New AI lab launched at Gert Sibande TVET College

Deputy President Paul Mashatile has called for inclusive access to artificial intelligence and digital skills as he officially launched the Gert Sibande TVET College Fourth Industrial Revolution Digital Innovation Laboratory and Centre of Specialisation in Standerton, Mpumalanga, on Tuesday.

The launch forms part of government’s broader efforts to strengthen Technical and Vocational Education and Training institutions and prepare young people for a technology-driven economy.

Speaking at the Skills Academy and Artisan Development Centre, Mashatile said the new facility represents progress in linking education with industry and equipping students with skills needed for the evolving labour market.

He said artificial intelligence is reshaping work, production and problem solving globally, but warned that access to technology and digital skills remains unequal across communities.

Mashatile said rural areas, township schools and under-resourced communities risk being left behind if digital transformation is not inclusive.

He referred to projections from the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs Report 2025, which estimates that by 2030 tasks will be increasingly shared between humans and machines. The report projects that artificial intelligence could displace about 92 million jobs globally while creating about 170 million new roles.

He said South Africa must prepare for these changes by strengthening skills development, expanding digital access and ensuring workers are not excluded from new economic opportunities.

Mashatile said artificial intelligence should be viewed as a tool to enhance human capability rather than replace it. He said the key question is how society manages the transition and who benefits from it.

He emphasised the importance of aligning technology with human development and warned against leaving communities behind during technological change.

The Deputy President said government is developing a Draft National Artificial Intelligence Policy, released in April 2026, which will set national priorities for the use of artificial intelligence across sectors including manufacturing, energy, transport and trade.

He said the policy will focus on building skills, expanding digital infrastructure and integrating artificial intelligence into education systems to prepare future workers.

Mashatile also referred to proposals for a Digital Workers’ Charter, which would address issues such as retraining, data rights and protections for workers affected by automation. He said the charter is intended to ensure that workers are part of decisions around technological change.

He said higher education institutions must play a central role in preparing students for artificial intelligence driven industries and ensuring that those displaced by automation have access to retraining opportunities.

Mashatile highlighted the role of artificial intelligence in rural development, saying it can improve productivity in agriculture and small enterprises while expanding access to markets and services.

He said ethical oversight must remain central to technological advancement to ensure accountability and responsible innovation.

The new laboratory, he said, should serve as a hub for research, innovation and skills development, enabling students to participate in shaping future technologies.

Mashatile encouraged students at the institution to use the facility to develop solutions, ask critical questions and prepare to lead in a changing economy.

He said partnerships between government, industry and education institutions will be essential to ensuring that innovation delivers broad based benefits.

The Deputy President said the launch of the laboratory signals South Africa’s readiness to engage with the Fourth Industrial Revolution in a way that prioritises inclusion, skills development and economic transformation.

He added that the success of the initiative will be measured by its impact on communities and its ability to expand opportunity in the digital economy.