Artificial Intelligence, Information Disorder, and Public Administration in Africa: Navigating Governance Challenges in Contemporary States

Abstract

This study examines the interrelations of artificial intelligence (AI), information disorder, and public administration, with particular reference to Africa. AI has created opportunities that facilitate the effective delivery of government services, public policies, and data-driven decision-making. AI adoption and integration in African states, however, remain uneven owing to structural constraints, including weak or ineffective regulatory frameworks and low technical capacity. The limitations notwithstanding, the rapid expansion of digital platforms intensifies the spread of misinformation and disinformation, which has continued to undermine public trust, policy processes, and governance. The study draws on existing literature and adopts the Irọ-Otitọ, with particular reference to misinformation theory, to explain information disorder in Africa. The study argues that misinformation and disinformation are persuasive in the short term; however, they erode institutional legitimacy whenever contradicted by lived realities. Furthermore, the study reveals that AI systems can intensify and mitigate information disorder, depending on governance frameworks, data quality, and ethical safeguards. The study thus concludes that the rapid expansion of digital platforms, which has intensified the spread of misinformation and disinformation, is undoubtedly antithetical to the quality of governance, as it has continued to undermine public trust, policy processes, and governance activities.