iAfrikan BYTES

Cognitive scientist, Prof. Abebe Birhane, joined iAfrikan for an episode of iAfrikan BYTES, live at the University of Ghana during Deep Learning Indaba in September 2023. Awarded Time Magazine's "100 Most Influential People in AI"  Abebe helped establish the field of auditing publicly available AI training datasets. This is very important because it keeps dangerous datasets from being gathered, which could cause AI to inherently be biased, sexist, or racist. In our conversation, Abebe shares insights on her recent paper, on how she and co authors came to the startling conclusion that AI models trained on larger datasets are more likely to display harmful biases and stereotypes. 

In addition, she discusses the importance of the Kambule Doctoral Award, Alele-Williams Masters Award, and Maathai Impact Award on the fringes of the Indaba in her role as an awards committee member.

In this enlightening episode of iAfrikan BYTES, we sit down with Professor Benjamin Rosman, a leading expert in machine learning and robotics at the University of the Witwatersrand, and the visionary Co-founder of both the Deep Learning Indaba and Lelapa.ai. Delve into the origins and impact off the Indaba, starting from its inaugural event in 2017, and explore the burgeoning AI ecosystem across Africa and insights into Prof. Rosman’s academic journey and his ventures in AI entrepreneurship.

Embark on an inspiring journey with Dr. Ayoko Korsah as she shares her unfiltered insights on AI, robotics, and education in Ghana. In this candid conversation, we explore her experiences breaking gender barriers, the challenges in Africa education, and the evolving tech landscape. Dr. Ayoko advocates for a holistic approach, introducing AI concepts at the undergraduate level and preparing student for the future. Join us for a real talk on the intersection of AI, education, and Ghanaian culture. Subscribe now for an eye-opening exploration of technology’s role in shaping the future of Ghana Don’t miss out hit the subscribe button, and let’s dive into the heart of Africa’s tech revolution with Dr. Ayoko.

Maathai Impact Award—a beacon celebrating African innovators utilizing machine learning and AI for positive change. An annual spectacle at The Deep Learning Indaba, this award echoes Wangari Maathai's legacy by recognizing outstanding contributions across technology, society, environment, and economy. Hold onto your tech hats as iAfrikan Bytes cranks up the volume on Paul Kennedy, Chief of Staff at Zindi. This episode transforms into a symphony of data science innovation, showcasing how Zindi, Africa's data science hub, connects minds, fosters learning, and tackles global challenges. Paul's narrative is not just an interview; it's a glimpse into the heartbeat of a data revolution that's redefining the tech landscape. Join us on iAfrikan Bytes for an insightful conversation that goes beyond the code and uncovers the real-world impact of technology.

Maathai Impact Award—a beacon celebrating African innovators utilizing machine learning and AI for positive change. An annual spectacle at the Deep Learning Indaba, this award echoes Wangari Maathai's legacy by recognizing outstanding contributions across technology, society, environment, and economy. First on the spotlight is Courteney Mukoyi, founder of Justice Code Foundation. iAfrikan Bytes takes you through a riveting episode, uncovering how this tech-driven organization is rewriting the narrative of Human Rights advocacy in Zimbabwe. From promoting transparency to ensuring justice access, Courteney's work is a superhero saga where technology becomes the catalyst for societal transformation Join us on iAfrikan Bytes for an insightful conversation that goes beyond the code and uncovers the real-world impact of technology.

A new podcast segment on African BYTES, “Uncomfortable Conversation in the Tech Ecosystem,” sponsored by Ndiza Information System, bravely discusses the difficulties that South African entrepreneurs, SMMEs, and black-owned ICT enterprises confront. Thoriso Rangata, the founder and CEO of KTO Digital, a software architect business that creates specialised solutions for industry, joined us in the inaugural episode of iAfrikan BYTES Uncomfortable Conversation. Thorisi discusses the difficulties and impediments that government procurement policies and systems present in providing timely services to the general population. Ineffective systems, slow payouts, a lack of urgency, etc.

In this episode, we’re honoured to host Xolani Qubeka, MD and CEO at SBDI Social Enterprise Management Corporation, a self-taught businessman with over 35 years of experience, generously sponsored by Ndiza information Systems. Join us as we dive deep into Bra Xolani’s journey, uncovering the untold stories that have shaped the African tech landscape. From the boardrooms of M-net to the establishment of MTN, we’re peeling back the layers and exposing the transformative moments that defined a pivotal period in African technology.

The Information Regulator took an unprecedented step against the Department of Justice and Constitutional Development. An eye-watering administrative fine of R5 million was slapped on the DoJ and CD,following their failure to comply with a crucial Enforcement Notice issued just two months prior on May 9 2023. Join us in this episode of iAfrikan BYTES as we unravel the heart of the matter, a trail of contraventions leading back to various sections of the revered Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA). We’ll break down the specifics of the Enforcement Notice, which demanded the immediate renewal of critical licenses, including the Trend Anti-Virus, SIEM, and Intrusion Detection System-a trio that holds the key to the department's digital fortifications. In this episode, we'll delve into the ramifications of the DoJ and CD's actions or inactions and the consequences that followed. With the right to appeal the Enforcement Notice, why did the department abstain from exercising this crucial option? How will this hefty fine impact their future operations?

In this episode of iAfrikan BYTES, we are joined by the founder and CEO of Bars.app Ntsako Mgiba to kick off a series documenting the journey of Barz. This app enhances the podcast listening experience and enables you to capture each note without taking your hands of the steering wheel or the broom.

Unreasonably high data charges in South Africa have caused a stir; as part of the #DataMustFall campaign, millions of South Africans vented their annoyance on social media. In order to address this broadband deficiency, Project Isizwe was established in 2013. Funded by the City of Tshwane, the project gave 600,000 monthly citizens 500MB per day via free WIFI access at 1050 public WIFI hotspots throughout the city. After successfully piloting their ‘for-profit’ initiative Kayamandi, they were able to connect 891 families with affordable internet, at 100mbps for a low charge of R5 per day. In this episode of iAfrikan BYTES, we speak with Alan Knott-Graig, Founder of Isizwe, about their disruptive fibre-to-shack business model.

Climate change poses significant threats to Africa, impacting vulnerable communities and exacerbating existing socio-economic inequalities. The innovation Fund for Climate Resilience and Adaptation seeks to catalyze innovation by supporting projects and initiatives that directly address these challenges. Whether it’s enhancing agricultural practices, promoting renewable energy adoption, or implementing climate smart technologies, the fund aims to empower African startups and SMEs to become agents of change in the fight against climate change. In this episode we are joined by Max Cuvellier who underlines that the fund is not limited to a specific sector, allowing entrepreneurs to explore various avenues for climate resilience and adaptation. By embracing a broad range of solutions, GSMA aims to stimulate cross-sector collaborations, foster knowledge sharing, and accelerate the development of comprehensive strategies to mitigate climate-related risks.

The RIA RAMP Index ranks South Africa as one of the most costly countries on the continent to buy data, hence any issues concerning the country’s data service industry are of national relevance. Much grandstanding and politicking on the matter between ICASA and broadband satellite internet company Starlink has occurred in the absence of a true and balanced explanation of the procedural and regulatory requirements to obtain an ISP license to operate as an internet service provider in South Africa. In this episode of iAfrikan BYTES, were joined by Lucien Pierce from ICT firm PPM attorneys, to understand what compliance considerations are required by the Regulator, to be granted an ISP license.

According to research from the University of the Western Cape School of Business and Finance, 70% to 80% of startups and small business in South Africa fail within five years, and just 1% of micro enterprises that began with less than five employees have expanded to employ 10 or more people. In this episode of iAfrikan BYTES, Heavy Chef founder Fred Roed joins us to discuss growth issues and how failure can be minimised. Heavy Chef, a platform for entrepreneurship education, provides recipes on how successful entrepreneurs succeeded in light of the difficult environment.

In this episode of iAfrikan BYTES, we are joined by journalist, Molebogeng Moloka and senior research analyst, Euston Witbooi from the Centre for Analytics and Behavioral Change. We discuss standard techniques like keyword tracking, sentiment analysis, topic modeling, influencer identification, geolocation tracking, real-time monitoring, and data visualization. We also look at how social media listening tools track and monitor political narratives, lastly, they share insights and data on the National Shutdown Deep Dive Report and Xenophobia Social Media Analytics Report.

One notable contribution to the AI revolution in Africa comes from AI research Lab Lelapa AI. With a mandate to strengthen AI research capacity on the African continent, Lelapa aims to empower developers, researchers, and entrepreneurs to harness the potential of AI for positive impact. In this episode of iAfrikan BYTES, we are joined by Prof. Vukosi Marivate, Co-Founder and CTO of Lelapa AI and Chair of the Data Science for Social Impact Research Group at the University of Pretoria to talk about AI and what they are doing at Lelapa AI.

Using technology to increase customer experience, efficiency, and cost savings. The traditional insurance sector has been disrupted by technology such as artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms are increasingly used to analyse massive volumes of data in order to correctly assess risk and price policies. The first insuretech startup to take advantage of this technology and transform the South African industry was Pineapple Insurance. Ndabenhle Junior Ngulube, co-founder and chief developer officer of Pineapple, joins us on this episode of iAfrikan BYTES to share where it all started and explain what are all the technical ingredients needed to bake this.

Although the African continent’s venture capital market is expanding, there are still many obstacles preventing the sector’s expansion. Regulatory obstacles, transaction flow restrictions, infrastructure problems, a lack of knowledge, and insufficient cash are few of the major roadblocks to this expansion. Proximity Ventures, an Australian-based company, is tackling this issue head-on. In addition to backing the best startups on the continent, tech Safari, their African-focused publication, is helping to highlight and create a strong network for African startups. Join us in this episode of iAfrikan BYTES as we speak with Caleb Maru, partner at Proximity Ventures and editor at Tech Safari, about the inspiration behind this engine.

With an increasing number of companies and investors aiming to capitalise on the continent’s untapped potential. On this episode of iAfrikan BYTES, partner and co-founder of Knife Capital Keet van Zyl joined us to discuss the maturation of the VC landscape in South Africa and the matrix VCs use when investing in startups.

The South African Information Regulator is requesting the National Department of Health to comply with its requirements for the deletion and de-identification of personal data handled during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this episode of iAfrikan BYTES, we’re joined by Adv Collen Weapond from the Information Regulator to better understand what procedural and substantive considerations the regulator will undertake after it referred matter to its enforcement committee following unsuccessful compliance attempts by health officials.

The French pay-television firm Canal Plus upped its stake in Multichoice to 30 percent, making it the largest stakeholder. This has alarmed market observers. Critical, is section 64 of the Electronic Communication Act, which regulates the extent to which foreign entities can have interests in commercial broadcasting services within South Africa. In this episode of iAfrikan BYTES, from ICT law firm PPM Attorneys, we're joined by Lucien Pierce, to unpack the interpretation of section 64 and understand the legality of Canal Plus largest shareholder status.