Government's draft AI policy has proposed the creation of seven new institutions to govern AI in South Africa.

TechCentral

South Africa's communications minister has gazetted a draft national AI policy for public comment, proposing seven new oversight bodies including a National AI Commission, AI Ethics Board, AI Regulatory Authority, AI Ombudsperson Office, National AI Safety Institute, an AI-Powered Monitoring Centre, and an AI Insurance Superfund modelled on the Road Accident Fund. The 86-page document outlines six strategic pillars covering education, infrastructure, ethics, and data governance, but raises capacity and funding concerns given existing institutional challenges. The policy presents multiple regulatory approaches without committing to one, frames the African philosophy of ubuntu as an ethical lens, and targets full implementation by 2027/2028. Public submissions are open until 10 June 2026.

South Africa’s draft AI policy is a bureaucrat’s dream