We catch up with John Kamara, who will be speaking at the World AI Cannes event on February 9 to 11 February 2023. See more about the event here.
John is by heart is a Tech Entrepreneur with over 20 successful years of experience working in new market acquisitions across various technology verticals in Europe, America, Asia and Africa. John is one of Africa’s leading experts on how businesses can leverage key technology trends, instantly transform organizations and drive competitive advantage for impact in industries including finance, agriculture, health, education, gaming and startup enterprises.
AI trends to watch in Africa with John Kamara
How was the last year, what worked well, what didn’t move as quickly as you would have liked?
Last year was filled with lots of surprises as we saw more AI projects in Africa. We saw the likes of Instadeep grow stronger and stronger, also a lot of work became intentional in the capacity development area. Climate change and healthcare use of AI also became a core value proposition for the private sector as well. Capacity in AI and data science is still a major problem and also upskilling the continent on the use and Value of data. Getting regulators to move as well as business decision makers was a bit slow but we got some wins with the likes of UNCDF working with AICE to train government and students on Data-science and AI.
What are your plans for the future?
Grow the Capacity knowledge base for Data science and AI, drive the data transformation process in Africa rather than just digital transformation and also partner with global organisations to focus on more R&D in the continent. Also this year is key in the use of climate data for agriculture, healthcare and science. So championing the training of 5000 young Africans as well as regulators is key for me this year. We are also working on our One Farmer project and we are excited with the global partners for this huge R&D we are hoping to launch at COOP 28.
What will you be talking about at this event?
Capacity development in AI and data science in Africa. where the continent is current, type of investment required and also technical expertise. AI in climate around some of the projects happening and infrastructure support.
What inspired you to attend it?
The gathering of AI leaders is inspiration enough to want to share what we are doing and what we need.
How can people find out more about what you are working on?
WWW.AICEAFRICA.COM WWW.ADANIANLABS.COM.
Also via my articles and projects I work on with various partners like Nvidia, GPSD etc.
Anything else you’d like to add / we should have asked?
I believe Africa requires a lot of intentional support to grow the AI ecosystem and capacity is a key part of this to make sure we participate in the 4IR. Also the areas of collaboration and support is a huge part of our growth in Healthcare, Agriculture, Human centered AI as well as data transformation which the continent is currently embarking on at the moment.
More about John Kamara, Tech Entrepreneur (AI, Blockchain, IoT and Keynote Speaker)
John Kamara is uniquely a Pan African renowned business leader, successful entrepreneur, investor, consultant, beloved mentor and distinguished speaker holding multiple roles typically including: John is also passionate about climate technology as a key driver for the use of AI.
Founder and Global Chief Executive Officer Adanian Labs
https://swisscognitive.ch/ambassador-directory/?pg=3
https://aiforgood.itu.int/speaker/john-kamara/
Founder–AI Centre of Excellence
CEO–Cortex Africa (Leading Artificial Intelligence Company in Africa)
Director Non executive–Machine Intelligence Institute of Africa
DirectorforStrategy–Data-DrivenInnovationCenterunderCREATESCenter of Excellence at the Nelson
Mandela African Institute of Science and Technology
Founder Afyarekod AI driven healthcare companty
Founder–Afrimart (eCommerce)|AfyaRekod (Health Tech) Investor eCobba (Fintech) |Twaa (Mentoring
& Learning) |PhermaAgri (AgriTech)
Tech Entrepreneur (AI, Blockchain, IoT and Keynote Speaker)
John is actively involved and significantly invested in current technologies focusing on IoT(Internet of things. John is committed to identifying technology challenges a critical role in catapulting Africa into the Fourth Industrial Revolution while generating a critical mass impact.
He has tremendously excited audiences in many countries and continents as he shared insights in various global stages like AI Expo Africa, AI, For Good Global Summit, Bio2019,, Blockchain & AI Round table,
Nvidia AI, Malta Blockchain Summit and Africa Fintech Summit to name just a few John’s current foci show smart technologies can be leveraged in resolving some of the most prominent and pertinent socioeconomic challenges in Africa; you said it various players can play a role through the empowerment of present structures and systems to build holistic sustainable ecosystems in problem solving
https://tmt.knect365.com/africa-tech-festival/speakers/john-kamara/
https://www.nvidia.com/en-us/on-demand/session/gtcfall21-a31512/?ncid=so-twit-614956
https://nomadit.co.uk/conference/africaknows/p/9016
https://tech-ish.com/2021/01/18/aice-ai-for-leaders-ceos-kenya-artificial-intelligence/
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