This webinar addressed the dual nature of AI as it reshapes global and continental labour markets. While AI offers significant opportunities for productivity and improved service delivery, it also poses severe risks to Africa’s unique economic landscape, characterised by high youth unemployment and structural inequalities. The session highlights how the rapid, unregulated adoption of external technologies could lead to labour displacement, digital colonialism, and the reinforcement of existing biases within job recruitment and data systems.
Consequently, the discussion examined whether African economies are prepared for these disruptions and explored the environmental and ethical costs associated with the technology. To mitigate these risks, the webinar discussed the necessity of deliberate policy and governance frameworks, such as South Africa’s draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy.
This human-centred framework prioritises responsible governance, skills capacity, and inclusive deployment to ensure that the benefits of AI reach small businesses and informal workers rather than just global actors. By exploring the intersection of AI and economic inclusion, the webinar aims to identify policy priorities that can prevent the widening of inequality while preparing the African youth with the essential skills needed for an increasingly AI-driven economy.
Moderator
Dr Njeri Mwagiru, Senior Researcher, South African Institute of International Affairs
Panellists
- Ms Jeanette Morwane, Chief Director, Department of Communications and Digital Technologies
- Dr Thomas Basikolo, Programme Coordinator, UN International Telecommunication Union
- Mr Ayantola Alayande, Researcher, Global Center on AI Governance
Watch the Recording
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