Leading African law firm Bowmans has joined the South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) Advisory Board, a move aimed at strengthening the country’s focus on responsible AI adoption and governance.
SAAIA unites practitioners from commercial, government, academic, startup, and NGO sectors to support the development of responsible artificial intelligence in South Africa. The association reports having over 4,800 members and focuses on the economic and societal opportunities and risks associated with AI.
Bowmans advises clients across the continent on technology-related legal matters. The firm’s AI expertise spans strategy, governance, policy design, procurement, contracting, product development, workplace deployment, regulatory engagement, implementation, dispute resolution, and ongoing risk and compliance.
Heather Irvine, a technology expert at Bowmans, has been appointed to the Independent Review Panel by Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies Solly Malatsi. The panel is tasked with reviewing the country’s AI Policy as it is drafted.
Human-Centric Approach to Regulation
Dr. Nick Bradshaw, Chairman of SAAIA, emphasized that the organization’s work moves beyond global hype toward practical adoption that reflects South Africa’s specific opportunities and challenges.
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“Our vision is evidence based with responsible, human centric AI as its foundation,” Bradshaw said. “The legal, ethical and governance aspects of AI are now arguably the challenge of our time.”
Robby Coelho, a partner at Bowmans, described the firm’s involvement as a chance to contribute to the development of Africa’s AI ecosystem. “As a law firm advising local and international clients on their most complex technology-related transactions and initiatives in Africa, Bowmans is at the forefront of the developing AI ecosystem,” Coelho said.
He added that participating in an industry platform such as SAAIA would allow the firm to contribute to the wider AI community while supporting responsible adoption that takes into account the interests of different stakeholders.
For businesses deploying AI, the growing emphasis on governance and regulation is becoming increasingly important. Companies are facing questions not only around how AI can improve productivity and innovation but also around data, accountability, procurement, workplace use, intellectual property, and regulatory compliance.
SAAIA noted that the addition of Bowmans to its Advisory Board will strengthen the legal and governance expertise available to support its mission of promoting human-centric and responsible AI in South Africa.
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The development comes as governments and businesses across Africa increasingly explore how to capture the economic benefits of artificial intelligence while establishing appropriate safeguards for its use.
The South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) is an industry body focused on promoting the advancement of responsible AI in South Africa. It brings together practitioners across commercial, government, academic, startup, and NGO sectors, with a focus on economic growth, trade, investment, equality, and inclusion.
SAAIA also runs AI Expo Africa, an enterprise and startup AI community and trade event focused on Africa’s growing AI ecosystem.
Bowmans is an African law firm with more than 650 lawyers and nine offices across six countries. The firm provides legal services to corporates, multinationals, funds, financial institutions, state-owned enterprises, and governments, combining legal expertise with knowledge of local African markets.
