**Johannesburg**: Leading IT professionals gathered at the CIO Smarter IT Summit to discuss AI’s role in business. Keynote speakers addressed the balance between technological advancement and workforce impact as partnerships were formed to enhance digital solutions across sectors, signalling the importance of responsible AI integration.
On 18 February, South Africa’s leading IT professionals convened at 39 Melrose Boulevard in Melrose Arch for the CIO Smarter IT Summit. The event, organised by CIO South Africa, aimed to explore the complexities of implementing artificial intelligence (AI) within business frameworks, focusing on harmonising business value, operational efficiency, customer-centricity, and cost management while navigating the emerging AI hype cycle.
The summit opened with a significant announcement from York Ning, director and senior IT solution architect at Huawei Technologies, who declared Huawei’s partnership with CIO South Africa as its latest principal partner. “Our partnership with CIO South Africa is a significant opportunity to expand the Huawei brand,” York stated, highlighting the company’s goal to provide digital solutions across various sectors. He expressed optimism about the transformative potential of technology, saying, “We are on the cusp of a technological era that will profoundly reshape mindsets. Technology is a driving force behind sustainable economic growth.”
The keynote address was delivered by Bronwyn Williams, a futurist and trend analyst, who captured the audience’s attention with a blend of humour and insight. She noted the pivotal role of Generation Z, referred to colloquially in South Africa as the “Luh Twizzys,” in shaping societal norms and future industries. “From Luh Twizzy to shadow boards and teenage politicians, Gen Z is actively involved in defining their path,” she remarked, pointing to young activists such as Emma Theofelus, Mark McVeigh, and Itumeleng Ntsube. Williams stressed that Africa boasts the highest concentration of Gen Z globally, with a median age of 19 in sub-Saharan Africa, underscoring the demographic’s significant implications for the continent’s businesses.
In her discussion about the future of work, Williams highlighted Gen Z’s inclination towards career choices that contribute to personal growth rather than mere prestige. “For them, a prestigious job is one that enhances their personal growth,” she affirmed. She also addressed the dual-edged nature of AI’s integration into the workplace, acknowledging its potential to alleviate skills shortages while cautioning against job displacement, particularly in coding roles. “Technology is doing what we don’t want it to, replacing jobs,” she warned, before outlining her five-year priority list for sustainable growth: high savings, healthcare access, education access, strong industries, policy stability, and favourable demographics.
The event featured a dynamic panel discussion moderated by Mmule Sapula, Nedbank’s portfolio executive, which included distinguished figures such as Jörg Fischer, the 2023 CIO of the Year and CIO of Standard Bank Group, alongside Justin Freeman, CIO at Telesure Investment Holdings, and Public Sector CIO of the Year, Pandelani Munyai of Transnet. Sapula opened the session by emphasising the urgency surrounding AI, stating, “AI is no longer a vision for the future but the imperative of the day. With these opportunities we do know that we have many challenges, like AI governance and risk, using AI for operational efficiency while fostering innovation and creativity.”
Fischer elaborated on Standard Bank’s methodical strategy regarding AI implementation amid its diverse business units. He noted, “With four massive business units, governance is key. We leverage hyperscalers, data, and computing power through our centres of excellence (COEs).” He advocated for structured experimentation with AI, cautioning that without this approach, companies risk regression rather than progress. Justin Freeman shared insights into AI’s transformative potential in enhancing customer experiences, particularly through advancements in automatic speech recognition within call centres. Munyai detailed AI’s role in improving efficiency at Transnet, specifically in optimising data exchange processes in port operations.
Throughout the event, attendees engaged in breakout sessions, sharing insights on AI applications within their organisations. Common themes emerged, notably the focus on enhancing customer and employee experiences while driving business value. Douglas McNeilage, senior manager for sales at MakwaIT, summarised the discussions by stating that AI is perceived not as a threat but as a tool for enhancement. Adil Rampersadh from Liquid Intelligent Technologies emphasised the importance of collaborative governance in aligning business objectives with IT initiatives and change management.
The conversations continued to reflect consensus around the need for responsible AI deployment. Mary-Lyn Raath from iOCO underscored the importance of measuring the actual use of AI tools over mere value assessments, while others cautioned against the dangers of inexperienced developers wielding AI technologies.
As the event concluded, attendees had opportunities to network amidst Johannesburg’s vibrant skyline, enjoying refreshments and views that highlighted the city’s unique landscape. The summit was supported by prominent partners, including Entelect, Huawei, iOCO, Liquid Intelligent Technologies, and MakwaIT, alongside executive partners such as Africa Data Centres, Deloitte, Equinix, HCLTech, Hyland, and Workday.
Source: Noah Wire Services
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