Humanitarian AI podcast series | Building inclusive AI: indigenous knowledge frameworks from Kenya and beyond

How can indigenous knowledge systems and African philosophy reshape how we build and deploy AI for humanitarian work?

Our research surfaced ethical and cultural concerns from humanitarians worldwide, particularly around the ownership and suitability of AI systems developed elsewhere for localised humanitarian action. How can communities shape AI rather than simply receive it?

In the fourth instalment of our six-part humanitarian AI podcast series, Wakanyi Hoffman, Head of Research on Sustainable African AI Innovation at the Inclusive AI Lab, Utrecht University, speaks to Ka Man Parkinson about building inclusive, contextualised AI through Ubuntu philosophy and community wisdom.

In this conversation, Wakanyi explores:

• Ubuntu and the "right to relate" framework - rethinking AI ethics beyond individual rights
• How recognising ourselves as storytellers and "data workers" reclaims power in AI development
• Small language models as sustainable, community-led alternatives to large corporate systems
• Designing AI for retirement, not permanence - an indigenous approach to technology
• Community questions on digital divides, cultural representation, human rights and authentic amplification

Visit the episode webpage for shownotes including speaker bios, episode transcript and supporting links:

www.humanitarianleadershipacademy.org/resources/building-inclusive-ai-indigenous-knowledge-frameworks-from-kenya-and-beyond

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The views and opinions expressed in our podcast are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the views or positions of their organisations.

Chapters

• 0:00 Chapter 1: Introduction
• 2:45 Chapter 2: From journalism to global education to Ubuntu philosophy: Wakanyi’s intersectional world view
• 11:38 Chapter 3: Contexualising AI: community participation, debiasing systems, and the potential of small language models
• 29:55 Chapter 4: Storytelling as a cultural tool for AI development
• 39:32 Chapter 5: Building systems with community wisdom: working in equitable partnership
• 52:37 Chapter 6: Wakanyi answers community questions
• 1:09:15 Chapter 7: Overlooked priorities in AI ethics and closing reflections