AI: AFRICAN INTELLIGENCE is a captivating and stimulating essay film that explores the connections between African rituals of possession and artificial intelligence. The film, directed by Manthia Diawara, a renowned scholar and filmmaker, is a visual adaptation of his book of the same name, which was commissioned by Gluon, a platform for art and science collaboration. The film follows Diawara’s journey to Senegal, where he engages in dialogues with various interlocutors, such as his mother, a fisherman, a biophysicist, and a poet, about the meaning and value of intelligence in different contexts. The film also incorporates scenes of everyday life in Senegal, as well as excerpts from films, artworks, and literature that illustrate Diawara’s arguments.
The film challenges the dominant narratives of AI as a Western, rational, and disembodied phenomenon, and proposes an alternative vision of intelligence that is rooted in the African traditions of ritual, possession, and spirituality. Diawara argues that AI can benefit from the wisdom and creativity of the African elders, who embody a rich and diverse knowledge of life. He also questions the ethical and political implications of AI and calls for a more humane and inclusive approach to technology that respects the diversity of cultures and values.
The film is not a conventional documentary, but rather an experimental and immersive narrative that combines text, images and sounds to create a compelling and original story. The film is structured as a series of dialogues between Diawara and his interlocutors, who offer different perspectives and insights on the topic of AI. The film also uses a variety of cinematic techniques, such as montage, collage, animation, and voice-over, to create a dynamic and expressive visual language.
AI: AFRICAN INTELLIGENCE is a timely and relevant contribution to the debates on AI and its impact on society and culture. It offers a refreshing and critical perspective that challenges the assumptions and biases of the mainstream discourse on AI and invites the viewer to rethink the meaning and value of intelligence in a global and pluralistic world.