S-Africa’s vice president speaks AI hazards with Russian youth

(MENAFN) South African Vice President Paul Mashatile advised Russian students to approach artificial intelligence with caution to ensure it does not suppress their creativity or cultural identity. Speaking at a youth workshop hosted by Russia’s Roscongress Foundation during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Mashatile highlighted South Africa’s focus on youth development as a way to drive innovation and create jobs.

He emphasized that young people have the potential to generate innovative ideas and become employers themselves, especially if they receive initial funding support. However, Mashatile warned about the risks of AI leading to laziness, such as relying on it to write essays, and stressed the importance of using AI as a tool to enhance rather than replace personal creativity.

The vice president also encouraged young creatives to stay connected to their cultural roots instead of blindly following AI-generated content. He praised Russia’s role in providing higher education opportunities to African students and expressed interest in learning from Russian advancements in AI technology.

The SPIEF Academy, where Mashatile spoke, aims to involve young students and professionals in discussions about the global economy, technological progress, and social change. Its participants are primarily 18 to 23-year-olds studying at top Russian universities.

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