Exploring The Influence of Artificial Intelligence on The Preservation of Oral Culture and Traditional Knowledge in Kenya

Abstract

The 4th Industrial Revolution, marked by the ascendancy of artificial intelligence (AI), posed significant challenges and opportunities for Africa. Historically, Africa had been sidelined during the previous industrial revolutions, with its traditional knowledge and practices being passed orally and scarcely documented. As AI flourished in a data-driven environment, concerns arose that Africa's lack of sufficient data representation might lead to exclusion from this revolution. This proposal aimed to explore the potential impact of the 4th Industrial Revolution on African traditional culture, beliefs, traditions, and practices, and to propose strategies to ensure inclusivity and preservation of African heritage in the face of AI-driven advancements. The study utilized a development communications framework, focusing on the interplay between technology, society, and culture. Qualitative research methods, specifically interviews and observation, were employed to collect data. Additionally, an in-depth literature review examined the existing literature on AI, traditional knowledge, and development communications. Data was analyzed thematically. The findings of this research shed light on the current challenges faced by Africa in terms of data representation, knowledge and culture preservation, and participation in the 4th Industrial Revolution. It identified potential risks to African traditional culture and the ways in which AI-driven systems might have unintentionally undermined traditional knowledge and centuries-old practices and beliefs. The study found that artificial intelligence (AI) technologies hold great potential for preserving Kenya’s cultural heritage, particularly through digitizing oral traditions, indigenous knowledge, and endangered languages. That effective preservation of cultural heritage through AI requires community-led initiatives where traditional knowledge holders play an active role in the design and implementation of AI projects. Current initiatives have begun using AI for tasks such as transcription and translation, but there remains significant untapped potential, especially for documenting non-verbal cultural elements like rituals and music. However, several barriers hinder the equitable integration of Kenya’s cultural resources into AI applications, including the digital divide, inadequate legal protections for indigenous knowledge, and cultural bias in AI algorithms. The study emphasized the need for community-driven AI projects, legal reforms, and investment in technological infrastructure to address these issues. Based on the findings, the study recommended that AI projects involving cultural preservation should be led by the communities themselves, with stronger legal frameworks to protect indigenous knowledge and fair benefit-sharing mechanisms. The government should invest in digital literacy programs and technological infrastructure, especially in rural areas, to bridge the digital divide. Additionally, AI developers should undergo cultural sensitivity training to avoid misrepresentation and adhere to ethical guidelines. The study also suggested further research on how AI can preserve non-verbal aspects of cultural heritage, minimize cultural biases in AI algorithms, and support traditional knowledge transmission across generations.