Presentation short abstract

This paper explores whether AI can align with agroecological principles, such as sustainability, equity, and local knowledge, by reconfiguring AI systems to support agroecological goals, fostering resilience and ecological integrity in African agriculture.

Presentation long abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is often touted as a tool for enhancing productivity and sustainability in African agriculture. However, hegemonic AI systems typically reinforce existing power imbalances, centralising control over knowledge and resources. This paper explores whether AI, with particular reference to digital technologies, can be reconfigured to align with the principles and politics of agroecology, which prioritise ecological sustainability, biodiversity, social equity, and local knowledge. Rather than asking, “What parts of AI can agroecology utilise?”, the paper asks, “Can AI systems be adapted to serve the logics of agroecology?”, positioning agroecology as the normative framework guiding digital technological development. Drawing on participatory, decentralised, and open-source AI initiatives in Africa, the paper examines how AI might potentially support agroecological goals like resilience, data sovereignty, and the maintenance of ecological complexity. It argues that for AI to align with agroecology, it must embrace the core principles of agroecology—such as co-governance, recognition of diverse knowledge systems, and non-extractive design. Ultimately, the paper suggests that AI may serve as a tool for agroecological transitions, but only under specific conditions that respect agroecological politics and values, fostering more equitable, sustainable, and locally driven agricultural systems.