Leveraging Artificial Intelligence (AI) to Amplify Somali Women’s Voices: A Critical Exploration of Digital Advocacy and Empowerment in Conflict and Peacebuilding

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is at the core of the growing technological revolution and is poised to alter the global socio-economic landscape in unprecedented ways. This paper examines the contribution of AI in amplifying Somali women’s voices in conflict and peacebuilding interventions. Through an exploration of digital literacy and empowerment efforts, the research attempts to unpack the significant role of AI technologies in promoting greater involvement of Somali women in conflict and peace-building initiatives. The study is qualitative in nature and utilises literature review as the source of data, which is analysed through content analysis. A critical feminist framework was also employed to establish a robust theoretical foundation for examining the critical challenges, risks, and opportunities presented by AI in enhancing the engagement of Somali womens in peace building processes. The study underlines the imperative of harnessing AI which has the potential to close extant information and communication technology gaps, promote data-driven decision-making, and promote gendered community participation in peace-building efforts. Notwithstanding, the study also appreciates the problems and associated ethical issues in harnessing AI in these peacebuilding initiatives. The study findings underscore the imperative for gendered, inclusive and context-specific mechanisms which guarantee AI tools to effectively empower Somali women in their peacebuilding involvement.