorithmic accountability through participatory and restorative models. The paper concludes by proposing actionable recommendations for embedding African ethical values into AI policy, regulation, education, and design processes. It argues that far from being a regional ethic, Ubuntu offers a globally relevant moral paradigm for constructing inclusive, dignified, and context-sensitive algorithmic systems.