Spotlight on the Impact of AI on the Future of Work

A recent webinar, co-hosted by Nust and the University of Johannesburg, examined the disruptive impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on work, education and policy in the Global South.

The Harold Pupkewitz Graduate School of Business at the Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust), together with the University of Johannesburg’s Department of Communication and Media Studies hosted the webinar themed ‘The Future of Work in the AI Age’.

Keynote speakers included Jules Baruani (Standard Bank Namibia), Sadrag Shihomeka (Nust), Ephias Ruhode (University of the West of Scotland, United Kingdom), and Erisher Woyo (Manchester Metropolitan University, United Kingdom).

Baruani emphasised the need for a culture change for private and public organisations in Namibia to reap the rewards of digital transformation.

He said technology should be viewed as an enabler, which can be harnessed for improved productivity, efficiency and effectiveness.

“AI is an expensive technology.

It is like a Lamborghini. However, we need to foster culture change as business organisations.

We need to ask ourselves: What is the problem we want to solve? Technology helps to solve societal challenges.

On its own, technology is not enough,” he said.

Baruani strongly emphasised that not all workplace problems need to be solved using AI.

Ruhode, a digital transformation specialist based in Scotland, highlighted two strategic partnerships involving Cassava Technologies and Microsoft, which have the potential to unlock the AI dividends in Africa.

He pointed out that Big Tech companies are at different stages of constructing AI factories and data centres.

“Recently, there were reports that Nvidia and Cassava Technologies have struck a deal which will see a Strive Masiyiwa-owned company constructing AI factories in South Africa.

We also witnessed a strategic partnership between Microsoft and the government of South Africa, which has the potential to accelerate the establishment of data centres. This is a step in the right direction,” he said.

Ruhode bemoaned the lack of local digitised data sets. He said this may lead to bias and a lack of diversity in large language models rolled out in Africa.

Another issue discussed during the webinar was the potential of AI to reboot teaching and learning in southern Africa. In this vein, Shihomeka said when utilised appropriately, AI could lead to personalised learning experiences, enhanced efficiency through automation, and improved accessibility for diverse students, ultimately leading to more effective and engaging educational journeys.

“However, there is need to promote a culture of innovation in higher education institutions. Also important is the ethical and responsible adoption of AI so that academic integrity is maintained,” he said.

Shihomeka highlighted the need to review the Namibian education landscape and ensure it responds to the peculiar needs brought about by AI.

Woyo spoke about the future of work in an era where job displacement discourse is rife.

He reminded participants that we are entering an age in which humans and machines have to learn to coexist for the good of humanity and societal progress.

“Three elements are crucial as we move forward. These are agility, synergy and human oversight,” he said.

The webinar underscored the need to develop necessary and proportionate policies that guide the uptake of AI in the Global South.

Participants also emphasised the need for data protection, cybersecurity and e-commerce policy frameworks.

• Godwin Kaisara is attached to the Namibia University of Science and Technology and Admire Mare is a professor at the University of Johannesburg. They organised and moderated the webinar.