This study investigated the sustainable artificial intelligence (AI) policies and practices at seven higher education institutions in South Africa. The integration of AI tools among students and educators in higher education has created varied reactions. Students and lecturers are now able to focus on complex and creative tasks, and AI tools perform mundane and routine tasks. However, this also raises concerns about diminishing critical thinking skills and compromising academic integrity. To address this, higher education institutions must create clear policies and guidelines that promote the responsible use of AI tools and provide methods for acknowledging their use, helping to prevent plagiarism and academic misconduct. Employing a desktop analysis research methodology and using documentary analysis, the research provided a snapshot of the current AI higher education landscape in South Africa. The study concluded that higher education institutions in South Africa had made some progress in integrating sustainable AI policies and practices and demonstrating a strong commitment to ethical considerations, transparency, and stakeholder engagement in their AI initiatives. However, this study also identified areas for improvement, such as enhancing data privacy, bias mitigation, and establishing robust monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. All seven institutions recognised the need for ongoing research and policy revisions to keep pace with rapidly evolving AI technologies. These insights provided valuable guidance for policymakers, educators, and researchers aiming to advance the responsible and effective use of AI in the higher education sector.