Keynote Speakers

Prof Vukosi Marivate

Associate Professor of Computer Science | Department of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology | ABSA UP Chair of Data Science | University of Pretoria

Bio:

Prof Vukosi Marivate is an Associate Professor of Computer Science and holds the ABSA UP Chair of Data Science at the University of Pretoria. He specialises in developing Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods to extract insights from data, with a particular focus on the intersection of ML/AI and Natural Language Processing (NLP). His research is dedicated to improving the methods, tools and availability of data for local or low-resource languages. As the leader of the Data Science for Social Impact research group in the Computer Science department, Vukosi is interested in using data science to solve social challenges. He has worked on projects related to science, energy, public safety, and utilities, among others. Prof Marivate is a co-founder and CTO of the Lelapa AI, an African startup focused on AI for Africans by Africans. Vukosi is a chief investigator on the Masakhane NLP project, which aims to develop NLP technologies for African languages. Vukosi is also a co-founder of the Deep Learning Indaba, the leading grassroots Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence conference on the African continent that aims to empower and support African researchers and practitioners in the field.

Dr Damian Eke

Assistant Professor |

School of Computer Science |

University of Nottingham |

Address: Can Africa Trust AI?

Bio:

Damian Okaibedi Eke is an Assistant Professor at the School of Computer Science, University of Nottingham, UK. Dr Eke has a Philosophy background and has a PhD in Computer Ethics. For a number of years, he was the Data Governance coordinator for the EU Human Brain Project (HBP). Damian currently serves as chair of the data standards and sharing Working Group of the International Brain Initiative (IBI). He is also the Collaboration liaison for the Responsible Digital Futures Group at the University of Nottingham.

He has published widely on Responsible Research and Innovation (RRI) approaches and practices in data and Emerging Technologies. He is the founder and director of the African Brain Data Network (ABDN) that organises the African Brain Data Science Academy. Damian has extensive experience in developing governance strategies and frameworks for data and digital technologies. He was one of the high-level experts that developed the latest Nigerian AI strategy. His research interests cover critical philosophical issues at the intersection of Technology, Data and Society particularly responsible innovation in Africa.