Mind and Machine Africa: Unlocking the potential of AI in Africa.

AI can give a voice to the voiceless, the shy and many more. As we discuss how AI is impacting this very medium stumble upon some social impact challenges that touched our hearts. Podcasting has seen it's fair share of changes following the readily available AI tools out there for consumers. Our guest is Oscar Koome co-host of the popular podcast mantalk.ke as we discuss how AI is shaping podcasting, this is an episode that certainly is more than just about podcasts.

Mind and Machine Podcast welcomes guest Oscar Koome, a private equity professional and co-host of podcast mantalk.ke. We discuss AI's growing role in finance in Africa, and the potential to solve for financial inequality, bridge gaps, create new opportunities and while at it came up with a few interesting startup ideas. This episode is sponsored by Little Pesa a digital lender (licensed by the CBK) download their app using the links below. https://onelink.to/53wsde Website link: www.littlepesa.com

Accessing AI is not cheap, internet access and cost to use some of the AI tools puts them out of reach for most Africans. The big question is how do we get AI to everyone in Africa? On this episode we are joined by Fayé Briggs CEO at Afristec as we explore this question and get insights from Africa's pioneer in multiprocessor/multi-core product innovations. He holds five patents and has published over 40 technical papers.

This episode we are joined by the Co-Founder and CEO of Fastagger Mutembei Kariuki we dive into what it took to build an AI startup the pains and challenges, the great wins and the ecosystem all around AI startups. A thought provoking episode that reveals industry biases and shines a light towards the dangers of a world where Africa is left out in the dark as a new form of colony while new superpowers emerge as this technology grows more powerful and influential.

In this insightful episode we talk with Kevin Mutiso the Co-Founder and CEO OYE and the chairman of the Digital Financial Services Association of Kenya. He is also a part of a global working group for responsible AI. We discuss AI in the financial services sector, AI in OYE and importantly what AI means for business leaders and what drives it's adoption, A unique conversation between friends that breaks biases and assumptions I held around what inspires businesses to talk up technology. Enjoy this amazing conversation.

How has AI shaped your workspace? How will AI shape the future of workspace? Joined by Africa's Okayiest Developer Somet Kipchilat, we discuss the impact AI has on the workspace from your daily routine to your tasks, from how AI can affect compensation in the future to how AI might replace certain roles. An interesting conversation that centered around people more than the technology. It is clear that the workforce has been boosted by AI and the workspace is beginning its metamorphosis, but into what?

This episode focuses on the impact AI is having and could have on art in Africa, generative AI creating images or videos from text are an amazing tool and are very fun to use. The big question though, are these tools destroying the future of African art? Joined by a phenomenal artist in the Kenya art space, Sukuma Wiki, we have a deep conversation around art and AI. Sukuma wiki who also doubles as an advocate in Kenya also introduces discussions around copyright and ownership. This episode might just get you off that generative AI and picking up a brush to preserve our art.

Welcome Anthony Muiyuro partner risk advisory at Deloitte and the President of ISACA Kenya Chapter as we finally discuss cybersecurity and AI. Cybersecurity is and will always be crucial to safeguarding people, data and infrastructure. Our discussion covers how AI has changed the threat landscape, produced more risks for organizations and created new threat actors. On the flip side we have seen AI help the industry improve cyber resilience and automate incident response to save organizations from doom, cyber security experts can also use AI to reduce their tremendous work loads and improve their quality of work. Its not just about using AI in cybersecurity but also what role cybersecurity plays in the development of AI tools and how to continuously secure them. Enjoy the show and please provide feedback.

In this thought-provoking episode 6, we dive into the challenges that rapid advancements in artificial intelligence pose to law makers. Joined by Catherine Kariuki and Janet Othero partners at Tripleoklaw LLP in the technology, media and telecommunication practice area, we discuss the complexities of creating effective legislation for such a rapidly evolving field. We explore the balance between innovation and regulation, the importance of international collaboration, and the ethical implications of AI advancements and learn what steps are being taken to ensure AI benefits society while minimizing its potential risks.

In Episode 5 we are joined by Kamau Kunyiha the Regional Head East and Southern Africa at Creditinfo Group as we discuss the role AI has played in the credit scoring business in Africa, how the pandemic challenged their models, how a regulated entity manages to use AI safely, the challenges they face around AI, financial literacy powered AI and many more topics. Enjoy the episode. For more content by Mind and Machine Africa visit YouTube and Patreon 

Episode 4, is all about the tools we use daily. The various AI tools that have become embedded in our work and life. joined by Nick Gert a Senior UI/UX Designer at TIBU Health. We explore the AI tools that he finds now essential to his work, the tools we would be interested in seeing in the future. some of the tools discussed included Firefly, ChatGPT, Co-pilot and more.

In Episode 3, we are joined by Njaramba Wanjau a marketer and data scientist from Safaricom as we discuss how marketing has evolved through advancements of technology. Is AI a silver bullet for marketers or is it a nail in their coffin. We discuss concerns around how much data is necessary for marketers and any AI model they might be training or using. A glimpse into the future of content where AI is making content faster than people and at a rate that people can consume it in the age of instant gratification. Will my views of the impact of AI change after the discussion?

In Episode 2, the discussion centers on the national role governments play in developing an AI strategy for countries to use. Joined by John Walubengo a professor at Multimedia University of Kenya and a member of the task force on AI & blockchain and the taskforce on data protection. He shares his experience and knowledge on AI at a national level. Governments in Africa need to adopt strong strategies on how AI will be leveraged both in public sector and private sector, as well as providing protection to citizens and their data. The strategies include frameworks, policies, legislation and regulations. AI is a technology we can not simply import and begin to use without having the proper structures in place to safeguard the country. For more content by Mind and Machine Africa visit YouTube and Patreon 

On our first episode we speak to Peter Kanda the CIO at Gertrude's Children's Hospital about their use of AI to improve health care, diagnosis and reduce errors. We also speak on some of the challenges and opportunities for Africa to build its own AI path for better quality healthcare and the challenges that are being faced and the challenges up ahead for the adoption of AI into the Healthcare Industry. For more content by Mind and Machine Africa visit YouTube and Patreon