DSFSI at DSLL Panel: Copyright and Data Science—Legal Challenges in African Data Projects
The Data Science Law Lab (DSLL) recently hosted a dynamic panel discussion focused on the intersection of copyright, law, and data science in Africa. DSFSI was proud to participate through lab members Prof. Vukosi Marivate and Dr. Tsosheletso Chidi, who joined moderator Prof. Chijioke Okorie for a wide-ranging conversation. Held as part of our ongoing collaboration with DSLL, the event explored real-world legal, ethical, and community challenges faced by researchers working with African language data—and why these issues matter for innovation and inclusion in AI.
The Data Science Law Lab (DSLL) recently hosted a dynamic panel discussion focused on the intersection of copyright, law, and data science in Africa. DSFSI was proud to participate through lab members Prof. Vukosi Marivate and Dr. Tsosheletso Chidi, who joined moderator Prof. Chijioke Okorie for a wide-ranging conversation. Held as part of our ongoing collaboration with DSLL, the event explored real-world legal, ethical, and community challenges faced by researchers working with African language data—and why these issues matter for innovation and inclusion in AI.
🎥 Watch the full panel discussion below:
Dr. Tsosheletso Chidi: Community, Language, and Consent
Dr. Tsosheletso Chidi, a multilingual linguistic researcher and literary curator at DSFSI, shared reflections on the centrality of community ownership and informed consent in language data projects:
“Whether we’re collecting data or building resources, we have to respect the rights of marginalized and indigenous communities. Copyright isn’t just about legality—it’s about ethical engagement and making sure the benefits flow back to those who share their language and culture.”
She described her work developing machine translation resources for African languages, stressing the importance of building trust, prioritizing open and community-owned datasets, and establishing clear informed consent protocols. She highlighted the challenge of balancing accessibility for researchers with the need to safeguard community rights and cultural heritage amid institutional and legal uncertainty.
Prof. Vukosi Marivate: Innovation, Licensing, and the Role of Institutions
Prof. Vukosi Marivate, Professor of Data Science at the University of Pretoria and DSFSI co-director, spoke about the complex landscape of licensing and access in the era of AI:
“Copyright can be a tool for both empowerment and restriction. The question is how we design licensing and access frameworks that encourage innovation while protecting community interests—especially as AI and data science accelerate.”
Prof. Marivate shared practical examples from African language technology projects, discussing the hurdles of sourcing data from institutional archives and the urgency of rethinking licensing beyond one‑size‑fits‑all models. He highlighted emerging Africa‑focused frameworks like the NOODL license and emphasized institutional responsibility in enabling responsible access to language data.
Reflections and Broader Impact
The panel underscored the importance of adaptive legal reform and ongoing dialogue among researchers, legal experts, technologists, and communities. Key themes included the necessity of:
- Community consent and ethical engagement
- African-centered approaches to copyright and data sharing
- Legal clarity that supports innovation without compromising rights
As DSFSI, we deeply value our collaboration with DSLL and remain committed to research that is both ethically grounded and technically innovative. We look forward to continuing conversations that shape the future of data science in Africa.