PAPER: How SA Can Leverage the Artificial Intelligence Revolution

Paper written by Lars Gumede for the Inclusive Society Institute of South Africa. Available in full at: https://www.inclusivesociety.org.za/post/how-south-africa-can-leverage-the-artificial-intelligence-revolution

ABSTRACT

At its core the Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution represents a period of exponentially increasing technological advancement. However, the future of AI is a human question more than a technological one – of how we deal with its rapid transformation of society. Companies are rushing to integrate AI into their systems to capitalize on its potential for greater efficiency, accuracy and cost-effectiveness. But there is also potentially a dark side to AI. For low- and middle-income countries, it will either mean economic salvation or continued stagnation. Large corporations will be forced to follow global corporate trends – automating as many jobs as possible and investing in reskilling the remaining workforce. Other companies may give up competing globally, compensated by government to artificially keep job numbers up.

Of course, the AI revolution also represents the opportunity to solve pressing issues: climate change, world hunger, the fight for resources. Global trends indicate a net loss to jobs in the short term, but long term, new industries will create more jobs and grow the world economy. For South Africa, the opportunity exists for radical growth. If proper investment is made in digital infrastructure, AI hubs and innovation, education and reskilling and in using AI to boost its strategic opportunities, there is no limit to the success we may see. If, on the other hand, we neglect our responsibility to build, learn and ensure that the country thrives, South Africa will see increased strife in the form of unemployment, crime, economic stagnation and inequality.