Minister Blade Nzimande: Education World Forum Ministerial Exchange Session on Artificial Intelligence
10 May 2023
Programme Director and Moderator of the session, Kristen Weatherby, Founder of Breakthrough Labs, Fellow panelists of this session who are technology experts in their own rights, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for the opportunity and I extend warm greetings from the people of the Republic of South Africa.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged globally as a 4IR transformative technology that has the potential to revolutionise education. The development of AI systems is one such area that has seen significant progress in recent years in South Africa. These systems are designed to enhance communication between students, lecturers, researchers, and educational institutions. However, they have also drawn a mixed response, with some stakeholders viewing them defensively and others constructively.
The President of the Republic of South Africa, in his previous State of the Nations Addresses had highlighted that key institutional and system-wide 4IR elements should be instated. These elements include a conducive and supportive policy environment; state support instruments and incentives; research; a development and innovation environment; and public-private partnership models and instruments.
In 2019, South Africa announced the establishment of the Presidential Commission on 4IR. President Ramaphosa called for “a major shake-up in education and training to prepare the country to compete in the digital global economy”. These efforts are a recognition that South Africa takes the 4IR seriously.
The Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation is amongst the leading Ministries in Priority 2 on Education, Skills and Health of the 2019-2024 Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF) of the South African Government which represents a five-year plan towards the implementation of the National Development Plan.
The White Paper for Post-School Education and Training acknowledges that as digital technologies have become more accessible in South Africa, it becomes necessary to incorporate this dimension into conceptualising different possible modes of education and training provision. It is also an indispensable infrastructural component for effective education provision, and is central to the notion of opening learning opportunities in the PSET sector.
Universities, through AI research and innovation are pivotal in positioning South Africa as a global technological competitor. AI research and innovation is targeting various sectors of the country’s economy, such as 4IR in manufacturing (value chain), Healthcare, and Farming/Agriculture and food processing (Agriculture 5.0). Some of them are working with the AI Institute of South Africa (AIISA) that has a great potential to help fight the problem of youth unemployment by imparting the much-needed modern skills that will turn them into job creators and shapers of the 21st century workplace.
Catalytic projects are already in place at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) and University of Johannesburg (UJ) and are indicative of how AI can become the engine of economic advancement in various sectors. Through the formation of AI Institute of South Africa, South Africa is poised to become a significant player in the global Fourth Industrial Revolution.
The establishment of the Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research (CAIR) is a further significant development in AI research in South Africa. It is a South African national research network that conducts foundational, directed and applied research into various aspects of AI. The Centre has nodes at five South African universities: UCT, UKZN, NWU, UP and US.
The Centre for Artificial Intelligence Research was founded as a joint research centre between the UKZN and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). In 2015 the Centre has expanded to four other South African universities with the CSIR playing a coordinating role.
In order to provide or produce AI skills, most South African universities are offering courses in AI mainly as a branch of computer science. It enables students to create and train smart machines that can mimic human actions. These smart machines are endowed with the ability to think, discover meaning, generalise, or learn from past experiences. AI focuses on understanding and performing intelligent tasks such as reasoning, learning new skills, and adapting to new situations and problems. It is a combination of computer science, psychology, and philosophy.
Universities, TVET and CET colleges, through already established structures and partnerships are resourced and capacitated in the use of 4IR technologies such as AI.
The Department of Higher Education and Training is actively supporting TVET colleges, for example it has, through an EDTP SETA partnership, established 4IR Centres of Excellence in 10 TVET colleges (five are specialising in AI), and through a partnership with Intel, initiated the establishment of a series AI Labs and trained Mater Trainers in AI. The first was established in Orbit College where 20 mentors/mater trainers were trained to implement AI Curriculum in the college. Mentors were also trained at False Bay College and in West Coast College.
In collaboration with the MICT SETA, the national TVET College Curriculum was developed in 4IR Technologies and an 4IR Learning Factory was established in collaboration with the CSIR, to name a few.
In conclusion, it is important to note that while AI can be a valuable tool in education, it is not a universal remedy. While some stakeholders view these systems defensively, others believe that they have the potential to enhance the learning experience for students. As with any technology, it has its limitations and potential biases that must be considered. Therefore, it is essential that any implementation of AI in education is done in a responsible and ethical manner, with a focus on enhancing the teaching and learning experience for all students.
Thank you.
Issued by Department of Higher Education, Science and Innovation, 10 May 2023
