In Botswana, we witnessed the second day of GEW 2024 and entered the world of artificial intelligence and its possibilities. The morning kicked-off with what can be described as a shocking mastery by Dr. Shiko Gitau, who not only encouraged room participants by the depth of knowledge but her passion for AI. Her talk was about what has AI done for you and me and how it has revolutionised almost every sector from healthcare to education and business. She spoke of AI with a humanistic perspective where she was painting AI as an enhancer of human creativity rather than a tool.
Among the highlights of the session was the address by Mmetla Masire of the Okavango Diamond Company. He demonstrated how through AI, there is transparency and ethical sourcing of diamonds through the supply chain. This was a masterclass in how to leverage technology to solve problems pertinent to an industry without compromising social relevance.
The topic was transformed into a more serious discussion after Mr. Lesogo Mathware spoke about entrepreneurial ethics. But he wondered, “How can we make sure that humans remain in charge of values in a world where machines have the ability to think, too.” His session reminded everyone that we need to be ethical in the future that we are going to build.
In my case, Day 2 was a day full of as many ideas as can be imagined. I then started thinking about the potential application of artificial intelligence in my own business initiatives namely in a sustainable fashion startup and a hydroponic farming business. Not only the sessions provided valuable and important information they were more than sessions, they were transformations.
AI isn’t a replacement for human ingenuity; it’s an enhancer. Ethical considerations must precede innovation. AI has practical applications across diverse sectors, from fashion to agriculture.
What I’ll Give Back to Botswana:
I’ll explore ways to integrate AI into my businesses, from predictive analytics in hydroponics to enhancing customer experiences in my fashion ventures, ensuring Botswana remains competitive in the digital era.
This was a masterclass in using technology to solve industry-specific challenges while maintaining social responsibility.