Intelligent CIO Africa Issue 30 | Page 8

NEWS AI Expo Africa launches AI art challenge A I Expo Africa, the largest business focused AI event in Africa, has launched a grand challenge to create an original piece of artwork or music that leverages AI. ‘Experience’ takes centre stage as leaders meet at Saphila 2019 Saphila 2019 was held in Sun City, South Africa There will be one winner for each category (visual art and music) and winners must be citizens of an African country and living in Africa. Awards will be presented to the winner at the exclusive AI Expo Africa VIP event on the opening night in Cape Town, South Africa on September 3 – with the music track(s) being played during the event and artwork on display. Both sets of work will also be auctioned during the exclusive networking and drinks reception event on September 4. First prize in each category (music and visual art) will receive a VIP full access ticket to the event, including refreshments; US$600 contribution to flights to Cape Town (limited to economy flights within Africa); US$250 contribution for two nights hotel accommodation, 50% share in action proceeds of the art and music, with 50% also going to the charity, Starting Chance; a TV or media interview plus a social media and press release for the winners; a speaking opportunity in the case study track at AI Expo; and valuable networking opportunities with the largest AI tech community in Africa. There will also be prizes handed out to the second and third placed creators. To sign up, visit zindi.africa/competitions/ai-art T echnology and business leaders descended on Sun City to discuss the role of new and evolving technologies in addressing key public and private sector challenges at Saphila 2019. Saphila is a biennial conference for SAP users, partners and customers focused on knowledge-sharing around innovation, implementation and service delivery using SAP technologies. Cameron Beveridge, Regional Director: Southern Africa at SAP Africa, says the demands put on organisations to deliver exceptional customer experiences will only increase in light of the constrained economy. “Organisations will increasingly need to utilise advanced 8 INTELLIGENTCIO technologies to improve how they develop, implement and measure key interactions with customers and employees,” he said. One of the big announcements surrounding the event was the latest release of SAP S/4HANA Cloud, which adds a series of innovations to make it easier for organisations to add Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and greater customisation to their business processes. A full speaker line-up of local and global experts also shone a spotlight on how African organisations can develop Intelligent Enterprise capabilities and take advantage of the immense opportunities of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. www.intelligentcio.com