A few weeks ago, I attended a fintech hangout hosted by Pawapay.

Interestingly, the most engaging conversation at our table wasn't about payments or fintech. It was about AI.

As expected, the room was divided.

Some people were excited by what AI can do. Others were concerned about how quickly it is advancing and whether we're creating something that could eventually become difficult to control.

The more I listened, the more I realized something.

Both sides are right.

The concerns around AI are valid.

When technology can write articles, generate images, analyze legal documents, diagnose diseases, write code, and automate entire workflows in seconds, it would be strange not to ask questions about its long-term impact.

We've already seen examples of AI making mistakes, amplifying biases, and creating misinformation. In Kenya, concerns have even been raised about AI-driven systems being used in public services without enough transparency, affecting how some citizens access healthcare. AI is powerful, but power without accountability can create real problems.

But at the same time, I think many people are viewing AI through the wrong lens.

AI is often discussed as if it's some futuristic robot preparing to replace humanity.

In reality, AI today is much more practical.

Think of it as a tool that helps people process information, identify patterns, and complete tasks faster.

On an individual level, AI can help you:

• Learn a new skill faster.
• Write better emails.
• Summarize reports.
• Organize ideas.
• Generate content.
• Analyze data.
• Automate repetitive tasks.

For a student, it can become a tutor.

For a designer, a creative assistant.

For a developer, a coding partner.

For a business owner, an extra pair of hands.

And here in Africa, we're already seeing practical applications.

In Malawi, AI-powered tools are helping farmers access farming advice through WhatsApp in local languages, helping them make better decisions about crops and adapt to changing climate conditions.

Across East Africa, major investments are being made into AI infrastructure to support solutions in agriculture, healthcare, and fintech.

In West Africa, researchers have developed AI-powered WhatsApp learning assistants that help students access science education and exam preparation through a platform many already use every day.

This is why I believe the AI conversation becomes more useful when we separate science fiction from reality.

At a company level, the question isn't whether AI will replace everyone.

The question is whether organizations are learning how to use it responsibly.

The most successful companies are not replacing entire teams with AI. They're using AI to help teams become more productive, make better decisions, and spend less time on repetitive work. Across Africa, banks, telecom companies, agribusinesses, and governments are increasingly embedding AI into existing operations rather than treating it as a standalone technology project.

Perhaps the biggest shift happening right now is that AI is moving from being a competitive advantage to becoming basic infrastructure; much like the internet did years ago. Governments, telecom companies, and technology firms across the continent are investing heavily because they recognize that AI will influence how businesses operate in the future.

So when someone asks me whether I support AI or fear AI, my answer is simple:

I respect it.

I respect its potential to create opportunity.

I respect its ability to create challenges.

And I believe our responsibility is not to blindly embrace it or blindly reject it.

It's to understand it.

Because the future may not belong to AI.

It may belong to people who understand how to work alongside it.

What are your thoughts? Is AI primarily an opportunity, a threat, or simply another tool that we need to learn how to use?