“Sudhir Tiku’s newly launched book argues that the AI revolution is powered by hidden labor and data extraction from the Global South, while the benefits remain concentrated in wealthier nations. The work calls for Africa and other regions to build “digital moats” and assert sovereignty over their technological futures.”
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become the defining technology of the 21st century, reshaping economies, industries, and societies worldwide. Yet, as the AI boom accelerates, questions about who benefits and who bears the hidden costs are gaining prominence. On July 21, 2026, Singapore-based technologist and AI ethicist Sudhir Tiku launched his book Artificial Intelligence in the Global South: Power, Policy and Progress at World Scientific Publishing, with South Africa’s High Commissioner to Singapore, H.E. Madiepetsane Charlotte Lobe, as Guest of Honour. The book poses a provocative question: Is AI the new colonialism?
The Colonial Analogy
Tiku draws a sharp parallel between historical colonial extraction of raw materials and today’s digital economy. Just as Africa once supplied gold, diamonds, and agricultural commodities to fuel European industrialization, the continent now provides data, cheap computing labor, and “ghost work” that trains and moderates AI systems. These invisible contributions underpin the functioning of global AI platforms, yet the regions supplying them remain marginalized in terms of value creation.
This analogy resonates strongly in South Africa, a nation with a complex colonial past and a present striving for digital sovereignty. The book argues that without deliberate intervention, AI risks replicating patterns of exploitation, where the Global South becomes a supplier of raw digital inputs while innovation and wealth concentrate elsewhere.
South Africa’s Role in the Debate
South Africa’s participation in the book launch underscores its growing voice in global AI ethics. The High Commissioner’s presence signals recognition that digital sovereignty is now a matter of national policy, not just academic debate. South Africa, already a hub for cloud infrastructure and AI investment, faces the dual challenge of leveraging foreign investment while ensuring that its citizens and institutions retain control over data and innovation.
Recent developments, such as Google’s “Building for Africa” initiative and Huawei’s AI infrastructure projects, highlight both opportunities and risks. While these investments promise jobs and GDP growth, they also raise concerns about dependency on foreign platforms and the erosion of local control. Tiku’s book provides a timely framework for evaluating these trade-offs.
The Hidden Labor of AI
One of the book’s most striking insights is its focus on “ghost work.” This term refers to the armies of workers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America who perform micro-tasks such as labeling images, moderating content, and refining datasets. These tasks are essential for training AI systems, yet the workers remain invisible, underpaid, and excluded from the narrative of technological progress.
By highlighting this hidden labor, Tiku challenges the myth of AI as an autonomous, self-learning system. Instead, he reveals it as a human-machine hybrid, dependent on the contributions of marginalized workers. For South Africa, where unemployment remains a pressing issue, the question becomes: Can ghost work evolve into dignified digital employment, or will it remain another form of exploitation?
Building Digital Moats
Tiku’s call to build “digital moats” is a metaphor for creating protective structures around local innovation. He argues that the Global South must invest in home-grown regulation, local startups, and community-driven AI projects to ensure that the next technological revolution is not simply coded elsewhere.
For South Africa, this means strengthening initiatives such as the Digital Innovation Centre in Soweto, supporting AI-focused startups, and crafting policies that balance openness with sovereignty. The idea is not to reject global collaboration but to ensure that Africa has a seat at the table when shaping the rules of the digital economy.
Ethical and Philosophical Dimensions
Beyond economics, the book draws on mythology and philosophy to frame AI as a civilizational challenge. Tiku suggests that just as myths once explained humanity’s relationship with nature, new narratives are needed to explain our relationship with machines. He calls for an ethical framework that prioritizes inclusivity, responsibility, and accessibility.
This resonates with South Africa’s broader commitment to social justice. The country’s history of apartheid and its ongoing struggles with inequality make it particularly sensitive to technologies that could exacerbate divides. AI, if left unchecked, could deepen digital inequality; but if harnessed responsibly, it could become a tool for empowerment.
Global Reactions
The launch event drew diplomats, academics, and technology leaders, reflecting the global relevance of the debate. Dr. Chi Wai (Rick) Lee of World Scientific Publishing emphasized that AI’s long-term success depends on inclusivity. Tiku himself stated: “Artificial intelligence should not simply be developed for the Global South — it should be developed with the Global South.”
This sentiment aligns with broader calls for AI governance frameworks that include voices from Africa, Asia, and Latin America. The challenge is to move from rhetoric to action, ensuring that policies, investments, and innovations reflect diverse perspectives.
Risks and Challenges
The book also acknowledges the risks of rapid AI adoption:
- Cybersecurity threats as digital infrastructure expands.
- Skills gaps that could leave parts of the workforce behind.
- Regulatory dilemmas over balancing openness with sovereignty.
For South Africa, these challenges are immediate. The country must accelerate digital skills training, strengthen cybersecurity, and craft regulations that protect citizens without stifling innovation.
Conclusion
Sudhir Tiku’s Artificial Intelligence in the Global South is more than a book; it is a manifesto for a fairer digital future. By framing AI as a potential new colonialism, it forces policymakers, businesses, and citizens to confront uncomfortable truths. For South Africa, the message is clear: the AI revolution must be shaped with African voices, values, and visions at its core.
