Al-to-Al engagement - humans optional!

The near future holds the potential for a transformative scenario where a procurement Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform negotiates directly with another company's Al platform. Al interaction could lead to seamless supply agreements with no delays, coffee breaks or human intervention.

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Agentic Al is rapidly evolving, where machines are no longer just tools, but intelligent, active agents empowered to negotiate, transact and collaborate with minimal direct human supervision.

The future may be uncertain, but the potential for efficiency and growth in a world where human involvement may become secondary or, in fact, not necessary, is immense.

The rapid rise of AI

Both globally and locally, Al is being integrated into all business processes. Major retailers, such as Shoprite, use Al to forecast inventory needs, while financial institutions, like Standard Bank, deploy Al to detect fraud. Small business payment platforms like Yoco have harnessed Al to expedite transactions. The digital economy, driven by technological advancements from Vodacom's 5G and MTN's cloud infrastructure, is projected to account for 20% of South Africa's GDP by 2025.

A new era is emerging, where Als interact directly. For example, trading bots bid for advertising space, and procurement systems negotiate prices autonomously, marking a significant shift from human-instructed and guided Al to a self-sustaining machine ecosystem. And the pace of change is only accelerating.

Cybersecurity - risks and safeguards

With increased Al autonomy comes heightened risk, particularly in the realm of cybersecurity. In 2024, South Africa suffered a loss of over R2 billion due to cybercrime, making Al systems that handle sensitive transactions attractive targets.

At the same time, Al can play a pivotal defensive role by identifying threats in real time. With robust security protocols, Als can help prevent cyberattacks, providing businesses with greater assurance in their technological capabilities.

Transforming commerce and logistics