Earlier this month the BRICS Young Scientist Forum highlighted artificial intelligence - AI -  machine learning and future skills as essential for advancing the goals of BRICS countries. At this week's BRICS Summit, the leaders of the bloc also pledged to secure fair artificial intelligence and announced plans to organize an "AI study group" to closely monitor AI technology's growth. It is against this background that the Southern Africa Telecommunication Networks and Applications Conference starting today is exploring the pivotal role of artificial intelligence in shaping South Africa, Africa, and the global economy. Dr. Mmaki Janties, Group Executive: Innovation and Transformation at Telkom, is attending the conference and spoke to us to provide further insights.