"Tech’s Toxic Tides: How Business Can Drown in the Waves of AI, AI’s Unstoppable Rise and the Folly of Underestimating its Impact"
As the Datacentrix Showcase 2024 kicked off, Ahmed Mahomed, Group Chief Executive Officer, warned that technology’s transformation of business operations poses a significant threat to our collective well-being. With the rise of artificial intelligence (AI), we are entering a new era of leadership, where "intelligent, connected, and responsible leadership" is the only way to navigate the uncertain waters of the digital age.
But is it too late? Has business already been swept away by the waves of AI, AI’s unstoppable rise, and the folly of underestimating its impact? Mahomed’s opening address at the Datacentrix Showcase 2024 hinted at a dire warning: the future of business is precarious, and the consequences of not adapting to this new era are dire.
As delegates gathered at the "Innovation Festival" area, complete with a Digital Experience Lab, sponsor exhibition areas, local food truck market, networking pockets, prizes, and entertainment, it was clear that the stakes were high. The event’s theme, "Changing lives through technology," was a clarion call to business leaders to take responsibility for harnessing the power of technology to create positive change.
Stephanie du Toit of Remgro Management Services echoed Mahomed’s sentiments, emphasizing the importance of sustainability and community support. "Whatever we develop, we want to be able to put back into the community in a positive manner. It is important for business to use technology for good and not to fear it."
But what about the economic implications of AI? Dr. Azar Jammine, Director and Chief Economist at Econometrix, presented a stark warning: the rise of AI presents massive economic opportunities, but it also poses significant challenges, particularly in rural and outlying areas where education and cognitive abilities are a significant concern.
"We need to place an increased focus on technology and education, particularly in rural and outlying areas," Jammine stressed. "The low level of mathematical abilities in South Africa’s citizens brings a detrimental effect on the required cognitive levels for technology functionality. This is admittedly a huge challenge, but again it also creates a significant opportunity to encourage and facilitate learning and technology cognitive abilities to counteract this deficit."
As the day drew to a close, Mahomed’s parting shot was a sobering reminder of the consequences of neglecting the human focus in the midst of technological advancement. "We have talent and leadership, with almost 2 000 local industry leaders at a senior level right here at this showcase – and we must harness this for the greater good, to truly be able to change lives through technology."
The Datacentrix Showcase 2024 was a powerful reminder of the need for business leaders to take responsibility for harnessing the power of technology to create positive change. But as the event concluded, it was clear that the journey ahead would be long and arduous, requiring a profound shift in mindset and a willingness to adapt to the unstoppable rise of AI.
