Background to South Africa’s AI Policy Developments
South Africa’s efforts to establish a comprehensive national framework for artificial intelligence have encountered significant setbacks and opportunities for refinement. In late April 2026, the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies withdrew its draft National AI Policy following the discovery of fabricated references and other credibility issues. The withdrawal, announced by Minister Solly Malatsi, highlighted the need for a more robust and evidence-based approach. A new seven-member panel of experts drawn from academia, business, legal practice, and government was subsequently appointed to guide the revision process.
The Composition and Mandate of the New Panel
The panel includes prominent figures such as Professor Benjamin Rosman, Director of the MIND Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand. Its mandate focuses on developing a credible national AI policy that addresses ethical considerations, economic growth, and societal impacts. The panel is expected to deliver recommendations ahead of a revised draft submission to Cabinet targeted for November 2026, with broader public consultation planned for January 2027. This reset provides an important chance to incorporate perspectives from the higher education sector that were largely absent from earlier iterations.
Why Higher Education Internationalisation Matters in AI Policy
Higher education internationalisation encompasses student and staff mobility, cross-border research collaborations, joint degree programmes, and the global positioning of South African institutions. Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming these areas through tools that support virtual exchanges, automated translation in multilingual classrooms, and data-driven analysis of global student flows. Without explicit attention to these dynamics, national AI policy risks overlooking how technology can either enhance or constrain South Africa’s ability to attract international talent and participate in global knowledge networks.
Impacts on Student and Academic Mobility
AI applications are already influencing visa processing, credential evaluation, and personalised recruitment strategies used by universities. South African institutions such as the University of Johannesburg and the University of Cape Town are exploring AI to streamline international admissions and support services. A forward-looking policy could establish guidelines for ethical data use in these processes while ensuring that AI does not inadvertently create barriers for students from the African continent or further afield. The previous draft failed to reference the Department of Higher Education and Training as a key stakeholder, underscoring the gap that the new panel must close.
Research Collaboration and Knowledge Exchange
International research partnerships rely increasingly on shared AI platforms for data analysis, simulation, and publication support. South African universities contribute significantly to fields such as health sciences, climate modelling, and social sciences through collaborations with partners in Europe, North America, and other African nations. Policy provisions that support responsible AI use in research could strengthen these ties, including frameworks for data sovereignty and equitable access to computational resources. Institutions like Wits University and Stellenbosch University are already advancing AI-related research centres that stand to benefit from clearer national direction.
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Curriculum Development and Graduate Preparedness
Integrating AI literacy across disciplines is essential for preparing graduates who can operate in an AI-augmented workforce. South African higher education institutions are developing guidelines for responsible AI use in teaching and assessment, with examples emerging from the University of KwaZulu-Natal and North-West University. A national policy that explicitly links AI strategy to curriculum reform would help align institutional efforts with broader economic objectives, ensuring that qualifications remain internationally competitive and relevant to emerging job markets.
Challenges and Risks if Internationalisation Is Overlooked
Failure to address higher education internationalisation could result in fragmented institutional responses, reduced global competitiveness, and missed opportunities for South Africa to position itself as a regional AI hub. Concerns include potential brain drain if AI tools favour outbound mobility over inbound attraction, as well as risks to academic integrity when generative AI is used without coordinated oversight. University leaders have emphasised that the sector’s unique needs require dedicated consideration rather than being treated as a secondary concern within broader digital policy.
Stakeholder Perspectives and Calls for Action
Opinion pieces from the University of Johannesburg’s Division for Global Engagement have urged the panel to prioritise these issues, noting that AI acts as a dual disruptor in higher education by transforming both delivery and global engagement. Similar sentiments have been echoed in discussions involving Universities South Africa and individual vice-chancellors. The panel’s diverse expertise offers an opportunity to integrate these views through targeted consultations with the Council on Higher Education and the National Research Foundation.
Existing Institutional AI Initiatives as a Foundation
Several South African universities have already published generative AI guidelines covering assessment integrity, research ethics, and staff development. These bottom-up efforts provide valuable models that a national policy could scale and harmonise. Examples include practice notes from the University of Johannesburg and academic integrity frameworks at the University of Cape Town. Aligning these initiatives with national objectives would reduce duplication and amplify impact across the sector.
Recommendations for the Panel
The panel should conduct dedicated consultations with higher education stakeholders, explicitly reference the Department of Higher Education and Training in implementation plans, and develop provisions for AI-supported internationalisation strategies. Additional priorities include investment in shared research infrastructure, ethical guidelines for AI in student mobility, and metrics for measuring the sector’s global engagement in an AI era. Such measures would help ensure the final policy supports both domestic transformation and international competitiveness.
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Future Outlook and Broader Implications
A well-crafted national AI policy that centres higher education internationalisation and research could position South Africa as a thoughtful contributor to global AI governance discussions. By learning from the shortcomings of the withdrawn draft, the new panel has the chance to produce a document that strengthens the country’s universities as engines of innovation and global connection. Timely action will be critical as the revised policy moves toward Cabinet consideration later this year.
