Structural exclusion in AI development limits global problem-solving potential
Original framing: “AI can change the world—if we change who it’s built for” — bing news
AI development mirrors historical patterns of colonial knowledge extraction, where dominant groups define what counts as 'valid' knowledge and who gets to participate in its creation. This echoes the 19th-century 'civilizing mission' that dismissed non-Western epistemologies as inferior.
The current AI development paradigm is a continuation of colonial epistemic violence, where dominant knowledge systems exclude diverse voices and perspectives.
By integrating indigenous and non-Western epistemologies, we can create AI systems that reflect the full spectrum of human intelligence and ethics. This requires not only technical changes but also a fundamental shift in power structures—reshaping who gets to define intelligence, who benefits from AI, and who is left behind. Historical parallels show that when marginalized communities are included in technological innovation, the outcomes are more equitable and sustainable. The future of AI must be co-designed with those whose knowledge has been historically erased, ensuring that technology serves humanity as a whole.