The South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with MICT SETA to promote the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and smart technology-related careers.
SAAIA aims to unite practitioners from the commercial, government, academic, start-up, and non-profit sectors in order to promote stakeholders’ adoption of responsible AI for the economic and societal benefit of South African citizens, with a primary focus on economic growth, trade, investment, equality, and inclusivity.
The Government of South Africa created the Media, Information, and Communication Technologies Sector Education and Training Authority (MICT SETA) in accordance with the Skills Development Act. When it comes to the advertising, film and electronic media, electronics, IT, and telecommunications industries in which it works, the MICT SETA plays a crucial part in accomplishing South Africa’s skills development and economic developing.
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Dr Nick Bradshaw, the founder of SAAIA stated, “From hype to a global reality, the SAAIA vision has been shaped by analysing the global and local landscape, identifying needs and filling the blanks with research. This has revealed both the challenges and opportunities AI and related smart technologies can bring to South Africa for both citizens and the wider economy.”
“Our research has shown that AI and related automation technologies are currently impacting 120+ traditional industries globally, while creating new job opportunities and challenges in timescale never seen before. The speed of this disruption is faster than any other industrial revolution that has gone before it and skills development, education and training is a foundational aspect for people to embrace this new wave of innovation and progress their learning and career prospects which is why we teamed up with MICT SETA.”
It is crucial that the possibilities presented by AI may be taken advantage of by everyone, not just a few. To ensure that no one is left behind, the SAAIA MICT SETA MOU seeks to engage everyone from complete beginners to seasoned experts.
Senior Manager for 4IR at MICT SETA Gugu Sema remarked, “The MICT SETA fully believes in the revolutionary potential of AI and its capacity to promote economic development, increase efficiency, and boost social well-being. Our involvement in SAAIIA is in line with our strategic goal of developing a workforce with the necessary digital skills to tackle the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.”
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Individuals can join SAAIA for free
Members of SAAIA’s Advisory Board and founding partners come from a wide variety of industries and are all committed to promoting the ethical use of artificial intelligence. These institutions and organizations include the DCDT of the South African government, Google, the Western Cape government, the Gauteng tourism authority, Tshwane University of Technology, the MICT SETA, Anza Capital, Michalsons, GIZ, and Izwe.ai. Companies and institutions involved include ecosystem.Ai, Tshwane University of Technology, Webber Wentzel, University of Johannesburg, ExploreAI, Cirrus AI, TinyML Foundation, Augmented Startups, Data Economy Policy Hub, Socially Acceptable, mLab, and Zindi.
Joining SAAIA is free, and members have access to information and networking opportunities throughout the year. Discounts are available for members to attend the association’s annual conference, AI Expo Africa, which will be held in Johannesburg, South Africa, on November 2nd -3rd, 2023, at the Sandton Convention Centre.