Digify Africa, a non-profit dedicated to bridging the digital divide, has announced the upcoming Industry Roundtable: Unlocking the Future of Work, aimed at bringing together senior leaders, policymakers and industry heads to collaboratively address the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on digital skills and youth employment across Africa.
The hybrid event is scheduled for Friday, 31 October, from 9:30 to 15:30 at the Goethe-Institute, 119 Jan Smuts Ave, Parkwood, Johannesburg, says the NPO.
The AI Imperative: Challenge and Opportunity
The exponential rise of AI presents both a monumental challenge and an unprecedented opportunity for the African continent's youth workforce. This roundtable is specifically convened with the aim to move beyond anxiety and focus on solution-driven strategies to ensure young people are strategically equipped to thrive in this evolving digital landscape, says the NPO.
Key voices from technology, government, advertising and education engage in high-level discussions aimed at shaping national and industry-wide strategies, adds the NPO.
"AI is fundamentally reshaping the economic landscape, and we cannot afford to wait for the change to pass us by," says Qhakaza Mohare, CEO of Digify Africa. "This roundtable is about forging a collective strategy, a shared commitment from industry and policy to invest in the skills that will empower our youth to become creators, not just consumers, of the AI revolution."
Key Event Highlights
The day features a blend of keynote speeches, expert panels and focused roundtable discussions:
- Keynote Address: Asif Valley, National Technology Officer of Microsoft: Focus on how AI and emerging technologies are reshaping the digital economy, providing critical context for the discussions.
- Expert Panel Discussion (11:30 — 12:10): The Future of Digital Work: AI, Emerging Tech & Economic Opportunities.
- Action-Oriented Roundtables (13:30 — 14:30): Attendees will select one of two focused tracks to contribute their expertise.
The Panel Discussion Includes:
- Malcolm MacDonald, CFO, YES
- Nicoli Koorbabally, COO, MLab.
- Sibo Zuma, Head of HR, Avatar Group.
- Tshepiso Kadiaka, Director: Digital Economy — ICT, GBS and Digital Services.
The Action-Oriented Roundtables: Two Focused Tracks
- Bridging the Digital Skills Gap — Policy & Industry Solutions.
- Empowering Digital Talent — The Role of Businesses & Agencies.
Who Should Attend
The event targets senior-level attendees whose insights are essential for shaping large-scale implementation and policy, including Senior Leaders, Policymakers, Industry Heads and Academic Experts in Technology, Digital Skills Development and Youth Empowerment, says the NPO.
Digify Africa aims to drive impact by providing pathways for young people to build sustainable livelihoods through accessible, demand-driven digital skills and literacy training, leveraging innovative tools like their WhatsApp-based learning bots, concludes the NPO.
For more information, visit www.digifyafrica.com. You can also follow Digify Africa on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram.
*Image courtesy of contributor
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