Old Mutual executive urges South African firms to view AI as capacity boost
Celiwe Ross says AI should create new roles, not cut jobs, after the Singularity Summit in Sandton.
According to TechCentral, Celiwe Ross, group chief human capital and corporate affairs officer at Old Mutual, reflected on the Singularity Summit South Africa held on 21‑22 October at the Sandton Convention Centre. She urged companies, managers and employees to integrate AI with a focus on capacity rather than headcount.
Ross argued that, if handled correctly, AI can open new career paths and opportunities instead of reducing jobs. She highlighted the need for leaders to steer the AI debate towards how technology can expand organisational capability.
Why it matters to your business
For business operators, the message signals that AI adoption need not be a cost‑cutting exercise but can be a growth driver. Viewing AI as capacity can justify investment in training and new roles, reducing fear of workforce displacement.
Treating AI as a capacity increase also reshapes budgeting: spend shifts from one‑off automation projects to ongoing upskilling and platform integration, affecting both short‑term costs and long‑term productivity.
What to do on Monday
- Review your AI strategy this week and frame it in terms of capacity gains, not headcount reductions.
- Identify at least one role where AI could augment output and plan a pilot training programme.
- Communicate to teams that AI investment aims to create new career pathways.
More on this topic: AI agent news
Sources
Reported by techcentral.co.za.