Home / Technology / Experts to Review Flawed South African AI Draft
Experts to Review Flawed South African AI Draft
3 Jun
Summary
- South African AI policy withdrawn due to fictitious references.
- An independent panel will review the draft and replace citations.
- Two officials suspended pending investigation into the oversight.
South Africa's draft national artificial intelligence policy has been withdrawn following the discovery of fictitious and potentially AI-generated references. Communications Minister Solly Malatsi announced the establishment of a seven-member independent panel of experts tasked with reviewing the document.
This panel will recommend revisions or removals and replace the flawed citations. The earlier draft was intended as a starting point for public input, aiming to position South Africa as a continental AI leader while addressing ethical and economic concerns. Internal checks failed to identify the issues before they were exposed externally.
Two officials have been placed on precautionary suspension as an investigation proceeds. The withdrawal aims to restore credibility, with a revised policy anticipated to go before the Cabinet for approval by November 2026. The target for public comment on the revised policy is January 2027.
