Episode 145 - Human-Centered AI, Digital Efficiency & Cybersecurity: Highlights from the Syntura Kenya CXO Breakfast Discussion Panel

On the morning of March 27th, 2025, I had the pleasure of joining fellow industry leaders at the Syntura Kenya CXO Breakfast held at the Capital Club, Nairobi, Kenya. Themed around AI, cybersecurity, and the future of the digital workplace, this private gathering brought together top executives and technology practitioners for a high-impact exchange of ideas and insights. I was honored to be part of the panel discussion, alongside:Brenda Mbathi, CEO of Two Rivers International Finance & Innovation Centre (TRIFIC)Frank Molla, Managing Director, Africa at MDPModerated by Andrew Barden, CEO of The Kenyan Wallstreet Even as the event had all the polish of a premium technology engagement, there was a moment of irony: midway through our panel, I realized the audiovisual team was not recording the panel discussion and so being the kind of content obsessed person that I am I instinctively pulled out my phone to capture what I could — and that’s what you’ll hear on the podcast which is ultimately the basis for this post. The audio isn’t perfect, but the insights are priceless. We kicked off with a big question: How can Kenyan and African organizations fully leverage AI to drive measurable outcomes? We all agreed that AI is no longer just a buzzword — it’s a real, tangible tool that’s improving how we work. From automating mundane tasks to powering predictive analytics, AI is already delivering efficiency gains and, more importantly, boosting revenues and customer satisfaction. I shared some of the ways I personally use tools like ChatGPT, Otter, Notebook LM, Copilot, and Gamma in my day-to-day work — from generating reports and transcribing meetings to real-time translation and content creation. The opportunity is clear: become a practitioner, not just a spectator. Experiment, learn, and adapt. Frank Molla offered a deep dive into the security realities of the finance and payments ecosystem. Given that MDP operating across borders and handling sensitive customer data, multi-layered cybersecurity protocols are not optional — they’re business-critical. Interestingly, Frank mentioned that if cybersecurity were an economy, it would be the third-largest in the world by GDP. That alone speaks volumes about the scale and importance of digital protection in today’s interconnected world. Brenda also noted how BPO firms at TRIFIC are increasingly leaning on AI for enhanced security and operational efficiency — especially those serving international markets with tight compliance standards. A recurring theme throughout the panel was the gap between technology potential and actual adoption. We talked about how hybrid work, cloud collaboration tools, and AI-powered assistants have transformed the workplace — but not every organization has caught up. There’s still resistance from some leaders, mostly driven by fear, legacy systems, or lack of training. As panelists, we emphasized the need for continuous learning, change management, and proactive leadership to help organizations embrace the shift. Frank put it well when he said: “You don’t need to deploy everything at once. You just need to start — and stay current.” One of the most meaningful parts of the conversation revolved around ethical AI use and its impact on jobs. We discussed how automation could displace some roles, yes — but it could also elevate human potential by offloading repetitive work and freeing people up for more creative, strategic, and emotionally intelligent tasks. As I mentioned during the panel, the goal isn’t to replace people — it’s to remove the robotic work from human hands and let AI do what it does best. We also touched on the importance of training and governance to prevent misuse of AI tools, ensure data security, and foster a culture of responsible innovation.