Exponential Africa

Today's conversation is with an incredible thought leader, innovator and futurist Adam Pantanowitz, talking about his favourite topic Hacking Humans with Mic Mann. We get to hear some interesting insights on the work Adam is doing as well as his philosophy on a number of issues from overcoming adversity to hacking tips. 

Adam Pantanowitz is a fanatical technologist, who enjoys solving seemingly unsolvable problems, particularly with the help of cloud computing and machine learning. He is part of the SingularityU South Africa faculty with a focus on biotechnology and speaks about the future of technology with a focus on tech-human convergence.

Today's conversation is with a future superstar discussing how she programmes robots and dances ballet with them. Growing up Merritt Moore was inspired by her elders who taught her the passion of understanding what makes the world tick, through the sciences and the stars.

A hat-trick achiever, Merritt is a Quantum Physicist and Ballerina, delving into the astronaut sector. An accomplished ballet dancer, she programmed robots to dance alongside her in Instagram videos that have since yielded up to 15 million views. Merritt is currently pursuing a career as an astronaut. She has been cited in Forbes 30 under 30, in a children's storybook and has featured in TIME and Vogue. She explores the future of A.I./ machine learning, specifically with dance, and welcomes all forms of collaboration fusing dance, physics and tech.

Listen to the latest episode of Exponential Conversations in a discussion with Rafael Brown and Mic Mann on The Future of music concerts in VR & Gaming. 

A great migration into virtual worlds is taking place at warp speed. Now is the time for you to explore and discover the opportunities and potential that lie ahead. Virtual and augmented reality tech is the next evolution in computing and is set to disrupt current computing. 

Featuring: Rafael Brown is a veteran game designer having worked in the games industry for the past 25 years. He has worked across the range of PC, Console, and Mobile for game studios. He now is the CEO of gaming development company Symbol Zero, where they combined forces with Roblox, Ctrl-Alt-Create, and House of Moves, to deliver a virtual concert for global music artist, Lil NasX, that attracted more than 33 million views in 2020. Rafael makes VR games, worlds, and experiences with immersion, emergence, narrative & online platforms.

Join the conversation. Don't miss out!

We are excited to launch Season 3 of Exponential Africa Live, kicking off on the future of Bitcoin and Crypto. Will 2021 be the year of mass global adoption in the crypto and Bitcoin space. Already we are seeing large organisations like Tesla, Square and BNP Melon get involved and more to follow.

Featuring:

Mic Mann: Host, SUSA Co-Ceo
Henri Arslanian: PWC Global Crypto Leader
Tanya Knowles: SingularityU SA Faculty, BM Adhara
Farzam Ehsani: CEO and Co-Founder VALR

This conversation will focus on Investing in Disruptive Innovation, technologies that are on an exponential growth curve and are going to ultimately change the way we live in the future. 

Featuring 

Catherine Wood, Founder & CEO of ARK Invest.
With over 40 years of experience identifying and investing in innovation, Cathie founded ARK to focus solely on disruptive innovation while adding new dimensions to research. Through an open approach that cuts across sectors, market capitalisations, and geographies, Cathie believes that ARK can identify large-scale investment opportunities in the public markets resulting from technological innovations centred around DNA sequencing, robotics, artificial intelligence, energy storage, and blockchain technology.

Andile Ngcaba: Founding Partner & Chairman Convergence Partners.
Andile is a South African businessman. He is chairman, founder and majority shareholder of investment group Convergence Partners. Andile is involved in significant new communications infrastructure projects across Africa including - Seacom (the first undersea fibre optic cable system serving Africa’s East Coast). The first private-sector satellite in Africa (Intelsat New Dawn) which was launched on 22 April 2011, a joint venture to bring high capacity, long-haul terrestrial fibre to South Africa (FibreCo) and recently a new joint venture with Google to invest in CSquared, a broadband infrastructure company headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya.

Paul Pagnato, Founder & CEO of PagnatoKarp.
Paul is Co-Chairman and Chief Visionary Officer at Cresset and Founder at PagnatoKarp, a top multi-family office and private wealth management firm, with over $9 billion assets under management. Paul is a Barron’s and Forbes top advisor with more than 27 years of industry leadership, ranked #1 in Virginia on Forbes Top Wealth Advisors and #2 in Virginia on Barron’s Top 1,200 Financial Advisors lists. Paul began his career as a microbiologist working collaboratively with NASA and McDonnell Douglas to search for life in outer space.

Join the conversation, focusing on how can we embrace a Digital Health Future so that we can help Africa leapfrog. From online doctors, chatbots, telemedicine, remote doctors, nanobots and more. Join these incredible experts as they discuss how to create a new healthy future fuelled by digital health.

Featuring:

Divya Chander: SingularityU Chair Neuroscience; Atlantic Council GeoTech Center

Dr. Chander is a physician, neuroscientist, and futurist who trained at Harvard, UCSF, UCSD, and the Salk Institute. She is Chair of Neuroscience and Faculty of Medicine at Singularity University, Visiting Scholar in Medicine (Bioinformatics) at Stanford (where she was on the Anesthesiology faculty for 8 years), and Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council GeoTech Center. 

Babusi Nyoni: Co-founder of Sila Health

Babusi Nyoni is a tech entrepreneur working between Amsterdam, Nairobi and Cape Town.
He works in the fields of emerging technology and big data innovation with a particular focus on developing sustainable solutions for the global South.
With over 10 years of experience in the advertising, financial and technology industries, he specialises in contributing the practical skills needed to drive meaningful innovation in areas where scale and impact are hindered by structural limitations. 

Adam Pantanowitz: SUSA Faculty Biotech, Hacking Humans & Robotics

Adam Pantanowitz is a fanatical technologist, who enjoys solving seemingly unsolvable problems, particularly with the help of cloud computing and machine learning. He is part of the SingularityU South Africa faculty with a focus on biotechnology and speaks about the future of technology with a focus on tech-human convergence.

Let's Talk About SPACE, Baby!  The allure of the unknown intrigues us as human beings, and we want to adventure and discover new frontiers. The future of spaceflight will lead us to off-planet vacations and eventually humans on mars.

Join the conversation focusing on the various innovations and advances in the space ecosystem and what we can look forward to in the future from manufacturing, to travel, to self-preservation.

Featuring:
Mic Mann: Host, SUSA Co-Ceo
Ruvimbo Samanga: Founder at AgriSpace & Policy Analyst at Space in Africa
Jason Dunn: Co-Founder Made In Space
Adriana Marais: Founder Proudly Human, SUSA Faculty Quantum Physics & Space

This conversation will focus on Parenting and Life Long learning. The future of our success as humanity lies in a great education. Most parents want their kids to grow up so that they are successful and can make a positive impact in the world. However, it’s not clear on the way forward as a parent especially because of the pandemic. Is it better to homeschool or make sure they are in a school or university that is more project-based or that focuses on building human potential rather than grades? How can we educate the youth to develop the right skills needed for the future and what are those skills? How do teachers need to adapt to more of a remote working environment? 

The pace of change keeps accelerating and what we learn today becomes irrelevant tomorrow. How do we build a culture of life-long learning so that we remain curious and motivated to constantly keep learning new skills and tools? 

Exponential technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, 3d printing and networks
and sensors have become widely more available to amplify and enhance learning in
much more empathetic, immersive, and experiential ways. How is this impacting education?

Featuring:

Dr Esther Wojcicki - SingularityU Faculty for Education. Esther's primary focus is to help parents, teachers and managers be more effective at home, in the classroom, and in the corporate world! Esther holds three honorary doctorates and is the best selling author of "How to Raise Successful People".

Fred Swaniker - Deeply passionate about Africa and believes that the missing ingredient on the continent is good leadership. In line with this, he has founded two organizations that aim to catalyze a new generation of ethical, entrepreneurial African leaders: African Leadership Academy and the African Leadership Network.

The world's population has reached over 7.7 billion, according to population.io and is continually rising. More and more people are being pulled out of poverty, living a better, healthier, more abundant life.

Join the conversation with 

Wolfgang Fengler - Who is the World Bank's Lead Economist in Southern Africa and 

Phathizwe Malinga - MD of SqwidNet and part of the SingularityU South Africa faculty with a focus on connecting Things to the Internet (IoT).

Exponential Africa LIVE Show!

The Internet of Things, or IoT, refers to the billions of physical devices around the world that are now connected to the internet, collecting and sharing data. It is a system of interrelated, internet-connected objects that are able to collect and transfer data over a wireless network without human intervention. Super-cheap computer chips and wireless networks have made it possible to turn pretty much any physical object into an IoT device.

Flying cars, air taxis, and flying humans were once a dream and in science fiction novels and movies. Richard Browning has redefined our concept of human flight.

The conversation tonight will focus on the story of the incredible jet suit that Richard has created as a disruptor in the future of travel and mobility. As well as some of the most exciting, most cutting edge technology that is in the market and will be coming soon.

Featuring:

Richard Browning - Founder and Chief Test Pilot of Gravity Industries which designs, builds and flies Jet Suits, pioneering a new era of human flight. The company was founded in March 2017 to challenge the perceived boundaries in human aviation and to inspire others to dare to ask “What if?”.

Emmanuel Ezenwere - Innovator and entrepreneur who is passionate about solving global problems. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Arone Aerial Logistics.

This week's episode looks at the future of artificial intelligence and how we can build better humans using AI as well as create smarter companies that enhance and augment our capabilities in the workplace. 

From self-aware and self-replicating software systems and robots that are emerging to autonomous vehicles or predicting Robo advisors, the future is said to be better from the convergence or augmentation of this technology with others.

Featuring:

Dr Vivienne Ming: Professional Mad Scientist. Co-Founder & Executive Chair, Socos Labs. Theoretical neuroscientist, entrepreneur, author, and mother of two. Co-founded with wife Dr Norma Ming, Socos Labs is a mad science incubator dedicated to solving some of the world's most pressing problems. In her free time, Vivienne works to design AI systems to help treat her son's diabetes, predict manic episodes in bipolar sufferers, and reunite orphan refugees with extended family members.

Dr Mark Nasila: FNB Chief Data and Analytics Officer, Mark has a PhD in Mathematical Statistics, an expert in the data science and analytics field. This has placed him in the privileged position of being part of a small community of thought leaders in the data science industry. At FNB, Mark has developed an AI system for the bank to enhance the forensic review process.

In Africa, we have an abundance of sunlight to power our solar future! Every five days, the sun provides the Earth with as much energy as all proven supplies of oil, coal, and natural gas.

This episode has a focus on how we can create new clean energy solutions for South Africa and Africa by thinking differently! We need to come up with new ways to manufacture and produce energy and create an internet of energy so that we can develop a new market for energy that will democratise the industry and create a flourishing new energy economy! How can we create energy abundance for a prosperous future? 

Featuring:

Ramez Naam: Co-Chair for Energy and Environment at Singularity University. An innovation expert and clean energy thought leader, speaker, and investor.

Arash Aazami: Raised in Niger, West Africa. Founder of Kamangir, an R&D agency creating solutions for a quickly digitalising energy landscape.

Michael Heyink: Co-Founder at Yellow. A digital retail platform focused on delivering consumer products like solar home systems to consumers in Africa.

How will the future of work be impacted by this pandemic? We need practical workforce solutions to be implemented to help the immediate challenges for organisations and employees. Join this conversation with leading global experts!
#futureproofAfrica​

Featuring:

Hilda Liswani - Founder and CEO WeBloom
Hilda is an Award-winning sustainable investment professional. WeBloom Africa is a mainstreaming gender-lens fund Investing in Africa.

Valter Adão - Chief Digital & Innovation Officer Deloitte Africa, SingularityU SA Faculty Future of work & Digital Transformation. Recognised as an expert in the fields of disruptive innovation, business re-imagination and emerging technologies in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Krista Pawley - Co-Founder & Head of Reputation and Impact SingularityU Canada. Designing experiences and reputation strategies for leaders working at the intersection of innovation and impact to understand, prepare and shape a more sustainable future.

Adetayo Bamiduro - Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder, MAX.NG a pioneering mobility platform in sub-Saharan Africa. A leading innovator and global expert on sustainable mobility and digital financial inclusion.

A great migration into virtual worlds is taking place at warp speed. Now is the time for you to explore and discover the opportunities and potential that lie ahead. Virtual and augmented reality tech is the next evolution in computing and is set to disrupt current computing. 

Join the show as we will be looking at this transformative technology to discover new worlds and augment our current reality.

Featuring:
Cathy Hackl - Cathy is a leading female futurist in AR, VR, and AI, LinkedIn recognised her as one of the Top Technology Voices globally. Hackl has worked with brands like UPS, HTC VIVE, Sony Pictures, Magic Leap, and Adobe.

Dimitri Mikhalchuk - Dimitri is the co-founder and chief revenue officer of the Teslasuit. Dimitri is at the top of the most influential people in the field of VR \ AR (according to Evening Standard, UK).

Brian Afande - Brian is the Co-founder and Managing Director of BlackRhino VR, an Extended Reality agency based in Nairobi.

How will robots transform our lives from the way we work, are entertained, educated, and travel? How have robots played an important role to help fight and assist humans during the COVID 19 pandemic? Learn about the latest tech news in Africa.

Exponential Africa LIVE brings you NEW episodes weekly! Covering different #Futureproofsessions that will focus on how to solve some of the challenges we face, covering topics such as leadership, agility, communication, new ways of working, education, energy, water, food security and exponential technologies that will help us thrive in the future and make sure that we #futureproofAfrica.

This week we will be discussing the incredible trajectory that 3D printing is on and how can we use it to completely change the way manufacturing, supply chains and distribution is done.

How can we educate our kids to embrace this technology and especially in South Africa and how can we instil a culture of hacking and making cool products?

The global 3D printing market size is estimated to reach USD 34.8 billion by 2024.

Featuring:

Pablos Holman - Pablos is a futurist, inventor, and notorious hacker with a unique view into breaking and building new technologies. He helped create the world’s smallest PC; 3D printers at Makerbot; spaceships with Jeff Bezos;

Petra Rees - South African Founder and CEO of Why Toyz. A 3d printing school teaching kids to embrace this technology! Recognised in 2019 as the Best Edutech Startup in Southern Africa at the SASAwards.

Andre Wegner - Founder and CEO of Authentise, a leader in data-driven process automation software for additive manufacturing. He is also the Chair of Digital Manufacturing at Singularity University in Silicon Valley.

Watch Exponential Africa on Reimagining Education, an episode not to be missed created by SingularityU South Africa and Mann Made.

Featuring: 

Taddy Blecher - SUSA Faculty on Exponential Education. CEO of the Maharishi Institute & pioneer of South Africa's free tertiary education movement.

Esther Wojcicki - CEO at Global Moonshots In Education. American journalist, educator, and vice-chair of the Creative Commons advisory council. Author of "How to raise successful people."

Jos Dirkx - SUSA Faculty of Exponential Education. CEO and Co-founder Beenova AI. Founder, best-selling author and world-traveller.

A little bit more about the topic of discussion:

Students now have to work online or remotely currently, and many students in developing countries now have to work from home but often lack data and devices to learn on and land up dropping out. What actions can we take now for the short and long term? How can we educate the youth to develop the right skills needed for the future, and what are those skills? How do teachers need to adapt to more of a remote working environment?

Join us for a great conversation on - Agility in a time of crisis. Hosted by Mic Mann Co-CEO of SUSA who will be joined by Ramez Naam, Kim Hulett & Ashley Anthony.

A little more about our guests:

Ramez Naam -Investor and Co-Chair for Energy and Environment at Singularity University at NASA Ames. He speaks around the world on innovation, exponential technology, and disruptive energy technologies.

Kim Hulett - Founder and CEO of Next Biosciences and is passionate about leadership and encouraging people to invest in themselves through a curious mindset of continuous learning. She believes that South Africa’s biggest asset is its people and rich cultural diversity.

Ashley Anthony: Co-founder and CEO of Isazi Consulting. The term Isazi means “quest for thirst” in isiZulu and aptly describes Ashley’s thirst to understand the mathematical levers that control how businesses make money.

This show focusses on food security, showcasing different feeding initiatives. How can we develop, design and implement sustainable ways to grow food in the future?

Mark Post - Chief Scientific Officer at Mosa Meat. In 2013 Marc unveiled the world's FIRST hamburger made by growing cow cells, rather than slaughtering an animal.

Andile Ngcobo - Farmer, Consultant, Agribusiness Strategist who is climbing the agriculture ladder. A large-scale commercial farm manager, managing the operations of Tusokuhle Farming in Pietermaritzburg.

Arturo Elizondo - CEO of Clara Foods, a sustainable ingredients company, making the world's most comprehensive egg white substitute. Completely animal-free, far more sustainable, and free of salmonella without compromising the qualities we know and love.

The world's population is growing each day and the current models of producing food will not be sufficient and will have to be redesigned through new ways of farming, alternative ways of culturing meat and using yeast science to grow eggs in a lab without any chickens. 

Disruption explained with David Roberts

Exponential Africa Show with David Roberts, one of the top leadership, innovation and disruption experts globally!

Mic Mann sat with David Roberts earlier this year in Costa Rica to discuss how the theory around disruptive innovation.

David talks about a mentor of his Clayton Christensen who came up with the concept of Disruptive Innovation. Clayton sadly recently passed away however the ideas around disruption will live on. 

David discusses the universal understanding and meaning of the term disruptive innovation and how we need to get good at disruption first before trying to disrupt ourselves. 

Watch the full episode and dive in deeper With David.