Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 49 | Page 37

FEATURE : ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE play a role in helping businesses be more agile and competitive , as well as in driving business recovery and rebuilding innovative businesses ,” he said .
He said the path to unlocking the full potential of AI , however , is in using the technology to complement human ingenuity – so a continued focus on both skilling and smart tech deployment will be important . “ AI and Machine Learning are already used in healthcare , but in a rapidly evolving situation , these tools can significantly help boost response times and preparedness ,” he said .
AI use cases
According to Ranjan , the topmost use cases of AI in Africa are automated customer service agents , fraud analysis and investigation , IT automation , automated threat intelligence and prevention systems and sales process recommendation and automation . “ In more generic terms , the adoption of digital assistants ( or digital advisor ) within various lines of businesses and across multiple industries are on the rise ,” he said .
Valley said that connectivity is a critical challenge and many countries across the continent are below the 20 % critical mass necessary to achieve improved efficiencies and enhanced information flows for economic growth and innovation . “ Consumer demand for wireless connectivity is surging and spectrum is a finite source . It is critical to intensively share underused spectrum bands ,” he said . “ The fact is , we will never realise the full benefits of cloud and AI unless everyone has access to reliable broadband connectivity . We know there is an important correlation between broadband access and economic growth , and higher
income , which is why there is a clear economic divide between those with broadband and those without .”
Looking ahead Valley said that connectivity is a critical challenge and many countries across the continent are below the 20 % critical mass necessary to achieve improved efficiencies and enhanced information flows for economic growth and innovation . “ Consumer demand for wireless connectivity is surging and spectrum is a finite source . It is critical to intensively share underused spectrum bands ,” he said .
“ The fact is , we will never realise the full benefits of cloud and AI unless everyone has access to reliable broadband connectivity . We know there is an important correlation between broadband access and economic growth , and higher income , which is why there is a clear economic divide between those with broadband and those without .” p

AI IS AT THE HEART OF DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION

AND WE BELIEVE IT WILL CONTINUE TO PLAY A ROLE IN HELPING

BUSINESSES BE MORE AGILE AND COMPETITIVE .

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