Is Artificial Intelligence Good for Society?

published on Dec 02, 2025

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly becoming part of everyday life across the world. From social media platforms and online content generation to chatbots, automated recommendations, and digital communication tools, AI technologies are increasingly influencing how people interact, communicate, learn, and access information.

While AI presents opportunities for innovation, education, creativity, and economic development, it also raises growing concerns around misinformation, manipulated content, online harassment, hate amplification, and digital safety particularly for vulnerable and underrepresented communities.

Across the world, concerns are emerging around the use of AI-generated misinformation, digitally and harmful online narratives that may contribute to hostile online environments, targeted harassment, discrimination, and the spread of harmful content. Underrepresented communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals and other vulnerable groups, may face increased exposure to online harms while having limited access to localized digital safety awareness and preparedness resources.

In Botswana, discussions around AI safety, digital wellbeing, misinformation preparedness, and emerging technology governance are still at an early stage. FOD believes this presents an important opportunity for civil society organizations, community stakeholders, and young people to begin engaging in informed conversations around responsible technology use, online safety, and community resilience.

FOD’s approach will remain community-centered and awareness-focused, with an emphasis on informed dialogue, digital resilience, and inclusive participation. We believe that conversations around emerging technologies should include perspectives from underrepresented communities and civil society actors who may be directly affected by online harms and digital exclusion.

Artificial Intelligence is neither entirely good nor entirely bad. Like many technologies, its impact depends on how it is developed, used, governed, and understood by society.