The National Youth ICT Council South Africa, in partnership with Microsoft Elevate, officially launched the AI Policy Maker Platform on Thursday, 26 March 2026 — a transformative digital learning and civic tech initiative designed to strengthen Southern Africa’s capacity for responsible and inclusive artificial intelligence governance.
This platform arrives at a critical moment in South Africa’s digital journey, as the country continues to shape its National AI Policy Framework. The Cabinet has now approved the AI Draft National Policy, and the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies is open for public comments on the Draft National Policy framework till the 10th of June 2026. The AI Policy aims to strengthen the Government’s ability to regulate and adopt AI responsibly, while encouraging local innovation, supporting job creation and improving access to AI skills.
The South African Draft National Policy Framework is structured around six core pillars aimed at promoting the responsible development and ethical deployment of AI. These core pillars are:
(i) capacity and talent development
(ii) AI for inclusive growth and job creation
(iii) responsible governance
(iv) ethical and inclusive AI
(v) cultural preservation and international integration
(vi) human-centred deployment
AI Policy Maker Platform comes at the right moment as it is designed as an educational tool that equips public servants, youth, and emerging innovators with the knowledge and practical understanding required to navigate the complex landscape of AI and digital policy. It serves as a bridge between policy development and practical implementation. Through accessible learning modules and civic tech tools, users are empowered to understand ethical and responsible AI adoption, digital governance, and the role of technology in advancing inclusive economic growth.
Young people are not just beneficiaries of policy; they are co-creators of the future. Youth represent a significant and dynamic segment of society, recognised as forces of transformation, champions of equality, and drivers of sustainable development. They bring innovative ideas, a deep understanding of emerging technologies, and the ambition to reshape systems. Their contributions must be intentionally integrated across all sectors of national development, particularly in areas as transformative as artificial intelligence.
This partnership between the National Youth ICT Council South Africa and Microsoft Elevate reflects a shared commitment to building an inclusive digital ecosystem that responds to technological change while shaping it for the benefit of all citizens. It also positions youth at the centre of shaping policies.
As South Africa and the Southern African region advance on the AI policy agenda, initiatives like the AI Policy Maker Platform will play a pivotal role in ensuring inclusive, responsible, and effective adoption of AI. The launch of the AI Policy Maker Platform is a call to action to empower youth, strengthen institutions, and co-create a digital future that is ethical, inclusive, and rooted in African priorities.
