Jake Okechukwu Effoduh
Justice and Technology Initiative (external link)
International Law and Global Justice Initiative (external link)
Center for Human Rights Science (external link)
My current research investigates some of the new ways that artificial intelligence is legitimized across various jurisdictions and their impact on human rights praxis. I am also exploring the potential for the critical governance of artificial intelligence systems can effectively address algorithmic bias against Blacks, Africans, and people of African descent, as well as discrimination and unfair treatment from algorithmic decision-making based on protected characteristics such as race, gender, identity and ethnicity.
For me, Diversity is strength. It is in the broadest sense knowing that our community is comprised of students and faculty from all over the world who have a wide variety of backgrounds, nationalities, skills, characteristics, and social identities. I pay close attention to the ways that status, privilege, opportunity, and access to resources systemically correlate with social identities. So I strive to prevent any forms of exclusions or domination. I believe that our diversity can help students and faculty to become even better collaborators, stronger communicators, open-minded thinkers, and innovators with respect for both our local and global cultural communities. Inclusion for me requires the alignment of both my pedagogical and administrative functions behind the idea that every person, irrespective of demographic background, competence, or ability, can achieve educational excellence. I teach content that intentionally includes representation from a broad cross-section of Canadian and international society. My commitment to DEI is a state of being, a process, and a condition that is rooted in fundamental human rights and, therefore, is not reliant on my individual choice or voluntarism. It entails interconnected actions to support meaningful representation in all aspects of school life, including decision-making.
Recent Publications
Effoduh, J.O “Colonial Judicial Legacy as a Latent Challenge for the Adoption of Algorithmic Sentencing in African Courts” (Opinio Juris), October 2024 [peer-reviewed article]
Effoduh, J.O (2024). Africa’s Energy Poverty in An Artificial Intelligence (AI) World: Struggle for Sustainable Development Goal 7. The Journal of Sustainable Development, Law and Policy. Vol. 15:3. 32-63. DOI:10.4314/jsdlp.v15i3.2. ISSN: 2467-8406 (Print) 2467-8392 (Online) Journal homepage: [peer-reviewed journal article]
Effoduh, J.O “Africa’s AI Odyssey: Surfing the waves of innovation amidst digital storms” (Econolicy Africa), September 2024 [opinion editorial]
Effoduh, J. O., Akpudo, U. E., & Kong, J. D. (Cambridge University Press, August 2024). “Toward a trustworthy and inclusive data governance policy for the use of artificial intelligence in Africa”. Data & Policy, 6, e34. doi:10.1017/dap.2024.26 [peer-reviewed journal article]
Effoduh, J. O “A Global South Perspective to Explainable Artificial Intelligence” (Carnegie Endowment for International Peace) April 2024 [peer-reviewed journal article]
Effoduh, J.O. “Book Review: Litigating Artificial Intelligence by Jesse Beatson, Gerold Chan, and Jill R. Presser.” The Transnational Human Rights Review 10. March 2024 DOI: Link: [Book review]
Effoduh Jake Okechukwu, “The Role and Potential of Artificial Intelligence in Extremist-Fuelled Election Misinformation in Africa” The Global Network on Extremism and Technology (the academic research arm of the Global Internet Forum) March 2024 [peer-reviewed opinion editorial]
Effoduh, J.O. (2024). Artificial Intelligence and Human Rights in Africa. In C Ncube, D Oriakhogba, I Rutenberg, T Schonwetter (eds) Artificial Intelligence and the Law in Africa. LexisNexis [peer-reviewed book chapter]
Effoduh, J. O, “Towards the Implementation of Data Protection Measures to Safeguard Against Surveillance Abuse in Nigeria” January 2024. Accountability Lab International (pp 1 – 27) [policy brief]
Effoduh, J.O. and Odeh, F.O., “Strengthening Data Protection: Ensuring Privacy and Security for Nigerian Citizens” January 2024. Accountability Lab International (pp 1 – 23) [policy brief]
