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TECHNOLOGY, INNOVATION, NEW PRODUCTS AND PEOPLE

Widespread adoption of AI still years away

here are many issues to be worked To listen to the frank discussion on AI click here
out and agreed upon before we
Twill see widespread application ABOUT THE PANELLISTS:
of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in business. Johan Steyn is an Artificial Intelligence and
In an EngineerIT panel discussion about Automation thought-leader and speaks globally at
“Artificial Intelligence in Business: conferences on the Fourth Industrial Revolution
Balancing Risks and Rewards” Archana and Emerging Technologies. 2019 award winner
Arakkal and Johan Steyn agreed that the Best AI & Robotics Management Consultant by
time frame could be anywhere between Wealth & Finance magazine (UK).
five and 10 years, He is a research fellow at the School of
Archana said there are a few steps Data Science and Computational Thinking at
to be addressed even in the next five Stellenbosch University (South Africa). He is an
years. We have to figure out what AI adjunct professor at the School of Business at
can do and what the limitations are and Woxsen University (India).
getting people comfortable with that is He is the chair of the Special Interest Group on
not around the corner. We will still be Artificial Intelligence and Robotics with the IITPSA
figuring what AI can do and what the (Institute of Information Technology Professionals
benefits are, and 10 years even may South Africa).
be a more realistic time frame. Johan He is a published author who regularly
Steyn said “I also have five to ten years contributes articles on thought-leadership to
in my head, but it all depends on what well-known publications such as Business Day, the Johan Steyn
happens. If people see the benefits that Sunday Times, Finweek, News24, ITWeb, Synapse
AI will have in their real lives, the comfort and Brainstorm Magazine. He has participated in
with the technology will increase but several EngineerIT Panel discussions.
the converse if the victims of the biases
affect us negatively - then it is an enemy Archana Arakkal is currently in pursuit of her
to us. It however has the potential to PhD within the areas of privacy preserving AI and
be the best benefit ever created for our multi-agent reinforcement learning. She is seen as
children.’’ a thought-leader for AI in Africa and has several
Many facets of AI are frankly machine learning community affiliations. Archana
discussed by the two panellist; from is a leader and a specialist engineer within the
the benefits business can derive by Data and AI practice of Synthesis.
embracing AI as well as the pitfalls, Challenging the impossible and making
and in particular how to manage the innovation possible when it is the least expected
impact on the workforce. The question and constantly striving to improve human lives is
of regulations is debated. Should AI be what drives her. She is passionate about Women in
regulated? And by whom? tech, dancing and is an adrenaline junkie. Archana Arakkal

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