Ethics and Governance in AI: An African Perspective in South Africa

The rapid advancement of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has led to significant ethical concerns in African societies, particularly in governance and data management. Qualitative research methods were employed, including semi-structured interviews with stakeholders from government agencies, NGOs, and academia. Data was analysed using thematic analysis. Interviews revealed a significant proportion (58%) of participants expressed concern about data privacy breaches in AI applications, particularly concerning sensitive demographic information. The findings highlight the need for robust ethical guidelines and enhanced governance mechanisms to address these concerns effectively. Recommendations include strengthening legal frameworks, enhancing public awareness campaigns on data protection, and fostering collaborative efforts between stakeholders.