Abstract
The widespread adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) applications across societal and
commercial domains has introduced novel legal complexities. In South Africa, the
regulation of AI represents an emergent legal field that currently lacks specific
legislative frameworks. As AI's pervasiveness continues to grow, the imperative for
regulatory oversight governing its deployment, particularly within the legal sector,
becomes increasingly critical. The absence of comprehensive governance
surrounding AI has generated ambiguity in legal interpretation and application,
thereby establishing a concerning precedent regarding the law's capacity to
safeguard individuals from potential AI-related harms. Consequently, this mini
dissertation endeavors to explore the ramifications of an unregulated AI landscape in
South Africa, drawing upon relevant legislation and case law. Furthermore, given the
distinctive attributes of AI, this mini dissertation will also analyse the inherent
characteristics of this technology and its classification under various legal categories.