Architecting an AI-Fueled Business
South Africa is undergoing a transformative shift as businesses and institutions increasingly embrace digital technologies to modernize operations and drive innovation. Cloud computing, cybersecurity, IoT, Industry 4.0, data management, analytics, and artificial intelligence are at the forefront of this shift, with businesses increasingly investing in these technologies to enhance efficiency and competitiveness. Indeed, IDC's META Digital Executive Survey revealed that 63% of organizations in South Africa are already prioritizing AI investments for the next 12 months, highlighting the substantial impact of AI in the country. This all promises an exciting, yet unpredictable future.
Business and technology leaders in South Africa are facing countless opportunities and challenges on multiple fronts as they try to build strategies aimed at leveraging the full potential of AI. In order to be fully prepared, they must also establish long-term strategies to ensure the fastest, most cost-effective, and fully trusted AI implementations, including the deployment of GenAI technologies at scale across business processes and the IT stack. Only then can their organizations successfully take on the challenges of an AI world and benefit from improved business agility and innovation while effectively mitigating the numerous associated risks.
The 2025 edition of the IDC South Africa CIO Summit will feature a stellar lineup of C-suite executives, influential analysts, industry thought leaders, international speakers, and market-leading solution providers. Together, they will discuss AI's role as the leading technology enabler of business strategy and the endless potential it provides for enterprises across the region. This premier gathering of ICT experts will examine the industry's hottest topics, trends, and challenges, providing essential guidance on adapting to an unpredictable business landscape, implementing new business models, and scaling massively in the AI-powered digital economy.
This summit will also highlight local success stories and examine the unique challenges faced by businesses in South Africa, emphasizing the country’s position as a rising hub for AI innovation in Africa.
8:00 |
Registration & Networking |
9:00 |
Opening Act |
9:05 |
IDC Welcome Address |
Mark Walker Vice President, Data & Analytics (META), IDC
|
|
9:15 |
Opening Address: Government Affiliation |
9:30 |
Advisory Council Felicitation |
9:45 |
IDC Opening Keynote: AI Unleashed: Revolutionizing Industries Through Integrated Intelligence |
"AI Unleashed: Transforming Industries with Integrated Intelligence" delves into the powerful influence of artificial intelligence across diverse sectors. It illuminates how the fusion of intelligent technologies is fundamentally reshaping industries, driving innovation, and propelling transformative change. Jyoti Lalchandani Group Vice President & Regional Managing Director (META and India), IDC
|
|
10:15 |
Network Evolution: Embracing Next-Gen Technologies for Scalable Infrastructure |
10:35 |
The GenAI Revolution: Transforming Industries, Empowering Leaders |
10:50 |
Cloud Journey: Optimizing Migration and Workload Management for Efficiency |
11:05 |
AI Excellence: Partnering for Intelligent Innovation |
11:20 |
Fortifying Cyber Defense: Strategies Against Advanced Threats in the Digital Realm |
11:35 |
Data-driven Insights: Harnessing the Power of Analytics for Strategic Decision Making |
11:50 |
Cloud-Powered Innovation: Transforming IT Landscapes for Modern Organizations |
12:05 |
Tea / Coffee & Networking Break |
12:20 12:45 |
Technology Focus Group Session - Cluster 1 (Parallel Sessions) |
Track 1: Evolution of Threats and Strategies for Cyber Resilience in the Digital Landscape
12:20 - 12:25
Start of the Session Raffle
12:25 - 12:30
Navigating State-Sponsored Cyber Threats: Strategies for Resilience
Mark Walker Vice President, Data & Analytics (META), IDC
12:30 - 12:35
Geopolitical Turmoil and Cybersecurity Budgets: Addressing Inflation's Impact
12:35 - 12:40
Continuous Risk Assessments: Proactive Defense in the Cyber Landscape
12:40 - 12:45
Building a Robust Cyber Workforce: Tackling the Security Skills Shortage
Track 2: Leveraging the Economics and Sustainability of Cloud Architectures
12:20 - 12:25
Start of the Session Raffle
12:25 - 12:30
Navigating Cloud Adoption: Strategies for Flexibility and Resilience
12:30 - 12:35
The Evolution of IT Models: From On-Premises to Cloud-Centric
12:35 - 12:40
Hybrid Cloud and Multicloud: Prioritizing IT Spending
12:40 - 12:45
Optimizing Cloud Options: Balancing Elasticity, Control, and Security
|
|
12:21 12:45 |
Technology Focus Group Session - Cluster 2 (Parallel Sessions) |
Track 3: Redefining Digital Business Through AI-Led Innovation
12:20 - 12:25
Start of the Session Raffle
12:25 - 12:30
AI in Finance: Innovations Reshaping the Financial Sector
Jonathan Tullett Associate Research Director, IT Services Sub-Saharan Africa, IDC
12:30 - 12:35
AI in Oil and Gas: Driving Efficiency and Sustainability
12:35 - 12:40
Government Transformation through AI: Opportunities and Challenges
12:40 - 12:45
Manufacturing 4.0: Leveraging AI for Smart Factories
Track 4: AI, Data, and Analytics: The Cornerstones of Digital Transformations
12:20 - 12:25
Start of the Session Raffle
12:25 - 12:30
Machine Learning Applications: From Predictive Maintenance to Fraud Detection
12:30 - 12:35
Deep Learning: Advancements and Applications in AI
12:35 - 12:40
Data Governance: Ensuring Trust and Compliance in Analytics
12:40 - 12:45
AI and Automation: Transforming Workflows and Processes
|
|
12:45 14:05 |
Summit Sessions (Parallel Sessions) |
Summit Track A
12:45 - 13:00
Blockchain Solutions: Reinforcing Security and Trust in Business Transactions
13:00 - 13:05
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
13:05 - 13:20
Edge Computing Advancements: Unlocking Real-Time Insights and Decision-Making Power
13:20 - 13:25
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
13:25 - 13:40
Enhanced Customer Experience: Personalization and Engagement in the Digital Landscape
13:40 - 13:45
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
13:45 - 14:00
Remote Work Revolution: Enabling Collaboration and Efficiency with Modern Tools
14:00 - 14:05
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
Summit Track B
12:45 - 13:00
Redesigning Perimeter Security: Implementing Zero Trust Architecture
13:00 - 13:05
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
13:05 - 13:20
Cloud-native Development: Leveraging Containerization and Microservices
13:20 - 13:25
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
13:25 - 13:40
Balancing Security and User Experience: Next-Generation Authentication
13:40 - 13:45
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
13:45 - 14:00
Edge Computing: Extending Cloud Capabilities to the Edge of the Network
14:00 - 14:05
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
|
|
14:05 |
Lunch & Networking |
14:55 16:00 |
Platinum Sessions (Parallel Sessions) |
Track 1: Embracing the Mainstream Shift: The Era of App Modernization
14:55 - 15:00
Start of the Session Raffle
15:00 - 15:10
The Imperative of App Modernization: A Path to Digital Relevance
15:10 - 15:15
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
15:15 - 15:25
Unlocking the Potential of App Modernization: Strategic Approaches
15:25 - 15:30
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
15:30 - 15:40
Innovations in App Modernization: Shaping the Digital Future
15:40 - 15:45
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
15:45 - 15:55
Empowering Organizations through App Modernization
15:55 - 16:00
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
Track 2: Fortifying Enterprises in the Transition to a Digital-First Economy: Strategies for Resilience
14:55 - 15:00
Start of the Session Raffle
15:00 - 15:10
Leading the Charge: Solutions for Digital-First Resilience
15:10 - 15:15
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
15:15 - 15:25
Building Digital-First Strength
15:25 - 15:30
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
15:30 - 15:40
Achieving Digital-First Excellence with Resilience in Focus
15:40 - 15:45
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
15:45 - 15:55
Strengthening Enterprises in a Digital-First Era
15:55 - 16:00
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
Track 3: Elevating Employee Experiences: The Future of AI in the Workplace
14:55 - 15:00
Start of the Session Raffle
15:00 - 15:10
Future-Proofing Employee Experiences: The AI Advantage
15:10 - 15:15
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
15:15 - 15:25
Seamless Collaboration in a Hybrid World: AI and Digital Workspaces
15:25 - 15:30
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
15:30 - 15:40
From Efficiency to Experience: The Role of AI in Employee Satisfaction
15:40 - 15:45
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
15:45 - 15:55
The Future of Work: Harnessing AI and Digital Workspaces
15:55 - 16:00
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
Track 4: AI, Data, and Analytics: The Cornerstones of Digital Transformation
14:55 - 15:00
Start of the Session Raffle
15:00 - 15:10
Deep Learning: Advancements and Applications in AI
15:10 - 15:15
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
15:15 - 15:25
Data Governance: Ensuring Trust and Compliance in Analytics
15:25 - 15:30
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
15:30 - 15:40
AI and Automation: Transforming Workflows and Processes
15:40 - 15:45
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
15:45 - 15:55
Machine Learning Applications: From Predictive Maintenance to Fraud Detection
15:55 - 16:00
Ask Questions, Rate Sessions & Stand a Chance to Win Raffle Prizes
|
|
16:00 16:30 |
For The CIO- By The CIO Tracks (Parallel Sessions) |
Track A: Talent Development and the Demand for New Skills: How Do You Structure Your Team Optimally?
16:00 - 16:30
Talent Development and the Demand for New Skills: How Do You Structure Your Team Optimally?
IT
organizations are having to transform themselves to meet the evolving
needs of the future enterprise, and CIOs are increasingly being tasked
with leading this transformation as IT becomes the enterprise operating
system. As the world of work continues to evolve and organizations shift
to hybrid work models, new challenges and opportunities present
themselves.
Track B: Maximizing IT Performance with the Right IT Operating Models
16:00 - 16:30
Maximizing IT Performance with the Right IT Operating Models
Organizations are in a state of perpetual evolution towards everything digital, with the function of IT evolving with it. CIOs must keep up and stay ahead, implementing models that enable high-velocity change, consistent governance, and a comprehensive talent strategy. If implemented correctly, organizations can reap the massive rewards of maximized IT performance, including increased efficiency, improved risk management, clearly defined roles, and cost effectiveness. However, change management involves significant risk, and a failed IT transformation can be highly detrimental to the entire organization, making a clearly defined IT operating model vital to helping the organization remain agile moving forward. Track C: Realizing Optimal Business Value from IT
16:00 - 16:30
Realizing Optimal Business Value from IT
Since
building a digital business is now an imperative for success, the role
of IT and CIOs in business transformation strategies and initiatives has
become more critical than ever before. They are responsible for putting
together a technology mesh that fits the exact needs of their
organizations, creating an infrastructure that delivers optimal business
value. However, this can only be realized by aligning with LOBs on the
business impact of technology initiatives and establishing KPIs/metrics
for business outcomes from digital transformation projects that show the
real value and contribution of IT to business transformation
initiatives.
Track D: Vendor Selection and Management: Best Practices and What to Look Out For
16:00 - 16:30
Vendor Selection and Management: Best Practices and What to Look Out For
IT
sourcing and procurement professionals working with demanding workloads
and deadlines have little time for an in-depth review of technology
markets and vendors, sourcing best practices, and specific IT investment
opportunities and partnerships. Given the rapid pace of change we have
come to expect from the technology market, IT leaders face key sourcing
challenges related to digital transformation and the evolving role of
vendor management within the enterprise, requiring actionable
intelligence on best practices for driving better deals and reducing
costs while continuously growing vendor relationships.
|
|
16:30 |
Mocktail Session |
17:00 |
Close of Summit |
Want to become a speaker?
Mark Walker
Vice President, Data & Analytics (META), IDC
Jyoti Lalchandani
Group Vice President & Regional Managing Director (META and India), IDC
Jonathan Tullett
Associate Research Director, IT Services Sub-Saharan Africa, IDC
IT executives rely on IDC and Foundry events for discovering new ideas, trends, and solutions that drive their technology strategies. Leveraging IDC’s deep market intelligence and advisory expertise, and Foundry’s rich media brands (CIO, Computerworld, InfoWorld) and relationships, IDC and Foundry produce powerful learning and networking experiences for IT decision makers around the world.