AI Governance for Africa > Part 1 > Section 2
Governance instruments are the tools, mechanisms and strategies that are used to guide, regulate, and manage the various aspects of AI.
Some of the instruments used include:
- Guidelines and standards: These are generally non-binding documents created by organisations, professional bodies and governments that provide a framework or set of principles to guide developers, users of AI or policy makers on important considerations such as fairness, transparency, accountability, and the avoidance of harm.
- Government strategy: A government strategy is a high-level plan or approach that outlines the goals, priorities, and actions that a government intends to take in regard to AI. Strategy documents don’t have the binding force of laws but serve as a guide for understanding a government’s intended response.
- Policy: A government policy is a more detailed and specific set of guidelines, rules, or principles that guide decision-making and actions in a particular area. Policies provide a roadmap for implementing a government’s strategy. Depending on domestic law, some policies may be enforced through measures such as monitoring or audits and could incur penalty such as disciplinary action or the revocation of a benefit or license.
- Law: Laws or regulations are codified rules enacted by a legislative body. The rules are enforceable, and non-compliance can result in penalty. In the context of AI, a country could implement one single law to deal with all aspects of AI (as evidenced by the EU AI Act) or could take a fragmented approach where different laws regulate different aspects.
These instruments often interact with each other: government strategies guide the creation of policies, and policies can guide the drafting of laws to ensure that legal frameworks align with broader strategic goals. All of these instruments would likely consider the principles developed in guidelines and standards.
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Part 2: Emerging AI Governance in Africa
Part 2 examines existing and emerging AI governance instruments in Southern Africa – in particular, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. More broadly, it also outlines continental responses and details existing governing measures in Africa.
Part 3: Advocacy Strategies for AI Governance
Part 3 explores a series of key questions for the design of advocacy strategies on AI governance, particularly in African contexts.
