Artificial intelligence (AI) is a hot topic and big buzzword in business today.Infoholic Research predicts that AI in the logistics and supply chain markets will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 42.9% until 2023. According to author, AI and automation expert Johan Steyn, everyone wants AI but there are pitfalls to avoid. In his compelling keynote presentation at the 2022 SAPICS Conference, Steyn explored how intelligent technology will impact supply chains. Technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), smart sensors providing real-time insights, autonomous decision making and predictive analytics will play an increasingly important role in the profession.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a hot topic and big buzzword in business today. Infoholic Research predicts that AI in the logistics and supply chain markets will grow at a compound annual growth rate of 42.9% until 2023. According to author, AI and automation expert Johan Steyn, everyone wants AI but there are pitfalls to avoid. In his compelling keynote presentation at the 2022 SAPICS Conference, Steyn explored how intelligent technology will impact supply chains. Technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), smart sensors providing real-time insights, autonomous decision making and predictive analytics will play an increasingly important role in the profession.

The Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa (IITPSA) has welcomed the plans by the South African Revenue Service to use big data analytics and artificial intelligence to improve revenue collection and locate tax evaders. IITPSA Board member Moira de Roche says the move is welcome, if overdue. "It should have been done years ago. The more efficiently SARS collects tax that is due, the better off we will be as a country. It has been relatively easy for people to dodge tax before now, so it is a move in the right direction to start using all the data that exists across various government departments and deploying AI to identify trends and potential fraud."

Artificial intelligence (AI) can revolutionise business, but it should not be deployed unless there is a solid business case for it. This is according to Johan Steyn, chair of the Institute of Information Technology Professionals South Africa's (IITPSA) AI and robotics special interest group (SIG), who was addressing the Institute's first Tabling Tech Webinar this week. Steyn said AI could improve business in areas ranging from HR, sales and finance through to R&D and customer service. In fields such as human capital management, AI could enhance recruitment by scanning candidates' social media feeds and monitoring their micro-expressions during interviews; it could help personalise training and development programmes and pre-empt the loss of key skills. In sales, AI could ensure products and services met customer needs and wants, and predict market changes.

With all the hype around the fourth industrial revolution, many organisations are scrambling to implement artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) within their operations and offerings. Where should businesses start, and what are the steps they should take to ensure a successful implementation? According to Johan Steyn, chair: Special Interest Group – AI and Robotics at IITPSA, and portfolio lead at IQBusiness, a good place to start with is any area that directly impacts the way you service your customers. Most businesses have have lots of technical debt and legacy systems, with a workforce that might not be ready or even suited for the introduction of new disruptive technologies, he explains. And while many may wish to have AI and ML underscoring their whole business from day one, it is crucial to ensure that the right foundations are laid before introducing these technologies.