Source: IT-Online

IT-Online directs a message to the South African tech industry, urging companies to pay close attention to the wave of AI-related lawsuits emerging globally. The article argues that these international legal battles, particularly those concerning copyright infringement from data scraping for training models, serve as a crucial indicator of the legal and regulatory challenges that South African firms will inevitably face. It highlights that ignorance of these developments is not a viable strategy, as the principles established in these cases could influence future South African jurisprudence and legislation.

The piece advises local tech companies developing or implementing AI solutions to be proactive in their approach to risk management. This includes carefully vetting the data used for training AI models to ensure it does not infringe on intellectual property rights, being transparent about how AI systems make decisions to mitigate risks of bias and discrimination, and adhering to data protection laws like the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). By learning from the mistakes and legal troubles of international companies, South African firms can build more robust and legally compliant AI products, fostering innovation while minimizing potential liability.