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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The suspensions of two individuals at the DCDT are effective immediately, pending the ongoing investigation into the Draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The draft policy was recently withdrawn from public consultation following revelations that fictitious references were used during the policy development process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The irresponsible use of AI tools compromised the integrity of the policy document,” the department said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This prompted an internal review to determine the facts. This initial step is part of our commitment to accountability.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The department said the matter remains under investigation and that the outcome will be communicated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe 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,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to implementing precautionary suspensions, the Department has appointed two independent law firms to manage the disciplinary process and review policy documents.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cMoving forward, the Department will also design and implement AI checks and declarations as part of its internal approval processes,\u201d it said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Home Affairs said the revelation was \u201cpainful and embarrassing\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Notably, both departments where AI source fabrication has emerged are headed by Democratic Alliance (DA) ministers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn addition, I will raise at the next meeting of the Cabinet the urgent need for this approach to be implemented across government,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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