South Africa posts draft AI policy
South Africa's Minister of Communications published a Draft National AI Policy and opened it for public comment through June 10, 2026, triggering debate over regulatory direction and EU influence. Opposition voices, including the Democratic Alliance, have criticised parts of the draft and called for multiple new AI agencies, characterising those proposals as excessive regulation. (x.com) (x.com)
South Africa’s communications minister has published a draft national Artificial Intelligence policy and opened a 60‑day public comment period that runs until 10 June 2026. (gov.za) The 86‑page draft was approved by Cabinet on 25 March 2026 (with a special sitting on 1 April) and was gazetted under Minister Solly Malatsi’s name on 9 April 2026. (gov.za) The document proposes seven new institutions, including a National AI Commission, an AI Ethics Board, an AI Regulatory Authority, an AI Ombudsperson, a National AI Safety Institute, an integrated monitoring centre, and an AI insurance “superfund.” (techcentral.co.za) (money.usnews.com) The policy sets out six strategic pillars and a three‑phase implementation plan, with government documents and analysts pointing to full implementation in the 2027‑28 financial year. (iafrica.com) (gov.za) Drafters say the draft builds on the National AI Policy Framework of 2024 and draws inspiration from international models such as the European Union’s AI Act. (gov.za) (golegal.co.za) Commentators and critics have warned the proposed architecture raises questions about capacity, funding and regulatory complexity; TechCentral described the plan as “a bureaucrat’s dream.” (techcentral.co.za) The Democratic Alliance’s published technology policy says the party supports a risk‑based approach modelled on the European Union and calls for regulatory clarity to support business and innovation. (da.org.za) The Government Gazette says written comments must be submitted within 60 days and gives an explicit deadline of 16:00 on 10 June 2026, with submissions sent to the Director‑General at the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies or emailed to aipolicy@dcdt.gov.za. (gov.za) DCDT will review public submissions and develop sector regulations next; the consultation window closes on 10 June 2026, after which the debate over whether South Africa adopts the multi‑agency model or a lighter, sectoral approach will move from papers to policymaking. (gov.za) (bakermckenzie.com)
