The Evolving Role of AI in South African Universities

South African higher education institutions are at a pivotal juncture as artificial intelligence (AI) technologies permeate teaching, learning, and research activities. The National Research Foundation (NRF), South Africa's premier research funding agency, has spotlighted this transformation in its recent Research Insights Volume 3 (2026), emphasizing both the transformative potential and the cautionary risks associated with AI adoption. Established under the National Research Foundation Act of 1998, the NRF plays a crucial role in advancing science and innovation, and its insights draw from global trends while grounding them in local contexts like resource constraints and linguistic diversity.

AI's integration is not uniform across the 26 public universities, categorized into research-intensive universities (RIUs) such as the University of Cape Town (UCT) and University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), historically black universities (HBUs) like the University of Fort Hare (UFH), and universities of technology (UoTs). Historically white universities (HWUs) lead with dedicated AI centers and partnerships, while HBUs grapple with infrastructure gaps, perpetuating post-apartheid inequalities.

NRF's Core Insights on AI's Dual Nature

The NRF's 2026 report outlines AI's profound impact on university operations, from administration to pedagogy. It notes that AI tools are enabling new engagement methods—such as idea exploration, drafting assistance, and data navigation—while urging institutions to mitigate risks like diminished academic rigor. The publication, part of a series on AI developments, references the Council on Higher Education's (CHE) Kagisano No. 15, a comprehensive 208-page exploration of AI in South African higher education published in late 2024.

Key NRF takeaways include the need for balanced policy frameworks. Part 2 of the insights highlights opportunities for innovation, while Part 3 addresses academic integrity threats. Social media updates from NRF underscore that without proactive strategies, universities risk irrelevance in a rapidly digitizing world.

Opportunities: Transforming Teaching and Learning

AI promises personalized education, particularly vital in South Africa's diverse landscape with 11 official languages. Intelligent tutoring systems and predictive analytics can tailor content, boosting retention amid high dropout rates (around 40% in first-year studies per CHE data). For instance, UCT's adoption of Blackboard's AI features like Ally for accessibility and Gradescope for automated grading streamlines support for thousands of students.

• Adaptive learning platforms adjust to individual paces, aiding rural and under-resourced students.
• Chatbots like UP's SCU-B provide mental health support, addressing rising student wellness needs post-COVID.
• Blended models, accelerated by UNISA's Iris proctoring software during the pandemic, enhance remote access.

Research acceleration is another boon. Wits' MIND Institute leverages machine learning for data analysis, while a 2026 multi-university consortium—including UCT, Wits, and UP—develops large language models (LLMs) for isiXhosa, isiZulu, and Sepedi, combating epistemic bias in Western-dominated AI.

Administrative Efficiency and Institutional Gains

NRF highlights AI's role in governance, such as Pyramid Analytics at UP for performance tracking and automated scheduling. This reduces administrative burdens, freeing staff for high-value tasks. During emergency remote teaching (ERT) in 2020, AI tools exposed scalability needs but also demonstrated potential for inclusive administration, like zero-rated platforms for low-data users.

In research, AI aids hypothesis generation and literature reviews, vital for NRF-funded projects. The South African-German Collaborative Research Programme (SAG-CORE) on AI for societal transformation, launched in 2025, fosters cross-institutional partnerships.

Photo by Nqobile Vundla on Unsplash

Risks and Challenges: Navigating the Pitfalls

Despite promise, NRF warns of risks like AI undermining academic integrity—generative tools enable plagiarism, prompting policy overhauls. In 2026, incidents of AI misuse rose, leading universities to tighten rules without outright bans.

• Digital Divide: HBUs like UFH lack high-performance computing and stable internet, widening gaps (e.g., CHE 2016 notes staffing and support deficits).
• Ethical Biases: Western datasets marginalize African languages and knowledge, risking 'digital colonialism' (Marivate 2020).
• Infrastructure: UWC's 2025 study cites legacy systems and funding shortages as barriers.

Uneven adoption follows diffusion theory: HWUs as innovators, HBUs as laggards. The draft National AI Policy (April 2026) proposes a National AI Commission to address this.

Case Studies: Leading Initiatives in 2026

Pioneers include NWU, the first with a council-approved AI policy in January 2026, allowing 'smart' use while safeguarding integrity. UCT's university-wide framework governs integration, while a April 2026 UCT-Stellenbosch symposium tackled AI assessments.

Wits hosted AMLD Africa 2026 in February, advocating Africa-led AI. UP's 2023-2024 generative AI guides promote ethical use. Startups like Vambo offer AI invigilation, supporting virtual exams amid access issues.

Policy Developments and Ethical Frameworks

Universities are crafting genAI policies: UCT emphasizes transparency, NWU green-lights ethical applications. The CHE's Kagisano 15 advocates master plans for AI, aligning with decolonization via Afrocentric models. NRF calls for reflection on integrity, echoing global concerns like EU AI Act influences.

A national strategy is emerging, with DSTI-NRF partnerships like SAG-CORE. Ethical training is key, as biases in NLP affect non-English users (80% of SA students).This study details adoption disparities.

Future Outlook: Strategies for Sustainable Integration

NRF envisions AI enhancing equity if infrastructure investments follow—e.g., DHET's 2021 digital policy gaps need closing. Projections: By 2030, AI could cut admin costs 30%, but without upskilling, 20% jobs at risk. Recommendations include NRF-funded AI hubs, faculty training, and inclusive data sets.

• Invest in HBUs for parity.
• Develop multilingual LLMs.
• Embed ethics in curricula.
• Collaborate via USAf for impact cases.

Stakeholders like USAf and CHE urge proactive adaptation. As AI evolves, South African universities stand to lead Africa if risks are managed.NRF's full insights provide a roadmap.

Photo by Jesse Plum on Unsplash

Actionable Insights for Stakeholders

For educators: Integrate AI as a tool, not crutch—e.g., prompt engineering modules. Students: Leverage for research while citing transparently. Administrators: Prioritize policy alignment with draft national framework. Policymakers: Fund bridges for digital divide. With NRF guidance, AI can democratize higher education, fostering innovation amid challenges.