Latest news with #UBU
Mail & Guardian
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Mail & Guardian
Robots and real voices at upcoming Singularity Summit
15+ New Speakers announced highlighting the power of women in AI and explores robotics shaping the real world As the Singularity South Africa Summit 2025 draws nearer, the programme continues to expand with the addition of new speakers and a strong focus on robotics, automation and women at the forefront of AI. Taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 22 and 23 October 2025, the summit will unpack how exponential technologies are shifting the boundaries of work, creativity and society, and what this means for Africa. Presented in partnership with headline sponsor Old Mutual and metaverse partner UBU, the event will feature local and global thinkers at the forefront of AI, robotics, leadership and ethics. In a programme designed to provoke, inspire and equip, the latest speaker additions reflect the depth and diversity of ideas that have the potential to future proof Africa. New perspectives and powerful voices Among the newly confirmed speakers is Norwegian AI Singularity expert Anita Schjøll Abildgaard, who will explore the realities of work and staffing in the AI era. John Sanei will follow with insights on The IRL Imperative: The Only Trend to Follow in the Age of AI , exploring how to stay human in an AI-shaped world. Jennifer Cheng Lo will share her expertise on investing in digital assets. Young South African innovator Bohlale Mphahlele, the inventor of a safety alerting earpiece for women, joins the line-up to speak about her invention. Aaron Frank will present on AI for the Physical World: Understanding Today's Autonomous Robotics and Mobility Revolution . Vivian Lan will provide a virtual introduction to exponential technologies to help frame the conversation. Shayne Mann will speak on leadership through invention, while Annie Blecher will address the awake mind, where inner calm meets peak performance. Award-winning South African poet and performer Lebo Mashile will host the summit and debut an original AI-assisted spoken word piece that fuses technology with live performance. Aaron Vaccaro, president of Singularity University, will share a forward-looking perspective on what is next from the global innovation ecosystem. Reece Meyer and Nadia Jaftha, in conversation with Marko Stavrou, will unpack the future of the digital creator economy. Jordan Crypt will address the future of digital finance, and Valter Adão will cover the future of work in today's rapidly changing economy. Meet Maximus: Robotics in motion This October, the summit gets a robotic upgrade. Attendees will get to meet Maximus, a humanoid G1 Unitree robot who will be present together with his robotic canine companions Murphy and Mavis. Their interactive demonstrations will demonstrate how robotics is transforming mobility and real-world problem solving. To see Maximus in action, click here: 'The world is not waiting for the future to arrive. It is being built through choices, tools and leadership that reflect a rapidly evolving reality,' said Mic Mann, Co-CEO of Singularity South Africa. 'This year's summit puts those ideas on stage and brings together people who are asking better questions and creating practical solutions.' 'AI is no longer confined to labs or code,' added Shayne Mann, Co-CEO. 'It is in the systems we build, the stories we tell and the tools we use. The summit is a platform for people who are doing the work to ensure technology serves a broader purpose, shaped by many voices.' A platform for transformation The Singularity South Africa Summit 2025 continues to position itself as a key meeting point for leaders across business, technology, policy and education. The inclusion of strong female voices in AI, alongside the rise of robotics and automation, reflects the broader commitment to relevance, inclusion and action. 'We keep saying women belong in technology, but belonging is not the point. Do not invite us in because we are women. Expect us because we lead, build, design and create. Expect us to rebuild broken systems, not accept them, because change is central to innovation and growth. That is why Singularity matters to Old Mutual. It is not just a sponsorship. It is a bold statement that we are investing in platforms that challenge the status quo, amplify diverse voices and drive real transformation. We are not here to observe the future. We are here to help shape it,' said Celiwe Ross, Director: Strategy, Sustainability, People and Public Affairs at Old Mutual. The 2025 summit will feature keynote sessions, immersive workshops, a curated expo and structured networking opportunities. Delegates can also engage with the event virtually through UBU's metaverse platform. For updates and registration, visit
Mail & Guardian
6 days ago
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Leadership and AI shaping the future
Professor Bonang Mohale New speakers announced as Singularity South Africa Summit highlights purpose-led leadership in the AI era The upcoming Singularity South Africa Summit 2025 will spotlight leadership and artificial intelligence as powerful forces shaping Africa's future. Taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 22 and 23 October 2025, the summit will explore how leaders across business, education and technology can navigate change, embrace innovation and drive inclusive growth in a rapidly evolving landscape. Presented in collaboration with headline sponsor Old Mutual and metaverse partner UBU, this year's event will dissect the intersection of AI and leadership under the broader theme 'Igniting Africa's Future'. With over 26 global and local thought leaders already confirmed, the programme is expanding to include additional announced speakers whose expertise spans disruption, ethics, human-centred innovation and exponential technology – more speakers to be announced in the coming weeks. Dr Mark Nasila New Voices, Fresh Perspectives Singularity South Africa has confirmed 6 additional speakers who will contribute to the dialogue on leadership and AI in Africa. Paul Pagnato, CEO, founder, chairman and board member, will speak on the future of business and leadership through transparency and trust, outlining how openness can drive growth in the AI economy. Mxolisi Mgojo, former CEO of Exxaro, Business Unity SA President and current Co-Chair of B20, will share insights on steering sustainable growth and industry collaboration in an age of disruption. Professor Bonang Mohale and Dr Preeya Daya, Sherpa and Chair of the V20, will deliver a joint session on leading change and values-driven leadership in South Africa, calling for a stronger ethical foundation in decision-making and policy design. Dr Mark Nasila, bestselling author who writes on African artificial intelligence, will present a keynote on human-centred AI: why design thinking is the missing link, in a session that will challenge traditional development models. Caroline van der Merwe, COO and co-founder, will speak on inclusive innovation: harnessing technology to empower every voice, examining how exponential tools can be applied to broaden participation and access. Dr Preeya Daya A Platform for Leadership in Action The summit will examine how Africa's current and future leaders can unlock long-term opportunity through responsible AI deployment, bold thinking and adaptive strategies. Sessions will range from practical applications of AI in leadership contexts to broader conversations around ethical governance, human capital and innovation-driven development. 'As the pace of change accelerates, it is clear that the kind of leadership required for the AI era looks very different from what came before,' said Mic Mann, Co-CEO of Singularity South Africa. 'This year's summit is designed to give decision-makers the tools and insights to lead with vision and purpose in a world shaped by exponential technologies.' 'Our focus this year is on action,' added Shayne Mann, Co-CEO. 'We are bringing together people who are not only talking about the future but actively building it. From values-led business to inclusive innovation, the conversations happening at the summit will be both strategic and grounded in impact.' Caroline van der Merwe Partnering for Purpose 'Old Mutual is honoured to be the headline sponsor of Singularity South Africa 2025 at a time when the world and our business is undergoing profound change. This summit is more than a gathering of brilliant minds. It is a platform for shaping Africa's future through exponential thinking, bold leadership and inclusive innovation. As we evolve our business to meet the needs of a rapidly shifting landscape, our partnership with Singularity reflects our commitment to empowering people, embracing technology and building resilient, purpose-driven organisations across the continent,' said Celiwe Ross, Director of Strategy, Sustainability, People and Public Affairs at Old Mutual. The 2025 programme will include keynote sessions, immersive workshops, a curated expo and structured networking. Delegates will also have access to the summit via UBU's metaverse experience, which mirrors the physical event and features interactive, gamified features. To stay informed on AI the latest exponential technologies, tune into the Exponential Africa podcast on Spotify, Apple podcasts or other podcast platforms. For updates or to book for the summit, visit
Mail & Guardian
02-07-2025
- Business
- Mail & Guardian
Education and AI in the spotlight
Singularity Summit highlights technology and learning this Youth Month As South Africa marks Youth Month, Singularity South Africa has announced a renewed focus on the future of education and the potential of artificial intelligence to propel youth learning, at this year's summit. Taking place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 22 and 23 October 2025, the event will examine how exponential technologies, AI and robotics can accelerate the education landscape and equip Africa's youth for the challenges and opportunities of the future. Presented in collaboration with headline sponsor Old Mutual and metaverse partner UBU, the SingularityU South Africa Summit 2025 will bring global thinkers and African innovators together under the theme Igniting Africa's Future . With nearly 60% of Africa's population under the age of 25, the need to harness innovation in education has never been more urgent. Equipping a Generation for What's Next The 2025 programme will explore how AI can support scalable, inclusive and locally relevant education solutions across the continent. From adaptive learning platforms and AI tutors to data-driven education policies, the summit will unpack what it takes to future-proof African societies from the classroom upwards. Additionally, the summit will showcase robotics with demonstrations, giving delegates a first look at the impressive potential of this groundbreaking technology. World renowned speakers will also address how today's learners can become tomorrow's problem-solvers and how exponential technologies can unlock new career paths in the rapidly changing economy. Topics will range from digital literacy, the metaverse environment and lifelong learning to the ethical use of AI in schools and tertiary education institutions. As with previous years, the in-person event will include two stages, immersive workshops, a curated expo and networking opportunities. The metaverse experience, hosted within UBU, will mirror the physical event with additional gamified and interactive features. Driving Purpose-Driven Innovation 'This year's summit comes at a critical moment for Africa as South Africa hosts the G20 Summit,' said Shayne Mann, co-CEO of Singularity South Africa. 'We are seeing exponential technologies rapidly reshape how we learn, work and live. This is about building relevant, scalable solutions that allow Africa's youth to not just participate in the future, but help shape it.' 'Old Mutual is proud to be associated with an event that puts innovation and education at the heart of the conversation,' said Celiwe Ross, Director: Strategy, Sustainability, People & Public Affairs at Old Mutual. 'We know that empowering youth through meaningful technology is one of the most effective ways to build resilience, drive opportunity and create long-term prosperity across the continent.' 'As the pace of change accelerates, we are proud to provide a platform that supports big ideas and practical solutions for the critical younger generation,' added Mic Mann, co-CEO. 'This year's focus on education and AI goes to the core of what this summit is about, driving progress through collaboration and insight.' New Speakers Announced Singularity South Africa has confirmed the addition of several new speakers who will bring fresh perspectives to the 2025 stage: Sahia Ahmad – CEO of Tourism Dubai and VARA, virtual assets registry, will address the future of cities and digital communities. Dr Jeff Karp – award-winning biotech inventor, author of 'Lit', will speak on intention and life skills needed to ignite Africa's future. Will Weisman – Pioneering venture capital investor in exponential technologies eg Colossal, will share insights on the future of investing. Ashley Anthony – Entrepreneur who will share insights on optimising supply chains with AI. Dr Michael Breu s – Founder of author of 'The Power of When' will speak on the transformative power of sleep and how sleep impacts productivity. Lavina Ramkissoon, Atenkosi Ngubevana and Phokeng Mogase – will participate in a panel discussion on AI sovereignty in Africa. Mic Mann – CO-CEO of Singularity SA will speak on the future of immersive experiences across retail, learning, branded campaigns and gaming. Celiwe Ros s – Old Mutual strategist will speak on the future of sustainability and public affairs. Fay Arjomandi – Telecommunications expert and advocate for equitable digital access, will address the shift from cloud-native to AI native infrastructures through edge computing. Kim Hulett – Advancing ethical genome design and pioneering biotech innovations in designer babies To stay informed on AI the latest exponential technologie, tune into the Exponential Africa podcast on Spotify, Apple podcasts or other podcast platforms. For updates or to book for the summit, visit
BreakingNews.ie
23-04-2025
- BreakingNews.ie
Traveller organisations call for improved mapping of youth work funding
Almost half of the Traveller population live in counties which have no funded Traveller-specific youth projects, according to a new mapping survey. The survey, launched by the Irish Traveller Movement (ITM), has led Traveller organisations to call for improved mapping of youth work funding to meet the needs of one of the most marginalised groups of young people. Advertisement The majority of funding for youth work programmes comes through the Department of Children's UBU programme, which targets disadvantaged, marginalised and vulnerable young people. The Irish Traveller Movement's co-ordinator of the National Traveller Youth Programme Rose Marie Maughan speaking at the launch of a new mapping survey of youth work funding at the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission in Dublin (Brian Lawless/PA) However, the ITM survey found that numerous counties with significant Traveller populations have no Traveller-specific UBU-funded youth projects – such as Cork, Limerick and Wexford. The survey, which looked at Traveller and mainstream services, found that while Traveller organisations were more active at engaging with youth than mainstream youth services, more than half of its organisations receive no funding for youth work. Mapping Youth work for Travellers in Ireland included data from 93 organisations, 67 mainstream organisations and 26 which were Traveller specific. Advertisement The ITM is a national advocacy and membership-based Traveller organisation representing local, regional and national Traveller groups and organisations across Ireland. It said the survey highlighted that young Travellers need to have equitable opportunities to access culturally competent youth work spaces – whether a Traveller-specific space, or a mainstream youth work space. The ITM's co-ordinator of the National Traveller Youth Programme, Rose Marie Maughan, said: 'The decision-making and allocation of youth work funding should respond to the fact that Traveller youth are a key target group who have a high level of tailored needs due to decades of social exclusion and experiencing anti-Traveller racism in all aspects of their young lives. 'It should allocate funds accounting for the population of Travellers per county, based on the Annual Counts of Travellers, as well as within the context of the broader youth population. Advertisement 'For example, the survey found Connaught received an allocation of just 7% of the UBU funding, while 17% of Travellers live in the province. This needs to change and be better targeted so that the needs of young Travellers are met. 'ITM is calling on the UBU programme to resource Traveller youth workers in all counties. And also for positive recruitment of Traveller youth workers in mainstream youth work services, in order to increase engagement with the local Traveller organisations.' Ms Maughan added that the ITM is keen to work with all key stakeholders to address the findings of the survey and ensure its recommendations are implemented through its National Traveller Youth Programme. The survey found that Traveller (52%) and mainstream organisations (45%) both reported educational disadvantage as the most significant challenge experienced by young Travellers. Advertisement Dolly Nevin, from the Laois Traveller Action Group, at the launch of a new mapping survey of youth work funding (Brian Lawless/PA) Speaking at the launch, Brian Byrne, Laois Traveller Action Group community development and youth worker, said he has seen first hand the transformative impact of targeted youth work. 'Young Travellers face significant barriers in education, employment and social inclusion,' he said. 'Without proper investment, we risk leaving another generation behind. Youth work provides not just support, but also hope, opportunity and a sense of belonging. 'Laois Traveller Action Group is proud to highlight the story of Dolly Nevin, a young Traveller woman whose life has been transformed through youth work. Dolly is now a strong and inspiring voice for change in her community.' Advertisement A panellist at the launch, Ms Nevin said: 'Youth work gave me the support and space I needed to believe in myself. 'It helped me realise that I could make a difference, not just in my own life, but in the lives of others too. Young Travellers face so many challenges – discrimination, lack of opportunity and barriers in education and employment. Ireland Trespass laws preventing Travellers from practisin... Read More 'Youth work gives us a chance to be heard, to grow, and to lead. Youth work changes lives. I'm living proof of that.' Also speaking at the launch, Rachel Coffey, Cork Traveller Visibility Group youth development worker, said: 'Youth work should be accessible for all, with a particular spotlight on culturally appropriate spaces to ensure Traveller youth can flourish and grow to their full potential. 'Investing in Traveller organisations where youth work opportunities arise should be supported given the barriers our youth face accessing mainstream youth services.'
Zawya
17-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Zawya
South Africa: Unisa and UBU Metaverse pioneer immersive learning experiences
UBU (formerly Africarare), Africa's leading platform for AI-powered immersive experiences, recently partnered with the University of South Africa (Unisa) to deliver two groundbreaking metaverse events, with over 800 people in attendance, showcasing the transformative power of virtual environments in education and digital skills development. The first event, the inaugural Advancing African Digital Humanities (AADH) Summit, hosted by The Advancing African Digital Humanities Ideation Hub (AADHiH), held virtually as a digital twin of the physical summit hosted at the Royal Elephant Hotel and Conference Centre in Pretoria, introduced a new standard for hybrid educational experiences. The event featured live-streamed international keynote addresses, interactive workshops across three immersive breakout rooms, and an innovative gamification element through treasure hunts. Participants also interacted with UBU's AI-driven personalities, including Nova, a sophisticated AI agent providing real-time event information, and the AI DJ, enabling students to craft original AI-generated music. The summit's dynamic programme, themed "Reimagining Africa's Knowledge Future in the Digital Humanities" attracted academics, industry leaders, policymakers, students and technologists, providing a forum for critical discussions on leveraging digital humanities to shape Africa's scholarly landscape. Participants lauded the event's interactive nature and its seamless integration of AI and immersive technologies. The second event, the Academic Development Open Virtual Hub (ADOVH) Student Digital Resilience Programme, was a vibrant virtual festival in the UBU's Heartbeat Arena venue designed to equip hundreds of Unisa students with essential digital skills for the future. Over two days, students participated in workshops ranging from basic web literacy to advanced AI applications and joined an exhilarating Microsoft AI Hackathon. The immersive environment included interactive zones such as a career fair, video expos, and a grand virtual stage where industry experts shared invaluable insights. Once again, UBU's AI agent Nova and the AI DJ enriched the experience, reinforcing students' digital fluency through interactive engagement. "These innovative immersive experiences are redefining the way education is delivered and received," said Denzil Chetty, project leader at the Advancing African Digital Humanities Ideation Hub. "The collaboration with UBU has propelled UNISA into the future, making high-quality digital skills and knowledge more accessible and engaging." Mic Mann, CEO of UBU, added: "Collaborating with Unisa to deliver these virtual events showcases the tremendous potential that exponential technologies have to empower African learners. We're thrilled by the enthusiastic response and look forward to advancing immersive education even further." Both events marked significant milestones in blending virtual and physical worlds, demonstrating the tangible benefits of immersive learning environments for higher education institutions.
