Automation

The way organisations deploy AI can either build durable trust with employees, regulators and customers or not, writes Kershnee Ballack, technology executive: workforce and workplace enablement for Old Mutual. The important question for CIOs is are we creating the conditions in which our people feel genuinely partnered with AI rather than surveilled, diminished or in quiet competition with it?

On 11 March 2026, Sage Group hosted a briefing in Johannesburg to introduce Sage AI to the Africa and Middle East market. The session brought together regional executives and product specialists to outline how the company is embedding artificial intelligence into its finance, HR and payroll platforms for small and midsize businesses.

Jörg Fischer, Standard Bank group CIO, took to the main stage for a fireside chat with Microsoft Middle East and Africa president Naim Yazbeck at the Microsoft AI Tour on 29 January 2026 to help guide technology leaders on adopting AI in their organisations.

Ravi Bhat, chief AI solutions officer at Microsoft South Africa, speaks to CIO South Africa about the rise of AI agents, the role of CIOs in driving change and what organisations that win in 2026 will look like.

Artificial intelligence is as transformative as electricity was to previous generations, fundamentally reshaping how we live and work.

MakwaIT’s business unit lead for digital platforms and solutions, Lesedi Modibane, and head of network solutions, Ntando Dhlamini, share how MakwaIT’s integrated approach – bringing together cloud, data, cybersecurity and observability – is empowering organisations to shift from reactive to proactive, intelligence-driven IT management.

For panellists at the recent 2025 IT Indaba session on agentic AI, the conversation about artificial intelligence was about meaning rather than machines.

JustSolve CEO Botha van der Vyver discusses how a people-first approach to hyperautomation can simplify implementation for enterprises while ensuring people remain at the centre of technology initiatives.

In a recent CIO South Africa webinar titled retail reimagined: leveraging AI for a competitive edge, Dr Prince Abudu, head of technology for AI at Cassava Technologies and Boyd Chislett, chief business officer at Liquid Intelligent Technologies outlined a vision for how African retailers can gain a competitive edge through agentic AI and the continent’s first AI factory.

As the digital revolution intensifies, South Africa’s top CIOs are looking beyond the tech and discussing whether the future of AI-powered systems lies in full automation or collaboration, with human oversight as the central pillar.

During a panel discussion at CIO Day, IT leaders shared insights on deploying AI tools within their organisations and how these innovations are transforming their work environments.

To gain a better understanding of how AI is reshaping the financial services industry, CIO South Africa caught up with Sasfin Bank CIO Josh Souchon, Old Mutual CIO May Govender and iWYZE CTO Mbusiswa Nyuswa.

From certifications and hard skills to leadership, IT leaders break down the most sought-after skills this year, and offer sound advice for the class of 2023.

Microsoft Africa CTO Ravi Bhat recognises the potential of AI while also advocating for its proper use.

Shalendra Singh and Chris Shortt agree that AI has two jobs: making a positive impact on the business, and people’s careers.

These are the technologies that will become mainstream in 2023 and beyond.

Bluegrass Digital’s Nick Durrant unpacks how CIOs can drive speed and customer satisfaction through automation.

iOCO Director Paul Bouchier shares insights on the importance of automation

PwC Africa’s Dion Shango says The New Equation will allow stakeholders to drive their digital evolution.