Nasiphi Ndevu breaks down the important points from the recent launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Stakeholder Forum in Pretoria
South Africa is taking big steps to shape its future in the fast-changing world of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Recently, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies launched the National Artificial Intelligence Stakeholder Forum in Pretoria. This important event brought together researchers, technology experts, business leaders, and government representatives. Their goal was to work together to create an AI environment that is fair, inclusive, and ethical, while also making sure the technology benefits all South Africans.
Speaking at the forum, Deputy Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele, explained why this moment is so important for the country. He said that AI is already changing the world at a very fast pace. If South Africa wants to remain competitive in the global economy, it needs to make sure its people understand and use this technology. He reminded everyone that the department’s vision is for a connected and digitally informed South Africa, and that AI has the potential to help achieve that vision. However, it is not just about having access to the technology. It is also about making sure people can use it to improve the quality and cost of the products and services the country produces.
The Deputy Minister explained that work on an AI policy began more than a year ago. In 2023, the government held a national AI summit to start mapping out how the country should approach this technology. That process is now at an advanced stage, with the policy ready to go before Cabinet for approval. This will give the country a clear plan on how to use AI in a way that balances innovation with protection for its citizens.
Some people think South Africa will only ever be a user of AI systems developed elsewhere. The Deputy Minister strongly disagreed with that view. He said that South Africa already has some of the top research institutions in the world working on AI. The problem is that these efforts are not well coordinated. Many local innovations never make it to market because researchers do not have the support to turn their prototypes into commercial products. The new stakeholder forum is meant to fix that problem. By connecting researchers, entrepreneurs, and policymakers, South Africa can make sure that good ideas are not lost and that the country plays a real role in creating AI solutions, not just using them.
He also addressed the question of whether South Africa will have laws to regulate AI. He said that President Cyril Ramaphosa set up the Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution in 2020, led by Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, to look at exactly this issue. One of the key findings of that commission was that AI could replace millions of jobs worldwide. At the same time, it could also create millions of new digital jobs. The problem is that the new jobs require new skills, and if people are not trained, they will not be able to take advantage of them. The Deputy Minister said it is important to balance the benefits of AI with its risks. People must be protected from the harm AI can cause, while still being able to use it to solve problems and improve their lives.
For AI to benefit everyone, it must be supported at a national level. That means investing in the digital infrastructure that makes AI possible. This includes things like data centres, cloud computing, fibre optic networks, and reliable internet connections. The Deputy Minister pointed to the SA Connect programme, which has already connected more than one and a half million households, especially in rural areas and townships, to the internet. The aim is to make sure no one is left behind in the digital economy. Without access to the technology, poor communities will be left out, and the inequality that the country has struggled with for so long will only get worse.
He said that government has an important role to play in funding this infrastructure and making sure it reaches every part of the country. Once people are connected, they can start learning the digital skills they need to take part in the AI economy. This is the only way to ensure that the benefits of the technology are shared fairly.
The Deputy Minister also spoke about the ethical problems that can come with AI. The systems learn by processing huge amounts of data, and sometimes that data includes copyrighted material or work created by other people. This can harm industries like filmmaking, publishing or journalism. To prevent this, South Africa will develop its AI policies in line with global standards. That way, the country can make sure AI is used in ways that protect people’s rights and cultural values. He stressed that international cooperation is essential, because AI is not limited by borders. Every few years, global conferences such as those held in Geneva bring together countries to align their AI policies and prevent harm.
Another major concern is how technology, including AI, is being used to spread misinformation. The Deputy Minister gave examples of fake videos that looked real to ordinary viewers. In these videos, world leaders were shown saying or doing things that never happened. These kinds of fakes can damage trust and spread confusion. This is why the new AI policy will also deal with the question of regulating digital content. The goal is not to take away people’s freedom of speech but to protect them from hate speech, lies and cultural attacks that could turn communities against one another.
This issue has also come up recently in the debate over whether podcasts should be regulated in South Africa. There have been incidents where podcast hosts made offensive comments about certain communities, leading to public outrage. While podcasts can be a valuable way to share information and ideas, they can also cause harm when they promote false or discriminatory views. The Deputy Minister said that the new policy will consider how to reduce such harms while still protecting free expression. He pointed out that the Constitution already places limits on speech, and if any platform crosses those lines, the law should take its course.
Throughout the discussion, the Deputy Minister returned to the same central idea: South Africa must embrace AI, but it must do so in a way that protects its people. That means supporting research and innovation so the country can produce its own AI technology, investing in the infrastructure that gives everyone access, creating regulations that protect jobs, privacy, and cultural values, and educating people so they understand and can use the technology in their daily lives.
Looking ahead, the launch of the National Artificial Intelligence Stakeholder Forum is only the beginning. By bringing together experts from different fields, South Africa is laying the foundation for an AI strategy that could put it on the global map. AI is already changing how we work, communicate and live. The question is whether South Africa will lead or follow in this new era.
With the right policies, investments, and coordination, the country can use AI to address many of its most pressing challenges. It could help improve healthcare by analysing data to detect diseases early. It could support education by giving teachers new tools to personalise learning. It could make transport safer and more efficient through better traffic management systems. In agriculture, it could help farmers monitor crops, predict weather patterns, and increase food production.
The Deputy Minister made it clear that South Africa has the talent and the ideas to make this happen. What is needed now is the will to work together. The future of AI in the country will depend on cooperation between government, businesses, researchers, and communities. If everyone plays their part, AI could become a tool for reducing inequality, growing the economy and improving the quality of life for all South Africans.
South Africa stands at an important crossroads. The decisions made now will shape the country’s place in the AI-driven world of the future. If it chooses to invest in people, build strong infrastructure, and create fair and forward-looking policies, it could become a leader in the responsible use of AI. The Deputy Minister’s message was simple but powerful: AI is here to stay, and the country must prepare for it, not fear it. By working together and staying focused on the needs of its people, South Africa can make AI a force for good that benefits everyone.
