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New training equips policymakers with digital tools for smarter governance
The Policy Innovation Lab equips policymakers with digital skills to enhance evidence-based governance. A recent training covered AI, modelling, and citizen-generated data, fostering ethical and responsible decision-making. Participants praised the sessions’ practical approach to advancing data-driven policy insights.
Policy Innovation Lab facilitates meeting with IDOS to boost evidence-based policymaking in South Africa
The Policy Innovation Lab recently hosted a multistakeholder workshop with IDOS, a Germany-based global think tank, to enhance South Africa's policy advisory capacity. They shared strategies for evidence-based policymaking and overcoming challenges. The goal is to build an effective, independent approach supporting inclusive and sustainable development.
Reflecting on a year of Goalkeepers progress
The Policy Innovation Lab at Stellenbosch University hosted the final Goalkeepers South Africa session of 2024 on November 25th. Participants reflected on the year’s milestones and planned impactful collaborations for 2025, leveraging skills like Design Thinking and purposeful networking. Learn how the network is driving SDG progress and preparing for a transformative 2025.
Policy Innovation Lab strengthens policy costing skills with new training
The Policy Innovation Lab recently facilitated an online Policy Costing Refresher Course, equipping policy makers with up-to-date knowledge and expertise to make more informed, evidence-based decisions that align with global best practices.
Rethinking policymaking in the era of AI: Insights from Meta’s annual open innovation workshop
In October 2024, Prof. Willem Fourie participated in Meta’s Open Innovation AI Research Community Annual Workshop in London. He discussed the use of large language models to enhance policy advice in South Africa, addressing both their benefits and ethical challenges while emphasising the need for innovative policymaking approaches.
Lab team member invited to discuss COP29 hosted on OFM’s Business Hour
The Lab's Monique Bennett recently discussed COP29 in Baku, the "Finance COP" aiming to mobilise $1 trillion for emerging economies on OFM. Azerbaijan's dual role as climate contributor and victim highlights the challenges that fossil fuel-dependent nations face in aligning economic goals with climate commitments.
Goalkeepers profile: Bontle Tshole
This month, the Policy Innovation Lab is spotlighting Goalkeeper Bontle Tshole. Discover how this inspiring entrepreneur is transforming health and wellness in South Africa through Baaa Health while empowering young women entrepreneurs with her business incubator, The Luminary.
Policy Innovation Lab in dialogue on the changing nature of development aid
Prof. Willem Fourie participated in a dialogue at ODI on reframing development aid in a post-aid world, addressing the trust deficit, evolving aid narratives, and building equitable partnerships between Northern and Southern actors.
Big data for smarter policy decisions
Learn how SU's Policy Innovation Lab is strengthening policymaking with AI – developing new tools, strategies and collaborations to fast-track SDG achievements in South Africa and beyond.
Reflecting on the 2024 Goalkeepers report
The Policy Innovation Lab at Stellenbosch University continues to foster collaboration within the Goalkeepers South Africa network. On October 14th, founder of The Root of the Science Podcast, Anne Chisa led an insightful session on the 2024 Goalkeepers Report, 'The Race to Nourish a Warming World.' The discussion explored global malnutrition, including hidden hunger and innovative solutions to food insecurity, focusing on how these challenges intersect with South Africa's needs.
Goalkeepers profile: Mike Skosana
This month, the Policy Innovation Lab is spotlighting Goalkeeper Mike Skosana. Discover how this inspiring social entrepreneur is reshaping education in South Africa with I’m Smart Digital Classes for Kids, equipping children with essential digital skills and creating meaningful opportunities for young black women in rural communities.
Reflecting on the Goalkeepers 2024 event: Breaking the cycle of malnutrition through innovation
The Goalkeepers 2024 event ignited a powerful call to action against malnutrition. With groundbreaking innovations and inspiring stories, the global community came together to push forward health solutions that will shape a more prosperous and equitable future.
UN Summit of the Future adopts Global Digital Compact to shape AI and digital technologies
The recently-adopted Global Digital Compact marks the beginning of a new era of international cooperation on digital technologies and AI. Its success hinges on the active engagement of all stakeholders, including governments, private sector entities, civil society and international organisations.
Publication announcement: Briefing note on AI tools for South African policymakers
We are excited to announce the release of our latest briefing note 'A Catalogue of Artificial Intelligence Tools for Use by South African Policymakers', offering practical insights into AI's role in public sector innovation and service delivery.
Lab participates in SDSCT’s 5th hackathon
The Policy Innovation Lab recently participated in the School of Data Science and Computational Thinking's hackathon "Patch Perfect: Using AI to fix roads", which challenged participants to build AI models for predicting the repair needs of potholes in South Africa.
Policy Innovation Lab engages with German experts on AI-driven public sector transformation
Prof. Willem Fourie participated in a workshop with key German institutions to explore AI in public administration, highlighting the Policy Innovation Lab’s work on strengthening policymaking through data science and AI tools.
Building purposeful connections: Insights from the Goalkeepers’ community event
The Policy Innovation Lab hosted a session on purposeful networking, led by Priscilla Morley. Goalkeepers gained practical strategies for building connections, enhancing collaboration, and advancing the SDGs ahead of the upcoming Goalkeepers Event.
Goalkeepers profile: Thulani Makhalanyane
This month, the Policy Innovation Lab is spotlighting Goalkeeper Prof. Thulani Makhalanyane. Discover how this pioneering microbiologist is using the hidden power of microbes to revolutionize human health and protect our planet.
SU part of global community of SDG goalkeepers
The Goalkeepers South Africa Network, comprising representatives committed to sharing information, exploring collaboration, and sharing stories of impact, met in June at the offices of the Gates Foundation in Johannesburg to discuss the SDGs they champion.
SU’s Policy Lab helps build public sector trust in AI with online catalogue of tools
Stellenbosch University’s Policy Innovation Lab is building public sector trust in AI through a new online catalogue of AI tools. The newly-released searchable catalogue showcases AI applications relevant to South Africa, drawing from the European Union’s best practices to improve service delivery and administration and build public trust.
Goalkeepers profile: Thulile Khanyile
Introducing Thulile Khanyile, who co-founded Nka’Thuto EduPropeller in 2016 to empower disadvantaged African youth through STEAMi programs. Her initiatives have reached over 30,000 learners across South Africa, distributing 500 digital devices and establishing 18 innovation clubs. Outside of her work, she teaches STEM communication and enjoys podcasting, blogging, and weight training.
Dr Gray Manicom represents Lab at Meta LLM community meetup
In August, Meta hosted the Llama Community Meetup at their headquarters in Johannesburg, following the release of Meta’s latest open-source large language model, Llama 3.1. Dr Gray Manicom represented the Policy Innovation Lab at the meeting, and discusses some of the highlights.
Goalkeepers profile: Anne Chisa
Meet Anne Chisa, a science communicator and advocate for education and gender equality. Anne was born in Malawi and later moved to South Africa, where she developed a passion for the sciences during her high school years. She is currently pursuing a PhD in agricultural science at the University of KwaZulu Natal.
Prof Willem Fourie appointed as inaugural Chair of Policy Innovation
Stellenbosch University has appointed Prof Willem Fourie as the inaugural Chair of Policy Innovation at the School for Data Science and Computational Thinking. The Chair will create a platform for high-impact and societally-relevant research on the application and governance of data science tools to enhance policymaking in South Africa.
Helping to move Goalkeepers from ideas to impact
The latest Goalkeepers South Africa community event, a Design Thinking webinar led by Dr Debbie Human-Van Eck on 22 July 2024, focused on practical Design Thinking applications for innovative solutions. The session highlighted empathy and diverse perspectives and continues the Goalkeepers’ journey in fostering effective collaboration.
New GSMA report highlights AI’s potential economic impact in Africa
The GSMA has released a new report highlighting AI's potential to boost Africa's economy by $2.9 trillion by 2030, significantly advancing the Sustainable Development Goals. Focusing on Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa, it analyzes over 90 use cases in agriculture, food security, energy, and climate action, and examines the maturity of AI ecosystems.
Goalkeepers profile: Emmanuel Bonoko
The Policy Innovation Lab, proud host of the South Africa SDG Goalkeepers network, is this month profiling the impactful work of Goalkeeper Emmanuel Bonoko, whose EBonoko Foundation champions education and economic empowerment in underprivileged communities.
Lab roundtable brings together AI experts and policymakers
A recent roundtable meeting held in Stellenbosch by the Policy Innovation Lab brought together experts from various fields to discuss the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools and governance to strengthen policymaking in South Africa.
Policy Innovation Lab releases briefing note on digital transformation in the public sector
The Policy Innovation Lab has released a briefing note proposing a framework for digital transformation in South Africa's public sector.
Goalkeepers South Africa community event held in Johannesburg
The Goalkeepers South Africa community recently met in Johannesburg. Our wrap-up video gives you a sneak peak into this amazing group of people.
Policy Innovation Lab releases detailed comparison of ANC, DA, EFF and MK Party manifestos
The Policy Innovation Lab has released one of the most comprehensive analysis of convergence and divergence in the manifestos of the ANC, DA, EFF and MK Party.
Goalkeepers profile: Ssanyu Sematimba
The Policy Innovation Lab, proud host of the South Africa SDG Goalkeepers network, is this month profiling the amazing work of the Goalkeeper Ssanyu Sematimba.
How South Africa’s new government could approach digital transformation
We analysed how South Africa's political parties intend to approach digital transformation.
Celebrating vision and collaboration: A day with Goalkeepers South Africa
The Goalkeepers South Africa community recently met for an exciting planning day.
How AI is impacting policy processes and outcomes in Africa
A look at some of the challenges and opportunities AI presents in the African public sector.
How AI might solve protest issues
We look at recent protests in South Africa and how AI can be used to solve the protester's issues.
Dr Itai Makone at INGSA 2024 in Kigali
Dr Itai Makone from the Policy Innovation Lab participated in the INGSA 2024 conference in Kigali, discussing the importance of scientific advice in policymaking.
Data-fueled government
In the face of COVID-19 many governments sought integrated data solutions. Where to now?
Insights from the 2024 AI index
The seventh edition of the AI Index produced by Stanford University provides useful guideposts for understanding the impact of AI on society.
SU’s Policy Innovation Lab a first in Africa
Stellenbosch University, through a partnership with the Presidency, the German government and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, recently officially launched Africa's first Policy Innovation Lab.
Policy Innovation Lab the newest member of Cluster of Research Excellence
The Policy Innovation Lab has recently joined the ARUA-Guild Cluster of Research Excellence on the politics of sustainable development.
A global collective of collaborative and diverse changemakers
AI can be democracy’s ally, but not if it works for Big Tech
Kennedy School Adjunct Lecturer in Public Policy Bruce Schneier says artificial intelligence has the potential to transform the democratic process in ways that could be good, bad, and potentially mind-boggling.
Generative AI for the Public Sector: From Opportunities to Value
The new tools of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) are fundamentally changing the nature of knowledge work, creating promising opportunities to significantly increase productivity and spur innovation across entire economies.
How to navigate global trends in Artificial Intelligence regulation
AI’s potential to create positive human impact will depend on a responsible, human-centered approach that focuses on creating value for all.
2023 Goalkeepers event brought together inspirational leaders from around the world
Latest Goalkeepers report highlights development progress and challenges