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Deloitte’s Strategy to Unleashing Power of Human-Machine Collaboration in Business

Published

6 years ago

April 17, 2020

Eric

AI Leader at Deloitte Analytics, Wessel Oosthuizen, has disclosed that while much of the public discourse surrounding artificial intelligence (AI) focuses on dire predictions about robots stealing jobs, a growing number of future-minded business leaders are embracing an altogether more optimistic and empowering narrative.

Oosthuizen made this known in a press release published by Deloitte – a leading global provider of audit and assurance, consulting, financial advisory, risk advisory, tax and related services – titled: “How Businesses Can Unleash The Power Of Human-Machine Collaboration” on Friday.

According to him, ‘visionary leaders realise our future is not about people versus machines at all, but about how human collaboration and decision-making can be enhanced through the use of machines and AI’.

He further made reference to research by Gartner, which predicted that AI, far from “stealing” jobs, would be a net creator of jobs by 2020 and that human-machine collaboration would be at the centre of this trend.

Here him: “At Deloitte we’ve coined a term for this – the ‘Age of With’. Far from being a futurist’s fantasy, says Oosthuizen, the Age of With is already firmly entrenched in workplaces in the form of shared data, social engagement, digital assistants, cloud platforms, connected devices. “What they have in common is human collaboration made greater with the machines we invent.”

He added that even leaders who understand the potential of ‘With’ in the context of human-machine cooperation often struggle to identify the specific technologies relevant to their organisations and come up with strategies to implement them.

He continues: “It’s clear from our research on Analytics and AI-driven enterprises that organisations want to lead with advanced analytics, and the adoption of technology like machine learning. However, this willingness is not always matched with the ability to turn insights into action. Data science has to permeate company culture starting from the top to see true benefits.”

In Oosthuizen’s opinion, the project is about building an insights-driven organisation (IDO), stressing that as companies continue to incorporate data in their operations, they must make analytics a priority for all employees to exceed business goals.

Consequently, to create an IDO, he opined that leaders should integrate culture, technology and talent as itemised below to gain a competitive advantage:

Culture: Companies should instil responsibility for analytics across the organisation, regardless of job title or level, and enlist an executive sponsor, ideally the CEO, to spur change in mindset across management. In addition, to motivate employees to incorporate insights into everyday tasks, consider tying individual performance goals to meaningful use of analytics. This can be also be reinforced by executives who encourage trying and risk-taking—even if failure occurs—and reward a “fail forward” mindset within the domain.

Technology: Expand tools to help incorporate both structured and unstructured data, deliver more insights faster and implement a single data and analytics solution that can be used across the organisation is imperative in the fast changing world of technology. Exponential technology is changing rapidly and staying at the forefront of the latest advancements and changes can be daunting but the advancements has also enabled companies to take a modular approach and get access to technology that was previously only within reach of organisations with large technology/IT budgets.

Talent: Eliminate the idea that only highly skilled mathematicians or data scientists are the only ones responsible for business analytics. Spread accountability broadly and train all employees about the role of analytics in their respective jobs. In companies where all personnel have been educated about how to leverage data, 88 percent exceeded business goals, compared to just 61 percent of those with few trained employees.

“All signs indicate that large organisations need to focus on using data more effectively to continue to grow and be positioned for success. However, most are hindered by their culture. Business leaders who deploy the responsibility of analytics more broadly and invest in an insight-driven culture will be poised to outperform their counterparts as well as be better prepared for the Age of With,” says Oosthuizen.

To help clients with this process, Deloitte created its aiStudio, an incubator for the development of state-of-the-art solutions in the field of Artificial Intelligence. Founded in 2018, the aiStudio unites top talent from around the globe, including South Africa, on a mission to solve today’s business challenges through clever application of AI technologies.

“It was carefully designed to capitalise on Deloitte’s strengths – and to combine them with the bold vision and scrappy tenacity of a start-up. Innovation thrives in this international, collaborative and agile environment,” says Oosthuizen.

Deloitte Africa has its own hub, The Deloitte Cognitive Advantage team, a team that is not only part but a founding member of this Global incubator. The team has seen exponential growth over the last 12 months and is dedicated to helping clients harness the power of “With”.

“In the Age of With, harnessing the power of AI in fields as diverse as financial services, retail, mining, healthcare, governments and others can create synergies and improved workforces which can add immense value to business. Artificial Intelligence is here, and it’s ready to get to work.”

News

Disu Inaugurates Committee for Implementation of State Police

Published

14 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Eric

The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated an eight-member committee to oversee the implementation of state police and the rollout of his policing vision, following his confirmation as the 23rd indigenous IGP.

TVC reports that Disu held his first formal engagement with senior police officers since his confirmation, days after the Nigeria Police Council unanimously ratified his appointment, clearing the way for his swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.

Professor Olu Ogunsakin was appointed to lead the eight-member state police committee.

Addressing the top hierarchy of the force, the IGP said leadership is “not about position but responsibility,” stressing that professionalism and accountability must guide conduct and operations across commands nationwide.

He emphasised that authority is strongest when exercised with restraint and that respect for human rights must remain fundamental, adding that every Nigerian should be treated with dignity, fairness, and justice, regardless of status or background.

Disu also announced plans to strengthen internal oversight, directing that the Public Complaint Unit and X-Squad be empowered to operate independently.

On decentralisation, he said the move would allow different levels of government to play an active role in security.

The inauguration of the state police implementation committee comes at a critical time for the Nigeria Police Force, following a leadership change at the top.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Disu as the Acting Inspector‑General of Police on February 24, 2026, after the resignation of his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun.

Disu’s elevation followed a meeting between the outgoing IGP and the President at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, and his appointment was later unanimously endorsed by the Nigeria Police Council.

He is expected to be formally sworn in as substantive IGP during the Federal Executive Council meeting on Wednesday.

Disu’s appointment comes amid heightened concern over security challenges across the country, including rising cases of kidnappings, banditry, and community attacks.

The state police initiative championed by the current administration is part of broader security sector reforms aimed at decentralising policing powers to enhance responsiveness at local levels.

News

Senate Rescinds Resolution Seeking Sack of Magaji As CAC Registrar-General

Published

2 days ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

The Senate Committee on Finance, on Monday, rescinded its resolution seeking to remove the Registrar-General of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Mr. Hussaini Ishaq Magaji (SAN), from office.

The committee, which is chaired by Senator Sani Musa, had on Thursday last week called on President Bola Tinubu to sack Magaji for ignoring parliamentary invitations to give an account of the operations of his agency.

But, at its resumed sitting in Abuja on Monday, the committee reversed itself after Magaji showed up, expressing remorse for his actions and apologising to the lawmakers.

It was the Chairman of Senate Committee on Customs, Senator Jibrin Isa (Kogi-East), who came to Magaji’s rescue by moving a motion, urging the committee to rescind the earlier resolution.

He was seconded by Katsina-North senator Nasir Musa Zango Daura.

However, before he got a reprieve, Musa criticised Magaji over his conduct, noting that he had no regard for the Legislature.

He stated, “This committee is not happy with you for your persistent refusal to appear before it in the past or sending junior officers to it. That’s not acceptable.

“The constitution grants us oversight powers over all revenue-generating agencies. At our last sitting, the committee recommended your removal, but you appeared shortly after our pronouncement.

“We want an explanation.”

Magaji immediately apologised for his behaviour, pleading that such would not be repeated again.

He blamed the development on communication breakdown, which he would address by establishing a liaison office at the National Assembly to improve interactions between the two sides.

“Mr Chairman, I sincerely apologise to the committee. I was returning from Lagos and asked my team to inform the committee ahead of time. Unfortunately, I arrived late.

“We have now created a dedicated liaison office to handle interactions with the National Assembly. I assure you this will not happen again. I take full responsibility and hold this committee in high esteem,” he added.

His show of remorse led to the withdrawal of the resolution with a warning not to ignore legislative invitations next time.

During last Thursday’s sitting, the committee had accused Magaji of failing to honour the Senate’s invitations to account for the finances of his agency.

“He refused on so many occasions to honour our invitation to appear before this committee.

“We have issues with the reconciliation of the revenue of CAC.

Each time we invite him, he gives us excuses,” Musa said as the committee passed the resolution.

A former Governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu, had moved the motion for his removal.

News

NELFund Extends Deadline for Student Loan Applications Nationwide

Published

2 days ago

March 3, 2026

Eric

The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFund) has extended the deadline for student loan applications following a surge in nationwide interest driven by its ongoing sensitisation campaign across the country.

The extension comes after an earlier notice issued by the Fund announcing that the student loan application portal would close on February 27, 2026.

The Director, Strategic Communications of NELFund, Mrs. Oseyemi Oluwatuyi, who conveyed this in a statement on Monday in Abuja, said growing feedback from students, tertiary institutions, and other stakeholders prompted the management to grant additional time to enable more eligible applicants to complete the process.

NELFund explained that the decision was informed by the sharp increase in applications and inquiries recorded in recent weeks, as awareness of the Federal government’s student loan scheme continues to expand nationwide.

According to the Fund, the extension is aimed at accommodating students who require additional time to finalise their applications, as well as prospective beneficiaries who only recently became aware of the programme during nationwide sensitisation engagements.

The additional window would also support institutions newly commencing their 2025/2026 academic session and those yet to submit verified student data required for processing applications.

The Managing Director and Chief Executive of NELFund, Mr. Akintunde Sawyerr, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to inclusivity and equitable access to tertiary education financing.

He noted that the extensive sensitisation campaigns conducted across the six geopolitical zones significantly boosted awareness and participation in the scheme.

“Our sensitisation efforts have increased nationwide participation.
In line with our mandate to expand access to tertiary education financing, we have approved an extension to ensure all eligible students have a fair and equal opportunity to apply,” he said.

NELFund further advised institutions that have not commenced the 2025/2026 academic session to formally request an extension, accompanied by their approved academic calendar, for consideration by the Fund.

Students were strongly encouraged to utilise the extended period to complete their applications through the official NELFund portal before the final closure date.

The Fund reiterated its commitment to transparency, accountability, and sustainable student financing initiatives aimed at removing financial barriers to higher education in Nigeria.