
REGISTRATION & LIGHT BREAKFAST


Jacques Ludik - Founder - Machine Intelligence Institute of Africa
WELCOME NOTE & OPENING REMARKS
Jacques Ludik - Machine Intelligence Institute of Africa
Dr Jacques Ludik is a smart technology entrepreneur, AI expert, founder of multiple AI companies, author, AI ecosystem builder, and award-winning AI Leader with a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence (Computer Science) and 25+ years' experience in AI and Data Science and its applications.
He is currently the Founder and CEO of Cortex Group and Cortex Logic that is focused on providing scalable ultra-personalized AI-enabled wellness solutions, where Vive Teens is a spin-out company focused on providing an AI-driven personal mental wellness companion for teenagers and Journey Wellness is an AI-enabled ultra-personalized health wellness solution; and the Founder and President of the Machine Intelligence Institute of Africa (MIIA) that focuses on transforming Africa through AI.


CURRENT AI LANDSCAPE

The Status Quo of AI

PANEL: Enabling AI Growth: Governance Framework vs a Control Framework
Nashilongo Gervasius - Government of Namibia
PANEL: Enabling AI Growth: Governance Framework vs a Control Framework
• Developing a regulatory framework that empowers organisations and their bottom-line • Unpacking the how - creating a collaborative environment for public and private sector • Fostering AI innovation and reach with essential infrastructure development
Nashilongo is a founding member of the National Working Group on Internet Governance, the founding president of the Internet Society in Namibia, a tech policy analyst, and a media and communication specialist. She currently works as the managing consultant at NamTshuwe Digital and is a member of the National 4IR Taskforce in Namibia.


COFFEE & NETWORKING BREAK
AI OPTIMISATION

Mitigating the Risks Associated with AI Adaption

The Why and How of Optimising Your Enterprise AI Stack

PANEL: Deriving Maximum ROI on Your AI Investment
Houston Austin Muzamhindo - Investec
PANEL: Deriving Maximum ROI on Your AI Investment • Explore how best to determine early syncs and communication on key ROI considerations • Unpack key metrics to measure true value of Enterprise AI ROI • Understand how valuation and measurement models impact your organisation
Houston is a data scientist with 5 years of corporate experience. He is currently mandated to roll out Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence capabilities for Investec Private Bank in order to future proof the business and at the same time uncover growth opportunities. As someone who also runs a free educational platform with over 17 500 students and a strong believer in positive disruptions of technology, Houston runs educational initiatives within the bank to up-skill colleagues and executives from various departments to help them understand how to leverage ML/AI in their areas. He is also building an internal Insights Academy that is helping employees from different departments upskill and start analytics projects in their areas.



Lisel Engelbrecht - Executive Head : Data Engineering, Analytics & AI - Executive Head : Data Engineering, Analytics and AI Standard Bank
PANELIST
Lisel Engelbrecht - Executive Head : Data Engineering, Analytics and AI Standard Bank
PANEL: Deriving Maximum ROI on Your AI Investment
• Explore how best to determine early syncs and communication on key ROI considerations • Unpack key metrics to measure true value of Enterprise AI ROI
• Understand how valuation and measurement models impact your organisation



LUNCH
CONSIDERATIONS FOR IMPLEMENTING AI


Stefan Steffen - Executive: Data Science - Telkom
AI as a Strategic Imperative and Competitive Advantage
Stefan Steffen - Telkom
AI as a Strategic Imperative and Competitive Advantage
• Ensuring your AI strategy is collaborative and aligns with the overall business strategy • How you can create a strategic framework and an iterative approach to Enterprise AI • Prioritising stability, agility and adaptability in your AI strategy
Stefan Steffen is an experienced data science and business strategy leader with a demonstrated history of leading specialist and operational teams in the financial services and information technology industries. He has a strong bias towards strategic business engagement underpinned by analytical insight. He has experience across the data disciplines, but his strength lies in unlocking business value through actionable insight. Steffen is currently executive: data science at Telkom, where he leads a team of more than 50 data specialists across the disciplines of data management, data engineering, advanced analytics and artificial intelligence. He was previously head of customer retention & data management at Old Mutual. Steffen has a B.Comm in mathematics, an honours degree in actuarial science and is a fellow of the Actuarial Society of SA.



Michael Bell - Group GM: BI & Analytics, CVM & Commissions - MTN Group
Case Study: Making the Case; The Solution Exists, How to Get the Buy-in
Michael Bell - MTN Group
Case Study: Making the Case; The Solution Exists, How to Get the Buy-in
• Get real insight into how you can get your organisation’s buy-in for your AI strategy. Use this session as a cheat-sheet into the necessary documents, use cases and how to validate your ‘poc’.
Michael is the GM: BI & Analytics, CVM and Commissons for MTN Group and drives the transformational capabilities needed to enhance customer experience and deliver monetisation initiatives across the MTN Group.




Paul Morley - Enterprise Data Executive - Nedbank
Case Study: Deploying Scalable and Streamlined Solutions
Paul Morley - Nedbank
Case Study: Deploying Scalable and Streamlined Solutions
• How to save upwards of R4 million on your customized AI solutions • Learn how to build in checks and balances to produce realistic metrics • Smart data as the make or break of your solution
Paul Morley, in his ownership role of Nedbank’s Enterprise Data Services, leading a team of world class data professionals, is responsible for delivering Nedbank’s regulatory commitments to the various regulatory bodies that govern the finance sector.
He is also principal in delivering Data Analytical Services to Nedbank’s business clusters. With partners and consumers of the Nedbank data enterprise, being, Retail, Corporate, Finance, Human Resources, Compliance, Forensic Services, Audit, Group Risk and Group Technology.
With almost 30 years of experience in IT and Data, with IBM and Nedbank. As well as having the privilege to participate in many international data “think tanks” and conversations, and has lead and delivered, over R3.5 Billion worth of enterprise solutions, ranging from South Africa to the Middle East and UK. He continues to participate in a number of coaching, “think tank” and speaking opportunities. Imparting his knowledge to other like-minded and passionate people.



Prototyping and Testing: The Art of Validating Your AI Product

COFFEE & NETWORKING BREAK

Ensuring the Accountability of AI
SUPPORTING AI IN THE ENTERPRISE

Automating and Simplifying AI Lifecycles

PANEL: The Next Step: Considering Machine Learning and Deep Learning as Part of Your Enterprise’s Strategy
Dino Bernicchi. - HomeChoice
PANEL: The Next Step: Considering Machine Learning and Deep Learning as Part of Your Enterprise’s Strategy
• Enterprise ML, the benefits of going the next step • How best to test scalable ML and DL solutions • Retrofitting ML and DL solutions into pre-existing AI models to enhance capabilities
Dino has 12 years’ experience driving AI strategy and developing productionized data solutions as a consultant to large corporates including TFG, Woolworths, Standard Bank, and Chevron. He is an international speaker at AI and data conferences, and lectures the Data Science Leadership for Executives course at University of Cape Town's Graduate School of Business. Dino also previously consulted on the development of course content for Andrew Ng's DeepLearning.AI.

David Jansen van Vuuren - Takealot
PANEL: The Next Step: Considering Machine Learning and Deep Learning as Part of Your Enterprise’s Strategy
• Enterprise ML, the benefits of going the next step • How best to test scalable ML and DL solutions • Retrofitting ML and DL solutions into pre-existing AI models to enhance capabilities

Resham Sivnarain - Vodacom
PANEL: The Next Step: Considering Machine Learning and Deep Learning as Part of Your Enterprise’s Strategy
• Enterprise ML, the benefits of going the next step • How best to test scalable ML and DL solutions • Retrofitting ML and DL solutions into pre-existing AI models to enhance capabilities


NETWORKING RECEPTION

END OF DAY 1

REGISTRATION & LIGHT BREAKFAST


Jacques Ludik - Founder - Machine Intelligence Institute of Africa
WELCOME NOTE & OPENING REMARKS
Jacques Ludik - Machine Intelligence Institute of Africa
Dr Jacques Ludik is a smart technology entrepreneur, AI expert, founder of multiple AI companies, author, AI ecosystem builder, and award-winning AI Leader with a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence (Computer Science) and 25+ years' experience in AI and Data Science and its applications.
He is currently the Founder and CEO of Cortex Group and Cortex Logic that is focused on providing scalable ultra-personalized AI-enabled wellness solutions, where Vive Teens is a spin-out company focused on providing an AI-driven personal mental wellness companion for teenagers and Journey Wellness is an AI-enabled ultra-personalized health wellness solution; and the Founder and President of the Machine Intelligence Institute of Africa (MIIA) that focuses on transforming Africa through AI.


ORGANISATIONAL TRANSFORMATION


Mactar Seck - Chief of Technology and Innovation Section - UNECA
Enhancing AI Adaption: Can Africa Leapfrog Ahead
Mactar Seck - UNECA
Enhancing AI Adaption: Can Africa Leapfrog Ahead • A holistic look at international trends and developments in the field of artificial intelligence in Africa. Understanding how best to navigate these and the opportunities that exist for South Africa to leapfrog into the next stage of AI innovation.
Dr. Mactar Seck is an Economic Affairs Officer at UNECA since 2006. He holds a PhD degree in Telecommunication, Electronic systems and Multimedia Engineering. He has been involved in the telecommunication, ICT4D and STI field over the last 20 years, specializing in areas such as digital policy strategy and regulatory framework, internet governance issues, information infrastructure development, nanotechnology, Internet related research (IoT, Cloud services, artificial intelligence. etc.), integrated services digital networks including digital ID, digital economy, tax policy platforms, etc. He has brought to ECA a long working experience which He uses his day-to-day work to support African countries to use digital technologies as means of achieving the SDGs. He assisted several African countries to formulate, implement and evaluate policies and strategies in digital technologies/applications for achieving SDGs.


Case Study: Optimising Enterprise AI Internally to Bolster CX

PANEL: Spotlight on AI Leaders in Africa – If You Can Only Know One Thing
Wayne Hempel - Trevali
PANEL: Spotlight on AI Leaders in Africa – If You Can Only Know One Thing • How to build an inclusive AI ecosystem for Africa • Exploring best practices from around the continent • Get tangible and replicable recommendations from industry thought leaders
Wayne Hempel is a Global Technology Executive with a passion for delivering data-driven, quantitative value to the organization quickly and effectively. Successful at building innovative technological capabilities and organisations as well as optimising existing structures, evolving them through the different business cycles. A collaborative leader who works in conjunction with business executives to define long and short-term strategies to achieve bottom line results. An ambitious and energetic executive who prides himself in getting the most from both internal and external human resources. Wayne is a data and analytics evangelist focused on driving cultural change in a non-traditionally data focused industry.


Olubayo Adekanmbi - Chief Strategy, Partnership & Sustainability Officer - Airtel Africa
PANELIST
Olubayo Adekanmbi - Airtel Africa
Olubayo (Bayo) is driven by a vision to build an AI-first society where Artificial Intelligence is effectively deployed to solve local problems, particularly the sustainable millennial goals. He believes that AI will provide a springboard for Africa’s development by enhancing how we live, work and play.
He believes that Nigeria’s population of 200million with median age of about 18 years is a huge strategic advantage that can position Nigeria as one of the top 10 AI Knowledge centres in the world, especially the opportunity to raise 1 million AI talents in 10 years with globally relevant skills that can drive increased employability, FOREX inflow, AI-enabled start-ups and enhancement of the general quality of life through solution-oriented AI applications in Health, Agriculture, Financial Inclusion, Smart City etc.
He is a leading expert in Data Science, Advanced Analytics, Business Transformation, Marketing and Strategy, with 19 years of cognate industry experience from two largest economies in Africa (Nigeria &South Africa).

John Kamara - Afya Rekod
John is a Tech Entrepreneur with over 20 years’ experience working in new market acquisitions across various technology verticals in Europe, America, Asia and Africa. John is one of Africa’s leading experts on how businesses can leverage key technology trends, transform organizations and drive competitive advantage for impact in industries including finance, agriculture, health, education, gaming and startup enterprises. He is a Pan African renowned business leader, entrepreneur, investor, consultant, mentor and public speaker holding multiple roles including Founder Adalabs Kenya – AI and smart tech lab accelerating and training entrepreneurs and developers in east Africa and Founder Afyarekod – AI led consumer driven medical record storage platform for consumers.



COFFEE & NETWORKING BREAK
SUPPORTING AI IN THE ENTERPRISE


Khanyisa Noganta - Lead Data Scientist - Telkom
Speak, Understand, Act - Natural Language Processing in Africa
Khanyisa Noganta - Telkom
Speak, Understand, Act - Natural Language Processing in Africa
• Understand how best to leverage knowledge in text with NLP techniques • NLP taking unstructured data and taking words and categorising this for output • Using NLP in the African context, how to cater for a multitude of languages


Enterprise Conversational AI Platforms as a Strategic Capability


Munyala Mwalo - Founder and Design Strategy Lead - Institute of Design and Innovation
Seeing Design as More Than a Secondary Consideration
Munyala Mwalo - Institute of Design and Innovation
Spotlight Session: Start-ups on the Come Up
Munyala is an experienced strategic designer with a keen interest in the application of human centered and behavioral design for Social Impact. He has spent the last 6 years applying design led processes to help organizations overcome the barriers of innovation, facilitating the adoption of a beginner’s mindset in problem solving and behavioral strategies in creating and testing impactful interventions for social change. Being a creative and an amazing listener, he understands the role of experimentation, empathy & facilitation of collaborative processes in crafting complex problems and designing sustainable and impactful solutions.


LUNCH
BEST PRACTICES FOR THE USE OF AI

Building Trust Around AI: Transparency That Doesn’t Trump Security


Mark Nasila - Chief Data Analytics Officer - FirstRand
Case Study: Integrating AI in Pre-existing Legacy Systems
Mark Nasila - FirstRand
Case Study: Integrating AI in Pre-existing Legacy Systems • Integrating vs replacing your legacy systems • Measuring the interoperability of legacy systems to assess synergy with new tech • How to roll out a system modernisation and integration without disruption
Dr Mark Nasila is the Chief Analytics Officer of FNB Risk. As an experienced AI, data science and analytics expert, he has ensured that the techniques and methodologies that he has introduced into FNB are at the forefront of where banking is headed both locally and internationally. Some of his career highlights and awards include: Developer and the brain behind Manila, an AI system FNB has been harnessing to reimagine its risk management and forensic due diligence processes, which was also featured as part of the Corinuim’s top 25 Global 2020 data and analytics industry greatest achievements, responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and plans for the future.
Dr Nasila is recognised locally and internationally as a leading force in the development of new and up and coming techniques and methodologies, within the highly competitive areas of AI, data science and Machine learning. He is also a PhD and Masters co-supervisor and external examiner at various universities in South Africa in the AI, data science and statistics areas. Dr Nasila has published and written opinion pieces in the BusinessDay, Daily Maverick, CIO Talk Network , CIO.com, Corinium Intelligence and the European Simulation & Modelling association. Mark holds a PhD in Mathematical Statistics from the Nelson Mandela University – South Africa, and is also a SingularityU South Africa Executive programme alumni. He was named one of the Corinium Global Intelligence "2020 Global Top 100 Innovators in data and analytics"

AI IN AFRICA

Spotlight Session: Start-ups on the Come Up
Anthony Nwankwo - iScholar.ai
Spotlight Session: Start-ups on the Come Up
Anthony Nwankwo is the Founder of iScholar.ai, where he is developing ground-breaking AI-Powered solutions that will solve the problems in the global Learning Ecosystem. He is passionate about the innovative application of Machine Learning / Artificial Intelligence to build disruptive systems that will change the way the world works.

Lionel Jones - Notto
Spotlight Session: Start-ups on the Come Up
Lionel is an ECSA registered electronic engineer with a BEng Hons in Electronic Engineering. Founder of Abadala Technologies, an Artificial Intelligence and Data analytics technology consultancy that develops advanced tech for engineering, finance and recently NGOs. Also serving as Snr Data Science and AI consultant for Notto Inc. Consulted in over 50 international projects receiving 5 seals of excellence and 2 grant fundings from United States Department of Defense and Horizon Europe SBIR scheme

Munyala Mwalo - Founder and Design Strategy Lead - Institute of Design and Innovation
START-UP: Institute of Design and Innovation
Munyala Mwalo - Institute of Design and Innovation
Spotlight Session: Start-ups on the Come Up
Munyala is an experienced strategic designer with a keen interest in the application of human centered and behavioral design for Social Impact. He has spent the last 6 years applying design led processes to help organizations overcome the barriers of innovation, facilitating the adoption of a beginner’s mindset in problem solving and behavioral strategies in creating and testing impactful interventions for social change. Being a creative and an amazing listener, he understands the role of experimentation, empathy & facilitation of collaborative processes in crafting complex problems and designing sustainable and impactful solutions.


END OF SUMMIT