Telkom has announced a R100 million investment to establish the Telkom AI Institute, an initiative aimed at equipping South Africans with artificial intelligence (AI) and digital skills to support participation in the country's growing digital economy.
The partially state-owned telecommunications company said the investment is intended to drive local innovation while helping bridge the country's digital skills gap.
The commitment was unveiled in Geneva during the International Telecommunication Union's (ITU) Partner2Connect (P2C) Digital Coalition, a global initiative that has secured more than US$82 billion in pledges to expand digital connectivity and inclusion worldwide.
Telkom was among a select group of African companies recognised during the latest round of commitments.
The company said South Africa's digital divide extends beyond internet access, warning that advances in artificial intelligence are transforming economies faster than many people can acquire the necessary skills.
According to Telkom, the country risks developing a new form of digital inequality in which widespread connectivity exists, but only a small portion of the population has the knowledge and skills to benefit from emerging technologies.
"Connectivity without capability only gets South Africa halfway there," said Telkom Group Chief Executive Officer Serame Taukobong.
"We have spent years building the networks that connect this country. The Telkom AI Institute is our commitment to ensuring that connectivity translates into skills, jobs and opportunity."
The institute will provide practical, job-ready training in artificial intelligence and digital technologies, with a particular focus on young people, small businesses and communities that remain underserved in the digital economy.
Telkom said the initiative also supports its broader Vision 2030 strategy, which aims to position the company not only as a provider of telecommunications infrastructure but also as a key contributor to developing South Africa's digital skills and workforce.
The company believes the investment will help prepare more South Africans for the changing demands of the modern workplace while promoting more inclusive economic growth through technology.