Sujatha Iyer, Head of AI Security at ManageEngine, talks about how organisations can unlock greater value from AI by focusing on secure, well-governed, and transparent IT environments, while highlighting the importance of human oversight, data visibility, and cybersecurity as AI adoption accelerates across South Africa.
With organisations in South Africa preparing to mark AI Appreciation Day on 16 July, conversations around AI should turn their focus to a more important question: can organisations trust the systems that power it?
Across South Africa, businesses are increasingly using AI to improve operational efficiency, strengthen cybersecurity, support decision-making, and enhance customer and employee experiences. Yet, deploying AI is only one part of the equation. Its long-term value depends on whether it operates within environments that are secure, transparent, well-governed, and subject to clear human oversight.
As organisations accelerate their digital transformation, many are doing so against the backdrop of constrained budgets, legacy systems, skills shortages, and growing cyber risks. In these conditions, AI cannot be implemented as another standalone technology initiative. It must be built on the same foundations that support resilient IT operations: reliable data, strong security, governance, compliance, and enterprise-wide visibility.
‘AI has demonstrated the potential to transform the way organisations operate, but its success will ultimately be determined by trust. Businesses cannot simply layer AI onto fragmented systems and expect meaningful results,’ said Sujatha Iyer, head of AI security at ManageEngine.
‘They need visibility into their data, robust security controls, accountable governance, and human oversight from the start. When implemented responsibly, AI empowers people to make better decisions, improve operational resilience, and focus on higher-value work. Without those foundations, it risks amplifying existing challenges rather than solving them.’
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