DSFSI at the 2024 Deep Learning Indaba: A Journey of Learning, Innovation, and Community

DSFSI at the 2024 Deep Learning Indaba: A Journey of Learning, Innovation, and Community Last week, the Data Science for Social Impact (DSFSI) team had the incredible opportunity to attend the 2024 Deep Learning Indaba (DLI) in Dakar, Senegal. Bringing together over 600 passionate attendees from across the continent and beyond, the Indaba once again proved to be a cornerstone event for Africa’s thriving AI community. In this post, some of our team members—Fiskani Banda, Seani Rananga, and Matimba Shingange—shared their unique experiences, highlighting the event’s profound impact on their academic and professional journeys.

Fiskani Banda: A Grateful Graduate’s Transformative Experience

Fiskani Banda, a Masters graduate, reflected on her time at the Indaba with immense gratitude. “From the very first day, the excitement in the air was palpable, setting the tone for the week,” Fiskani shared. She emphasised how the Indaba exceeded expectations by offering a week filled with learning, sharing, and building meaningful connections. “From my first Indaba in Ghana to this year’s event in Dakar, being part of this community has truly showcased Africa’s incredible innovation,” she noted.

Fiskani was particularly inspired by the diversity of ideas and solutions presented. Standout sessions for her included the Women in Machine Learning panel, foundational talks on Large Language Models, and the Voices of African NLP workshop, which underscored the importance of equity, community values, equitable governance, and local-global partnerships. A personal highlight was receiving the Alele-Williams Award and presenting her master’s dissertation work, an honour that left her deeply thankful and motivated.

Seani Rananga: Expanding Horizons in AI and NLP

For Seani Rananga, a staff member and PhD student, the 2024 Indaba marked her second enriching experience at the event, having previously attended in Ghana in 2023. “As an emerging researcher in AI, particularly in natural language processing and machine learning, I found my knowledge greatly broadened in many ways,” Seani shared. She was particularly impressed by the innovative approaches African researchers are taking to create data, models, and tools tailored for African languages. Seani highlighted the discussions around large language models (LLMs) and their computational demands. She was fascinated by Jade from Lelapa AI’s presentation on a smaller, more efficient language model that performs remarkably well and will soon be publicly available. This development promises to democratise access to powerful AI tools across the continent.

Another significant takeaway for Seani was the application of AI in agriculture. She recounted a session where a speaker discussed using image data to monitor the health of sheep, demonstrating AI’s potential in improving animal husbandry. Additionally, the Women in Machine Learning session left a lasting impression, showcasing the incredible work of African women in the field and their efforts to mentor the next generation.

Matimba Shingange: A Journey of Growth and Connection

Matimba Shingange, a Masters student, described the Indaba as an awe-inspiring experience that transcends a typical conference. “The Indaba isn’t just an event—it’s an experience that reshapes how you learn, build friendships, make connections, and unlock opportunities that will change the trajectory of your journey,” Matimba expressed. Attending her third Indaba, Matimba had numerous standout moments, including presenting a poster, moderating a session during the Voices of Africa workshop, and winning an award for her poster.

Matimba also cherished the connections she made with brilliant minds in the AI community and the lasting friendships formed. The cultural day celebration was a particular highlight, offering a vibrant showcase of Senegalese culture that enriched the overall experience. Grateful for the support from her supervisor, Vukosi Marivate at the University of Pretoria, and the DSFSI team, Matimba left the Indaba transformed, enriched with new knowledge and perspectives.

Dr. Idris Abdulmumin: Embracing Knowledge and Cultural Richness

Joining the DSFSI team was Dr. Idris Abdulmumin, whose reflections added another layer of depth to our collective experience. “The Deep Learning Indaba Senegal 2024, centred around the motto ‘Xam Xamlé’ (gain knowledge and share it), was an enriching experience with several highlights,” Dr. Abdulmumin shared. He particularly enjoyed the presentation on using computer vision to detect pain in both people and animals, praising its innovative approach to improving healthcare and animal welfare.

Dr. Abdulmumin emphasised that this year’s Indaba highlighted the power of shared knowledge in advancing AI for social good. Beyond the technical sessions, he relished the local cuisine, which reminded him of home, and took the opportunity to explore Senegal’s cultural richness by visiting the Museum of Black Civilizations. “In the museum, I took several photographs, especially of the Tijjaniya sect and their origins. These photos have since been requested by several friends in Nigeria,” he noted, showcasing the personal connections and cultural appreciation fostered during the event.