The Future is Linked to How We Relate to Machines

Thabo Mofokeng is President of the Information Technology Association of South Africa (ITA) and a Non-Executive Director at MICT SETA. We explore the role of the ITA, opportunities and challenges for IT and ICT business, the future of technology and jobs, interacting with a computing environment, collaboration and his view of cities in 2040 and colonising Mars.

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Key Takeaways

Introduction

• Thabo discusses his background in IT and career work at Vodacom, Telkom, Eskom and more.
• He founded Solario Technologies.
• ITA is association and grouping of companies in the IT space (Microsoft, SAP, IBM and more).

Opportunities and challenges

• IT has been growing over the years as an enabler for technologies and educational tools.
• Covid-19 is awful but has allowed mankind to fast-track technological changes.
• Technological changes are acceleration especially with online learning, remote work and self-paced learning, etc.
• It is no longer business as usual and companies must redefine their business models and develop new models to survive and thrive.
• Companies that are not using technology extensively have been impacted the greatest.

The future of technology and jobs

• The future is linked to how we relate to machines and the computing environment.
• You are unlikely to find an area that is not affected by a computing environment.
• Any job of the future will require that you interact with a computing environment.
• Thabo expands on his views on the future of technology, jobs, artificial intelligence, drones, robotics, self-driving cars and more.
• How South Africa can contribute to the global economy.

Sector collaboration

• Thabo talks about the role of the ITA and his role on the MICT SETA board.
• ITA’s voice does allow public sector to hear what the industry wants to project.

Thabo’s view of cities in 2040, or will we be on Mars?

• We won’t survive the route to Mars still intact, it will be cramped on that route.
• More automated vehicles and trains won’t have human drivers.
• Airplanes will fly themselves.
• Elon Musk’s satellite networks, with potentially over 40 000 satellites will be providing guidance even more precise travel routes and more.
• Machines will be more prevalent.
• We will be working less hours (yay)!
• Homes will be very smart, Thabo explains how.
• Rapid urbanization will slow down over time, Thabo explains why.
• Humans can work more comfortably in a relaxed environment out of the city but there has been access to broadband.

About Thabo Mofokeng
Thabo has worked in engineering, technology management, project management, and programme supervision in broadband optical wireless and wireline telecommunications services, broadcasting services, postal regulatory services, multimedia, electricity transmission, distribution and renewable energy services, information technology industries, as well as project management in national, provincial, municipal and local government spheres.

About The Information Technology Association (ITA)

The Information Technology Association (ITA), founded in 1934, merged with the IT Users Council in mid-2000, is the official trade and employer body of the Information Technology Industry in South Africa. The ITA represents more than 200 companies concerned with the supply of information technology equipment, systems, software, and services. Prominent members include Microsoft SA, Siemens, SAP, Axiz, IBM, etc.

The ITA works in close liaison with government, consumers and other specialist organizations. The ITA also has a longstanding commitment to human resource development within the industry. Through its close association with the MICT SETA, the ITA promotes the maintenance of high standards of IT industry technical skills in accordance with international trends.

Source: www.ita.org.za

About MICT SETA

OUR VISION
A global leader in the development and delivery of revolutionary ICT skills.

OUR MISSION
We provide opportunities for our stakeholders to participate in the economy, through meaningful employment and entrepreneurship, in building a capable, creative and developmental state.

OUR MANDATE
The Media, Information, and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) is a public entity established in terms of the Skills Development Act, 1998 (Act No. 97 of 1998). The MICT SETA plays a pivotal role in achieving South Africa’s skills development and economic growth within the sub-sectors it operates namely; Advertising, Film and Electronic Media, Electronics, Information Technology, and Telecommunications.

Source: www.mict.org.za