It's a jungle out there: Where do South African universities stand on AI?

Academy of Science of South Africa (ASSAf)

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Abstract (English) : ASSAf’s Scholarly Publishing Unit hosted the third AI Lekgotla in its ongoing webinar series on 22 October 2025, titled “It’s a Jungle Out There: Where Do South African Universities Stand on AI?” The session examined how the rapid emergence of Large Language Models (LLMs) is prompting universities to reconsider long-established practices in teaching, learning, research, and assessment. As South African higher education institutions navigate this technological shift, this Lekgotla provided a valuable platform for dialogue and reflection on possible pathways forward. Panelists represented a diverse range of institutions — from the oldest university in South Africa (the University of Cape Town) to the newest (the University of Mpumalanga), including a smaller institution (Rhodes University), the largest (the University of South Africa – Unisa), and the North-West University, which shared its perspective on the ethical use of AI. The discussion fostered open, constructive engagement among the panelists and audience members, focusing on how universities are developing and implementing AI policies within the South African higher education landscape.

Description : MP4 Video, Size: 779 MB; Duration: 1:57:48

Contributor ORCIDs : Bekker, Martin