At the inaugural CNBC Africa Artificial Intelligence (AI) Summit, held on Thursday, 14 August 2025 at the Indaba Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa, the spotlight turned to the intersection of science, ethics and innovation. Among the distinguished speakers was Dr Reevana Balmahoon, Research Group Leader for Artificial Intelligence and Extended Reality (AI and XR) at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR).
Dr Balmahoon participated in the first panel discussion, titled “AI in the workplace: Productivity, automation and the future of work”. The session explored how businesses can harness AI to drive efficiency while supporting human workers through this transition.
She provided valuable insights into the realities of AI, emphasising reliability and capability. A central theme was responsible AI and the challenges of bias: “There are multiple unintentional paths that can lead to bias and there is no technical fix for it,” she noted Trustworthy AI remains a key area of research and development for her group, particularly in the context of mission-critical business applications.
On workforce transformation, Dr Balmahoon highlighted the role of virtual reality in bridging (VR) on-the-job training gaps. She illustrated how the AI and XR Research Group is using VR to accelerate learning cycles and improve training outcome.
The AI and XR Research Group is at the forefront of developing AI and extended reality technologies. Dr Balmahoon shared examples of how immersive simulations powered by AI are being used to: train workers in high-risk environments, model complex systems for predictive maintenance and operational optimisation and enhance remote collaboration through avatars and spatial computing.
The convergence of AI and XR represents a paradigm shift in how knowledge is transferred, tasks are executed and safety is ensured in industrial settings.
Dr Balmahoon’s presence on the panel also symbolised the growing leadership of women in science, technology, engineering and mathematics fields. As a scientist, strategist and mentor, she exemplifies the transformative potential of inclusive innovation. Her work, and that of the research group at CSIR, not only advances technical frontiers but also cultivates the next generation of African AI and XR experts.
The CSIR’s contribution to the CNBC Africa AI Summit was a compelling reminder that AI must be grounded in scientific integrity, ethical responsibility and contextual relevance. Through her leadership at the CSIR, the AI and XR Research Group is helping to shape an AI ecosystem that is not only technologically advanced but also socially attuned and globally significant.