In the second instalment of Research ICT Africa’s Just AI policy brief series, researcher Scott Timcke argues for a shift in focus from technological quick-fixes to the core democratic conditions underpinning free and fair elections. The brief challenges the idea that Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a panacea for Africa’s electoral shortcomings, urging instead for political, institutional, and civic reforms that strengthen democratic legitimacy at its roots.
Drawing on comparative political economy and legal analysis, Timcke maps out the risks of deploying AI tools in electoral processes without first addressing the structural deficits of African democracies — from entrenched authoritarianism and weak oversight to digital inequities and foreign platform control. He cautions against AI solutionism and proposes clear, actionable recommendations for ensuring any AI deployment aligns with principles of transparency, equality, and electoral integrity.
