Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping industries across the world, but questions about how it should be regulated, governed, and applied in Africa remain unanswered. At the University of Pretoria (UP), a new initiative is placing the institution at the centre of these debates.
The launch of the “Catalysing AI’s Potential in Africa through IP Innovation” project marks a shift from viewing artificial intelligence as a purely technological development to engaging with its issues surrounding legal policies and governance. The initiative brings together researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to explore how intellectual property frameworks can guide the development and use of AI on the continent.
As AI systems increasingly rely on existing data, creative works, and knowledge systems, questions around ownership and control have become more complex. The project focuses on how intellectual property laws can respond to these challenges while supporting innovation and access in an African context.
PDBY spoke to the Acting Dean of the Faculty of Law, Prof. SJ Cornelius. He said that it is important for the faculty to remain engaged with technological developments such as AI and to consider the legal implications that arise from their use. He added that part of this responsibility includes preparing students to engage with AI in a responsible and competent way.
Beyond the classroom, the initiative reflects the broader role that universities are beginning to play not only in producing research, but also contributing to policy discussions that may influence how emerging technologies are governed. Prof. Cornelius indicated that the project is expected to contribute towards research that can inform policy decisions at both national and continental levels. He added that the aim is to position the Faculty of Law as a space where legal and policy considerations around AI are actively examined.
From an institutional perspective, the project also aligns with UP’s wider research agenda. When Prof. Sunil Maharaj, Vice-Principal for Research, Innovation, and Postgraduate Education, spoke to PDBY, he said that artificial intelligence presents significant opportunities for Africa, including its potential to address challenges related to public health, environmental change, and resource management. At the same time, he indicated that AI introduces new questions around intellectual property, particularly in relation to ownership, use, and regulation.
These questions extend beyond individual institutions. As AI continues to develop, there are growing concerns about how access to technology and knowledge is distributed. The pace of innovation raises the possibility that existing inequalities may widen, particularly if regulatory frameworks do not account for the specific needs and contexts of African countries.
Prof. Maharaj noted that the university’s research efforts are aimed at ensuring that AI is used responsibly and ethically while also unlocking its potential to contribute towards long-term development on the continent. He added that AI-related research at UP spans multiple disciplines, reflecting the complexity of the technology and its applications.
The intellectual property-focused initiative adds a governance dimension to this work by creating a platform for engagement between different sectors, including academia, regulators, and industry. Through this, the project contributes to ongoing discussions about how policies and legal frameworks can respond to rapid technological change.
Collaboration remains a central part of this approach. By bringing together stakeholders from across Africa and beyond, the initiative reflects a broader effort to situate African perspectives within global conversations about AI. This includes considering how policies can support innovation while also addressing concerns around access, ownership, and the use of existing knowledge systems.
While the long-term outcomes of the project will depend on how its research is applied, its launch signals a growing emphasis on governance in discussions surrounding artificial intelligence. It also reflects the role of universities in shaping how these technologies are understood beyond technical development.
As debates around artificial intelligence continue to evolve, initiatives such as this form part of a wider landscape in which research, policy, and innovation intersect, with implications that extend beyond the university environment.
Visual: Jemma Thomson
