Program
Solcon
Building on Success, Embracing Sovereign AI
Solcon Infinity Agenda
01
- 08H00
Arrival, Registration, Tea/Coffee
03
- 08H40
Keynote
Protection of Personal Information in the age of Sovereign Big Data and AI
Adv. Pansy Tlakula
Chairperson: Information Regulator of South Africa
04
- 09H00
Keynote
A Fit for purpose Policy landscape for Africa in the age of Sovereign Big Data and AI
Ms. Nonkqubela Jordan- Dyani
Director General: Department of Communications and Digital Technologies
05
- 09H20 (45mins)
Panel Discussion
Sovereign AI in the context of Space, Research and Indigenous knowledge
- The use of AI in managing utilities (Rail Power, Water, Telecom) infrastructure
- Protecting Domestic and Sovereign Indigenous knowledge and innovation- Through the use of AI factories
- Patenting South Africa’s AI research output in the age of geopilitics and AI race
- Enhancing Service Delivery through engaging in our African Languages
Moderated by:
Andile Ngcaba
Founder and Chairman: Solcon Capital and Convergence Partners
Panelists:
Mr. Fred Swaniker
Founder and Chief Executive Officer: Sand Technologies
Mr. Tilson Manyoni
Chairperson: National Advisory Council on Innovation
Dr. Fulufhelo Nelwamondo
Chief Executive Officer: The National Research Foundation of South Africa (NRF)
Prof. Vukosi Marivate
ABSA UP Chair of Data Science: University of Pretoria
06
- 10H05 (45mins)
Panel Discussion
Radio Astronomy, Research Collaboration and the use of AI Infrastructure
- Radio Astronomy, Research Collaboration and the use of AI Infrastructure
- Advancing AI in Higher Education and Post Doctoral Research
- The Development of AI Infrastructure, Quantum Compute and HPC Resources for Sovereign South Africa
Dr. Adrian Tiplady
Deputy Managing Director: South African Radio Astronomy Observatory
Mr. Gomedi Makhongoana
ZA Country Director: Oracle, Africa
Dr. Happy Sithole
Center Manager: National Integrated Cyber Infrastructure System
07
- 10H50
Panel Discussion
Extreme Weather Modelling and Simulating future Utility Infrastructure through the use of Big Data, AI, and Digital Twins
- Use of Satellite in Extreme Weather monitoring
- The use of AI in managing utilities (Rail Power, Water, Telecom) infrastructure
Moderated by: Dr. Mary-Jane Bopape
Managing Director: South African Environmental Observation Network (SAEON)
Panelists:
Adv. Lulu Makapela
Strategic Initiatives Implementation Contracts Manager: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
Ms. Nomfuneko Majaja
Chief Director- Space Affairs: Department of Trade Industry and Competition
Ms. Faith Burn
Chief Information Officer: Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd
Mr. Pandelani Munyai
Group Chief Information Officer: Transnet SOC Ltd
08
- 11H35
TEA
09
- 12H00 (45mins)
Panel Discussion
Cybersecurity, Big Data, AI- Protecting the National Digital Infrastructure in the age of Advanced persistent threat (APT)
- Ransomware as a service (RaaS) The use of AI by State and non-state actors in the dark and deep web
- Role of Regulators and Policy makers: Sovereign Data and AI
- Protecting the National Digital Infrastructure in the age of Advanced persistent threat (APT)
- The use of Modern GenAI in High frequency trading and derivatives market
Prof. Sizwe Snail KA Mtuze
Professor of Law: Nelson Mandela University
Adv. Jacky Fick
Chief Executive Officer: VizStrat Solutions
Mr. Raj Naidoo
Acting Cybersecurity Director: State Security Agency
Mr. Katekani Hlabathi
General Manager: State Security Agency
Dr. Mark Nasila
Chief Data and Analytics Officer: FNB Risk
10
- 12H45 (45mins)
Panel Discussion
Sovereign Citizen Data for Better Governance
- Utilization of Big Data and AI in Demarcation and Developing New Cities
- Building Shared Services and Common Platforms for South Africa’s local government
- Big Data and AI’s role in advancing the ideals of Agenda 2063 2030 Sustainable Development Goals for an inclusive South Africa
- Analysis
Dr. Sandile Mbatha
National Chief Data Officer: Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs
Mr. Kutlwano Chaba
Chief Digital Officer: South African Local Government Association
Dr. Reevana Balmahoon
AI and XR Lead: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research
Dr. Nomhle Ngwenya
ESG Professional and Climate Risk Consultant
11
- 13H30 (20mins)
Keynote
Protecting Citizens and Vulnerable Groups in the Digital Information Age
Keynote (Remote)
International Keynote Address: AI for Good
Ms. Zama Mkosi
Chairperson: Film and Publication Board (FPB)
Mr. Guillem Martinez Roura
Officer of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), the United Nations specialized agency for ICT
12
- 14H05
Panel Discussion
Wind Management - Poster Presentation
- Predictive modeling and Assessment of offshore wind energy potential and extreme weather impacts
- Historical analysis of climate change and wind trends
- A Near-Real-Time Data Acquisition Pipeline for Continuous Monitoring of Wind Energy: A Case Study of the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- A Predictive Model using Deep Learning Algorithms and Statistical Methods for Wind Energy
- A Deep Learning Approach to Wind Turbine Location Optimization: Integrating Spatial and Temporal Patterns
13
- 14H30
Fireside Chat with Chair and Pramod on Coastal One Differentiator at the end
Ms. Juanita Clark
Chief Executive Officer: Digital Council Africa
Mr. Pramod Venkatesh
Chief Executive Officer: Solcon Capital
14
- 14H45
Award for Utilization of AI in Wind Management - Poster Presentation
Mr. Pramod Venkatesh
Chief Executive Officer: Solcon Capital
15
- 14H55
Closing Words and Thank you
Andile Ngcaba & Mr. Pramod Venkatesh
16
- 15H00
