Ifá as Computation: Interpretation, Ethics and the Future of AI Governance

Artificial intelligence is transforming how knowledge is produced, trusted, and acted upon. But what if the dominant understanding of computation itself is too narrow? In this provocative and interdisciplinary work, Uyiosa Omoregie turns to the West African Ifá knowledge system to challenge conventional assumptions about intelligence, technology, and Al governance.
Rather than treating computation as mere automation or symbolic processing, Ifá as Computation explores computation as interpretation: contextual, dialogical, ethical, and socially accountable. Drawing connections between Indigenous epistemology, Al safety, Science and Technology Studies (STS), and contemporary governance debates, the book argues that safe Al depends not only on powerful models, but on the interpretive structures through which outputs become meaningful decisions.
Bringing African knowledge systems into conversation with modern artificial intelligence, this short book offers a new framework for thinking about responsibility, authority, and the future of computational systems in a rapidly changing technological world.

UYIOSA OMOREGIE is an independent researcher and co-founder of Avram Turing, a digital ethics venture. His research explores the West African Ifá knowledge system as a framework for rethinking computation, interpretation, and ethical responsibility in artificial intelligence. He is also the co-author with Kirsti Ryall of the book, Misinformation Matters: Online Content and Quality Analysis (Taylor & Francis, 2023).