The Data Science Law Lab, a research group at the University of Pretoria’s (UP) Faculty of Law, led by Dr Chijioke Okorie recently hosted the finals of its 2024 Africa, Law & [Emerging] Technologies Policy Hackathon.

This new hackathon convened by the Data Science Law Lab, aims to provide a platform for brainstorming, developing, prototyping and pitching creative policy solutions that address the intersection between law (access, use, reuse and management) across various fields of artificial intelligence (AI) and data science applications in Africa.

Professor Charles Maimela, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law, addressed the over 50 postgraduate scholars from across South Africa and Africa – who are all working on interdisciplinary challenges related to issues of public health and children’s privacy on digital platforms – and other data protection and privacy experts from across Africa who attended in person and online.

“I teach subjects that are part and parcel of the data and online component, which somehow correlates with today’s topic,” Prof Maimela said. “With today’s event we want law to meet technology. The both must sing from the same hymn book. The law must ensure that technology and the disruptions that come with AI are able to cater for the needs of humanity, because AI is not here to replace humanity but to aid it and ensure that it has meaningful impact to humanity.”

Professor Charles Maimela, Deputy Dean of the Faculty of Law, addressing over 50 postgraduate scholars from across South Africa and Africa during the hackathon.

Fargani Tambeayuk, Director of Public Policy for Francophone Africa at Meta (Facebook’s parent company), said he was happy to attend the physical event on behalf of Meta and noted that technology facilitates global collaboration, allowing individuals and organisations to connect and share ideas regardless of geographical boundaries. 

UP master’s student Sibabalwe Nongwana, whose presentation focused on children's privacy in the digital age, walked away with a R10 000 prize and an additional R20 000 to help take her solution forward with the assistance of experts in the field.

“My presentation looked at the critical issue of children's privacy in the digital age. With the rapid integration of technology into children's lives, safeguarding their privacy has become paramount,” Nongwana explained. “My proposed solution involves a comprehensive framework that includes public-private partnerships, technical innovations, policy reforms, and educational initiatives. Key elements of this solution include age-aware encryption, verifiable parental consent systems, real-time privacy monitoring tools, and community education programmes.”

She says these measures aim to create a safe digital environment for children while ensuring minimal data collection and robust data protection.

“By leveraging global best practices and adapting them to local contexts, we can protect children's privacy and allow them to explore the digital world safely.”

Nongwana said that being announced as one of the winners was both exhilarating and humbling. “This recognition has not only amplified my commitment to advocating for children's digital rights but also provided a valuable platform to further develop and implement effective solutions.”

She intends to reinvest her prize money into ongoing research and the development of privacy protection technologies. “This aligns with my current work on a paper about the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, as I have been actively seeking funding to attend a conference in Stellenbosch, Cape Town, where I will present this publication. Moreover, I plan to support educational initiatives that raise awareness about digital privacy among children and parents.”

Bonza Majozi, a UP researcher and Executive MBA student in the USA, and his brother Vukani Majozi, who’s pursuing a Master’s in Management (Finance and Investment) at the University of the Witwatersrand, also walked away with a combined R30 000 in prizes to help them collaborate with senior experts on taking their solution forward.

The Majozi brothers, under the guidance of Dr Hossein Masoumi Karakani, presented an innovative solution called iMPILO Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRLedger) in the Public Health category.

“The name ‘iMPILO’ means ‘life’ in IsiZulu, reflecting the solution’s focus on genetic resources, which are fundamental to life,” Bonza explained. “This solution uses blockchain technology to create a transparent, secure and unchangeable system for managing the access and benefit-sharing from genetic resources.”

He added that iMPILO QRLedger “… provides a scalable and secure framework that enhances data governance, fosters innovation, and ensures fair and equitable access and sharing of benefits. This solution not only addresses current challenges but also prepares for future developments in biotechnology and public health data management.”

Dr Chijioke Okorie, a lecturer in UP’s Department of Private Law and founder of the Data Science Law Lab, said the hackathon event aims to amplify the voices and representation of Africans and African contexts and help shape the development, governance and use of technologies, especially AI systems, in Africa.