SA appoints Lady Mariéme Jamme as Special Envoy for Technology and Artificial Intelligence

South Africa has appointed Lady Mariéme Jamme as the Special Envoy for Technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI).

The Department of Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities says Jamme will take up the honorary role with a very clear expectation on what she should work towards.

Her appointment was announced at the AMC Davos gathering in Tianjin, China.

Minister in the Presidency Sindisiwe Chikunga says the appointment will help ensure women, youth, and persons with disabilities are empowered to shape the future of technology and that South Africa strengthens its voice in global AI governance.

She adds that her appointment reflects South Africa's conviction that AI must serve humanity and that its future cannot be shaped by only a handful of countries or institutions.

In her new role, Jamme will act as a global representative and advisor, engaging governments, investors, and industry leaders on responsible AI, digital inclusion, and workforce readiness.

Jamme is the founder of iamtheCODE, a movement teaching coding and digital skills to women and girls in nearly 90 countries.

Speaking after the announcement, she said "technology without ethics and inclusion risks deepening inequality not solving it."

She added that she was honoured by the confidence that the SA government placed in her, and that she was committed to building an AI future that left no one behind.

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