Project summary

This initiative aims to produce a web documentary that captures the diverse perspectives, concerns, and insights of Sub-Saharan African communities regarding AI safety. While the global discourse on AI safety is predominantly shaped by Western institutions, this project seeks to illuminate the local impacts of AI, particularly concerning issues such as bias, misinformation, automation, and governance. By conducting interviews with researchers, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and everyday citizens, the documentary will provide a comprehensive examination of how AI safety challenges manifest in the region and explore contextually relevant solutions.The final product will be an interactive web-based documentary featuring video interviews, data visualizations, and case studies to ensure accessibility for a broad audience.

What are this project's goals? How will you achieve them?

The main objectives of this project are:

• Raise Awareness: Educate local and international audiences on the unique AI safety challenges faced by Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Foster Inclusion: Amplify the voices of African stakeholders in global AI safety discussions.

• Inform Policymaking: Provide evidence-based insights that can help shape AI policies in the region.

• Encourage Responsible AI Development: Showcase best practices and local efforts in AI safety.

How We Will Achieve These Goals:

• Conduct field research and interviews across multiple countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

• Collaborate with local AI researchers, tech communities, and policymakers.

• Produce a high-quality web documentary with interactive elements, allowing users to explore different narratives and data points.

• Disseminate the documentary through AI safety networks, academic institutions, and policy forums.

How will this funding be used?

Funding will be allocated as follows:

• Production Costs (40%) – Travel expenses, equipment, filming, and post-production.

• Research & Interviews (25%) – Compensation for contributors, data collection, and expert consultations.

• Web Development & Hosting (15%) – Interactive documentary platform, UI/UX design, and server costs.

• Marketing & Distribution (10%) – Social media campaigns, translations, and conference presentations.

• Operational & Miscellaneous Costs (10%) – Administrative support, legal fees, and contingencies.

Who is on your team? What's your track record on similar projects?

Our team consists of experts in AI safety, media production, and African tech policy.

• Narcisse Mbunzama (Project Lead) – Developer and researcher in AI safety, alignment, and existential risk, with experience in organizing AI safety workshops in Africa.

• Lisa Khonde – Documentary filmmaker with a background in storytelling on social impact topics.

• Jonathan Katshuka – Expert in AI ethics and safety, providing technical insights.

• Francis Mandevo – Specialized in interactive digital experiences.

• Local Contributors – Journalists, researchers, and community leaders who will help gather insights.

Past projects include AI safety workshops, research collaborations, and media campaigns on responsible AI development.

What are the most likely causes and outcomes if this project fails?

Potential Risks and Outcomes of Failure

If the project fails, the most likely causes would be:

1. Limited Funding – Inability to cover production and distribution costs.

2. Low Engagement – Lack of visibility and dissemination beyond niche AI circles.

Potential outcomes of failure:

• Missed opportunity to include African voices in AI safety debates.

• Reduced awareness of local AI risks, leading to uninformed policy decisions.

• Limited adoption of responsible AI practices in the region.

Mitigation strategies include partnering with existing AI research institutions, using low-cost production techniques, and leveraging social media for outreach.

How much money have you raised in the last 12 months, and from where?

Over the past 12 months, I have successfully raised $1,000 from Digital Security Group, a DRC-based AI tech company that supports initiatives focused on digital security, AI safety, and responsible technology development. This funding has primarily helped in the early stages of the project, including preliminary research, networking with key stakeholders, and initial content planning.

However, to fully execute the project—covering production, web development, and outreach—we need additional funding. This is why we are launching this fundraising campaign, aiming to attract support from:

1. AI Safety & Tech Foundations – Organizations dedicated to global AI alignment and safety efforts.

2. Academic & Research Grants – Institutions supporting AI ethics and technology policy research.

3. Corporate Sponsorships – Companies interested in responsible AI development in Africa.

4. Crowdfunding & Community Support – Engaging the AI ethics and African tech communities.

These additional funds will ensure we can conduct high-quality field research, produce engaging documentary content, and build an interactive platform to share these insights with a global audience.