Giving Voice To The Machine: Prof Mpho Primus On African Languages, AI, And Ethics

In this episode of iAfrikan Bytes, we sit down with Prof Mpho Primus, Co-Director of the Institute for Intelligent Systems at the University of Johannesburg and founder of Primus Tech Hub, to explore how language, ethics, and immersive technology are shaping Africa’s digital future.
She shares her journey from linguistics to AI, highlighting how African languages can drive machine learning. Her work publishing Sesotho, Setswana, and Sepedi datasets is a vital step towards inclusive NLP systems that truly understand African users.
We also dive into the Metaverse Research Unit’s virtual recreation of Sophiatown, blending culture, memory, and technology, and how strong data ethics frameworks help keep such innovation meaningful and responsible.