SA businesses embrace GenAI – but strategy and skills lagging, finds 2025 Roadmap

Hi Guys, 

South African enterprises are rapidly integrating Generative AI (GenAI) into their operations, but most are doing so without formal strategies, dedicated leadership, or the infrastructure required to maximise value and minimise risk.

This is the key finding of the newly released South African Generative AI Roadmap 2025, based on a study by World Wide Worx in collaboration with Dell Technologies and Intel.

The report, which surveys over 100 mid-sized and large enterprises across industry sectors, shows that GenAI adoption has climbed from 45% of large enterprises in 2024 to 67% in 2025.

This dramatic rise positions GenAI as the fastest-moving digital trend in the country. However, in a rush to adopt the fast-growing technology, there is a need for organisations to take the foundational steps of planning and governance. Doing so will more clearly connect AI to people and processes and help organisations reap genuine, sustaining ROI.

“Many organisations are simply unaware of the gaps they’re leaving in their systems,” says Arthur Goldstuck, CEO of World Wide Worx and principal analyst of the study. “The risk goes beyond the technical, and includes reputational, ethical, and operational vulnerability. While the first step of technology adoption is well underway, our survey demonstrates there is room for operational growth.”

According to the report’s findings, AI adoption has brought clear benefits to the organisations using it:

• 86% of GenAI users cite increased competitiveness as a result of using AI tools.
• 83% report improved productivity.
• 66% see enhanced customer service.

Yet, behind these numbers lies an operational gap:

• Only 14% of organisations have a formal company-wide GenAI strategy.
• Just 13% have implemented governance or ethical frameworks in the form of guardrails for safety, privacy and bias mitigation.
• 39% cite high implementation cost as the primary barrier to GenAI adoption

AI maturity requires foundations

“The roadmap aims to help guide stakeholders to fully understand the scope of GenAI, and to build transparent strategies that deliver on its promise without placing enterprises at risk,” says Goldstuck. “What’s most startling is that many companies think using a GenAI tool is the same as having an AI strategy.”

As companies race to embed GenAI tools like Microsoft Copilot and ChatGPT into business functions, most are overlooking deeper transformation through infrastructure, skills and internal capability. Holistic AI infrastructure, combined with people and processes, is critical to scaling AI deployments and clearly connecting them to tangible return on investment.

Shadow AI

The report raises the alarm about “shadow AI” – the unsanctioned use of GenAI by employees without oversight. Currently:

• 32% of businesses report informal or unregulated GenAI use.
• A further 20% report a mix of official and unofficial GenAI use.
• 84% say oversight is an important or very important success factor for GenAI deployment.

Critical governance measures include clear principles for oversight, accountability, and responsible use. It enables organisations to build trust, reduce risk, and drive long-term value.

“The current use of GenAI is largely taking place in a regulatory and ethical vacuum,” Goldstuck warns. “The longer this continues, the more harm can be caused to both businesses and individuals before these guardrails are in place.

“Without governance, organisations are walking blindfolded into a future shaped by AI. That might be exciting, but it is not sustainable.”

The roadmap also identifies two areas of opportunity:

• Business and Societal impact: Over 75% of respondents have no measures in place to monitor or reduce the energy use and footprint of GenAI.
• Skills development: A massive 87% of businesses have committed to GenAI upskilling or training of employees.

The report cautions that South Africa could find itself divided by the ability to use GenAI wisely and scale deployments as the technology matures.

Goldstuck says: “There’s a real risk of a GenAI disconnect in South Africa between those who use GenAI deliberately, strategically and ethically, and those who use it blindly or not at all.”

About World Wide Worx:
World Wide Worx is South Africa’s leading independent technology research organisation, focused on delivering evidence-based insights for digital transformation.

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Performance Redefined with New Dell Pro Max Laptops By Kevin Terwilliger

Hi Friends, 

We’re in a dynamic era where technology serves as both the tool and the canvas for ideas and innovation. Available now, our new Dell Pro Max high-performance laptop portfolio delivers exceptional power with the latest NVIDIA RTX PRO™ Blackwell Generation GPUs, while still offering portability and cutting-edge designs. Built for the power users, engineers, creators and AI developers transforming industries, these AI PCs not only handle the most demanding AI workflows but set the standard for performance and creativity.

As the world’s leader in workstations,[1] we’re all about designing without compromise. Reliability, configurability and performance aren’t just features—they’re the foundation. We know professionals need tools they can count on to tackle their most critical and impactful workloads, and that’s what we deliver.

Dell Pro Max 14/16 Premium: Portability Meets Elite Performance

The Dell Pro Max 14/16 Premium laptops combine mobility, style and performance, offering modern design with advanced functionality. These are the most design-forward models in our line-up, built for those who value both aesthetics and performance.

With the world's smallest footprint of 14- and 16-inch mobile workstations,[2] you can take your creative studio anywhere – designing, editing and innovating wherever inspiration strikes. The sleek and refined design offers the world’s first 4K Tandem OLED display on mobile workstations (on the 16-inch).[3] Perfect for creating, collaborating and showcasing projects, the display brings content to life with sharp, dynamic clarity. The VESA DisplayHDR TrueBlack 1000 certification provides exceptionally deep blacks for stunning visuals. Whether presenting creative concepts or collaborating on engineering plans, every detail shines on-screen.

Even with the portable design, performance remains non-negotiable. Built on NVIDIA RTX™ PRO 3000 Blackwell Laptop GPUs and up to 45W Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 285H processors, these laptops provide a significant 19% and 23% boost in graphics performance over the previous generation on the 14- and 16-inch models, respectively.[4] If you're editing video or crunching a data analysis, every task runs effortlessly.

Dell Pro Max 16/18 Plus: Unmatched Mobile Muscle

For complex or data-intensive tasks, the Dell Pro Max Plus gives you maximum desktop-level power in a mobile form factor. With expansive 16- and 18-inch display options, these laptops offer vast screen real estate to support multitasking, creative design and in-depth analysis, paired with exceptional performance.

Equipped with the NVIDIA RTX™ PRO 5000 Blackwell GPU, up to 55W Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 285HX processors and up to 16TB of storage capacity, these laptops are built to tackle even the most demanding workloads. The Dell Pro Max 16 Plus and Dell Pro Max 18 Plus showcase this power with a 53% and 44% graphics improvement over the previous generation.[5] From AI modelling and training to complex simulations and large-scale data analysis, these machines have the speed and power to keep your compute-heavy projects running smoothly.

All of this is made possible by advanced thermal technology.[6] The Dell Pro Max Plus devices increase total performance by up to 36% while keeping temperatures lower, [7] even when running resource-intensive workloads. With CAMM2 memory and an impressive 256GB capacity module available this year, AI developers and speciality users can tackle increasingly demanding workloads.

It’s worth reiterating. Dell Pro Max Plus—this is where power meets intelligent design to push the boundaries of what’s possible.

Dell Pro Max 14/16: Everyday Reliability, Elevated

For those balancing creativity and efficiency, the Dell Pro Max 14/16 strikes the perfect chord as the entry point into the Pro Max lineup. Designed for lighter workloads, these devices deliver the performance and reliability to fuel your ambitions. With 14- and 16-inch display options and starting at only 3.95 pounds (14-inch), you can take your productivity on the go. You can also rely on long battery life – up to 18 hours on the 14-inch and up to 20 hours on the 16-inch.[8]

The compact and portable size pairs with capable performance. With AMD Ryzen AI processors, these are the first Copilot+ PCs in the Dell Pro Max lineup, running 50+ TOPS on the NPU, and offering exclusive AI-powered experiences. Also available with up to 45W Intel® Core™ Ultra 9 285H processors and up to NVIDIA RTX™ PRO 2000 Blackwell Generation GPU with 572 AI TOPS, the Dell Pro Max 14/16 is up to 36% and 33% more powerful than the previous generations.[9] You can power design applications, support large Excel files and create 2D/3D models.

Ideal for power users, financial analysts and emerging creators, Dell Pro Max 14/16 offers dependability without compromise.

Future-Driven Innovation

Our Dell Pro Max laptops set the standard as the world’s most secure commercial AI PCs, [10] equipped with advanced security features. With AI workloads running on the device, your sensitive data stays local, reducing exposure to external threats. Dell’s manageability tools also make it easier for IT admins to oversee their Dell Pro Max fleets effortlessly.

In addition, the portfolio delivers on Dell’s commitment to circular innovation and serviceability. The laptops are made with recycled magnesium, post-consumer recycled plastic, bio-based plastic, recycled ocean-bound plastic, and recycled and low-emission aluminium.[11] With the industry’s first Modular USB-C Port (also available on the Dell Pro portfolio),[12] the design improves durability and simplifies repairs. And, the new easy-access service door on the Dell Pro Max Plus allows for straightforward component upgrades.

Lastly, Windows 11 across our lineup provides security enhancements and the modern computing experience that customers expect from their PC, as well as productivity benefits from Copilot on Windows, your AI companion. As support for Windows 10 comes to an end on October 14, 2025, read more here to learn how to prepare and ensure a smooth transition to Windows 11.

If your current technology is starting to strain under new and growing, demanding workloads, now is the moment to upgrade to Dell Pro Max.

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[1] Based on IDC Worldwide Quarterly Workstation Tracker, Feb 7, 2025 – Units.

[2] Based on internal review of Dell, HP and Lenovo workstation in market. February 2025.

[3] Based on internal review of Dell, HP and Lenovo workstation in market. February 2025.

[4] Based on internal testing of the Dell Pro Max 14 Premium and Dell Precision 5490, May 2025. Based on internal testing of the Dell Pro Max 16 Premium and Dell Precision 5690, May 2025.

[5] Based on internal testing of the Dell Pro Max 16 Plus and Dell Precision 7680, May 2025. Based on internal testing of the Dell Pro Max 18 Plus and Dell Precision 7780, May 2025.

[6] Dell Pro Max Plus notebooks have the most advance patented thermal technology in Dell mobile workstations.

[7] Based on internal testing of the Dell Pro Max 16 Plus and Dell Precision 7680, May 2025. Based on internal testing of the Dell Pro Max 18 Plus and Dell Precision 7780, May 2025.

[8] Based on internal evaluation of the new Dell Pro Max 14. Battery times vary based on usage and configurations, May 2025. Based on internal evaluation of the new Dell Pro Max 16. Battery times vary based on usage and configurations, May 2025.

[9] Dell Pro Max 14: Based on internal evaluation of the new Dell Pro Max 14 and the previous generation, Precision 3490, February 2025. Dell Pro Max 16: Based on internal evaluation of the new Dell Pro Max 16 and the previous generation, Precision 3591, February 2025.

[10] Based on Dell internal analysis, October 2024. Applicable to PCs on Intel processors. Not all features available with all PCs. Additional purchase required for some features. Validated by Principled Technologies. A comparison of security features, April 2024.

[11] Dell Pro Max Premium: Based on internal analysis, January 2025. Recycled cobalt applies to the 72whr and 96whr battery. 30% post-consumer recycled plastic in the speaker housing and 98% post-consumer recycled plastic in the battery frame, 90% recycled magnesium in the bottom cover, 75% recycled aluminum and 25% low emissions recycled aluminum in the top cover and palmrest and 50% recycled cobalt in the battery. Dell Pro Max Plus: Based on internal analysis, January 2025. 90% recycled magnesium in the top and bottom covers, 30% post-consumer recycled plastic in the palmrest and SSD holder, 50% recycled cobalt in the battery (96 whr) and 46% bio-based plastic bottom bumpers. Dell Pro Max: Based on internal analysis, December 2024. 50% post-consumer recycled plastic in the bezel, palmrest innerframe, 30% in the top cover, bottom cover and speaker housing, 50% recycled cobalt in the 64whr, 72whr and 96whr batteries, 42% bio-based plastic bottom bumpers and 21% bio-based plastic in the top and bottom covers, 28% recycled ocean-bound plastic in the fan housing and 20% reclaimed carbon fiber in the top and bottom covers.

[12] World’s first workstations built with a modular USB-C port secured by screws, improving durability and enabling easier repairs. Applies to Dell Pro Max and Dell Pro Max Plus workstations launching in 2025. Based on internal analysis, November 2024. New USB-C port design is a screwed-on connection for easier repairs and improved durability. Read warranty information for USB-C port replacement instructions.

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Unboxing Dell TechByte Goodies @DellTechZA #DellTechByte #DellTechZA #TheLifesWay

Hi Friends,

Dell Technologies South Africa organises these Dell Tech Byte Webinars at regular intervals and this one is the last of this year on 9 Dec 2021 on the topic - INTELLIGENT COLLABORATION. ENDLESS INNOVATION. 

Get the opportunity to learn more about Dell's award-winning server tech solutions from top industry experts. Thanks to Dell Tech ZA for sending these amazing snacks and a sweet little gift for the festive season!

Check out the unboxing video for the same - https://youtu.be/-fWRLu6zdDU

 

So far I have not won the awesome prizes Dell gives from time to time like UPS, Android Box - Roku, Smart Speakers from Amazon, Kindle etc but I will continue to try winning the same in 2022!

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