The landscape and best practices in data policy to unlock fourth industrial revolution opportunities for socio-economic development in South Africa

Co-hosted by Dr Fulufhelo Nelwamondo, Executive Manager: CSIR NextGen Enterprises and Institutions and Ms Khungeka Njobe, CSIR Group Executive: Business Excellence and Integration

The World Economic Forum (WEF) Affiliate Centre for the Fourth Industrial Revolution South Africa (C4IR SA), following a multi-stakeholder consultation, identified five focus areas, namely the Internet of Things, Robotics and Smart Cities; Blockchain and Distributed Ledger; Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning; Autonomous and Urban Mobility and Data Policy. These focus areas have the potential to positively transform sectors in the South African economy and address development challenges.

As part of its inaugural activities, the Centre has noted that data policy is key to unlocking the potential of the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) technologies globally and locally. The programme includes sharing of global best practices in data policy; a presentation on synthesis of the data policy landscape analysis, situation analysis, gap analysis and stakeholder needs and requirements. A process to develop a roadmap to initiate a data policy project by C4IR SA will be discussed. Stakeholders at the webinar will also be briefed on how to partner with the C4IR SA and projects in 4IR technologies of their interest.