IN Durban this August, artificial intelligence (AI) didn’t arrive as a cold string of algorithms – it came with music, personal stories and a room full of people determined to shape the future.

At the Institute of Packaging South Africa (IPSA) KwaZulu-Natal AI Packaging Workshop, engineers, government leaders and young innovators discovered how AI can do more than streamline packaging workflows – it can empower people, challenge stereotypes and open doors to new opportunities.

Programme director Khosi Mbatha – also project manager at MetPac-SA, the event’s key sponsor – welcomed guests, outlined the objectives of the workshop and set the tone for a day that promised both insight and inspiration.

IPSA KZN chairman Sumiran Singh followed with an overview of IPSA’s role in aligning South Africa’s packaging industry with global standards. He revealed that IPSA is taking a pioneering step by integrating AI into its educational curriculum, ensuring that members are not just keeping pace with industry changes but leading them.

The official welcome came from Nirupa Singh, the event’s gracious hostess, who thanked attendees for prioritising this occasion amidst their busy schedules. She acknowledged the diverse sectors represented in the room, a reminder that innovation thrives when perspectives converge.

From there, the programme shifted into a series of powerful keynote addresses – each speaker offering a unique lens on resilience, leadership and the value of balance in personal and professional life.

Hlengiwe Sabelo, sales manager at Impact, spoke candidly about juggling corporate responsibilities with motherhood – particularly as a mother to 14-month-old twins. Her message was clear: routines matter, persistence pays and the packaging sector offers untapped opportunities for the next generation. ‘The youth of today will shape the future through their intentional, positive, powerful actions,’ she told the room.

Packaging expert Anuka Brown addressed the challenge of breaking stereotypes in a male-dominated sector. Her advice? Focus, apply yourself fully and lift others as you rise. ‘Women supporting women is non-negotiable,’ she urged.

Avishka Horilal, a senior digital expert, shared a deeply personal story about growing up with a facial disability, the bullying she endured and how those experiences forged her resilience. Her talk was a testament to the power of goal-setting and self-belief.