South Africa has opened its draft national Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy for public comment, inviting input from stakeholders across government, industry, academia, and civil society before final adoption.
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies said the draft policy, approved by Cabinet for publication, aims to provide a coordinated framework for the development, deployment, and governance of AI in the country.
Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said the policy is intended to ensure that AI development benefits all South Africans while limiting potential risks. She noted that the government is focused on ensuring that “the benefits and risks brought by AI are evenly distributed across society and generations.”
The draft policy is anchored on principles of ethical use, inclusivity, innovation, and human-centred development. It also emphasises the importance of aligning AI adoption with South Africa’s constitutional values and development goals.
Officials said the framework outlines key priority areas, including building local AI talent, strengthening data governance, promoting responsible innovation, and ensuring that AI systems are transparent and accountable.
The policy also highlights concerns around data privacy, algorithmic bias, and the potential impact of AI on employment, stating that safeguards will be necessary to manage disruption while encouraging new opportunities in the digital economy.
The government has encouraged members of the public and relevant stakeholders to submit written comments during the consultation period, after which the policy will be refined and rolled out in phases.
The draft forms part of South Africa’s broader strategy to position itself competitively in the global AI landscape while ensuring that technological advancement is inclusive and socially responsible.
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