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ARTIFICIALINTELLIGENCE AND THE ETHICS OF REPRESENTING NIGERIAN CULTURE IN THE DIGITAL AGE

Taofik O.Adesanmi, Oluwadolapo R. Awoyemi, and Francisca. F. Adeuga

Submitted

November 15, 2025

Accepted

December 5, 2025

Published

january 2, 2026
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Abstract

The convergence of AI and cultural representation raises critical ethical concerns in the digital age, particularly in culturally diverse and complex societies like Nigeria. This paper takes a conceptual methodological stance to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) technologies, such as language models and translation systems, in relation to Nigerian cultural and linguistic realities by highlighting the power dynamics of digital language preservation and the risk of reinforcing stereotypes or erasing nuance. Using a bipartite framework involving Floridi’s Information Ethics and the Fairness, Accountability, and Transparency in Machine Learning (FAT/ML) model, this study examines how artificial intelligence (AI) systems, including ChatGPT and Google Translate, may misrepresent or distort Nigerian languages and cultures, such as Yoruba, Hausa, Igbo, and Pidgin. The study advocates for the development of AI that is culturally aware and ethically grounded to promote inclusive frameworks that prioritize linguistic equity and cultural sustainability in the digital representation of Nigerian identities. This research contributes to the development of responsible AI practices that respect and promote cultural diversity in the digital age by exploring the global relevance of these issues.

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