African governments and institutions have been urged to ensure that artificial intelligence strategies focus on human behaviour and societal realities, warning that technology-driven reforms that ignore people could deepen inequality across the continent.
Speaking on the issue, African AI transformation coach, Adeoye Abodunrin, said many AI initiatives in Africa prioritise infrastructure and advanced algorithms while overlooking how citizens actually adopt, trust, and interact with technology.
“Without considering these human factors, AI policies may look impressive on paper but fail to achieve meaningful results for people”, he explained.
Abodunrin highlighted behavioural economics as a crucial tool for designing AI systems that work in local contexts, from healthcare and education to financial inclusion and public service delivery. By understanding decision-making, trust, and cultural norms, governments can ensure that AI benefits reach all communities.
Referring to the Google & Ipsos ‘Our Life with AI’ report, he noted Nigeria’s growing AI adoption in learning, entrepreneurship, work, and daily problem-solving, stressing that technology alone is not enough.
He concluded that integrating behavioural insights is vital for inclusive growth, sustainable innovation, and meaningful social impact across Africa.
