“Artificial intelligence will not replace humans so easily”

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Vanisha Renggli, Chief Human Resources Officer, ELCA*.

She is one of the Mauritians who, during their career abroad, have had the opportunity to exploit situations to weaken the immigration policy which, in most cases, leads to a skills drain. Vanisha Renggli, who lives in Switzerland, is evaluating the situation of hiring her team to come to Mauritius.

What is the main objective of the ELCA Group’s business relocation strategy to include Mauritius in its global expansion plans?

That was six years ago. The main objective of this initiative is to allow the Group to actively participate in this dynamic development. I leave Mauritius with this enthusiasm every time after a stay in my home country.

How is the result?

Since the 2000s, Mauritius has become a leading Information, Communications and Technology (ICT) and knowledge sector hub. This strategic position makes it an ideal location for the expansion of our platform. support (offshoring), taking advantage of the growing ICT sector and skilled workforce from top public and private universities. The integration of Mauritius complements our global presence in Vietnam, Spain and Italy. Mauritius is uniquely positioned in the time zone, just two to three hours ahead of Switzerland and three hours behind Vietnam. This factor enables us to manage projects in a comprehensive and agile manner.

ELCA Maurice started operations in 2018 with a team dedicated to Java and Dotnet projects. In three years, we have doubled our headcount in Mauritius and now employ over 200 people. The Group has continued to grow and today has over 2,300 employees worldwide, reflecting our successful strategy of growth and proximity to our clients. Such rapid growth and scale fully justifies using the consolidation phase to deliver on our corporate mission of fostering a cutting-edge digital environment where our clients, our employees and the communities they develop can thrive. We continue to expand by seeking out the best talent.

How have advances in innovative technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI), impacted your operations?

Since our creation in 1968, our range of services and products has expanded significantly. For example, today, strategic consulting is combined with our expertise in cloud and cybersecurity to enable our clients to benefit from the best of digital transformation. In this regard, the development of artificial intelligence is opening up new application and service opportunities for our clients. Our expertise in business intelligence/big data, including the development of Chatbotsallowing us to integrate the potential of artificial intelligence.

This technology is transforming all areas of society, but the impact is particularly pronounced in the professional world, especially in digital technologies. Accessible at the click of a button, AI will not immediately replace humans, as it is mainly used to automate repetitive tasks and simple processes. Despite concerns about jobs, AI offers significant opportunities by optimizing processes, data processing, and software integration.

Innovative technologies are accelerating the pace of environmental change, requiring the adoption of a technology transformation strategy. How does this work in your team?

Our strategy boils down to a simple principle: putting our clients’ needs at the center of our advice, advising them on the best applicable technology in a completely independent way. This approach is rooted in our history and development since 1968, when ELCA was founded by students from the Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne with the main goal of developing software for managing the operations of the Grand Dixence, the world’s largest gravity dam, located in Switzerland. Since our days as a pioneer in software development, we have continuously adapted our solutions to meet the evolving needs of our clients.

What attitude should entrepreneurs, especially small and medium-sized enterprises, adopt to ensure that their IT environment keeps pace with the needs of adapting to new technological trends?

For entrepreneurs, especially SMEs, to keep their IT environment up to date and adapt to new technological trends, they must take a proactive stance. The complexity of IT issues, especially in terms of security, requires managers to surround themselves with competent experts while keeping abreast of developments in the industry. When all the necessary skills cannot be internalized, using a local IT service provider can be an effective solution.

At the same time, collaboration with startups and industry experts allows us to stay at the forefront of innovation and quickly integrate new technology solutions. It is also crucial to allocate a specific budget for technology updates and encourage the adoption of new practices and tools within the company. By taking these steps, SMEs can avoid technological lags and ensure that their IT environment meets contemporary requirements.

With the sudden emergence of the Covid-19 pandemic, the unprecedented expansion of remote work has highlighted the importance of striking a fair balance between employees’ personal needs and professional obligations. How is this issue being addressed within the ELCA?

Teleworking has indeed played a vital role in helping our communities weather this pandemic. However, the distance and isolation caused by this situation has also led to considerable psychological suffering. As social beings, our well-being derives greatly from the diversity of human exchanges. In professional settings, the performance and cohesion of a team depends heavily on these interactions. Therefore, it is imperative to find a balance between individual needs and the necessity of working as a group. This balance is equally important for women and men. At ELCA, we believe in the abilities and skills of both men and women and are committed to creating an inclusive and balanced work environment.

Could technological advances justify the replacement of humans by machines, while causing a significant increase in unemployment? How is this risk considered in the ELCA?

In this digital world, jobs are plentiful. Artificial intelligence will not replace humans so easily. Human intelligence, athletic ability, and work capacity are currently irreplaceable. At ELCA, we are aware of the challenges that technology brings, but we invest in employee training. We create solutions for humans.

Our ambitions are aligned with our vision Chief Executive OfficerCedric Moret said that by 2026, the group will have 3,000 employees. Although we are a technology group, we promote the creation of jobs, including in Mauritius, rather than focusing everything on automation. These automated processes are implemented by our engineers for our clients.

In such an environment, how about the integration of women?

The question of women’s place in the professional world is crucial, especially in environments where they are disadvantaged from the start, especially if they have family responsibilities. The IT industry has long been considered a male preserve, but fortunately, this is changing as more and more young girls and women enter these technical professions. The professional world must continue to promote the inclusion of women by guaranteeing equal conditions for equal pay for equal work, an issue that is of particular concern to me. At the same time, the private sector must develop to support and realize women’s aspirations to advance in their careers with the help of public services.

How to reduce the impact of brain drain on national development?

Brain drain is a major challenge facing Mauritius. To address this, it is crucial to enhance the local attractiveness by creating stimulating and well-paid career opportunities, especially in innovative sectors such as technology, finance and renewable energy. Mentoring and continuing education programmes can also play a key role in retaining young talent.

At the same time, in order to encourage expatriates to return home, it is necessary to simplify administrative procedures and offer attractive tax and financial incentives to facilitate their reintegration into the Mauritian economy and investments. ELCA has recently opened an office in Palermo, Sicily. For what? This is in response to the trend of young talents seeking opportunities in northern Italy, away from their loved ones, simply because of the lack of local opportunities. However, attracting talent is more than just creating opportunities. The attractiveness of the local market also depends on the level and quality of requirements it offers. Just like international sports leagues attract the best athletes in the world, a high-quality environment brings more attraction and opportunities to our young people and expatriates.

You enjoy the dual identity of being a Mauritian native and an expatriate whose parents live in Vacoas. What pictures of Mauritius did you take in your suitcase when you last went to Switzerland?

My last visit to the island was last February. My impression of Switzerland was of a paradise island where hospitality and conviviality remain at the core of society. Mauritius is admired and recognized for its welcoming qualities and multiculturalism. Our rich traditions, beautiful landscapes and warm human relationships are aspects that I deeply appreciate and cherish even when abroad. This strong connection to my Mauritian roots stays with me every day. It also helps me adopt a people-oriented and diversity-focused approach to human resource management. It is also a rich incubator of talent that extends far beyond the renowned tourism industry. I leave Mauritius with this passion after every visit to my home country.

Here you are in the country and at home at the same time. What would you like to encounter along the way?

Mauritius is a country rich in cultural and natural diversity. Coming back to the island is always an enriching experience and a way to recharge my batteries. On this trip, I particularly wanted to rediscover the simplicity and authenticity of our society’s human interactions. Whether it was having a lively discussion with my parents and family, reuniting with childhood friends or simply enjoying a typical Mauritian meal, the pleasure of a delicious meal like Zach CurryThese moments of sharing are precious. They strengthen my attachment to my motherland. We were also happy to meet all ELCA colleagues in Mauritius during the 6th anniversary celebrations.