- South Africa's Department of Communications and Digital Technologies has published a national policy framework for artificial intelligence (AI), noting it is the first step towards developing a national AI policy.
- The formal consultation process is expected to wrap up by the end of September 2024, with the department accepting feedback on the framework via email.
- The document stresses that to fully harness AI's potential, the country must carefully consider its ethical, social, and economic implications, ensuring that AI's benefits are widely shared and its risks are effectively managed.
The policy framework emphasises the importance of human-centred AI, ensuring that AI applications enhance rather than replace human decision-making, and fostering an environment conducive to AI innovation.
Developing a national AI policy in South Africa would guide the development, deployment, and utilisation of artificial intelligence. Thus, the National AI Policy will provide clear guidelines and a structured approach to harnessing the potential of AI while mitigating its risks and aligning with South Africa’s goals and values.
“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.”
Key areas of the policy include talent development to build a strong AI talent pool, enhancing digital infrastructure, establishing ethical AI guidelines, and ensuring safety and security, among other priorities.
South Africa's AI sector is drawing interest from investors like Microsoft South Africa, which announced a $70 million investment in May 2024. This investment is set to support the AI sector, which is projected to grow from $0.90 billion in 2024 to $4.00 billion by 2030.
Additionally, the country launched a military-focused AI hub, the Defence Artificial Intelligence Research Unit (DAIRU), to leverage AI's potential in South Africa's defence sector and national development and security.
Another African nation, Kenya, has also collaborated to launch a project to develop a national artificial intelligence (AI) strategy in April 2024. This move came after the Kenya Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Society proposed sanctions for AI and robotic entities. Also, there is a Kenya Robotics and Artificial Intelligence Society Bill 2023 in February.
