AI Safety South Africa Code of Conduct
Code of Conduct
AI Safety South Africa (AISSA) is committed to fostering a community where thoughtful inquiry, compassionate engagement, and bold action converge. Our mission is to build an impactful AI safety ecosystem in South Africa through meaningful relationships, vibrant community, and international collaboration.
By participating in our community and associated events (whether online or in-person), you agree to uphold these standards and contribute to an environment where everyone can do their best thinking and most impactful work.
Our Values
These values inform how we engage with each other and approach our work. Embodying a single value here is insufficient. As an AISSA community member, you should aim to embody all three of these values, as they support and reinforce each other:
Holding Complexity
We embrace the nuanced, uncertain, and often paradoxical nature of AI safety work. This means:
Intellectual humility: Recognizing the limits of our knowledge and remaining open to being wrong.
Making space for nuance: Avoiding oversimplification and engaging seriously with different perspectives.
Independent thought: Thinking critically and forming views based on evidence rather than social pressure.
Being feedback-oriented: Welcoming constructive criticism and viewing it as an opportunity for growth.
Embracing paradox: Holding seemingly contradictory truths simultaneously when the situation demands it.
Good Vibes
We balance the seriousness of our mission with warmth, joy, and human connection:
In-person connection: Prioritizing face-to-face interaction and meaningful relationships.
Balancing seriousness and lightness: Taking our work seriously while maintaining perspective and humor.
Good faith discussions: Speaking honestly while assuming good faith and caring about each other's wellbeing. Approach disagreements as opportunities for mutual understanding.
Groundedness: Holding one’s ideas and perspectives lightly, and establishing one’s orientation towards others with a basic humaneness.
Agency
We value action, ownership, and building things together:
Taking action: Prioritizing iteration over perfectionism and learning by doing.
Getting involved: Seeking to contribute proactively rather than waiting for permission.
Radical ownership: Taking full responsibility for our commitments and their outcomes.
Building things with friends: Creating collaboratively and supporting each other's projects.
Zone of proximal development: Stretching ourselves while maintaining sustainable growth.
Community Standards
Respectful and Inclusive Engagement:
AISSA is committed to providing a safe and equitable experience for everyone, regardless of age, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, nationality, religious beliefs, or background.
We expect all community members to:
Welcome newcomers and make space for diverse perspectives.
Engage with patience, attentiveness, and genuine curiosity.
Listen actively and avoid dominating conversations.
Use accessible language and explain jargon when asked.
Respect different working and communication styles.
Honor the backgrounds and experiences people bring to the community.
Respect the boundaries and consent of others—always ask before physical contact.
We do not tolerate:
Harassment, intimidation, stalking, or deliberate attempts to make others feel unsafe.
Discriminatory language, jokes, or insinuations based on protected characteristics.
Personal insults, sustained disruption of discussions or events, or incitement of violence.
Unwelcome sexual attention or physical contact without consent.
Sharing others' personal information without explicit permission.
Threatening someone physically or verbally. For example, threatening to publicize sensitive information about someone’s personal life.
Advocating for or encouraging any of the above behaviours.
Confidentiality, Privacy and Organisational Reputation:
All AISSA spaces follow the Chatham House Rule by default: you may share what was discussed, but not who said it.
Do not share images, recordings, or attributed comments from community spaces without explicit permission.
Respect confidential information shared within the community.
Be mindful that people may be at different stages in their career or exploring sensitive topics.
Avoid conflicts of interest or activities that could compromise AISSA's reputation or effectiveness.
Comply with all laws and regulations of the jurisdiction where the event occurs.
Policy on Romantic or Sexual Communication in Official Spaces:
To ensure everyone feels comfortable and respected:
Keep AISSA spaces focused on our mission and work. Your responsibility as a community member is to support your fellow community members to have the greatest impact in AI safety as possible.
Be mindful that romantic or sexual advances can create discomfort, especially from those in positions of influence or authority.
If you're interested in someone romantically, consider the context and power dynamics carefully before approaching them.
Don't use AISSA communication channels (WhatsApp, Slack, etc.) to initiate romantic interest. If interested in someone, approach them outside of official programming and respect their response. Don't persist if someone declines or seems uncomfortable.
Existing relationships formed through AISSA are fine—just maintain professionalism in official spaces.
If you feel somebody in our community has violated this policy, please report them using the method below. We take the health of our community relationships extremely seriously.
Reporting and Enforcement
When to Report
Please report any behaviour that violates this Code of Conduct or makes you or others feel unsafe or unwelcome. If you're unsure whether something warrants reporting, err on the side of disclosure.
How to Report
You have multiple options for reporting, and you can choose what feels most comfortable:
Community Health Form: You can fill in this form with your concerns. You may also submit it anonymously if you prefer. Note: We cannot respond directly to anonymous submissions, but we will read and act on them
AISSA Community Health Contact: You can reach out to Tegan (tegan@aisafetysa.com) who handles community health matters confidentially.
External Community Health Contact: You can reach out to Estelle on email (florensestelle@gmail.com) or by booking a call on her calendly here. This is especially if you’d like to chat about someone outside the core team or if your concern is regarding a core team member and you prefer to talk to someone independent.
AISSA Leadership: You can reach out to AISSA’s executive director, Leo. You can email him (leo@aisafetysa.com) or request a call to discuss concerns.
Confidentiality: All reports will be kept confidential by default (unless, reporters choose otherwise) and information will only be shared with those who need to know to address the situation. The person handling your report will discuss next steps with you before taking action (unless you've reported anonymously).
Enforcement Actions
Depending on the severity and context, responses may include:
Private conversation: Informal discussion about the behaviour and its impact.
Formal warning: Written or verbal warning about the violation.
Temporary suspension: Restricted access to AISSA spaces and events for a defined period.
Permanent ban: For severe and repeated violations: permanent removal from the community.
Other actions: May involve legal action or reporting to other organisations, as deemed appropriate by AISSA leadership.
If you receive an enforcement action, you may appeal the decision by emailing the Project Director at leo@aisafetysa.com.
This Code of Conduct is a living document that will evolve with our community. We welcome feedback on how to improve it. If you have suggestions, please reach out to tegan@aisafetysa.com.
Acknowledgments: This Code of Conduct draws on best practices from Effective Altruism communities worldwide, particularly EA South Africa, EA DC, EA NYC, and EA Netherlands, as well as resources from the Centre for Effective Altruism's Community Health Team.
Last updated 03-03-2026 by Leo Hyams