Synapse

Africa's only AI Trade & Innovation Magazine

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BOLSTERING AI FOR GOOD UN ITU Innovation

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TRANSLATE adds

25+ African languages

SAAIA Raises

Concerns about AI Model Training

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Preparing for an AI driven world

GUEST EDITORS

REGIONAL EDITORS

Natasha Ochiel (Kenya) Co-Founder | CEO

The AI Centre of Excellence natasha@aiceafrica.com natasha-ochiel

In a bid to champion Artificial Intelligence in Africa, she co-founded the AI Centre of Excellence that aims to build sustainable value for AI in Africa by building capacity, building demand and building AI solutions through the Centre in Kenya.

Darlington Akogo (Ghana) CEO, minoHealth AI / KaraAgro AI & Member of United Nations ITU & WHO Focus Group on AI For Health darlingtonakogo

Darlington Akogo is a global leader in Artificial Intelligence. He's the Founder and Director of Artificial Intelligence at GUDRA, and its subsidiaries; minoHealth; an AI Healthtech company based in Ghana.

Naomi Molefe MSc, Manager: Strategic Sourcing and Research at Discovery & Co-Founder & Chapter Director Women In Big Data, South Africa

naomimolefe

aomi is the co-Founder and Chapter Director for women in Big Data SA; a registered NPO that is part of a global community of 17 000 women. The learning community works with strategic partners to cultivate tangible opportunities for women, unlock latent potential through accessible training and act as a catalyst for the advancement of women in Big Data fields.

INTERNATIONAL EDITOR

Deon Van Zyl (Norway) Senior System Developer Nordic Semiconductor

deonvanzyl

For 25 years, I have been an accomplished IT professional who is skilled in multiple languages with a strong background in development, security, digital forensics, automation, AI, management, and teaching. Through my work, I have been exposed to various industries, influenced public opinion, and networked with innovative leaders. As a roving Guest Editor, I write about new technologies that are reshaping the world such as Artificial Intelligence, VR & AR, Cybersecurity, Web3 and more.

WELCOME FROM THE EDITOR

Dr Nick Bradshaw Editor & CEO AI Media Group

nickbradshaw

Nick is a Tech focused Executive / Entrepreneur helping clients, communities, practitioners & start-ups understand the value of Artificial Intelligence, Automation & Digital solutions in EMEA region. With 25 years experience in Europe, North America & Africa Nick has worked with a diverse set of Multi $bn global clients seeking to deploy and mature Enterprise grade software & cloud solutions. He is founder of the AI Media Group a new hybrid media, events, consulting & trade community offering clients insights into the growing 4IR opportunity in Africa. AI Media publish Synapse Magazine and run Africa’s largest Enterprise AI Trade Show – AI Expo Africa."

ABOUT SYNAPSE MAGAZINE

Synapse Magazine chronicles the 4th Industrial Revolution as it unfolds in Africa and plays a vital part in connecting the members of this rapidly growing trade community across the region. With a global readership, it puts Africa centre stage with a clear focus on the African 4IR innovation & investment narrative. We cover a range of technologies including; artificial intelligence (AI), intelligent automation (IA), robotic process automation (RPA), internet of things (IoT), big data, analytics & devices, as well as emerging standards, ethics and privacy concerns. Now entering its 6th year of publication, this unique quarterly trade publication is FREE to read on the ISSUU platform.

Welcome to the Q3 edition of Synapse Magazine, the official publication of the South African AI Association. This is the 24th publication of our ground breaking free to read magazine marking 6 years since launch at the first AI Expo Africa event back in 2018. Time has flown since then and the AI landscape has radically change over that period. The pace of innovation this year as continued unabated and we are starting to get hints as to the future of the workplace with the dawn of an “Agent” based future. Responsible AI is now the challenge of our time and its been interesting to see the debate on Open AI’s move from NFP to “for profit” status coupled to the exit of more key staff, is this a good thing for our industry? Locally the South Africa AI Association has formally submitted a complaint to the Information Regulator about LinkedIn’s opt-in of South African members data to train LinkedIns AI models without permission highlighting the need for nation states and regional AI associations to monitor privacy, transparency and ethics of such behaviors and to ensure our data is used with prior permission and a full explanation about its use FIRST! We have yet again got a stunning lineup of vendors and speakers joining us for the largest AI Expo Africa ever with the 7th edition welcoming the likes of NVIDIA, SuperMicro, Huawei, Salesforce, Arm, AWS, Google, UN ITU, UiPath and Verint to name but a few. Don’t forget to check out the SA AI Association’s “Start your Journey in Responsible AI” FREE training and resources with content, training, guides, communities to help kickstart your adoption of Responsible AI. We are really excited to launch our 8x CPD certified AI skills workshops this year at AI Expo Africa 2024 in Johannesburg 30-31st October, so start planning and secure your place TODAY here. Don’t forget to join the South African AI Association, to secure your FREE membership here. We hope you enjoy our 6th Anniversary Edition of Synapse Magazine – Here’s to the next 6 years!!

PUBLISHER

AI Media Group

Web www.aimediagroup.co.za

EDITOR

Nick Bradshaw

GUEST EDITORS

Natasha Ochiel (Kenya)

Darlington Akogo (Ghana)

Naomi Molefe (South Africa)

Deon Van Zyl (Global)

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING ENQUIRIES enquiries@aiexpoafrica.com

ACCOUNTS PAYABLE & ADMIN

Mia Muylaert mia.muylaert@aiexpoafrica.com

LAYOUT, DESIGN & PRINT

Karin Liebenberg iCandy Design

Email: karinl@icandydesign.co.za

2 AI Expo Africa lands in Jozi: Johannesburg Welcomes Largest Gathering Of Artificial Intelligence Experts

5 Unlocking employment opportunities for SA’s youth in the age of AI

48 Gen AI: Easing the Burden of Consumer Decision-Making

49 A new generation of African talent brings cutting-edge AI to scientific challenges

CSIR: Bridging the Digital Divide: Paving the Way for South Africa’s Inclusive Digital Future p12

Advance Guidance: The true power of AI lies in purposebuilt, enterprise AI solutions p8 AI FOR GOOD: How we tackled modernday bias with AI p16

8 The true power of AI lies in purpose-built, enterprise AI solutions

10 Building AI Workforce for Tomorrow

12 Bridging the Digital Divide: Paving the Way for South Africa’s Inclusive Digital Future

15 Transforming Enterprise Document Generation with DocFusion

16 How we tackled modern-day bias with AI

20 Unlocking the Future of Wi-Fi with FX-IT at AI Africa Expo 2024

22 Google Search Trends

24 Is AI Simplifying or Complicating the Job Application Process?

26 Bolstering AI for Good Innovation Across Africa

28 AI: The top trend shaping data analytics in 2024

30 Matogen: Unleashing the Power of Generative AI

34 Mind Over Metrics: Revolutionising Leadership with Behavioural AI - the untapped 40% of Performance

36 Preparing Data Centers for an AI-Driven World

38 Unlocking the Future: AI and Cloud Solutions for South Africa’s SMBs

40 Create Extra Contact Centre Capacity With AI-Powered Bots

42 Can AI Defeat Invoice Fraud in South Africa?

44 African Union: AU AI Strategy

46 Agentic AI: The next frontier in business automation

51 Lightweight Champ: NVIDIA Releases Small Language Model With State-of-the-Art Accuracy

52 SA companies better move quickly on AI policy

54 Google Translate adds 25+ African languages

55 AI challenge seeks ‘visionary ideas’ to tackle climate crisis

56 The South African AI Association Raises Concern about AI Model Training

Agentic AI: The next frontier in business automation p46

58 GMSA - AI Africa Report NVIDIA Releases Small Language Model With Stateof-the-Art Accuracy p51

JOHANNESBURG WELCOMES LARGEST GATHERING OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE EXPERTS

Africa’s largest Artificial Intelligence & Intelligent Automation event, AI Expo Africa, will be running its highly acclaimed conference & trade show at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa 30-31 October 2024.

Now entering its 7th year, the annual AI Expo Africa event unites regional and international thought leaders, suppliers and start-ups to discuss and showcase the latest AI & Smart Tech innovations, from the biggest global brands to the smallest and newest local SMMEs.

The core focus of the show are real world applications you can deploy today with an audience comprised of Enterprise and Government buyers, deployment & service providers, start-ups, educators, NGOs and ecosystem builders.

Nonnie Kubeka, Executive Director of the Gauteng Convention & Event Bureau stated, “We are happy to welcome the growing AI tech ecosystem to the Gauteng Region. Last year AI Expo Africa hosted 48 SMMEs at the event and the gathering helps connect buyers and suppliers around one of the fastest growing sectors of the economy. AI is impacting all industries and certain aspects of society so its key we as a region, and a nation, have a focus on this sector as it’s a key pillar of our ICT activities and we want to showcase the local ecosystem to a regional and international audience.”

With a community of 50k+ practitioners, the show format is built upon the phenomenal success of the previous six annual events that have cemented AI Expo Africa as the largest AI business gathering of its kind, attended by Enterprise buyers, Governments, practitioners, decision makers, international trade missions, vendors and SMMEs.

Dr Nick Bradshaw, Founder of AI Expo Africa & Chairperson of the South African AI Association stated, “This is our 7th Anniversary Edition and biggest show to-date, with over 100 companies in the expo hall, many of which are local and regional SMMEs. The current buzz around generative AI, data centres, national strategies, security and AI4Good are just some of the many themes our 60+ speakers and delegates will be discussing. We are extremely happy to welcome the likes of Dr Simon See from Nvidia as a keynote speaker this year and a visiting delegation from the UN ITU AI4Good community who will be running a pitching session at the show."

The show will be attended by some 1700+ delegates this year and we have 60+ speakers plus a range of show features like our new CPD certified AI Skills workshop sessions and the SA AI Association Pavilion that will be showcasing 10x local AI start-ups from South Africa. As with previous years, multiple VCs will be attending and identifying candidate investments from the new AI start-ups exhibiting at the event.

All delegates that join the event can secure a FREE copy of the “State of AI in Africa Report” and are encouraged to join the SA AI Association that is promoting the use of Responsible AI and will be present at the show. Learn more: www.aiexpoafrica.com.

Press & Media: enquiries@aimediagroup.co.za

State of AI in Africa

UNLOCKING EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITIES FOR SA’S YOUTH IN THE AGE OF AI

As AI takes over routine tasks in the workplace, the future job market demands innovation, adaptability and continuous learning – providing possibilities for the next generation to redefine work and thrive in a rapidly evolving landscape, writes Premlin Pillay, CEO of Tesserai and Group Executive of Mettus, a group of technology, data and analytics companies, with Tesserai leading the group’s data, analytics and artificial intelligence initiatives.

With the artificial intelligence (AI) market expected to see an annual growth rate of as much as 37.3% by 20301, its rise is transforming our world in unprecedented ways, revolutionising all aspects of life, and the workplace is no exception.

So much so that studies suggest that 64% of businesses consider AI a valuable tool for increasing overall productivity. This demonstrates that despite concerns about its impact on potential job displacement, it is here to stay.

With 77% of people expressing their concerns about AI impacting the job market, the World Economic Forum is more optimistic, stating that AI may create as many as 97 million new jobs.

To remain relevant amidst this rapid technological shift, South Africans,

particularly the youth about to enter the job market, should seek to adapt to the changing landscape, upskill themselves and adopt new skills to bolster their digital literacy, such as data analysis and machine learning.

AI skills are increasingly in demand. Young people proficient in AI technologies will have a competitive edge in the job market, making them more attractive to employers. Moreover, an understanding of AI can empower young people to innovate and create new business opportunities which can lead to the development of AI-driven startups and solutions, and contribute to economic growth.

Despite common perceptions, the advent of AI is not limited to the tech industry and is applicable across multiple industries, including healthcare, finance, education and agriculture, amongst others. Embracing AI opens up diverse career paths across various sectors.

The pace of technological change means that continuous learning and adaptability are crucial. Embracing AI fosters a mindset of lifelong learning, which is essential for career longevity and success.

As a career opportunity promising a wealth of possibilities for those with the right skills, mindset and expertise, there are diverse pathways South African youth can explore to maximise their potential for success.

One prominent area of career growth lies in data science. With the proliferation of data across industries, there is an increasing need for skilled data scientists who can extract meaningful insights from vast datasets. These professionals play a crucial role in informing decision-making processes and driving business strategies through datadriven analysis.

Similarly, machine learning engineering is another thriving field within AI. Machine learning engineers are responsible for designing and deploying AI models that can make predictions or decisions based on data.

Their expertise is essential in developing algorithms, training models, and optimising performance to achieve desired outcomes.

In addition, specialised AI fields like natural language processing (NLP) and computer vision offer diverse career opportunities.

As AI continues to penetrate every aspect of the workplace, it brings with it an increasing need for educators and trainers to impart AI skills and knowledge to the next generation of professionals, ensuring a skilled workforce ready to navigate the challenges and opportunities of the AI-driven future.

To this end, Tesserai has hosted an internship programme over the last three years to address the rapid growth of the AI industry, which often outpaces individual skills development. The programme takes cohorts of graduates from a range of disciplines and puts them through an intensive 12-month programme coupled with actual work experience.

Successful graduates from the programme are then placed across the Mettus group. The initiative aims to build capability in the data, analytics and AI domains, while ensuring a sustained advantage in the AI landscape through the cultivation of skilled professionals.

As South Africa’s youth stand on the precipice of the AI revolution, they hold the power to shape their destinies and redefine the future of work. By embracing innovation, fostering adaptability, and committing to continuous learning, they can unlock the boundless opportunities that AI presents and forge a future of prosperity and success.

Reference: Website [Internet].

Available from: https://www.forbes.com/ advisor/business/ ai-statistics/

THE TRUE POWER OF AI LIES IN PURPOSEBUILT, ENTERPRISE AI SOLUTIONS

/ By Len Pienaar – Managing Director at AdvanceGuidance /

In today’s rapidly evolving business landscape, integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into core business operations is essential for long-term success. Unlike generic AI services, enterprise AI solutions should be tailored to efficiently automate complex, repetitive tasks with predictable output quality. These systems are designed to continuously learn from data, refine their own operations, and enhance performance with a high degree of autonomy, often without direct human intervention.

The enterprise AI landscape is experiencing a rapid evolution, marked by significant growth in adoption, investment, and integration across various industries. The global AI market is projected to reach $407 billion by 2027, a substantial increase from past years, indicating the increasing integration of AI technologies across diverse sectors such as finance, telecommunications, healthcare and manufacturing.

Indeed, AI’s ability to analyse vast amounts of data, provide actionable insights, and perform complex tasks is revolutionising enterprise operations. This expansion

reflects not only the versatility of AI tools but also their growing necessity in maintaining competitive relevance in a data-driven world.

According to research commissioned by IBM, 42% of enterprise-scale organisations use AI actively in their businesses. With early adopters leading the way, 59% of responding enterprises are already working with AI, with plans to accelerate and increase their investment in the technology. The proof is real with early adopters, who have overcome barriers in deploying AI, continuing to make further investments, proving they’re already reaping benefits from using AI.

“The true power of AI for business lies not in generic AI solutions but in a strategy that deploys purpose-built enterprise AI solutions tailored to the unique needs and challenges of individual businesses,” explains Len Pienaar, Managing Director at AdvanceGuidance.

In his journey as a CEO across sectors as diverse as banking, telecommunications, and media, he’s witnessed firsthand the transformative potential of data and enterprise AI solutions.

Enterprise AI is expected to grow at an impressive 37.3% CAGR from 2024 to 2030. With the growth driven by the advancements in machine learning and natural language processing (NLP), AI is predicted to become more accessible, effective for businesses and critical in enhancing existing business models.

The importance of AI in shaping future business strategies is made apparent by the fact that 83% of companies place AI at the forefront of their strategic planning. This indicates the shift in business mentality, recognising the potential of AI solutions to drive innovation, efficiency, and profitability. It’s clear that AI is no longer an optional tool but a fundamental component in corporate strategy and decision-making processes.

“At AdvanceGuidance, it’s about more than just data. Once we’ve understood the business problem and analysed how to solve it, the real alchemy of what we do lies in how we use AI to provide unprecedented insights

that are implemented to rapidly generate business results for our clients.” shares Pienaar.

“We specialise in helping large corporations design, implement, and operate enterprise AI and machine learning solutions with deep data science and management expertise,” adds Pienaar.

“I firmly believe that AI will impact businesses and society more than digital computers and mobile devices combined. In the short-term, AI may be overhyped, but few truly grasp the long-term impact that AI will have on businesses”.

Says Pienaar, “The expansion of AI at the enterprise level is due to the increasing accessibility of AI tools, the significant drive in the automation of key complex processes, coupled with increasing amounts of AI being embedded into commercially available business applications.”

He cautions, however, that the road to successful enterprise AI implementation is fraught with challenges, particularly in highly regulated industries where compliance, data privacy, and security are paramount.

The challenges of implementing AI in complex environments are significant, including those around data privacy, scalability and managing stakeholder expectations. And that’s without considering hiring employees with the right skill sets, data complexity, and various ethical concerns that continue to prevent businesses from adopting AI technologies into their operations.

Drawing on his experience in executive positions at FNB, MTN, Media24, Clickatell and CellC, don’t miss Len Pienaar as he presents at The AI Expo Africa, the largest Enterprise AI, RPA & Smart Tech trade event in Africa, from 30th-31st October 2024, exploring ‘Why a tailored enterprise AI strategy is critical for businesses wanting to thrive in the AI age.’

Using a case study of a proof-of-concept project for a global consulting firm, he’ll demonstrate how purpose-built enterprise AI solutions can enhance operations, ensure

compliance, and provide a competitive edge to businesses of the future.

He’ll also address the challenges of implementing AI in complex environments, including data privacy, scalability, and managing stakeholder expectations.

The future of AI in business lies in its ability to enhance, improve, or even replace complex, repetitive tasks traditionally performed by skilled professionals. This shift will fundamentally change operations’ cost structure and efficiency across industries, setting the stage for long-term success.

It’s a fact that any organisation that regularly engages in proposal writing, RFP responses, or other repetitive, high-value tasks stands to already benefit from AI. By shifting these tasks to purpose-built AI solutions, businesses can free up their most valuable resources—human expertise—for more strategic activities.

Companies that embrace this challenge of transformation will be able to create growth for their business and value for their customers, while building a workforce that’s adaptable and agile for the future.

AI at work is no longer a question, it’s arrived. By embracing a skills-first, human-centric, learning-led approach, and strategically implementing AI across functions, companies can begin to move from AI buzz to AI breakthroughs.

As we move forward, it’s imperative to consider how AI can be integrated into every aspect of business operations, from data management to day-to-day activities and even decision-making. Today’s decisions about your AI strategy will shape your competitive landscape tomorrow. Don’t just stay current; it’s up to you to prepare for the future by incorporating enterprise AIs into your corporate strategy.

Pienaar has enjoyed a lifelong interest in how things work and how they can be improved, with a background in engineering and business administration. With over 20 years’ experience in senior leadership positions, he is equally comfortable in large multinationals and start-ups.

Pushing boundaries, a determination to succeed, and assembling and leading exceptional teams are the building blocks of Pienaar’s career. They are underpinned by exceptional analytical ability. His focus on tech innovation and customer adoption, from conception and strategy to execution and delivery, has enabled him to launch and commercialise numerous industry-first innovations, for which he has received local and global recognition. Len Pienaar became the Managing Director of Advance Guidance in July 2024.

BRIDGING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE: PAVING THE WAY FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S INCLUSIVE DIGITAL FUTURE

/ By Dr Avashna Govender /

Exponential growth and the disruption of yesterday’s business trends to align with tomorrow’s digitalisation display the trajectory of global progress. South Africa finds itself at a conundrum. What’s required for us is not only to catch up with prevailing digital waves but also to transform our nation’s digital infrastructure into a robust, inclusive system that serves as a catalyst for economic growth and social cohesion. As the AI Expo approaches, it is imperative to explore how the CSIR Networked Systems and Applications (NSA) team within the NextGen Enterprises and Institutions cluster of the CSIR can spearhead this transformation.

South Africa’s ICT landscape, though expanding, remains far from the global standards we aspire to reach. The National Development Plan (NDP) has identified the urgent need for an efficient information infrastructure—a cornerstone for driving economic prosperity and ensuring greater societal inclusion. The CSIR’s role in this vision is critical. It hinges on connectivity, affordability, and universal access that is set on bridging the digital divide, unleashing the latent potential within every South African.

The introduction of wireless networks, providing flexible and cost-effective communication solutions, has significantly impacted rural and underserved regions. However, the road ahead is laden with challenges. The congestion of radio frequency spectrums and the proliferation of IoT devices demand more sophisticated approaches to spectrum management

“ The future of South Africa hangs on more than just bridging the digital divide—it demands the creation of opportunities that are equitable and accessible to all. The EHSA is designed to do precisely this. By nurturing a digital ecosystem where connectivity is universal, language acts as a bridge rather than a barrier, and technology drives progress for everyone, we can build a South Africa that is not only digitally connected but also socio-economically empowered. ”

and software-defined networking. The CSIR’s Spectrum Access and Management Innovation (SAMI) and Cloud Network Architectures and Services research groups are forging novel solutions that promise to redefine networking and cloud computing technologies. This ensures that connectivity transcends being a luxury and becomes an inalienable right for all.

South Africa’s rich linguistic diversity, while culturally significant, presents unique challenges in the digital space. With 12 official languages and only a small fraction of the population conversant in English at home, language barriers threaten to marginalize many from the digital economy. Our Natural Language Processing (NLP) research group is tackling this challenge by developing sophisticated AI-driven language models tailored to our diverse linguistic landscape. These models, powered by cloud computing and alternative network technologies, are designed to train and deploy scalable, on-demand language processing capabilities nationwide, including the most remote areas.

The intersection of language technologies and cloud computing holds the promise of transforming access to information and services. This ensures that all South Africans, irrespective of their linguistic backgrounds, can engage with and benefit from digital content. This is especially critical in education, where the drive toward mother-tongue instruction in the foundation phase is hindered by a startling statistic - 78% of learners cannot read for comprehension in their own language. By integrating NLP with cloud technologies, we can provide educational content across

all official languages, empowering both students and educators.

At the CSIR NSA, our mission exceeds mere technological advancement by far. We are devoted to crafting a comprehensive digital ecosystem that nurtures economic participation, entrepreneurial growth, and social inclusion. This vision is encapsulated in our latest initiative, the Empowerment Hub for South Africa (EHSA).

EHSA is envisioned as a central hub fostering cross-sector collaborations and partnerships, leveraging next-generation technologies and solutions. It focuses on three critical areas: expanding network and cloud access, equipping businesses with foundational digital capabilities, and deploying digital language technologies. By addressing these pivotal challenges, EHSA aims to dismantle barriers to digital access, broaden economic participation, enhance ICT infrastructure, and empower individuals, businesses, and communities with the essential digital tools required to thrive.

The future of South Africa hangs on more than just bridging the digital divide—it demands the creation of opportunities that are equitable and accessible to all. The EHSA is designed to do precisely this. By nurturing

“South Africa’s rich linguistic diversity, while culturally significant, presents unique challenges in the digital space. With 12 official languages and only a small fraction of the population conversant in English at home, language barriers threaten to marginalize many from the digital economy. Our Natural Language Processing (NLP) research group is tackling this challenge by developing sophisticated AI-driven language models tailored to our diverse linguistic landscape. These models, powered by cloud computing and alternative network technologies, are designed to train and deploy scalable, on-demand language processing capabilities nationwide, including the most remote areas. ”

a digital ecosystem where connectivity is universal, language acts as a bridge rather than a barrier, and technology drives progress for everyone, we can build a South Africa that is not only digitally connected but also socio-economically empowered.

Envision a nation where rural communities enjoy the same high-speed, reliable, and affordable broadband access as urban centres, where digital skills development is within everyone’s reach, and where entrepreneurial potential is fostered through strong support systems. A future where every South African has the tools, knowledge, and opportunities to excel in the digital economy.

The moment to act is now. Together, we can build a South Africa where technology knows no boundaries, where progress is shared, and where our collective future is one of prosperity and inclusivity.

About the Author

Dr Avashna Govender is the Research Group Leader of the Natural Language Processing Research Group at the CSIR, Dr Govender leads a team dedicated to breaking down language barriers. Her work is guided by a vision of fostering inclusivity and ensuring that all South Africans can communicate and thrive in the digital age.

Email: agovender1@csir.co.za

RETHINK DOCUMENTS

Designed

TRANSFORMING ENTERPRISE DOCUMENT GENERATION WITH DOCFUSION

What if enterprise document processes didn’t have to be complicated, time-consuming, and errorprone? With the right technology, these challenges can be simplified, allowing enterprises to focus on what truly matters.

The document demands placed on enterprises – especially within the financial services sector – are immense. Documents are not just static records; they are the lifeblood of business operations, capturing critical transactions and information across the enterprise.

However, the sheer volume and complexity of these documents often present formidable challenges to operational efficiency, security, and compliance. This is where DocFusion stands out as an enterprise-grade solution that meets these challenges head-on.

Enterprise-Grade Performance and Scalability

DocFusion is a comprehensive document generation and automation platform designed to handle the vast volumes and complexities of enterprise documents. Capable of processing thousands of documents per second, DocFusion ensures that businesses can scale seamlessly, meeting the demands of any operation.

This level of performance enables speed and efficiency, while also ensuring accuracy, compliance, and security at every step of the document lifecycle.

Tailored for the Financial Services

Sector

While DocFusion is versatile enough to serve various industries, it has seen its most widespread application and success in the financial services sector.

Financial institutions deal with some of the most sensitive and regulated information in the world. Compliance is non-negotiable,

and any deviation can result in severe financial and reputational risks.

DocFusion’s platform is designed to integrate effortlessly with existing enterprise systems, pulling in the freshest data directly from the source. This integration ensures that every document generated is accurate, compliant, and ready for immediate use.

Solving the Complexity of Enterprise Documents

The challenge in industries like banking and insurance lies not only in document volumes, but also in document complexity, and the disarray that often accompanies it. For example, conside r the process of generating a comprehensive insurance policy document or a detailed loan agreement. These documents require input from multiple departments—such as underwriting, legal, compliance, and finance—and must adhere to strict regulatory standards and companyspecific guidelines.

The complexity arises when data from these various departments needs to be accurately compiled into a single, compliant document. Any errors or inconsistencies could lead to significant legal or financial repercussions.

DocFusion addresses this complexity by dynamically sourcing and consolidating business data from disparate systems, using approved templates that are designed to meet the stringent requirements of industries like banking and insurance. This ensures that every document, whether it’s an insurance policy or a loan agreement, is generated with the highest level of accuracy, compliance, and efficiency.

Five Functional Areas of Excellence

DocFusion’s strengths are underscored by its capabilities in five key functional areas:

1. Document generation: Dynamic creation of documents in various formats using intelligent templates.

2. Electronic signing: Securely capture digital signatures, ensuring compliance and legality.

3. Version control: Maintain a secure audit trail for all document templates, complete with approvals and access controls.

4. Document workflows: Ensure documents are available when needed, maintaining content integrity from creation to output.

5. API integration: Enable seamless connectivity with enterprise systems, allowing DocFusion to integrate efficiently with existing workflows, often through low-code or no-code interfaces.

The DocFusion Advantage: Simplifying Complexity

What sets DocFusion apart is its ability to turn complexity into simplicity. While other document automation products may add layers of data distribution that complicate business processes, DocFusion integrates

...continues on page 18

HOW WE TACKLED MODERN-DAY BIAS WITH AI

/ Ekow Duker – Co-founder, The AI Shop /

In an age where technology is reshaping every aspect of our lives, The AI Shop and Africa No Filter have introduced a powerful new tool designed to combat bias in writing - The Africa Bias Buster. This AI-powered solution is not just another technological innovation; it’s a direct response to the persistent stereotypes that have long distorted the portrayal of Africa in the media and beyond. The Bias Buster helps writers identify and eliminate unconscious bias in their work, creating opportunities for more balanced, accurate storytelling about Africa.

...continues on page 18

MANAGE Unorganised data

DATA

- Invoice Processing

- Contract Processing

- Credit Applications

- Know your Customer (KYC)

- Policy Schedule Processing

- Communication Classiﬁcation

- Claims Processing

- CV Processing - Automated Claims Processes - Survey Verbatim Classiﬁcation - Document Classiﬁcation

- Handwriting Recognition

- Photo and Signature Recognition

- Sentiment Detection

- Knowlege Management

RAG - Payslip, Bank Statement

...continued from page 16

Since the launch of ChatGPT in November 2022, much has been written about the risks of algorithmic bias—ranging from denying people job opportunities to wrongfully convicting the innocent. However, there’s another type of bias that’s been around much longer, and it’s one Africans know all too well.

In the 18th century, supporters of the transatlantic slave trade justified their position by characterizing Africans as inferior beings. Edward Long, one of the era’s most vocal advocates, described Africans as “proud, lazy, deceitful, thievish, addicted to all kinds of lust”. Despite never setting foot in Africa, he marvelled that, even after long periods of colonization, Africans demonstrated no “appreciation for the arts or any inventive ability”.

This type of bias has persisted across generations. Even two centuries later, Che Guevara echoed Long’s sentiment, describing the African as “indolent and lazy”, and who “spends his money on frivolities, whereas the European is forward-looking, organized and intelligent.”

Thankfully, such virulent stereotypes are not as overt as they once were. But while political correctness may have turned down the vitriol, such stereotypes haven’t really gone away. We still encounter well-meaning writing that, in subtle ways, implies Africans lack agency and are dependent on Western saviours.

Let’s look at an example: In a blog post subtitled ‘Humanitarian heroes take up the call to improve the welfare of others’, a well-known development agency writing about its work in South Africa, depicts humanitarian organisations and people who donate to charities as ‘heroes’. While the text seems harmless at first glance, a closer look reveals that it downplays the role of local heroes and minimizes the agency of African communities in driving their own progress.

It’s exactly this sort of bias that Africa No Filter, a donor collaborative committed to changing outdated perceptions of Africa, seeks to weed out. Their mission is to promote stories that go beyond stereotypes and offer a more nuanced and accurate portrayal of the continent. As part of this mission, Africa No Filter envisioned a toolpowered by AI - that would help storytellers create more balanced narratives about Africa. Abimbola Ogundairo, Advocacy and Campaigns Lead at Africa No Filter imagined it like this: “An AI-powered learning tool that analyses your writing to identify stereotypes and provide actionable feedback to help you tell more impactful stories, all in real-time!”. They called this tool The Africa Bias Buster and asked The AI Shop to build it with them.

“At The AI Shop, our job is to make enterprise workflows run better,” said the coFounders of The AI Shop, Ekow Duker and Simon Stewart. “We saw this as a critical project because bias, especially when aimed

“ Thankfully, such virulent stereotypes are not as overt as they once were. But while political correctness may have turned down the vitriol, such stereotypes haven’t really gone away. We still encounter wellmeaning writing that, in subtle ways, implies Africans lack agency and are dependent on Western saviours.”

at entire populations, can have insidious, long-term effects. It was an honour to co-create this tool with Africa No Filter and demonstrate how AI can be a force for good.”

You can try out the Africa Bias Buster yourself at https://africanofilter.org/home Just type in or upload a piece of writing and sit back while the bias baster analyses the text, assigns a score out of 5, and gives you suggestions on how to get rid of any subtle or overt biases that may be present in the writing.

This novel collaboration between Africa No Filter and The AI Shop successfully developed and refined an AI-powered tool designed to identify and address biases in narratives about Africa. By leveraging advanced language models and incorporating user feedback, we created a robust solution that empowers writers, journalists, and other stakeholders to produce more balanced and truthful portrayals of the continent. This initiative not only supports Africa No Filter’s mission to promote better storytelling about Africa but also demonstrates how cutting-edge technology can be used to address a centuries-old problem. Edward Long would not be pleased.

“ In the 18th century, supporters of the transatlantic slave trade justified their position by characterizing Africans as inferior beings. Edward Long, one of the era’s most vocal advocates, described Africans as “proud, lazy, deceitful, thievish, addicted to all kinds of lust”. Despite never setting foot in Africa, he marvelled that, even after long periods of colonization, Africans demonstrated no “appreciation for the arts or any inventive ability.”

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seamlessly with existing systems, ensuring that the freshest, most accurate data is always used. This approach improves efficiency and eliminates costly errors and the need for extensive system integration projects.

What’s more, DocFusion’s template management system centralises document templates, ensuring that all users access the most current versions, with robust version control, access permissions, and seamless integration capabilities.

Innovating for the Future

DocFusion is not just a solution for today; it is built to evolve with the needs of large enterprises. We recognise the transformative role of AI in shaping the future of document generation. Our vision for AI is to enhance human capabilities, creating a synergy between artificial and human intelligence that reduces tedious tasks and boosts productivity, all while maintaining the essential element of human interaction.

Join Us at Africa’s Biggest Enterprise AI Trade Show

As DocFusion sponsors Africa’s biggest B2B AI Expo this October, we invite you to explore how our enterprise-grade document generation and automation solutions can transform your business operations.

Visit our booth to see DocFusion in action and discover how we can help your organisation overcome the challenges of document complexity, ensuring operational efficiency and compliance at any scale.

UNLOCKING THE FUTURE OF WI-FI WITH FX-IT AT AI AFRICA EXPO 2024

/ By FX-IT /

As technology continues to evolve, the demand for seamless, high-performance wireless networks is growing at an unprecedented rate. Businesses, schools, hospitals, and even homes rely on robust Wi-Fi systems to function efficiently. At FX-IT, we understand that reliable connectivity is not just a luxury—it’s a necessity. This is why we are proud to be the importers and distributors of Ekahau, the leading solution for Wi-Fi design, site surveys, and troubleshooting. As we gear up to attend the AI Africa Expo 2024, we are excited to showcase how our cutting-edge services, backed by Ekahau’s innovative tools, are revolutionizing Wi-Fi networks across Africa.

The Importance of Quality Wi-Fi Networks

In today’s digital age, a poor Wi-Fi connection can lead to lost productivity, customer dissatisfaction, and even safety concerns in critical environments such as hospitals and industrial facilities. FX-IT specializes in delivering high-quality Wi-Fi solutions that ensure strong, reliable, and fast connectivity tailored to the unique needs of each client.

Wi-Fi Survey Services: The Foundation of a Strong Network

At the core of our services is our Wi-Fi Survey offering. A Wi-Fi survey is essential for designing and optimizing wireless networks. Using Ekahau’s state-of-theart tools, powered by advanced Artificial Intelligence (AI), our expert team conducts detailed site surveys that map out the radio frequency environment. This allows us

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One of the significant advantages of our AI-driven Wi-Fi surveys is the ability to generate a comprehensive Bill of Materials (BOM). This BOM provides a detailed breakdown of all the necessary equipment, including the exact number and placement of Access Points (APs) required for sufficient coverage. By knowing precisely what is needed, we can help clients avoid unnecessary costs while ensuring their network is equipped to meet current and future demands.”

to identify potential interference sources, coverage gaps, and capacity issues. The AI within Ekahau’s tools analyzes vast amounts of data in real-time, providing predictive insights that enable us to design and implement a network with precision, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and coverage.

Access Point Installation and Rehabilitation: Precision and Performance

The heart of any Wi-Fi network is its access points (APs). Correct placement and installation of APs are crucial to ensuring that the network performs at its best. At FX-IT, we provide expert installation services, ensuring that each AP is positioned for maximum coverage and efficiency. Ekahau’s AI-driven tools assist in determining the optimal placement of each AP by analyzing environmental factors, user behavior, and network load, resulting in a configuration that maximizes performance and minimizes interference.

In addition to installation, we also offer rehabilitation services for existing networks. Over time, networks can degrade due to wear and tear, environmental changes, or the introduction of new devices and technology. Our rehabilitation services include a comprehensive evaluation of your current

network, followed by the reconfiguration and repositioning of APs as necessary. The AI algorithms within Ekahau’s system continuously monitor the network’s health, allowing for real-time adjustments that keep your network operating at peak performance.

Troubleshooting and Diagnostics: Swift Solutions with AI-Powered Ekahau

When Wi-Fi networks falter, businesses can suffer. Whether it’s slow speeds, dropped connections, or complete outages, network issues can lead to frustration and lost revenue. With Ekahau’s advanced diagnostic tools, powered by AI, FX-IT is able to quickly identify and resolve any issues that may arise within your Wi-Fi network.

Ekahau’s AI-driven diagnostics provide instant, actionable insights by analyzing network behavior and identifying patterns that human analysts might miss. This allows us to pinpoint the exact cause of any network problem, whether it’s interference from other devices, misconfigured settings, or hardware failures. Once identified, our team acts swiftly to implement solutions, minimizing downtime and restoring your network to full functionality. The AI continues to learn from each issue, improving its accuracy and efficiency with every deployment.

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As you explore the AI Africa Expo 2024, consider the critical role that reliable Wi-Fi plays in your organization’s success. Whether you’re planning to install a new network, optimize your current setup, or troubleshoot existing issues, FX-IT has the expertise and AIpowered tools to ensure your network is up to the task.”

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At FX-IT, our goal is to empower businesses across Africa with the best in Wi-Fi technology. By partnering with us, you’re not just investing in a service; you’re investing in a future where your connectivity needs are met with precision, reliability, and excellence.”

Partnering for the Future

As you explore the AI Africa Expo 2024, consider the critical role that reliable WiFi plays in your organization’s success. Whether you’re planning to install a new network, optimize your current setup, or troubleshoot existing issues, FX-IT has the expertise and AI-powered tools to ensure your network is up to the task.

Visit Us at AI Africa Expo 2024

We invite you to visit our booth at the AI Africa Expo 2024 to learn more about how our Wi-Fi Survey, Access Point installation, and troubleshooting services, powered by AI-driven Ekahau tools, can transform your network. Discover how our detailed Bill of Materials can help you optimize costs and achieve superior coverage. Let’s work together to build a connected future that works for everyone.

For more information about our services, please visit our website at www.fx-it.co.za or contact us directly to schedule a consultation.

GOOGLE SEARCH TRE ND S REVEAL

South Africans keen to grow their AI skills and qualifications - as searches for AI reach all time high

Artificial Intelligence (AI) was searched more than ever in 2024 globally and in South Africa, with South African users searching for the term 120% more than this time last year.

Search trends in South Africa related to AI continuesearches for “how to use AI” nearly doubled (+70%), while searches for “what is AI” have increased by 20%.

With interest in AI growing, South Africans are looking to build AI skills and qualifications - with searches for “AI course” and “AI jobs” nearly doubling.

22 August 2024: New search trends released by Google today show that people in South Africa are searching for AI more than ever before.

Search interest in “AI” has reached a record high around the world and in South Africa, where searches have

more than doubled (+120%) since the same period last year. Searches in South Africa for “what is AI” also increased by 20%, while searches for “how to use AI” increased by 70%.

South Africans are looking to use AI to build their careers and creativity - with trending searches including “AI image generator”, “AI writer”, “online AI chat” and “logo maker AI” - all of which were ‘breakout’ searches in 2024, growing over 5,000% in interest since this time last year.

The research also shows that South Africans are keen to grow their AI skills and qualifications. Searches for “AI jobs” and “AI course” both nearly doubled (+80% each). Searches for “AI and business” doubled (+100%) while searches for “AI and startups” increased by 30%.

Aligned with its commitment to AI as a force for positive societal change, Google offers free AI training programs to Africans through its Hustle Academy. This initiative, designed for entrepreneurs, includes modules specifically tailored to teach participants how to leverage AI to improve their businesses. Since its launch in 2022, Hustle Academy has empowered over 10,000 businesses. Additionally, Google supports promising AI-focused startups in Africa through its Google for Startups Accelerator Africa program. This program, which assists startups tackling African challenges, selected 10 AI-driven ventures for its 2024 cohort.

Search interest in cybersecurity and AI also doubled across South Africa (+100%), while people showed a clear interest in the future of AI for science. Searches for AI and doctors doubled (+110%), while searches for AI and medicine increased by 50%, searches for AI and hospitals increased by 60% and searches for AI and healthcare increased by 20%.

Paul Mayanja, Acting Google SA Country Director,: “AI has the potential to create opportunities - from the extraordinary to the

everyday - for everyone: bringing new waves of innovation, social and economic progress. So it’s no surprise that the people of South Africa are already looking to make the most of this transformational technology - finding ways to learn more AI skills to boost their career, creativity, and society.”

The results come months after Google’s global survey, “Our Life with AI”, which showed that 88% of South Africans were interested in learning more about AI. The survey also showed that 60% of South Africans were excited about AI, with 76% agreeing that “society as a whole” is likely to benefit from AI.

Notes to editor:

All trends, unless stated otherwise, are measured from January 1 - July 15th 2024. All percentage increases are in comparison to January 1 - July 15th 2023.

About Google’s work with AI: Google began working on AI in 2012, first by training computers to recognise cats on YouTube. We released TensorFlow in 2015, our internal machine learning and AI software library. In 2016 we published our AI Principles for the first time: our public outlining of how we pursue AI boldly, responsibly and collaborativelyas well as AlphaGo and Transformer. Earlier this month, at Made by Google, we shared how we’re bringing the best of Google AI to more people and more phones with updates across Gemini, Android and the Pixel portfolio. See the announcements here Google is also using AI to address some of society’s biggest challenges. In Ghana, Google’s AI Center is working in collaboration with InstaDeep and the UN to better detect locust outbreaks and implement control measures. While in Kenya, Google is working with Jacaranda Health to improve maternal care.

Pinnacle AI Services

Pinnacle has announced a significant expansion of its artificial intelligence (AI) portfolio, introducing a range of new services and consulting capabilities designed to help businesses navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

This strategic move underscores Pinnacle’s commitment to providing comprehensive AI solutions that not only meet the demands of today’s market but also anticipate the needs of tomorrow.

With AI becoming an increasingly critical component of business strategy, Pinnacle’s expanded offering aims to support organisations in leveraging AI to drive innovation, enhance efficiency, and improve decision-making processes. The new services are tailored to assist businesses at every stage of their AI journey, from initial planning and strategy development to full-scale implementation and ongoing optimisation.

A key component of Pinnacle’s expanded AI offering is its consulting services, which provide businesses with access to a team of AI experts who bring deep industry knowledge and technical expertise. These consultants work closely with clients to understand their unique challenges and objectives, delivering customised AI strategies that align with their business goals. This personalised approach ensures that organisations can maximise the benefits of AI while minimising potential risks and disruptions.

In addition to consulting, Pinnacle is offering a suite of managed AI services, including data management, machine learning model development, and AI-powered automation solutions. These services are designed to streamline the adoption

of AI technologies, allowing businesses to focus on their core operations while Pinnacle handles the complexities of AI integration and management.

Pinnacle’s CEO, Tim Humphreys-Davies, highlighted the importance of this expansion, stating, “As AI continues to reshape industries, it’s crucial for businesses to have the right tools and guidance to harness its full potential. Our expanded AI services and consulting capabilities are designed to provide that support, helping our clients achieve their strategic objectives through intelligent, data-driven solutions.”

The expansion also reflects Pinnacle’s ongoing investment in AI research and development, ensuring that its offerings remain at the forefront of technological innovation. By combining cutting-edge AI technology with expert consulting and support, Pinnacle is well-positioned to help businesses of all sizes and sectors successfully integrate AI into their operations.

As AI adoption continues to accelerate across industries, Pinnacle’s enhanced services and consulting expertise will be instrumental in helping businesses not only keep pace with the competition but also lead the way in their respective markets. This latest development solidifies Pinnacle’s role as a trusted partner for organisations seeking to navigate the complexities of AI and unlock new opportunities for growth and success.

For more information, contact us: www.pinnacle.co.za | +27 (0) 11 265 3000

IS AI SIMPLIFYING OR COMPLICATING THE JOB APPLICATION PROCESS?

/ By Deon Van Zyl /

As artificial intelligence continues to revolutionize industries, its impact on job searching and recruitment is becoming increasingly profound. From AI-driven tools that enhance resume writing and job matching to automated systems that streamline the hiring process, both job seekers and recruiters are navigating a rapidly evolving landscape. However, this shift also presents challenges, particularly for those without the skills or resources to leverage AI, raising questions about accessibility and fairness in the modern job market.

For Job Seekers

With the rise of AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT, candidates can now craft highly polished resumes and cover letters that significantly enhance their chances of landing an interview. These tools analyse job descriptions while suggesting keywords and phrases that can help an application stand out. Ensuring that it is optimized to pass through Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS). As AI becomes more integrated into the recruitment process, job seekers who leverage these technologies gain a significant advantage over those who do not. This shift has made traditional job search skills, such as writing a resume or crafting a cover letter, less effective on its own.

For Recruiters and Companies

For recruiters and companies, AI has transformed the recruitment landscape by significantly improving efficiency as recruiters can automate many of the repetitive tasks involved in the hiring process.This technological advancement has the potential to reduce the time it takes to fill positions and improve the quality of hires. However, the efficiency brought by AI also means that recruiters are often overwhelmed by the sheer number of applications they receive. Particularly as more job seekers use AI tools to enhance their resumes and cover letters.

Impact on Job Applications and Candidate Quality

The widespread use of AI by job seekers has had a profound impact on the quality and quantity of job applications. It is reported that 57% of young job seekers are now using AI tools like ChatGPT to draft their application materials. This trend has contributed to a significant increase in the number of applications that recruiters must review. Making it more difficult for recruiters to identify the best candidates. While AI tools help job seekers tailor their applications with greater precision, optimizing keyword usage and ensuring correct formatting. AI tools also make it harder for recruiters to distinguish between genuinely qualified candidates and those who have simply optimized their applications with AI. The automation of the job application process has led to an influx of AI-generated resumes that look impressive but do not necessarily reflect the applicants authentic self.

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The traditional job search is no longer enough to sufficed. This shift has left many job seekers feeling overwhelmed and intimidated by the prospect of competing against AIoptimized applications. For these individuals, the job search can become an uphill battle. The growing reliance on AI has highlighted the need for job seekers to adapt or risk being left behind in the evolving job market. ”

“ Many online platforms offer AI-driven resume builders and cover letter generators that are easy to use and require little to no technical knowledge. These tools can guide users through the process of customizing their resume or cover letter, offering templates, keyword suggestions, and formatting tips that can help ensure that their applications pass through ATS and reach human recruiters. The accessibility of these tools is crucial in making sure that AI does not become a barrier but rather a tool that everyone can use to improve their job prospects. ”

Challenges for Job Seekers Without AI Skills

The rise of AI in the job search process has created a new digital divide. Job seekers who are familiar with AI tools and know how to use them, effectively, have a clear advantage in today’s job market. However, candidates who are less aware of these AI tools, are at a significant disadvantage. Without the ability to optimize their resumes and cover letters using AI, these job seekers risk being filtered out by ATS before their applications even reach a human recruiter.

The traditional job search is no longer enough to sufficed. This shift has left many job seekers feeling overwhelmed and intimidated by the prospect of competing against AI-optimized applications. For these individuals, the job search can become an uphill battle. The growing reliance on AI has highlighted the need for job seekers to adapt or risk being left behind in the evolving job market.

How to Use AI to Improve Job Applications

Many online platforms offer AI-driven resume builders and cover letter generators that are easy to use and require little to no technical knowledge. These tools can guide users through the process of customizing their resume or cover letter, offering templates, keyword suggestions, and formatting tips that can help ensure that their applications pass through ATS and reach human recruiters. The accessibility of

these tools is crucial in making sure that AI does not become a barrier but rather a tool that everyone can use to improve their job prospects.

In summary, AI is reshaping the job application process. Where there is a significant advantage to those who use it but at the same time a disadvantage to those who do not. For recruiters and companies, AI does improve the efficiency of the hiring process as they often receive an overwhelming volume of applications which they must review. Job seekers on the other hand can use AI tools like ChatGPT to enhance the quality of their resumes and cover letters. Overall, the widespread use of AI in job application process has raised the bar for candidate, making it essential for job seekers to adopt these tools to remain competitive. However, it could be that these AI systems are competing one another. AI utilised by recruiters or companies’ vs AI tools utilised by job seekers.

Deon is a sophisticated technical IT professional with a solid history of effectively bridging the gap between Programming, Security, Digital Forensics, Artificial Intelligence, and Teaching. His track record of over 25 years, has a footprint that spans major corporations, academic institutions, and government.

Deon van Zyl (Norway) BCom (Hons), Senior System Developer

Linkedin: deonvanzyl

BOLSTERI NG AI FOR GOOD INNOVATIO N ACROSS AFRICA

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming industries. Innovators across Africa are developing homegrown solutions to challenges in healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance. From Nairobi’s burgeoning tech hubs to Lagos’ vibrant startup scene, African nations are not only adopting AI but also shaping it to suit local needs. Yet, this rapid growth requires continued investment to ensure equity and access to the infrastructure and capacity that support continued AI innovation.

At AI for Good, we are committed to nurturing innovation across the continent. Through challenges and support for AI startups, granting cloud computing credits, supporting scholars, and working with local partners, there are numerous success stories coming out of Africa when it comes to AI for social good projects.

As the leading United Nations (UN) platform for AI that supports the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), we are organized by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) and supported by 47 UN Agencies.

Our AI for Good Innovation Factory is the UN-led pitching platform to help startups grow and scale their innovative AI-powered and SDG-driven solutions by connecting them to potential business partners, investors, governments, big IT companies, and more. For those who are seeking groundbreaking solutions from startups, it is an excellent platform to explore opportunities to meet promising ventures and collaborators. Several startups have been able to scale their solutions after winning our prize.

In 2022, OKO Finance, an innovative crop insurance company, won our Innovation Factory prize for work in Mali and Uganda. Since then, it has continued to grow and is now operating in seven countries. OKO has an impressive double impact: On the one hand, they contribute to financial inclusion, bringing insurance, access, and credit to people previously deprived of these basic services. On the other hand, they contribute to climate resilience by providing for better prediction. Watch our session “Meet the Africa-based AI Start-up Innovations” on YouTube to learn more.

This year, we are hosting another Innovation Factory for Africa organized in partnership with AI Media and open to all African-based startups.

Co-hosted by AI Media, a regional media and advisory consultancy focused on the emerging AI opportunity in Africa, this global startup pitching session aims to identify the most promising African startups using AI to solve sustainable development challenges. If you are an African startup with novel AI solutions to shape a sustainable future, don’t hesitate to apply here by 20 September

In addition to supporting startups, AI for Good has launched a new program to recognize scholars and projects making an innovative impact on SDGs.

In the recent report, Innovate for Impact, students working on issues of sustainable development were encouraged to apply with their projects to win awards and recognition. Some of the chosen projects from Africa include: “Using AI to Reduce the 6G Standards Barrier for African Contributors.” This project from Nigeria’s Federal University of Technology, Minna, is helping to bridge the digital divide with AI solutions.

In Tanzania, the government is developing an AI-powered system for enhancing transparency and accountability in public procurement and project monitoring. The Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau developed Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Large Language Models (LLMs) to analyze procurement projects with open-source data, in an attempt to limit corrupt and unethical practices.

In Libya, Leapchat AI developed an AI chatbot to support families of missing persons. It was a collaboration between an

AI chatbot platform operating a corporate social responsibility (CSR) program and Libyan non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to provide support to individuals affected by the Derna flooding crisis.

The report contains over fifty innovative use cases where AI is being used to improve lives.

Lastly, there are some great outcomes when AI for Good collaborates with local partners. For several years, AI for Good has been working with Zindi to find the best data-driven solutions through data science competitions.

Zindi hosts the largest community of African data scientists, working to solve the world’s most pressing challenges using machine learning and AI. The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) partnered with Zindi to develop solutions to important global challenges through a series of data science competitions hosted by AI for Good. In these challenges, hundreds of data scientists from around the world are building complex machine learning models to help map potential climate disasters, predict and reduce energy consumption, and address the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in innovative ways.

Here are some of the ways that these projects are making a difference:

Disaster prevention and supporting agriculture around the world

Landslide susceptibility mapping can help local authorities plan and implement sustainable development measures, reduce the risk of landslides, and ensure the safety of communities living in high-risk areas. In this challenge, creating a hazard map with AI allows governments to keep their citizens safe from disasters. See more here.

Accurate and up-to-date crop maps are essential for agriculture as well as other relevant fields, such as natural resources, environment, health, and sustainability.

Cropland extent maps are the basic products that allow for practical agricultural applications. Through this competition, Zindi and ITU are enabling a more precise and comprehensive understanding of agricultural landscapes worldwide.

Predicting air pollution for public health

Zindi and ITU have created a data science competition to use machine learning to produce air pollution susceptibility maps in Milan, Italy, which will support local government decision-making to improve the public health and resilience of the city. Zindi believes that through studying our available data and creating predictive models, the world can become a better and safer place for all.

Making networks more efficient to reduce energy consumption

In a world where energy use is responsible for three-quarters of fossil fuel consumption, there is a desperate need for ways to reduce this. Using AI, Zindi’s community of data scientists are finding new ways to reduce energy consumption in 5G networks.

Managing faults in complex telecom networks is an enormous and demanding task. Being able to predict faults in Radio Access Networks (RANs) will lead to reduced costs and improvements in network uptime. ITU and Zindi believe that a platform like Zindi benefits both the organizations providing the data and the participants of the challenge, who develop real skills by working on real problems.

Through these ITU AI/ML Challenges, select winners from the 2023 problem statements were invited to participate in the 2024 AI for Good Global Summit. These individuals had the opportunity to present their solutions during the summit’s workshops, sharing their insights and experiences with a global audience.

“The ITU AI/ML Challenges provide an invaluable platform for ML scientists to hone

their skills and address real-world problems at the cutting edge of technological advancement. My participation exposed me to a broad range of international challenges, fostering a deeper understanding and expertise on the critical applications of AI/ML in various fields, including 5G/ Networking. The series have made me more fit for both the industry and academia than ever before. Therefore, if anything, the ITU AI/ML challenges should keep expanding and collect more problem statements to expose the community further,” said Ndabuye Gideon, one of the participants.

Her testimonial underscores the significant role the AI for Good ITU AI/ML Challenges play in advancing participants’ careers and contributions to the field of AI and Machine Learning.

In addition to our work with Zindi, AI for Good is partnering with Seeed Studio for local programs at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST) to support AI innovators. A “Summer School Workshop on TinyML” brought around 50 students to help develop capacity that could enable local solutions in low-cost settings throughout the month of August.

TinyML is a technology that allows machine learning models to run on lowcost, low-power microcontrollers. TinyML’s extremely low bandwidth and energy requirements make it uniquely suited for regions with limited access to reliable energy and computing infrastructure.

This technology plays a significant role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and enabling new applications in fields such as healthcare, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and conservation.

TinyML has attracted significant interest from researchers, developers, and industries for its potential to enable innovative applications in healthcare, agriculture, transportation, conservation, smart homes, and more. Though currently restricted in reach, TinyML intersects topics across computer science and engineering curricula, making it an impactful educational tool.

This hands-on workshop focused on TinyML applications relevant to Malawian students and researchers, providing training on commercially available hardware optimized for embedded ML deployment. By making TinyML more accessible, this workshop empowers researchers to develop localized solutions that benefit their communities.

It is estimated that digital technologies directly benefit 70 percent of SDG targets, and these collaborations are showing how advanced technologies like AI can come from anywhere in the world to solve these global challenges.

Through these ongoing collaborations, AI for Good is helping to support everyone who wants to be a part of the solution. To learn more about AI for Good and to get involved in ongoing projects in Africa, join us!

AI: THE TOP TREND SHAPING DATA ANALYTICS IN 2024

Data scientists will have to learn to ask the right questions of AI technology, keeping ahead of the latest approaches and strategies.

While LLMs like ChatGPT may not have been widely adopted in South African data science yet, the technology is already causing ripples, as organisations and their data science teams review its potential and use cases. There will undoubtedly be disruptions ahead, and the way we work will change drastically. Data scientists will have to learn to master the tools and ask the right questions of the technology, keeping ahead of new approaches and strategies.

While LLM technology is remarkable, it’s not yet good at everything. It is prone to hallucinations and doesn’t excel at coding complex systems with many integrations. For high-risk decision-making and sensitive engagements with customers, it cannot be allowed to operate unsupervised.

This may mean organisations will have to build machine learning models to ‘supervise’ certain responses from LLMs. And before they even consider these moves, they will have to ensure their data will support the LLM and machine learning (ML) tools they deploy.

AI-powered analytics will most definitely become popular in the years to come. Code-assist AI tools will make it quicker to construct and execute queries to retrieve the relevant information from structured data. This also means data skills will be democratised by giving non-experts convenient access to processed data by means of natural language querying.

Adoption of GenAI LLMs could allow a business to conveniently access, process and interpret structured and unstructured data. For example, an employee can ask such a system a question where an LLM can construct and execute a database query to retrieve quantitative information and combine this with meeting notes to conclude how certain actions correlate with KPIs.

In another example, the business could use an LLM to query quantitative sales information in a table and combine it with qualitative information such as notes from all sales meetings, to map how the weekly

sales change as new sales strategies are implemented. It can be used to combine quantitative and qualitative information in a user-friendly way that was almost impossible to do in the past.

This is a new paradigm in terms of analytics which can provide immense value – although there are many complexities that businesses will still need to figure out.

Use cases

AI/ML can be used in a variety of different contexts. One of these is automating tasks which are traditionally meant for humans and could not be automated using a traditional software approach.

Automating these human tasks using AI can be done in various business functions, but the technology function often gets automated first. While other industries are concerned their role might be automated by AI developers, developers themselves have an attitude of “we will willingly automate our own roles”.

Tech professionals are generally the people most familiar with new technologies and can easily identify opportunities to increase their productivity and effectiveness.

This is evident when using AI-code assist tools and even ChatGPT where there is a clear emphasis on supplying answers with wellformatted code-snippets and correct syntax.

GenAI tools can also be used for data labelling without being explicitly trained to perform this exact labelling task. This is a task which has been traditionally done by humans, requiring a vast amount of effort and time.

Data labelling allows businesses to extract more meaningful information from their data, which can then be used to make optimal decisions. Automating this process will mean data labelling becomes much more cost-effective and efficient.

Levelling the playing field Research in machine learning has, for a long time, focused on improving algorithms.

Artificial intelligence (AI) – and specifically large language models (LLMs), or generative AI (GenAI) – are the next big disruptors in the world of data science.

Some notable researchers, such as Andrew Ng, have advocated for a more ‘data-centric’ approach to machine learning and provided convincing arguments around why better data equals better models.

This means that, instead of focusing on improved algorithms, we should focus on improved data (which can then be used to train these various algorithms).

The downside of this is that companies that are larger, more established and have collected better data have an asymmetric competitive advantage over smaller companies with lower-quality data.

However, with the use of GenAI and data labelling, the available data can be enriched, which means machine learning algorithms can benefit greatly from this additional information.

This levels the field for newer and smaller companies and means the accuracy of ML models now also depends on ‘asking good questions’, labelling data and training models using this approach. This works by leveraging the extraction of information in a desired format which is ‘contained in’ pretrained LLMs.

As more text data is generated, companies will leverage various natural language processing techniques across their businesses. As technology improves, natural language processing techniques are becoming easier to implement and more effective at certain tasks.

Technologies such as chatbots, sentiment analysis and vector databases are simplifying the process of leveraging text data in business processes. Chatbots on company websites are proliferating, and I anticipate this trend to continue and improve as the underlying technology develops.

Data

Reporting

Data

Unleashing the power of Generative AI: A new era for business

Imagine a world where data doesn’t just inform decisions but drives innovation, where insights are not just extracted but created, and where the barriers of traditional analytics are shattered. This is not a distant future; it’s the reality that Generative AI is bringing to businesses today. As Generative AI continues to evolve, its implications stretch far beyond the familiar realms of chatbots and virtual assistants. It is set to fundamentally change how companies, particularly in industries like finance, retail, and insurance, approach data, analytics, and machine learning.

GENERATIVE AI: MORE THAN JUST CHATBOTS

Generative AI is so much more than just chatbots. It represents a seismic shift in how businesses operate, particularly in data analytics. At its core, Generative AI leverages large language models that are informed by an expansive “world model.” This means that these AI systems can perform tasks traditionally reserved for machine learning but with significantly reduced dependency on training data. The result? Generative AI is not just about doing more; it’s about doing it faster, smarter, and at a lower cost.

TRANSFORMING BUSINESS WITH GENERATIVE AI

The impact of Generative AI extends across multiple facets of business operations. For instance, data quality management is being revolutionised by Generative AI models. These

models can identify and rectify data quality issues in real-time, enhancing the accuracy and reliability of data. The world model’s vast knowledge base allows these AI systems to correct inconsistencies and fill gaps autonomously, making data a more powerful asset for decisionmaking.

In data engineering, the traditionally laborintensive process of data enrichment is being streamlined by Generative AI. Instead of requiring significant manual effort to integrate various data sources, Generative AI can automatically add contextually relevant information from its world model to existing datasets. This automated enrichment enhances the depth and breadth of insights, enabling businesses to make more informed decisions.

Moreover, while machine learning has been a cornerstone of data-driven innovation, Generative AI is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible. With its ability to leverage world model knowledge,

Generative AI can tackle both new and traditional machine learning tasks with far less need for training data. This not only accelerates the development process but also reduces costs, making advanced analytics more accessible to a broader range of businesses.

Generative AI isn’t just an evolution; it’s a revolution. It unlocks hundreds of thousands of new use cases, many of which were previously out of reach due to data constraints or resource limitations. The key advantage here is the significant reduction in the need for training data, leading to enormous cost savings and faster timeto-market for AI-driven solutions.

MATOGEN APPLIED INSIGHTS AND ALTAIR: LEADING THE CHARGE

Jacobus Eksteen, CEO and co-founder of Matogen Applied Insights, summarises this transformative shift perfectly:

“Generative AI isn’t just an evolution; it’s a revolution in how we understand and utilise data. By harnessing its power, we can transcend the limitations of traditional machine learning and offer our clients unprecedented capabilities.”

At the heart of this transformation is Matogen’s strategic partnership with Altair, a global leader in computational science and AI. Together, they are breaking new ground in how businesses can harness the power of Generative AI. Altair’s tools, like RapidMiner and Altair SLC™, empower users to

effortlessly build, refine, and deploy AI models. This partnership is about more than just tools; it’s about making sophisticated AI accessible and actionable for businesses of all sizes, enabling them to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive market.

Altair’s recent recognition as a Leader in the 2024 Gartner Magic Quadrant for Data Science and Machine Learning Platforms underscores the impact of this collaboration. The partnership between Matogen Applied Insights and Altair is not just a meeting of minds; it’s a bold step into the future of AI-driven business.

Ariel Hadar, Managing Director for Altair South Africa and Israel, captures the essence of this collaboration:

“Our collaboration with Matogen Applied Insights is not just a partnership; it’s a shared vision of empowering businesses to harness the full potential of their data, driving innovation and growth.”

THE ROAD AHEAD

The fusion of Generative AI with Altair’s cuttingedge platform is set to revolutionise the landscape of data science, particularly for industries like credit, retail, and insurance. As Generative AI continues to evolve, it will redefine not just how businesses handle data but how they understand, interpret, and act on it. The future is no longer about simply having data; it’s about leveraging it in ways that propel businesses toward success. Now is the time to embrace this change. Partner with Matogen Applied Insights and Altair, and lead your industry into the next generation of AI-driven innovation.

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MIND OVER METRICS: REVOLUTIONISING LEADERSHIP WITH BEHAVIOURAL AI -

the untapped 40% of Performance

/ By Tyler Donaldson, Lead Data Scientist, OLSPS /

You read that correctly. Over 15 years of embedded development in the banking industry, the Propel™ process has shown that mindsets and behaviours explain between 3350% of the difference between high and low performing employees.

Not a surprising finding for anyone with experience in leadership or line management. After all, managing mindsets and behaviours is what leadership is all about. A good leader can do this instinctively, but how well? Can they effectively do it at scale?

What if there was a way to mathematically measure mindsets and behaviours, and their influence on bottom-line performance and KPIs?

This is the question that a team of ex-McKinsey partners, industrial psychologists, and awardwinning data scientists set out to answer 15 years ago. And an answer they found.

The fundamental problem with the traditional approach to industrial psychometrics, still broadly used today, comes down to ‘applicability’. Yes, the personality-type style tests we have all done at some point are based on reasonably solid, rather interesting, academia. The question is, how do they relate to your work environment, vision, and performance? Does your personality sit well in the role and company you work in? What should you be doing to self-improve, exactly? How do your managers and leaders know, at scale, what mindsets to instill or behaviours to nurture? It is all very well having a personality profile, but what then?

“ What if there was a way to mathematically measure mindsets and behaviours, and their influence on bottom-line performance and KPIs? This is the question that a team of exMcKinsey partners, industrial psychologists, and awardwinning data scientists set out to answer 15 years ago. And an answer they found. ”

“What gets measured gets managed” –

Peter Drucker

As you may have inferred by now, the Propel process is a novel way to mathematically measure mindsets and behaviours, and then link them to bottom-line performance and KPIs. But how is it better than the ye olde approach using the personality-type style tests we are familiar with?

For a start, the process is situationally aware. Rather than applying a general theoretical framework, it actively measures the ‘emergent behavioural framework’ actually present in a company. An environment-specific framework, informed by industrial psychology and 15 years of analytics. Why is that important? Well, a mindset that is a strength in one company or team may be a weakness in another. There are many mindsets and behaviours whose outcomes are environment dependent or driven. “He had a great CV and fantastic references; I just can’t understand why he is struggling now working with us”.

Secondly, it empowers leaders and line managers to manage performance inputs, rather than outcomes, using hard data. Reactionary management can and does work when done well, but using data to affect the outcomes upfront is of course better. Managing proactively also fosters trust and positive sentiment in those you manage, rather than being overly focused on solving negative outcomes.

Thirdly, it offers a data-driven way to better interact with employees. Learning how to effectively, and positively, interact with an individual to achieve optimal performance can take time that is often not possible at scale. Having situationally aware, performance informed mindset and behavioural insights to reference offers a significant head start.

Lastly, and perhaps most significantly, it links the situationally aware behavioural framework to hard (and soft) performance metrics. This allows everything from individual growth and team management, to recruitment, to be driven by data in a targeted and informed way. The spin-off to that is agreement, trust, and alignment. The Propel process, run multiple times to measure progress, has shown 5-15% annual performance uplift, and recruits that outperform by 100%.

In other words, the revolution of a mathematically backed, situationally aware, framework has unlocked the ability to tap into an area of management, personal growth, and leadership that is otherwise soft and under-managed.

“Culture eats strategy for breakfast” – Peter Drucker What is culture though? Culture is the overlap and interaction of mindsets and behaviours of a collection of individuals within an organised group. Culture can be nurtured, driven, carved,

“ So, while culture may eat strategy for breakfast; why not make culture a data-driven strategy? ”

and manipulated, but it is foremost, and fundamentally, ‘inherent’.

The question, then, is “what is the ‘current’ culture” within a team or organisation? How do we get from that to the desired culture that aligns with company values?

While the second question can only really be answered by experienced leaders and effective strategy, being able to confidently answer the first question provides a pivotal starting point. It may seem obvious what the culture is in a smaller team or company, but what about at scale? What about confirmation bias and change?

An interesting outcome of the Propel project is that the situationally aware, measured behavioural framework answers question one using hard data. At a leadership level, understanding the prominent behavioural-mindset types, and in what ways they best perform in your company, is an invaluable tool. Particularly for large organisations, where having an intuitive feel for it is near impossible.

So, while culture may eat strategy for breakfast; why not make culture a datadriven strategy?

Deeper into AI – an unstoppable force

The Propel process, developed directly in industry for over 15 years, has its roots in predictive analytics and machine learning. But it is far from outdated. New advances in generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) are pushing the envelope even further by capturing huge amounts of crossdisciplinary knowledge to back up predictive Propel insights and create a conversational interface to foster every day, simple usage of the insights. This is perhaps the most exciting development yet – in a world where we are drowning in data and insights, the biggest challenge is to effectively use it and cut through the noise. While the Propel process is supervised by trained consultants capable of delivering proven action on those insights, the advent of Propel AI is scaling that out in a highly accessible way.

Just the beginning

The Propel team is as excited about the AI future and what it brings as it is passionate about continually pushing the years of novel, and fascinating, behavioural analytics. The future of behavioural AI is bright, and is on course to revolutionise leadership and management.

PREPARING DATA CENTERS FOR AN AIDRIVEN WORLD

Today’s compute-intensive workloads require purpose-built, future-proof systems

As artificial intelligence revolutionizes the business world—allowing companies to analyze and extract insight from data at lightning speed—it’s also transforming the data center. No longer can companies simply add another rack of multipurpose servers. They must equip their centers in a whole new way.

Moreover, AI workloads are more computationally intensive than traditional ones, meaning that gaining immense computing power while increasing efficiency has become more critical. Those needs will only grow as AI use soars in coming years and workloads become more complex. According to Grand View Research, the global AI market size is expected to increase at a 37.3% compound annual growth rate between 2023 and 2030.

Building an ‘AI Factory’

Given the multifaceted nature of running AI, companies increasingly must view their data centers as “AI factories,” says Alok Srivastava, senior solutions manager at Supermicro, a leading NVIDIA partner and provider of AI-capable, high-performance servers, management software, and storage systems. The term “AI factory” was coined by NVIDIA founder and CEO Jensen Huang. It refers to a cohesive system explicitly designed to run AI workloads—or even a single AI application, such as generating human-like responses with a chatbot — with optimum efficiency.

“We traditionally think of factories as where manufacturing and mass production happens,” Srivastava says. “In an AI factory, you’re manufacturing intelligence: Raw data goes in, intelligence comes out.”

These systems blend the hardware components needed to run AI applications with the necessary software components, such as machine-learning frameworks, dataprocessing libraries, and scalable storage solutions. The value of this approach is that you’re creating an optimized system that can provide maximum performance for the tasks at hand, whether training generative AI models, deploying real-time inference at the edge, or accelerating high-performance computing applications.

“You gain efficiency and performance when you create a system around one workload instead of trying to serve multiple workloads simultaneously,” Srivastava says.

As companies create an AI factory, they must prioritize scalability—given that data volumes are only expected to grow exponentially—and flexibility to adapt to changing AI demands, he adds. This futureproofing can reduce long-term costs while allowing companies to stay ahead of the rapidly evolving AI curve.

Staying Adaptable

Supermicro creates built-to-order AI systems by taking a building-block approach. It allows customers to tailor systems for their exact AI workloads, optimizing for factors like GPU density, energy efficiency, and I/O throughput. Those customized systems include the specific hardware components and the software and applications needed to run that particular workload.

“The beauty of Supermicro is that we can provide the most advanced AI infrastructure building blocks available from NVIDIA for these modern workloads,” Srivastava says. “The entire system is plug-and-play, meaning once you receive the system, it’s ready to run your applications.”

The building-block approach is also key to future-proofing because systems can be

upgraded and reconfigured as new and better components become available or AI needs change. When a supplier introduces a nextgeneration GPU with better performance and more power, Supermicro’s existing systems can be easily upgraded with that GPU. “This is a unique aspect of our systems, that with minimal changes, you can be ready for the next generation of accelerators,” Srivastava says.

Moreover, the company provides its customers with customized service and expertise, helping them configure their systems to optimize performance and efficiency.

One large enterprise customer asked Supermicro if they could help solve a problem: It had fans running to cool the system, but one of the fans was providing more cooling than needed—wasting energy. Supermicro helped reconfigure the system into two separate cooling zones, reducing energy use in the part of the system that needed less cooling.

“We ended up saving that customer a lot of energy, and we learned things from the process we’re now applying to our next generation of systems,” Srivastava says.

Supermicro’s modular and customized approach ultimately means customers benefit from a flexible AI architecture that enables seamless scalability—allowing them to quickly ramp up their capacity and compute power as their AI needs evolve and expand. The systems are also optimized to run the applications customers use to get the most out of their AI.

“This flexibility and scalability allows our customers to get the most out of their AI workloads today while being able to expand and grow fast in the future,” he adds.

“ We ended up saving that customer a lot of energy, and we learned things from the process we’re now applying to our next generation of systems ”

UNLOCKING THE FUTURE: AI AND CLOUD SOLUTIONS FOR SOUTH AFRICA’S SMBS

Discover

how Tarsus

On Demand and AWS are revolutionising AI and cloud solutions for South Africa’s SMBs.

In technology, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and cloud solutions are not just buzzwords – they are transformative forces reshaping industries and driving innovation.

F or businesses eager to harness these powers, the journey can seem daunting. This is where Tarsus On Demand (TOD) steps in, offering a guiding hand through the AWS Partner Onboarding program and building the cloud ecosystem that South Africa’s small and medium businesses (SMBs) need.

A Partnership Built on Expertise

Imagine a world where your business operations are streamlined, customer interactions are personalised, and decisionmaking is data-driven. This is the promise of AI, and Tarsus On Demand (TOD) is here to make it a reality. With years of experience in cloud solutions, TOD has become a beacon of expertise, helping businesses navigate the complexities of AI integration.

“Our mission at Tarsus On Demand is to empower businesses with innovative

solutions that drive efficiency and growth. Partnering with AWS allows us to deliver unparalleled value to our clients, helping them stay ahead in a competitive market,” says Chantelle Trollip AWS Program Manager at Tarsus On Demand.

Building the Cloud Ecosystem

South Africa’s SMBs Need

South Africa’s SMBs have a critical role to play in the economic future, employing between 50% and 60% of the country’s workforce and acting as the engine of job growth. However, to compete in the digital economy, they need the right kind of help.

“SMBs have to equip themselves to compete in a marketplace that is increasingly digital and highly fluid. They need to digitalise, which means not only using technology smarter but also adapting their business models to take advantage of new opportunities,” says Chantelle.

The AWS Launch: A Gateway to Collaboration

Tarsus On Demand recently launched its partnership with AWS to the public, hosting events in Johannesburg and Cape Town. These events were more than just gatherings—they were a convergence of minds, ideas, and opportunities. TOD’s team of experts shared insights and explored collaboration possibilities, making it a prime opportunity for AI enthusiasts, potential AWS partners, and businesses looking to innovate.

This strategic collaboration between TOD and AWS aims to provide enhanced cloud services and support for independent software vendors (ISVs) and managed service providers (MSPs) across subSaharan Africa. The partnership is set to transform the cloud services landscape by leveraging the strengths of both TOD and AWS, empowering TOD’s partners with comprehensive multi-cloud strategies and advanced technical support, driving business growth and innovation.

Join Us on This Journey

Partnering with Tarsus On Demand through the AWS Partner Onboarding program is more than just a business decision—it’s a strategic move towards innovation and growth. We invite you to join us at the AI Summit, where you can learn more about our offerings, engage with our experts, and explore how we can work together to unlock the full potential of AI and cloud solutions.

In a world where technology is constantly evolving, staying ahead means embracing change and seizing opportunities. With Tarsus On Demand and AWS by your side, the future of AI and cloud solutions is within your grasp. Together, we can unlock untapped AI and cloud opportunities.

Partner with Africa's leading data science platform to access the power of 72 000+ data scientists for your business.

Through our partnership program, organisations can tap into this pool of talent, access machine learning and AI solutions, and stay at the forefront of innovation.

Our quick turnaround means you keep improving with the smartest minds in data science on your team.

GET IN TOUCH

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+44 7 522 120077

CREATE EXTRA CONTACT CENTRE CAPACITY WITH AI-POWERED BOTS

/ By Chris Szala, VP Sales, Verint South Africa /

An incredible aspect of modern technology is the helping hand it gives to humans. In most cases, technology makes our lives easier by taking care of tasks that we could be doing but would prefer to concentrate our efforts elsewhere.

Much like a GPS helps us navigate so we can focus on driving, AI (artificial intelligence) powered solutions can support teams across a contact centre, and beyond, to elevate CX while also increasing operational efficiency. The most effective AI solutions each carry out specific tasks that, in turn, increase your workforce’s capacity. While the most obvious use cases mainly involve helping your contact centre agents, AI capabilities can also transform the workloads of supervisors and data analysts –saving countless hours across your company. Read on to see where you can leverage AI to create extra capacity across the workforce.

How AI Can Create Extra Agent Capacity

Automation and Autonomy: No Need for Human Input

IVAs (Intelligent Virtual Assistants) are perhaps the best-known example of AI’s ability to take the strain from contact centre teams. In effect, IVAs act as the gatekeeper for interactions, resolving the majority of customer queries.

A well-built IVA gives customers the ability to self-serve, and ideally contains the conversation without escalation to a human agent. This can significantly reduce the volume of conversations an agent is required to handle, giving them greater capacity to handle more complex cases.

After-Call Housekeeping

Manually writing call summaries can take up to 90 seconds out of an agent’s day per call, and you’re relying on their memory of an often complex conversation for an accurate, unbiased record. Why put that pressure on your workforce when higher precision options are available?

With accurate AI-driven transcription working in tandem with generative AI, a short and precise summary can be swiftly created, virtually eliminating after-call work. Automating this task translates into companies saving millions of dollars every year, simply by giving agents an extra 60-90 seconds back at the end of every customer call.

How AI Can Create Extra Supervisor Capacity

Efficient Staffing

Contact centre supervisors undertake a delicate balancing act; don’t overstaff when it’s quiet, but make sure enough agents are working to keep wait times down. Also, ensure a good work/life balance is possible, among all other responsibilities.

Forecasting solutions use AI to accurately predict volume and customer demand, which means that without being data specialists, contact centre managers can confidently set shift patterns that meet demand and reduce staffing costs.

A Flexible Workforce

The question of enabling a good work/ life balance has become more prominent since the rise of remote working. Agents are not always tied to an office, so more flexible working conditions are possible, and expected.

AI’s ability to forecast customer volume means contact centre staffing needs can also be predicted. Technology that enables agents to adjust their shifts while also imposing limits that prevent a drop in service levels is ideal for both staff and supervisors. On the one hand, agents can adjust their work to fit around their lives, and on the

other, management has more capacity to concentrate on other, more important aspects of their job. This works to minimize the chance of a staffing emergency through increased attrition or absentees, which drastically reduces staffing-related costs.

How AI Can Create Extra Supervisor Capacity

Precise Transcription

The accuracy of your engagement data dictates the quality of your insights. AI-powered transcription creates highly accurate engagement data and that data helps CX leaders to build data-driven strategies. When combined with interaction data, transcription provides analysts with access to an ever-increasing source of customer behavioral insights.

By analyzing these precise transcripts, analysts can more easily understand customer interactions by channel and any challenges they encounter. They can also determine how effectively bots and agents are resolving customer issues. These insights enable companies to build more successful CX strategies, helping to increase customer satisfaction, loyalty, and, ultimately, revenue.

Extra Capacity Means Better AI Outcomes

Leveraging AI-powered bots across voice, digital and social channels is the key to creating extra capacity for your workforce. While AI working on the frontline of customer engagement via IVAs is the most direct way to elevate CX and improve operational efficiency, there are plenty of other use cases which are just as effective. Whether your AIpowered solutions are helping with contact centre scheduling or unearthing insights that contribute to data-driven strategies, each creates an environment that continually optimizes your teams’ output.

It’s Time for CX Automation

At Verint, openness is not a feature, it’s a strategy. This gives you the freedom to choose the right path for your contact centre now and in the future so you can elevate customer experience and evolve into best-in-class operations.

Open CCaaS delivers unmatched freedom and flexibility to drive CX automation. Leverage data, AI and bots to elevate your CX and lower cost.

Verint understands your CX Automation priorities extend far beyond telephony. With our next-gen Open CCaaS platform, you have open data, open AI, open best-of-breed solutions, open ecosystems, and an open enterprise. Everything is open.

CAN AI DEFEAT INVOI CE FRAUD IN SOUTH AFRICA?

South Africa’s business landscape is becoming increasingly challenging, plagued by currency volatility, payment delays, pervasive corruption, and an escalating risk of invoice fraud. With no signs of these issues slowing down, the question arises: how can businesses defend against these escalating threats? What are the most effective strategies for safeguarding against fraud? And how can advanced technology like Artificial Intelligence (AI) be harnessed in this fight?

The Growing Threat of Invoice Fraud

While your business may not control currency fluctuations or corruption, you can actively address payment delays and invoice fraud. The Accounts Payable (AP) department, which manages an organization’s cash flow via the invoice workflow and protects sensitive data, plays an obviously critical role in your financial operations. However, this essential role makes them a prime target for cyberattacks.

In fact, invoice fraud has rapidly evolved from a potential risk to a daily threat for South African businesses of all sizes and industries. The frequency and severity of these cyber-attacks are becoming more sophisticated, with criminals increasingly impersonating legitimate suppliers to divert payments into fraudulent accounts or manipulate people into disclosing confidential information. This alarming trend is so great that it has prompted institutions like the World Bank to issue global warnings, underscoring the urgent need for business to fortify their defenses.

The Combative Power of AI

In response to these escalating risks, AI is emerging as an indispensable tool and vital ally. This advanced technology enables realtime detection of anomalies by analyzing vast amounts of transaction data to spot

suspicious patterns. AI also automates verification processes, significantly reducing the chance of human error – all within minutes.

However, AI doesn’t stop there. Beyond detection, it plays a proactive role, anticipating potential threats and providing a strong, adaptive defense against fraud attempts.

Yooz: Your Ultimate Weapon Against Fraud

Yooz identified the potential of AI early on, seamlessly integrating it with cutting-edge technology to develop a comprehensive accounts payable automation solution. The goal? To safeguard your company’s financial health and reputation from the very start of the invoice process.

By leveraging advanced AI, Yooz delivers a comprehensive suite of features that are designed to safeguard your operations against fraud. This includes real-time anomaly detection, automated verification processes, secure document approvals, and more. All to anticipate potential threats, reinforce your defenses, and ensure strong data protection.

To stay ahead in the ongoing battle against fraud and elevate your financial operations, visit our website and request a personalized demo today!

https://interfacesystems.co.za/ solutions/yooz/ or email:

info@Interfacesystems.co.za

For an in-depth exploration of these topics, attend our workshop titled “Enhancing Financial Security: Exploring YoozProtect+” at AI Expo Africa and come and meet us at stand S16 –October 30/31/2024

Sandton Convention Centre, JHB, South Africa

AU AI STRATEGY

/ Read original article here /

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is more than a technological leap; it’s a transformative force reshaping our world. With far-reaching impacts across economics, society, and geopolitics, AI is driving revolutionary changes in healthcare, agriculture, finance, and education.

For Africa, AI is a strategic asset pivotal to achieving the aspirations of Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It promises to ignite new industries, fuel innovation, and create high-value jobs while preserving and advancing African culture and integration.

In a landmark decision, the African Union Executive Council endorsed the Continental AI Strategy during its 45th Ordinary Session in Accra, Ghana, on July 18-19, 2024. This strategy underscores Africa’s commitment to an Africa-centric, development-focused approach to AI, promoting ethical, responsible, and equitable practices.

The Continental AI Strategy calls for unified national approaches among AU Member States to navigate the complexities of AI-driven change, aiming to strengthen regional and global cooperation and position Africa as a leader in inclusive and responsible AI development.

Access the Strategy: [English] [French] [Arabic] [Portuguese]

Related Resources:

African Union Digital Transformation Strategy

African Child Online Safety and Empowerment Policy

African Union Data Policy Framework

African Digital Compact

CONTINENTAL ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE STRATEGY

Harnessing AI for Africa’s Development and Prosperity

AGENTIC AI: THE NEXT FRONTIER IN BUSINESS AUTOMATION

/ By Gregory Williams, RVP South Africa /

Imagine your business processes not only running themselves but actively learning, adapting, and improving without constant human intervention. This is not science fiction – it is the promise of agentic AI, and it is closer than you might think.

While agentic AI is an emerging technology, it will be propelled by the foundations of robotic process automation (RPA) and AI.

Defining agentic AI

Agentic AI is the next step in the evolution of RPA, automation, and AI. It can be defined as AI systems capable of controlling and managing the flow of business processes with increasing levels of independence and intelligence.

Excitement about the potential of AI in the enterprise remains high. The problem is that there is a gap between the promise of AI and the reality of business outcomes being achieved through AI today. Aiming to bridge this gap, enterprises are seeking the operating model of the future to truly create a new way of working.

AI uses the basic building blocks of automation. With RPA, people create and maintain automations supported by an automation platform. As the evolution of human and AI collaboration evolves across business processes, Agentic AI will be capable of assuming higher levels of intelligence.

This new way of working goes beyond traditional automation, where humans create and maintain automations; it leverages AI agents that can learn, adapt, and even make decisions within certain limits.

Integrating RPA and agentic AI, also known as agentic process automation (APA), presents a future where automation encompasses both routine operational efficiencies and advanced cognitive functions, giving organizations the tools to transform both their workflows and decision-making processes. This approach not only increases the scope of automation but also enhances the ability of businesses to respond to complex and changing environments with greater agility.

The building blocks of agentic AI Agentic AI does not emerge in isolation but complements and builds upon the foundation of RPA and other AI technologies that businesses may already be using. Companies’ current investments in automation are safe and will still be important parts of this new era of AI-driven processes.

For regular operations, expensive AI implementations may not be necessary. Enterprises will not need costly large language models (LLMs) to support lowervalue task automation. This approach ensures that businesses can costeffectively grow their AI capabilities.

Who can benefit from agentic AI?

Every industry can benefit, from financial services and healthcare as well as manufacturing and retail. In Africa, where businesses increasingly are using cuttingedge technology platforms to solve problems and be more competitive, agentic AI will be a substantial leap forward. From automating mundane tasks to navigating ambiguity and uncertainty, the synergy

between RPA and Agentic AI has the ability to revolutionize the way businesses operate.

Small and medium businesses (SMEs) can also greatly benefit from agentic AI as well, by automating complex processes across various business units as is taking place within enterprises.

Implementing agentic AI in African businesses

For African companies looking to embrace agentic AI, here are some key considerations:

Start with a clear plan: Look at your current processes and find areas where agentic AI could make the most difference.

Build on existing automation: If you are already using RPA or other automation tools, you are in a great position to use agentic AI.

Focus on data quality: Ensure your data infrastructure is robust and your data is clean and well-organized.

invest in skills development: Invest in training your workforce to work alongside and manage AI systems.

Start small and scale: Begin with pilot projects in non-critical areas of your business.

What businesses should know

Agentic AI is exciting, but it is important to know what it can and cannot do.

it is an evolution, not a revolution: Agentic AI builds on existing technologies. It is not about replacing current systems but improving them.

Human oversight remains crucial: Human judgment and oversight remain essential, especially for critical decisions.

Ethical considerations are important: Businesses must be careful about how AI decisions affect their

...continues on page 53

GEN AI: EASING THE BURDEN OF CONSUMER DECISIONMAKING

/ By Junaid Kleinschmidt and Lutendo Munzhedzi – Accenture /

The South African retail landscape is contending with a range of challenges, such as high unemployment, severe inflation, “shrinkflation”, and the lingering effects of Covid-19. These pressures have transformed consumer expectations and added layers of complexity to their shopping decisions. Retailers must now make faster and more efficient decisions to meet these evolving demands. With advanced technology at our disposal, how can Gen AI ease the decision-making process for consumers?

The Impact on South African Consumers

The unemployment rate in South Africa has reached concerning levels, standing at approximately 33%, reported by Stats SA as of Q1 2024. This widespread unemployment has led to reduced financial freedom for many households, resulting in diminished disposable income. Additionally, inflation has eroded consumers' spending power. Consumer spending in South Africa is said to have declined from the fourth quarter of 2023 to the first quarter of 2024, as an effect of significant constraints on disposable income and overall household finances.

An added issue is “Shrinkflation” - the practice of manufacturers, and therefore retailers, reducing the mass / weight of products, but maintaining the same or a higher price point. This forces consumers to pay increasing prices for diminishing returns. According to the annual Accenture Life Trends Report, the tightening cost of living has resulted in the consumer’s heightened

attention to value, resulting in lower susceptibility to settle for less.

COVID-19 has had a profound impact on trading activity and the overall financial wellbeing of consumers affecting how and what they buy. The pandemic has fundamentally reshaped consumer engagement, whilst also driving a hybrid shopping model where South Africans research products online, but still explore and purchase in-store, emphasising the need for tools that shape the customers experience from an omni-channel perspective. This calls for strategy adaptations to accommodate for changing consumer needs

The overwhelming decision-making task of what to buy, when to buy it, and where to buy it are being dealt with by consumers as they seek to accommodate their needs with limited resources. Rising prices have forced many to consider alternative options to the products they were previously accustomed to, seeking the right balance between quality and cost. South African consumers now

prioritise value for money, requiring them to evaluate product information to determine if these alternatives still meet their needs. The hybrid nature of modern shopping introduces more layers, as they must now navigate multiple channels - both online and in-storethroughout their shopping journey. The sheer volume of choices can make shopping an exhausting task, rather than an enjoyable one.

How Gen AI can Transform the Shopping Experience

A recent Accenture study has reflected that 75% of retail executives view Gen AI as core to their business revenue growth. As South Africans pay higher attention to value, decision-making across a range of products with added cost-consciousness places a heavy burden on the consumer, solidifying the need for more effective tools and strategies that can simplify and optimise this process for consumers. According to the Accenture Life Trends Report, there is a large opportunity space to drive targeted customer interaction, engagement, and personalisation. With South Africa’s diverse demographic, the challenges faced require dedicated capabilities to address these issues, and Gen AI can provide a huge competitive advantage. Accenture reports that 72% of retailers are planning to leverage Gen AI for operation reinvention - and capitalising on these opportunities can offer great rewards for both consumers and retailers, as seen in the following examples:

1. Personalised Shopping Assistance & Tailored Product Baskets

Gen AI can be used to augment existing capabilities and enhance the value-add for both the consumer and retailer, examples of this include conversational AI capabilities such as chatbots and virtual shopping assistants for advice and recommendations. With Gen AI’s power of creation through prompts, this can generate customised product baskets based on consumer preferences and budget constraints. This is crucial for shoppers seeking smaller yet value-packed baskets that do not deviate too much from what they would typically buy, assisting consumers with limited budget constraints on decision-making for product selection.

When it comes to personalised shopping assistance and tailored product baskets, Walmart is a great example of this, having integrated Gen AI into their search function, customers are now able to input a prompt and receive tailored responses, including the ability to offer recommendations on an optimal basket of goods based on needs and constraints.

2. Automated Product Descriptions

The development of Gen AI tools that can create product descriptions, offers

...continues on page 50

A NEW GENERATION OF AFRICAN TALENT BRINGS CUTTING-EDGE AI TO SCIENTIFIC CHALLENGES

/ Read original article here /

Food security, healthcare and exploring the cosmos are among the ways students of a new panAfrican Master’s program aspire to apply AI

At Google DeepMind, we’re committed to supporting the next generation of artificial intelligence (AI) leaders to help build a stronger, more diverse and inclusive global AI community. This includes increasing access to AI and science through education.

Last year, we partnered with the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), Africa’s first network of centers of excellence in mathematical sciences, to launch an AI

for Science Master’s program, with a $4.5M grant from Google DeepMind.

This funding helps AIMS provide full scholarships, equipment and compute to talented local students, giving them access to advanced studies in mathematics, AI and machine learning from world-class academics at AIMS South Africa. Students have the opportunity to accelerate scientific discovery, with mentoring and support from Google DeepMind’s researchers and engineers.

This summer, the first cohort of students graduated at a ceremony at the AIMS campus in Cape Town, South Africa. As the next generation of AI leaders in Africa, Béria Chingnabé Kalpélbé, Olivier Mahumawon Adjagba and Diffo Mboudjiho Annette Dariose shared their experiences in pioneering AI research and what they’re hoping to achieve with their work.

...continues on page 50

Béria Chingnabé Kalpélbé is passionate about applying AI to sustainability challenges.

Olivier Mahumawon Adjagba wants to use AI to create more accurate prediction models for the spread of dengue fever.

Diffo Mboudjiho Annette Dariose hopes to learn more about our universe with the help of AI.

Watch Carlin's Story here (subtitled)

...continued from page 48

consumers quick relevant insights into the best product options based on their needs. This makes it easier to identify the most cost-effective products, and eliminates the added responsibility of having to sift through copious amounts of information on products.

3. Dynamic Promotion Planning & Optimised Communication and Timing

Classical AI, when combined with Gen AI, can play a key role by developing models and algorithms for dynamic promotion planning, allowing retailers to adjust promotions based on real-time data, inventory levels, and consumer behaviour patterns. To prevent marketing fatigue, introducing solutions like contact frequency models that predict optimal frequency and the preferred customer contact platform, with discounted price alerts, based on data from customer interactions, purchase history, segmentation, and product affinity, can aid in ensuring customers are not overwhelmed, while maintaining a positive brand relationship.

There is immense power to be unlocked from Gen AI - Shopify for example, has incorporated multiple Gen AI solutions into their products. Since 2023, the commerce platform has introduced an AI-generated product description capability to send emails at optimal times, and to tailor communications for timelier promotions and email correspondence.

Gen AI offers promising capabilities to retailers to increase their competitive edge and keep them ahead of evolving demands. For consumers, it offers to decrease the load on decision-making, whilst accommodating for the nuances that exist in different communities, and creating a better consumer experience.

The

Time for Advancement is Now

We are on the verge of a major shift, with innovation moving to implementation faster than ever, giving the market a new edge. As South Africa continues to embrace digital transformation, Gen AI has the potential to revolutionise the retail experience. By offering personalised, efficient, and culturally relevant shopping experiences, Gen AI can help alleviate the overwhelming choices consumers face, making shopping more enjoyable and accessible for all.

For South African retailers, the message is clear: Those who harness the power of Gen AI will be better positioned to meet the evolving needs of their customers, driving loyalty and growth in a competitive market.

...continued from page 49

Béria: Innovating for better food security

Sustainability is a top priority for Béria, originally from Chad. “I hope to develop solutions for sustainable agricultural development that will benefit both people and the planet by integrating principles of renewable energy, precision farming, and ecological preservation in my work,” he says.

“Beyond agriculture, AI offers significant potential to enhance the resilience of Africa's natural environments,” Béria adds. “By implementing AI-powered monitoring and decision-support systems, we can safeguard Africa's precious green areas and biodiversity for future generations.”

Olivier: Pioneering virus transmission research through the lens of climate change

Olivier’s passion for applying mathematics to complex problems led him to AIMS South Africa: “Throughout my academic journey, I’ve been fascinated by the power of mathematics, particularly in addressing real-world challenges through AI,” he says. “A solid foundation in mathematical sciences is crucial for driving progress in areas such as healthcare, climate science and technology — and I’m eager to be at the forefront of these advancements.”

Originally from Benin, Olivier now looks to apply this approach to data from African countries to help understand the spread of dengue fever. “Using advanced AI techniques, I hope to create more accurate prediction models to inform public health strategies and interventions, ultimately contributing to the control and prevention of this viral disease.”

Discussing the personal impact of his scholarship, Olivier recounts, “Without it, pursuing advanced studies at such a prestigious institution would have been financially unattainable for me. This support enabled me to fully immerse myself in AIMS' rigorous academic environment, so I could engage deeply in coursework, collaborate with professors and peers, and contribute meaningfully to research projects.”

Diffo: Unraveling the secrets of our universe

Diffo, from Cameroon, is fascinated by the big questions beyond Earth — which is what drew her to the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the largest and most sensitive radio telescope on the planet.

“Understanding the 21cm line provides insights into the early universe, the formation of the first stars and galaxies, and the structure of the

cosmos,” Diffo explains. “By applying Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) techniques, I hope to improve the accuracy and efficiency of extracting these faint signals from SKA data, potentially leading to more precise cosmological models and a deeper understanding of the future evolution of the universe.”

For those considering similar studies, Diffo offers a few words of advice: “Stay curious, be persistent and embrace interdisciplinary learning. Engaging in hands-on projects, collaborating with peers, and seeking mentorship from AI experts can greatly benefit your learning experience and career prospects.”

Supporting AI education in Africa

This work builds on our existing commitments in the region, including our support of the Deep Learning Indaba through volunteering and funding since its inception in 2017, the recent launch of our Experience AI education program across Africa, which has already engaged local educators working with more than 30,000 young people, and additional educational funding, which has been used by three further African universities to offer a total of over 40 postgraduate scholarships since 2020. Increasing representation in the field of AI research offers a much-needed opportunity to bring diverse values, perspectives, and concerns into conversations about the design and deployment of this transformative technology. We hope our support for AIMS not only serves to build a more global and inclusive AI ecosystem, but also helps students make new scientific discoveries that benefit their local communities and the entire globe.

Acknowledgements

With special thanks to Ulrich Paquet, research scientist at Google DeepMind, who is serving as executive director at AIMS South Africa until 2027 and helped launch the AI for Science Masters program. Paquet continues to hold a dual affiliation with Google DeepMind.

We would also like to thank the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, and the University of the Western Cape, the degree-granting institutions underpinning this program at AIMS South Africa, for their long standing academic support.

LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMP: NVIDIA RELEASES SMALL LANGUAGE MODEL WITH STATEOF-THE-ART ACCURACY

/ Read original article here /

Mistral-NeMo-Minitron 8B is a miniaturized version of the recently released Mistral NeMo 12B model, delivering high accuracy combined with the compute efficiency to run the model across GPUaccelerated data centers, clouds and workstations.

Developers of generative AI typically face a tradeoff between model size and accuracy. But a new language model released by NVIDIA delivers the best of both, providing state-of-the-art accuracy in a compact form factor.

Mistral-NeMo-Minitron 8B — a miniaturized version of the open Mistral NeMo 12B model released by Mistral AI and NVIDIA last month — is small enough to run on an NVIDIA RTX-powered workstation while still excelling across multiple benchmarks for AI-powered chatbots, virtual assistants, content generators and educational tools.

Minitron models are distilled by NVIDIA using NVIDIA NeMo, an end-to-end platform for developing custom generative AI.

“We combined two different AI optimization methods — pruning to shrink Mistral NeMo’s 12 billion parameters into 8 billion, and distillation to improve accuracy,” said Bryan Catanzaro, vice president of applied deep learning research at NVIDIA.

“By doing so, Mistral-NeMo-Minitron 8B delivers comparable accuracy to the original model at lower computational cost.”

...continues on page 53

SA COMPANIES BETTER MOVE QUICKLY ON AI POLICY

Businesses in South Africa are urged to implement AI policies, but they must first establish robust cyber security and data governance frameworks before attempting to integrate AI technology.

This is according to Andile Ngcaba, chairman of Convergence Partners, who addressed over two thousand delegates at the Datacentrix Showcase 2024 at Monte Casino in Johannesburg yesterday.

The event, themed ‘changing lives through technology’, focused on how business leaders and channel partners should approach AI, with emphasis on policy, data protection, and ethical use.

“Staff use ChatGPT, Gemini, Copilot, or MetaAI, and if you don’t have a policy, you run a huge risk,” said Ngcaba. “This is because they are using company assets, and could be taking information from the company into institutions that run AI models without you noticing.”

He added that board members have the overall responsibility to ensure that, just as cyber security risks are addressed, data governance and AI policies must also be implemented.

Data sovereignty

According to Datacentrix Group CEO Ahmed Mahomed, while South Africa’s channel partners are encouraged to explore AI and new opportunities for growth, innovation, human development, and competitiveness, this must go together with a focus on data sovereignty.

/

Read original article here /

Andile Ngcaba, chairman of Convergence Partners

“The adoption of these technologies must be underpinned by a strong focus on digital sovereignty. The localisation of digital infrastructure is crucial in the current geopolitical climate, and in ensuring the resilience of the digital footprint and its optimal application in business. Ensuring that the continent has autonomy over its extracted data and digital assets, and that they are managed, monetised and controlled within our borders, is an essential step in Africa’s digital journey,” said Mahomed.

“The message we are sending to our partners and market is that tech is no longer an enabler, it is a driver in today’s digital economy.

In a highly connected, converged and increasingly hybrid business landscape, CEOs are concerned about keeping up with the speed of change, that competition is now global, the shortage of skills, and decisions based on the ‘hype-trap’.

Datacentrix group CEO, Ahmed Mahomed

“According to the PwC Africa Business Agenda 2024, 40% of African and 45% of global CEOs are not sure if their companies will be viable in ten years’ time,” Mahomed added.

Convergence Partners and Datacentrix made headlines in July after South African regulators the Competition Commission and the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa (ICASA) unconditionally approved the transaction in which Convergence Partners will buy Datacentrix.

Speaking to ITWeb on the sidelines of the Datacentrix Showcase event, Ngcaba and Mahomed reiterated the value of the deal for the market, partners and customers.

They said it was a strategic partnership that would enable access to new markets in Africa and globally, and emphasised that there would be no change to operations or HR considerations.

...continued from page 51

“ We combined two different AI optimization methods — pruning to shrink Mistral NeMo’s 12 billion parameters into 8 billion, and distillation to improve accuracy,” said Bryan Catanzaro, vice president of applied deep learning research at NVIDIA. ”

Unlike their larger counterparts, small language models can run in real time on workstations and laptops. This makes it easier for organizations with limited resources to deploy generative AI capabilities across their infrastructure while optimizing for cost, operational efficiency and energy use. Running language models locally on edge devices also delivers security benefits, since data doesn’t need to be passed to a server from an edge device.

Developers can get started with MistralNeMo-Minitron 8B packaged as an NVIDIA NIM microservice with a standard application programming interface (API) — or they can download the model from Hugging Face. A downloadable NVIDIA NIM, which can be deployed on any GPU-accelerated system in minutes, will be available soon.

State-of-the-Art for 8 Billion Parameters

For a model of its size, Mistral-NeMoMinitron 8B leads on nine popular benchmarks for language models. These benchmarks cover a variety of tasks including language understanding, common sense reasoning, mathematical reasoning, summarization, coding and ability to generate truthful answers.

Packaged as an NVIDIA NIM microservice, the model is optimized for low latency, which means faster responses for users, and high throughput, which corresponds to higher computational efficiency in production.

In some cases, developers may want an even smaller version of the model to run on a smartphone or an embedded device like a robot. To do so, they can download the 8-billion-parameter model and, using NVIDIA AI Foundry, prune and distill it into a smaller, optimized neural network customized for enterprise-specific applications.

The AI Foundry platform and service offers developers a full-stack solution for creating a customized foundation model packaged as a NIM microservice. It includes popular foundation models, the NVIDIA NeMo platform and dedicated capacity on NVIDIA DGX Cloud. Developers using NVIDIA AI Foundry can also access NVIDIA AI Enterprise, a software platform that provides security, stability and support for production deployments.

Since the original Mistral-NeMo-Minitron 8B model starts with a baseline of state-of-theart accuracy, versions downsized using AI Foundry would still offer users high accuracy with a fraction of the training data and compute infrastructure.

Harnessing the Perks of Pruning and Distillation

To achieve high accuracy with a smaller model, the team used a process that combines pruning and distillation. Pruning downsizes a neural network by removing model weights that contribute the least to accuracy. During distillation, the team retrained this pruned model on a small dataset to significantly boost accuracy, which had decreased through the pruning process.

The end result is a smaller, more efficient model with the predictive accuracy of its larger counterpart.

This technique means that a fraction of the original dataset is required to train each additional model within a family of related models, saving up to 40x the compute cost when pruning and distilling a larger model compared to training a smaller model from scratch.

Read the NVIDIA Technical Blog and a technical report for details.

NVIDIA also announced this week NemotronMini-4B-Instruct, another small language model optimized for low memory usage and faster response times on NVIDIA GeForce RTX AI PCs and laptops. The model is available as an NVIDIA NIM microservice for cloud and on-device deployment and is part of NVIDIA ACE, a suite of digital human technologies that provide speech, intelligence and animation powered by generative AI.

Experience both models as NIM microservices from a browser or an API at ai.nvidia.com.

See notice regarding software product information.

...continued from page 46

values, data privacy, and possible biases in AI decision making.

it is about augmentation, not replacement: Agentic AI is about improving human skills, not replacing them. It does this by helping employees focus on more important and creative tasks.

Continuous learning is key: Both the AI systems and the people working with them will need to change and learn as the technology changes.

The future is both robotic and agentic

As we look ahead, we know that the businesses to succeed will be those that successfully combine human creativity with AI capabilities. Agentic AI is a big step forward in this integration. It gives African businesses new ways to think, compete, and grow in a world where everything is digital.

With many businesses already using AI, it is important to know that it is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, it is a fabric that can create solutions that are specific to an organization’s entire operating model, and businesses will need to continue to tailor their AI implementations to their unique needs and challenges.

For African enterprises, from startups in Stellenbosch to established corporations in Johannesburg, agentic AI presents an opportunity to leapfrog traditional development stages. By embracing this technology, they can enhance efficiency, improve decision making, and deliver superior customer experiences. However, the key to success lies not just in adopting the technology, but in reimagining business processes with a human-AI collaborative approach at their core.

Google Translate is using artificial intelligence (AI) to add 110 new languages to its translation service and about a quarter of the new languages come from Africa. The new additions represent Google Translate's largest expansion of African languages to date.

Google has committed to build AI models that will support the 1,000 most spoken languages around the world.

(Source: DC Studio on Freepik)

GOOGLE TRANSLATE ADDS

25+ AFRICAN LANGUAGES

/ Read original article here /

The new list includes the languages of Fon (primarily spoken in Benin); Kikongo (Republic of Congo, Gabon and Angola); Luo (Kenya and Tanzania); Ga (South Eastern Ghana); Wolof (Senegal); Siswati (Eswatini and South Africa); Tshivenda (South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mozambique); Afar (Djibouti, Eritrea and Ethiopia); NKo (Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and some other West African countries); Tamazight (also known as Amazigh and spoken in Morocco and Algeria).

Google said the new list of 110 new languages represents more than 614 million speakers, opening up translations for around 8% of the world's population.

"Some are major world languages with over 100 million speakers. Others are spoken by small communities of Indigenous people, and a few have almost no native speakers but active revitalization efforts," the company said.

AI models assist with translation

The additions are part of Google's 1,000 Languages Initiative – a commitment to build AI models that will support the 1,000 most spoken languages around the world –and the latest expansion uses the PaLM 2 large language model

PaLM 2 is Google's next-generation language model with improved multilingual, reasoning and coding capabilities "that builds on Google's legacy of breakthrough research in machine learning and responsible AI," the company said.

In May 2022, Google Translate also added 24 more languages using Zero-Shot Machine Translation, where a machine learning model learns to translate into another language without ever seeing an example.

The 2022 update added the African languages of Bambara (Mali); Ewe (Ghana and Togo); Krio (Sierra Leone); Lingala (Democratic Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, Angola and South Sudan); Luganda (Uganda and Rwanda); Oromo (Ethiopia and Kenya); Sepedi (South Africa and Botswana); Tigrinya (Eritrea and Ethiopia); Tsonga (Eswatini, Mozambique, South Africa and Zimbabwe); and Twi (Ghana).

"Google Translate breaks down language barriers to help people connect and better understand the world around them," the company said in a statement.

For South Africa specifically, the addition of Siswati and Tshivenda brings the total number of South African languages on Google Translate up to nine out of 12 (with South African Sign Language [SASL] added to the previous 11 official languages in July 2023).

"Language is an essential part of how people communicate, understand, and interact with the world around them so we are very excited about this latest expansion," Google South Africa's communications manager, Siya Madikane, told Connecting Africa via email.

Madikane said a lot of consideration goes into new language additions for Google Translate, ranging from which languages to include to the use of specific spellings.

"Many languages do not have a single, standard form, so learning the specific dialect that is spoken the most in an area is more feasible. Our approach has been to prioritise the most commonly used varieties of each language," he added.

Google said that PaLM 2 played a crucial role in assisting the team translate more efficiently and learn languages that are closely related to each other.

"As advancements in technology continue to occur, Google will continue to partner with expert linguists and native speakers – to support even more language varieties and spelling conventions over time," Google added.

AI CHALLENGE SEEKS ‘VISIONARY IDEAS’ TO TACKLE CLIMATE CRISIS

/ Read original article here /

Amid the rising threat of severe weather patterns, three organisations are collaborating to launch a social coding challenge to develop impactful artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions that address this issue.

The International Research Centre on Artificial Intelligence (IRCAI), an organisation under the auspices of Unesco; data science platform Zindi; and Amazon Web Services (AWS) have launched the “AI for Equity Challenge: Climate Action, Gender and Health”.

The six-month global virtual contest focuses on creating solutions that tackle gender and health equity issues exacerbated by climate change, says a statement.

It will support researchers, non-profits and start-ups applying advanced cloud computing and AI solutions that address some of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

The challenge will focus on building new programming that supports more equitable futures at the intersection of gender, health and climate action, targeting SDGs three (good health and well-being), five (gender equality) and 13 (climate action).

Davor Orlic, COO of IRCAI, says: “As artificial intelligence rapidly evolves, it is crucial that we harness its potential to address real-world challenges. At IRCAI, our mission is to guide the ethical development of AI technologies, ensuring they serve the greater good and are inclusive of marginalised AI communities.

“This challenge, in collaboration with AWS and Zindi, is an opportunity to discover and support the most innovative minds that are using AI and advanced computing to create impactful solutions for the climate crisis.”

According to the statement, participants will use data made available through the Amazon Sustainability Data Initiative, with a preference towards building on AWS AI services and infrastructure, to develop solutions.

A steering committee made up of members of Naixus, a network of AI and sustainable development research organisations, being convened through IRCAI, will select proposals that demonstrate the most innovative use of advanced AI technologies, and the biggest promise for global impact on health and gender equity, and climate action.

Selected teams will receive expert guidance in AI sustainability and responsible AI, along with AWS credits to build their solutions, says the statement.

Dave Levy, vice-president of Worldwide Public Sector at AWS, adds: “Climate change is one of the greatest threats of our time, and we believe innovation is key to overcoming it.

“The AI for Equity Challenge invites innovators to bring forward their most visionary ideas, and we’ll support them with AWS resources – whether that’s computing power or advanced cloud technologies – to turn those ideas into reality.”

The statement indicates the challenge will proceed in phases, with the first round of technical proposal submissions closing on 4 November, culminating with an announcement of the winning solutions in February 2025.

To apply for the AI for Equity Challenge, click here

The AI for Equity Challenge has been launched in line with efforts to address key UN Sustainable Development Goals.

THE SOUTH AFRICAN AI ASSOCIATION

Raises Concern about AI Model Training by the Linkedin Platform

The South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA), an industry body focused on promoting the advancement of responsible AI in South Africa, has made a submission to the Information Regulator of South Africa around the use of data to train AI Models for the Linkedin Platform without prior consent.

SAAIA seeks to encourage stakeholders to adopt responsible AI for commercial and societal benefit of the citizens of South Africa with a primary focus on economic growth, trade, investment, equality and inclusivity by uniting practitioners across commercial, government, academic, start-up and NGO sectors.

Dr Nick Bradshaw, the founder of SAAIA, stated: “The race to build new AI products and services is a global one but its impacts can also be local. We have been monitoring the breakneck speed of AI innovation as vendors and investors are spending huge sums of

money to bring these new offerings to market, and while doing so, we are assessing if this is being done in a responsible manner. To this end, we feel it’s important that individuals and nation states must not be disadvantaged in both the short and long term, especially when it comes to how our personal data is being used to train the next generation of AI powered platforms.”

SAAIA Advisory Board member NathanRoss Adams who heads up regulatory affairs, and who was principally involved in drafting this submission stated, “Our letter of complaint to the Information Regulator is focused on LinkedIn’s use of South African users’ personal information to train its generative artificial intelligence (AI) models in that; 1) it does not meet the conditions for lawful processing under Chapter 3 of POPIA, 2) their conduct likely constitutes interference with personal information as outlined in section 73 of POPIA and 3) given the significant public interest, requires investigation from the Information Regulator.”

Bradshaw concluded, “The SAAIA mission is to engage society in this debate, be they citizens or governments, AI novices or AI experts. No one should be left behind in the race to embrace AI. It is of vital importance that the opportunities presented by Artificial Intelligence should have at their heart the principles of Responsible AI and don’t just benefit a select few. We await the feedback from the Information Regulator of South Africa on this important matter.”

About The South African

AI Association

The South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) is a platform for collaboration and knowledge-sharing among AI professionals and enthusiasts in South Africa. The South African AI Association promotes the adoption of Responsible AI and provides FREE training resources, insights and news about the emerging AI opportunity locally, regionally and globally. Our annual conference, AI Expo Africa 2024 is the largest gathering of AI practitioners in Africa. Join us on 30-31 October at the Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg to network, explore our work and that of our wider community.

Learn more and sign up today at https:// saaiassociation.co.za/

For press & media enquiries contact enquiries@ aimediagroup.co.za

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