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Renowned Artificial Intelligence (AI) expert and Bright Mind Agency founder, Mr Alexander Morad, has called on African countries to harness Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance business efficiency and expand their reach in global markets. Based in Sweden, Morad underlined the transformative potential of AI in driving innovation and competitiveness across various industries.

Mr Morad made the remarks during a public lecture “AI or Die” held at the University of Botswana (UB) campus Indoor Sports Centre on the 10th of February 2025. The objective of the lecture was to advocate for digital transformation and inspire institutions to embrace the limitless potential of artificial intelligence and digital tools.

Mr Morad said AI was rising globally and reshaping industries worldwide, offering transformative opportunities. He said African countries should leverage the potential of AI to keep pace with the developed world and avoid falling behind in the rapidly evolving digital landscape.

He noted that Botswana was well-positioned to leverage AI given its 80 percent literacy rate which could be harnessed to unlock entrepreneurship opportunities. He further highlighted AI’s potential to democratise knowledge, making information more accessible to a wider population. In addition, he indicated that businesses could utilise AI to enhance service delivery, improve customer experiences, boost efficiency and drive productivity.

Mr Morad stated that AI should be seen as a tool for enhancing jobs instead of replacing them. He said while AI may not solve everything, it had the power to transform and evolve various industries. Furthermore, he noted that AI could play a role in addressing unemployment challenges and encouraged individuals particularly content creators and prompters to harness its potential as a means of livelihood.

Mr Morad encouraged unemployed youth to leverage AI as a tool for generating income and creating sustainable livelihoods. He highlighted key areas with high potential for AI-driven opportunities including digital marketing, advertisement creation, image and video editing, online courses, music production and content creation.

Mr Morad lamented that African countries had largely been excluded from global AI discussions. To bridge the gap, he has embarked on a tour across the continent to empower communities with knowledge on AI and its transformative impact.