AI-Driven Summit Selects Cape Town as Host City
The AI Empowered Summit, set to take place in Cape Town, South Africa on August 7-8, 2025, is poised to explore the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in addressing local challenges and fostering innovation across Africa. With a focus on sectors like healthcare, agriculture, logistics, and youth upskilling, the event aims to bridge the gap between global AI innovations and local problems, driving inclusive growth and economic development[1].
The summit boasts an impressive line-up of over 40 speakers, with 15 women speakers to champion diverse voices in innovation. Notable speakers include Kabelo Makwane, Country Director of Google Africa, who will present on AI strategy for African businesses. Valter Adão, CEO of Cadena Growth Partners and Faculty at Singularity University Africa, will discuss AI, automation, and inclusive growth. Steven Sidley, Professor of Practice at JBS, UJ, will examine utopian versus dystopian futures shaped by AI[2].
The event is proudly inspired by Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) Cape Town and backed by Invest Cape Town, the City of Cape Town, and the Interactive Advertising Bureau. It will be held at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, reinforcing Cape Town's status as Africa’s tech and innovation hub[3][4].
The programme includes two main tracks: the EO Insights Hub Stage and the Main Auditorium. Topics to be covered include AI strategy for African business leaders, the impact of AI and automation on inclusive growth, and exploring utopian versus dystopian AI futures.
The conversations at the summit will focus on topics like fraud protection and youth upskilling. Roshan Jelal, FNB Head of Fraud Commercial, and Rahul Jain, Co-Founder of Peach Payments, will discuss AI & Fraud. Folarin Aiyegbusi, Head of Startup Ecosystem for Africa at Google, is also scheduled to speak[2].
Tickets for the summit start at R3,600 for both days and are available at www.aiempowered.co.za. Corporate bookings packages are also available. For updates on the event, follow AI Empowered on Instagram (@aiempowered_sa), Facebook (@aiempoweredsa), LinkedIn (Ai Empowered SA), and Twitter (@AI_EmpoweredSA)[5].
According to PwC, AI is expected to contribute R129-billion to South Africa's economy by 2030[6]. The AI Empowered Summit in Cape Town promises to be a significant step towards realising this potential.
[1] https://www.businessinsider.co.za/ai-empowered-summit-2025-cape-town-2023-1 [2] https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/774/211571.html [3] https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/technology/ai-empowered-summit-to-take-place-in-cape-town-next-year-3e715935-8f4a-4f7a-b04e-e643d1a12c7c [4] https://www.iol.co.za/business-report/technology/cape-town-to-host-ai-empowered-summit-in-august-2025-27648558 [5] https://www.bizcommunity.com/Article/196/774/211571.html [6] https://www.pwc.co.za/en/services/technology/artificial-intelligence/artificial-intelligence-in-africa.html
- The AI Empowered Summit, happening in Cape Town from August 7-8, 2025, will delve into the role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in fostering local growth and development, particularly in sectors like healthcare, agriculture, logistics, and youth upskilling.
2.The event is set to feature over 40 speakers, including Kabelo Makwane, Country Director of Google Africa, who will discuss AI strategy for African businesses and promote entrepreneurship.
3.Other speakers include Valter Adão, CEO of Cadena Growth Partners and Faculty at Singularity University Africa, who will address AI, automation, and inclusive growth; and Steven Sidley, Professor of Practice at JBS, UJ, who will examine utopian versus dystopian futures shaped by AI.
4.The summit will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, further establishing Cape Town as Africa’s tech and innovation hub, and will include discussions on topics like fraud protection and youth upskilling.
5.The AI Empowered Summit aims to bridge the gap between global AI innovations and local problems, contributing to South Africa's economy, with AI expected to contribute R129-billion to South Africa's GDP by 2030 according to PwC.
