Tag: Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in South Africa struggle to secure funding. Traditional banks fail to meet their debt capital needs. Fewer than 15% of SMEs access debt funding from banks, excluding overdraft facilities. Alternative lenders also fall short in meeting SME lending demands. The International Finance Corporation estimates a $30 billion (ZAR 550 billion) funding gap for South African SMEs.

In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being weaponised by cybercriminals, the question of whether we can effectively combat AI threats with more AI is not just a technical inquiry, but a pressing global concern. AI-generated cyberattacks, such as deepfake technology and automated hacking attempts, have created a cybersecurity arms race.

Forget outdated consumer demographics and marketing personas. Even knowing your customers’ names and preferences is no longer enough. According to a Marketing & Sales Practice report by McKinsey, 71% of consumers now expect personalisation. This expectation raises the bar for customer retention and engagement.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) continues to transform almost every aspect of modern life, including legal research, a recent High Court judgment again showed just how perilous blind reliance on AI can be. By citing non-existent case authorities, likely generated by AI, an attorney’s firm landed in hot water, racking up costs and facing a referral to the Legal Practice Council.

It has become increasingly challenging to meet consumer demand for accessible data. This challenge is changing the shape of service delivery and innovation in 2025. In the first quarter of 2024, one user consumed 411.4 terabytes of data. According to MTN, the average contracted user consumes around 21.9 gigabytes of data every month.

In Kenya's competitive banking and finance sector, converting customer interactions into successful transactions is critical. Financial institutions aim to distinguish themselves through this strategy. With the country’s rapidly expanding mobile penetration, there is a need for innovative communication strategies.

In "Seven Days That Changed the World", a small Chinese startup made a rapid and remarkable shift that splits the Artificial Intelligence (AI) atom. Last month, it went from quietly releasing a new AI chatbot to fending off cyberattacks, security leaks, accusations of theft and allegations of sanctions-busting.

I do not consider myself an early or late adopter of technology. I need the right nudges to start exploring. After trial, I enjoy playing and learning new applications. Recently, our business unit started exploring Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to enhance strategy delivery.

Back when computers filled entire rooms, diversity was barely a conversation. The gender gap in technology remains significant. According to the Skillsoft 2024 Women in Tech Report, women make up less than a third of the global technology workforce. Currently, only 25% of the industry consists of women, with lower numbers in artificial intelligence (22%) and engineering (28%).

Remember when smartphones were just getting smart, and we thought, "can it get any better than this?" Well, here we are, standing on the cusp of another revolution - this time with Artificial Intelligence (AI) as our co-pilot. It is like we have been handed the keys to a futuristic car that not only drives itself but also tells jokes to keep us entertained on the journey. But how do we make the most of this incredible partnership?