African Youth Lead AI-Driven Peacebuilding Efforts

A recent policy brief by the Institute for Security Studies (ISS Africa) argues that African youth are actively shaping the use of digital technologies for peacebuilding, rather than merely adapting to them. While artificial intelligence often dominates headlines for risks such as misinformation and surveillance, young people across the continent are deploying these tools to detect conflict early, counter hate speech, and strengthen community resilience.

The report emphasizes that youth should not be consulted only after AI governance frameworks are established; they must help design them from the beginning. This shift recognizes young peacebuilders as knowledge creators who generate local data and digital innovations that underpin modern conflict prevention efforts.

Key examples include Kenya’s Ushahidi platform, which crowdsourced crisis reports during post-election violence in 2007-2008, and iVerify, a Digital Public Good piloted in Zambia in 2021. iVerify trains young journalists to identify false information and is now expanding to Sierra Leone and Liberia. Other initiatives combine machine learning with open-source intelligence to monitor elections and challenge harmful online narratives.

However, the report warns that significant barriers threaten this potential. Internet access remains deeply unequal, particularly in rural and conflict-affected areas. Women face persistent obstacles to digital participation, and African languages are poorly represented in many AI systems. Because most automated tools are trained on Western languages, they often fail to accurately detect harmful content or understand local contexts, raising issues of inclusion and legitimacy.

The ISS Africa recommends closer coordination between the African Union’s peace and technology institutions, greater investment in digital literacy and connectivity, and stronger ethical oversight. Crucially, it calls for formal mechanisms allowing young people to contribute directly to peace and security policymaking.

While the report highlights promising initiatives, it notes a lack of evidence regarding long-term impact. Questions remain about which approaches measurably reduce violence or strengthen community trust beyond pilot stages. Additionally, the tension between AI’s promise for early warning and its potential for state surveillance requires robust governance to ensure accountability.

Ultimately, the brief asserts that technology cannot replace human relationships. Digital tools are most effective when they strengthen existing social networks through face-to-face dialogue and community organizing. Lasting peace depends on reflecting local knowledge and public trust, positioning African youth as essential partners in shaping a future where AI amplifies, rather than replaces, local leadership.