AI Expo 2024 Update

The 2024 AI expo opened at the Sandton Convention Centre yesterday (OCT 30) and will continue today, with a host of international and local speakers providing their insights on the burgeoning AI industry globally.

African Adoption of AI Impressive

In the opening plenary session, it was highlighted how some African nations are accelerating their use of AI in business that is outstripping use seen in developed nations. According to global reports, Kenyan small and medium businesses are utilising AI business tools more than any other country, including the US and European countries.

Africa is also no slouch when it comes to building super-computers as Supermicro illustrated in its presentation. Super Micro discussed “what makes a solution AI optimised” and highlighted their recent involvement in the X-AI build that astounded the global markets by building their Colossus Super Computer, in Memphis USA, comprising of 100 000 Nvidia Hopper GPU’s.

According to Vladimir Vukovic, the Product Manager for Supermicro, in terms of modern scaling, “a rack is the new server, and an array is the new rack”.

Super Micro utilises AI optimised GPU’s AI optimised servers and AI optimised rack Clusters to produce levels of computational output not experienced before.

AI driving New Mobile Tech

Harrison Li of Huawei spoke of the new mobile unit developments and stated that their new models will have a GPU unit built in to the models that will allow for AI integration into all apps and functions.

According to Li, using a mobile phone in future will be impressive with the ability to simply provide a scenario or challenge and that AI will find a solution to whatever you are looking for.

He provided an example of asking your phone to find you a solution to transport issues by simply saying – “I need to get to the airport in 30 minutes” and the AI will be able to provide the best solution to the scenario. This means that a mobile phone will become far more than a personal communication device but part of your daily problem solving equation according to Li.

Day 2 Program

Day two on Thursday 31 October, will see Dr Simon See of Nvidia as the Keynote speaker, and a panel discussion around security and privacy in the age of AI among a host of others.

Included are:

• Heineken’s Generative AI Journey
• Paving the way for South Africa’s Inclusive Digital Future – Avashna Govender of CSIR
• Verint CX Automation
• Charting Africa’s AI Future – Mark Nasila of FNB