KYALAMI, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA – 12 June 2017 – Singularity University (SU), a global community using exponential technologies to tackle the world’s greatest challenges, has announced its first international Summit on the African Continent.
The two-day SingularityU South Africa Summit (#futureproofAfrica) is being hosted in collaboration with Standard Bank, and with key strategic partners, including Deloitte, MTN, 702, and SAP and is being produced by Mann Made Media. SingularityU South Africa Summit will convene exponential thought leaders, SU faculty, and organizations from around the world to provide participants with insights into emerging exponential technologies and how they can be used to create positive change and economic growth in the region.
Corporate South Africa realises the importance of change and the influence of innovation and technology across all sectors. In response, this unique summit in Johannesburg will present a display of advanced technologies, extensive debate, and collaborative discussions, offering an exchange of ideas and existing best practices in the fields of healthcare, cyberspace, AI, robotics, big data, finance, and design. In addition to expert presentations, participants will explore questions ranging from trending technological changes across the globe to their impact on industry growth and region-specific challenges. The Summit will also showcase African entrepreneurs and innovations in the interactive exhibitor halls.
“Singularity University is proud to be working with Standard Bank and Mann Made Media to host this first-ever SingularityU South Africa Summit, and to connect with Africa’s leaders and organizations shaping the future,” remarked Rob Nail, Associate Founder and CEO of Singularity University. “South Africa represents a microcosm of the challenges facing humanity worldwide and is fast gaining a solid reputation as a global centre. Through this Summit, we hope to connect and inspire leaders in the region to effect global impact.”
Ramez Naam, SU faculty, computer scientist, futurist, and award-winning author. Naam spent 13 years at Microsoft, developing early versions of Microsoft Outlook, Internet Explorer, and Bing, and later served as Partner and Director of Program Management. Naam holds 19 patents related to search engines, information retrieval, web browsing, artificial intelligence, and machine learning.and founded Apex NanoTechnologies, the world first company devoted entirely to software tools to accelerate molecular design. Naam lectures on energy, environment, and innovation at Singularity University.
David Roberts, SU faculty and award-winning CEO. A serial entrepreneur, Roberts has started ventures backed with more than $100 million of investment from Kleiner Perkins, Vinod Khosla, Cisco, Oracle, Accenture, In-Q-Tel, and others. He serves as Chairman of HaloDrop, a global drone services company; Chairman at 1QBit, the world’s first software company for quantum computers, and is an adviser to Made-In Space, which manufactured the first object in space with a 3D printer on the International Space Station.
Raymond McCauley, SU faculty, scientist, engineer, and entrepreneur. McCauley works at the forefront of biotechnology, exploring the effects of advanced technology on biology, genetics, medicine, and agriculture. He is the Co-founder and Chief Architect for BioCurious, a biotech hackerspace. McCauley was also part of the team developing DNA sequencing at Illumina, where he worked in bioinformatics, cancer sequencing, and personal genomics.
Mandy Simpson, CEO of New Zealand-based Cyber Toa. Simpson helps companies secure their digital footprint in today’s ever-changing digital landscape. She has extensive experience in capital markets, including four years as COO at NZX, developing blockchain technology for financial markets. Previously, she served as CFO of the technology company, Fronde. Simpson worked for Deloitte Consulting (UK) and the London Stock Exchange in the areas of financial investigation and surveillance. She is a member of the board of directors of Punakaiki Fund and NZTech, and is an active investor in early stage companies as well as an advisory board member at BraveNewCoin, which delivers blockchain and digital-asset markets news, data, analysis, industry resources.
A complete list of speakers for SingularityU South Africa can be viewed here.
“South Africa has a unique opportunity to play a vital role in shaping an abundant future for all Africans,” said Mic Mann, organizer of the SingularityU South Africa Summit. “Our ability to leverage and develop accelerating technologies in the coming years, will allow us to leapfrog legacy systems and compete in the global economy and have a massive impact on our growth and economic health. It is of the utmost importance for us to bring Singularity University to South Africa to educate, empower and inspire leaders and future leaders in Africa.”
ABOUT SINGULARITYU SUMMITS
SingularityU Summits are two-day conferences held around the globe to help local leaders understand how exponential technologies can be used to create positive change and economic growth in their region. Summits become an annual point of contact and inspiration for the local community, a catalyst to accelerate a local culture of innovation, and an opportunity to highlight breakthrough technologies, startups, and ideas. SingularityU Summits are attended by the general public, government officials, entrepreneurs, investors, NGOs, impact partners, and educators, and may include educational tracks for government and youth. Learn more at http://singularityuglobal.org/.
ABOUT SINGULARITY UNIVERSITY (SU)
Singularity University (SU) is a global learning and innovation community using exponential technologies to tackle the world’s biggest challenges and build an abundant future for all. SU's collaborative platform empowers individuals and organizations across the globe to learn, connect, and innovate breakthrough solutions using accelerating technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, and digital biology. A certified benefit corporation headquartered at NASA Research Park in Silicon Valley, SU was founded in 2008 by renowned innovators Ray Kurzweil and Dr. Peter H. Diamandis with program funding from leading organizations including Google, Deloitte, and UNICEF. To learn more, visit SU.org, join us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter @SingularityU, and download the SingularityU Hub mobile app.
LimeChilli Consulting
Samantha Wilkinssamantha@limechilli.co.za
Chantelle Virgillitochantelle@limechilli.co.za
Mann Made Media
Mic Mannmic@mannmademedia.com
Shayne Mannshayne@mannmademedia.com