By Emmanuel Ogbodo
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to embed itself into workplaces, a significant number of young Africans are now considering AI as a preferable leader. A survey conducted by global cybersecurity company Kaspersky reveals that 40% of young people in Africa believe AI would be a better boss than humans, largely due to its perceived fairness and impartiality.
The report, titled “Excitement, Superstition and Great Insecurity – How Global Consumers Engage with the Digital World,” also found that in South Africa, the preference for AI over human managers is even higher, with 42% of respondents favouring AI. On a global scale, 34% of those surveyed share this view.
AI’s increasing presence in management roles reflects a broader trend where the technology is gaining trust across various sectors. The survey indicates that AI is already taking on new roles, including assisting with important life decisions and functioning as both a team member and a manager in workplaces.
The Kaspersky report also highlights AI’s perceived capabilities in creative areas. A significant portion of respondents—62% globally, 59% in the META region, and 58% in South Africa—believe AI is a credible creator of art. Additionally, the report suggests that AI could play a key role in education, with 47% of respondents globally, 60% in the META region, and 68% in South Africa anticipating that children will soon be taught through virtual experiences and Metaverses.
AI is also viewed as a dependable assistant in daily life. Over half of the global respondents (57%), 67% in the META region, and 60% in South Africa expressed a desire to use AI to manage their daily lives more efficiently. Moreover, 48% of global survey participants, 60% in the META region, and 56% in South Africa are open to using AI chatbots for online conversations.
The report further notes a growing belief that AI will significantly impact human relationships. Globally, 48% of respondents, 58% in the META region, and 63% in South Africa think AI could change human relationships, especially if virtual characters begin to replace real-life partners.
Overall, 50% of global consumers, 53% in the META region, and 64% in South Africa believe that AI has already become an unavoidable part of their lives, with many expressing a positive outlook on its potential to create exciting opportunities and enhance the future.
Vladislav Tushkanov, Machine Learning Technology Research Group Manager at Kaspersky, commented on the findings, noting the increasing adoption of AI in various personal and professional roles. He also warned of the risks associated with AI, such as overreliance, AI-generated phishing, deepfakes, and identity theft, emphasising the need to address these challenges at multiple levels.
