Malatsi withdraws draft AI policy

[mylesillidge]

Malatsi pulls AI policy after fake citation disaster

Communications Minister Solly Malatsi has withdrawn the Draft National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy after it was revealed that it included fictitious sources, allegedly hallucinated by the technology itself.

In a statement, the minister described the error as more than just a technical issue, but also a failure that has compromised the integrity and credibility of the policy.

 

[purrr]

Lol

 

[Johand]

I am not angry that they used AI. I am angry that they obviously cheaped out and didn't use proper AI...

 

[dontcryforme]

The da proudly recruits anc members. Its showing.

 

[FiestaST]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2048507353897607604

 

[FiestaST]

https://twitter.com/x/status/2048643340271235502

 

[Kosmik]

Everyone is grilling the minister , sure but do you realize it went though cabinet and was signed off by the president as well? NOONE bothered to actually read and check the document.

“The Department of Communications and Digital Technologies did not deliver on the standard that is acceptable for an institution entrusted with the role to lead South Africa’s digital policy environment.”

“It was approved by Cabinet on 25 March 2026 (combined with the Special Sitting of Cabinet on 1 April 2026),” the notice stated.

In other words, the document was signed off by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the other members of his Cabinet before it was published in the Gazette.

A utter joke all round, and these are the people , department and body responsible for considering it? Laugh all we want but it also makes one want to cry. FFS, talk to the INDUSTRY not closet politicians.

Don't think its a issue to have AI help polish a draft but don't be lazy *** ***** and not check or validate the work. Learn the lesson many companies are, the hard way. The fact that hallucinations weren't taken into account clearly shows utter lack of understanding around llms and the existing tools.

 

[brattex]

Funniest part for me is that I am on a panel to comment on it (not unhappy it was rescinded for improvement) and am working on a separate proposal with source 5 author this weekend.

I just congratulated him on his AI research paper he never wrote but has been referenced in SA policy

 

[Randomwasavailable]

Ridiculous
Unfit for purpose.

Another article about this.

https://www.reuters.com/world/africa/south-africa-withdraws-ai-policy-due-fake-ai-generated-sources-2026-04-27/

 

[Tantus]

Don't be too hard on the minister - at least some "intelligence" was used in developing the policy, unlike most other government policies.

 

[dontcryforme]

Don't be too hard on the minister - at least some "intelligence" was used in developing the policy, unlike most other government policies.

Intelligence means nothing in the hands of an idiot.