Advancing the research and application of data science tools to improve policymaking in South Africa.
Joined March 2024
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🌟 At the Policy Innovation Lab, we believe in fostering a culture of collaboration, trust, and innovation! Here are our core values and practices that guide our work🧵:
ALT Behind (Left to Right) : Dr Gray Manicom, Dr Itai Makone, Prof. Willem Fourie, Tinomutendayi Muzondidya, Monique Bennett In front: Tinashe Chikunichawa
AI is transforming how governments think, decide & deliver.
Are policymakers ready to lead that change?
Join our 4-part webinar series “AI in Government” to learn how to use AI responsibly in policymaking.
🗓 24–27 Nov 2025 | 💻 MS Teams | 🎓 Free
More info🧵🧵:
👉Register for each session below:
1️⃣Making sense of AI → lnkd.in/dB-Gy_iv
2️⃣ AI policy landscape → lnkd.in/dZv8mv7V 3️⃣ Ethics & risks → lnkd.in/d4TjMXj6
4️⃣ AI in action → lnkd.in/dwSkGYTW
Speakers: Prof. Fourie, Dr Makone & Dr Manicom
We’re excited that Prof. Willem Fourie will speak at IMPACT AI: DataFest Cape Town AI Focus Day this November! 🤖🎙️
He’ll share insights on “From Models to Markets: Driving Business Outcomes with AI.”
📍 4 Nov 2025 | Old Biscuit Mill, Cape Town
🔗 datafest.co.za/speakers/
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This weekend, our team joined the @PresidencyZA and partners at the SDGi Transition Event at the Union Buildings in Pretoria 🇿🇦.
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Over 3 years, #SDGi has advanced evidence-based policymaking in SA—supporting Cabinet, informing reforms, and embedding socio-economic impact assessment across government.
As Phase 2 begins, we’re excited to explore how AI can further strengthen policymaking in SA and beyond!
Can #AI help governments make better, faster, more inclusive policy decisions? 🇿🇦
That’s the question @SUPolicyLab explored with Google & The Presidency of South Africa at the AI for Policy: Co-designing Transformative Solutions workshop.
Read more🔗: policyinnovationlab.sun.ac.z…
Hosted at @SUDataSchool, the session brought policymakers, researchers & AI experts together to explore how AI can:
🧠Strengthen evidence-based decisions
📊Analyse complex data
📈Identify policy trends & opportunities
All while keeping humans firmly in the loop👥.
“AI tools should assist, not replace, human decision-making in all phases of policymaking.”
— Prof Willem Fourie, @SUPolicyLab
The workshop concluded with ideas for pilot projects testing AI tools in real policy contexts. 🌍
#AIforGood #PublicSectorInnovation
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🌍 Inspiring, driven, and impact-focused!
We were honoured to host the South Africa Goalkeepers Bootcamp, a space where young changemakers advance #SDG action across health, education, and innovation.
Collaboration. Creativity. Community in action. 💡🤝
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Highlights include:
▶️ Projects linking academic research to entrepreneurship (SDG 8 & 17)
▶️ New nutrition startups tackling chronic disease (SDG 2 & 3)
▶️ Creative platforms empowering African youth to innovate (SDG 4 & 8)
Real solutions. Real impact. 🌍
#SDGs #AIforGood
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As we celebrate their contributions, we’re reminded that the Goalkeepers are more than project leaders — they’re catalysts of change, building a more inclusive and sustainable future for all.
#GoalkeepersSA #PolicyInnovationLab #SDGAction #YouthLeadership #InnovationForImpact
🌍 Inspiring, driven, and impact-focused!
We were honoured to host the South Africa Goalkeepers Bootcamp — a dynamic space where young changemakers advanced #SDG action across health, education, and innovation.
Collaboration. Creativity. Community in action.
More info🧵:
📢 New Report!
How do governments in the Global South organise the systems that underpin policymaking?
Our latest study compares Policy Advice Systems in 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇮🇳 India & 🇿🇦 South Africa, led by Dr Itai Makone.
More Info🧵🧵:
🔎 Key insights & lessons → explore the full report: linkedin.com/posts/su-policy…
#PolicyInnovation #PolicyAdvice #GlobalSouth #ResponsibleAI #PublicPolicy
🚀 We’re hiring a Postdoctoral Fellow!
Join the Policy Innovation Lab @StellenboschUni for 18 months to apply AI & Data Science in real policymaking contexts.
📍 Stellenbosch, SA
💰 R420k/year (tax-free)
🗓 Jan 2026 – Jun 2027
📩 Apply by 26 Oct 2025 → [email protected]
📢 Our September Monthly Snapshot is out!
This edition spotlights our new Policy Advice Systems reports 🧐—exploring how 🇧🇷🇮🇳🇰🇪🇿🇦 strengthen the systems that power policymaking.
📬 Read here: lnkd.in/epMh37KB
📩 Subscribe for future editions!
Yesterday we co-hosted the #FemAI webinar with @WPLeadersOrg & @GizSouth: How can AI empower women across Africa & broaden participation? 🌍✨
Leaders from law, policy & tech stressed the need for inclusive, accountable, context-specific AI. We also launched the free FemAI e-learning platform!
👉 Read more: policyinnovationlab.sun.ac.z…
#AIpolicy #WomenInTech #EthicalAI #PolicyInnovationLab #GIZ #ArtificialIntelligence
