South African businesses are under growing pressure to modernise their systems while keeping pace with the rapid rise of artificial intelligence, as concerns mount over rising technology costs, outdated infrastructure and the growing demand for digital sovereignty.
These were among the key issues raised on Monday during a post-Red Hat Summit media roundtable in Bryanston, where technology leaders warned that African companies risk falling behind if they fail to prepare for a future increasingly shaped by automation and AI-driven systems.
While much of the global conversation around AI has focused on innovation and speed, executives at the event argued that businesses in Africa are facing a far more practical challenge: how to adopt new technology without overwhelming already stretched budgets and ageing systems.
Dion Harvey, Regional General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at Red Hat, said many of the announcements made at the global summit in the US resonated strongly with African businesses because they addressed real operational pressures facing companies on the continent.
“The event was not all about just pushing the boundary on the next big thing. It truly felt like Red Hat was understanding the practical context of what our customers are going through today.”
