Business and technology experts have called on managers to adopt a culture of ethical awareness and continuous learning as Artificial Intelligence (AI) becomes central to modern business operations. They stressed the need for leaders to equip employees with data and AI skills to enhance workflow efficiency and drive long-term competitiveness.
Speaking during the Kaizen Academy’s Webinar Series Nine, themed “Unlocking Efficiency: How AI Can Transform Business Operations”, Managing Director of Neovia (UK), Connor Blake, said AI is no longer just a buzzword but a transformative force shaping how organisations innovate and compete. She emphasized that businesses must adopt AI as a purpose-driven enabler that supports strategic goals rather than deploying it for technology’s sake.
Chief Digital Officer of Leadway Holdings (Nigeria), Diana Mulili, highlighted employees’ fears about job displacement as a major challenge in AI adoption. According to her, concerns about trust, identity, and relevance in the workplace can be addressed through transparency, education, and focusing on small but impactful AI-driven wins. She cautioned that poor-quality data often undermines AI projects, leading to inaccurate outcomes.
On his part, Daryush Laqab, Chief AI Officer at Ascendion and Instructor at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, said AI provides unique opportunities to optimise human resource management and automate tasks that were previously costly or inefficient. He urged African companies to think globally, embrace scalability, and take bold steps in leapfrogging traditional industry barriers when integrating AI into their systems.
Similarly, Michael Agbogo, CEO and Chief AI Officer of ChitHub (UK), stressed that leadership and corporate culture remain critical in unlocking AI’s full potential. He advised organisations to build trust, encourage collaboration across departments, and foster a culture of innovation that aligns with long-term stakeholder interests.
Source: Guardian