South African Economy Expected Growth in 2025

The past year has posed significant challenges for CIOs and CISOs, driven by the rapid expansion of enterprise AI, persistent cyber threats, and the emergence of deepfakes and activist hackers. In 2024, the release of DeepSeek, an advanced AI model, is raising concerns about new vulnerabilities in corporate data systems. As major cloud providers invest heavily in AI infrastructure, the potential for exploitation through AI-driven scams has surged, exemplified by incidents involving North Korean hackers. Meanwhile, South Africa's economic growth predictions for 2025 present opportunities for businesses to enhance workforce inclusivity by training underqualified individuals. As sectors like manufacturing and technology are expected to expand, the focus shifts to developing strategies that address the skills gap within the workforce. This combination of technological advancement and economic recovery sets the stage for both challenges and opportunities in the coming year.