Workday Horizon Johannesburg is set to return on 2 June 2026, bringing together South Africa’s senior HR, finance, and technology leaders for a deep dive into how artificial intelligence can move from laboratory trials to genuine business impact. The flagship conference, organised by enterprise‑cloud provider Workday, promises a packed agenda of keynotes, live demos and peer networking, all aimed at helping organisations overcome the data, governance and architectural gaps that still hold AI back.
The event’s headline speaker, Jens Löhmar, CTO for Continental Europe & DACH at Workday, will share global case studies that illustrate how AI can be woven into the very fabric of daily operations. Löhmar argues that while 97 % of employees feel positive about their work, most are still acting as “the glue” between fragmented systems, a symptom of enterprises that have yet to embed intelligent automation at the core.
Workday Horizon Johannesburg spotlights AI’s shift from experiment to enterprise
Löhmar’s keynote will centre on a stark reality: AI is no longer a pilot project. The real challenge, he says, is whether an organisation possesses the right architecture, data quality, governance framework and workforce model to turn AI into measurable value. Workday’s recent research, titled “Copy/Paste Economy: How Task‑Based AI is Failing the Enterprise,” surveyed 6 100 professionals across HR, finance, IT and operations, uncovering a gap between employee readiness and system capability.
| Metric | Finding |
|---|---|
| Employee sentiment | 97 % rate day‑to‑day work positively |
| Time spent on data coordination | 82 % spend significant time moving information between tools |
| AI embedded in core workflows | Only 27 % of organisations have AI at the heart of processes |
| Primary AI use case | Predominantly edge‑level automation, not workflow integration |
The table underscores that while workers are eager for intelligent tools, the majority of companies still treat AI as an add‑on rather than a foundational element. The takeaway is clear: unlocking AI’s true potential requires a shift from isolated bots to integrated, governable intelligence.
South African businesses face particular pressure to modernise. Kiv Moodley, country MD for Workday South Africa, notes that firms are juggling growth ambitions, global competition, and a persistent talent shortage. He believes Horizon offers a timely platform to explore “AI, skills intelligence and modern enterprise platforms” that can build more resilient, competitive organisations.
Attendees can expect a blend of strategic insight and hands‑on experience. The programme includes:
- Keynotes from global and local Workday leaders, including Löhmar and Mood‑ley.
- Deep technical sessions on Workday’s AI architecture, such as Superintelligence for Work and the Agent System of Record.
- Data‑driven insights from Workday’s global research on the AI tax, embedded AI and workforce transformation.
- Live demonstrations showcasing AI‑powered capabilities across HR, finance and IT.
- Practical guidance on scaling AI safely, with a focus on governance, auditability and contextual relevance.
- Networking opportunities with peers, industry experts and existing Workday customers.
Löhmar emphasises that the next phase of AI is not about piling on new tools, but about embedding intelligence directly into trusted, deterministic processes. “When AI operates inside workflows, not alongside them, organisations see real value,” he says. This philosophy aligns with Workday’s broader vision of combining probabilistic AI with deterministic enterprise logic to deliver outcomes that are both innovative and accountable.
Moodley adds a uniquely South African perspective, highlighting the continent’s reputation for resilience and entrepreneurship. “If we combine that mindset with modern platforms and governed AI, we can leapfrog older ways of working,” he asserts. Horizon, therefore, is positioned not just as a technology showcase but as a catalyst for a broader economic uplift.
The event’s relevance is amplified by recent findings that more than eight in ten employees spend a considerable portion of their day reconciling data across disparate tools. This inefficiency translates into lost productivity and higher operational risk—issues that AI, when properly governed, can mitigate. By demonstrating how Workday’s solutions integrate AI into the core operational fabric, Horizon aims to turn these pain points into competitive advantages.
Registration is now open, and the conference promises to be a pivotal moment for South African leaders seeking to transition from task‑level automation to genuine work transformation. As the nation grapples with skills shortages and the need for digital acceleration, the insights offered at Workday Horizon Johannesburg could very well define the next chapter of enterprise AI adoption across the region.