iAfrikan BYTES

Join us in this enlightening episode of African BYTES as we sit down with Karim Beguir, Co-Founder and CEO of InstaDeep. Discover how the Deep Learning Indaba played a crucial role in Shaping InstaDeep’s journey, including the organisation of Indaba Tunisia in 2022 and its profound impact. We also explore the recent acquisition of InstaDeep by BioNTech, delving into what this significant development means for the company and the wider AI landscape. Karim shares insights on how encounters with top AI talent at the Indaba have significantly bolstered InstaDeep’s team, propelling their cutting-edge projects Tune in to learn about the strategic moves that have positioned InstaDeep as a global AI powerhouse. Recorded at the Deep Learning Indaba 2023 in Accra, Ghana.

Join us in this episode as we meet Jade Abbott, CTO of Lelapa AI and Co-Founder of Masakhane. With a Master of Science in Computer Science, graduating cum laude, Jade delves into her pivotal role in NLP and her founding of Masakhane, A grassroots NLP community for Africa, by Africans and Lelapa AI, inspired by her experiences at the Deep Learning Indaba. She discusses the Indaba’s influence on fostering an African AI community and its future potential to enhance global research visibility. Recorded at the Deep Learning Indaba 2023 in Accra, Ghana.

During the Deep Learning Indaba 2024 in Dakar, Senegal, iAfrikan sat down with Pelonomi Moiloa, CEO of Lelapa AI, and Jade Abbott, CTO, to explore their journey and contributions to African AI development. Lelapa AI has recently launched innovative tools like Vula Vula, a multilingual communication platform, and InkubaLM, a language model designed to support African languages. In October 2024, they hosted a Demo Day to showcase these advancements and their impact. In this interview, Moiloa and Abbott discuss their approach to responsible AI, the challenges of developing technology in African contexts, and their vision for the future. While Lelapa AI’s efforts highlight the importance of addressing Africa’s unique challenges, the broader question remains: Can these innovations move beyond prototypes to achieve lasting impact? Watch the interviews below for deeper insights into the journey and what lies ahead. Lelapa AI’s work is part of a growing narrative about Africa’s role in technology, but it also raises a critical issue whether local solutions will scale effectively or remain experiments in a rapidly changing landscape.

In the bustling halls of the Deep Learning Indaba 2024 in Dakar, Senegal, iAfrikan caught up with Karim Beguir, the visionary CEO of InstaDeep. Fresh off a $680 million acquisition by BioNTech, the deal stands as Africa’s largest deep-tech exit, propelling the Tunisian-born AI company into the global spotlight. But with big opportunities come tough questions: Can InstaDeep maintain its bold, African-led vision under the weight of a global biotech giant? The stakes couldn’t be higher. At the AI Day on October 1, 2024, InstaDeep unveiled new breakthroughs in AI-driven biology, promising to reshape drug discovery. At the same time, the company is expanding into Rwanda, next year’s host of the Indaba, signaling a deeper push into Africa’s tech ecosystem.

Recorded at IndabaX South Africa 2024, Prof Lynn Morris of Wits University shares how research, AI, and innovation can anchor Africa’s future. From immersive tech to digital hubs, she outlines Wits bold vision for ethical, impactful research. A must listen for anyone invested in African Innovation.