by MTHULISI SIBANDA
JOHANNESBURG – SOUTH African enterprises are rapidly integrating Generative AI (GenAI) into their operations.
However, most are doing so without formal strategies, dedicated leadership, or the infrastructure required to maximise value and minimise risk.
This is the key finding of the newly released South African Generative AI Roadmap 2025, based on a study by World Wide Worx in collaboration with Dell Technologies and Intel.
The report, which surveys over 100 mid-sized and large enterprises across industry sectors, shows that GenAI adoption has climbed from 45 percent of large enterprises in 2024 to 67 percent in 2025.
This rise positions GenAI as the fastest-moving digital trend in the country. However, in a rush to adopt the fast-growing technology, there is a need for organisations to take the foundational steps of planning and governance.
This will more clearly connect AI to people and processes and help organisations reap genuine, sustaining return of investment (ROI).
“Many organisations are simply unaware of the gaps they’re leaving in their systems,” said Arthur Goldstuck, CEO of World Wide Worx and principal analyst of the study.
“The risk goes beyond the technical, and includes reputational, ethical, and operational vulnerability. While the first step of technology adoption is well underway, our survey demonstrates there is room for operational growth.”
Goldstuck warned the current use of GenAI was largely taking place in a regulatory and ethical vacuum.
“The longer this continues, the more harm can be caused, to both businesses and individuals, before these guardrails are in place.”
The report cautioned that South Africa could find itself divided by the ability to use GenAI wisely and scale deployments as the technology matured.
“There’s a real risk of a GenAI disconnect in South Africa between those who use GenAI deliberately, strategically and ethically, and those who use it blindly or not at all,” Goldstuck said.
– CAJ News
