SA publishes draft national AI policy focused on rights, inclusion, growth
South Africa (SA) has taken a significant step towards regulating artificial intelligence with the publication of a Draft National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy, setting out an ambitious framework to harness AI for inclusive economic growth while safeguarding human rights and national interests.
The draft policy, approved by Cabinet in late March, was gazetted on April 10 by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies. It positions AI as a strategic technology capable of transforming sectors such as education, healthcare, agriculture and public administration, while warning that weak governance could deepen inequality, widen the digital divide and expose citizens to new risks.
The policy is anchored firmly in the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, emphasising fairness, accountability, transparency and the protection of personal data. It adopts a human‑centred approach, stressing that technological progress must not undermine dignity, equality or access to justice.
Among its key proposals is the creation of new governance institutions, including a National AI Commission, an AI Ethics Board, an independent AI Regulatory Authority and an AI Ombudsperson. The ombudsperson would allow individuals to challenge harmful or unfair AI‑driven decisions and seek remedies where automated systems affect their rights.
The draft also proposes an AI Insurance Superfund, modelled on the Road Accident Fund, to compensate individuals harmed by AI systems where legal responsibility is unclear or difficult to establish.
A risk‑based regulatory model underpins the framework. High‑risk AI systems used in areas such as credit scoring, healthcare, law enforcement and critical infrastructure would be subject to stricter oversight. Developers and public bodies would be required to ensure sufficient explainability, enabling affected people to understand how automated decisions are made and to challenge them where necessary.
Economic inclusion is a central theme. The policy calls for major investment in AI skills development, integration of AI into school and university curricula and the establishment of AI hubs, supercomputing facilities and regional innovation centres. These initiatives are aimed at supporting startups, researchers and small businesses, including those in rural and underserved communities.
Public comments on the draft policy are open until June 10 2026.
–ChannelAfrica–