The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has signified a fundamental change in how government interacts with citizens, disseminates information and ensures that the State’s voice reaches every corner of the nation.
This is according to Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, who addressed a Government Communicators Networking Session at Artscape in Cape Town on Wednesday night.
“The question to which we must respond is not whether to embrace AI and the suite of technologies, but how to do so in a way that enhances rather than diminishes our communication objectives.”
Morolong said government and its relevant stakeholders should explore how these technologies can break down language barriers, reach underserved communities, ensure the authenticity and credibility of government communications, preserve and promote indigenous knowledge systems, and enhance the skills of government communicators.
However, he stressed that in the pursuit of technological advancement, the nation must retain the human touch essential for effective public service communication.
“We must do so with a drive to leave no one behind, including our diverse skills and cultures.”
The Deputy Minister said the mission of various media platforms and government communication should be to ensure all citizens have access to empowering information that facilitates their active and productive participation in the nation.
The networking session, held on the eve of the State of the Nation Address, included a panel discussion on AI’s impact on media and government communication.
The former Dean of the Johannesburg Business School (JBS), Professor Randall Carolissen, led an important discussion about the transformative potential of AI.
He highlighted its societal impact and emphasised the need to balance technological advancements with personal privacy and accountability.
He also stressed the importance of enabling AI while protecting privacy and ensuring explainability and fairness.
Carolissen also highlighted the dual nature of AI, noting the negative outcomes like “highly convincing” deepfake images.
The panellist emphasised the transformative potential of AI in media, highlighting its role in revolutionising content creation and distribution.
AI was noted for its ability to enhance data processing, as exemplified by the Pan-Canadian AI strategy.
Canada was the first country globally to create a national strategy for AI.
In 2022, the Government of Canada proposed the AI and Data Act (AIDA) as part of Bill C-27, the Digital Charter and Implementation Act, to promote the responsible use of AI.
Practical applications of AI, such as transcription and multilingual support, were discussed, particularly in the context of South African media.
The panellists also touched on the importance of truth and trust in media, with AI aiding in verification and deeper storytelling.
Supple Chief Operations Officer Lea-Anne Moses underscored the increasing pressure on newsrooms to perform and the declining revenues that are becoming a central issue.
“But I think there’s an opportunity in looking at business models and how we use AI to go deeper in our stories, how we use it to transcribe our notes or conduct research and get the groundwork out of the way. But let’s not outsource our thinking to AI.”
Supple is a technology company based in Britain and South Africa that provides software, Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS), and application programming interfaces (APIs) to governmental bodies.
Associate Professor Sisanda Nkoala, who holds the Media Inclusion and Diversity Chair at the University of the Western Cape and represents the Press Council of South Africa, stressed the significance of ethical journalism and transparency in the use of AI.
She highlighted the necessity of adapting this technology to better serve African contexts, particularly to address language barriers.
Concerns have been raised about AI ownership by large tech companies and its potential to worsen the digital divide.
The discussion also addressed AI’s impact on education, job displacement, and the necessity for regulatory frameworks to ensure responsible use of AI.
Meanwhile, the Chief Financial Officer of Kagiso Tiso Holdings, Tshepo Setshedi, said companies that do not embrace AI will be overtaken by those that do.
“So, we need to start preparing as a country in terms of investing in this space,” he told the attendees.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will deliver the State of the Nation Address this evening at 7pm. – SAnews.gov.za
