The integration of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) into government operations has become a necessity of modern government and holds immense potential to transform public service delivery, making it more efficient, accessible and citizen-centric.
However, when assessing the state of the public sector ICT within the South African context, it is clear that the nation stands at a crucial crossroads, particularly as it confronts, and adapts to the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR).
The 4IR, with its opportunities for big data, machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), robotics and automation presents both upside and downside risks for the government, which it must appropriately, simultaneously assimilate and regulate, to ensure that technological progress benefits society.
The 4IR was already on the national agenda of South Africa and many countries across the globe before…