JOHANNESBURG, April 27 – South Africa has withdrawn its first draft national artificial intelligence policy after it was discovered that the document contained fictitious references that appeared to be generated by AI.
Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi said the issue likely stemmed from unverified AI-generated citations being included in the draft, calling it a serious lapse in oversight.
“The most plausible explanation is that AI-generated citations were included without proper verification. This should not have happened,” Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi said.
He acknowledged that the failure went beyond a technical error, stating that it had undermined the credibility and integrity of the policy. Malatsi also indicated that those responsible for drafting the document would face consequences, though he did not provide a timeline for when a revised version would be released.
“This failure is not a mere technical issue but has compromised the integrity and credibility of the draft policy,” he wrote in a post on X on Sunday.
The withdrawn policy had been unveiled earlier this month for public comment and was intended to position South Africa as a leader in artificial intelligence development on the continent. It also aimed to address broader ethical, social, and economic implications of AI adoption.
Key proposals in the draft included the creation of new institutions such as a National AI Commission, an AI Ethics Board, and a dedicated regulatory authority. It also outlined plans to introduce incentives like tax breaks, grants, and subsidies to encourage private sector participation and innovation.
The incident has highlighted the risks of relying on artificial intelligence tools without adequate human verification, especially in high-level policy development. Malatsi described the episode as a lesson underscoring the importance of strong oversight when integrating AI into official processes.
Despite the setback, the government is expected to continue pursuing a comprehensive AI framework, given the technology’s growing importance for economic growth and digital transformation.
