South Africa’s AI policy has been yanked after the government found it had been partly written by AI.
Department of Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi has withdrawn the draft national artificial intelligence policy.
The move came after officials found the draft policy had been compiled using AI and cited “fictitious” academic journal articles.
Malatsi said an internal investigation found the policy document, published for public comment, contained fake sources in its reference list.
“I am withdrawing the draft national artificial intelligence policy. South Africans deserve better. The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies did not meet the standard expected of an institution entrusted with the role of leading South Africa’s digital policy environment. The most plausible explanation is that AI-generated citations were included without proper verification. This should not have happened. This unacceptable lapse proves why vigilant human oversight over the use of artificial intelligence is critical,” he said.
He said the problem was not merely technical. It had damaged the integrity and credibility of the draft policy, which is a cracking start for a document about responsible AI.
“It’s a lesson we take with humility. I want to reassure the country that we are treating this matter with the gravity it deserves. There will be consequences for those responsible for drafting and quality assurance,” he said.
The withdrawal and investigation followed a News24 article that flagged alleged problems in the draft policy released on 10 April.
News24 reported that the draft policy, apparently compiled using AI, cited fictitious academic journal articles.
Earlier this month, Minister in the Presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni announced that the cabinet had approved the draft policy for public comment.
Ntshavheni said the policy aimed to strengthen the government’s ability to regulate and adopt AI responsibly.
She said it would foster innovation, job creation and skills access, although the first lesson appears to be checking whether your sources exist.
