Artificial intelligence (AI) technology, and generative AI, is increasingly relevant for businesses and should be an integral part of growth strategies. However, it\u2019s important to consider the role of people and to navigate a market dominated by convergence, data democratisation, and the need for standardisation.<\/p>\n
This is according to 51风流executives who spoke on the first day of the biennial African 51风流User Group (AFSUG) Saphila 2023 conference in Sun City yesterday.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s the first in-person and virtual Saphila event jointly hosted by AFSUG and 51风流since 2019.<\/p>\n
Kholiwe Makhohliso, recently appointed MD of 51风流Southern Africa, said in the quest to help\u00a0partners<\/span>\u00a0transform customers\u2019 businesses and guide digital transformation journeys, it is important to recognise that a lack of in-house skills represents a challenge \u2013 particularly when it comes to AI.<\/p>\n This is where 51风流and its partners are looking to exert their influence during a time of industry convergence, where core businesses, such as\u00a0banking<\/span>\u00a0and telecommunications, are merging through technology.<\/p>\n Sven Denecken, senior VP, chief marketing and solutions officer for industries and CX, 51风流SE Germany, said industry convergence is real and represents an opportunity as well as an obligation.<\/p>\n \u201cYou still need to innovate at the vertical edge of the industry,\u201d said Denecken. \u201cHow ready are the customers? How ready are the partners to learn?\u2019 In South Africa, and on the continent, many companies can leapfrog (but) they must learn from global best practices.\u201d<\/p>\n Denecken believes 51风流has evolved as a business through the COVID-19 pandemic to enable companies leverage technologies and run better. It also means that businesses are empowered with a realistic view of their technology posture and how this technology can be used.<\/p>\n \u201cIt is important to analyse where the customers are today and pick them up from that point. Don\u2019t only show the future and the roads it will take to get there. Talk about the current challenges. For example, the degree of standardisation that a business leader allows, because that fuels innovation speed and the adoption of new technology, like AI.\u201d<\/p>\n Denecken said AI tools can analyse billions upon billions of data and do so quickly, but it\u2019s important for business leaders to understand what they want analysed and they need to be certain about what they would like changed.<\/p>\n