Pretoria: President Cyril Ramaphosa has called for enhanced global oversight of artificial intelligence (AI) systems, emphasizing their potential to reduce inequality, poverty, and underdevelopment if used responsibly. Speaking at the 18th BRICS Summit in New Delhi, he highlighted the dual nature of AI, which possesses both transformative potential and significant risks.
According to South African Government News Agency, President Ramaphosa addressed the need for human governance to keep pace with the rapid advancement of AI technologies. During a session on Shaping the Future for Inclusive Growth, he noted AI's capacity to revolutionize fields such as medicine, education, and agriculture, but also warned about its potential for misuse, citing concerns over cyber operations, mass surveillance, and autonomous action.
South Africa aligns with industry leaders like Dario Amodei, CEO of Anthropic, advocating for formal external checks, audits, and government oversight on AI companies. Ramaphosa drew parallels to other industries with substantial human impact, such as aviation and pharmaceuticals, that adhere to stringent oversight practices. He proposed that BRICS establish an international mechanism for the scientific evaluation of AI, supported by human-control principles and mandatory incident reporting.
President Ramaphosa stressed the importance of strengthening medical sovereignty and fostering innovation in agriculture to benefit the Global South. He also reiterated support for economic and financial cooperation within BRICS, advocating for the increased use of local currencies and enhanced cross-border payment systems.
Marking 20 years of BRICS, Ramaphosa emphasized the bloc's commitment to deeper cooperation across various sectors, addressing global challenges like poverty, inequality, and climate change. He praised India for prioritizing resilience and integrating disaster risk reduction into macroeconomic policies.
In conclusion, President Ramaphosa underscored the importance of a transparent and diversified approach to the global energy transition, ensuring inclusive growth through local beneficiation of minerals and fostering new industries. The President's remarks at the BRICS Summit reflect South Africa's strategic focus on leveraging diplomatic and economic opportunities within the bloc to advance its national priorities.