iAfrikan BYTES

iAfrikan Media
  • 5.0 (2)
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iAfrikan BYTES

iAfrikan BYTES features commentary on African technology news, insights, opinion and analysis with tech industry leaders and professionals. The podcasts are from interviews conducted by iAfrikan staff whether at events or when needed for commentary.

  1. 23 OCT

    Beyond Prototypes, Lelapa AI’s Vision For African Tech Solutions

    During the Deep Learning Indaba 2024 in Dakar, Senegal, iAfrikan sat down with Pelonomi Moiloa, CEO of Lelapa AI, and Jade Abbott, CTO, to explore their journey and contributions to African AI development. Lelapa AI has recently launched innovative tools like Vula Vula, a multilingual communication platform, and InkubaLM, a language model designed to support African languages. In October 2024, they hosted a Demo Day to showcase these advancements and their impact. In this interview, Moiloa and Abbott discuss their approach to responsible AI, the challenges of developing technology in African contexts, and their vision for the future.

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

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

    13 min

  2. 23 OCT

    InstaDeep’s Next Move, How Africa’s AI Champion Plans To Stay Ahead

    In the bustling halls of the Deep Learning Indaba 2024 in Dakar, Senegal, iAfrikan caught up with Karim Beguir, the visionary CEO of InstaDeep. Fresh off a $680 million acquisition by BioNTech, the deal stands as Africa’s largest deep-tech exit, propelling the Tunisian-born AI company into the global spotlight. But with big opportunities come tough questions: Can InstaDeep maintain its bold, African-led vision under the weight of a global biotech giant? The stakes couldn’t be higher. At the AI Day on October 1, 2024, InstaDeep unveiled new breakthroughs in AI-driven biology, promising to reshape drug discovery. At the same time, the company is expanding into Rwanda, next year’s host of the Indaba, signaling a deeper push into Africa’s tech ecosystem.

    10 min

  3. 16 SEPT

    Dr Chris Fourie’s Mission To Transform African Healthcare With AI

    In our latest podcast interview, medical doctor turned MLOps engineer and health data scientist Dr Chris Fourie is making waves in the intersection of AI, healthcare, and social good. A key focus of the conversation was Chris's work with SisonkeBiotik, a grassroots community they co-founded, dedicated to making AI and machine learning for health research more accessible in Africa. Chris also provided a candid look at the reluctance among some health professionals to embrace AI and how SisonkeBiotik navigates these challenges, fostering trust and collaboration to ensure that AI-driven healthcare solutions are both effective and ethical.

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

    17 min

  4. 16 SEPT

    Nando De Freitas On His Path To AI Discovery

    In this episode of iAfrikan Bytes Nando De Freitas, Principal Scientist and Team Lead at DeepMind, takes us on a journey through his academic and professional life, offering insights into the driving forces behind his pursuit of artificial intelligence (AI). At DeepMind, Nando leads a team that is at the forefront of machine learning research. In the podcast, he shares the current research priorities that are driving the work at Google DeepMind. These priorities are not just about advancing the state of AI, but also about tackling some of the most pressing challenges in the field. With his experiences, thoughts, and work-guiding beliefs shared in this interview, Nando De Freitas provides a fascinating look into the field of artificial intelligence research. Leaders such as Nando are vital in guaranteeing that this potent technology is developed sensibly and ethically, especially as artificial intelligence continues to influence our world.

    42 min

  5. 16 SEPT

    Scholar To CEO: Pelonomi Moiloa’s Mission To Transform AI In Africa

    CEO and Co-Founder of Lelapa AI Pelonomi Moiloa,joins us in our latest episode of iAfrikan Bytes. Pelonomi’s story is one of passion, perseverance, and pivoting. Initially drawn to biomedical and electrical engineering due to her fascination with artificial organs and limbs, she found herself increasingly captivated by AI's potential within the biomedical field. Her academic pursuits took her from the University of Witwatersrand to Tohoku University in Japan, where she earned a master’s degree focusing on the intersection of bioengineering and AI. She passionately discusses projects like Vulavula, which uses AI to enhance natural language processing for African languages, and her latest endeavor to train AI models to accurately pronounce South African names—a project close to her heart. She also shares the exciting journey from being a scholar to becoming a CEO, a transition that’s as challenging as it is rewarding. If you’re looking to understand how AI can be a tool for cultural empowerment and want to be inspired by a leader who’s breaking new ground, this episode is a must-listen. Pelonomi Moiloa is not just shaping the future of AI in Africa; she’s ensuring that this future is inclusive, diverse, and deeply connected to the continent’s rich heritage.

    24 min

  6. 12 AUG

    Jade Abbott: Pioneering NLP and AI In Africa

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

    14 min

  7. 12 AUG

    Karim Beguir: How Deep Learning Indaba Fueled InstaDeep’s Success

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

    16 min

  8. 15 JUL

    Leadership And Collaboration In AI: A Conversation With Avishkar Bhoopchand

    In conversation with Avishkar Bhoopchand, a native of Cape Town whose career path from software engineer in the financial sector to research engineer at DeepMind perfectly embodies the combination of technical expertise and creative thinking required in today's AI environment. A noteworthy contribution made by Avishkar to the AI community is his participation in the Deep Learning Indaba. As the general co-chair of the 2023 Indaba, which took place in Ghana, he was instrumental in putting together one of the biggest AI events in Africa. Insights into the General Chairs' cooperation with the Local Organizing Committee to make the Indaba a success will be provided by Avishkar, who will also emphasize the event's careful planning and community involvement.

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

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

    27 min
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Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

iAfrikan BYTES features commentary on African technology news, insights, opinion and analysis with tech industry leaders and professionals. The podcasts are from interviews conducted by iAfrikan staff whether at events or when needed for commentary.

Information

  • Creator
    iAfrikan Media
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2024
  • Episodes
    68
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © iAfrikan Media. All Rights Reserved.
  • Show Website
    iAfrikan BYTES

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