Deep Learning Indaba Artificial Intelligence Challenges

This project aims to strengthen the African machine learning and artificial intelligence community by supporting the Deep Learning Indaba. The mission of Indaba, which hosts annual conference of the African machine learning and AI community, is to ensure that Africans are not just observers and receivers of the ongoing advances in AI but are also active shapers and owners of these technological advances. This grassroots, African-led conference aims to address the significant gap between the technological advancements occurring globally and the local capacity and expertise to adapt and innovate using responsible AI technologies across Africa. This represents a significant expansion of the reach of the AI4D network and will enable progress to be made in promoting responsible AI innovation that addresses local and global challenges. It will make AI education and research accessible across the continent to the thousands of Africans and dozens of communities and local chapters that make up the Indaba community.

AI4D will support DLI with scholarships to ensure attendees, in particular women and people with disabilities, have access to the event without financial barriers. It will also support an “Ideathon” program to generate solutions to annually set development challenges in the region and provide the winning ideas with mentorship and a financial award. Finally, the project will enhance the sustainability of the event through multi-year support, which will provide greater advance planning capacity and ensure growth in operational capacity.