Datacentrix Technology and Artificial intelligence [AI] are transforming and reshaping business operations across multiple industries. In the process can effect a tremendous impact on people’s lives. In this context, businesses must contribute to community well-being and prosperity while pursuing growth.
This was an overriding theme of the recent Datacentrix Showcase 2024. The event took place at Montecasino in Johannesburg, presenting excellent content, new ideas and cutting-edge solutions to close to 2,000 technology and business professionals on the day. Diamond Sponsor Hewlett Packard Enterprise [HPE] proudly supported the event together with thirty-four other highly respected ICT technology vendors.
Changing Lives Through Technology
The concept for this year’s Showcase, ‘Changing lives through technology’, reflects Datacentrix’s ongoing commitment to embracing innovative, sustainable solutions. These solutions simultaneously support local businesses while also contributing positively to communities and the environment.
Ahmed Mahomed, Group CEO of Datacentrix, emphasized the need for intelligent, connected, and responsible leadership in today’s business era.
He noted that technology inflows are generational, and digital-age leadership faces the challenge of navigating an uncertain business landscape. As well as the velocity of change ‘where data is everywhere, and market competition has gone global’. Mahomed added that other challenges affecting business leaders today include climate change, geo-political considerations, and the ongoing skills gap. He went on to caution leaders to be mindful of the ‘hype trap’ around elements of technology.
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When re-imagining organizations through a technology lens, it’s important to remember that every company is unique, with its own business imperatives and maturity levels. Digital leadership embraces a broad understanding of how technology can be harnessed to achieve business objectives. Leaders must analyse the impact technologies will have on their organisations and strive to implement those technologies that will create competitive advantage and add value. In today’s world, technology is not just a business enabler, it is a business driver, reimagining models and strategies.”
Combining Regulations Around AI
Andile Ngcaba, Chairman of Convergence Partners, emphasized the need to balance AI regulations with fostering innovation. He highlighted how AI’s ethical considerations differ across industries and should not be uniformly regulated, advocating for global ethical standards to ensure AI respects human rights.
A dynamic discussion followed between HPE South Africa’s President Ntuli and Tottenham Hotspur’s Technology Director, Sanjeev Katwa, on how HPE’s solutions have transformed Tottenham Hotspur Stadium into a tech-driven venue since 2019.
A panel discussion featured leaders from banking, agriculture, IT, and education, including Rika Myburg from Afgri, who emphasized the growing role of technology in agriculture, and Stephanie du Toit from Remgro, who highlighted the importance of sustainability. Busi Matube of Central University of Technology discussed the challenges and benefits of AI in higher education.
Dr. Azar Jammine, Chief Economist at Econometrix, concluded the Datacentrix event by discussing AI’s economic potential, especially in agriculture, and stressed the need to improve education in rural areas to enhance technological opportunities and counter South Africa’s unemployment challenges.
