South Africa faces one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, while simultaneously standing on the brink of an artificial intelligence (AI) revolution.
The debate about whether AI will “take our jobs” is misplaced. The real risk is that organisations fail to adopt AI fast enough — and lose to competitors who do.
At BlueSky, we see this reality daily. Companies that build strong data foundations and apply AI responsibly are not just more efficient; they are more innovative. They design better customer experiences, create new revenue streams, and empower their people to focus on work that matters. Collaboration between humans and AI will release us from the mundane and repetitive, and unlock human capacity.
Those who hesitate to adopt AI risk not only losing market share but also missing the opportunity to reshape their organisations for long-term growth.
Yes, roles will evolve. Repetitive, rules-based tasks are increasingly automated. But in a country with a chronic shortage of ICT and digital skills, automation is not a threat — it is a lifeline.
By freeing people from low-value tasks, AI enables scarce talent to focus on creativity, problem-solving, and empathy: skills no machine can replicate. In fact, some of the most exciting opportunities lie in new roles that don’t even exist yet — roles that will emerge as human ingenuity meets AI capability.
We have seen this pattern before. The printing press, the typewriter, and the word processor all disrupted the way we work. But each expanded access and unlocked new possibilities.
AI is no different. It is the next chapter in a long history of tools that have amplified human potential rather than replaced it. AI is clearly reshaping how work gets done, and who does it.
However, the real question is not whether humans or AI will “win.” The future of work is humans with AI. Those who embrace it responsibly will thrive. Those who delay risk being left behind. What is required now is not fear, but foresight. Leaders must ask themselves: how will we use AI to serve our customers better, to empower our people, and to align with a sustainable, inclusive growth agenda?
We believe this transformation must rest on ethical, sustainable foundations aligned with Africa’s growth ambitions. That’s why we partner with organisations not only to implement technology but also to embed a culture of innovation. We help businesses design with AI, govern with responsibility, and build with purpose.
For us, the end goal is not technology for technology’s sake, but human progress enabled by technology.
The call to action is urgent. South African businesses cannot afford to wait. The winners of the AI era will be those who act boldly, responsibly, and humanely. BlueSky is ready to help lead that journey.
- Matt Surkont, CEO, BlueSky
