As South Africa observes Human Rights Day, reflecting on the mission to “deepen a culture of social justice and human rights,” we are reminded that the fight for dignity, fairness, and inclusion is ongoing.
Achieving democracy was not the finish line.It was just the beginning. Every era brings new challenges, and today, one of the most pressing is Artificial Intelligence (AI).
The question is: can we leverage AI to advance social justice and human rights?
AI is transforming industries, economies, and societies at a pace never seen before.
The real concern for South Africa is whether we will be active participants in shaping AI or passive recipients of its influence.
This is not just an economic issue; it is a matter of social justice. Ensuring that South Africans can compete, participate, and remain relevant in an AI-driven world is crucial.
Bridging the AI divide
For decades, South Africa has worked to close the digital divide by expanding internet access, mobile connectivity, and digital services.
But a new divide has emerged, one that goes beyond access. The challenge now is equipping people with the skills and knowledge to engage with AI, automation, and digital transformation.
Arthur Goldstuck, CEO of World Wide Worx, highlights this shift:
“The next great divide won’t be between those who have internet access and those who don’t—it will be between those who can work with AI and those who cannot.”
Across Africa, countries like Kenya and Nigeria are already using AI to revolutionize agriculture, financial services, and healthcare—boosting efficiency, increasing productivity, and expanding financial inclusion.
In contrast, South Africa’s AI adoption has been driven primarily by businesses rather than government policy. This creates opportunities but also presents risks.
AI adoption in South Africa
South African businesses are integrating AI to automate tasks, optimize supply chains, and enhance decision-making across sectors like banking, mining, healthcare, and retail.
While this improves efficiency and competitiveness, unequal access to AI skills remains a major risk.
To address this, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) is working to ensure AI is not just a technology South Africa consumes but one it actively shapes.
The National AI Policy Framework, set for review in April 2025, aims to establish structured AI governance, investment, and skills development.
This policy is designed to align AI with South Africa’s economic priorities, social landscape, and ethical standards.
Dumisani Sondlo, acting director at the DCDT, emphasizes: “If we don’t establish a governance model for AI now, we’ll be forced to follow rules set by others. Africa’s voice must be heard in shaping AI.”
At its core, this framework prioritizes a human-centric approach—ensuring AI is ethical, transparent, and free from bias. Additionally, AI is being integrated into economic strategies, ensuring it contributes to growth rather than operating in isolation.
Public sector and AI policy development
Government adoption of AI is a key priority, with the technology being explored for governance, service delivery, and infrastructure planning.
While countries like Mauritius, Rwanda, and Senegal have already introduced national AI strategies, South Africa is taking a consultative approach—engaging businesses, academia, and civil society to create a framework that is inclusive, adaptable, and built for long-term impact.
One often overlooked aspect of AI in South Africa is the role of language. With 11 official languages, South Africa’s linguistic diversity is integral to its cultural identity.
Yet, many AI systems are developed in dominant global languages, limiting accessibility for those who communicate primarily in isiZulu, Afrikaans, Xhosa, Sepedi, and other indigenous languages.
To ensure AI enhances inclusion rather than reinforcing inequality, it must be designed with linguistic diversity in mind.
AI-powered speech recognition, translation tools, and chatbots that fail to accommodate South Africa’s linguistic landscape risk excluding millions from digital transformation.
Without careful consideration of language nuances, idioms, and cultural context, AI tools may misinterpret or distort meaning.
Workforce readiness and the AI economy
One of the most urgent AI-related policy challenges is preparing the workforce for future disruptions.
According to the Future of Jobs Report 2025, by 2030, AI-driven automation could disrupt 22% of jobs, with 170 million new roles created and 92 million displaced globally.
The challenge is not AI itself but whether South Africa is adequately equipping its people for this shift.
South Africa has an opportunity to do more than just adapt to AI—it can take the lead in its responsible development and application.
The policy groundwork is being laid, and the talent exists. Now, the focus must be on taking decisive action, making smart investments, and ensuring AI benefits the many rather than just a select few.
For South Africa, ensuring AI is a force for economic growth, inclusion, and global competitiveness is not just a strategic goal—it is a social justice imperative.
