Addressing a packed auditorium of students, academics, and tech enthusiasts, he emphasised that AI wasn't just a passing trend but a transformative force that is already reshaping industries, economies and societies.
Mabusela highlighted the importance of equipping people with AI skills and fostering a mind of innovation and curiosity to prepare them for the future.
"The time is now for Botswana to fully embrace the fourth industrial revolution as AI has the potential (to solve) most of our national challenges from health and agriculture to education and infrastructure but we must start by integrating it into how we teach, think, and create," he said.
The tech entrepreneur acknowledged that the mention of AI can set people off as some fear it AI is here to take their jobs away, but he held a different perspective.
He highlighted that there is no chance that the new tool in town could take away human creativity but emphasised that people could use it to their advantage to achieve things.
"Research and development can be enhanced by the use of AI, especially in the world of innovation by building technological devices and solutions with the integration of AI which can make things simple for all of us, so AI isn't our enemy.
"We need to understand that but one thing for sure AI could never replace human beings or creativity by humans," he said.
Mabusela urged the educational institutions to embrace AI as he advised the sector to at least align it with curriculum content with technology trends and called on policymakers to support innovation hubs and startups focused on AI solutions.
"Let's empower young people to become creators not just consumers of technology. This is all about turning ideas into implementation and most importantly commercialising those ideas as at the end of the day we all want to generate income," he said.
As Mabusela is calling for the integration of AI in student curricula he pointed that he wished to impart knowledge and skills with students from any level so that they can turn their ideas into materialistic things that can earn them fortunes.
"We want to establish a hub for innovators that will equip them with the necessary skills that will help them cut them above the rest when it comes to manipulating AI to the best of their abilities.
"We are going to teach them about turning their ideas into something and commercialising it most importantly," he added.
As AI continues to influence global innovation, Mabusela is pushing to ensure that Botswana doesn't get left behind developments in the space that have seen dramatic advancement in recent years.
