A new Nigerian film, Makemation, is putting Africa at the center of the global AI conversation with a story that blends technology and social impact. The film follows Zara, a young girl from a low-income community on the outskirts of Lagos, whose life changes after she earns a scholarship to an elite tech institute. There, she learns to harness artificial intelligence not just for personal success, but to uplift her community. As the narrative unfolds, it challenges dominant global narratives that frame AI as a race between major powers, instead presenting it as a tool for local transformation. Ultimately, Makemation offers a hopeful vision of how innovation can positively reshape lives, regardless of where they live.
Semafor
