Ramaphosa Urges Africa: Adopt AI or Fall Behind

President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered the keynote at Africa's first Google Cloud Summit in Johannesburg, calling on South Africa and the continent to rapidly adopt AI and cloud technologies. He warned that hesitation risks falling behind globally, and outlined a vision for AI deployment across healthcare, energy, education, and public services. Google announced new investments including a digital exchange hub in the Eastern Cape connected to Australia via the Umoja subsea cable, and Africa's first applied AI lab. Senior vice-president James Manyika said the commitments span infrastructure, African-led innovation, and skills development.