INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Software for Business

In his opening address , Ahmed Mahomed , Group Chief Executive Officer at Datacentrix , spoke on the importance of having intelligent , connected , and responsible leadership in the new business era . He noted that inflows of technology are generational , and leadership in the digital age is faced with the challenge of navigating the business landscape that is characterised by uncertainty , as well as the velocity of change where data is everywhere , and market competition has gone global .

Mahomed added that other challenges affecting business leaders include climate change , geo-political considerations , and the ongoing skills gap . He went on to caution leaders to be mindful of the hype trap around elements of technology .

“ When business leaders are re-imagining their organisations through a technology lens ,” he clarified , “ it must be remembered that every company is unique , with different business imperatives and maturity levels . Digital leadership embraces a broad understanding of how technology can be harnessed to achieve business objectives . Leaders must analyse the impact technologies will have on their organisations and strive to implement those technologies that will create competitive advantage and add value . In today ’ s world , technology is not just a business enabler , it is a business driver , reimagining models and strategies .”

Following on from Mahomed ’ s opening presentation , the keynote address on the topic of Sovereign AI : Localising the power of technology was presented by Andile Ngcaba , Chairperson and Founding Partner at Convergence Partners .

Ngcaba discussed the necessity of combining regulations around AI , while simultaneously encouraging the unfolding of ongoing innovation . Presenting various examples of AI uses in different industries , he outlined how the technical uses of AI and their corresponding ethical considerations varied across industries , noting that they therefore should not be regulated in a uniform manner .

According to Ngcaba : “ The creation of global ethical standards will ensure that AI is deployed in a way that respects human rights and avoids misuse .”

A lively conversation then unfolded between President Ntuli , Managing Director at HPE South Africa , and Sanjeev Katwa , Technology Director at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club in London .

An interactive CIO panel discussion followed , with panellists spanning a variety of industries including banking , agriculture , IT , education and financial services .

The panellists included : Subash Sharma , Chief Digital Officer : Everyday Banking , Absa Group ; Stephanie du Toit , Head of Technology and Information , Remgro Management Services ; Busi Matube , Senior Director : ICT and Chief Digital Officer , Central University of Technology ; Rika Myburg , Chief Information Officer at Afgri ; Sanjeev Katwa , Technology Director , Tottenham Hotspur Football Club ; and Datacentrix ’ s Mahomed .

The final guest speaker of the day then took the stage , as well-known economic expert Dr Azar Jammine , Director and Chief Economist at Econometrix , discussed technology and the economy in a presentation entitled the impact of digitalisation on South Africa ’ s economic growth . p

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