S-Africa’s vice president discusses AI dangers with Russian youth

(MENAFN) South African Vice President Paul Mashatile advised young people to approach artificial intelligence (AI) thoughtfully, warning that overreliance on the technology could hinder their creativity and weaken cultural identity. He delivered this message during a youth event titled The SPIEF Academy, hosted by Russia’s Roscongress Foundation on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

Mashatile emphasized South Africa’s commitment to youth empowerment through development programs aimed at fostering innovation and future job creation. He noted that while unemployment remains a challenge, young people have the potential to become entrepreneurs—provided they receive the necessary financial support.

“Young people have many fresh ideas,” he said. “Though many struggle to find jobs, with the right resources, they can become job creators themselves.”

However, he cautioned that AI, if misused, can be detrimental. “It’s easy to become complacent—AI can write an essay for you, for example—but that’s what we must guard against. It should enhance our creativity, not replace it,” Mashatile warned.

He also stressed the importance of maintaining cultural identity while engaging with AI-generated content, urging youth to remain grounded in their heritage.

Mashatile praised Russia’s long-standing role in offering educational opportunities to African students and expressed interest in learning from Russia’s advancements in AI. “We’re also here to learn from Russian youth and their work in this space,” he added.

The SPIEF Academy engages students and young professionals (aged 18–23) in key discussions on global economic issues, technological innovation, and societal change, drawing participants from top Russian universities.

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