Minister Malatsi responds to AI policy scandal by appointing expert review panel | The Star - newspaper - Magzter

MINISTER of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi. | Supplied

COMMUNICATIONS and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has announced a team of experts that will review the AI policy that was recently withdrawn after it emerged that its references were fabricated by generative AI tools.

Tabling the department’s 2026/27 budget in the National Assembly on Tuesday, Malatsi said they cannot discuss the issue of policy without discussing the matter of the draft national AI policy, and the revelation that generative AI was used irresponsibly during the drafting of this policy.

He said the series of events adversely impacted the policy document, and the withdrawal was the only way to ensure reintroduction of a credible policy.

“We will be enforcing an internal responsible AI use policy and reviewing our policy development process to ensure that this type of occurrence does not happen again. South Africa deserves better,” he said.

Malatsi announced that he will appoint an advisory panel to assist with the review of the AI policy. The panel, which will be chaired by professor Benjamin Rosman, will be made up of “distinguished” experts spanning AI research, law, and governance.