iAfrikan BYTES

In this episode of iAfrikan Bytes, we sit down with Prof Mpho Primus, Co-Director of the Institute for Intelligent Systems at the University of Johannesburg and founder of Primus Tech Hub, to explore how language, ethics, and immersive technology are shaping Africa’s digital future.

She shares her journey from linguistics to AI, highlighting how African languages can drive machine learning. Her work publishing Sesotho, Setswana, and Sepedi datasets is a vital step towards inclusive NLP systems that truly understand African users.

We also dive into the Metaverse Research Unit’s virtual recreation of Sophiatown, blending culture, memory, and technology, and how strong data ethics frameworks help keep such innovation meaningful and responsible.

In this episode of iAfrikan BYTES, we speak with Dr Jabu Motsweni, Chief Researcher and Centre Manager at the Information and Cyber Security centre of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). He unpacks South Africa’s approach to cybersecurity and the innovations shaping the continent’s digital resilience. From secure identity systems and state policy collaboration to the urgent need for local cybersecurity skills, Dr Motsweni offers insights into building tech that truly serves Africa. Recorded live at IndabaX 2024 at the University of the Witwatersrand.

Recorded at IndabaX South Africa 2024, Prof Lynn Morris of Wits University shares how research, AI, and innovation can anchor Africa’s future. From immersive tech to digital hubs, she outlines Wits bold vision for ethical, impactful research. A must listen for anyone invested in African Innovation.

In In this episode of iAfrikan Bytes, we sit down with Professor Benjamin Rosman, Director of the newly launched Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery Institute (MIND) at Wits University, to unpack the future of robotics and machine learning in Africa.

Rosman dives deep into developments at the intersection of AI and robotics, from cutting-edge research to real-world applications. He compares Africa’s advancements to global players like Boston Dynamics and Unitree, offering a grounded but optimistic view of the continent’s potential to lead in select niches.

The conversation explores both hardware and software breakthroughs, with a strong emphasis on the commercial opportunities that lightweight robots can bring to Africa’s SMME landscape. Rosman makes a powerful case for why robotics isn’t just a high-tech dream, it’s an actionable pathway for innovation, job creation, and solving local challenges.

In this episode of iAfrikan BYTES, Frans Meyer, CEO of Alphawave, shares the company’s evolution from antenna engineering to becoming a key player in AI and advanced technology. He explores AI-driven startups, the SKA project, and the challenges of scaling founder led businesses.

With AI and ML transforming engineering, Meyer emphasises the need for talent development and equipping engineers for the future.

Recorded in Johannesburg, South Africa, at Wits University IndabaX 2024.

Listen now for insights into AI, Investment, and Innovation

Tune in to iAfrikan BYTES as we sit down with Pelonomi Moiloa, CEO and co-founder of Lelapa AI, at Indaba X South Africa to explore the future of AI on the continent. She delves into the urgent need for foundational AI and ML skills, the shift from research to commercialization, and the role of ethical data use in Africa’s technological self-sufficiency. Moiloa also unpacks the risks of AI hallucinations and the importance of building language technologies that truly reflect Africa’s diversity. Don't miss this insightful conversation on how Lelapa AI and initiatives like Indaba X are ensuring Africa doesn’t just participate in the AI revolution but leads it.

AI isn’t just about futuristic promises, it’s about tackling real-world challenges today. In this episode of iAfrikan Bytes, Greg Newman, CEO of Bytefuse, unpacks how his company is creating AI solutions that transform industries like transport and education.

Bytefuse’s work in reinforcement learning is revolutionizing traffic systems, even as they navigate the financial hurdles faced by cash-strapped municipalities. Newman explains how their innovative business model ensures their cutting-edge technology reaches those who need it most.

In education, Bytefuse is training large language models (LLMs) to create personalized AI tutors, making tailored, high-quality learning accessible to all.

With R55 million in funding from Novus Holdings, Newman shares how Bytefuse is scaling its operations to deliver greater impact. His insights reveal a company deeply committed to leveraging AI for transformative change.

WATCH the full episode on iAfrikan Bytes to learn how Bytefuse is turning challenges into opportunities and shaping the future of AI.

What does it take to create Artificial Intelligence (AI) that serves humanity rather than exploits it? In this unmissable episode of the iAfrikan Bytes, cognitive scientist and Time Magazine’s Top 100 Most Influential People in AI honoree, Abeba Birhane, dives deep into the pressing ethical challenges and groundbreaking opportunities in AI.

Abeba brings a fresh, African perspective to the global AI conversation, shedding light on its potential to amplify indigenous languages and preserve cultural heritage. But she doesn’t shy away from tough truths calling out Big Tech’s dominance, exposing the risks of biased datasets, and warning of AI’s role in widening inequality if left unchecked.

“AI has the power to empower or exploit. We need to take control of its narrative, especially as Africans,” says Abeba.

This is more than just a podcast, it’s a call to action for African scholars, innovators and anyone who believes in a fair, inclusive tech future. Abeba’s insights will challenge your thinking and inspire you to see AI as a tool for change not just profit.

Don’t miss this eye-opening conversation.

During the Deep Learning Indaba 2024 in Dakar, Senegal, iAfrikan sat down with Pelonomi Moiloa, CEO of Lelapa AI, and Jade Abbott, CTO, to explore their journey and contributions to African AI development.

Lelapa AI has recently launched innovative tools like Vula Vula, a multilingual communication platform, and InkubaLM, a language model designed to support African languages. In October 2024, they hosted a Demo Day to showcase these advancements and their impact.

In this interview, Moiloa and Abbott discuss their approach to responsible AI, the challenges of developing technology in African contexts, and their vision for the future.

While Lelapa AI’s efforts highlight the importance of addressing Africa’s unique challenges, the broader question remains: Can these innovations move beyond prototypes to achieve lasting impact? Watch the interviews below for deeper insights into the journey and what lies ahead.

Lelapa AI’s work is part of a growing narrative about Africa’s role in technology, but it also raises a critical issue whether local solutions will scale effectively or remain experiments in a rapidly changing landscape.

In the bustling halls of the Deep Learning Indaba 2024 in Dakar, Senegal, iAfrikan caught up with Karim Beguir, the visionary CEO of InstaDeep. Fresh off a $680 million acquisition by BioNTech, the deal stands as Africa’s largest deep-tech exit, propelling the Tunisian-born AI company into the global spotlight. But with big opportunities come tough questions: Can InstaDeep maintain its bold, African-led vision under the weight of a global biotech giant?

The stakes couldn’t be higher. At the AI Day on October 1, 2024, InstaDeep unveiled new breakthroughs in AI-driven biology, promising to reshape drug discovery. At the same time, the company is expanding into Rwanda, next year’s host of the Indaba, signaling a deeper push into Africa’s tech ecosystem.