Communications and digital technologies minister Stella Ndabeni-Abrahams is set to deliver the opening keynote at AI Expo Africa 2020.

The expo, which will this year be held as an online event, will take place on 3 and 4 September.

Now in its third year, AI Expo Africa bills itself as Africa’s largest artificial intelligence (AI)-focused trade event, showcasing AI, robotic process automation and data science technologies.

The event is produced by Western Cape-based AI Media Group, a digital media agency that analyses real-time data and consumer trends for cross-sector organisations.

The programme will cover real-world AI innovation, case studies, platforms, panel discussions, workshops and technical demos.

Last year, 17 AI start-ups showcased their solutions at the AI Expo Africa, held in Cape Townand attended by over 700 delegates representing more than 270 companies.

The reach of the online conference is expected to be bigger than the previous two events, according to AI Media Group.

“This event is taking place at a time when the whole world is grappling with new realities and a new normal brought about by the advent of the COVID-19 pandemic,” notes Ndabeni-Abrahams.

“Advances in AI technologies hold the promise of bringing us closer to finding lasting solutions to help us solve the challenges we are facing as humanity. The world is undergoing fundamental changes due to advances in technology and progress made in the field of AI. Similarly, the continent and my country South Africa are going through same profound changes.”

This year’s speaker line-up features keynotes from:

• Kay Firth-Butterfield, head of AI and machine learning at the World Economic Forum.
• Neil Sahota, IBM master inventor, UN AI expert and lecturer at University of California.
• Fred Werner, head of strategic engagement at the International Telecommunication Union.
• Bayo Adekanmbi, CTO of MTN Nigeria and founder of Data Science Nigeria.
• Professor Tshilidzi Marwala, vice-chancellor of the University of Johannesburg and deputy head of the 4IR Commission of South Africa.

AI Expo Africa 2020 says IT vendors such as SAP, Huawei Cloud, Blue Prism, UiPath, Intel, Dell, Microsoft and Genesys will exhibit their solutions and products.

The companies will be joined by a contingent of local start-ups that include Ashanti AI, Botlhale AI Solutions, DotModus, Predictive Insights, FinChatBot, FIRtech, Learning Machines, Kenai, Heat Vision A.I, WizzPass, Zindi, Synthesis and Future Fragment.

The expo will feature dedicated French, Dutch and Swiss pavilions where start-ups from the three respective countries will showcase their AI and data science innovations and solutions.

Nick Bradshaw, co-founder of AI Media Group, comments: “This is the third year of us running the AI Expo Africa event and with the impact of COVID-19, we have taken the entire community online this year.

“This means we can reach more countries and include more people. This platform not only allows us to run our two-day business event, but it also serves as a 30-day learning platform after the main event.

“All the talks, vendor booths, posters and content are available for young people, students, entrepreneurs and learners from across South Africa and wider Africa to join us and learn about the latest technology driving the 4IR [fourth industrial revolution] in Africa. It’s a great opportunity for big business to find new buyers and suppliers, and for start-ups to find more clients.”