As Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies become increasingly integrated into education, healthcare, entertainment, and more, they offer exciting opportunities for personalised learning, improved accessibility, and innovative engagement. However, this rapid adoption also raises significant concerns, particularly in Africa, where children face unique challenges, including digital divides, extractive practices, and limited policy protections.
As part of the Africa Just AI project, this area of research aims to bridge vital knowledge gaps by exploring how African children interact with AI, identifying the associated impacts, and proposing actionable policy recommendations. Key themes include AI in education, gaming, and social media, as well as its role in shaping children’s well-being and rights.
The concept note Children of the Digital Age: Exploring the Potential Impacts of AI on Africa’s Children sets out the goals of this research project that seeks on engage stakeholders and inform AI governance frameworks on this critical area.
Key research questions include:
1. What is the AI landscape like in Africa for children?
2. How are African children interacting with AI? What are the primary ways African children encounter and engage with AI technologies (e.g. through digital assistants, social media platforms, educational tools, gaming)?
3. What types of AI are most popular? How does the popularity of AI tools vary across different African regions or countries?
4. What are the implications of these AI uses on African children?
5. What policies exist on the African continent to regulate AI for African children? What role do governments, international organisations, and the private sector play in shaping the AI landscape for children in Africa?
