Former Facebook Content Moderator Calls for Unity Among African Digital Workers to Address AI Concerns
In a bid to address concerns related to emerging technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), former Facebook Content Moderator, whistle-blower, and union mobilizer Daniel Motaung has called for unity among African digital workers across the region and the globe. Motaung emphasized the need for people to come together and drive solutions regarding labor rights in the region.
Speaking at the Mozilla Festival House event in Kenya, Motaung urged all digital workers to unite and exert their power to bring about change in Big Tech companies. He highlighted the limitations of relying solely on court cases and closed-door meetings to effect change, emphasizing the importance of regulation and a strong, united global voice advocating for a common cause.
The event, which brought together policy makers, technologists, researchers, and human rights activists from Eastern and Southern Africa, delved into issues impacting the region. Participants discussed the role of technology in propagating social injustices in Africa and explored practical solutions to address digital extractivism.
One of the key topics of discussion was the possibility of establishing global content moderation unions to advocate for fair wages and foster solidarity within digital labor movements. The participants argued that emerging technologies like AI have worsened the marginalization of vulnerable groups in Africa, with extractive data practices exacerbating these disparities.
The MozFest House event in Kenya featured over 30 interactive sessions covering a range of topics, including inclusive digital identity, the risks of digitizing discrimination through AI, and the digital ID movement. The event aimed to challenge exploitative patterns, such as outsourcing lower-value aspects of the tech value chain to African workers.
Mozilla’s Senior Vice President, Global Programs, J. Bob Alotta, highlighted the importance of the MozFest House community in pursuing an internet that reflects African perspectives and needs. The Africa Innovation Mradi, part of Mozilla’s broader initiatives, supports movements in East and Southern Africa that explore the intersection of technology and society, uplift locally developed innovations, and enhance tech accountability in the region.
The call for unity among African digital workers to address AI concerns reflects the growing need to ensure fair labor practices and address the negative impacts of emerging technologies. With a united voice, these workers have the potential to drive important regulatory changes and shape the future of work in the digital age.
