Johan Steyn

About Johan Steyn

Johan Steyn has been called “Africa’s foremost Artificial Intelligence thought leader.” A prolific writer, speaker, teacher and academic, he regularly helps organisations to understand and implement AI technologies. His clients include Absa, Nedbank, Investec, First National Bank, Discovery, Liberty, Samsung, Woolworths, Unitrans, Unilever, Microsoft, Salesforce and AWS. He previously worked in consulting roles with organisations like Accenture and PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). In 2019, he was honoured as the Best AI & Robotics Management Consultant by Wealth & Finance magazine in the UK. He held significant positions in the field of AI, including serving as a Global AI Ambassador for Swiss Cognitive and a Research Fellow at Stellenbosch University's School of Data Science and Computational Thinking. He is also an Adjunct Professor at Woxsen University's School of Business in India. His influence in the field was further recognised when he became a finalist for the 2022 IT Personality of the Year Award, a prestigious accolade hosted by The Institute of IT Professionals South Africa, Gordon Institute of Business, and ITWeb. In addition to his speaking and academic roles, Steyn is a prolific writer. He regularly contributes thought-leadership articles to major publications such as Reuters, Business Day, the Sunday Times, Finweek, News24, ITWeb, and Brainstorm Magazine, cementing his status as a key voice in the AI community. ​He earned the distinction of being the writer behind the most widely-read article in the 2023 editions of BusinessDay newspaper. Attracting a daily readership of 70,000, his thought-provoking piece, "Why I Won't Be Sending My Child to Varsity," sparked a pivotal debate on the future of education in an age of swiftly evolving technologies. Expanding his impact on executive education and ethical technology, Johan has taken on the role of Facilitator & Course Designer at the Executive Education program of the Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town. As an Expert Collaborator with the African Academy of Artificial Intelligence, Johan is at the forefront of advocating for Responsible AI & Ethics. In a significant endorsement of his expertise and influence in the tech world, Johan was appointed in 2024 by Samsung as a brand ambassador with the launch of the new Galaxy AI product range. ​He is serving as a working group member to develop recommendations toward a national AI strategy in South Africa. This is an initiative by the National Advisory Council on Innovation (NACI), the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the Human Sciences Research Council (HSRC) and the Department of Science and Innovation. He is a regular expert guest on television and radio shows, including BusinessDay TV, DSTV, Cape Talk, PowerFM, and RSG.

Key message

I help leaders move beyond AI hype to practical, ethical impact. My talks demystify AI and agentic systems, showing how to turn data into decisions, redesign work, and build responsible, human-centred solutions that drive measurable ROI. I focus on governance, risk, and compliance (incl. POPIA/GDPR), the shift from chatbots to capability, and the skills organisations need—prompting, experimentation, and change leadership. With an Afrocentric lens, I show how local context, talent development, and trusted implementation partners unlock real value. Audiences leave with clear playbooks: where to start, how to scale, and how to balance innovation with accountability.

Speaking topics and expertise

• AI Unlocked: A Strategic Blueprint for Financial Advisers
• From Wrenches to Algorithms: The Rise of AI in Asset Management
• AI in Community Scheme Management – From Burden to Breakthrough
• Navigating the Future: AI Regulation in South Africa's Financial Landscape
• An AI Guy and an Actor Walk into a Room (Comedy AI Keynote)
• Innovating Hospitality: How AI is Shaping Africa's Tourism
• Beyond the Myths: AI's Transformative Role in Clinical Practice
• "We want to use AI" - Organisations across the world are in a rush to digitally transform by utilising the new breed of smart technologies.
• The trajectory of technological innovation - How powerful is this technology - beyond the hype?
• Taking "the robot out of the human" - How to embrace technology in your workforce.
• Insurance 2030 - On the verge of a seismic
• tech-driven shift.
• The AI Tsunami in Remuneration
• Building a Resilient Cybersecurity System in the Age of AI (Panel Moderator)
• Mastering AI Prompts: Getting the Most Out of Microsoft Co-Pilot for Your Team
• From Code to Counsel: Navigating the Implications of Generative AI in Law
• AI in the Real World (for Master’s Students)
• Common Leadership Mistakes (regarding AI)
• The Promise of AI in Business
• Hyper-Personalisation (with AI)
• The Next Frontier: Quantum Computing
• Afrocentric Perspectives (on AI adoption)
• Bias and Ethics in AI
• Regulation and Responsible Use (of AI)
• "Decoding the Hype: What is Generative AI
• Really?"
• "From Science Fiction to Shopping Carts: The Future of AI in Retail"
• "Humans & Bots: Collaboration or Competition in the Retail Space?"
• "Embracing the AI Revolution: How Business Leaders Can Lead the Way"
• Compliance
• Trust and the Future of AI in South Africa