DORA :: Browsing by Author "Wakunuma, Kutoma"

Browsing by Author "Wakunuma, Kutoma"

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Africa, ChatGPT, and Generative AI Systems: Ethical Benefits, Concerns, and the Need for Governance
(MDPI, 2024-06-02) Wakunuma, Kutoma; Eke, Damian
This paper examines the impact and implications of ChatGPT and other generative AI technologies within the African context while looking at the ethical benefits and concerns that are particularly pertinent to the continent. Through a robust analysis of ChatGPT and other generative AI systems using established approaches for analysing the ethics of emerging technologies, this paper provides unique ethical benefits and concerns for these systems in the African context. This analysis combined approaches such as anticipatory technology ethics (ATE), ethical impact assessment (EIA), and ethical issues of emerging ICT applications with AI (ETICA) with specific issues from the literature. The findings show that ChatGPT and other generative AI systems raise unique ethical concerns such as bias, intergenerational justice, exploitation of labour and cultural diversity in Africa but also have significant ethical benefits. These ethical concerns and benefits are considered crucial in shaping the design and deployment of ChatGPT and similar technologies responsibly. It further explores the potential applications of ChatGPT in critical domain areas such as education, agriculture, and healthcare, thereby demonstrating the transformative possibilities that these technologies can have on Africa. This paper underscores the critical role of AI governance as Africa increasingly adopts ChatGPT and similar AI systems. It argues that a comprehensive understanding of AI governance is essential not only for maximising the benefits of generative AI systems but also for facilitating a global dialogue. This dialogue aims to foster shared knowledge and insights between the Global North and the Global South, which is important for the development and creation of inclusive and equitable AI policies and practices that can be beneficial for all regions.
Open Access
Civil Society Organisations in Research: A Literature-based Typology
(2016-12-26) Rainey, Stephen; Wakunuma, Kutoma; Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-
This article explores literatures from various sources to highlight and understand differences among key players surrounding the perceived nature and role of civil society in research from different literature streams. Including civil society organisations (CSOs) in research activities is an integral part of a broad drive towards integration of science and society. Interest in CSO inclusion in research is widespread, but lacks a coherent focus and clarity on what CSOs are. Without this clarity, CSO-inclusive research, or policy, may be ineffective. This article addresses this gap in knowledge by presenting findings from an exploration of academic, policy and research project literature in order to come to a view on CSOs in research. This culminates in a typology of CSOs and provides a means of identifying types of CSOs. The typology shows four main types of CSO (Common cause, Shared voice, Research-oriented, Commercially-oriented) and provides a definition for each type, along with a basis for the definition; an example of each; some typical terminology; typical area of activity; properties; typical mission; key areas of interest and their ‘action logic’ in research.
Open Access
Cloud computing as an emerging technology and its associated ethical issues: Experiences that may be shared between Europe and Africa.
(2011) Wakunuma, Kutoma; Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-; Ikonen, Veikko
This paper will look at research results so far realised from an EU project that has been looking at identifying emerging technologies and their potential related ethical issues. In keeping with the thematic priorities of the conference, the paper will focus on Cloud Computing; one of the projects identified technologies, in relation to its potential benefits and potential ethical issues for would be users, especially in the area of business. As findings stem from an EU project mainly concentrating on the EU, the paper will look at benefits and ethical issues of such an emerging technology basing the results on a more general level. However, the paper will also pay particular attention to Africa by looking at implications of Cloud Computing on Africa. This is in order to understand potential commonalities and cross-overs that may result from the adoption and use of Cloud Computing between the two geographical spheres as well as to understand, share and learn of potential ethical consequences which may to a certain extent be different due to different circumstances between the more developed EU and the still developing African continent.
Open Access
Cloud computing, capabilities and intercultural ethics: Implications for Africa
(Elsevier, 2017-08-02) Wakunuma, Kutoma; Masika, Rachel
This paper evaluates the potential benefits, drawbacks and ethical risks of cloud computing for African countries in the context of information communication technologies for development (ICT4D). The paper argues that the capability approach, incorporating development ethics, provides a useful framework for considering the ethics of cloud computing in Africa. Coupled with global and intercultural ethics perspectives, both provide a rich human-centred view of the technology's benefits, drawbacks and ethical risks. Focussing on the transformational benefits and features of cloud computing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and the health sector, the paper highlights potential ethical risks that are cause for concern. The paper concludes that while cloud computing has considerable potential for advancing development through the enhancement of capabilities, there remain huge challenges in its efficient, effective and ethical use. As a result, ethical risks related to equity, ownership, dependency, privacy, trust and security that reflect ‘unfreedoms’ and ‘capability deprivations’ may consequently have an impact on the technology's potential as an information communication technology for development.
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Computing for social good: Supporting microfinance institutions in Zambia
(Wiley, 2019-05-10) Wakunuma, Kutoma; Siwale, Juliana; Beck, Robert
We investigate whether information and communication technologies (ICTs) can be used to achieve social good as they are implemented in microfinance institutions (MFIs) in Zambia. We find through information gathered from interviews with MFI officials that their organizations are focused primarily on survival in a competitive financial climate. Additionally, our findings reveal that most MFI business within the context of ICTs only promotes social good by default and not by design. This means that social good is not a primary mover or something that MFIs plan to achieve when they integrate ICTs into their business models but that it happens because of the assumed mission of primarily serving the informal sector small business and microbusiness and the low‐income clients.
Open Access
Digital innovations for transitioning to circular plastic value chains in Africa
(Routledge, 2021-12) Oyinlola, M. A.; Schroeder, Patrick; Whitehead, Timothy; Kolade, Oluwaseun; Wakunuma, Kutoma; Sharifi, Soroosh; Rawn, Barry; Odumuyiwa, Victor; Lendelvo, Selma; Brighty, Geoff; Tijani, Bosun; Jaiyeola, Tomi; Lindunda, Lukonga; Mtonga, Radhia; abolfathi, soroush
The paper analyzes the current state of plastic value chains in Africa and the potential of digital innovations adopted by African entrepreneurs to contributing to a circular plastic economy. We provide an overview of plastic waste trade to African countries and an assessment of existing digital solutions that can support the transition to a circular plastic economy. The findings show that various digital innovations are being applied by entrepreneurs including web-based solutions, mobile apps and 3D printing. The case studies also show that multinational companies, especially consumer facing brands, are major players in the national plastic value chains in African countries, acting as seed funders for start-ups as well as buyers of recycled plastics. Current initiatives that are underway are positive signs that changes are in progress to address the environmental and social impacts of plastics value chains in Africa. However, to achieve a transition to sustainable circular value chains, changes at policy level will be required to enable scaling-up of local start-up businesses, address regulatory barriers to digital solutions, create markets for recycled plastic materials and implement extended producer responsibility regulations
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The empathic care robot: A prototype of responsible research and innovation
(Elsevier, 2014) Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-; McBride, Neil; Wakunuma, Kutoma; Flick, Catherine
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Empowerment Through Women Entrepreneurship: A Case from the Beauty Salon Sector in Sri Lanka
(Institute of Economic Sciences, 2021-07-02) De Silva, Thilini; Barbutiu, Sirkku Männikkö; Wakunuma, Kutoma; Dhameeth, Gehan S.
The purpose of the current study was to explore the conditions of empowerment among women entrepreneurs in the beauty salon sector in Sri Lanka by shedding light on the specific challenges faced by women when initiating and developing an enterprise. Focus group discussions were used to create a collaborative platform for businesswomen to meet and exchange experiences on being entrepreneurial women. Twelve women entrepreneurs who own beauty salons in the outskirts of the capital city of Sri Lanka participated in the workshop. Sen's capability approach and Kabeer's empowerment framework was used to interpret the findings. The women in the study face many challenges such as difficulties in maintaining a healthy work-life balance, double burden and tiresome multi-tasking. Research suggests that women’s choice to become an entrepreneur enables them to achieve their practical and strategic gender needs. Nevertheless, too much focus on fulfilling practical gender needs limits the ability of women to fulfil their strategic gender needs. However, entrepreneurial agency has changed their status through improving the wellbeing of women, increasing the actual economic contribution, strengthening the economic security, through the ability to exercise purchasing power to invest on children, sense of self-worth, value within their families and family welfare. The study will increase our understanding of women and their family ties and the challenges women face in multiple roles they play in a developing context like Sri Lanka.
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Ethical and legal issues of the use of computational intelligence techniques in computer security and computer forensics.
(IEEE, 2010) Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-; Elizondo, David; Carroll-Mayer, M.; Zheng, Yingqin; Wakunuma, Kutoma
Open Access
Exploring Gender Gaps: How Nigerian Micro Business Owners Use Mobile Apps for Business
(2020-06-10) Owoseni, Adebowale; Wakunuma, Kutoma; Tolani, Adedamola; Twinomurinzi, Hossana
This study examined how men and women who own micro-businesses in Lagos, Nigeria, use mobile apps for business. The paper analyses the findings from Amartya Sen’s capability approach viewpoint. The two key findings suggest that women micro-business owners make more use of mobile apps compared to men and that they tend to exit micro-businesses as they grow older indicating a possible influence of patriarchy in African contexts. Specifically, women seized opportunities presented by mobile apps to acquire capabilities to function; and they adopt mobile apps to enhance their wellbeing and freedom despite the restrictions and responsibilities in the patriarchal environments typical of low-income countries. The insignificant gender gap in certain mobile app usages presents new perspectives to debates on gender (economic) gaps, inequality, women empowerment, and technology uptake in low-income country contexts.
Open Access
A framework for identifying emerging ethical issues in future and emerging technologies.
(2009-11) Wakunuma, Kutoma; Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-
Open Access
Future technologies: The matter of emergent ethical issues in their development.
(IEEE, 2009) Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-; Rogerson, Simon; Wakunuma, Kutoma
Ethical issues in technologies are usually identified when a technology has already been developed. Little consideration is given to ethical issues as they emerge from technologies being developed. This can be disadvantageous on a number of fronts, not least because an opportunity to avoid or correct any pitfalls as future technologies and applications come to life could have been avoided. Needless to say, a better understanding of ethical issues as future technologies emerge can be beneficial to influencing the design and eventual implementation of future technologies. Arguably, projecting any future, let alone that of technologies is challenging. However, borne out of a project with a mandate to look at emerging technologies and ethical issues in ICT applications (ETICA) especially in Europe, this paper outlines how the ETICA project has began carrying out this mandate by initially developing a conceptual framework of future technologies with a view to outlining subsequent emerging ethical issues. This outline is undertaken by looking at likely future technological developments that are expected to materialise in the next 10 to 15 years in Europe. Although a European landscape and perspective offers a starting point in projecting future technologies and their ethical issues, the ETICA project hopes that its findings will resonate to some degree at a global level where good practice might be learnt and shared because future technologies and their ethical issues will no doubt be cross-cutting just as present and already existing technologies are. This paper and ETICA’s work is relevant for the conference because it not only aims to discuss likely future technological development but goes a step further to look at the subsequent ethical issues that are likely to arise as well. The awareness of ethical issues as future technologies are being developed is equally important because developers become alert and sensitive to users needs not only as they plan the technologies but also during the process of development right up to implementation. Such awareness has the potential to avoid or lessen major ethical pitfalls when a technology is fully developed and in operation
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Gender and ICT Policy for Development and Empowerment: A Critique of a National ICT Policy
(IGI Global, 2011) Wakunuma, Kutoma
This chapter pays attention to the role that ICT policy and gender play in the drive for development and empowerment. Particular focus is on Zambia and its National ICT Policy. The chapter analyses how notions of ‘gender’, development and empowerment are routinely incorporated into the ICT policy rhetoric and the strategies put in place. It assesses whether the goals of the National ICT Policy encourage social and economic development as well as empowerment for women. The chapter makes the case that as much as ICT policies are being developed and adopted in order to be incorporated into the development agendas of countries like Zambia, mere adoption without adequately addressing gender concerns within the policies themselves may not necessarily achieve the desired development and empowerment. The analysis subsequently brings to the fore some short comings within the policy that have not been addressed with the adequacy they deserve and which as a result, can potentially impact negatively on women’s overall development and subsequent empowerment. The chapter particularly focuses on Government claims which suggest that women are important actors in ICT use for sustainable development without whom the successful diffusion and use of ICTs in the country cannot be a reality.
Open Access
Identifying ethical issues during the development of a computer vision based AmI system: A case study.
(2009-12-03) Coupland, Simon; Wakunuma, Kutoma; Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-
AmI applications are normally embedded in a user’s environment and everyday objects. As much, as such applications might add value to our everyday life, there are also ethical concerns that need to be considered particularly in the early stages of AmI application’s design and development. Considering ethical issues at such an early stage of development may help to avoid and perhaps even eliminate potential problems once an application is ready for its target audience. This paper examines a case study of the development of an AmI application. The application under development is computer vision based system for person tracking and occupancy and fall detection with a long term goal of building a system with an automated mobility assessment capability. This application is used as a basis to discuss potential ethical concerns within the technical development process.
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Identifying the ethics of emerging information and communications technologies: an essay on issues, concepts and method.
(2010) Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-; Heersmink, Richard; Goujon, Philippe; Flick, Catherine; van den Hoven, Jeroen; Wakunuma, Kutoma; Ikonen, Veikko; Reader, Michael
Ethical issues of information and communication technologies (ICTs) are important because they can have significant effects on human liberty, happiness, and people’s ability to lead a good life. They are also of functional interest because they can determine whether technologies are used and whether their positive potential can unfold. For these reasons, policy makers are interested in finding out what these issues are and how they can be addressed. The best way of creating ICT policy that is sensitive to ethical issues pertain to being proactive in addressing such issues at an early stage of the technology life cycle. The present paper uses this position as a starting point and discusses how knowledge of ethical aspects of emerging ICTs can be gained. It develops a methodology that goes beyond established futures methodologies to cater for the difficult nature of ethical issues. The authors outline how the description of emerging ICTs can be used for an ethical analysis.
Open Access
Implicating mobile phones in violence against women: What’s gender got to do with it?
(GenderIT.org, 2012) Wakunuma, Kutoma
This paper gives an analysis of women and men’s differential access and use of the mobile phone and how through it gender stereotypes are reinforced. During a four year study in Zambia, it emerged that although there were clear advantages that have come as a result of mobile phones some negative social impacts which reinforce gender stereotypes and power relations and subsequently result in violence against women have remained largely un-documented. The paper therefore makes the case that despite the clear advantage of the mobile phone; it is also providing a new focal point for social conflict and violence in relationships.
Open Access
Improving brain computer interface research through user involvement - The transformative potential of integrating civil society organisations in research projects
(PLOS ONE, 2017-02-06) Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-; Wakunuma, Kutoma; Rainey, Stephen; Hansen, Christian
Research on Brain Computer Interfaces (BCI) often aims to provide solutions for vulnerable populations, such as individuals with diseases, conditions or disabilities that keep them from using traditional interfaces. Such research thereby contributes to the public good. This contribution to the public good corresponds to a broader drive of research and funding policy that focuses on promoting beneficial societal impact. One way of achieving this is to engage with the public. In practical terms this can be done by integrating civil society organisations (CSOs) in research. The open question at the heart of this paper is whether and how such CSO integration can transform the research and contribute to the public good. To answer this question the paper describes five detailed qualitative case studies of research projects including CSOs. The paper finds that transformative impact of CSO integration is possible but by no means assured. It provides recommendations on how transformative impact can be promoted.
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Intelligence Techniques in Computer Security and Forensics: At the Boundaries of Ethics and Law
(Springer, 2012) Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-; Carroll-Mayer, M.; Elizondo, David; Wakunuma, Kutoma; Zheng, Yingqin
Computational Intelligence (CI) techniques have been widely used in the domains of computer security and computer forensics. One problem that normative discussions of technologies face is that the technical capabilities under investigation tend to be unclear and that the experts in normative questions do not tend to be experts in technical developments and vice versa. The present paper therefore sets out to chart the ethical and legal problems arising from a new and fast moving field, namely that of computational intelligence and its application to computer security and forensics. Using artificial neural networks (ANNs) as an example of computational intelligence, the paper’s main aim is to create a link between what can now be perceived as technical developments and established discourses in ethics and the law. It aims to chart the territory to highlight likely ethical and legal problems related to ANNs and point in the direction of future research.
Open Access
Introducing Responsible AI in Africa
(MacMillan Palgrave, 2023-01-01) Eke, Damian; Wakunuma, Kutoma; Akintoye, Simisola
Open Access
Issues, concepts and methods relating to the identification of the ethics of emerging ICTs.
(IIMA, 2010) Stahl, Bernd Carsten, 1968-; Heersmink, Richard; Goujon, Philippe; Flick, Catherine; van den Hoven, Jeroen; Wakunuma, Kutoma; Ikonen, Veikko; Rader, Michael
Ethical issues of information and communication technologies (ICTs) are important because they can have significant effects on human liberty, happiness, their ability to lead a good life. They are also of functional interest because they can determine whether technologies are used and whether their positive potential can unfold. For these reasons policy makers are interested in finding out what these issues are and how they can be addressed. The best way of creating ICT policy that is sensitive to ethical issues would be to be proactive and address such issues at early stages of the technology life cycle. The present paper uses this position as a starting point and discusses how knowledge of ethical aspects of emerging ICTs can be gained. It develops a methodology that goes beyond established futures methodologies to cater for the difficult nature of ethical issues. The paper goes on to outline some of the preliminary findings of a European research project that has applied this method.

Browsing by Author "Wakunuma, Kutoma"

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