The Department of Communication and Digital Technology (DCDT) and the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) have suspended four officials over an ongoing snafu involving AI-generated sources in government policy.
The suspensions of two individuals at the DCDT are effective immediately, pending the ongoing investigation into the Draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy.
The draft policy was recently withdrawn from public consultation following revelations that fictitious references were used during the policy development process.
“The irresponsible use of AI tools compromised the integrity of the policy document,” the department said.
“This prompted an internal review to determine the facts. This initial step is part of our commitment to accountability.”
The department said the matter remains under investigation and that the outcome will be communicated.
The DCDT announcement follows a similar move at the Department of Home Affairs, where two senior officials were also suspended for using AI in an official white paper.
Home Affairs minister Leon Schreiber flagged sources in the department’s Revised White Paper on Citizenship, Immigration, and Refugees that were also fabricated by AI.
“The precautionary suspension of a Chief Director in the relevant unit was carried out this afternoon, while the suspension of a Director involved in the drafting process will be effected on Monday,” it said.
In addition to implementing precautionary suspensions, the Department has appointed two independent law firms to manage the disciplinary process and review policy documents.
The department said the firm would review all policy documents produced by the Department of Home Affairs dating back to 30 November 2022, when ChatGPT was released to the public.
“Moving forward, the Department will also design and implement AI checks and declarations as part of its internal approval processes,” it said.
Home Affairs said the revelation was “painful and embarrassing”.
Notably, both departments where AI source fabrication has emerged are headed by Democratic Alliance (DA) ministers.
Schreiber, as the DA coordinator in the National Executive, said that DA ministers would require all their departments to urgently implement AI verification as part of policy approval processes going forward.
“In addition, I will raise at the next meeting of the Cabinet the urgent need for this approach to be implemented across government,” he said.
“The development of AI presents extraordinary opportunities, but it must also be used responsibly and with integrity. We will ensure that is the approach into the future.”
