The continent seeks to harness the benefits of AI while addressing ethical and legal challenges. The EU's AI Act serves as a potential model, but Africa's unique context requires tailored solutions.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has become accessible and user friendly, accelerating global development. But rapid advances raise complex issues, from ethics to cybersecurity and governance, and many sectors are struggling to keep pace with the challenges posed by AI. The legal sector is no exception. Africa ’s first interdisciplinary AI and law conference, held at the University of Cape Town from 3 to 5 July, led by international law and tax firm CMS, sought to guide the industry forward.
This summit marked a key moment in the continent’s efforts to address AI’s benefits and risks.The EU’s AI Act is lauded for taking a robust approach to regulating high-risk AI applications. The Act also speaks to key principles of managing AI responsibly, while adhering to strict transparency and accuracy standards. This law introduces a concept akin to a “nutrition label” for AI. It aims to increase transparency around the data used to train AI models and decision-making processes and stresses the importance of human oversight and ensuring that it does not operate without proper monitoring and intervention. It is expected that the Act will serve as a template for AI legislation around the world but how will this play out in Africa where the context is vastly different? South Africa’s approach to AI and electronic communication legislation has progressed incrementally over the years. Most of the AI adjustments have come from alterations to existing laws to regulate or accommodate its use. A good example is the Medicines and Related Substances Act which was amended to regulate medical devices that use AI. Similarly, legislation has been developed for the aviation sector to govern the use of drones with AI capabilitie
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