Deadline looms for comments on framework that will shape South Africa’s AI policy

Stakeholders have until November 29 to comment on South Africa’s National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy Framework, which will guide the development and adoption of an AI-focused national plan in South Africa.

The AI Policy Framework, which was published on October 25, is the first step towards the development of the South Africa National AI Policy and unpacks strategic focus pillars for AI policy development.

This followed the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies’ (DCDT’s) establishment, in April, of an AI expert advisory council as it moves to shape the policies and regulations around AI adoption and development in South Africa.

With AI rapidly advancing, and having now been recognised as a general purpose technology such as electricity or the Internet, the department aims to promote the integration of the technologies to drive economic growth, enhance societal wellbeing and position South Africa as a leader in AI innovation.

AI technologies offer unprecedented opportunities for economic growth, improved public services and enhanced quality of life, and the framework, embracing AI’s transformative potential, aims to address pressing national challenges and leverage opportunities across all sectors.

South Africa faces challenges such as historical inequalities, digital divides and outdated regulatory frameworks that hinder widespread AI adoption.

A coherent and comprehensive policy position is required to ensure the opportunities are not overshadowed by potential risks such as job displacement, privacy concerns and ethical dilemmas, the AI Policy Framework outlines, noting the development of a National AI Policy is a strategic imperative to guide the responsible and ethical development, deployment and use of AI across all sectors of society.

The National AI Policy will provide clear guidelines and a structured approach to harnessing AI’s potential while mitigating its risks, ensuring that AI technologies are developed in a manner that aligns with South Africa’s socioeconomic goals and values.

The framework document highlights several strategic pillars, including talent and capacity development; digital infrastructure; research, development, and innovation; ethical AI; safety and security; privacy and data protection; transparency and explainability; public sector implementation; fairness and mitigating bias; human control of technology, or human-centred approach in AI systems; professional responsibility; and the promotion of cultural and human values.

This holistic approach ensures that AI serves as a catalyst for a digital society, digital economy and digital inclusion, benefiting all South Africans.

“For South Africa to exploit the full potential of AI, the country needs to carefully take into consideration ethical, social and economic implications, ensuring that AI benefits are broadly shared and risks are managed effectively,” the framework explains.

According to the document, a cornerstone of this framework is the commitment to ethical AI development and use, integrating comprehensive guidelines to ensure AI systems are transparent, accountable and designed to promote fairness while mitigating biases.

This includes establishing robust data governance frameworks to protect privacy and enhance data security, alongside setting standards for AI transparency and explainability to foster trust among users and stakeholders.

“The policy framework emphasises the importance of human-centred AI, ensuring that AI applications augment human decision-making rather than replace it. By safeguarding professional responsibility and promoting human values, the framework ensures that AI development aligns with societal and ethical considerations.”

The framework also addresses the need for capacity building and economic development by promoting AI education and training programmes, supporting AI startups and facilitating public-private partnerships.

It also includes measures to enhance cybersecurity and protect AI systems from malicious threats.

The National AI Policy will serve as the foundational basis for creating AI regulations and potentially an AI Act in South Africa.

“As regulators work to establish rules and standards for AI, it is crucial that these regulations are grounded in a well-defined policy direction that reflects the country’s vision and priorities for AI.”