The credible delivery of Artificial Intelligence in Africa's engineering future

THE recent projections regarding the impact that AI will have on several economic engines across the continent should not be seen as just a statistic, but a call for South Africa to address systemic barriers that have historically held back progress and to position itself as an enabler of this next wave of economic transformation.

- CHRIS CAMPBELL

According to a recent McKinsey report titled ‘Africa’s gen AI potential, generative AI (Gen AI) could unlock between $61 billion and $103 billion in annual economic value across sectors fundamental to South Africa's growth like mining, heavy industry, energy and construction.

While the report's projections are compelling, we must caution against viewing technology as a panacea to all our problems.

How Gen AI might move the needle

We understand that using Gen AI in areas like process optimisation has the potential to dramatically streamline operations, improve asset use and reduce downtime, particularly in sectors such as mining and energy, but while these technical advancements can be transformative, their impact is often constrained by nontechnical barriers.

The ‘uncontrollables’ in this situation stymie the outcome that we are seeking.

For AI-driven process optimisation to deliver its full promise, it must be embedded within a framework of credible delivery and good governance, ensuring that operational gains are not undermined by systemic inefficiencies, mismanagement or other persistent issues such as political interference, corruption and bureaucracy.

Optimism regarding Gen AI must therefore be balanced with a clear-eyed assessment of local realities.