South Africa targets January 2027 for revised AI policy after earlier withdrawal - Reuters

South Africa's communications minister has established an independent panel to review a draft national AI policy after an earlier version was withdrawn because it contained fictitious and potentially AI-generated references. The panel is expected to produce a report by November 2026, and the minister aims to release a revised policy by January 2027.

The earlier draft was withdrawn after it was discovered to include fabricated quotes and citations, some of which may have been generated by an AI tool. The minister stated that the new panel would ensure the policy is grounded in legitimate research and stakeholder input. The panel will be composed of experts from academia, industry, and civil society.

The incident highlights challenges in AI governance, particularly the risk that AI-generated content could inadvertently shape policy documents. South Africa joins several countries working to formulate AI regulations, though its timeline for a revised policy extends to early 2027. The minister's office has not commented on whether the earlier draft's AI-generated content was intentional or accidental.