Pretoria: The Cabinet has approved the withdrawal of the Draft National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy, initially published for public comment in March 2026. The decision was announced to allow for a rework of the policy to ensure it meets its intended aims and establishes national standards for the ethical use of AI.

According to South African Government News Agency, the Minister in the Presidency, Khumbudzo Ntshavheni, highlighted the decision during a post-Cabinet media briefing. The withdrawal will enable the government to revisit the policy, ensuring that it aligns with the necessary ethical guidelines and standards required for AI implementation.

In April, Communications and Digital Technologies Minister Solly Malatsi disclosed that the withdrawal followed an internal review process. This review revealed that the draft policy contained several fictitious sources in its reference list. Minister Malatsi stated that the internal inquiries confirmed these discrepancies, prompting the need for reevaluation of the draft policy.