South Africa Withdraws First National AI Policy Draft Over AI-Generated Fake References

South Africa recently withdrew its first national artificial intelligence policy draft because the reference list contained fake sources generated by artificial intelligence. Minister of Communications and Digital Technology Solly Malatsi stated that this mistake occurred due to including AI-generated citations without strict verification, damaging the draft's rigor and credibility.

The draft was intended to help South Africa lead AI innovation in Africa, address ethical, social and economic challenges posed by AI, establish institutions like the National AI Commission, and offer incentives such as tax relief. Malatsi said he would hold relevant drafters accountable but did not specify when a new draft would be released, stressing the need for careful human supervision of AI applications.