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HOW AI WILL BENEFIT AND CHALLENGE AFRICAN ENTERPRISES IN 2025
Top executives from Cisco , SandboxAQ , F5 , eToro , Protegrity , share their perspectives on how AI will benefit , disrupt and challenge African enterprises in 2025 including how to adapt to the growing regulatory landscape , domination of NVIDIA , Arm , TSMC , arrival of Large Quantitative Models and agentic AI , and why AI readiness declined in 2024 with the downside of AI and APIs .
David Meads , Vice President Middle East , Africa , Türkiye , Romania , and CIS , Cisco
As we enter 2025 , the global economic landscape remains a mix of challenges and potential shifts that will shape markets and industries worldwide . From high interest rates to the evolving impact of AI , there are several key factors that will define the year ahead . While there will be friction in some areas , persistence , agility and out-of-the-box thinking will ensure a competitive edge .
In 2025 , Europe and the UK will see a slow recovery , hampered by high interest rates and weak demand . The US may get a short-term boost under the Trump presidency , but rising debt and global trade tensions remain major risks .
The Middle East has emerged as a prominent player in the global AI landscape , driven by a mix of government and private investments in innovative technologies . By 2030 , AI is expected to deliver over US $ 320 billion in economic value , with countries like the UAE and Saudi Arabia leading the way in AI-driven economic transformation .
Where AI is concerned , 2025 is a turning point and by the end of the decade , AI is set to become a powerhouse for real productivity gains . With challenge comes opportunity and by focusing on efficiency , smart investments , and embracing new technologies , businesses can expect to grow . However , rapid AI expansion brings a set of complex challenges .
AI readiness declined in 2024 with only 13 % companies ready for AI
AI will continue to captivate businesses , promising unprecedented innovation and efficiency , and companies will continue to invest in AI-powered solutions . As AI journeys progress , so too will the understanding that the path is fraught with hurdles .
Despite billions of dollars invested into AI models and AI-powered solutions in 2024 , new data from Cisco ’ s AI Readiness Index shows that AI readiness has declined as now only 13 % of companies are ready to leverage AI-powered technologies to their full potential .
64 INTELLIGENTCIO AFRICA www . intelligentcio . com