Ndayipfukamiye Tharcisse

The digital age has given rise to cyberspace as a fourth existential dimension, alongside physical, social, and thinking spaces. Yet most philosophical systems were formed before this transformation and do not systematically address human–technology relationships. This paper introduces Cyberism, a global philosophy of human–cyberspace relations and brings it into dialogue with three Burundian traditions: Ubuntu (relational personhood), Ubushingantahe (restorative procedural justice), and Ingoma (collective symbolism). Using conceptual analysis and comparative dialogue, we map these traditions onto the Cyber-Physical-Social-Thinking (CPST) four-space model, revealing a gap that Cyberism fills. Three syntheses emerge: relation-sovereign digital identity; restorative algorithmic moderation through digital elder councils; and culturally anchored digital sovereignty. The paper constructs a quadri-philosophical framework: Ubuntu, Ubushingantahe, Ingoma, Cyberism, as a locally grounded yet globally relevant response to the digital condition. Critical reflections address risks of neo-traditionalism, gender exclusion, and oral-to-algorithmic translation, with corresponding safeguards including gender quotas and human-in-the-loop design. The framework is applied to Burundi's National AI Strategy, offering concrete recommendations for relational digital identity, restorative moderation, and symbolic sovereignty. This work contributes to transdisciplinary conversations on AI ethics, digital governance, and indigenous knowledge in cyberspace.