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Navigating hope and risk of AI for digital citizenship: perceptions of benefits, risks, and governance from African perspectives
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DOI：10.1007/s00146-026-03133-3.png)
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Abstract
En 中文
As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly embedded in social, economic, and public-service contexts, understanding how citizens perceive its benefits and risks is important for responsible technology governance. This study examines perceptions of AI among 280 African participants in a 4-week AI bootcamp held in 2025. Using a mixed-methods design, the study analyzed closed-ended survey responses on perceived AI benefits, collaboration comfort, community impact areas, risk perceptions, and algorithmic bias concerns, alongside open-ended responses on perceived motivations for AI development. Quantitative data were analyzed descriptively, while qualitative responses were examined using thematic analysis. Findings show that participants expressed generally positive attitudes toward AI, particularly in relation to healthcare and human–AI collaboration. Healthcare transformation was identified as the most compelling AI benefit by 64.6% of respondents, while 90% reported being comfortable or very comfortable collaborating with AI. At the same time, participants expressed clear concerns about AI risks, especially privacy, misinformation, systemic discrimination, and algorithmic bias. Criminal justice was identified as the sector most vulnerable to algorithmic bias by 70.7% of respondents. Open-ended responses further suggest that participants most often attributed AI development to scientific curiosity, innovation, efficiency, and progress, while a smaller proportion associated it with profit, power, and control. Overall, the findings indicate conditional support for AI among this bootcamp sample: participants were optimistic about AI applications that address social and developmental needs, but cautious about uses that may reinforce bias, reduce accountability, or undermine public trust. The study contributes empirical insight into AI perceptions among a predominantly West African group of AI-engaged participants and highlights the importance of participatory, transparent, and context-sensitive AI governance.
Keywords:
Artificial intelligence
Risks
Africa
Bias
Technology acceptance
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