To truly leverage “every power” that lies within AI technologies in South Africa, there is a need to get the basics right.

This included removing the barriers of entry for the most marginalised communities to get connected and empowered with the skills to be able to take up the opportunities and the interventions that AI could offer, said Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi on Monday.

“We can truly empower people with the resources they need, not only to be dependent on technology for survival, but to leverage it to uplift their lives and restore their dignity, which truly lies at the heart of humanity,” he told delegates at the Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference (Satnac) 2024, hosted by Telkom from October 6 to 9 in the Kruger National Park.

With AI no longer a distant concept or a futuristic dream, its steady integration is transforming industries, driving economic growth and unlocking opportunities that previously were not thought possible.

As South Africa embraces this reality with “urgency and optimism”, it is also leading the way in many respects.

He highlighted that South Africa was not just a mere participant of the global AI revolution, with the appetite for knowledge seen across the country a testament to South Africans’ ambition and the readiness to lead the charge into an AI-driven economy.

“Leading minds that come from this country are at the forefront of finding solutions that can help make everyday life better, that can help government deliver efficiently, that can help learning be easier and that can unlock investments and job creation.

“South Africa's AI market is expected to grow exponentially, powered by increased investments that could be adopted across sectors and the understanding that AI can improve efficiency, spark innovation and, most importantly, drive economic transformation.”

Several AI initiatives have been led by government, the private sector, academia and civil society.

From a government standpoint, two key objectives had already been set in motion that had gained significant traction, he continued, pointing to the work being undertaken at the various AI hubs established across the country in recent years.

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) established the AI Institute of South Africa in 2022, while the Department of Science and Innovation developed the Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Research, initiatives that were vital in enlisting the power of AI to drive society forward.

“Both our AI hubs at the University of Johannesburg and the Tshwane University of Technology are already making groundbreaking innovation in sectors like automotive, healthcare, mining and digital identity. For us, these hubs are much more than just centres of learning. They are also engines of change, driving localised solutions that respond to our country's unique needs,” Malatsi noted, adding that AI hubs would be expanded across the country to ensure that every region benefited from transformative technology.

The DCDT’s approach was shaped by the recommendations of the Presidential Commission on the Fourth Industrial Revolution, which sees AI as a technological tool that can drive both social and economic progress.

“For South Africa AI is not about automating process. It is about elevating industries and empowering people with the tools that prepare us for the future, and while part of the future is unknown, we must prepare proactively to find answers for that future, so that we may never be found unprepared to deal with any disruption that may happen in any sphere of life.”

He further warned that, as the country moved towards a connected society, the ethical implications of AI must be seriously considered.

“The ethical use of AI . . . something that dominates all of our minds as we try and grapple with the best way of incorporating it into our daily lives. It has the power to uplift, but only if it is deployed responsibly, and it is our duty collectively to ensure that we create an AI ecosystem that respects privacy, human rights and the dignity of every South African.”

Safe, secure and trustworthy AI, when applied in a transparent, ethical, responsible and reliable manner, may act as a catalyst for achieving economic growth and inclusive sustainable development within its three dimensions of social, economic and environmental.

“The emphasis on that shows that, globally, leaders are obsessed with finding the right balance to the ethical use of AI and the opportunities that it presents to us.”

The commitment to fostering an inclusive, connected society should go beyond AI.

“We have made significant strength in some policy interventions to also propel the potential of the digital economy. The Digital Economy Master Plan sets out a clear framework that will help grow the sector, while the South Africa Connect initiative focuses closely on closing the digital divide, ensuring that connectivity is available to the underserved.”

“It is clear that we will navigate this transformative path with purpose, unlocking opportunity for every South African as we shape a future that is both bright and inclusive,” he concluded.