Baku:Higher Education and Training Minister Buti Manamela emphasized the need for South African universities to adapt their teaching and assessment methods to better prepare graduates for a future shaped by artificial intelligence (AI). This involves enhancing the country's ability to develop and govern its own technologies.
According to South African Government News Agency, Manamela highlighted that while generative AI can aid in research and teaching, it also poses risks such as bias, fabricated evidence, and over-reliance on proprietary systems. He stressed that simply finding better detection methods for AI-generated content is insufficient.
Delivering a keynote address at a national webinar titled "The Intellectual Directions of Higher Education in South Africa," convened by several universities and educational organizations, Manamela called for a rethinking of assessment methods. He urged universities to focus on students' ability to frame questions, test evidence, make ethical judgments, work collaboratively, and apply knowledge to novel problems.
The Minister emphasized the importance of building African capacity in AI through research infrastructure, open resources, and African-language technologies. He cautioned against becoming dependent on external technological systems, advocating for the development of local knowledge infrastructures.
Discussing the future of higher education, Manamela pointed to the need for discussions on funding, access, institutional sustainability, and the purpose of universities. He noted the National Student Financial Aid Scheme's role in expanding access but warned of its administrative challenges and funding gaps affecting the system's sustainability.
Manamela also addressed the need for intellectual transformation, advocating for a critical examination of power in knowledge production. He emphasized the importance of multilingual teaching resources and the role of universities in addressing local and global challenges, such as climate change and socio-economic issues.
The Minister concluded by calling for stronger partnerships between universities, technical colleges, employers, and civil society to enhance research, innovation, and pathways into employment.