Restorative Social Justice Through Digital Transformation in South African Metropolitan Cities

Digital transformation has gained traction in the current digital era to spark new study areas and have an impact on daily life. This study explores restorative social justice through the application of digital transformation; it highlights opportunities and risks, such as the potential unintended consequences as Municipalities transition into Smart Cities, eradicating the Apartheid-infused spatial planning with the resultant entrenched inequality; digital divide, transparency, and the likelihood of discrimination are only a few of the ensuing ethical challenges posed by the escalating use of artificial intelligence and automated decision-making in the public sector. The exercise of personal freedom and rights, such as the right to privacy and data protection or the right to be free from discrimination on any grounds, including one’s level of digital literacy or access, can be adversely impacted by technology. Digital ethical challenges also continue to plague the adoption of technology globally due to the lack of adequate safeguards. To maximize the positive effects of the digital revolution on human rights, democracy, and the rule of law, legislation, regulation, and policy are required in controlling artificial intelligence (AI) use in the public sector to prevent unfavourable societal effects. This study addresses the important topic, “how can digitalization be used to accelerate restorative social justice in the City of Ekurhuleni?” can the path of digitalization give rise to a new form of social injustice?