South Africa risks falling behind on AI unless skills training starts early, expert warns

South Africa must urgently rethink how it educates and upskills its workforce if it hopes to compete in an AI-driven global economy, according to training experts who warned the country is already playing catch-up.

Daniel Orelowitz, Managing Director at Training Force, said rapid advances in artificial intelligence are exposing deep gaps in education, digital access and workplace readiness - especially for young people and entry-level workers.

He warned that without deliberate intervention, AI could widen inequality rather than reduce it.

AI and the erosion of critical thinking

One of the biggest concerns raised during the discussion was the apparent decline in critical thinking skills as AI tools become more accessible.

Orelowitz said even children are increasingly turning to AI to complete tasks without engaging deeply with the work.

“They’re not thinking for themselves anymore,” he said, adding that the education system needs to adapt to teach learners how to use AI critically rather than rely on it blindly.

He acknowledged the challenge facing educators, noting that AI tools evolve so quickly that courses can become outdated within months. Universities and training institutions, he said, are being forced to constantly revise policies and curricula as new platforms emerge.

Corporations must retrain continuously

Orelowitz argued that businesses cannot wait for the education system alone to solve the problem. At a minimum, companies should ensure their own staff are equipped for the direction in which technology is heading.

He said his organisation is regularly retraining employees on new AI tools, including platforms developed by Microsoft, to improve efficiency and understanding. But this, he stressed, is not a once-off exercise.

“Every couple of months, something new comes up,” he says, adding that ongoing retraining is now essential for productivity and competitiveness.

Using skills funding to bridge the gap

Orelowitz also points to existing funding mechanisms that could help smaller businesses and underserved communities keep pace. South Africa already collects billions in skills development levies, which he said are often underutilised or poorly targeted.

He noted that skills development is a key pillar of Broad-based Black Economic Empowerment (B-BBEE), requiring corporates to invest in training to improve their compliance scores. If used effectively, these funds could help deliver both theoretical and practical AI skills, including access to hardware and software.

Repurposing old tech for new skills

With large-scale hardware upgrades expected this year, Orelowitz suggests outdated computers should be repurposed rather than discarded.

Even older machines, he said, are sufficient for teaching the fundamentals of digital literacy and AI theory.

He pointed to examples elsewhere in Africa, where rural communities are already participating in globaldigital work using modest infrastructure.

“There’s no reason South Africa can’t do this,” he says, adding that the country already has strong broadband and business process outsourcing infrastructure.

Leapfrogging in a dual economy

Despite the challenges, Orelowitz believes South Africa’s dual economy could allow it to leapfrog certain development stages, much like it did with mobile banking.

By digitising informal trade and improving AI literacy, he said, the country could unlock significant economic value and efficiency - not only locally, but globally.

However, he cautioned that AI is far from perfect. Concerns about accuracy, so-called ‘hallucinations’ and rising hardware costs are valid, and AI outputs should always be treated with scepticism.

“AI is only as good as what humans put into it,” Orelowitz said. “It’s powerful, but it still needs human judgment.”

The warning, he suggested, is clear: without coordinated action from government, business and educators, South Africa risks being left behind in one of the most significant technological shifts of its time.

For more information, listen to Orelowitz using the audio player below: