by TINTSWALO BALOYI
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – AN industry executive has allayed fears the advent of artificial intelligence (AI) will take over human jobs and worsen rampant unemployment in the African continent.
Instead, the AI revolution will only replace repetitive and routine jobs that lend themselves to automation and create higher-quality employment opportunities as well as transform Africa’s most crucial sectors like agriculture, education and healthcare.
That is according to Ongopotse Motlhanke, Chief Executive Officer of Khumbula Tech, the South African platform and digital transformation provider.
He noted discussions around AI were invariably leading to the question of jobs, in the African continent where some 36 million employable people are jobless, according to Statista.
Motlhanke allayed fears of AI worsening this crisis.
“Generally, technology is a job creator, not a job destroyer and this bodes well for all continents, including our own,” he stated.
“Even with all the technological advances over the past several decades, worldwide employment has significantly increased over the past 50 years.”
Motlhanke cited statistics indicating that in 1975, global employment was around 1,5 billion, whereas today, it is estimated to be over 3 billion, according to ResearchGate.
Motlhanke said AI-specific roles were already under creation.
These include AI Prompt Engineer, which he said a few years ago would have seemed like it was years in the future.
The executive noted data science, machine learning and ethics were set to boom as AI took off.
“AI might well replace repetitive and routine jobs that lend themselves to automation, but it will create higher-quality employment opportunities.”
In South Africa, Motlhanke cited, GreenAgri in the Western Cape had committed to a Green Economy Strategic Framework that includes smart agri-production plans increasingly centred on AI.
“AI is emerging as the next frontier in agricultural evolution,” according to the organisation.
Last year, the African Union also confirmed it was committed to developing Africa’s AI capabilities and noted technology is “a transformative force”.
Motlhanke noted some African universities, including those in Ghana, South Africa and Uganda had developed AI labs focusing on social impact and other African imperatives.
He referred to Khumbula Tech’s Atlantis communications platform-as-a-service (CPAAS) solution which he said is already directing AI solutions towards solving African challenges.
– CAJ News