Afrofuturism and Artificial Intelligence: A Creative Perspective on Public Engagement withEmerging Technologies

This paper explores the intersection of Afrofuturism and artificial intelligence (AI), highlighting how African diasporic cultural narratives offer alternative perspectives on emerging technologies. Drawing on the works of Nnedi Okorafor, particularly Binti and Who Fears Death, the study examines how speculative fiction can reshape dominant Western narratives of AI.

The paper argues that Afrofuturist storytelling presents AI not as a purely mechanistic or dystopian force, but as a relational, culturally embedded, and potentially transformative technology. Through themes of symbiosis, collective memory, and identity, these narratives challenge conventional assumptions about intelligence, agency, and technological progress.

By situating AI within African cosmologies and cultural frameworks, this work contributes to broader discussions on AI ethics, inclusivity, and social justice. It emphasizes the importance of diverse cultural perspectives in shaping the development and public understanding of emerging technologies.

Ultimately, the paper positions Afrofuturism as a critical and creative lens for engaging with AI, offering pathways toward more inclusive, ethical, and socially responsive technological futures.