Cape Town: 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 was highlighted during a Government Communicators Networking Session at Artscape in Cape Town.
According to South African Government News Agency, Deputy Minister in the Presidency, Kenny Morolong, emphasized the importance of embracing AI technologies in a manner that enhances communication objectives. Addressing the session, Morolong stated, ‘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.’ He stressed the need for government and stakeholders to explore AI’s potential in breaking language barriers, reaching underserved communities, ensuring the authenticity of communications, preserving indigenous knowledge, and enhancing the skills of communicators.
Deputy Minister Morolong also underscored the importance of retaining the human touch in public service communication while advancing technologically. He highlighted the mission of media platforms and government communication to provide citizens with empowering information for active and productive participation in the nation.
The 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. Professor Randall Carolissen, former Dean of the Johannesburg Business School, led a discussion on AI’s transformative potential, its societal impact, and the need to balance technological advancements with privacy and accountability. He noted both the positive and negative outcomes of AI, including its role in content creation and distribution and the challenges posed by deepfake images.
Lea-Anne Moses, Chief Operations Officer of Supple, highlighted the pressure on newsrooms and declining revenues. She pointed out the opportunity to use AI to enhance storytelling and conduct research while cautioning against outsourcing critical thinking to AI. Supple, a technology company, provides software and infrastructure services to governmental bodies in Britain and South Africa.
Associate Professor Sisanda Nkoala from the University of the Western Cape stressed the importance of ethical journalism and the adaptation of AI to serve African contexts better, addressing language barriers and ensuring transparency. Concerns about AI ownership by large tech companies and its potential to widen the digital divide were also discussed.
Tshepo Setshedi, Chief Financial Officer of Kagiso Tiso Holdings, emphasized the necessity for companies to embrace AI to remain competitive. He urged the country to invest in AI to prepare for the future.
President Cyril Ramaphosa is set to deliver the State of the Nation Address this evening at 7pm.