The future of AI is local

A proudly South African innovation is set to change the way people across the country and beyond access and engage with artificial intelligence. Introducing Siza AI, Africa’s first fully email-powered AI gateway, designed specifically to serve everyday South Africans, no matter where they are or what device they use.  

Built by Durban-based tech developer, Jeeten (Jay) Bhoora, Siza AI marks a major leap forward in inclusive digital transformation. Unlike conventional AI platforms that rely on fast internet, smartphone apps, or user logins, Siza is entirely accessible through email, the most widely used and universally understood digital tool on the continent.  

“If you can send an email, you can use Siza. You don’t need an app or a credit card. That’s what makes it powerful. It meets people where they are, not where the tech world expects them to be,” said Bhoora.  

True to its name, Siza means “assist” in isiZulu. The platform is purpose-built to empower, educate, and support South Africans. It responds in multiple local languages, including English, isiZulu, Xhosa, Afrikaans, Hindi, Telugu, Gujarati and others, making it a tool that truly speaks to the people it’s built for.  

Whether it’s helping a learner understand a maths concept in their home language, offering affordable insight into body corporate law, or guiding a small business owner through the Companies Act, Siza AI delivers clear, accurate responses in under a minute.  

With global concerns about AI replacing jobs, Bhoora is determined to flip the narrative. “In South Africa, AI can actually bridge gaps in education, in access to information, and in productivity,” he explains. “Siza isn’t about replacing people. It’s about removing the barriers that hold them back,” he said.  

Nowhere is this more critical than in education. “With one of the highest unemployment rates in the world, the future doesn’t feel like a promise for many young South Africans, rather a burden,” says Bhoora. “But if we want to tackle unemployment, we must go deeper. We must go to the root. And that root is education,” Bhoora added.  

South Africa’s learners face many challenges: under-resourced schools, a shortage of qualified educators, and learning materials often written in languages many learners don’t speak at home. “For too long, brilliance has been held back by barriers like these. Siza was born to break these barriers,” he said.  

Through [email protected]l, learners can receive bilingual explanations in subjects like mathematics and science for free, helping them grasp complex concepts in both their home language and English.

“It’s not just about passing exams. It’s about building confidence, giving clarity, and helping learners find their voice. When we unlock education, we unlock employment, innovation, dignity, and hope,” he said.  

The platform also offers dedicated email AIs for other everyday needs. These tools are just the beginning. Bhoora’s vision is to develop specialised email AIs for key areas of South African life, including labour law, business compliance, and public services to empower people with practical, affordable knowledge that helps them move forward with confidence.  

“This is more than just technology. It’s about rewriting South Africa’s story. And we believe Siza is just the start,” Bhoora concluded.