South Africa Withdraws AI Policy Draft Following Controversy Over AI-Generated References

South Africa has pulled back its draft artificial intelligence policy after a major credibility issue surfaced. The country’s Communications Minister, Solly Malatsi, confirmed the withdrawal after false references were discovered in the document.

The draft had aimed to guide how AI develops across the country. However, the discovery has now forced a rethink.

AI policy credibility under scrutiny

The issue emerged after concerns were raised about the document’s references. Internal checks later confirmed that several cited sources did not exist.

As a result, the government moved quickly. “This failure is not a mere technical issue but has compromised the integrity and credibility of the draft policy. As such, I am withdrawing the Draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy,” Malatsi said.

He added that the lapse reflects a failure to meet expected standards. Therefore, the withdrawal signals more than a correction. It points to deeper concerns about the drafting process.

AI-generated errors raise bigger questions

The minister suggested a likely cause behind the issue. “The most plausible explanation is that AI-generated citations were included without proper verification. This should not have happened,” he said.

He also stressed the need for stronger oversight. “In fact, this unacceptable lapse proves why vigilant human oversight over the use of artificial intelligence is critical. It’s a lesson we take with humility,” he added.

Reports by News24 had earlier flagged the problem. According to the publication, at least six references in the policy were fictitious. Experts say such errors resemble AI hallucinations. These occur when systems generate convincing but false information.

What happens next for South Africa’s AI policy

The government has promised accountability. Officials involved in drafting and reviewing the policy may face consequences. “There will be consequence management for officials responsible for drafting the policy and carrying out quality assurance checks,” Malatsi said.

However, the withdrawal means delays are likely. Parts of the consultation process may need to restart. As a result, plans to build a national AI framework could slow down.