Africa Dreams of Artificial Intelligence

A Critical Analysis of its Limits in Open and Distance Learning

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.26034/fr.jehe.2024.6869

Keywords:

Artificial intelligence, open and distance learning, Africa, teaching and learning, AI in research

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) has recently emerged as a transformative force in teaching and learning practices, with profound implications for open and distance learning (ODL), which relies heavily on technology. Despite its global impact, the extent of African societies’ engagement with AI remains trivial. This paper critically reflects on the ethical, legal, social, pedagogical and technological implications of AI in ODL in sub-Saharan Africa, drawing insights from the Nigerian experience. Adopting the scoping review methodology, the paper explores and synthesises existing literature to foreground a critical analysis of the implications of AI in the African context.

Author Biographies

Helen Titilola Olojede, Lecturer and the Head of the Department of Philosophy at the National Open University of Nigeria

Helen Titilola Olojede is a Lecturer and the Head of the Department of Philosophy at the National Open University of Nigeria. She is the PI of GenAI Research in the Global South (funded by the Notre Dame – IBM Tech Ethics Lab) and a researcher in the training workshop on GenAI (funded by UNESCO). Her current research focus is on the ethics of AI. She is an ODL practitioner. Titilola was named 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics for 2024.

Email: holojede@noun.edu.ng

Felix Kayode Olakulehin , Lecturer & research fellow at the National Open University of Nigeria

Felix Kayode Olakulehin is a lecturer & research fellow at the National Open University of Nigeria. He received graduate training in distance education and educational planning and policy. His research interests include open, distance and online learning; higher education; artificial Intelligence; social justice and lifelong learning. He is a co-researcher in the team that received a research grant from the Notre Dame Tech Ethics Lab and a grant for training on the UNESCO guidance on AI in education and research.

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Published

2024-12-30

How to Cite

Olojede, H. T., & Olakulehin , F. K. (2024). Africa Dreams of Artificial Intelligence: A Critical Analysis of its Limits in Open and Distance Learning . Journal of Ethics in Higher Education, (5), 159–181. https://doi.org/10.26034/fr.jehe.2024.6869

Issue

No. 5 (2024): Ethics in Open and Distance Education

Section

Thematic Articles

License

Copyright (c) 2024 Helen Titilola Olojede, Felix Kayode Olakulehin

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

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