Specno Urges Department of Communications and Digital Technologies to Finalize National AI Policy
Specno, a leading technology company, is calling on the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies to expedite the process of finalizing a comprehensive national policy on artificial intelligence (AI). This move comes after the Department published a draft National AI Policy Framework for public comment last October, marking a crucial first step towards developing a final policy that will drive infrastructure, digital, economic, and social growth in South Africa.
According to Daniel Novitzkas, Chairman at Specno, South Africa, as the second largest economy in Africa, is lagging behind other countries like Nigeria, Mauritius, and Rwanda in developing AI strategies and policies. Rwanda, for instance, is set to host Africa’s inaugural AI Global Summit in April, highlighting Africa’s increasing role in the global AI economy.
The AI industry is expected to generate $1.2 trillion by 2030 in Africa, with a projected 5.6% increase in the continent’s GDP. To capitalize on this growth, South Africa must act swiftly to establish a framework that leverages AI innovations to their fullest potential.
Novitzkas emphasized that the draft policy acknowledges challenges hindering South Africa’s digital technology growth, including a digital divide exacerbated by historical inequalities and bureaucratic resistance to change within government entities.
AI has the potential to address critical socio-economic needs in sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education, and public safety, while also creating new job opportunities to combat unemployment in South Africa. For instance, AI-powered sensors can detect water leaks in pipelines, machine learning models can optimize water usage, and satellite imagery analysis can predict droughts.
Major players in South Africa’s private sector, such as Microsoft and MTN, are already investing in AI technology. Microsoft aims to train one million South Africans in AI and cybersecurity by 2026, while MTN has partnered with China Telecom and Huawei to enhance its 5G, cloud services, and AI capabilities.
While the debate around AI’s future capabilities continues, industry experts must lead efforts to maximize its value. Therefore, the government must collaborate with industry stakeholders to expedite the policy framework, ensuring South Africa remains competitive in AI innovation on the African continent.
