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.
Artificial Intelligence Updates
Services now account for 27% of global exports, developing countries' share falls – Unctad
By: Schalk Burger 7th September 2026 Services account for a growing share of economic activity and trade globally, although their contribution to countries’ GDP varies widely. In... →
SA: Blade Nzimande: Address by Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation, at the Gala Dinner of the 2026 National Research Foundation Award (03/09/2026)
4th September 2026 It also helps us to grapple with some of the most profound questions which have intrigued humanity since the appearance of our species in the... →
Engineering loses its top spot as South Africa’s most in-demand skills shift
3rd September 2026 Give us engineers. Over the past five years, that has been the constant refrain from companies across South Africa. According to findings from... →
Competent presiding officers important for tightrope stability – Don’t rely on artificial intelligence
27th August 2026 South African labour law is firm in insisting that employees accused of dismissible misconduct get a fair opportunity to defend themselves. Where... →
Could a smartwatch topple your company’s security?
27th August 2026 Organisations have spent the last decade locking down workplace technology like laptops, smartphones and enterprise networks to prevent system... →
Exxaro driving modernisation, reviewing what mine of future could look like 
By: Martin Creamer 26th August 2026 South Africa’s Exxaro Resources is reviewing what the mine of the future could look like amid a modernisation drive, Exxaro CEO Ben Magara pointed... →
IMF's Georgieva says global economy weathering energy shock, sees fiscal concerns
By: Reuters 26th August 2026 The global economy has weathered the Iran war energy shock better than feared, International Monetary Fund MD Kristalina Georgieva said on Tuesday,... →
South Africa produces enough food, yet millions face hunger. Better cold storage could help change that
25th August 2026 South Africa can produce enough food for its population, according to official statistics. But-millions face hunger, partly because food is lost... →
Why the EU’s new AI law matters for South African newsrooms
By: ISS, Institute for Security Studies 21st August 2026 SA and legacy media can use this world-first legislation to improve their role as guardians of information integrity in an African context. This... →
ICLG: Corporate Governance Laws and Regulations 2026
21st August 2026 The South African chapter of ICLG: Corporate Governance Laws and Regulations 2026 provides an overview of the country’s corporate governance... →
