Record STMT-W3D8B51Aspirational

Keynote Address by the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, Mondli Gungubele (MP), During the AI Government Summit, University of Johannesburg, 05 April 2024

KEYNOTE ADDRESS BY THE MINISTER COMMUNICATIONS AND DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, MONDLI GUNGUBELE (MP), DURING THE AI GOVERNMENT SUMMIT, UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG, 05 APRIL 2024

Sermon or address State lawAfrica · ZAproposed

This document is a keynote address delivered by Mondli Gungubele, the Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, at the National AI Government Summit in Johannesburg on April 5, 2024. The address outlines South Africa's vision and initiatives for harnessing Artificial Intelligence to drive socio-economic development while ensuring ethical, safe, and inclusive usage. It highlights the establishment of the Artificial Intelligence Institute of South Africa (AIISA), collaborative continental efforts through the African Union and Smart Africa Alliance, and plans to develop national AI policies and regulations supported by an upcoming AI Expert Advisory Council.

Summary and content fields are drawn from the document text and are pending editorial review.

Who issued it

Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, Republic of South AfricaGovernment (executive) · ZA

Lead issuer

Legal forceAspirational

Under whose authorityState law

Judged fromfull text

Who it governs

National governmentPublic sector bodiesCompaniesResearchers and academics

This document is for government officials, policymakers, researchers, industry leaders, and academics interested in South Africa's national strategy and policy direction for artificial intelligence.

Sectors

Cross-sectorManufacturing and industry · Manufacturing and automotiveResearch and science · AI research

What the document contains

What's covered

The address covers South Africa's strategic approach to AI adoption, highlighting ongoing national initiatives like the Artificial Intelligence Institute of South Africa (AIISA) and its sector-specific hubs. It discusses the importance of international and regional cooperation, data governance, multi-stakeholder participation, and the upcoming formulation of comprehensive national AI policies and regulations.

What's missing

The document does not provide a finalized statutory legal text, binding obligations, technical standards, or specific enforcement mechanisms for AI systems.

Key takeaways

South Africa aims to position itself at the center of advancing AI technologies to address human and socio-economic needs.
The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies is initiating a policy and regulatory framework to guide the safe, ethical, and inclusive adoption of AI.
The Artificial Intelligence Institute of South Africa (AIISA) has established applied AI hubs focusing on sectors like manufacturing, automotive, and agriculture, with plans to expand to 11 hubs.
Regional collaboration with the African Union and Smart Africa Alliance is essential to develop a unified continental AI stance and blueprint.
An AI Expert Advisory Council and AI Task Force are being appointed to guide the implementation and development of national AI policy and regulation.

Principles it states

Prioritize human values and meaningful inclusionEnsure AI benefits everyone and reduces global inequalitiesPeople before technologyTrusted, safe, and inclusive development of AI technologies with equitable access

Outline

· Introduction
· Harnessing (AI) to Revolutionise our Socio-Economic Wellbeing
· South African Position on Harnessing AI
· African Union Ministers of Communications AI Declaration
· United Nations AI Approach
· Africa's Notable Initiatives on AI
· South African AI Adopted Initiatives
· Africa's AI Regulation Approach
· Conclusion

Issued5 April 2024

Length2,524 words

FormatNot recorded

Scopenational

How it scores

Pending review

Each score is backed by a quote verified against the document text. Editorial review has not yet confirmed them.

Accountability

1/5

Clear responsibility for AI outcomes

As Minister, I am tasked by law through the Electronic Communications Act (ECA) and various universal access legislative prescripts to develop an approach

INTRODUCTION

screening score · 2026-10-23

Fairness

2/5

Non-discrimination and equitable treatment

These risks include misinformation and disinformation, the entrenching of bias and discrimination, surveillance and invasion of privacy; fraud and other violations of human rights.

UNITED NATIONS AI APPROACH

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Dignity

2/5

Respect for the inherent worth of persons

What becomes obvious is that public policy making, and frameworks must adapt to address the governance imperatives of AI and emerging technologies to protect globally agreed human rights.

HARNESSING (AI) TO REVOLUTIONISE OUR SOCIO-ECONOMIC WELLBEING

screening score · 2026-10-23

Human Oversight

1/5

Humans remain in control of consequential decisions

AI is built on the understanding that machines must complement humans.

HARNESSING (AI) TO REVOLUTIONISE OUR SOCIO-ECONOMIC WELLBEING

screening score · 2026-10-23

Privacy

2/5

Protection of personal data and private life

surveillance and invasion of privacy; fraud and other violations of human rights.

UNITED NATIONS AI APPROACH

screening score · 2026-10-23

Transparency

1/5

Openness about how AI systems work and are used

To institutionalize open AI, explicit regulations related to the following 5 important considerations must be put in place

AFRICA’S AI REGULATION APPROACHES

screening score · 2026-10-23

Enforcement

0/5

Consequences and compliance mechanisms with real force

N/A

screening score · 2026-10-23

Impact Assessment

2/5

Required assessment of an AI system's risks/impacts before or during use

The world appreciates the risks associated with the adoption of AI. These risks include misinformation and disinformation, the entrenching of bias and discrimination

UNITED NATIONS AI APPROACH

screening score · 2026-10-23

Topics

artificial_intelligence digital_policy economic_development ai_governance international_collaboration