The proliferation of technology is evidence of the success of technological determinism and technological solutionism – specifically, technology as the face of (late-stage) capitalism. This raises the question of whose problems are worth solving and the inevitable power imbalances that arise.

The African continent and the diaspora(s) play an interesting and important role in the world of technology that is often ignored. In particular, we see how Africans make a significant proportion of social media users, are originators of internet culture, and contributors to the development of technology by serving both as a site for moderation as well as a site for testing before technologies are deployed to better regulated areas including the metropoles.

This part of the discussion will define:

1. techno solutionism
2. techno determinism and the unpack these theories.

The broader discussion will focus on Africa’s role in technological determinism and solutionism.

This event is hybrid.  A zoom link to the meeting will be sent prior to the event.

This event is part of the African Leadership Centre's - Africa Week 2023- taking place 6-10 March 2023.

Speakers

• Wadeisor Rukato
• Kerryn Gammie
• Natasha Chilambo