To mark International Women’s Day on March 8, 2022, Africa.com hosted a groundbreaking virtual event in collaboration with Harvard Business School Professors Karim Lakhani and Tsedal Neeley. This event served as a strategic business primer on AI, tailored for a generalist, executive audience with an interest in Africa.
Part One: Yes, that Machine Algorithm is Biased
The event opened with a compelling presentation on how implicit racist and sexist biases are embedded in today’s AI algorithms. The discussion highlighted the significant implications of these biases for the use of AI among Africans and women, shedding light on the critical need for awareness and change in AI development.
Part Two: How is AI Changing the Industries Most Important to Africa?
Global AI experts then shared their insights on the latest advancements within key industries crucial to Africa, including financial services, telecoms, natural resources, agriculture, and technology. This segment featured senior executives responsible for overseeing the adoption of AI in some of the world’s largest corporations, providing attendees with valuable knowledge on the transformative impact of AI in these sectors.
Part Three: Digital Mindset – AI is the Easy Part; How Do You Get Your African Company to Transition to a Digital-First World?
The conversation then shifted to the organizational challenges of adopting AI. Professors Tsedal Neeley and Karim Lakhani discussed the toughest part of AI adoption: not the technology itself, but the significant organizational change it requires. Professor Neeley, author of the soon-to-be-published book “Digital Mindset,” engaged in a dialogue with Professor Lakhani about what it takes for a CEO to successfully lead an organization through the transition to a digital-first, AI-driven environment.
Part Four: Women CEOs on Artificial Intelligence
The event concluded with a series of brief presentations by leaders from the 2022 Definitive List of Women CEOs. These accomplished women shared how their companies are currently leveraging AI in Africa, offering practical examples and inspiring insights into the real-world application of AI on the continent.