Thread by @EDSE_programme

RIDING THE AI WAVE: pathways to commercialisation. The fourth webinar in the joint @EDSE_programme, @Seda_dsbd series on Market Access for Digital Entrepreneurs (MADE) gets underway. Some background:

Introducing the webinar, Mr Colin Leshou, acting executive manager of @Seda_dsbd's Technology Programme, points out that every decision we make in our daily lives, and at work, has to do with artificial intelligence, including robotics and big data.

Our first speaker - @piusillah - is the chief strategy & innovation officer at @MIIAfrica. It was established in 2003 and now works across the African continent. Pius points out some of the enablers in this era: data availability, storage, connectivity and talent.

.@piusillah recaps the AI Transformation Journey from 1950 to 2020:

.@piusillah points to the need to "realistically empower the army of young entrepreneurs to hunt for opportunities" that solve problems at the enterprise level. One example: how can they improve data sets to provide business relevant solutions to businesses?

Pressed by the webinar facilitator, @piusillah said artificial intelligence (AI) will create more jobs than "it will take". Everyone has a space in this tech era but some upskilling of the labour force will be required. Policy makers and corporates must also engage AI solutions.

Our next speaker, Mr David Malematsa, says the @4_ir_incubator, supported by @Seda_dsbd, enables persons living in the rural areas to participate in the digital economy and to develop disruptive technology. It will also shortly establish a hub in Cape Town.

David urges webinar participants to consider the 4IR and AI and Machine Learning courses offered by the @4_ir_incubator.

Our next speaker @jacquesludik of @CortexGroupAI, discusses the value drivers for businesses to thrive in the smart technology era. He points out that the AI Era and its instrumentation is creating huge amounts of consumer-facing data, opportunities. Note: "Every click is data".

For those interested, a pointer to a new book by @jacquesludik:

https://twitter.com/jacquesludik/status/1445764087107833868?t=1PwEe6ccq4sY8KmU7nM5Tg&s=19

.@jacquesludik ends his fascinating presentation noting the journey and continuum from Assisted Intelligence, to Augmented Intelligence, to Autonomous Intelligence: "all three have arrived but we will see a lot more autonomous intelligence going forward"

.@Clevva's @RyanFalkenberg's lessons on creating digital experts:

➡️It is no mean feat to take on the big guys, global plays, but it takes time and resilience.
➡️Success in a black box environment does not mean the solution can be done at scale.
➡️Explore the tech niche!

.@RyanFalkenberg: "We re-imagined our business during Covid-19, becoming location, non-specific. Our customer base became global. But: "Global customers want specialists, not generalists!". Going global will liberate SA and African entrepreneurs.

As this absorbing event draws to a close...our thanks to:

➡️webinar facilitator Krystle Hastings
➡️the high-profile speakers for sharing their insights
➡️our @EdSe colleague, @oralegacy, for organising it
➡️our valued implementing partner, @Seda_dsbd!

A point worth noting from a new @PwC study: "AI could contribute up to $15.7 trillion to the global economy in 2030, more than the current output of China and India combined" pwc.com/gx/en/issues/d…

Finally, do diarise the remaining webinars in this @Seda_dsbd, @EDSE_programme Market Access for Digital Entrepreneurs series:

➡️How to develop a Mobile App (14 October 2021)
➡️Getting your game published (26 October 2021).
➡️ Details in due course!

cc: @DSBD_SA, @TheRealSEFA, @EUinSA, @PalladiumImpact, @TutwaConsulting, @oralegacy, #EUinSA

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