Why Global Majority Leadership Matters for Tech and Migration Policy Today

2026-02-19 · Source: Tech Policy Press · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Cybersecurity & Data Privacy, Emerging Technologies & Innovation · Depth: Intermediate, medium

Summary

The Migration and Technology Monitor (MTM) convened a "mini-Bandung" conference in Nairobi, Kenya, in November 2025, bringing together individuals with lived experiences of migration and occupation to address the rapid expansion of surveillance technologies and AI in migration governance. This gathering, inspired by the 1955 Asia-Africa Conference, aimed to center Global Majority leadership and knowledge in shaping technology policy. Participants, including MTM Fellows from Africa, the Middle East, Southeast Asia, Europe, and the Americas, collaboratively developed the MTM Manifesto. This living document outlines 10 principles for technology governance, emphasizing dignity, consent, accountability, and community leadership, and critiques the extractive practices of the border and surveillance industry. The initiative advocates for participatory methodologies as a political and ethical commitment to shift power differentials and ensure that those most affected by technological harms drive solutions.

Key takeaway

For Policy Makers developing or implementing migration technologies, you must integrate affected communities into every stage of policy design, evaluation, and oversight. Recognize participatory knowledge production as legitimate policy expertise to avoid misdesigned, misused, and harmful technologies, and resist over-reliance on private vendors whose incentives often conflict with human rights.

Key insights

Centering lived experience from Global Majority communities is crucial for ethical and effective migration technology policy.

Principles

• Technology governance must prioritize dignity, consent, and accountability.
• Participatory methodologies are a political commitment, not just a consultation.
• "Nothing about us without us" demands community leadership in policy design.

Method

The MTM employs participatory methodologies, co-designing research tools, sharing data ownership, and establishing accountability structures that answer to impacted communities, not just funders or institutions.

In practice

• Involve affected communities in technology design and oversight.
• Conduct impact assessments beyond technical performance to address harms.
• Upskill communities in repair skills to reduce waste and foster cohesion.

Topics

• Border Technologies
• Migration Policy
• Participatory Methodologies
• AI Governance
• Human Rights in AI

Best for: Policy Maker, AI Ethicist, Research Scientist

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Tech Policy Press.