Our #CapePioneers series showcases innovative local businesses that adapted to build resilience in the face of COVID-19. This week we speak to AI Media.
“AI Media was co-founded by Roy Bannister and Dr Nick Bradshaw with the vision of building Africa's largest AI and 4IR business and community."
Their story
The AI team boasts over 40 years of collective experience in technology, journalistic reporting, publications, events and community building. At the core of the business is a passion to see AI used to benefit Africa.
Positively contributing to the digital ecosystem
AI Media is mapping the vibrant AI/ 4IR landscape across Africa, by identifying the innovators, solutions providers and opportunities inherent in this new technological frontier, and matchmaking them with buyers looking to implement these solutions.
Leadership in the digital ecosystem during COVID-19
AI Media Group will, over the next six months, provide free promotion of African 4IR and Artificial Intelligence brands, services and products. The idea around the initiative is – in light of the COVID-19 pandemic – to not let the global challenges hinder business from a brand, PR and marketing perspective for entrepreneurs and businesses within AI Media Group’s community.
Showcasing success stories and best practices as a business during the crisis
Two members of our AI community, data science competition platform Zindi and Ghana’s Runmila AI Institute - have already stepped up in a unique way, leveraging 4IR and AI technologies and platforms to assist in the current crisis.
The future of your business and the “new normal”
As we have a large digital presence, AI Media is perfectly placed to embrace a new way of working, where we foresee virtual expos and conferences acting as an adjunct to real-world offerings, and we are well-placed to begin implementing these offerings to our community soon.
Why is Cape Town and the Western Cape perfect for your business?
Cape Town and the Western Cape is a perfect fit for our business, given the province and city's forward looking approach to embracing tech initiatives, which fitted in perfectly with our own vision of embracing tech for the greater good of Africa.
As Africa's leading digital hub, with a world-class digital ecosystem where resources and talent meet commercial and social opportunity, it made perfect sense to set up our digital business here.
The plan for the next 5 years of tech in a changing world
AI Media's vision is to harness 4IR and AI technologies like RPA (Robotic Process Automation) and Machine Learning, for the greater social and economic benefit of the continent. A large part of this vision is business-based, creating greater awareness around the benefits of 4IR technologies for businesses and matching buyers with suppliers, but our vision also includes education of businesses and governments around the benefits of 4IR, as well as educational and skills development aspects around teaching AI/ 4IR skills to underprivileged youth, innovators, entrepreneurs.
Goodwill, giving back and supporting other businesses during the crisis
Our goodwill gesture around offering free PR, branding and marketing services for 6 months to 4IR start-ups, entrepreneurs and even larger SME’s to ease the strain on their marketing and PR budget has been widely welcomed, and we're glad to provide a service that will allow them to keep marketing their businesses, services and activities during a crisis period.
For more information on AI Media, visit their website here.
Share your story of COVID-19 resilience with us and email marketing@wesgro.co.za
