NEWS
African startups Fastagger, Pyloop accepted into NVIDIA Inception programme Two African startups -- Kenya’s Fastagger and Nigeria’s Pyloop -- have been accepted into the NVIDIA Inception programme. The NVIDIA Inception programme is a leading virtual accelerator run by American multinational technology company NVIDIA, with a focus on artificial intelligence (AI), data science and High Per-formance Computing (HPC) startups. The programme provides participants with critical go-to-market support, expertise, and technology. Unlike traditional accelerators, NVIDIA Inception supports startups through their entire life cycle. There are no application deadlines, cohorts, or term limits. Once a startup has joined NVIDIA Inception, they’re able to remain in the programme as long as they keep their membership active. Nairobi-based Fastagger has developed an AI-as-a-service platform that provides data management, algorithms, and image annotation services to AI-driven companies. The startup was founded in 2019 by Mutembei Kariuki. Port Harcourt based Pyloop uses AI and Earth Observation (satellite) data to monitor air pollution. The startup was founded last year by Gideon Onyewuenyi, Gift Kenneth, and Agwa Victor. Coincidentally both Kariuki and Onyewuenyi were speakers at AI Expo Africa 2020 ONLINE. Check out Onyewuenyi’s talk here and Kariuki’s talk here.
SMART AFRICA,
Intel partner to build AI capacity building for African policymakers With AI set to increase global GDP by $15.7-trillion by 2030, there’s a need for policymakers to understand its benefits and risks to promote responsible AI that leads to sustainable economic growth. Smart Africa -- an alliance of 31 African countries, international organisations and global private sector players tasked with the continent’s digital agenda -- in March through its capacity building arm the Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA) and in partnership with Intel Corporation held a four-day capacity building workshop on artificial intelligence (AI) to empower African public sector decision makers on emerging technologies to drive informed policymaking, foster growth of the digital economy and promote national competitiveness. The workshop, which was held between 15 to 19 March, is part of the Digital Readiness programme led by Intel which targets
policymakers responsible for designing, developing and deploying emerging technology-based solutions. Government officials from 22 African countries participated in the four-day virtual event which focused on technology considerations for security in AI and the importance of data. Smart Africa CEO and Director General Lacina Koné said the alliance has built a strong relationship with Intel Corporation over several years as an integral member of the Smart Africa Alliance. “This partnership is premised on the understanding that digital growth should be underpinned by strong and informed decision making. Capacity building for decision makers is a critical element through which we build towards a single digital market for Africa,” added Koné. Intel Emerging Markets Director for Government and Education Sven Beckmann pointed out that there’s need for enabling policies that will unlock investments into the continent’s tech sector and facilitate skills development, mainly for Africa’s growing young population. “Educating and empowering government leaders on emerging technologies to drive informed policymaking and expand digital readiness for all is of utmost importance. We are excited to work with Smart Africa and look forward to our collaboration with government leaders for their digital transformation journey,” said Beckmann.
2ND QUARTER 2021 | SYNAPSE
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