AI Safety in Emerging Economies: Why Context Matters More Than Capability

Artificial Intelligence (AI) safety discussions are currently dominated by the paradigms of highly structured, developed economies, often ignoring the unique socio-technical landscapes of emerging markets. This paper argues that in regions like Africa, AI risks are not merely technical but are significantly amplified by systemic vulnerabilities, including informal economies, regulatory gaps, and a widening human capacity deficit. By harmonizing the technological capability of AI with the contextual realities of its deployment, this study proposes a strategic framework for decentralized governance and inclusive global policy aimed at building resilient, responsible, and context-aware AI ecosystems.

Keywords: AI Safety, Emerging Economies, Human Capacity, Nigeria, Algorithmic Governance, Socio-technical Systems.