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Articles by Lillian Barnard
AI in South Africa: Empowering innovation, transforming industries, and unlocking potential
This blog is part of the AI worldwide tour series, which highlights customers from around the globe who are embracing AI to achieve more. Read about how customers are using responsible AI to drive social impact and business transformation with Global AI innovation. Africa stands at the cusp of a transformative future, uniquely positioned to lead in AI-powered solutions. With a median age of 19 and 60% of its population under 35, the continent is home to a youthful, dynamic workforce.
FROM THE PAST: Cavazos captured by Comanche
By RENE TORRESSpecial to the Parade The story of the local Spanish beauty, Juana Josefina Cavazos, who was kidnapped by the Comanche that wintered in this area, was one of the favorite romantic tales published in newspapers and magazines in the early 1900s. According to the Handbook of Texas Online, “It was on August 15, 1844, that the Comanche raided South Texas near the Rio Grande and captured Juana, who was in her teenage years.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Could Create a Turning Point for Financial Inclusion in Africa (by Lillian Barnard)
SANDTON, South Africa, April 18, 2024/ -- By Lillian Barnard, President of Microsoft Africa (www.Microsoft.com). It’s difficult to imagine a time before the widespread adoption of mobile technology in Africa – particularly where financial services are concerned. For millions of unbanked people, transactions were limited to cash, postal services or even the barter system.
Could AI be the Turning Point for Financial Inclusion in Africa?
It’s difficult to imagine a time before the widespread adoption of mobile technology in Africa – particularly where financial services are concerned. For millions of unbanked people, transactions were limited to cash, postal services or even the barter system. Now, in much the same way as mobile payments completely disrupted the status quo, AI has the potential to propel the fintech industry into a new era of financial inclusion.
Can AI Be the Catalyst for Financial Inclusion in Africa?
It’s difficult to imagine a time before the widespread adoption of mobile technology in Africa – particularly where financial services are concerned. For millions of unbanked people, transactions were limited to cash, postal services or even the barter system. Now, in much the same way as mobile payments completely disrupted the status quo, AI has the potential to propel the fintech industry into a new era of financial inclusion.
Artificial intelligence (AI) could create a turning point for financial inclusion in Africa (By Lillian Barnard)
SANDTON, South Africa, April 18, 2024/APO Group/ — By Lillian Barnard, President of Microsoft Africa (www.Microsoft.com). It’s difficult to imagine a time before the widespread adoption of mobile technology in Africa – particularly where financial services are concerned. For millions of unbanked people, transactions were limited to cash, postal services or even the barter system.
Stanbic IBTC Bank Launches All-in-one Super App For Business Clients
Stanbic IBTC Bank, one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, unveiled its latest upgrade to its Stanbic IBTC Super App. This forward-looking application, tailor-made for business clients, promises to reinvent the way companies handle their financial transactions. The Super App offers a comprehensive financial solution by integrating Insurance, Pension, Stockbroking, Asset Management, and Banking Services.
Governing AI in Africa: Policy frameworks for a new frontier
Embracing the transformative power of artificial intelligence (AI) is central to our vision for Africa’s future. AI will revolutionize the way we do business across the African continent. This revolution transcends mere technological advancement; it marks a strategic turning point wherein AI will be leveraged as a catalyst for sustainable growth and chart a course towards a future brimming with innovation and boundless opportunity for Africa.
Lillian Barnard
Lillian Barnard was appointed as the CEO of Microsoft South Africa in 2019. She joined Microsoft in 2017 as the public sector director for South Africa, a role she held for almost two years. Lillian has more than 20 years' experience in the ICT industry.
#BizTrends2023: The big business trend going into 2023: using tech to do more with less
Microsoft South Africa CEO Lillian Barnard | image supplied Ongoing uncertainty and increasingly complex business and industry challenges have meant that organisations of all sizes have had to learn to infuse technology into every business process and function to do more with less and remain competitive. Doing more with less is a growing priority for businesses today.
How an Engaged Workforce could Make or Break a Business’s AI Strategy
Employees across the world are concerned about the impact automation could have on them, brought into clear focus as the world navigates one of the greatest periods of uncertainty in history. Data shows that AI has the potential to create more jobs than it takes away, augmenting human ingenuity and removing many of the mundane tasks people don’t enjoy. However, organisations still need to be deliberate around how they address change management if they want their staff to embrace it.
Why Good Governance is Key to AI Readiness
The events of 2020 have opened the world’s eyes to digital transformation as never before. Despite many people not being aware of the term, remote learning, working and socialising has seen people embrace more technology than ever. Much of this adoption is of technology that has been around for quite a while, but more and more, we’re seeing some advanced services and solutions being spoken about as countries and companies look to emerge from the crisis stronger.
Four steps to nurturing an AI-ready workforce
Technology / 11 November 2019, 3:00pm / Lillian Barnard According to Microsoft’s AI Maturity in the Middle East and Africa report, the company is exploring a diverse range of AI opportunities to improve customer experience by personalising health goals. Photo: AP JOHANNESBURG – When we think ground-breaking applications of AI, the insurance industry is probably one of the sector’s that needs it most.
Closing the gender gap in STEM
It will take another 217 years to close the economic gender gap. This is according to the latest Global Gender Gap Report released by the World Economic Forum, which found that, globally, gender parity is shifting into reverse for the first time since the World Economic Forum started measuring it in 2006.
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