Ethics in Sustainable Development Goals Projects: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of AI Integration in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract With the increasing integration of AI in development initiatives, ethical considerations have become paramount for ensuring equitable and sustainable outcomes. This systematic review and meta-analysis examined studies focusing on the standard practices and shortcomings of ethics in Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) projects that incorporated Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Sub-Saharan Africa. The study adopts a rigorous search strategy to identify relevant literature from multiple databases, resulting in a final selection of studies. The selected studies covered various sectors, including healthcare, agriculture, education, and infrastructure development, where AI was used to enhance project efficiency and effectiveness. The findings of this review highlighted several key ethical challenges and shortcomings. Lack of transparency in AI decision-making processes, concerns related to data privacy and security, and potential biases in AI algorithms were recurrent issues. Additionally, limited community engagement and insufficient consideration of cultural contexts were identified as ethical challenges that can lead to inequitable project outcomes. This study underscores the importance of addressing ethical considerations when incorporating AI in SDG projects. Policymakers, practitioners, and researchers should work collaboratively to develop robust ethical frameworks that prioritise transparency, community engagement, and cultural sensitivity to maximise the positive impact of AI in sustainable development initiatives in Sub-Saharan Africa.