About Ubuntu-AI

We are a group of African, US and UK researchers seeking the use of AI to create more democratic and equitable futures. While machine learning can be of great value, giving away data for free can amount to exploitation. Because Africa's creative works—its art, architecture, jewelry, clothing, and other domains—are poorly documented, this seemed like an opportunity to ensure that creators are fairly compensated for providing data to AI companies, and simultaneously that they gain better public exposure to enhance the creative benefits they offer, and the entrepreneurial opportunities that can benefit those creators.

Thus we developed this platform for African creatives--artists, makers, designers and others—to upload their work in a forum that requires payment by AI companies for any information collected. The OpenAI Foundation has generously provided the first round of funding. Because large numbers of contributors would result in very small payments, we will be holding a lottery each week, while funds last: each winner will be our featured Creative of the Week and win a cash prize. Links from all contributors images to their studio or other websites will allow them to increase entrepreneurial opportunities as well.

Because vetting large numbers of people would create logistical chaos, we are working with African project manager—artist collectives, design studios, and other groups—who will be creating the invitations to individual artists. If you are an individual artist who wishes to participate, please contact a group in your area. They can contact us using the form below.

In addition to uploading images of their work and text descriptions, we also ask creatives for some potential AI “prompts” — what questions might lead the AI to mention your work? This allows us to test a machine learning model to see if it is providing the kinds of democratic inclusiveness that we would like to see brought to African culture and arts. Finally, the platform also allows commentary and conversations, which will aid in exploring how AI tools might be developed in ways that bring together economic equity, democratic consensus, and community-based collaborations.