‘AI push in South Africa exposes infrastructure gap’ – Report

South African businesses are embracing artificial intelligence at speed, but many risk hitting a wall by overlooking the technology systems that keep AI running.

Without modern infrastructure, experts warn that ambitions around efficiency, security and innovation could stall.

Servers and networks

Jonathan Allmayer, Senior Account Executive at Dell Technologies South Africa, says companies can no longer treat servers and networks as invisible background tools.

 “Infrastructure has become a strategic business enabler. Whether you’re deploying AI, supporting hybrid work or modernising operations, the right infrastructure determines how quickly your organisation can innovate and adapt,” he explains.

Older systems often struggle with today’s mix of workloads, which now include traditional business apps, AI projects, analytics and edge computing.

“Businesses are asking much more from their infrastructure than they did even a few years ago,” says Allmayer. “Organisations need platforms that can support everything from core systems to emerging AI workloads while giving them the flexibility to evolve.”

NOW READ: Vodacom, UJ and AWS join forces to build South Africa’s AI talent pipeline

Efficiency

Efficiency is another challenge. IT teams are expected to manage complex systems without more staff. New platforms are designed to automate routine tasks and simplify management.

“Technology should reduce complexity rather than create it,” Allmayer notes. This frees teams to focus on innovation instead of maintenance. Energy‑efficient systems are also helping businesses cut costs while meeting sustainability goals.

Cybersecurity

Cybersecurity has become a board‑level priority. With threats escalating, infrastructure is increasingly being built with protection included from the start.

“Infrastructure forms the foundation of every digital business. Building security into that foundation helps organisations strengthen resilience from the start rather than trying to add protection later,” Allmayer says.

AI adoption

As AI adoption grows, infrastructure choices are becoming long‑term business decisions rather than routine upgrades. Flexible, secure and intelligent systems provide the foundation for scaling innovation without repeatedly replacing core technology.

For South African organisations, the lesson is clear: success with AI depends not only on software but on the strength of the systems beneath it.

Modern infrastructure is no longer just about keeping the lights on. It is about creating a resilient, efficient and scalable base that allows businesses to grow, adapt and compete in a fast‑changing digital world.

ALSO READ: AI seen as key to tackling South Africa’s logistics bottlenecks