What Canada can learn from AI use in South Africa

AI conferences, while primarily tech events, have evolved to include academic elements, creating a somewhat insular atmosphere. Raesetje Sefala, a research fellow at The Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR) and former Mila researcher, brings a unique perspective to these gatherings. With a background in data science and a keen interest in social science, Sefala s work focuses on understanding the human impacts of governmental decisions, particularly in post-apartheid South Africa. Sefala s approach involves collecting and defining data sets to map and track the evolution of her community. This work is crucial in a democratic country where data should inform government decisions. Sefala s insights were shared during a panel conversation at ALL IN, discussing AI initiatives in Africa and potential lessons for the Canadian ecosystem. DAIR employs computer vision, satellite imagery, and machine learning to study the impacts of spatial apartheid in South Africa. This research could provide valuable insights for Canada, a country with bureaucratic challenges and a lack of open data and civic tech. The BetaKit Podcast, presented by Motion, a Canadian company that helps teams generate revenue from paid social ads, delves into Sefala s work and its implications for the Canadian ecosystem. The podcast is hosted by Douglas Soltys and Rob Kenedi, with Jess Schmidt producing and editing the show. The featured image is courtesy of DAIR. In summary, AI conferences have become academic gatherings, and Raesetje Sefala s work at DAIR highlights the importance of data-driven decision-making in a democratic society. Sefala s research on spatial apartheid in South Africa, using computer vision, satellite imagery, and machine learning, offers valuable lessons for Canada s bureaucratic challenges and lack of open data and civic tech. The BetaKit Podcast explores these topics and the potential impact on the Canadian ecosystem.

Source: betakit.com
Published on 2024-09-30

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