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Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence (AI) is the simulation of human cognitive functions by computer systems, enabling machines to learn, reason, perceive and make decisions. Core techniques include machine learning, natural language processing, computer vision and neural networks, which allow systems to improve performance through exposure to data. AI applications span healthcare diagnostics, autonomous vehicles, financial modelling, customer service chatbots, supply-chain optimisation and predictive maintenance. The technology has matured rapidly since the 2010s, driven by advances in computing power, algorithmic innovation and the availability of large datasets. Adoption is accelerating across sectors including manufacturing, agriculture, mining, logistics and public administration. In Africa, AI is being deployed to address challenges in healthcare delivery, financial inclusion, agricultural productivity and infrastructure planning. Concerns around job displacement, algorithmic bias, data privacy and the concentration of AI capabilities in a few global corporations have prompted calls for ethical frameworks and inclusive governance. Governments and development agencies are investing in AI research, skills development and regulatory sandboxes to harness the technology's potential while managing risks. The economic significance of AI lies in its capacity to automate complex tasks, unlock insights from data and enable new business models. Its trajectory and societal impact remain subjects of intense policy debate and commercial competition.

Latest Articles in 60 Seconds

AI widens South Africa's cybersecurity exposure

Accenture country managing director Kgomotso Lebele warns that AI is accelerating both cyber threats and defensive capability, with only 44% of South African technology leaders believing their organisations' cybersecurity keeps pace with AI advances, and gaps persisting in cloud visibility, data governance and identity controls.

Employee technology experience tied to AI readiness gap

An Altron Digital Business study of 385 financial services employees finds technology friction costs institutions between R3.2-million and R30-million per 1 000 employees a year, and while 84% of staff have access to AI tools, only 21% feel prepared for an AI-enabled future.

Manufacturing Indaba and GSMA point to AI-driven growth

Speakers at the Manufacturing Indaba in Sandton said AI and automation are becoming baseline requirements for global tenders and supply chain resilience, while the GSMA's Mobile Economy Africa 2026 report projects mobile technologies, increasingly built on AI and 5G, will contribute $290-billion to Africa's economy by 2030, up from $240-billion in 2025.

Artificial Intelligence Updates


Retrofitting for sustainability – a smarter, more resilient path to modernisation
Retrofitting for sustainability – a smarter, more resilient path to modernisation
Updated 24 minutes ago

By: Nontu Mkhize - Offer Marketing Manager: Power Services and Industry – Sub-Saharan Africa at Schneider Electric Across Sub-Saharan Africa, organisations are under increasing pressure to... 


Why AI can execute your supply chain strategy, but never invent it
Why AI can execute your supply chain strategy, but never invent it
Updated 3 hours ago

The 4th Industrial Revolution has been underway for some time, but recent advancements in AI have exponentially accelerated its pace. History dictates that organisations failing to adapt to new... 


Koreshini Pillay, product manager at Lula
How manufacturing SMEs are funding Industry 4.0 on their own terms
Updated 3 hours ago

South Africa’s manufacturing sector contributes close to 11% of the country’s GDP[1] and was one of only three industries to add jobs in the first quarter of 2026[2], yet output has contracted for... 


Why enterprise technology leadership can no longer operate in silos
Why enterprise technology leadership can no longer operate in silos
15th July 2026

South African companies must be able to modernise legacy systems, control costs, strengthen cybersecurity, improve collaboration, support hybrid work, prepare for AI, manage data more... 


Africa’s AI advantage will be built in production
Africa’s AI advantage will be built in production
15th July 2026

AI has become remarkably easy to demonstrate, yet deploying it well remains a far harder test. A convincing prototype can now be assembled in days, sometimes hours. The real work begins when an... 


Deputy President Paul Mashatile
Regional integration, standardised technology and ecosystems to lead to manufacturing growth
14th July 2026 By: Schalk Burger

Manufacturing is the backbone of any successful industrial economy, but domestic demand is typically insufficient to develop sustainable industrial sectors. To achieve the industrial development... 


AI Is raising South Africa's cybersecurity stakes
AI Is raising South Africa's cybersecurity stakes
14th July 2026

By: Kgomotso Lebele - Country Managing Director for Accenture, South Africa South African organisations are facing a growing cybersecurity challenge at a time when artificial intelligence (AI) is... 


ADB MD Craig Stewart
New study links financial services employees' workplace tech experience to organisational performance
10th July 2026 By: Natasha Odendaal

Altron Digital Business (ADB) has published a first-of-its-kind benchmark study to determine how employees experience technology across financial services industry (FSI) institutions in South... 


GROWING LOCAL VALUE 
Manufacturing Indaba 2026 is structured to help manufacturers capture more value locally, access new markets, and adopt the technologies that define global competitiveness.
Indaba 2026 targets access, value and innovation
10th July 2026 By: Keabetswe Shilakwe

For South African manufacturers, 2026 offers pressure and possibility, says specialists in technical, logistics and administrative solutions for events Siyenza MD Liz Hart. Energy insecurity and... 


Containers being transported by ship
IMF lowers 2026 global growth forecast to 3%, sees rebound in 2027
9th July 2026 By: Reuters

The International Monetary Fund on Wednesday inched its 2026 global growth forecast lower again to a sluggish 3.0%, warning of ongoing risks linked to the war in the Middle East, trade... 


Ai, Healthcare And Public Sector Procurement In The Spotlight As Supply Chain Managers From Around The World Meet In Cape Town
8th July 2026

Hundreds of supply chain professionals from across Africa and around the world will convene in Cape Town this month to learn, share knowledge and network at the annual SAPICS Conference. Now in its... 


An oil rig
Oil surges, stocks tumble as Trump declares Iran MoU 'over'
8th July 2026 By: Reuters

Oil surged by more than 5% on Wednesday and global stocks and bond prices tumbled, as investors fled risk assets after US President Donald Trump said the memorandum of understanding signed with... 


Dsv Sponsors 2026 Sapics Conference
8th July 2026

Global transport and logistics company DSV has confirmed its sponsorship of the 2026 SAPICS Conference, which takes place in Cape Town in July. As a Silver sponsor of this year’s conference, which... 


President Cyril Ramaphosa
Ramaphosa hails investor confidence in digital economy
6th July 2026 By: Lumkile Nkomfe

President Cyril Ramaphosa has commended the recognition by global technology companies of South Africa’s ambition to become a leading digital investment destination. In his weekly newsletter to the... 


AEW's Power Africa Today to Spotlight Energy’s Role in Strengthening Industrial Competitiveness
AEW's Power Africa Today to Spotlight Energy’s Role in Strengthening Industrial Competitiveness
3rd July 2026

The policy conversation across Africa is shifting from basic electrification toward interconnection and industrial enablement. More than 600 million people in sub-Saharan Africa still lack access... 


International recognition supports African exports
3rd July 2026 By: Devina Haripersad

International recognition of South Africa’s accredited testing, inspection, certification and verification results is helping local companies to export goods and services under the African... 


SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa expands technical capability to strengthen African growth
SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa expands technical capability to strengthen African growth
3rd July 2026

SEW-EURODRIVE South Africa is making strong progress in its strategy to become a key player in industrial gearboxes, drives and automation across the continent. Years of proactive planning and... 


Image of data servers
JHB3 and JHB4 data centre projects, Malaysia
3rd July 2026 By: Sheila Barradas

The project involves the development of two new data centres – JHB3 and JHB4 – in Johor. 


A burst bulk water pipe gushing water
Management group tackles non-revenue water issues
3rd July 2026 By: Halima Frost

With special focus on reducing non-revenue water (NRW) losses, multidisciplinary construction, engineering and project management company Botala Oracle Group is currently participating in several... 


JOHN GILBERT
There is a race on to make sure that we don't generate more data, but that we actually start to really utilise the data that we're generating
Connected digital ecosystems key to unlocking construction productivity
2nd July 2026

The global construction industry is undergoing a significant digital transformation, but technology alone will not solve the longstanding productivity challenges that continue to hamper project... 


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