Shetechtive Uganda blog

A look at AI filters, bias, exploitation and what Africans can do about it By Rebecca Nanono, Contributor Introduction Artificial intelligence systems ,from generative text to face filters on apps , are only as smart as the data they are trained on. That means the billions of images, videos, recordings, messages, and internet activity that exist online influence how AI understands the world . And increasingly, African digital content , especially from young, creative users is being sucked into global AI models . This is not just a technical issue but a digital rights and power issue . In this blog, we explore the following. How African data fuels AI Why African women’s images and voices often appear in AI systems The risks of this dynamic What communities and policymakers can do The Data Behind the AI Curtain Modern AI systems, like those powering TikTok’s face filters or global large language models (LLMs), rely on large datasets drawn fr...

2025 was supposed to be the year artificial intelligence and data-driven systems finally delivered on their promise: efficiency, inclusion, and innovation. Instead, it became a year of hard lessons. Across governments, corporations, and platforms, repeated data and AI failures exposed a familiar truth.  Technology is only as ethical as the systems of power that shape it. For women, marginalized communities, and digital rights defenders, these missteps were not abstract “tech problems.” They had real consequences: surveillance without consent, automated exclusion, silencing of voices, and deepened inequalities. As we move forward, ending data and AI disasters must start with naming what went wrong. 1. Treating Data as a Resource, Not a Right One of the biggest missteps of 2025 was the continued framing of personal data as a commodity rather than a human rights issue. Governments and companies rushed to collect, share, and monetize data without meaningful consent, transparenc...

In today’s digital age, populism no longer relies solely on rallies, posters, or radio speeches. It thrives online, on social media timelines, encrypted messaging apps, livestreams, and viral videos. The internet has become a powerful political arena, one where emotions often travel faster than facts and where misinformation can shape public opinion long before the truth catches up. At its core, populism claims to speak for “the people” against a corrupt elite. While this framing can sometimes highlight real social grievances, in the digital era it is increasingly fueled by misinformation, disinformation, and simplified narratives that reduce complex realities into shareable slogans. The result is a digital ecosystem where fear, anger, and resentment are easily weaponized,and where women, girls, and marginalized communities often bear the greatest harm. The Digital Amplification of Populism Social media platforms were designed to maximize engagement, not accuracy. Algorithms rewa...

By Shetechtive Uganda In today’s world, information is no longer just something we look for, it is   something hunting us . Notifications ping before we wake up, timelines refresh before we blink, and algorithms seem to know what we’re thinking before we do. Welcome to the era of Man versus Information , a modern survival story where the battlefield is digital, the weapon is data, and the players are all of us, especially women navigating tech spaces in Uganda. Most of us once believed that more information meant more empowerment. And yes, it does, until it doesn’t. What happens when information stops being a resource and becomes a storm? When it overwhelms, manipulates, or misleads? When it blurs truth and fiction? When deepfakes distort realities, scams target the vulnerable, and misinformation fuels harmful narratives about women and minority groups online? This is not just noise. It is a new kind of digital pressure . At Shetechtive Uganda, we see it every day. Young w...

By Rebecca Nanono | Shetechtive Uganda A Marketplace Built on Misinformation Disinformation is no longer just a political weapon or an online nuisance. It is a booming global industry. From troll farms to clickbait factories, from deepfake software to data-driven propaganda, disinformation has evolved into a multi-billion-dollar market that shapes elections, polarizes societies, and undermines public trust in truth itself. A 2023 study by University of Baltimore estimated that the global economic cost of disinformation exceeds $78 billion per year , including losses from stock manipulation, reputational damage, and public health misinformation. Behind this staggering figure lies a thriving ecosystem of digital mercenaries, content farms, and algorithmic amplifiers profiting from deceit. The Business Model of Deceit The disinformation market thrives because attention equals profit . Every click, view, and share, no matter how false, translates into advertising revenue. Tech ...

  The internet is more than just a tool for connection, it has become a powerful stage where women in Africa are rewriting narratives, resisting oppression, and demanding justice. In societies where traditional power structures often silence women’s voices, digital platforms offer new ways to be heard, to organize, and to influence change. This is the essence of digital feminism : the use of technology to advance women’s rights and challenge inequality. 1. Social Media as a Megaphone From Twitter to TikTok, African women are using social media to amplify issues that were once ignored by mainstream media. Hashtags like #BringBackOurGirls , #JusticeForNoura , and #MeToo have mobilized communities, drawn international attention, and pressured leaders to act. Online campaigns transform local struggles into global conversations. 2. Breaking the Gatekeepers of Information In the past, traditional media and institutions controlled what stories reached the public. Today, women can...

The internet was once celebrated as a space for connection, learning, and the free exchange of ideas. Today, it still serves those purposes, but it has also become a powerful accelerator of polarization. From political debates to social justice conversations, online platforms can turn differences of opinion into deep divides. 1. Echo Chambers and Filter Bubbles Algorithms are designed to keep us engaged. By recommending content that aligns with our existing beliefs, they create "echo chambers." In these digital bubbles, people rarely encounter opposing viewpoints. Instead of healthy debate, users are constantly reassured that their side is right and the other is wrong. This reinforcement hardens positions and makes dialogue more difficult. 2. Virality Rewards Extremes The internet thrives on attention. Posts that are sensational, controversial, or emotionally charged spread faster than balanced, nuanced arguments. As a result, extreme voices often drown out moderate o...