by MTHULISI SIBANDA
JOHANNESBURG, (CAJ News) – THE Singularity South Africa Summit 2025 has ended in Johannesburg with a call to scale technologies that tackle pressing social problems.
The event was hosted in collaboration with Old Mutual and metaverse partner, UBU.
Among other highlights, Valter Adao, Chief Executive at Cadena Growth Partners, emphasised that digital transformation began with leadership transformation.
He argued that many organisations fall short not because of technology, but because leaders fail to adopt new ways of thinking.
Adao called for a culture of continuous learning and experimentation, supported by digital literacy across all levels of business, to ensure sustainable innovation rather than reactionary change.
Dr Mark Nasila, Chief Data and AI Officer at First National Bank, grounded the discussion in practical realities of AI.
“Successful AI integration depends on clear governance, ethical oversight, and a focus on augmenting rather than replacing human potential,” Nasila said.
He illustrated how human-centred design and adaptive policymaking could help organisations use AI responsibly to improve decision-making and drive long-term value.
Futurist, John Sanei, delivered a session on IRL (in real life) detailing how humans can add value by shifting from IQ and hard skills to emotional intelligence and adaptability.
“In a world where AI surpasses average human cognitive capacity, the ability to manage emotions, navigate triggers and remain adaptable is what will define success,” Samei said.
He urged leaders and workers alike to embrace emotional intelligence and self-awareness as essential assets for thriving in evolving environments.
The summit ended with Bohlale Mphahlele, from Limpopo, whose Alerting Earpiece has the potential to revolutionise society’s response to gender-based violence.
The discreet wearable device can send distress alerts, GPS location and audio evidence to trusted contacts and authorities when a person feels threatened.
Organisers of the summit believe her presentation translated the conference’s themes into a tangible effort to protect women and children, and highlighted how AI, IoT and blockchain can support safety, evidence integrity and rapid response.
The 2026 Singularity South Africa Summit will be held in Johannesburg, again in October.
– CAJ News