South Africa
OECD
11%
3/28
AI Gap Index
1/10
Schools
0/8
Workforce
1/6
Governance
1/4
Access
Schools 1/10
D1 AI literacy curriculum exists in schools 1 Curriculum Assessment Policy Statements (CAPS) include introductory coding and robotics; the National AI Policy Framework (2024) endorses further curriculum reform toward AI literacy. [1]
D2 Curriculum is binding law or mandate 0
D3 Ethics component included in curriculum 0
D4 Teacher training mandated and funded before rollout 0
D5 Dedicated funding attached to the requirement 0
Workforce 0/8
D6 Employers legally required to train all employees 0
D7 Training must cover ethics and critical evaluation 0
D8 Pre-redundancy training obligation exists 0
D9 Workers have rights when AI used in employment decisions 0
Civil Service & Governance 1/6
D10 Civil servants working with AI must receive training 1 National AI Policy Framework (August 2024) sets strategic direction for AI governance; no dedicated independent AI regulator with enforcement powers has been established. [1]
D11 Minimum training standard is defined 0
D12 Enforcement mechanism exists with named authority 0
Public Access 1/4
D13 Free or publicly funded AI literacy resources available 1 Microsoft partnership with the Department of Higher Education and Training targets digital and AI skills for one million South Africans by 2026; publicly accessible training through the collaboration. DHET-Google MoU adds 10,000 scholarships and Generative AI for Educators programme via public universities, TVET and CET colleges (April 2026). [1]
D14 Digital infrastructure support for schools and institutions 0
Index history
April 22, 2026 3/28 Scheduled refresh — all pending leads already covered in prior research; no new distinct items identified within 90-day window
April 21, 2026 3/28 South African Cabinet approved National AI Policy for public comment (deadline June 2026); DHET-Google MoU delivers 10K scholarships and educator training; Mercer Global Talent Trends 2026 shows 65% of workers would trade 10% pay for AI upskilling — no score change (consultation stage, private-sector MoU)
March 19, 2026 3/28 First research pass: CAPS curriculum provision and AI Policy Framework scored; Microsoft-government partnership for public AI skills training noted; no binding AI education law or workforce mandate.