Latest news with #ThandoGumede
IOL News
a day ago
- Business
- IOL News
How the IRIS robot is revolutionising education in South Africa with AI
Left: KwaZulu-Natal Deputy Director-General Mbongiseni Mazibuko, IRIS founder Thando Gumede, and Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina at the IRIS launch in Durban on Tuesday. Image: Supplied The Science, Technology and Innovation Department has moved to allay fears that the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) will further push the unemployment rate higher in South Africa. Speaking at the official launch of AI educational robot teacher, IRIS, in Durban on Tuesday evening, Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina urged people to embrace technology that comes with AI, dismissing the assertion that it will further strain unemployment in the country, as most businesses will reduce their reliance on intensive labour and opt for AI. Gina said the department has started a campaign to demystify the wrong perception people have about AI and urged them to see it in a positive light 'It's high time that we embrace technology, particularly AI. We must change our mindset and accept that life is evolving. As a department, we must demystify the perception that science is for specific people or learned people. We live science on a daily basis,' said Gina. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading She further stated that the country must take pride that IRIS was invented by a South African, and more so by a woman, particularly one from the deepest rural area of KwaZulu-Natal. She added that the bigger problem in the country is that for a long time, people produce what they don't consume and consume what they don't produce, and that must change. She noted that when the government introduced Shesha lanes at tollgates and bank cards, many were sceptical, believing this would lead to job losses. However, today everyone is happy with these changes because they enhance convenience. The department pledged to support the innovation and work hand in hand with its founder, Thando Gumede. Speaking at the event, Gumede said she experienced gender-based challenges with her innovation because some men saw a potential girlfriend more than a business partner. Born in Hluhluwe in the north-east of the province, the businesswoman's tech company, BSG Technologies, made history by becoming the first in the country to design an educational tutor robot that possesses knowledge of subjects from Grade R to tertiary level, in all 11 official languages of South Africa. She said her robot will revolutionise the education sector and bridge the digital gap in the country, particularly in the fields of science and technology. The innovative robot will provide personalised learning, interactive lessons, and real-time feedback, empowering students to reach their full potential.
IOL News
07-08-2025
- Business
- IOL News
IRIS, the groundbreaking educational robot changing learning in South Africa, set for launch
Thando Gumede, founder BSG technologies, standing next to educational tutor robot, IRIS Image: Supplied A KwaZulu-Natal businessman's tech-company, BSG Technologies, has made history by becoming the first in the country to design an educational tutor robot that possesses knowledge on subjects from Grade R to tertiary level, in all 11 official languages of South Africa. The launch of the innovation is set for later this month and various government ministers and stakeholders in the science and technology and education sectors are expected to be attended. The founder of the company, Thando Gumede, said she also expected delegates from African countries who have shown interest in attending the launch. She said that this discovery, called IRIS, will revolutionise the education sector and bridge the educational gap in the country, particularly the fields of science and technology. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'This innovative robot aims to provide personalised learning, interactive lessons, and real-time feedback, empowering students to reach their full potential. We are excited to launch IRIS and share its potential with the world. We believe that every child deserves access to quality education, and IRIS is a step in the right direction towards achieving that goal,' said Gumede. She stated that Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina will officially launch IRIS in the presence of esteemed guests, including the Durban Chamber members, Education MECs, private sector representatives, public sector representatives, delegates from Botswana, and many more organisations. Gumede, from Hluhluwe in the north-east of the province, has also founded a school, BSG Technologies Combined School, where she teaches science and technology, coding, and robotics from Grade R to 12. The school benefits pupils from the rural areas of Umkhanyakude region. She was expected to present the innovation to the delegates who will be attending the National Science Week in Durban.
IOL News
07-08-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Meet IRIS: The groundbreaking educational robot changing learning in South Africa
Thando Gumede, founder BSG technologies, standing next to educational tutor robot, IRIS Image: Supplied A technology company, BSG Technologies, owned by a businesswoman from KwaZulu-Natal, has made history by becoming the first in the country to design an educational tutor robot that possesses knowledge of all subjects from Grade R to tertiary level, in all 11 official languages of South Africa. The company will launch this innovation in two weeks in an event that is expected to be attended by various government ministers and stakeholders in the science and technology and education sectors. The founder of the company, Thando Gumede, said she is also expecting delegates from African countries who have shown interest in attending the launch. She said that this discovery, called IRIS, will revolutionise the education sector and bridge the educational gap in the country, particularly in science and technology. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading 'This innovative robot aims to provide personalised learning, interactive lessons, and real-time feedback, empowering students to reach their full potential. We are excited to launch IRIS and share its potential with the world. We believe that every child deserves access to quality education, and IRIS is a step in the right direction towards achieving that goal,' said Gumede. She stated that Science, Technology and Innovation Deputy Minister Nomalungelo Gina will officially launch IRIS in the presence of esteemed guests, including the Durban Chamber members, Education MECs, private sector representatives, public sector representatives, delegates from Botswana, and many more organisations. Gumede, from Hluhluwe in the north-east of the province, has also founded a school, BSG Technologies Combined School, which teaches science and technology, coding, and robotics from Grade R to 12. The school benefits pupils from the rural areas of Umkhanyakude region. She is expected to present the innovation to the delegates who will be attending the National Science Week in Durban.
