INTELLIGENT BRANDS // Software for Business

Cape Town-based ExploreAI Academy is Africa ’ s largest data science training institution . In 2022 , after just five years , it achieved a significant milestone when its total number of graduates passed the 3,000 mark . Over 90 % of these graduates – many of whom are from disadvantaged communities – are employed .

The Explore AI Academy , whose parent company is now headquartered in London , has been one of South Africa ’ s most successful start-ups in the past decade , proving that the country has the skills and determination to take its place with the best the world has to offer .

ExploreAI is a six-year-old consulting and training business solving complex business problems in a number of AI and data science projects with leading UK and European businesses , such as Thames Water , Nordic Guarantee , and CRP . The business is led by top global academics and practitioners with decades of experience in teaching and realworld problem-solving .

The ExploreAI Academy is the largest data science academy in Africa . It is supported by a number of large corporate companies as well as Amazon Web Services .

ALX is a division of African Leadership International . The partnership with ExploreAI Academy is part of its plan to expand its international community of highly skilled professionals with qualifications that evolve with the digital economy ’ s demands . As developed economies face increasing skills shortages in the digital and tech sectors , players like ALX are increasingly looking to Africa as an emerging source of skilled young talent .

The partnership with ALX is a massive leap forward for ExploreAI Academy . The partnership with ALX has meant a swift and significant gearing up to meet the demands of the new student cohorts . The shortage of data science skills across the world is now known to be a major problem in the digital age .

Founder Shaun Dippnall says , “ We believe our model of teaching data science , data engineering , AI , and related skills is making a significant impact in addressing the dire shortage of these particular skills in South Africa and across the continent .”

“ ALX is connected to a broad ecosystem of institutions with a collective mission to harness Africa ’ s abundant human capital by developing ethical and entrepreneurial young leaders from across the continent . We are proud to be part of that international partnership ,” says Dippnall .

“ We learned how to pivot rapidly in 2020 when COVID forced us to move in a matter of weeks from a purely classroom-based teaching model to online with input from acknowledged subject matter experts in their fields . That shift to online teaching opened the door to talented candidates from across the continent . The partnership with ALX is thus the next logical step for us . Of course , it ’ s massive in terms of the number of students , but we are ready for the challenge ,” explains Dippnall .

“ The ExploreAI Academy experience has transformed the lives of numerous graduates , providing them with key skills and enabling them to accept high-earning jobs in a variety of industries . The partnership with ALX will expand our reach exponentially ,” Dippnall .

“ Investing in African digital skills and innovationdriven learning is the best way to turn African potential into best-in-class excellence ,” says ALI CEO and Founder Fred Swaniker .

“ To do so and at scale , we need to partner with proven training providers on the continent that share our vision and passion . ExploreAI Academy is just such a partner ,” he adds . p

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