The accelerated advances in technology over the past decades, such as the accelerated uptake in the deployment of artificial intelligence, have the potential to help address humanity’s intractable developmental challenges, but is also present minefield of ethical and governance dilemmas, according to the Deputy Minister for the Public Service and Administration, Ms Pinkie Kekana.

Deputy Minister Kekana was delivering an opening address at the official opening of the 17th International Conference on the Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV) last night, 1 October 2024, on the outskirts of the City of Tshwane, in Gauteng.

A first in South Africa and the second one on the African continent, the 2024 edition of the ICEGOV Conference is organised under the theme: “Trust and Ethical Digital Governance for the World We Want”.

“This conference presents an invaluable opportunity to delve into how ethical digital governance can empower us to confront these challenges head-on. We must also be mindful of a developmental agenda that ensures Africa, and especially the African child, is not left behind in this digital transformation,” said Deputy Minister Kekana.

Over two hundred people from academia, civil society and the public and private sectors, spanning some 50 countries across the globe are participating in the conference. By the end of the 2024 ICEGOV Conference on 4 October 2024, the delegates would have wrestled with issues that range from addressing the current digital divide between the rich counties of the North and those from the under-developed South.

“As public servants, policymakers, researchers, and business leaders, we bear the responsibility of shaping a future where digital governance benefit everyone. We must reflect on whether digital transformation will enhance democracy and human dignity or foster deeper divisions,” said Deputy Minister Kekana.

Commenting on the digital divide and inherent intrusions on privacy, the Deputy Minister Kekana underscored the need to humanise digital technologies and the development of ethical frameworks to guard against the excesses of technological advantage and power.

“Information is power, and with that power comes great responsibility towards the over eight billion people who cohabitate this Earth. It is crucial that we never underestimate the human touch needed to interpret and give life to statistics and information generated by Artificial Intelligence,” she warned.

In the address, the Deputy Minister also acknowledged the progress that South Africa, Africa, and many countries of the South, are slowly making in the deployment of technology to tackle the pressing challenges of the day, including poverty, inequality, and unemployment. Her optimism is backed by the United Nations latest e-Government Survey, which lauds the progress of that South Africa and Mauritius have made in the areas of e-government and digital transformation.

“Building robust digital infrastructure is essential for creating a modern, efficient public service. Let me emphasize—digital public infrastructure is the backbone of a modern, effective, and inclusive public sector,” said Deputy Minister Kekana.

With South Africa assuming the Presidency of the G20 countries in November 2024, the Deputy Minister said the prestigious global platform will be used to put a spotlight on digital transformation and governance.

“We intend to carry the lessons learned and discussions from ICEGOV into the G20, ensuring our collective insights lead to tangible action,” Deputy Minister Kekana committed.