The University of Johannesburg (UJ) made a commanding impression at the inaugural CNBC Africa Artificial Intelligence Summit, held on 14 August 2025 at the Indaba Hotel in Johannesburg. The event gathered more than 300 industry professionals, policymakers, and researchers to explore AI’s transformative role across Africa’s key sectors. Representing UJ were three distinguished academics: Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Professor Letlhokwa Mpedi; Associate Professor Kat Yassim from the Department of Education Leadership and Management; and Professor Arthur G.O. Mutambara, Director of the Institute for the Future of Knowledge (IFK). Together, they underscored the University’s leadership in shaping Africa’s AI future through research excellence, policy influence, and educational innovation.

The summit opened with a keynote address by H.E. Solly Malatsi, Minister of Communications and Digital Technologies, who emphasised the importance of collaboration between government, academia, and industry to ensure AI drives inclusive economic growth while safeguarding ethics, privacy, and digital rights. His remarks set the tone for a day of practical strategies and forward-looking debate.

A national voice on AI regulation

Professor Mpedi joined CNBC Africa’s Editor-in-Chief, Godfrey Mutizwa, in a high-profile televised fireside chat on The AI Regulatory Landscape: Balancing Innovation and Compliance. He addressed the challenge of fostering innovation while ensuring strong ethical and legal frameworks. “We need to empower regulators and policymakers so they fully grasp the challenges — only then can we make real progress,” he said.

Prof Mpedi’s intervention positioned UJ not only as an academic leader but also as a key contributor to national and continental policy discourse on AI governance.

Redefining education in the age of AI

Associate Professor Yassim participated in the AI in Education: Personalised Learning and Future-Ready Skills panel, moderated by Alexander Leibner. She showcased how UJ is integrating AI tools into teaching and learning — from the classroom to lifelong learning pathways.

“Many universities have taken a conservative approach to AI — with the exception of the University of Johannesburg. We’ve been bold, embracing the AI revolution while safeguarding ethics, so students can use it for learning, innovation, and social impact.”

Yassim argued that AI is already embedded in daily life — in homes, schools, and workplaces — making it vital to focus on responsible use rather than prohibition. “The challenge is not to police it out of existence, but to teach responsible use — so it drives lifelong learning and expands ideas.”

Her perspective reinforced UJ’s role as a forward-thinking institution preparing graduates for a technology-driven future.

Powering AI through knowledge and infrastructure

In the Powering AI: Cloud, Infrastructure and Scalability session, Professor Mutambara addressed the often-overlooked foundations of AI innovation: computing power, data systems, and the physical infrastructure behind the “cloud.”

“We have no choice but to be players in the infrastructure that powers AI. AI doesn’t run on water or air — it runs on infrastructure.”

Citing examples such as Cassava’s partnership with NVIDIA to bring GPUs into Africa, he stressed that local control over infrastructure is critical to both economic gain and cybersecurity resilience.

“If we want to benefit from the AI revolution, we need a deliberate strategy for AI infrastructure. Using others’ systems leaves us vulnerable — and limits the economic gain.”

Mutambara also called for a continental approach to AI capacity: “Yes to national AI plans — but more importantly, Africa needs a regional and continental strategy. No single country can train large-scale AI models alone; we must pool our resources, talent, and energy to compete globally.”

Driving Africa’s AI future

UJ’s participation reflects its strategic vision to be at the forefront of both African and global debates on AI’s ethical, practical, and societal applications. By contributing expertise in regulation, education, and infrastructure, the University is actively shaping a future in which AI is a driver of inclusive growth and positive societal impact.

As AI continues to transform economies and communities, UJ’s academics are not merely responding to change — they are leading it.