Phillip Crafford - Belgium Campus iTversity

A young person with curly hair and glasses sits in a softly lit room, interacting with two glowing holographic screens. The screens display colourful cosmic visuals, creating a futuristic, augmented‑reality effect. Shelves and books are visible in the background, adding a warm, study‑like atmosphere.

SA repeats old education mistakes as AI emerges

A pattern is emerging within our schooling system that needs highlighting as South Africa faces its next major technology decision.

In coding and robotics, with the best intentions, directives were given, curriculum was developed, and then the move forward stalled.

We are beginning to see take shape again with artificial intelligence (AI), writes Celeste Labuschagne, PhD candidate, and lecturer and learning framework developer at Belgium Campus iTversity.

SA repeats old education mistakes as AI emerges Read More »

A humanoid robot with a friendly digital face sits on a couch holding a bowl of popcorn, next to a golden retriever and a person wrapped in a beige blanket holding a mug. The three share a warm, cosy living‑room setting with soft lighting, plants, and framed pictures in the background.

ANALYSIS: To be or not to be, that is the AI question

News Articles / Phillip Crafford

As artificial intelligence (AI) heavyweights concede the technology may one day develop consciousness, academics warn that humans are already treating bots as sentient beings – a trend that is not only scientifically inaccurate but potentially dangerous.

Celeste Labuschagne, a lecturer at Belgium Campus iTVersity and a PhD candidate, points out that Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei recently said the company cannot fully rule out the possibility that advanced AI systems could possess some form of consciousness in the future.

ANALYSIS: To be or not to be, that is the AI question Read More »

Two people in hooded sweatshirts work in a dimly lit room filled with computer equipment. One sits at a desk typing on a keyboard while looking at a monitor displaying code and facial‑recognition data. The other stands beside them holding a tablet. Cables and a drink are visible on the desk, creating a scene suggestive of cybersecurity or hacking activity.

Banks and financial services fear AI hackers but the real threat is stranger

Uncategorised / Phillip Crafford

The banking sector is right to be worried about AI-powered cyberattacks – AI can now find vulnerabilities, breach systems, and move through networks at a speed that keeps security teams up at night. But that’s only part of what we should be concerned about.

More troubling, and less discussed outside IT, is what happens when these systems operate autonomously and together. AI is no longer just following instructions; it is increasingly exploring data, social networks and news to shape its own interactions.

The big shift is that AI has shown its ability to act like it has intentions and can make its own decisions.

Banks and financial services fear AI hackers but the real threat is stranger Read More »

A group of eight people stand in front of a blue SAICTA-branded backdrop, each holding a framed certificate. One person in the front centre also holds a trophy. They are dressed in smart or formal attire and are posing together for a celebratory photo, suggesting they have received awards or recognition.

South Africa’s ICT trailblazers honoured at inaugural SAICTA awards gala

Uncategorised / Phillip Crafford

The ICT sector’s brightest stars, pioneering innovators, and influential leaders were honoured at the South African ICT Association’s (SAICTA’s) inaugural ICT Excellence Awards Gala Dinner.

Held at the Johannesburg Country Club in Auckland Park, the evening recognised excellence, innovation, leadership and professional contribution within the South African ICT sector. The Awards, which were not just a reflection of recognition, are the start of a new phase in SAICTA’s evolution.

“These Awards are about building a culture in which ICT professionals, startups, women in tech and young trailblazers are seen, valued and encouraged to continue making a meaningful contribution to our country in the digital future,” SAICTA CEO Dr Jannie Zaaiman says.

South Africa’s ICT trailblazers honoured at inaugural SAICTA awards gala Read More »

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The Rise of South Africa’s Data Talent: Why This Field Is Redefining the Future of Work

Uncategorised / Phillip Crafford

The article explores why data science and analytics careers in South Africa are rapidly growing as organisations become increasingly data driven. It explains how data now underpins business strategy, AI adoption, and digital transformation, creating strong demand for analysts, engineers, and data scientists. The article outlines how students can enter the field, the essential skills needed in 2026, and why data literate professionals are critical to South Africa’s economic growth, innovation, and public sector modernisation. It positions data careers as future proof, high impact pathways with strong earning potential and long term relevance.

The Rise of South Africa’s Data Talent: Why This Field Is Redefining the Future of Work Read More »

A classroom-style computer lab with several students working at desktop computers. Three people sit at a curved desk using laptops and monitors, while another person stands nearby offering assistance. Rows of computer stations fill the bright, modern room, creating a focused learning environment.

The Importance of Practical, Industry Aligned IT Education

Uncategorised / Phillip Crafford

The article explains the importance of practical, industry aligned IT education in preparing South African students for a rapidly evolving digital economy. It highlights how hands on learning, real world experience, and strong industry partnerships improve employability, credibility, and workplace readiness. It also outlines the ICT skills employers need in 2026 and shows why practical, industry aligned training is essential for South Africa’s economic growth and digital competitiveness.

The Importance of Practical, Industry Aligned IT Education Read More »

Two people sit together at a desk in a modern office, analysing data on multiple computer monitors. The screens display colourful bar graphs, pie charts, line graphs, and numerical tables. One person points at a chart while the other types on a keyboard. Large digital displays in the background show additional financial or analytical data, creating a high‑tech, collaborative workspace atmosphere.

ICT’s Role in South Africa’s Economy: Why Digital Skills Matter More Than Ever

Uncategorised / Phillip Crafford

ICT’s role in South Africa’s economy is growing rapidly, driven by major investments in digital infrastructure, cloud computing, e commerce, and digital skills development. South Africa’s digital economy contributes up to 19% of GDP, and institutions like Belgium Campus iTversity play a key role in preparing skilled ICT professionals to support national growth.

ICT’s Role in South Africa’s Economy: Why Digital Skills Matter More Than Ever Read More »

A digital illustration showing a hooded figure with multicoloured code patterns symbolising a cyber threat, alongside icons for email and Microsoft Exchange, with a large red digital “0” on the right representing cybersecurity risk or vulnerability.

Active Microsoft Exchange zero-day leaves organisations exposed

Uncategorised / Phillip Crafford

Artificial intelligence has rapidly emerged as a pervasive technology that those entering the workplace need to have an understanding of. Increasingly, organisations are prioritising the use of AI-powered solutions and platforms, and their employees must now have AI skills to match.

This has resulted in the South African government making AI skills development a local imperative, but what about the country’s focus of coding, robotics, and 4IR-related skills that were the prioritised for the past decade?

This is the question posed by Celeste Labuschagne, a PhD candidate and Lecturer and Learning Framework Developer at Belgium Campus iTversity.

Active Microsoft Exchange zero-day leaves organisations exposed Read More »

A clean, modern classroom with rows of wooden desks and black chairs facing a large whiteboard. A ceiling‑mounted projector hangs above the centre of the room, and large windows on the right let in natural light. A clock and a small podium are positioned at the front, and a wooden door is on the left wall.

Why South Africa needs an AI policy for schools

Uncategorised / Phillip Crafford

This is the question posed by Celeste Labuschagne, a PhD candidate and Lecturer and Learning Framework Developer at Belgium Campus iTversity.

Why South Africa needs an AI policy for schools Read More »

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AI prompting is the new critical thinking

Uncategorised / Phillip Crafford

Rather than outsourcing thinking to AI, students must be taught to interrogate ideas, test assumptions and refine their own reasoning.

The problem with AI in education may not be the technology itself – it may be that students are using it incorrectly, treating it not as a tool, but as a solution. And because educators tend to see it as a threat, they aren’t taking students along a learning path that enables them to use GenAI as an enabler rather than a cheating tool.

AI prompting is the new critical thinking Read More »