AI Policies in South Africa: A Recipe for Disaster or a Path to Success?
As businesses in South Africa embark on their AI journeys, they’re being warned that a lack of policies and governance frameworks could be a recipe for disaster. Andile Ngcaba, chairman of Convergence Partners, has sounded the alarm, saying that without robust cyber security and data governance frameworks, AI integration could be a catastrophic mistake.
Ngcaba made the comments at the Datacentrix Showcase 2024, where the theme was "changing lives through technology." The event brought together over two thousand delegates, who were encouraged to explore AI and its potential benefits, but also warned about the risks associated with its adoption.
Data Sovereignty: The Key to Success
According to Datacentrix Group CEO Ahmed Mahomed, data sovereignty is crucial in the current geopolitical climate. The localisation of digital infrastructure is essential for ensuring the resilience of the digital footprint and its optimal application in business. Ensuring that the continent has autonomy over its extracted data and digital assets, and that they are managed, monetised and controlled within its borders, is a critical step in Africa’s digital journey.
CEOs on the Firing Line
Mahomed also highlighted the challenges facing CEOs in today’s fast-paced, highly connected and converged business landscape. They’re grappling with the speed of change, global competition, skills shortages, and the temptation to make decisions based on hype rather than substance. In fact, according to the PwC Africa Business Agenda 2024, 40% of African and 45% of global CEOs are unsure if their companies will still be viable in ten years’ time.
A New Era for Convergence Partners and Datacentrix
The recent approval of Convergence Partners’ acquisition of Datacentrix has sent shockwaves through the industry. The deal is seen as a strategic partnership that will enable access to new markets in Africa and globally. Ngcaba and Mahomed are adamant that there will be no changes to operations or HR considerations, and that the transaction will ultimately benefit the market, partners, and customers.
But as the AI revolution gathers pace, it’s clear that South African businesses must be prepared to navigate the complexities of data governance and policy-making. Failure to do so could have catastrophic consequences.
