President Ramaphosa to lead delegation seeking AI investment in the US - IOL
President Cyril Ramaphosa to lead high-level delegation to the US to explore AI opportunities.
President Cyril Ramaphosa will lead a multi-stakeholder South African delegation to Silicon Valley from November 15 to 21 to explore artificial intelligence developments, investment opportunities and ways to strengthen the country’s AI capabilities.
The working visit to California, United States, will bring together representatives from government, academia, business, research institutions, technical experts and university students.
According to presidential spokesperson Vincent Magwenya, the visit aims to gain insights into the global artificial intelligence (AI) ecosystem and inform South Africa’s approach to developing and adopting the technology.
The programme will be anchored by the Semafor: Silicon Valley and the World engagement on November 16, which will bring together leaders and experts to discuss technological developments and the evolving global AI landscape.
Magwenya said the delegation will engage with leading technology companies, investors, researchers, academics and AI experts, with demonstrations and knowledge exchanges covering frontier AI, robotics, data infrastructure, cloud computing and digital innovation.
A key component of the visit will be engagements with Stanford University, where discussions will focus on AI’s implications for technology, security, the economy, business and the labour market.
The delegation will also be exposed to developments in robotics and technological research.
The programme will include the South Africa AI Opportunity gathering, under the theme Building the African AI Economy: Infrastructure, Investment and Innovation.
The engagement will bring together local and international stakeholders to explore how South Africa can position itself as a competitive AI hub on the African continent.
Discussions will focus on infrastructure, data centres, computing capacity, energy requirements, investment opportunities and the development of a competitive start-up ecosystem.
Other areas of engagement will include the application of AI in government and industry, law enforcement and public safety, AI safety and security, governance, skills development and the future of work.
The delegation will engage technology and infrastructure companies to gain insights into emerging technologies, investment trends and developments shaping the global AI ecosystem.
These engagements are expected to identify opportunities for investment, knowledge exchange, skills development and strengthening South Africa’s technological capabilities.
Magwenya said AI presented significant opportunities to improve productivity, strengthen public service delivery, stimulate economic growth and support the creation of new industries and employment opportunities.
In South Africa, potential applications include healthcare, education, criminal justice, public administration and public procurement.
The visit will also provide an opportunity to learn from countries and institutions at the forefront of AI development, understand associated risks and challenges, and consider how South Africa can develop an enabling policy, regulatory and skills environment for responsible AI adoption.
The visit will also promote South Africa as an investment destination, showcase progress in economic reforms, including through Operation Vulindlela, and highlight opportunities in the country's digital economy, research capacity and innovation ecosystem.
Magwenya added that South Africa aims to harness AI's transformative potential while safeguarding digital sovereignty, policy autonomy, data protection and responsible AI governance.
The Presidency said the objective was to ensure technological advancement contributed meaningfully to inclusive economic growth and development.
Ramaphosa will be accompanied by the Ministers of Finance, International Relations and Cooperation, Science, Technology and Innovation, Trade, Industry and Competition, Communications and Digital Technologies, Electricity and Energy, Small Business Development and the Presidency.
