AI Has Arrived in South Africa’s Boardrooms – But Company Law Hasn’t Caught Up
Clear rules are urgently needed to prevent a legal vacuum in South African boardrooms.
artificial intelligence
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We Asked ChatGPT, Claude and Perplexity for Financial Advice: What We Got Was Practical, but With Big Blind Spots
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SA’s draft policy contained sources fabricated by a large language model
Maternity Health Services in Nigeria Are Failing Women: 4 Steps to Better Care
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Africa’s Militaries Have Always Relied on Imported Weapons: Why a Shift to Homegrown Defence Is Now Under Way
Across Africa, governments are finding ways to reduce dependence on foreign arms suppliers and building capabilities they can control, maintain and adapt.
TransUnion’s New AI-Powered Film Puts Humanity at the Heart of Data
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
South Africa’s G20 Presidency: Diplomatic Victory, but a Weak Final Declaration
The G20 2025 declaration issued in Johannesburg will be just empty words unless the endorsements are turned into action.
Nigeria’s New Terror Threat: JNIM Is Spreading but It’s Not Too Late to Act
Given its strength and capabilities, the extremist group JNIM poses an existential threat to Nigeria.
How a Sudanese University Kept Learning Alive During War
For universities, investing in flexible systems is a matter of survival.
Nigeria’s Government Is Using Digital Technology to Repress Citizens. A Researcher Explains How
Local conflict and development needs drive the demand for digital authoritarianism technologies.
The Great Wildebeest Migration, Seen From Space: Satellites and AI Are Helping Count Africa’s Wildlife
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.
Trade Is Shaping New Global Power Relations: What This Means for Africa
There has been a rebalancing of global trade dynamics with wide-ranging consequences for international business.
Universities Can Turn AI From a Threat to an Opportunity by Teaching Critical Thinking
Employers and societies demand graduates who can evaluate information and make sound judgments.
One in Three South Africans Have Never Heard of AI – What This Means for Policy
As South Africa moves towards a national AI strategy, the focus must be on people and not just technology.
How to Harness the Ocean for Prosperity: Funding African Innovations Can Unlock the Blue Economy
Millions of jobs could be created from sustainable economic ocean development.
How Companies Can Manage Dark Data Better
Stored data contributes to greenhouse gas emissions by needing power for servers and cooling systems.
Hype and Western Values Are Shaping AI Reporting in Africa: What Needs to Change
AI coverage in African media has shown that local voices and experts are missing.
African Countries Have an Opportunity to Reshape Global Power Relations
African countries must work collectively to seize opportunities in new digital and green economies where the continent’s critical minerals are so important.