Tag: FutureOfWork

Tomorrow’s leaders will still need wisdom. Wisdom still needs experience. And experience still needs time.

As South Africa accelerates its digital transformation, the conversation around women in technology needs to become more practical and outcome-focused. While access to digital tools has improved, the real issue now is whether women are meaningfully participating in the decisions, development and leadership that shape how technology is used in the world of work.

Studies show that South Africa (SA) trails the United States of America (USA) in Artificial Intelligence (AI) implementation by 50%: confirmed by SA’s leading digital innovation agency. SA is not short on ambition when it comes to AI. However, the country struggles with execution.

Our model of work is fundamentally broken. We burn hours in gridlock commutes to sit in offices in congested business districts. In the process, we trade time, wellbeing and productivity. Meanwhile, a global movement is gaining traction. It flips this model on its head through the 15-Minute City. This idea is no longer just academic theory. Instead, it represents an urban reset that is already reshaping how people live, shop and work worldwide.

As Artificial Intelligence (AI) reshapes how work is done, its most profound impact isn’t mass job losses, it’s the erosion of entry-level roles that once trained future leaders. This article explores how automation is hollowing out the talent pipeline, what it means for mentorship and succession planning, and why businesses must rethink how they develop the next generation of professionals.

There is a massive disconnect that fundamentally exists within African business education today. The classic MBA was built for markets driven by rough equilibrium and modest change. Yet Africa’s growth and expansion are occurring amid persistent turbulence, enduring imbalances, intersecting intricate systems, and a collective drive for home-grown intellectual and technological power. An innovative African MBA must disrupt the culture of business schools, shifting from mimicking non-African models to inventing frameworks that speak to the nature of markets and economies across the continent.

If you thought 2025 intensified the pressure to keep up with rapid technological, business and social change, 2026 will be tougher. This assessment reflects a broader reality facing professionals across sectors. Technological acceleration, social shifts and economic uncertainty now define the contemporary workplace. In this environment, lifelong learning is key to sustaining relevance and resilience.

The conversation about Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shifted in South Africa from curiosity to critical urgency. Generative AI, in particular, has captured attention across board - not only for its potential to boost productivity but also for its role in addressing broader social and environmental priorities.

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

Read our exclusive cover story titled AI-to-AI engagement - humans optional! by Steven Ambrose, CEO, DR Insight, plus a host of other topical management articles written by professionals, consultants and academics.