Exploring Ethical Frontiers: The EthicsLab at the University of Cape Town

The EthicsLab at the University of Cape Town (UCT) invites scholars, artists, and practitioners to engage in a vibrant community of inquiry, focusing on the ethical dilemmas presented by emerging health technologies through an African lens. This initiative is part of the Wellcome-funded Research Development Programme, which aims to cultivate critical and creative contributions to the discourse surrounding technology and ethics. Through residencies, retreats, webinars, and catalyst grants, participants will find numerous avenues to contribute to and learn from this dynamic intellectual community.

Technology Ethics from an African Perspective

Central to UCT’s EthicsLab is the probing question: What does technology ethics look like from an African perspective? Over the last two years, the programme has evolved into a hub for cross-disciplinary exploration of the ethical, socio-political, and philosophical dimensions of health technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), neuroscience, and genomics. The initiative draws on the African humanities, aiming to inform global conversations surrounding technology and ethics while centering local experiences and knowledge.

At its core, ethics is not merely a set of rules; it’s a way of contemplating how we coexist and the implications of our choices. Technology ethics interrogates how our tools shape our lives, exploring who benefits from these innovations and who is marginalized. This reflective practice urges us to consider the stakes involved in the technologies we adopt and the futures they create.

Ethics as Worldmaking

The EthicsLab posits that ethics is fundamentally an act of worldmaking. Technologies not only influence our futures; they actively participate in shaping our moral, political, and social landscapes. This raises critical questions about the nature of the worlds these technologies help construct and the values they promote. Professor Jantina de Vries, the director of the EthicsLab, emphasizes that ethics should not be viewed as a checklist of obligations but rather as a practice of imagining and designating futures that prioritize justice, generosity, and life-affirmation.

As de Vries states, “Ethics, for us, is not a checklist; it is a practice of worldmaking.” This perspective encourages participants to challenge existing power dynamics and envision technological futures that nurture both humanity and the planet.

Unpacking the AI Entanglement

Recent retreats have illustrated the EthicsLab’s interdisciplinary scope, notably the gathering titled “AI as Worldmaking: Colonial Dimensions and Planetary Futures.” Here, scholars from Africa and Latin America discussed the intersections of AI and colonial legacies, reflecting on their shared experiences and unique challenges. The retreat fostered critical dialogues that sought to re-center African knowledge within the global AI discourse, positioning it not as a peripheral voice, but as fundamental to future ethical frameworks.

Dr. Yousif Hassan from the University of Michigan remarked on the significance of this scholarship, noting that the EthicsLab plays a crucial role in grounding AI development within the continent’s socio-technical realities. “Working with the team has been liberating, especially in thinking about imagination and ethics in relation to AI and what these mean for people in Africa and the Global South,” Dr. Hassan said.

Imagination in Ethics and AI

Another retreat, “AI and the Imagination,” brought together literary scholars, artists, and writers to examine how AI influences creativity and artistic expression. The discussions touched upon critical concepts such as originality and authenticity, viewing storytelling and creative practice as arenas where ethical considerations are already engaged. Rather than treating ethics as an external framework, participants explored how ethical challenges resonate within acts of imagination.

Dr. Mapule Mohulatsi, a lecturer in UCT’s Department of English Literary Studies, shared her insights, stating, “The creative and curious energy that animates the EthicsLab has been vital to my own work in literary studies and how I navigate a world where AI, and the ethical frames we bring to it, are becoming increasingly significant.”

Pathways for Participation

As the EthicsLab continues to expand, it remains committed to welcoming diverse voices interested in shaping the future of technology ethics from African perspectives. Engagement opportunities abound through:

• Academic Retreats: Collaboratively deepening understanding and inquiry.
• Research Residencies: Engaging in intensive periods of creative exploration and collaboration.
• Catalyst Grants: Funding innovative projects that explore technology and ethics.
• Webinar Speaking Opportunities: Sharing insights and experiences with a wider audience.

These pathways promote interdisciplinary exploration and creative engagement, fostering collaboration across borders and disciplines. Together, they cultivate a convivial research community dedicated to reflecting on how emerging technologies are transforming human existence.

Applications for participation are currently open on a rolling basis until September 30, 2026. Interested individuals are encouraged to apply, as submissions will be reviewed as they are received.

To learn more about the EthicsLab, apply for opportunities, or participate in upcoming initiatives, visit the EthicsLab website.