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You are here: Home / Archives for AI

AI

18 June 2026

People Are Marrying Holograms and Making Friends With Chatbots. But Can AI Bring True Happiness?

Location: News

According to one study, 75% of respondents believe chatbots are conscious.

Read morePeople Are Marrying Holograms and Making Friends With Chatbots. But Can AI Bring True Happiness?
16 June 2026

50 Years Later, the Spirit of Exclusion Lives On

Location: News

On this anniversary of Youth Day half a century later, we must pause and reflect on the core message behind the tragedy of the Soweto Uprising. The battle against exclusion.

The post 50 YEARS LATER, THE SPIRIT OF EXCLUSION LIVES ON appeared first on For Good.

Read more50 Years Later, the Spirit of Exclusion Lives On
2 June 2026

South Africa Had the Highest Rate of Suspected Digital Fraud Among African Countries Analysed

Location: Business
  • Among South Africans who said they lost money to digital fraud, one-third (33%) reported the losses were from third-party scams on legitimate ecommerce sites
  • The highest rate of suspected digital fraud in the consumer lifecycle from South Africa occurred at account login in 2025
  • Among sectors analysed, attempted transactions from South Africa with government departments were the most at risk of suspected digital fraud last year

South Africa had the highest rate of suspected digital fraud[1] among African countries analysed, with 3.0% of transactions involving consumers in South Africa being suspected of digital fraud during 2025 – slightly below the global average of 3.8%.

In 2025, the median reported fraud loss among South African consumers who said that they had lost funds to digital fraud (email, online, phone call and text messages) in the previous year, was R11,055 – the second highest in Africa, after Kenya, and well below the global median of R27,879.[2]

These are among the findings in the TransUnion H1 2026 Update: Top Fraud Trends report, which shows that South Africa’s digital fraud landscape has become more complex, with generative AI likely accelerating the scale and sophistication of criminal activity. This has enabled fraudsters to target both consumers and businesses with greater precision and speed.

South African consumers are increasingly facing co-ordinated, identity-driven and cross-channel attacks similar to those seen in mature digital economies. As a result, digital fraud has shifted deeper into the consumer journey: one third (33%) of South African consumers who said they lost money from digital fraud in the last year reported those losses stemmed from third-party seller scams on legitimate ecommerce platforms. This indicates that losses are not occurring because consumers transacted in a suspect or unsafe environment – but because fraudsters successfully embedded themselves into environments that appeared credible, familiar and trusted.

“This signals a market where criminals are exploiting established trust, active accounts and verified digital relationships, and is a clear break from global fraud patterns typically dominated by phishing and vishing – fraudulent phone calls or voice messages designed to deceive consumers into sharing sensitive information or sending money,” said Amritha Reddy, senior director of fraud product management TransUnion Africa. “In South Africa, fraudsters succeed where trust is already established, particularly inside mainstream digital platforms where consumers reasonably expect safety and legitimacy.”

“Criminals are weaponising both consumer trust and emerging technologies,” said Reddy. “As GenAI accelerates the sophistication and scale of criminal operations, the threat landscape is evolving faster than ever for consumers and businesses. Addressing this requires a new generation of identity centric defences that combine advanced analytics, adaptive authentication and multilayered digital fraud detection. Organisations must match fraudsters’ technological innovation to stay ahead of rapidly changing schemes.”

Chart 1: Most Prominent Cause of Fraud Loss

Percentage reporting losing money to these schemes among South Africans who said they lost funds from digital fraud in the last year.

Type of Fraud Percentage of Consumers Reporting Losing Money to Fraud Type Among Those Who Said They Lost Money to Fraud in the Last Year
Third-party seller scams on legitimate ecommerce sites

33%

Social engineering

26%

Account takeover

24%

Stolen credit card or fraudulent charges

24%

Money mule

23%

Identity theft

22%

Phishing (fraudulent emails, websites, social posts, QR codes, etc. meant to steal personal information)

21%

Smishing (fraudulent text messages meant to steal personal information)

19%

Vishing (fraudulent phone calls or voice messages meant to steal personal information)

16%

Unemployment benefits

15%

Source:  TransUnion consumer survey

Most Fraud Attempts Occur at Account Login

The suspected digital fraud rate for attempted transactions where the consumer was in South Africa declined from 4.3% in 2024 to 3.0% in 2025, a trend also observed globally. Nevertheless, this decrease does not necessarily indicate reduced criminal activity; rather, it may reflect a shift toward AI-enabled tactics designed to maximise return on investment.

South Africa is one of the few markets where the highest rate of suspected digital fraud attempts* happen at account login, with 3.0.% of account login attempts being flagged as potentially fraudulent, compared to 2.4% at account creation and 0.7% of financial transactions. This trend suggests that attackers are increasingly trying to compromise existing accounts, in contrast to other countries globally where new account creation is a key focus for fraudsters.

“This inversion tells a powerful story that criminals in South Africa are now targeting access using compromised credentials, SIM-swap-enabled entry and social engineering to take over existing accounts,” said Reddy. “This means that vendors and financial institutions need to expand their fraud prevention strategies beyond the new customer onboarding phase, continuing to implement verification throughout the consumer lifecycle – but without the unnecessary friction that will see genuine consumers seeking alternative sites.”

Findings from the survey also show that consumers most preferred top feature when choosing whom to transact with online is confidence that their personal data is secure, with 85% of respondents saying it was very important. This was followed by an easy payment process (80%) and ease of filling out forms or applications (72%).

“The fact that security is the top reported feature shows that consumers are willing to accept friction when completing digital transactions, provided it’s clearly linked to protection,” Reddy said. “As a result, security in South Africa is evolving beyond compliance and emerging as a key driver of brand trust and differentiation.”

Government Sector Most Affected by Digital Fraud Attempts

Suspected digital fraud attempts across Africa[3] in 2025 showed fraudsters focusing on very different industries depending on the country, reflecting local digital behaviours and opportunity points. Globally, the most vulnerable industry was video gaming, where 12.8% of transactions were suspected of digital fraud attempts. Across African countries analysed, gaming also recorded the highest suspected digital fraud rate, driven by Kenya, where 15.6% of gaming transactions were flagged – the highest rate observed for any industry in Africa.

In South Africa, the rate of suspected digital fraud where the consumer was in the country was the most prevalent among government transactions, at 12.5%, highlighting risks tied to public-sector digitalisation.

“Digitalisation has improved access to public services, but it has also created new risks for fraud,” said Reddy. “Fraudsters are leveraging official government branding and service-related messages to impersonate the state and deceive citizens.”

Chart 2: Suspected Digital Fraud Attempts in South Africa, by Sector

Industry

Suspected Digital Fraud Attempt Rate 2025

Change in volume of suspected digital fraud attempts from 2024 to 2025

Government

12.5%

+46%

Gaming (online sports betting, poker, etc.)

11.5%

+124%

Insurance

7.8%

+32%

Video gaming

5.5%

-29%

Financial services

5.3%

+16%

Communities (online dating, forums etc.)

3.7%

-42%

Logistics

1.9%

-98%

Retail

1.1%

-61%

Telecommunications

0.6%

-94%

Travel & leisure

0.1%

-78%

“South Africa has entered an advanced fraud phase where criminals exploit trust, operate across channels and target established digital relationships rather than weak entry points. Fraud is increasingly occurring inside legitimate marketplaces and impersonated public services, while risk remains consistently highest at login, as it has been on an annual basis.”

“As criminals increasingly weaponise new technologies to carry out sophisticated scams, it’s more important than ever for consumers to safeguard their personal information and to review their credit reports regularly,” said Reddy.

“For businesses, the call to action is clear: fraud strategies must extend beyond compliance and onboarding controls to actively protect trust across the entire digital journey. Organisations that invest in adaptive authentication, identity intelligence and visible security at moments of access will be best positioned to reduce fraud, preserve customer confidence and differentiate their brands in South Africa’s digital economy,” she added.

TransUnion came to its conclusions about digital fraud based on a global survey of 12,730 consumers in 18 countries and regions from Nov. 20–Dec. 9, 2025, and intelligence from its array of TransUnion fraud prevention solutions. To learn more about how TransUnion fraud prevention solutions can help businesses avoid fraud and prevent fraud losses, click here.

Specific country and regional data in the report includes South Africa, Botswana, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Mexico, Namibia, Nicaragua, the Philippines, Puerto Rico, Rwanda, Spain, the United Kingdom, the United States and Zambia. Download the TransUnion H1 2026 Update to the Top Fraud Trends Report for more information and insights about the global fraud trends. 


[1] Suspected digital fraud attempts reflects those which TransUnion clients determined met one of the following conditions: 1) denial in real time due to fraudulent indicators, 2) denial in real time for corporate policy violations, 3) fraudulent upon client investigation, or 4) a corporate policy violation upon customer investigation. The country and regional analyses examined transactions in which the consumer or suspected fraudster was located in a select country or region when conducting a transaction. Global statistics represent every country worldwide and not just the select countries and regions.

[2] Exchange rate calculated at R16.69 to the US dollar as per the exchange rate for 29 December 2025.

[3] TransUnion analysed the suspected digital fraud rate in its global intelligence network for the African countries of Botswana, Kenya, Namibia, Rwanda, South Africa and Zambia.

Read moreSouth Africa Had the Highest Rate of Suspected Digital Fraud Among African Countries Analysed
2 June 2026

Phala Phala: Governing South Africa Must Be Given Top Priority

Location: News

(Budget Vote Debate: Presidency) President Cyril Ramaphosa should deal with the Phala Phala matter swiftly and honestly so that the focus can shift to what should be the top priority in the interest of all South Africans: properly governing South Africa. Once this has happened, South Africa’s international relations policy should urgently be addressed. The […]

The post President must play open cards about Phala Phala so that governing South Africa can be top priority appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.

Read morePhala Phala: Governing South Africa Must Be Given Top Priority
23 May 2026

AI Can Design Cities, but Can It Understand What Matters to People? 10 Ways to Keep Humans in Control

Location: News

Urban design depends heavily on human judgment and field-based understanding.

Read moreAI Can Design Cities, but Can It Understand What Matters to People? 10 Ways to Keep Humans in Control
17 May 2026

A Football World Cup Is a Global Cultural Exchange. How Will That Work in Trump’s America

Location: Sport

On the field, football has the power to bring cultural unity. But crackdowns on immigrants and soaring costs will make it more difficult to attend.

Read moreA Football World Cup Is a Global Cultural Exchange. How Will That Work in Trump’s America
1 May 2026

AI Policy Debacle Shows Dangers of Technology Used Without Public Oversight

Location: News

SA’s draft policy contained sources fabricated by a large language model

Read moreAI Policy Debacle Shows Dangers of Technology Used Without Public Oversight
28 April 2026

The Mystery of the Chinese Trawlers Arrested at Sea

Location: News

Four offences seem to have been committed but only one fine was imposed by the fisheries department

Read moreThe Mystery of the Chinese Trawlers Arrested at Sea
31 March 2026

Maternity Health Services in Nigeria Are Failing Women: 4 Steps to Better Care

Location: News

There are four practical policy shifts that the Nigerian government could take to improve the use of maternity services.

Read moreMaternity Health Services in Nigeria Are Failing Women: 4 Steps to Better Care
27 March 2026

Mbombela’s Much Loved Public Libraries

Location: News

Libraries are not only about books any more

Read moreMbombela’s Much Loved Public Libraries
17 March 2026

Tourist Visits to Madagascar Help Conserve Some Forests, but Others Suffer: Study Suggests What to Do

Location: News

Madagascar’s protected area forests have 2.5km buffer zone forests surrounding them that also need urgent protection.

Read moreTourist Visits to Madagascar Help Conserve Some Forests, but Others Suffer: Study Suggests What to Do
25 February 2026

Africa’s Militaries Have Always Relied on Imported Weapons: Why a Shift to Homegrown Defence Is Now Under Way

Location: News

Across Africa, governments are finding ways to reduce dependence on foreign arms suppliers and building capabilities they can control, maintain and adapt.

Read moreAfrica’s Militaries Have Always Relied on Imported Weapons: Why a Shift to Homegrown Defence Is Now Under Way
23 February 2026

Killer Beetles in the Baobabs: Researcher Warns of Risk to African Trees

Location: News

A beetle that lays eggs inside the bark of trees has killed six baobab trees in Oman for the first time. Urgent measures are needed to stop it spreading to Africa.

Read moreKiller Beetles in the Baobabs: Researcher Warns of Risk to African Trees
19 February 2026

Law on Naming Sexual Offence Suspects Challenged in Court

Location: News

The Minister of Justice and Constitutional Development is opposing the application

Read moreLaw on Naming Sexual Offence Suspects Challenged in Court
14 December 2025

South Africa’s Auto Sector Sees Strong Growth Amid Evolving Consumer and Insurance Trends

Location: Business
  • New passenger car sales hit multi-year highs, totalling 102,268 units in Q1 2025
  • Younger buyers and budget-conscious consumers reshape the financing and brand landscape
  • South Africa’s younger car buyers are turning to TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, reshaping the automotive marketing playbook
  • New insights on insurance trends highlight growing risk of uninsured vehicles

The latest TransUnion South Africa Mobility Insights Report (formerly the Vehicle Pricing Index) for Q1 2025 highlights a strong rebound in the country’s automotive market. This recovery has been driven by improved consumer sentiment, declining interest rates, access to retirement savings through two-pot withdrawals, and rising real wages. According to naamsa data, new passenger vehicle sales continued their upward trajectory in the first quarter, with monthly volumes averaging over 34,000 units, the highest levels seen since Q3 2015.  

Affordability remains a key driver of vehicle purchasing and financing decisions. Creative financing options, longer ownership cycles, and the growing availability of value-oriented models are significantly reshaping consumer behaviour, particularly among younger and first-time buyers. The Q1 2025 TransUnion South Africa Mobility Insights report highlights that several emerging brands offering competitively priced vehicles have recorded strong year-over-year growth, contributing to the overall surge in new vehicle sales.

“South African consumers are returning to the vehicle market with a clear focus on value and flexibility,” says Lee Naik, CEO TransUnion Africa. “We’re seeing a continued shift away from traditional premium segments in favour of more accessible alternatives that meet evolving needs and budgets.”

Insurance Trends Reveal Shifting Landscape and Rising Risk

The Q1 2025 report introduces new data on insurance-linked vehicle asset finance (VAF). As of early 2025, only 39% of insured vehicle owners had financed vehicles, down from 44% in 2020. This signals a rise in alternative financing or lapses in insurance post-purchase, especially concerning as TransUnion’s  2024 Insurance Survey found that 25% of vehicle users had driven uninsured in the past six months.

This trend has implications for lenders, who face greater asset risk in the event of write-offs without insurance recovery, and for insurers, whose portfolios may now carry increased exposure. To mitigate these risks, strategies such as bundled insurance, usage-based coverage and low-cost flexible insurance models are growing in relevance.

Used Vehicle Momentum Slows as New Sales Lead Recovery
While used vehicles have dominated financing trends in recent years, Q1 2025 marked a notable shift back toward new vehicle purchases, driven by easing interest rates, improved entry-level model availability, and aggressive manufacturer incentives. Notably, the influx of competitively priced Chinese models has attracted budget-conscious buyers away from the used market, fuelling fresh growth in new vehicle registrations.

“Consumers are holding onto their cars for an average of six to eight years, compared to the previous five years, a trend that reflects affordability constraints and a more cautious approach to ownership,” says Naik.

Affordability and Flexibility Drive Change
The report reveals that shifting consumer preferences are reshaping the competitive landscape, with some established manufacturers experiencing year-over-year sales declines while more affordable and value-driven entrants continue to gain market share.

“The definition of value is changing,” says Naik. “It’s no longer just about the price tag, it’s about financing flexibility, long-term ownership costs, and trust in the product. That’s what’s driving consumer decisions today.”

Social Media's Growing Influence on South African Car Buyers

Generation Z’s1 rising influence, with a 27.9% year-on-year increase in vehicle finance volumes, highlights why social media has become essential for automotive brands aiming to attract younger buyers. As South Africans spend over 3.5 hours daily on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube, 76% of users now turn to social media for product research, pushing automotive brands toward digital-first strategies with influencer campaigns, short-form videos, and interactive content, yet South Africa’s low social media ad spend signals a major untapped growth opportunity for marketers.

Social platforms are reshaping how South African consumers research, engage with, and purchase vehicles, particularly among Gen Z and Millennials1 who expect personalised, digital-first experiences. To stay competitive, brands are adopting influencer collaborations, platform-specific strategies, AI-enabled targeting, and immersive tools like augmented reality and virtual reality. Social commerce is gaining ground as buyers look for seamless, in-app journeys from browsing to booking.

Economic Outlook: Growth with Caution
The broader economic outlook for South Africa in 2025 remains cautiously optimistic, with GDP expected to grow by 1.4%, driven primarily by household consumption. While industrial output remains under pressure, consumer-driven sectors, particularly retail and vehicle sales, continue to show resilience. Vehicle export activity rose modestly by 0.4% year-over-year in Q1 2025, signalling a gradual recovery following the sharp decline in the previous quarter.

“The strong recovery in new vehicle sales is a positive sign,” says Naik. “But sustaining this growth will require policy certainty, infrastructure investment, and structural reforms. Without these, the economy remains vulnerable.”

“The South African automotive sector is adapting to new consumer behaviours and market forces. The insurance gap, affordability options, credit access and rising Gen Z1 participation will shape the road ahead. Collaboration across industry players is vital for long-term growth,” concludes Naik.

Read the full TransUnion South Africa Mobility Insights Report  here.

1 Generation X (Gen X): Born 1965–1980; Millennials (Gen Y): Born 1981–1996; Gen Z (Generation Z) Born 1997–2012

ENDS

Notes to Editors: To provide you with timely market insights, we are updating our reporting structure.

Starting this quarter, the Vehicle Pricing Index will be renamed the TransUnion South Africa Mobility Insights Report, reflecting our broader focus on mobility trends. Vehicle Finance data will now be included in the TransUnion South Africa Industry Insights Report (IIR).

Read moreSouth Africa’s Auto Sector Sees Strong Growth Amid Evolving Consumer and Insurance Trends
6 December 2025

Be the Reason: A Movement in Partnership with TransUnion and the International Finance Corporation to Unlock Financial Opportunity for All

Location: Business

TransUnion, a global information and insights company, has launched a bold new campaign, ‘Be the Reason Things Change’, aimed at making financial inclusion a reality for more South Africans. This powerful initiative calls on individuals, communities, businesses, and institutions to join a movement for change, one that ensures every person is seen, supported, and given the tools to participate in the formal financial system.

In a country known for both its beauty and inequality, where access to formal credit remains out of reach for many, ‘Be the Reason Things Change’ seeks to break down the barriers that keep people excluded, by focusing on consumer education, innovation, and community engagement. The campaign is designed to help South Africans take control of their financial futures, regardless of who they are or where they come from, whilst also advocating for businesses to embrace alternative data and innovative scoring solutions to see and serve the unseen. By doing so, they too can empower the disempowered, expanding access and inclusion, and enabling more people to participate meaningfully in the financial ecosystem and live the lives they deserve.

“At TransUnion, we believe in a world where the impossible becomes possible, where the unseen are finally seen, and where every South African deserves the opportunity to participate fully in the economy,” says Lee Naik, CEO TransUnion Africa.

’Be the Reason Things Change’ is more than a campaign slogan; it’s a call to action to take part in building a more inclusive financial system. Through innovative data solutions and consumer education, we aim to spark a national conversation about breaking down barriers in the credit landscape and ensuring financial empowerment is accessible to all. Ultimately, we want more South Africans to be included in the formal financial economy, empowering them to understand how access to credit can transform their lives and enable them to uplift their communities,” says Naik.

Addressing South Africa’s Financial Inclusion Challenge

Many South Africans continue to face obstacles in accessing formal credit and quality financial services. Traditional systems often feel exclusive or out of reach, especially for underserved individuals and small businesses, because they rely heavily on past borrowing behaviour as the primary measure of creditworthiness. According to TransUnion’s CreditVision® Telco Data Score data-modelling, over 1.4 million credit-invisible South Africans open new credit accounts each year, contributing to more than four million new accounts over the past three years*. Yet traditional scoring models frequently fail to assess these consumers accurately, leaving over 16 million adults outside the formal credit system. Successfully integrating these and other excluded consumers into the economy could contribute an estimated R173 billion to South Africa’s GDP.

A significant portion, approximately 35% of new-to-credit consumers are under the age of 25, many entering the workforce for the first time and using credit to cover essentials such as work clothing. This highlights the urgent need for innovative, inclusive tools that better reflect the realities of younger, digitally active individuals who may lack a conventional credit footprint.

TransUnion is shifting the paradigm by embracing alternative data, creating new scoring capabilities, and ensuring that individuals who were once unclassifiable can now be assessed fairly and accurately. Its “Be the Reason Things Change” campaign responds to this need by equipping the public with practical tools, credit education, and the confidence to take charge of their financial futures.

Collaborative Effort with Global Partners

The campaign is supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the private sector arm of the World Bank Group, has played a key role as a technical advisor and promotor of credit information tools in South Africa, reinforcing the global imperative to expand equitable access to financial services.

“We are proud to support TransUnion’s ‘Be the Reason Things Change’ campaign, which aligns closely with our mission to advance inclusive economic development,” says Cláudia Conceição, IFC Regional Director for Southern Africa. “By removing barriers to credit access, this initiative empowers individuals and communities to build financial resilience and unlock economic opportunity, key pillars of long-term social impact.”

This collaboration highlights the value of cross-sector partnerships in tackling systemic financial exclusion, combining local insights with global best practices to deliver scalable solutions.

Empowering Through Education, Innovation, Investment and Africa Firsts

‘Be the Reason Things Change’ will see TransUnion roll out a fully integrated marketing campaign designed to demystify the credit system and empower people from all walks of life. Key pillars of the campaign include:

  • A first-ever interactive peelable billboard in Africa, installed at Melrose Arch, located by the entrance off Corlett Drive in Johannesburg. 
  • A first-ever digital billboard aimed at reaching audiences beyond the Johannesburg area.
  • Transformational stories from campaign ambassadors include Springbok rugby stars Makazole Mapimpi and Lukhanyo Am, as well as fashion entrepreneur Tshepo Mohlala
  • Springbok, Lukhanyo Am and fashion entrepreneur, Tshepo Mohlala will be launching the campaign at Melrose Arch on 21 August 2025 where they will peel the first layers of the billboard and share their own personal journeys.
  • Over R10m valued in sponsorship and investment in e-learning credit courses for over 5,000 South Africans.
  • Practical education: Simple, clear resources to help people understand credit scores, manage debt, and make informed financial choices.
  • A unique AI-powered digital film piece.
  • Innovative Solutions: New offerings to help enable lenders to see consumers previously unseen, empowering consumers to access new credit opportunities

‘Be the Reason Things Change’ is about rewriting the story around credit and creditworthiness,” says Naik. “We want every South African to understand how credit works, what their score means, and how they can maintain and improve it. More importantly, we want them to believe they can be the reason things change.”

Campaign Execution Partners

The campaign was brought to life through a dynamic collaboration with creative agency 1 Over One, who led the conceptual development; local production partner Run Jump Fly, who delivered a unique AI-powered digital film piece, FleishmanHillard South Africa and Capacity Relations who provided strategic PR, media and activation support to amplify the message and ensure meaningful engagement across key audiences.

Join the Movement

TransUnion invites all South Africans to join the movement for financial inclusion. To learn more, participate in the campaign, and access educational resources, visit www.transunion.co.za/bethereason.

Consumers can get their free annual credit report from TransUnion here.

* The three-year period refers to an analysis of the TransUnion Credit Bureau database over the period for January 2022 – December 2025.

Read moreBe the Reason: A Movement in Partnership with TransUnion and the International Finance Corporation to Unlock Financial Opportunity for All
4 December 2025

Facebook Promotes Rubbish Because It Doesn’t Understand Indigenous Languages

Location: News

Content producers get away with fake news and clickbait

Read moreFacebook Promotes Rubbish Because It Doesn’t Understand Indigenous Languages
26 November 2025

TransUnion’s New AI-Powered Film Puts Humanity at the Heart of Data

Location: Business

TransUnion, a global information and insights company, has unveiled a bold new chapter in its South Africa-focused Be the Reason Things Change campaign with the launch of a powerful AI-driven brand film. This emotionally resonant digital piece continues the campaign’s mission to make financial inclusion a lived reality for more South Africans by reimagining how technology can be used to tell human stories of inclusion, visibility and empowerment.

Developed with creative agency One Over One and production partner Run Jump Fly, the film fuses artificial intelligence with authentic storytelling to capture the experiences of everyday South Africans navigating the financial system. It serves as both a creative innovation and a powerful social statement – demonstrating how data, when used responsibly, can shine a light on those who are often unseen.

“The AI film is more than a creative milestone; it’s a deeply human story told through the lens of technology. Using AI-generated visuals, the film brings to life the emotional realities behind financial data – the hope of opportunity, the weight of exclusion, and the power of visibility,” said Amy Beck, CMO of TransUnion Africa. “Rooted in empathy and powered by innovation, the film embodies our belief that technology should serve people, not the other way around. It invites viewers to look past the numbers and be part of a movement changing the way we see each other”.

Turning Data into Impact

The AI film builds on the success of TransUnion’s Be the Reason Things Change movement, which has inspired South Africans to act – making the invisible visible and driving meaningful impact across the country.

In just one month, the campaign achieved:

  • 10,838 panels peeled nationwide (this includes physical and digital billboard panels), each unlocking access to free credit education e-learning courses, valued at R2,000 each.
  • Education fund prizes awarded to five individual winners, valued at R20,000 each, awarded directly to recognised educational institutions or nominated beneficiaries.
  • Ten tech-for-learning prizes, worth R7,000 each, comprising of a laptop and 12 months of data, equipping recipients with the tools they need to thrive in a digital-first world.

These results go beyond metrics – they represent real lives changed through knowledge, opportunity and empowerment. One of the five recipients of the R20,000 education fund prize, Roggers Mamaila, shared how the campaign has made a lasting impact on his family’s future: “This contribution towards my family’s education means more than words can express. It’s a tangible step toward a better future – one my family will carry with pride for years to come. It’s proof that when people are seen, real change becomes possible.”

AI with a Purpose

In an age where artificial intelligence often feels distant or impersonal, TransUnion’s new film reframes the narrative – showing how innovation, when guided by empathy, can accelerate financial inclusion and create lasting change.

Unlike many AI-driven creative pieces that use artificial intelligence in fragments – generating snippets, visuals, or voiceovers – this film is a fully integrated, end-to-end AI production. From concept to execution, every aspect of the film was shaped using AI tools, making it a first-of-its kind on the African continent. What sets this film apart is not just its use of technology, but its authenticity and purpose. The film draws its narrative from real lives and lived experiences, transforming data into emotion, and statistics into stories that matter.

Every frame is a reflection of the campaign’s core belief: that visibility leads to change. This isn’t just an experiment in technology – it’s a movement in storytelling. The piece invites viewers to rethink what’s possible when technology and trust work together – to see every data point as a story, every statistic as a person, and every innovation as a chance to drive inclusion.

The campaign continues to challenge traditional notions of creditworthiness by advocating for alternative data and inclusive scoring models that better reflect the realities of underserved communities.

Watch the AI brand film and learn more at: https://www.transunion.co.za/bethereason

Read moreTransUnion’s New AI-Powered Film Puts Humanity at the Heart of Data
20 October 2025

The Great Wildebeest Migration, Seen From Space: Satellites and AI Are Helping Count Africa’s Wildlife

Location: News

Using satellites and AI, scientists have mapped wildebeest across the Serengeti-Mara, offering a new perspective on how this movement can be monitored from space.

Read moreThe Great Wildebeest Migration, Seen From Space: Satellites and AI Are Helping Count Africa’s Wildlife
17 October 2025

African Languages for AI: The Project That’s Gathering a Huge New Dataset

Location: News

When a language isn’t in the data, its speakers aren’t in the product – and AI cannot be safe, useful, or fair for them.

Read moreAfrican Languages for AI: The Project That’s Gathering a Huge New Dataset
14 October 2025

Trade Is Shaping New Global Power Relations: What This Means for Africa

Location: News

There has been a rebalancing of global trade dynamics with wide-ranging consequences for international business.

Read moreTrade Is Shaping New Global Power Relations: What This Means for Africa
12 October 2025

China and the US Are in a Race for Critical Minerals. African Countries Need to Make the Rules

Location: News

The competition for Africa’s critical minerals between China and the West presents an opportunity.

Read moreChina and the US Are in a Race for Critical Minerals. African Countries Need to Make the Rules
5 October 2025

Universities Can Turn AI From a Threat to an Opportunity by Teaching Critical Thinking

Location: News

Employers and societies demand graduates who can evaluate information and make sound judgments.

Read moreUniversities Can Turn AI From a Threat to an Opportunity by Teaching Critical Thinking
1 October 2025

A Spectacular Reset of Relations Between South Africa and the US Is Possible

Location: News

There are currently three Afrikaners in Washington who believe there is a unique opportunity for a spectacular reset of relations between South Africa and the United States (US). The full provisional document is attached herewith: Let us Make Critical Minerals the Centerpiece of a New U.S.–South Africa Partnership Agreement As Afrikaners responsible for a multi-million-dollar […]

The post A spectacular reset of relations between South Africa and the US is possible appeared first on Freedom Front Plus.

Read moreA Spectacular Reset of Relations Between South Africa and the US Is Possible
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