AI Around the World: some global perspectives
Artificial Intelligence is a cultural phenomenon that has captured imaginations around the globe. In the United States, our views on AI are deeply influenced by media/entertainment and economic priorities. But what happens when we look beyond our borders? As we engage with AI (and the larger ongoing digital transformation) -- understanding global narratives can enrich our thinking.
The insights below are drawn from Imagining AI: How the World Sees Intelligent Machines, edited by Stephen Cave and Kanta Dihal. The book offers a wide exploration of AI narratives, uncovering cultural, historical, and philosophical foundations that shape each region's view. Here are some meshed together thoughts, notes, and questions that emerged for me.
The US Perspective on AI: Innovation & Anxiety
In the United States, AI is often viewed through a dual lens of innovation and anxiety. Movies like The Terminator and The Matrix have shaped our perceptions, presenting AI as both a miraculous advancement and a potential deadly threat. This dichotomy (innovation & extermination) highlights broader concerns about social control, job displacement, and ethical governance.
The US drive for technological leadership is fueled by economic and security interests — and the desire to maintain a competitive edge globally. See also: T-Minus AI. Significant investments in AI research and development by both the private sector and government/defense reflect this ambition. However, these advancements raise important questions about the future of work, data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the ethical use of AI.
The US narrative encapsulates both the hope for unprecedented technological progress and the fear of unintended consequences.
Europe: Ethics & Responsibility
Europe offers a contrasting narrative. The emphasis is on ethical considerations and responsible AI. European AI narratives often explore themes of autonomy and the societal impacts of technology.
This focus on ethics is not just academic or theorical; it translates into robust regulatory frameworks and a commitment to ensuring that AI serves the common good. The European Union, for example, has established comprehensive guidelines and policies aimed at fostering trustworthy AI, such as the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the proposed AI Act. These regulations aim to protect data privacy and ensure that AI technologies are transparent, accountable, and fair.
Moreover, Europe invests heavily in interdisciplinary research to address the ethical and societal dimensions of AI. Initiatives like the European Commission's High-Level Expert Group on AI emphasize the importance of aligning AI development with human rights and societal values.
The European narrative emphasizes ethical considerations and responsible AI, ensuring that technological advancements are aligned with the protection of individual rights and societal well-being.
China: Harmony & Pragmatism
In China, AI narratives are deeply influenced by philosophical traditions like Confucianism, Taoism, and Buddhism. These philosophies emphasize harmony, reflection, and the integration of technology into society in a balanced way. Chinese AI stories often blend detailed algorithmic processes with broader philosophical inquiries, creating a unique narrative that contrasts with the polarized views in the US. This holistic approach encourages viewing AI not just as a tool, but as part of a broader societal ecosystem that needs thoughtful nurturing and management.
Examples
“Let's Have a Talk" by Xia Jia: this story tells of AI-powered pet dolphins that develop a new language through interaction, highlighting the potential of learning algorithms to create new forms of communication.
"Love during Earthquakes" by Yang Wanqing: features an AI system that predicts earthquakes using big-data-based regression models, demonstrating the practical applications of AI in disaster prediction and response.
“The Algorithm of Life" by Chen Qiufan: explores philosophical themes by framing AI algorithms as "Tao," referencing Taoist thought and raising questions about the nature of life and reality through AI simulations.
However, this narrative coexists with China's contemporary reality, where the state exerts significant control over information through mechanisms like the Great Firewall. This duality reflects a tension between philosophical ideals and practical governance, where AI development is closely aligned with state objectives, including surveillance and social stability. Despite these concerns, China's national AI strategy aims to position the country as a global leader by 2030.
The Chinese narrative integrates traditional philosophies with modern AI development, emphasizing a holistic approach that seeks to align technological progress with long-standing state-aligned cultural values.
Africa: Decolonizing AI & Promoting Local Innovation
Africa presents another vital perspective, where AI development is seen through the lens of decolonization and local needs. The continent's history of colonialism has left a significant impact on its social-technical-economic landscape, but there is a strong movement to reclaim and reshape AI for local contexts. African AI narratives focus on practical applications that address regional and community needs, such as improving agriculture, healthcare, and education. This pragmatic, grassroots-driven approach highlights the importance of developing AI technologies that are inclusive and beneficial to all segments of society, rather than perpetuating existing inequalities.
Moreover, the concept of algorithmic colonialism underscores how Western-developed AI systems often encode values, objectives, and interests that may not align with African contexts. These imported technologies can hinder the development of solutions that better serve the unique challenges. For example, the machine learning model developed by Kenyan researchers to diagnose early stages of disease in cassava plants demonstrate the potential of home-grown AI solutions
African scholars and technologists are advocating for AI that reflects vibrant cultural heritage and community values. By rejecting stereotypical images of Africa and focusing on local strengths such as philosophy, art, and music, there is a concerted effort to portray the continent in a more positive light. This movement emphasizes the need for AI technologies that support and uplift local communities, ensuring that no one is left behind in the digital transformation.
The African narrative emphasizes AI as a tool for empowerment, tailored to meet local needs and reinforce cultural heritage and values.
Latin America: Resistance & Cultural Fusion
In Latin America, AI narratives often blend science fiction with indigenous traditions, creating multifaceted stories. Artists and writers use AI to explore themes of resistance and subversion against Western technological dominance. This fusion of cultural heritage with futuristic technology offers unique insights into how AI can be used to challenge and redefine power structures.
A notable example is the work of Mexican artist Raúl Cruz, who merges science fiction tropes of AI with the art of Mesoamerican cultures, particularly the Maya and Aztecs. His creations, such as Aztec robots and cybernetic catrinas, highlight how new technologies can coexist with and even enhance traditional cultural elements, rather than erasing them. This approach underscores the potential of AI to reflect and celebrate Latin America's cultural legacy, providing a counter-narrative to the homogenizing forces of global technological trends
Moreover, Latin American science fiction often critiques the socio-political landscape, addressing issues like classism and internalized racism that have long hindered technological and social progress. For instance, Chilean author Jorge Baradit's works delve into dystopian futures where AI is wielded by oppressive regimes, reflecting real-world anxieties about the misuse of technology in the hands of a few. See: Ygdrasil, Synco, or Trinidad. These works emphasize the need for equitable and inclusive AI development that empowers all members of society.
The Latin American narrative on AI blends indigenous traditions with modern technology, advocating for a nuanced approach that both challenges colonial legacies and fosters unique, locally relevant innovations.
Middle East and North Africa (MENA): Balancing Tradition & Modernity
The MENA region's history with intelligent machines stretches back to the Islamic Golden Age. Today, there's a noticeable tension between adopting Western technological models and developing local narratives that reflect the region's unique cultural and historical context. Wealthier Gulf countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia are heavily investing in AI, often in partnership with Western companies. In contrast, countries like Egypt and Tunisia are focusing on local innovation through grassroots efforts and burgeoning startup ecosystems. This approach is aimed at creating AI solutions that address specific local challenges such as urban congestion, water scarcity, and healthcare.
Understanding these dynamics underscores the need to balance tradition and modernity in AI development. This experience calls for a nuanced approach that respects local contexts while incorporating global technological advances.
The MENA narrative on AI illustrates the challenge of harmonizing long-standing traditions with modern innovations, aiming to use technology to address regional challenges effectively.
Lessons for the US: Embracing Global Perspectives
So, what can we learn from these global AI narratives? A few takeaways:
Ethical AI Practices: Europe’s focus on ethical AI highlights the importance of integrating robust ethical considerations into our AI development and governance frameworks.
Holistic Approaches: China’s emphasis on harmony and pragmatic applications of AI encourages us to think about AI as part of a broader societal ecosystem.
Local Innovation: Africa’s grassroots-driven AI initiatives demonstrate the value of developing technologies that address local needs and promote inclusivity.
Cultural Sensitivity: Latin America’s fusion of cultural heritage with futuristic technology reminds us to respect and incorporate diverse cultural perspectives in our AI narratives.
Balancing Tradition & Modernity: The Middle East region’s experience shows the importance of balancing technological progress with cultural and historical context.
Thoughts for Libraries
How can libraries integrate global perspectives on AI into their collections and services to better support diverse user communities? Consider how your library can curate collections that reflect AI narratives from different regions, incorporating cultural, historical, and philosophical texts that offer varied insights into AI development and application.
What ethical frameworks should/could libraries adopt to guide the use and implementation of AI technologies in their operations? Reflect on the diverse ethical considerations discussed in global AI narratives. How can libraries advocate for ethical guidelines that ensure fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI use?
What role can libraries play in educating their communities about the ethical, social, and cultural implications of AI? Consider the educational programs and resources libraries offer to raise awareness about AI's impact. How might libraries use their platform to facilitate discussions on the ethical, social, and cultural dimensions of AI, incorporating perspectives from different regions to provide a comprehensive understanding?
Is there a potential role for libraries as thought leaders in the global AI community? How could libraries participate in international forums, contribute to policy discussions, and share best practices to shape the future governance of AI technologies?
What opportunities exist for libraries to use AI in addressing local challenges? Consider how libraries can leverage AI to solve specific problems faced by their local communities, inspired by examples from Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America. What community-specific AI applications can libraries support or develop?
