FPB plans AI-powered oversight of streaming, social platforms

The Film and Publication Board (FPB) is preparing to harness generative artificial intelligence (AI) in its regulatory duties, aiming to streamline monitoring, analysis, and classification of the vast online content. This digital transformation has been underway for several years, with the board previously outlining plans to enhance its technological capacity and digitization.

In 2022, interim CEO Dr. Mashilo Boloka revealed that the FPB would undertake this modernization in a phased manner, beginning with organizational changes and technological upgrades, followed by increased digitalization and automation of manual processes. The long-term objective includes the development of predictive capabilities to effectively manage the rapidly increasing volume of online content.

Advocate Makhosazana Lindhorst, acting CEO of the FPB, confirmed that the organization has already adopted a digitization and AI strategy as part of its five-year strategic plan. The strategy aims to promote responsible AI use to boost efficiency, enhance service delivery, and support the FPB's mandate. Implementation of this plan is a priority in the FPB's annual performance plans, aligned with the board's 2025-2030 strategic goals, with progress assessed on a quarterly basis.

The FPB is particularly interested in exploring generative AI applications for content monitoring, analysis, classification, and case management over the next three to five years. By leveraging AI, the regulator intends to improve the consistency and efficiency of its regulatory processes while handling larger volumes of content.

Although the specific implementation of generative AI solutions has not been initiated yet, the FPB remains committed to exploring these technologies to bolster its content analysis and classification systems. Currently, the FPB is utilizing technology to complement its human monitoring efforts, including online monitoring tools that continuously scan social media platforms and the broader internet for mentions of keywords related to harmful or prohibited content.

These tools generate alerts that enable the FPB to investigate potential cases of unlawful distribution of explicit or harmful content, gathering additional information to facilitate proactive monitoring. The FPB's monitoring extends beyond identifying harmful material; it also checks whether video-on-demand streaming platforms comply with South African regulatory requirements, such as displaying appropriate age ratings and providing consumer advice.

The organization's dedicated team of online monitors conducts daily monitoring of the online environment, as well as spot checks on registered streaming platforms to verify compliance with FPB classification guidelines. In cases where potentially non-compliant or unregistered streaming services are detected, the FPB can assist with registration or refer the issue to its enforcement committee for further enforcement actions.