The AI Expo Africa 2022 was held at the Sandton Convention Centre on the 19th and 20th of September 2022. The expo is a business-focused Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotic Process Automation (RPA), and 4IR trade event in Africa. The expo kicked off with a heartwarming song and dance performance featuring UJ’s dog robot SPOT, which showed the connection between AI and human beings.
The expo consisted of speakers, exhibitors and training workshops. The four-track keynote program included various speakers and topics, enabling participants to choose what they were interested in. There was a wide variety of exhibitors from all around the world who showcased different applications in tech. The three-hour AI skills workshops provided an intensified focus on various subjects, with four workshops to choose from. The expo floors featured robots, which included the yellow KettyBot, who received a lot of attention from attendants. It is definitely safe to say: there was something for everyone!
There was a well-rounded representation of international and local organisations, startups, SMMEs, and the often overlooked population of women in AI. There is, however, a noticeable gap in the application of AI between Africa and the Global North. Still, it was amazing to see the progress that South Africa and Africa have made, taking on business using tech to solve everyday problems experienced by ordinary people.
As an organisation that supports digital innovation in research and develops capacity development interventions, Talarify strives to stay up to date with what is happening in South Africa and the globe. Attending such events enables us to stay in sync with the flow of tech in our space and plays a role in informing decisions made in research projects and capacity development programs. The AI Expo Africa 2022 was an excellent place to learn what is happening in the AI industry.
Author: Nomalungelo Maphanga
