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Sabelo Mhlambi is the founder of Bhala, an AI startup that democratizes the advances of AI to millions of Africans through Natural Language Processing of African languages and African visual languages. Mhlambi's work is at the intersection of human rights, ethics, culture, and technology and emphasizes global south perspectives in AI policy. In particular, Mr Mhlambi's research examines the human rights implications of algorithmic technology on marginalized communities and proposes a new ethical framework for governing the creation and use of Artificial Intelligence in ways that maximize social progress and harmony. Mhlambi's work broadens the conversation on Ethics and AI by introducing non-western frameworks for examining the effects automated decision making technology and has been used to advise African governments on Ethical AI policy.


Projects & Tools

Past

Digital Ethics in Times of Crisis: COVID-19 & Access to Education and Learning Spaces

A global research sprint explores digital transformation at a pivotal moment in time

The Ethics of Digitalization

Led by the Alexander von Humboldt Institute for Internet and Society (HIIG), the Berkman Klein Center, and the Digital Asia Hub, and in collaboration with the Global Network of…


News

Fast Company
Jun 25, 2021

What we learned about the future of education from COVID-19

What is learning and where and how does it happen? The pandemic let us consider these questions in new ways.

What is learning and where and how does it happen? The pandemic let us consider these questions in new ways.

Emerging Digital Issues from the Global South Working Group
Oct 1, 2019

Think South: Reimagining the Internet

Raising voices of our global community through poetry, indigenous art, and short pieces


Community

BUToday

Can an Ancient African Philosophy Save Us from AI Bias?

Sabelo Mhlambi speaks with BUToday

Feb 11, 2021
Carr Center for Human Rights Policy

From Rationality to Relationality: Ubuntu as an Ethical and Human Rights Framework for Artificial Intelligence Governance

Sabelo Mhlambi uses ubuntu as a frame to examine artificial intelligence

Jul 8, 2020
People + AI Research

Q&A: Sabelo Mhlambi on what AI can learn from Ubuntu ethics

David Weinberger interviews Sabelo Mhlambi

May 6, 2020

Ethical Implications of AI and Ubuntu as an Intervention

BKC fellow proposes guidelines to build better tools that can safeguard society

Aug 29, 2019
WUWM

The Quest For Inclusive & Ethical Technology

Sabelo Mhlambi discusses why technology cannot be neutral

Jun 10, 2019
Sabelo.io

God in the image of white men: Creation myths, power asymmetries and AI

Dismantling inequality in AI with marginalized voices in leadership

Mar 29, 2019
Sabelo.io

Art: Four Moments of the Sun

The promise of life, reunion, and continuation on the African continent

  "This is an ongoing interactive installation that uses Artificial Intelligence and data to both to explore issues in Black Critical Thought, in particular “social…

Mar 6, 2019
sabelo.io

The culture of self-similarity

A fractal philosophy for a better internet

As internet technology continues to be an important part of humanity’s lived experience, humanity as a whole must be empowered to dictate their desired experience.

Feb 6, 2019
Sabelo.io

Americanize my name

This app uses US Census Data and a linguistic algorithm to "Americanize" submitted names, and provoke thought about how names and identities are considered in society

Jan 16, 2019
sabelo.io

Ethics and Technology

How ethics embeds in technology

Jan 7, 2019
sabelo.io

Technology and Development in an Anti-Black World

Technology and Development in an Anti-Black world for a better world require an inquiry into the nature of power.

Dec 8, 2018

Events

May 26, 2021 @ 10:00 AM

Framing Decisions

Video & Podcast: A Book Talk about Human Advantage in an Age of Technology and Turmoil

Video & Podcast: A book talk about human advantage in an age of technology and turmoil

May 7, 2021 @ 12:00 PM

Foresight and Decolonial Humanitarian Tech Ethics

Video & Podcast: A New Digital Humanism

Video & Podcast: Anasuya Sengupta, Sabelo Mhlambi, Andrew Zolli, and Aarathi Krishnan discuss if humanitarian actors can play a more intentional role in designing just and…

May 7, 2019 @ 12:00 PM

IGNITE Talks at BKC

Featuring members of the BKC Community

PODCAST & VIDEO: Berkman Klein community members will share their research, passions, and musings in 5 minute Ignite talks. These topics may range from misinformation online to…