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

This includes removing barriers to entry for the most marginalised communities to get connected and empowered with the skills to be able to take up the opportunities and interventions that AI can offer, says Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi.

Speaking at the Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference, or Satnac, 2024, hosted by Telkom from October 6 to 9 in the Kruger National Park, he said that AI is 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.

“We can truly empower people with the resources they need, not only [using] technology for survival, but to leverage it to uplift their lives and restore their dignity.”

As South Africa embraces this reality with “urgency and optimism”, it is also leading the way in many respects, as AI shapes the present and defines the contours of the future.

He highlighted that South Africa is not a mere participant in the global AI revolution, but an active contributor, with the appetite for knowledge seen across the country a testament to South Africans’ ambition and 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 Africaʼs 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 drive economic transformation.

In line with this, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) has crafted a strategy that brings together all stakeholders, ensuring alignment on national priorities and goals to foster growth and prosperity through AI adoption. This includes the discussion document published earlier this year at the AI National Government Summit, which highlights that there are many perspectives on how AI can benefit humanity.

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

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

The 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 are 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 delivering tangible results, innovating 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 countryʼs unique needs,” Malatsi noted, adding that AI hubs will be expanded across the country to ensure that every region benefits from this transformative technology.

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

“For South Africa, AI is not about automating processes. 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 warns that, as the country moves towards a connected society, the ethical implications of AI must be seriously considered.

“The ethical use of AI . . . is something that dominates all of our minds as we try and grapple with the best way of incorporating AI into our daily lives. AI 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 the social, economic and environmental dimensions.

“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, with the DCDT working to strengthen policy interventions, such as the Digital Economy Master Plan, 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 and ensuring connectivity in underserved areas.

Further, the department aims to “develop pathways” that make it easier to attract solutions to accelerate the county’s ambition of connecting all South Africans.

“One of those pathways is to make room for equity-equivalent programmes where local ownership requirements place a blocker on investment; the second pathway is to lower the cost of data and devices which we also hope to make announcements on soon,” he comments.

“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”.