Closing perspective: humanism must actively respond to AI with better judgments, reduced suffering, and ethical deployment of technology across societies.

Author and platform context: this interview is conducted for The Good Men Project, with biographical notes on the interviewer included.

Introducing Dr. Leo Igwe, a Nigerian philosopher and humanist activist who leads the Nigerian Humanist Movement and serves as Vice President of Humanists International, focusing on humanism, religion, witchcraft accusations, and African human rights.

African input in AI development: highlights data-center disparities and calls for multilateral cooperation among UN, World Bank, G7, and G20 to address inequalities and boost African participation.

Luxembourg Declaration on AI and Human Values (2025) as a useful framework emphasizing human oversight, ethical alignment, and preventing AI misuse by powerful actors.

Response to counterfeit or synthetic agents: supports regulation alongside ongoing invention to counter existential risks, maintaining a techno-realist and techno-optimist outlook.

Engagement with thinkers like Singer, Grayling, DiCarlo, and Dennett to place AI ethics within broader humanist and philosophical discourse, including consideration of non-human sentient beings.

Practical implications: global scope for universal concerns due to interconnected systems, advocating proactive governance, fairness, transparency, and cross-border cooperation.

Igwe’s view of AI as a two-edged tool that can empower judgment or pose risks; stresses directing AI toward humane ends through regulation.

Humanist focus on improving judgment and reducing suffering, citing wrongful convictions and visa decisions to illustrate AI’s potential to enhance fairness while acknowledging current human flaws.

Central question: how should humanism shape thinking about AI, data bias, global inequalities, and governance to reduce suffering and improve decision-making?