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SA’s AI policy tries to balance unemployment and automation
20 Aug 2024
South Africa’s National AI Policy Framework recognises the transformative potential of AI technologies to drive economic growth and societal well-being and aims to integrate AI to enhance productivity, stimulate innovation, and position the country as a leader in AI innovation. Government views AI as a transformative force with the potential to significantly impact the country's economy.
South Africa's AI policies will be shaped by a human-centric approach.
With this view of AI as a tool to enhance productivity across various sectors, government intends for the deployment to lead to increased efficiency and competitiveness.
Government also looks to leverage AI to develop new industries and promote entrepreneurship, particularly in technology-driven fields.
There is, however, a distinct is mindfulness of the potential risks of job displacement due to increased automation.
To this point the framework emphasises the need for ethical AI development that augments human decision-making and promotes human values, ensuring AI serves as a catalyst for a digital society and economy.
Not naïve to the threat
The policy recognises the potential of AI to address socioeconomic challenges and inequalities by improving access to services and opportunities and distinguishes itself from other African countries in several ways
Focus on ethics and Inclusivity: The policy places a strong emphasis on ethical AI development and use, ensuring that AI systems are transparent, accountable, and fair.
It also prioritises inclusivity, aiming to bridge the digital divide and ensure that the benefits of AI are accessible to all citizens.
Sectoral strategies: South Africa advocates for developing sectoral strategies that address the specific needs and opportunities of different industries.
This approach allows for tailored AI implementation that maximises its impact across various sectors.
Alignment with national goals: Like all similar frameworks proposed by the Ramaphosa administration, this one is closely linked to South Africa's broader socioeconomic goals, such as reducing unemployment and promoting sustainable development.
This should ensure that AI initiatives contribute to the country's overall development agenda.
Proactive regulatory framework: The policy lays the foundation for creating AI regulations and potentially an AI Act, demonstrating a proactive approach to governing AI technologies and ensuring their responsible use.
Human centric
While many African countries are exploring the potential of AI, South Africa's policy stands out due to its comprehensive approach that combines ethical considerations, sectoral strategies, and a focus on inclusivity.
By prioritising human-centric AI solutions and focusing on ethical guidelines, the framework lays the foundation for wide distribution of the economic benefits.
The policy's emphasis on aligning AI advancements with tangible improvements in quality of life and societal progress could contribute to inclusive growth across the country and continent.
