iAfrikan BYTES

CEO and Co-Founder of Lelapa AI Pelonomi Moiloa,joins us in our latest episode of iAfrikan Bytes.

Pelonomi’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and pivoting. Initially drawn to biomedical and electrical engineering due to her fascination with artificial organs and limbs, she found herself increasingly captivated by AI's potential within the biomedical field. Her academic pursuits took her from the University of Witwatersrand to Tohoku University in Japan, where she earned a master’s degree focusing on the intersection of bioengineering and AI.

She passionately discusses projects like Vulavula, which uses AI to enhance natural language processing for African languages, and her latest endeavor to train AI models to accurately pronounce South African names—a project close to her heart.

She also shares the exciting journey from being a scholar to becoming a CEO, a transition that’s as challenging as it is rewarding.

If you’re looking to understand how AI can be a tool for cultural empowerment and want to be inspired by a leader who’s breaking new ground, this episode is a must-listen. Pelonomi Moiloa is not just shaping the future of AI in Africa; she’s ensuring that this future is inclusive, diverse, and deeply connected to the continent’s rich heritage.

In our latest podcast interview, medical doctor turned MLOps engineer and health data scientist Dr Chris Fourie is making waves in the intersection of AI, healthcare, and social good.

A key focus of the conversation was Chris's work with SisonkeBiotik, a grassroots community they co-founded, dedicated to making AI and machine learning for health research more accessible in Africa.

Chris also provided a candid look at the reluctance among some health professionals to embrace AI and how SisonkeBiotik navigates these challenges, fostering trust and collaboration to ensure that AI-driven healthcare solutions are both effective and ethical.

Watch to learn more about Chris's remarkable journey and the ground-breaking work being done at SisonkeBiotik to close the knowledge gap between artificial intelligence and healthcare in Africa.

In this episode of iAfrikan Bytes Nando De Freitas, Principal Scientist and Team Lead at DeepMind, takes us on a journey through his academic and professional life, offering insights into the driving forces behind his pursuit of artificial intelligence (AI).

At DeepMind, Nando leads a team that is at the forefront of machine learning research. In the podcast, he shares the current research priorities that are driving the work at Google DeepMind. These priorities are not just about advancing the state of AI, but also about tackling some of the most pressing challenges in the field.

With his experiences, thoughts, and work-guiding beliefs shared in this interview, Nando De Freitas provides a fascinating look into the field of artificial intelligence research. Leaders such as Nando are vital in guaranteeing that this potent technology is developed sensibly and ethically, especially as artificial intelligence continues to influence our world.

Join us in this enlightening episode of African BYTES as we sit down with Karim Beguir, Co-Founder and CEO of InstaDeep. Discover how the Deep Learning Indaba played a crucial role in Shaping InstaDeep’s journey, including the organisation of Indaba Tunisia in 2022 and its profound impact. We also explore the recent acquisition of InstaDeep by BioNTech, delving into what this significant development means for the company and the wider AI landscape. Karim shares insights on how encounters with top AI talent at the Indaba have significantly bolstered InstaDeep’s team, propelling their cutting-edge projects Tune in to learn about the strategic moves that have positioned InstaDeep as a global AI powerhouse. Recorded at the Deep Learning Indaba 2023 in Accra, Ghana.

Join us in this episode as we meet Jade Abbott, CTO of Lelapa AI and Co-Founder of Masakhane. With a Master of Science in Computer Science, graduating cum laude, Jade delves into her pivotal role in NLP and her founding of Masakhane, A grassroots NLP community for Africa, by Africans and Lelapa AI, inspired by her experiences at the Deep Learning Indaba. She discusses the Indaba’s influence on fostering an African AI community and its future potential to enhance global research visibility. Recorded at the Deep Learning Indaba 2023 in Accra, Ghana.

In conversation with Avishkar Bhoopchand, a native of Cape Town whose career path from software engineer in the financial sector to research engineer at DeepMind perfectly embodies the combination of technical expertise and creative thinking required in today's AI environment.

A noteworthy contribution made by Avishkar to the AI community is his participation in the Deep Learning Indaba. As the general co-chair of the 2023 Indaba, which took place in Ghana, he was instrumental in putting together one of the biggest AI events in Africa. Insights into the General Chairs' cooperation with the Local Organizing Committee to make the Indaba a success will be provided by Avishkar, who will also emphasize the event's careful planning and community involvement.

Join us as we delve into Avishkar Bhoopchand's compelling journey and explore the future of AI in Africa, driven by innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to excellence.

Episodes were recorded at Ghana, Accra, at the Deep Learning Indaba 2023.

We speak with Vukosi Marivate, a well known authority on data science and artificial intelligence. We delved deeply into the revolutionary possibilities of Data Science and AI in tackling societal issues during our talk with Marivate. A new age of research and development in Africa is being ushered in by his work at the University of Pretoria and his participation in events such as the Deep Learning Indaba. In addition to developing the subject of data science, Vukosi's vision and efforts are motivating a new generation of practitioners and researchers who are committed to changing the world.

The Deep Learning Indaba has been instrumental in fostering a community of AI enthusiasts and experts in Africa. Vukosi recounted the progress made since its inception, including the annual gatherings that bring together hundreds of participants from diverse backgrounds. Looking ahead, he discussed the future directions of the Indaba, focusing on expanding its reach, enhancing capacity-building efforts, and creating more opportunities for African researchers to showcase their work on the global stage.
Episodes were recorded at Ghana, Accra, at the Deep Learning Indaba 2023.

In this episode of iAfrikan BYTES, we are honoured to have Prof. Ulrich Paquet, a leading expert in artificial intelligence and machine learning. With a career spanning over two decades, Ulrich is currently the Director at AIMS South Africa, an institute dedicated to advancing mathematical sciences. Prof. Paquet earned his PhD in Machine Learning from the University of Cambridge’s Computer Laboratory, highlighting his profound academic expertise.

Prof. Ulrich Paquet takes us through the evolution of artificial intelligence in South Africa. He provides a historical overview of the country’s AI winter, a period when progress in the sector was largely stagnant, and discusses its vibrant resurgence as AI technology has advanced and gained widespread popularity.

Furthermore, Prof. Paquet shares insights from his time at Microsoft Research, where he contributed to the development of the Xbox One console, illustrating the pivotal role of academic research in industry applications.

Join us for an enlightening conversation with one of the foremost minds in AI and machine learning.

Are you passionate about data science and machine learning? Meet Kathleen Siminyu, a dynamic data scientist and researcher at the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR), who excels not only in driving technical innovation but also in fostering inclusivity and community within the field.

In this exclusive interview, Kathleen shares insights into her impactful work, particularly her experiences at Africa’s Talking, her passion for community engagement, and her mission to democratize data science. She discusses her collaborative projects with major partners like Google and other leading organizations, aiming to nurture budding data scientists across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Join us to explore Kathleen's path as a self-taught data scientist, her experiences as a woman in technology, and her forward-thinking views on the future of data science.

Four months away from the start of Deep Learning Indaba in Senegal, we are joined by one of the Indaba’s founders, Dr. Shakir Mohamed. As a board member of NeurIPS and recognised as one of Time Magazine's '100 Most Influential People in AI,' Dr Mohamed has made substantial contributions to the field of artificial intelligence and machine learning

In this episode, Dr Mohamed reflects on the early years of Indaba and describes how the initiative strengthens opportunities and connections within the African ecosystem, making significant contributions to the global body of machine learning and artificial intelligence research.  

Dr. Mohamed also shares his personal journey, inspired by Prof. Tshilidzi Marwala, the current rector of the United Nations University, to pursue postgraduate studies. He discusses how advancements in AI and machine learning are transforming industries and integrating academic disciplines.