SA can't afford to be left behind as the globe gets on 4IR bandwagon

Gauteng must be a leading innovation hub in Africa

- Lebogang Maile

South Africa cannot afford to be a passenger in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR). Globally, innovation is accelerating as countries harness the power of artificial intelligence (AI) and emerging technologies, and we cannot afford to stand still. We must take the wheel to transform our economy and compete on the world stage.

And yet, too many local innovators remain locked out because of where they live, their lack of resources, and their inability to access the necessary networks. For SA to be a true engine of innovation for Africa, we must change that reality.

This point was driven home at a recent Innovation and Technology Master Class hosted by The Innovation Hub. Exploring the critical role of data, algorithms, computing and applications in powering AI technologies, Professor Tshi-lidzi Marwala, principal and vice-chancellor of the United Nations University, said the future will belong to those who invest in the intellectual and technological infrastructure.

The lesson is clear that to succeed as a nation, we must think bigger, act more swiftly in supporting disruptive technologies, and create an ecosystem where ideas can move from concept to market without obstacles. We must ensure that innovation is not the privilege of a select few but an opportunity for all.