As artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries and societies worldwide, the Executive Vice Chairman and Group Chief Executive Officer of Verdant Zeal Group, one of Africa’s emerging multinational marketing communications groups, has called for greater recognition and preservation of indigenous knowledge systems, describing them as a vital form of “ancestral intelligence.”
In a thought-provoking reflection on culture, technology and innovation, the communications executive in a statement seen by Veracity Desk (veracitydesk.com) argued that some of Africa’s most valuable knowledge has never been formally documented but has instead been preserved through generations of practice, observation and oral tradition.
According to him, traditional knowledge resides in the expertise of master craftsmen, storytellers and artisans whose skills have been passed down over time rather than recorded in books or digital archives.
“Some of our most valuable knowledge has never been written down,” he noted, citing examples ranging from traditional dyeing techniques to storytelling traditions and craftsmanship learned through mentorship and observation.
He warned that when such knowledge is no longer transmitted to younger generations, communities lose more than cultural practices.
“We lose more than a technique; we lose part of our capacity to create from our own experience,” he said.
The executive emphasized that while discussions around artificial intelligence continue to gain momentum globally, equal attention should be given to preserving inherited cultural wisdom.
He described this as “ancestral intelligence” and argued that it deserves a prominent place in conversations about Africa’s future development and innovation landscape.
He further highlighted the role technology can play in safeguarding cultural heritage, noting that documenting crafts, recording oral histories and preserving the meanings behind cultural symbols could strengthen education, creativity and content development across industries such as design, filmmaking and literature.
However, he stressed that communities must retain control over how their knowledge is used.
“Technology can help us organise and share that knowledge, but the people who hold it must help determine what is shared, how it is represented and what should remain within the community,” he said.
The business leader also called for practical measures to ensure cultural knowledge remains relevant, including creating opportunities for young people to learn, adapt and earn from traditional skills.
He noted that while digital recordings can document processes, apprenticeship and hands-on learning remain essential to keeping cultural practices alive.
Calling on cultural institutions, businesses and community leaders to take action, he urged stakeholders to identify knowledge systems at risk of disappearing and create sustainable pathways for their preservation and transfer to future generations.
His remarks come amid growing debates over the impact of artificial intelligence on creativity, identity and cultural representation, adding an important African perspective to the global conversation on technology and heritage.
“Preservation is not just about memory,” he suggested. “It is about ensuring that future generations inherit the wisdom, creativity and lived experiences that define who we are.”
