We have been talking about AI for what seems like a while but if we’re honest, it’s still just a buzzword for most Zimbabweans. Many Zimbabweans have only seen some button labeled ‘MetaAI’ pop up and clutter their WhatsApp experience, and that’s the extent of their familiarity with AI.
This extends to most businesses in the country. The vast majority of small businesses have not found a way to utilise AI. IndabaX Zimbabwe is on a mission to change that.
IndabaX
It is a “movement dedicated to fostering the growth of artificial intelligence and machine learning within Zimbabwe.”
We talked about how most businesses are not using AI and that’s mostly because they do not know how to use it. They don’t have the time or the expertise to explore how AI could improve their operations.
IndabaX gets around this by connecting businesses/individuals with AI enthusiasts and experts to help hash out solutions.
They say they “connect students, researchers, businesses, and enthusiasts to accelerate innovation, promote ethical AI development, and solve real-world challenges with data-driven solutions.”
IndabaX focuses on championing responsible and ethical use of AI and also making AI education and opportunities accessible to all. Then come the focus areas I’m most excited about. In their own words:
AI-Powered Solutions for Zimbabwe’s Challenges – IndabaX Zimbabwe will foster the application of AI to address pressing national challenges. This includes hackathons and challenges focused on precision agriculture, climate change adaptation, healthcare access, and resource optimisation.
Building Bridges: Industry & Research Collaboration From Theory to Impact: Accelerating Innovation – IndabaX Zimbabwe will serve as a bridge between researchers and businesses. This means dedicated networking events, project showcases, and panels addressing the challenges of taking AI solutions from the lab to the marketplace in a Zimbabwean context.
AI Symposium
IndabaX hosts conferences annually that feature presentations by leading AI figures, hands-on workshops, project showcases and networking opportunities. This years symposium is fast approaching.
Deep Learning IndabaX Zimbabwe hosts its fourth annual AI Symposium, August 28th and 29th 2024 at the United States Embassy and Harare Institute of Technology respectively. All sessions, including the closing reception, will be in-person.
AI is a subject that now permeates all facets of Zimbabwean society including health, business, journalism and education. Other regions have made significant inroads in introducing and discussing AI governance blueprints and legislation. Alignment of approaches to AI risk management is pivotal to the future success of AI and global AI governance in all sectors.
This event will bring in Speakers from Zimbabwe, South Africa and the United States to discuss topics such as AI innovations, ethics, and governance blueprints.
To summarise:
- What – Deep Learning IndabaX Zimbabwe AI Symposium
- When – 28-29 August 2024
- Where – Harare Institute of Technology, US Embassy in Harare
- How much – It’s free
Applications are now open and so if this sounds good to you, click here to register.
Or you can email info@indabaxzimbabwe.com for more information.
11 comments
Why not do the presentations on Zoom for those from far away. Very interested but too far.
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Will definitely attend. I am an AI enthusiast. I have been using AI in my dev projects it has been very helpful… From debugging to code reffectoring to anything…..
“Ayi” I see what you did there.
🥴 splish 💦splash💦 wat is this event about coz ai 😂🤣
Whats anyone doing to get Zimbabwean datasets. There is no one talking about digitizing Zimbabwe’s content and need to get copyright law to encourage datasets for AI. MS word does not even have a Shona spell-checker. Local newspapers seem not keep archives of all their content. We should not rely unnecessarily on data-sets that can be negatively biased Zimbabwean context. The scarcity of Zimbabwean datasets in AI models can have hidden costs for their use in Zimbabwean context.
Whats anyone doing to get Zimbabwean datasets.
There is no one talking about digitizing Zimbabwe’s content and need to get copyright law to encourage datasets for AI. MS word does not even have a Shona spell-checker. Local newspapers seem not keep archives of all their content. We should not rely unnecessarily on data-sets that can be negatively biased Zimbabwean context.
The scarcity of Zimbabwean datasets in AI models can have hidden costs for their use in Zimbabwean context.
You @techzim you should create an apk that shows football results just like pindula apk that will be an amazing thing….thank you @techzim.com
Hi folks. Something to chew on.
There is danger in black box system, you don’t have to blindly trust them
– USA bans Kaspersky Antivirus Software
– USA bans Huawei telecom systems and components
– China bans some micro processors
So on those lines what risks and Trojan horses are we blindly accepting in the fashion of AI that can be secretly programmed to harm us
XZ Utils Backdoor
Volkswagen emissions scandal
Edward Snowden revelations
hie can you please respond our emails we sent requesting formal invitation. thanks