The AI policy that AI broke

The AI policy that AI broke

South Africa’s draft national AI policy is not the first hallucination-fuelled blunder of its kind – and it won’t be the last. But it does offer the department of communications & digital technologies an opportunity to redevelop the policy guided more by practical experience and less by abstract theory. Communications minister Solly Malatsi over the…

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Withdraw AI policy, Malatsi told, as fake citations row grows

Withdraw AI policy, Malatsi told, as fake citations row grows

Communications minister Solly Malatsi. Photo: Lerato Sepotokele/DCDT Communications minister Solly Malatsi is facing calls from across the political divide to withdraw South Africa’s draft national artificial intelligence policy after News24 revealed at the weekend that the document contains at least six academic citations almost certainly fabricated by an AI tool. Update: The draft policy has…

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Malatsi withdraws SA’s draft national AI policy

Malatsi withdraws SA’s draft national AI policy

Solly Malatsi, communications and digital technologies minister. Communications minister Solly Malatsi has decided to withdraw South Africa’s draft National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy, citing integrity as the reason behind the move. This, after a News24 report at the weekend uncovered fake and made-up research used to draft the country’s AI framework. The news outlet stated that several…

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Malatsi withdraws AI policy after fictitious sources scandal

Malatsi withdraws AI policy after fictitious sources scandal

Solly Malatsi. Image: DCDT Communications minister Solly Malatsi has withdrawn South Africa’s draft National AI Policy following revelations that it contained fictitious academic references, in what appears to be a case of unverified AI-generated citations making their way into official government policy. In a statement issued on Sunday evening, Malatsi said the withdrawal was necessary…

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Africa: Understanding China’s Zero-Tariff Policy On Goods From 53 African Countries

Africa: World Parkinson’s Day – Parkinson’s Africa Seeks Urgent Awareness, Care, Policy Support

On this year’s World Parkinson’s Day, Parkinson’s Africa has called for urgent strengthening of awareness, early diagnosis and inclusive care for persons living with Parkinson’s disease. The event brought together caregivers, health advocates and partners, who expressed concern over rising misconceptions, stigma and gaps in healthcare delivery across Nigeria and the continent. Speaking at the…

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Businesses invited to comment on release of SA’s draft financial education policy

Businesses invited to comment on release of SA’s draft financial education policy

South Africa has released a draft National Consumer Financial Education Policy for public comment, aiming to strengthen financial literacy and protect consumers from exploitation. Source: Pexels. The proposed framework seeks to improve decision-making, support financial well-being and co-ordinate efforts across the ecosystem in an increasingly digital economy while inviting stakeholders to contribute input before finalising…

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South Africa’s draft AI policy is a bureaucrat’s dream

South Africa’s draft AI policy is a bureaucrat’s dream

Communications minister Solly Malatsi. Image: DCDT Communications minister Solly Malatsi has gazetted South Africa’s draft national AI policy for public comment, opening a 60-day window for submissions on an 86-page document that proposes a sweeping new institutional architecture – including seven new oversight bodies – to govern the development and deployment of AI across the…

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Cabinet approves draft AI policy for public comment

Cabinet approves draft AI policy for public comment

Cabinet has approved the publication of South Africa’s draft national AI policy for public comment, minister in the presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni said. Ntshavheni said on Thursday during a press conference that the policy is aimed at ensuring that the benefits and risks of AI are distributed evenly across society and across generations. It seeks to…

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