South Africa’s higher education sector is watching closely as an independent expert panel prepares to reshape the country’s national approach to artificial intelligence. Recent calls from university leaders highlight a critical gap: the need to explicitly integrate internationalisation considerations into the revised policy.

Background on the Draft Policy and Its Withdrawal

The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies published a draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy in April 2026 following Cabinet approval. The document aimed to establish a comprehensive framework for AI governance, ethics, skills development, and sectoral applications, including education. However, it was withdrawn after several cited references were found to be fabricated or unverifiable, prompting a credibility review.

Communications Minister Solly Malatsi described the issue as a significant oversight and moved quickly to appoint a seven-member independent panel of experts. The panel, chaired by Professor Benjamin Rosman of the University of the Witwatersrand’s MIND Institute, includes specialists in AI research, law, and governance. Its mandate is to review the draft, recommend revisions, replace flawed citations, and strengthen the overall document. A revised version is targeted for Cabinet submission by November 2026, with public consultation expected in January 2027.

Urgent Calls from the Higher Education Sector

University leaders have urged the panel to give higher education internationalisation dedicated attention. The University of Johannesburg’s Division for Global Engagement published a statement emphasising that AI policy decisions will directly influence how South African institutions engage with global partners, attract international students and staff, and participate in cross-border research.

Similar views appeared in opinion pieces stressing that without clear provisions, universities risk uncertainty in areas such as student mobility programmes, joint degrees, and collaborative research involving AI tools. Internationalisation in South African higher education encompasses student and staff exchanges, research partnerships, curriculum internationalisation, and the recruitment of global talent—all areas where AI governance intersects with data protection, ethics, and technology standards.

Existing Policy Frameworks and Their Intersection

South Africa already operates under the National Artificial Intelligence Policy Framework released by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies in 2024. That document outlines pillars including talent development, ethical AI use, and integration across sectors such as education. Separately, the Department of Higher Education and Training maintains a Policy Framework for the Internationalisation of Higher Education, which provides guidelines for institutional strategies aligned with national priorities.

The current review presents an opportunity to align these frameworks more explicitly. Higher education institutions have developed their own AI guidelines in response to the 2024 framework, with universities such as the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of Cape Town issuing staff guidance on generative AI in teaching, assessment, and research integrity.

Implications for Student and Staff Mobility

International student mobility forms a cornerstone of South African higher education internationalisation. AI tools are increasingly used in admissions, visa processing support, and virtual exchange programmes. A national policy that addresses data privacy standards, algorithmic fairness in selection processes, and cross-border data flows would provide greater certainty for partner institutions abroad.

Staff exchanges and visiting researcher programmes also stand to benefit. Clear rules on the responsible use of AI in collaborative projects could reduce friction in joint grant applications and co-authored publications. Without such clarity, universities may face hesitation from international partners concerned about compliance and ethical alignment.

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Research Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange

South African universities participate in numerous international research consortia where AI plays a growing role, from climate modelling to health data analysis. The policy panel has been encouraged to consider how national guidelines can support open yet secure data sharing while protecting intellectual property and respecting partner jurisdictions’ regulations.

Institutions such as Wits University and the University of Johannesburg have highlighted the importance of AI ethics provisions that align with global standards, enabling South African researchers to remain competitive in Horizon Europe-style programmes and other multilateral initiatives.

Skills Development and Curriculum Internationalisation

The 2024 AI Policy Framework already stresses the integration of AI literacy into curricula from basic to tertiary levels. The panel is being asked to strengthen this aspect by linking it to internationalisation goals, such as preparing graduates for global labour markets and attracting international students to AI-focused programmes.

The Department of Higher Education and Training has advanced this agenda through a Memorandum of Understanding with Google South Africa, signed in March 2026, to expand AI and digital skills training across universities, TVET colleges, and community education institutions. Embedding these efforts within the national AI policy could amplify their reach and ensure consistency with international best practices.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Institutional Responses

Universities South Africa has facilitated discussions on institutional AI policies through its Community of Practice on Digital Education. Many institutions are at varying stages of developing or refining guidelines, creating a patchwork that a national policy could help harmonise.

Private higher education providers and public universities alike have expressed interest in policy provisions that support responsible AI adoption while safeguarding academic integrity and equity. The panel’s inclusive approach, drawing on expertise from academia, law, and governance, is viewed positively as a step toward balanced outcomes.

Challenges and Risks if Internationalisation Is Overlooked

Failure to address internationalisation could expose South African institutions to several risks. These include mismatched data governance standards with European or North American partners, reduced attractiveness for international students seeking AI-rich learning environments, and slower progress on joint programmes that rely on shared AI infrastructure.

Equity concerns also arise. Smaller or historically disadvantaged institutions may struggle more than well-resourced universities to implement AI tools compliant with evolving global norms, potentially widening existing disparities in international engagement.

Opportunities for South African Higher Education

A well-crafted policy that foregrounds internationalisation could position South Africa as a regional leader in responsible AI governance for education. It could facilitate new partnerships, attract foreign investment in AI research centres, and support the export of South African AI talent and solutions.

By aligning with the existing internationalisation framework, the policy could also strengthen the country’s contribution to African continental initiatives on digital skills and higher education cooperation.

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Future Outlook and Recommended Actions

The independent panel’s work represents a pivotal moment. Stakeholders recommend that submissions to the panel emphasise measurable targets for AI-enabled international collaboration, robust ethical safeguards for cross-border data use, and dedicated funding mechanisms for capacity building at universities.

Institutions are encouraged to engage actively through Universities South Africa and direct channels with the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies. The revised policy, once finalised, will shape the operating environment for South African higher education for years to come.