North-West University (NWU) in South Africa has become the first university on the African continent to formally adopt an institutional policy governing the use and oversight of artificial intelligence. The move was approved by the NWU Council and is seen as a major milestone for responsible, ethical and human-centred AI governance in higher education.
The policy creates a comprehensive framework for how AI technologies should be used within the university’s teaching, learning, assessment, research, supervision and administrative systems. It also clearly defines the roles and responsibilities of students, lecturers, researchers and institutional leadership in managing AI tools and processes. Oversight is placed within the university’s IT department, and an AI Steering Committee representing stakeholders across the institution, including students, faculty, administration, support units and the library, will guide implementation and report up through formal governance structures.
Prof. Anné Verhoef, director of the NWU AI Hub, said the policy helps shape national dialogues about how AI should be governed in academic settings and that it was developed with broad consultation across faculties and committees. She noted that while many universities globally have delayed creating AI policies due to the pace of technological change, a flexible and robust governance framework is essential for safe and secure AI adoption.
The NWU AI policy addresses concerns about fragmented approaches to AI governance, where responsibilities are often split across teaching centres, research offices and IT units. By centralising AI oversight and embedding ethical and responsible use principles, the policy aims to prevent conflicting practices that could disadvantage students and staff. It also sets a benchmark for other African universities as they consider formal strategies to govern AI.
AI is increasingly becoming a strategic priority for universities, not only in South Africa but across the continent, as institutions seek to harness AI’s potential to enhance research, personalised learning, administration and broader economic and social outcomes. Frameworks like NWU’s policy may support more coordinated and future-ready AI adoption in higher education in Africa.
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