As automation and artificial intelligence accelerate across African industry, a critical question comes to the fore: who benefits from technological progress, and at what cost? In this edition of The Road to the Indaba, the spotlight turns to Jean-Pierre Murray-Kline, a leading futurist and strategist whose work sits at the intersection of technology, society, and sustainability.
Murray-Kline has spent decades advising organisations on digital transformation, responsible innovation and long-term resilience. Known for challenging conventional narratives around the Fourth Industrial Revolution, his work interrogates not only what technology can do, but how it reshapes economies, labour markets, and social structures. In the African context, where inequality, unemployment, and environmental pressure remain pressing realities, his perspective brings necessary balance to conversations often dominated by efficiency and growth metrics alone.
At the Africa Automation Indaba 2026, Murray-Kline will deliver a keynote titled ‘Automating Inequality: The Status of Automation, Technology, Society and Environment in Africa – Influences and Opportunities’. His address will explore how automation can either entrench existing disparities or become a powerful lever for inclusive development, depending on how it is designed, governed and deployed. Drawing on real-world examples, he will examine the social and environmental consequences of automation decisions, while highlighting pathways for industry to align innovation with sustainability and shared value.
What distinguishes Murray-Kline is his frank, unfiltered approach to discussing Africa’s realities. He is known for addressing difficult, often uncomfortable truths around skills gaps, inequality, environmental strain and the unintended consequences of poorly implemented technology. Rather than offering abstract theory, his contribution to the Indaba will focus on practical, achievable solutions that are grounded in Africa’s economic, social and infrastructural context. This honesty resonates strongly with industry leaders who are navigating real constraints on the ground and are seeking solutions that are realistic, scalable, and sustainable for the continent.
Murray-Kline’s contribution is particularly valuable for the automation and process control community because it reframes technology as a strategic and ethical choice, not a neutral tool. His insights challenge manufacturers, technology providers and policymakers to consider the long-term impact of automation on skills, employment and ecological systems, while still recognising its immense potential to drive productivity and competitiveness.
As The Road to the Indaba continues, Murray-Kline’s message is clear: Africa’s automation journey must be intentional. By embedding sustainability and social responsibility into technological strategy from the outset, the continent can harness automation not only to grow industries, but to build a more equitable and resilient future.
Seats are limited – secure your place at Africa Automation Indaba 2026
Africa Automation Indaba brings together senior industry leaders, policymakers, investors and technology innovators shaping the future of automation across the continent. With a highly curated programme and limited capacity, delegate seats are strictly limited.
At R6500 excl. VAT, your registration gives you access to two days of executive-level insights, strategic networking and future-focused industry dialogue in a premium environment. Demand is already strong and seats are allocated on a first-come basis. Once capacity is reached, registrations will close.
Don’t delay, secure your place now and be part of the conversation shaping Africa’s industrial future.
Click here to register.
For more information contact Hanli Goncalves, RX Africa,
| Tel: | +27 10 496 3502 |
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| www: | www.africaautomationtechnologyfair.com |
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