iAfrikan BYTES

In this episode of iAfrikan Bytes, we sit down with Prof Mpho Primus, Co-Director of the Institute for Intelligent Systems at the University of Johannesburg and founder of Primus Tech Hub, to explore how language, ethics, and immersive technology are shaping Africa’s digital future.
She shares her journey from linguistics to AI, highlighting how African languages can drive machine learning. Her work publishing Sesotho, Setswana, and Sepedi datasets is a vital step towards inclusive NLP systems that truly understand African users.
We also dive into the Metaverse Research Unit’s virtual recreation of Sophiatown, blending culture, memory, and technology, and how strong data ethics frameworks help keep such innovation meaningful and responsible.

In this episode of iAfrikan BYTES, we speak with Dr Jabu Motsweni, Chief Researcher and Centre Manager at the Information and Cyber Security centre of the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). He unpacks South Africa’s approach to cybersecurity and the innovations shaping the continent’s digital resilience. From secure identity systems and state policy collaboration to the urgent need for local cybersecurity skills, Dr Motsweni offers insights into building tech that truly serves Africa. Recorded live at IndabaX 2024 at the University of the Witwatersrand.

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.

In In this episode of iAfrikan Bytes, we sit down with Professor Benjamin Rosman, Director of the newly launched Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery Institute (MIND) at Wits University, to unpack the future of robotics and machine learning in Africa.

Rosman dives deep into developments at the intersection of AI and robotics, from cutting-edge research to real-world applications. He compares Africa’s advancements to global players like Boston Dynamics and Unitree, offering a grounded but optimistic view of the continent’s potential to lead in select niches.
The conversation explores both hardware and software breakthroughs, with a strong emphasis on the commercial opportunities that lightweight robots can bring to Africa’s SMME landscape. Rosman makes a powerful case for why robotics isn’t just a high-tech dream, it’s an actionable pathway for innovation, job creation, and solving local challenges.

In this episode of iAfrikan BYTES, Frans Meyer, CEO of Alphawave, shares the company’s evolution from antenna engineering to becoming a key player in AI and advanced technology. He explores AI-driven startups, the SKA project, and the challenges of scaling founder led businesses.
With AI and ML transforming engineering, Meyer emphasises the need for talent development and equipping engineers for the future.
Recorded in Johannesburg, South Africa, at Wits University IndabaX 2024.
Listen now for insights into AI, Investment, and Innovation