As Vice-Chancellor of the University of Johannesburg, Marwala developed and implemented the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) strategy,[8] by introducing a compulsory artificial intelligence course and an Africa Insights course for all students, irrespective of their majors.
[10] He was a member of the World Health Organization (WHO) committee that developed the ethical guidelines of using artificial intelligence in medicine.
[16] He is the Chair of the International Scientific Advisory Board for the African Centre of Excellence in the Internet of Things (ACE-IoT) based in Rwanda.
[7] Marwala's research interests include the theory and application of artificial intelligence to engineering[18][19][20] and computer science such as the St. Petersburg paradox,[21] blockchain,[22] and poker.,[23][24] finance and economics,[25][26][27] medicine like his work on pulmonary embolism[28] epileptic activity,[29] HIV[30] and Covid-19,[31] and political science.
[51] In 2020 the Science-for-Society Gold Medal from the Academy of Science of South Africa,[52][failed verification] and in 2024 the Hans Carl von Carlowitz Sustainability Award.
[60][failed verification] Marwala was selected as one of the 100 most influential Africans of 2024 by New African Magazine, which noted "his extensive application of artificial intelligence concepts across multiple fields, including health care, aerospace engineering, economics, finance, and political science.