A new industry body focused on promoting the advancement of responsible artificial intelligence (AI) in South Africa has been laaunched.

The South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) aims to encourage stakeholders to adopt responsible AI for the commercial and societal benefit of South Africa, with a primary focus on economic growth, regulation, trade, investment, fairness, equality and inclusivity.

“Our research has shown that AI and related automation technologies are currently impacting on more than 120 traditional industries globally and creating new opportunities and challenges in timescale never seen before,” said SAAIA founder Dr Nick Bradshaw.

The vision of the SAAIA has been shaped by analysing the global and local landscapes, identifying needs and filling the blanks with research, which has revealed the challenges and opportunities that AI and the related smart technologies can bring to South Africa.

“Our vision is evidence-based with responsible, human-centric AI as its foundation,” he assured.

Overall, SAAIA aims to engage individuals and organisations, novices and experts and the connected and unconnected, and bring together various commercial, government, academic, startup and nonprofit organisation practitioners. The association’s vision is underpinned by ten key objectives.

These include serving as the voice of the industry; providing analysis and research to inform strategy and decision-making; promoting debate on inclusion, ethics, regulation and standards; assisting national, provincial and city governments with policymaking; and sharing best practice and educational resources for all.

The founding advisory board members are derived from a diverse range of organisations, including Michalsons; GIZ; ExploreAI; Cirrus AI; TinyML Foundation; Augmented Startups; Data Economy Policy Hub; Socially Acceptable; mLab; Zindi; Technology Innovation Agency; ecosystem.Ai; Tshwane University of Technology; Western Cape Government; and Webber Wentzel.