AI could help preserve Africa’s indigenous storytelling, Nigerian scholars say

Nigerian scholars have said that Artificial Intelligence may play an important role in preserving Africa’s indigenous storytelling traditions, even as concerns remain about culture, authenticity, and ownership.

The position was shared at an international conference held in Bordeaux, France, from May 20 to May 22, 2026, where researchers from different countries gathered to discuss communication, technology, and cultural studies.

The study was presented by Ifeyinwa Nsude of Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki, alongside Anayo Ngene of Nnamdi Azikiwe University Business School, Anambra State, and Anthony Gabriel Nwizi of Ebonyi State University.

Their paper focused on how AI and digital media are influencing traditional Igbo storytelling. The work, titled From Oral Tradition to Algorithmic Narratives: Acceptance and Resistance of AI in the Transformation of Igbo Storytelling in Nigeria, examined both the benefits and the concerns around this shift.

Nsude, who spoke during the presentation, noted that the Igbo people are widely known for a strong oral tradition that has long been used to pass down history, values, and identity from one generation to another. But she also pointed out that modern technology is now changing how these stories are shared and preserved.

According to the researchers, AI tools could help by digitizing and storing oral stories, making them easier to access in the future, especially for younger generations who may not experience traditional storytelling in the same way.

At the same time, the study raised concerns. These include questions about whether digital tools might distort original meanings, who owns the stories once they are digitized, and whether human creativity could be reduced in the process.

Despite these worries, the researchers argued that AI does not have to replace traditional storytelling. Instead, they suggested it could be used carefully to support and extend it. They also observed that interest in African cultural research is growing globally, especially in relation to how new technologies interact with indigenous knowledge systems.

The presentation in Bordeaux, they said, reflects a wider recognition of African scholarship in technology and cultural preservation.

The researchers noted that while AI comes with challenges, it also presents an opportunity to protect indigenous stories, languages, and identities at a time when many of them risk being lost.