Amplifying Student Voices in Shaping South Africa’s National AI Policy

Mozilla’s Responsible Computing Challenge facilitates students participation in South Africa’s landmark AI framework

As South Africa advances its strides toward AI governance, a student-led society is seizing this opportunity to forge a more equitable AI strategy.

In collaboration with Mozilla’s Responsible Computing Challenge (RCC), the student association, IT Society of the University of the Western Cape (UWC) submitted policy recommendations on South Africa’s AI Policy Framework. An initiative supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)

The AI policy proposed by South Africa's Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) aims to advance responsible AI development, emphasizing ethical deployment, fairness, and bias mitigation. This closely aligns with Mozilla’s ethos and RCC’s mission to embed ethics into computing by training the next generation of AI builders.

Student participation in policy development processes is essential for diversifying the voices that shape the future of AI. RCC’s South Africa chapter is engaging and facilitating student participation in policy dialogues — most recently inviting student associations to provide commentary on the national AI policy.

Engaging with the policy material, students were encouraged to reach out to their peers, analyze the document critically, and provide insightful feedback. IT Society student leaders, Arehone Matodzi and Ntanganedzeni Phidzaglima described the experience as empowering and gave a preview into the significant role students play in facilitating meaningful policy conversations among their peers, community, and a broader network of stakeholders. Matodzi acknowledged that “Most students didn't even know that there was a framework out and welcomed the opportunity to engage in the process.”

Addressing Skills Deficits in AI

Through their engagement with the AI policy, students raised critical concerns about the framework’s ability to address the country’s skills gap. One of their main flags was the framework’s limitations in adequately outlining how the government plans to make AI-related skills more accessible. They noted that AI courses in South African universities are not comprehensive enough and struggle to keep pace with global innovations in the field.

For AI adoption to be truly effective, there must be a clear, actionable plan that demonstrates how AI will impact industries and the lives of South Africans, “It isn't merely a case of us just having it (AI technology) but it must be able to provide impact”, Matodzi noted. The students emphasized the need for a policy that not only promotes AI development but also ensures that everyday citizens are exposed to, trained in, and prepared for the digital future.

AI Literacy and Public Engagement

Another critical point raised by the students was the lack of focus on public AI literacy within the framework. While the policy addresses the development of AI and risk mitigation, there is less attention paid to how ordinary people will be equipped to engage with AI technologies- essentially from a consumer/user perspective. The students questioned whether the general population’s literacy and the quality of education would be sufficient to meet the skills demanded locally and globally.

The students also stressed the importance of fostering an inclusive AI ecosystem where citizens—especially those from marginalized communities - are not left behind. The need for collaboration between the government, academia, and the private sector is crucial, and student organizations, in particular, have a vital role to play in driving AI literacy initiatives.

The Role of Student Activism in Shaping AI Policy

South Africa’s history of student activism is rich and deeply intertwined with the country's broader struggle for social justice, most notably during the apartheid era. Today, the students at UWC believe that their activism can extend into the realm of technological development. They see themselves as significant players in advocating for an AI-driven future that is not only innovative but also inclusive and accessible to all.

Through collaborations with organisations such as Mozilla in AI awareness campaigns and public outreach efforts can address some areas they have highlighted as crucial including AI literacy. Matodzi remarks, “As a student organization, there is enthusiasm to engage…Students can be very effective in mobilization, advocacy and helping with campaigns…there is a wide network amongst students, communities and also other student organizations- these are resources that can be utilized” Some of these grassroots initiatives often involve providing introductory AI training on tools, fostering broader skills development, and collaborating with other student organizations to broaden their reach for advocacy and movement building.

Indeed, the government must prioritize collaboration and engagement with varying stakeholders including student organizations, ensuring that their voices are heard and their contributions are valued in policy dialogues. Gretchen Adams, Youth Coordinator for RCCSA notes “In a society whose history is deeply entrenched in social and economic inequality and disparities that are still prevalent today, it is pivotal that the South African approach to technological policy development is inclusive and equitable. Inclusion alone does not translate into equity - everyone can be included in key policy discussions. Still, it is normally the powerful and those with influence that take center stage, leaving the marginalized and underserved without a voice. This is particularly the case with youth voices that get easily lost amongst varying interest groups, it is, therefore, important to elevate the underrepresented but most impacted to the fore in public engagement, policy development, and intervention planning”.

A Call for Inclusive AI

The policy framework presents a significant opportunity to foster a vibrant AI ecosystem that is both innovative and inclusive. However, for this vision to become a reality, there must be a clear focus on skills development, public literacy, and meaningful collaboration across all sectors of society.

RCC South Africa’s strategy therefore plays a key role with its youth-centric lens, aiming to facilitate opportunities and platforms to increase youth's participation and interests. RCC South Africa is also committed to working with students in advocacy capacity-building, and student-led tech advocacy and policy campaigns.

The students at UWC have demonstrated the importance of engaging the youth in policy conversations. As they continue to advocate for a more equitable AI strategy, their contributions highlight the need for South Africa’s AI policy to go beyond innovation and address the practicalities of education, access, and equity. For AI to drive meaningful change, the policies guiding its development must be firmly rooted in serving people.

We hope that the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies (DCDT) will incorporate the students’ feedback.