It is not only sense-making journey on democratizing AI to benefit everyone, but also introduces a massive transformative purpose for humanity and its associated goals to help shape a beneficial human-centric future (which complements the United Nations’ 2030 vision and SDGs).
Along with Sapiens (sapiens.network) as a decentralized human-centric user-controlled AI-driven super platform to empower individuals and monetizes their data and services and can be extended to extended to companies, communities, cities, city-states, and beyond.
Dr Jacques Ludik is a globally recognised AI entrepreneur and researcher focused on practical, ethical, and scalable AI. He founded and led multiple AI companies and labs, bringing academic rigour and commercial focus to solving real business problems with machine intelligence. Jacques combines deep technical expertise with product and organisational experience to help companies design AI programs that deliver measurable outcomes while addressing governance, fairness, and inclusion.
He emphasises people-first AI: training leaders to ask the right questions, building explainable pipelines, and integrating ethical checks into deployment workflows. His work spans industry sectors including financial services, healthcare, and government and he has authored research and commentary on responsible AI.
Jacques is a frequent conference speaker, a mentor to AI startups, and a practical guide for organisations that need to move from pilots to production at scale without sacrificing trust.
Dr. Jacques Ludik is a visionary leader in the field of artificial intelligence, renowned for his innovative contributions and entrepreneurial spirit. As the founder of multiple AI companies, an award-winning AI leader, and a prolific author, Dr. Ludik has established himself as a pivotal figure in the advancement of smart technology.
With a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence (Computer Science) and over 25 years of experience in AI and Data Science, he has been instrumental in shaping the future of AI-driven solutions across various industries. His commitment to fostering an AI ecosystem has made him a sought-after global keynote speaker, sharing his insights and expertise with diverse audiences worldwide.
Dr. Jacques Ludik’s expertise in artificial intelligence is rooted in a solid academic foundation and extensive practical experience. He holds a Ph.D. in Artificial Intelligence (Computer Science), which laid the groundwork for his deep understanding of AI principles and methodologies. His research has encompassed a wide range of AI subfields, including machine learning, neural networks, natural language processing, and computer vision. This comprehensive knowledge base has enabled Jacques Ludik to develop innovative solutions that address complex real-world challenges.
Throughout his career, Dr. Ludik has founded and led multiple AI companies, each contributing to the advancement of smart technology. As the founder of Cortex Logic, he spearheaded the development of AI-powered solutions that drive business transformation and operational efficiency. His work at Cortex Logic has been instrumental in demonstrating the practical applications of AI across various sectors, including finance, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing. Under his leadership, the company has successfully implemented AI-driven projects that have delivered significant value to clients and stakeholders.
In addition to his entrepreneurial achievements, Jacques Ludik is a recognized thought leader in the AI community. He has authored several influential books on AI and data science, offering insights into the latest trends and developments in these fields. His publications have become essential reading for professionals and academics alike, providing a comprehensive understanding of AI technologies and their potential impact. Dr. Ludik’s commitment to education extends to his role as a keynote speaker, where he shares his expertise at major conferences and events worldwide.
As an AI ecosystem builder, Dr. Jacques Ludik has played a pivotal role in fostering collaboration and innovation within the AI community. He has established partnerships with leading academic institutions, research organizations, and industry players, creating a vibrant network of AI professionals and enthusiasts. Through initiatives such as the Machine Intelligence Institute of Africa (MIIA), he has promoted knowledge sharing and capacity building, empowering individuals and organizations to leverage AI for societal and economic benefit. Dr. Ludik’s efforts in this regard have been recognized with several awards, including the AI Leader of the Year.
By booking Dr. Jacques Ludik, event planners can provide their audiences with cutting-edge insights into AI and its applications, delivered by one of the leading authorities in the field. His ability to translate complex concepts into actionable strategies ensures that attendees leave with valuable knowledge and inspiration. For those looking to secure top-tier speakers, Speakers Inc offers unparalleled service and support, making the process seamless and successful.
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The speaker outlines the agenda:
He emphasizes that business agility now matters more than size: “it’s the fast fish that eats the slow fish.” Exponential technologies (AI, IoT, robotics, biotech, etc.) act as building blocks for disruptive solutions.
The presentation highlights:
He closes by reminding that change management is critical when embedding AI: reskilling workers, rethinking workflows, and measuring business impact.
00:00 – 03:00 Agenda: 4IR, digital transformation, adoption, man–machine continuum, trustworthy AI, jobs & future.
03:00 – 08:00 Cortex Logic overview: AI engine, solution categories (personalize, engage, assist, enhance, sense).
08:00 – 14:00 4IR explained: mechanization → mass production → automation → smart automation. Business agility = survival.
14:00 – 20:00 Exponential technologies & value unlock; Softbank AI-first investment strategy; Google’s AI-first world.
20:00 – 28:00 AI adoption in Europe and South Africa; use cases in healthcare, insurance, telecoms; 5-pillar model (use cases, data, tech, people, processes).
28:00 – 35:00 Barriers to adoption: dirty data, lack of talent, unclear questions. Radar charts for maturity levels.
35:00 – 43:00 Man–Machine Intelligence Continuum: assisted → augmented → autonomous AI; PwC’s market potential analysis.
43:00 – 49:00 Ethical risks: bias, discrimination, surveillance, dynamic pricing, stigmatization. EU trustworthy AI framework.
49:00 – 55:00 AI Superpowers (Kai-Fu Lee) – repetitive and routine jobs disappearing; rise of compassion-based human jobs.
55:00 – 63:00 Remaining challenges: reasoning, abstracting, one-shot learning, unsupervised learning, natural language understanding.
63:00 – 70:00 Q&A: change management in AI adoption, role of processes vs. systems, importance of reskilling.
Dr. Jacques Ludik moderates a 40-minute panel with:
Gavin Meyer (Sanlam Global Investment Solutions) – Head of Marketing
Sudesh Mahan (TransUnion Africa) – CIO & COO
Neo (YDDI) – CEO, Youth Development Through Dissemination of Information
Key Highlights:
Sanlam’s AI-driven investments
Launched the world’s first AI-managed fund (2017).
Moves beyond human fund managers whose biases often underperform markets.
Uses AI and machine learning to manage investment flows, reduce emotional bias, and deliver smoother outcomes.
Robo-advisors are still limited; AI handles data-driven portfolio management, while human advisors remain critical for emotional, long-term planning.
TransUnion’s data-driven financial inclusion
Holds 25M+ South African consumer records, auto data, handset/telecom data, rental data.
Ensure data credibility (bias checks).
Build predictive risk models.
Expand financial inclusion for Africa’s ~40M unbanked citizens.
Example: Rwanda’s student loan credit profiling from an early age builds lifelong affordability models.
Tackles graduate unemployment by equipping youth with digital and entrepreneurial skills.
Example: teaching website creation in a week → some youth now earn income through AdSense and freelance projects.
Focus: outcomes over theory – rapid learning geared toward immediate income and employability.
Seeks funding to scale training (currently piloted with 50 graduates).
AI in finance & investments: Reduces bias, improves performance, but still lacks human emotional context.
AI in credit & risk: Essential for inclusion; must avoid bias in datasets.
AI in education & youth development: Critical for scaling digital literacy; outcome-based rapid learning.
Risks of algorithmic bias, data misuse, explainability challenges.
Transparency and fairness needed—AI cannot be treated as a “black box.”
Chatbots raise ethical and representational questions—should they be considered “virtual employees”?
Some industries (finance/credit) constrained by regulation from full cloud adoption.
Edge and hybrid AI solutions are increasingly important.
Localized AI needed for African languages, contexts, and financial inclusion
00:00 – 05:00 Intro: Panelist backgrounds (Sanlam, TransUnion, YDDI).
05:00 – 13:00 Sanlam: AI-managed investment fund; challenges with robo-advisors vs human empathy.
13:00 – 21:00 TransUnion: Data assets, credit risk AI, financial inclusion use cases, Rwanda student loans.
21:00 – 31:00 YDDI: Youth-focused digital training, rapid website development, income generation, vision for scaling.
31:00 – 37:00 Panel debate: AI and emotional intelligence, personalized tutors, AI in education scaling.
37:00 – 44:00 Audience Q&A: Startup funding for youth, AI bias, ethical AI, chatbot governance.
44:00 – 50:00 Cloud vs on-premise AI solutions; African AI for African challenges (languages, inclusion).
50:00 – End Closing reflections: AI as a tool to enhance—not replace—humanity and service.
This panel explores how AI, the metaverse, and digital ecosystems can create more diverse, inclusive, and safe spaces for individuals, families, and communities.
Martha shares her journey as a UN Ambassador for Peace, focusing on technology for humanity, building an educational metaverse for collaboration, and making virtual worlds less intimidating. She highlights her metaverse project with 12,000+ views since launch, which emphasizes inclusiveness and learning.
Akina Ho presents case studies from AllStarsWomen DAO, a global volunteer-led community with nearly 1M followers.
Projects include parent-child NFT workshops, where families co-created digital art, minted NFTs, and raised funds for underprivileged children’s education.
She emphasizes education, female entrepreneurship, and building safe entry points for youth and families into Web3.
AI can enhance avatar diversity, ensuring representation across cultures, genders, and disabilities.
AI must also act as a safeguard—detecting and preventing bias, discrimination, and harmful interactions.
He stresses responsible AI guardrails, trustworthy governance in the metaverse, and aligning digital ecosystems with quality of life, inclusivity, and ethical values.
He highlights how metaverse role-playing can build empathy (e.g., avatars that simulate different racial or social experiences).
Families in the Metaverse: Children adapt quickly, but parents need awareness. Family co-engagement (e.g., in Roblox) helps bridge generational gaps.
Safety & Governance: The metaverse is still a “Wild West.” Cybersecurity, identity verification (KYC), and ethical frameworks are essential to protect users—especially children.
Avatars & Identity: Avatars can enhance self-expression and empathy but must be thoughtfully designed. Neuroscience studies show people react to avatars as extensions of themselves.
Metaverse is not “dead”: Despite skepticism, panelists argue the metaverse is still evolving—currently fragmented, but destined to become a 3D internet layer where communities, brands, and individuals coexist.
Closing Message:
The metaverse, powered by AI and guided by responsible governance, has the potential to create inclusive, diverse, and safe spaces for education, collaboration, and human connection. But it requires high ambition, ethics, and community-driven development to truly shape a better digital future.
00:00 – 05:00 Intro: Framing the day’s theme of diversity; Martha introduces her metaverse project and UN role.
05:00 – 12:00 Akina: Case studies from AllStarsWomen DAO—NFT workshops, parent-child education, female founder empowerment.
12:00 – 20:00 Jacques Ludik: AI’s role in avatars, diversity, bias detection, governance, and enhancing empathy.
20:00 – 30:00 Debate: Families in the metaverse, child safety, parental involvement, Roblox as a gateway.
30:00 – 37:00 Addressing safety: Cybersecurity, KYC, trustworthy guardrails, preventing exploitation.
37:00 – End Closing reflections: The metaverse is in early stages, but with AI and diversity-driven communities, it can become a force for inclusivity, ethics, and global connection.
A: Workshops can be technical; keynotes translate strategy for leadership.
A: An overview of data maturity and current use-cases helps tailor content.
A: Architecture checklists and implementation templates.
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