South African Vice President Paul Mashatile has warned that the rapid progress of Artificial Intelligence could deepen existing socio-economic inequalities if not managed through inclusive and people-centred policies.
Speaking at the launch of a Digital Innovation Lab at the Gert Sibande TVET College in Mpumalanga on Tuesday, 14 April, Mashatile highlighted structural challenges such as the digital divide, limited access to education and high unemployment, warning that these could leave many citizens behind in the growing digital economy.
He urged stakeholders to avoid replicating the inequities of past industrial revolutions, instead advocating for systems that harness technology to ensure opportunity, social cohesion and shared prosperity. He said the new Innovation Lab represents a strategic alignment between the demands of academia and industry.
Mashatile stressed that the transformative potential of AI should be harnessed through investments in data literacy, cloud computing and integration of digital skills into artisan training. Acknowledging that AI could displace millions of jobs, he underlined its potential to create new opportunities, increase productivity and encourage innovation if leveraged effectively.