Lerato Mbhiza
Minister in the Presidency, Dr Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma who is the University of Limpopo Chancellor, said the digital revolution, fueled by the rise of Artificial Intelligence and other innovations, presents both profound opportunities and complex challenges to the people in communities and rural areas.
Dlamini-Zuma was giving a keynote address at the unveiling of the University of Limpopo Digital Innovation Lab (LDIL) on Wednesday and said while technology empowers human progress, it can also exacerbate existing inequalities across lines of class, race, gender and location.
She added that the digital revolution is reconfiguring the world of work in both challenging and promising ways. On one hand, the digital divide is exacerbating existing inequalities.
“Those without access to technology, digital skills, or reliable internet connections are increasingly left behind, unable to compete in a job market that demands digital proficiency. This gap is disproportionately affecting the marginalized communities, those on the periphery of mainstream economic activities.
“However, the digital revolution also presents significant opportunities for transforming the workplace. Automation is changing the nature of many jobs, necessitating upskilling and a shift towards higher-order tasks that require creativity, problem-solving, and adaptability.
“Remote work has become prevalent, offering greater flexibility and potentially opening up a global talent pool. However, it is essential to ensure this new work landscape does not create more harm than good,” she said
The LDIL is a strategic initiative designed to improve the development of information and communication technologies (ICT) skills in Limpopo and address unemployment.
Through a 10-month Software Development (SWD) initiative that introduces coding fundamentals and digital social innovation, the LDIL programme also seeks to empower 25 unemployed youth each year.
The programme also places a strong emphasis on providing unemployed youth with practical, real-world experience.
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