The growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI) across society is creating opportunities and new responsibilities for lawmakers.
Recognising the need for legislators to better understand this rapidly evolving technology, Stellenbosch University’s (SU) Policy Innovation Lab recently presented AI training to more than 200 Members of Parliament (MPs), helping to strengthen Parliament’s capacity to oversee and engage with AI-related developments.
The significance of the initiative was highlighted when the Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Dr Annelie Lotriet, referenced the training in her recent budget speech and later reflected on it in a LinkedIn post, noting that “a stronger Parliament begins with stronger Members”.
For the Policy Innovation Lab, the acknowledgement served as a tangible example of how academic expertise can contribute to public sector capacity-building, says Dr Prof Willem Fourie, Chair of Policy Innovation and head of SU’s Policy Innovation Lab.
Understanding impact
A recurring focus of discussion within the Lab is how to measure and strengthen the impact of its work. While the effects of policy engagement are not always immediately visible, there are occasions when the influence of research and training becomes clear.
The recent engagement with Parliament provided one such example.
Parliament plays a critical role in South Africa’s democracy through its responsibilities for law-making and oversight of government. As artificial intelligence becomes increasingly embedded in public administration, service delivery and decision-making processes, Parliament’s ability to scrutinise and understand these technologies becomes ever more important, explains says Dr Gray Manicom, researcher in digital transformation at the Lab.
“If Parliament is to provide effective oversight of AI in government, Members require more than a general awareness of the technology. They need conceptual and practical knowledge to interrogate key questions around transparency, accountability, security and fairness.”
These include whether AI systems operate transparently, whether data is being collected and used lawfully and responsibly, whether automated decisions can be explained and challenged, whether procurement decisions create long-term technological dependencies, and whether the benefits of AI are shared equitably across society.
At the same time, AI also presents opportunities to support Parliament’s own work. Potential applications include analysing legislation, recording and processing parliamentary proceedings, enhancing citizen engagement, supporting translation services, streamlining administrative processes and assisting with legislative drafting.
As the Deputy Speaker observed in her remarks, “The technological transformation before us will not wait for Parliament to catch up.”
Building AI literacy
The training programme was designed to provide MPs with a broad understanding of both the opportunities and challenges presented by artificial intelligence.
Sessions covered technical aspects of AI, including data, algorithms and digital infrastructure. Participants also explored ethical considerations such as transparency, bias, accountability and responsible use.
The programme further examined international approaches to AI governance and regulation, alongside case studies demonstrating why effective oversight of AI systems is increasingly important for democratic institutions, explains Monique Bennett, Policy Dialogue Manager at the Lab.
A key component of the training involved discussions on how Parliament itself might responsibly incorporate AI into its own processes and operations.
By combining technical, ethical and legislative perspectives, the programme aimed to equip Members with the knowledge needed to engage critically with AI-related issues and make informed decisions in a rapidly changing policy environment.
Supporting the public sector
Dr Tinashe Chikunichawa, of the School For Data Science And Computational Thinking, says by sharing knowledge and building capacity within government institutions, universities can help ensure that technological innovation is accompanied by informed governance and effective oversight.
For the Policy Innovation Lab, the engagement has helped to broaden an important national conversation about the transformative potential of artificial intelligence – both in Parliament and across South African society.
“The training of South Africa’s MPs represents one step towards that goal, demonstrating how higher education can support government and prepare the country’s institutions for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age,” concludes Manicom.
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