While South Africa already has some tech expos and telecommunications conferences, nothing really existed that spoke directly to the people who are expected to make business decisions about AI, but often feel left out of the conversation, says One-eyed Jack. 

"We saw an opportunity to humanise the AI conversation," says Manuela Dias de Deus, Founder of One-eyed Jack and the creator of AIE. "There's a lot of noise in the space,  jargon-heavy panels, intimidating tech-talk, creative-only summits, yet very few platforms that make business owners, entrepreneurs and marketers feel like this world is for them. That's where AIE is different."

One-eyed Jack says it has seen that the AI conversation was largely confined to technical communities and corporate IT conferences, leaving a vacuum in the space where creative marketers and agile entrepreneurs could engage with the tools reshaping their industries.

"There's a first-mover advantage in adopting AI, but right now there's also a first-mover advantage in understanding it," adds Dias de Deus. "AIE isn't about intimidating you with what you don't know, it's about inspiring you with what's possible."

According to the agency, AIE will feature: 

  • keynotes from global and local trailblazers who are using AI in fresh, strategic ways
  • practical demos showing real use-cases in marketing, sales, creative content and customer service
  • conversations about ethics, privacy and the future of work, delivered in plain, human language, and 
  • a vibe that feels more like a modern brand experience than a trade show.

The two-day conference taking place on Thursday, 7 and Friday, 8 August at the Cape Town International Convention Centre is designed with intention: day one focuses on business, while day two shifts the spotlight to life and the way we live, says the agency.

Day 1: AI In Business: How AI will flip the way you work, sell, market, hire, create, invest and manage your finances. Radio host, Africa Melane (CapeTalk and 702), will host day one.

Day 2: AI in Life: The big-picture trends that'll shape the world you live in, from cities and climate change, to education, health and wellness, ethics and fraud. 

As the World Economic Forum predicts that AI will disrupt 85 million jobs but create 97 million new ones by 2025, the question is no longer whether to engage with AI but how. Brands, agencies, startups and business owners need help translating AI into growth, efficiency and impact, and AIE aims to be their entry point, adds One-eyed Jack. 

The agency says phase one speakers include: 

  • Derek Wilcocks, CIO of Discovery Limited, on AI innovations in healthcare
  • Nazareen Ebrahim, AI Ethics and Policy practitioner and Top 100 Brilliant Women in AI, on AI in Tourism, and
  • Chris Shortt, CTO, Shoprite Group, on AI in retail.

One-eyed Jack says its event partners include CapeTalk, Daily Maverick, DY I DX, Caveat Legal, Howler, Woww, Guardians and Salty Travel.

One-eyed Jack concludes that tickets start at R3 600 for the two days, and are on sale here. 

For more information, visit www.aiempowered.co.za. You can also follow AIE on Facebook, LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram. 

*Image courtesy of contributor