By Christo Wessels, MediaTek’s Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa

Artificial intelligence (AI), the Internet of Things (IoT) and edge computing are converging on many of the devices you will commonly find on a small business’s premises, such as point-of-sale systems, security cameras and even delivery vehicles. This trend is unlocking significant benefits for businesses of all sizes, including efficiency gains, productivity enhancements and opportunities to improve customer experiences.

Falling costs and rapid improvements in terms of ease of use and cost of implementation have helped to make edge AI more accessible to SMEs. What this means is that SMEs can already start taking advantage of edge AI solutions for a range of business applications, from security and energy management to fleet management, real-time equipment monitoring and inventory management.

Defining edge AI solutions

So, what is edge AI and why should SMEs care? Edge AI places intelligence and advanced data processing capabilities at the ‘edge’ of the network, where the data is generated. The edge in this case is an IoT device like a camera, a sensor, a wearable computer, or a smartphone. Rather than needing to send information to a central service, the device will be able to process data locally and act in real time.

There are several benefits to processing data locally rather than sending it to a server in the cloud. The first advantage is improved speed and reduced latency. The device can take an automated action immediately rather than waiting for an answer from a service in the cloud. For example, if a machine is overheating or about to break down, the system can trigger an immediate alert.

Secondly, processing on the edge can be more cost-efficient than doing everything across the cloud. Edge AI reduces bandwidth needs and cloud processing fees, which can be prohibitive for smaller firms. Thirdly, SMEs are assured that sensitive data, like voice or facial biometrics, stays on the device, ensuring privacy and easing compliance with data privacy laws.  Finally, edge AI offers resilience in the face of power and network outages.

Edge AI already offers benefits for SMEs

Far from a futuristic technology, edge AI is already here and delivering benefits to SMEs across a range of vertical markets. One of the most popular applications lies in energy management. Many homes and SMEs are using smart thermostats and lighting systems to manage electricity costs, along with software tools optimise battery and generator usage during power outages.

Some SMEs have replaced their traditional CCTV cameras with smart access control systems and digital cameras. These solutions facilitate access to the property for employees while monitoring the premises for suspicious activities. By combining AI-powered facial recognition with the camera a business could, for example, detect an unauthorised person on their premises.

Manufacturers, meanwhile, could use IoT sensors to monitor production in real time. If a machine needs maintenance, the system can trigger an immediate alert or even automatically initiate a shutdown. In retail, SMEs could use smart shelves equipped with weight sensors and RFID tags to automate stocktaking, monitor shrinkage and alert managers when it is time to replenish goods.

At MediaTek, our technology is helping our enterprise and industrial partners to deliver capabilities that enable organisations to capitalise on their data to make better decisions, innovate faster and increase efficiencies. We offer a System-on-Chip (SoC) platform that provides highly responsive edge processing, advanced multimedia, and multitasking OS for a range of applications.

Our MediaTek Genio 1200 and MediaTek Genio 700 platforms, with integrated support for Wi-Fi 7 and 5G, make practical Edge AI possible for small businesses. Optimised for low power and real-time performance, they enable applications across retail, smart home, industrial, and commercial environments. Our Genio platform provides a one-stop development toolkit that ensures all devices connect reliably and communicate seamlessly across platforms

Our smartphone platforms also support the vision of AI experiences at the edge. The MediaTek Dimensity 9500, for example, integrates the ninth-generation MediaTek NPU 990 with Generative AI Engine 2.0. This technology offers powerful, on-device AI capabilities, including faster large language model processing, industry-first 4K image generation, and AI-powered connectivity and imaging.

Looking ahead

We envision a future where technology works quietly behind the scenes, helping African SMEs run smarter, faster, and more efficiently. Systems will anticipate needs, streamline operations and provide actionable insights in real time. By embracing Edge AI, SMEs can optimise efficiency and reduce costs as well as unlock new opportunities for innovation and growth.