AI ETHICS & INNOVATION SUMMIT IN AFRICA

Organized by the Inclusive AI Lab UU

Date: March 2-4, 2026

Location: Pretoria and Johannesburg

Type of Event: Multi day summit

Audience: Global leaders across policy, academia, industry, and civil society

The Inclusive AI Lab convened a dynamic, multi-day summit in Pretoria and Johannesburg from March 2–6, 2026 bringing together global leaders across policy, academia, industry, and civil society to advance inclusive and responsible AI futures for Africa. Anchored within the Transformative Innovation Policy Consortium and the Fair Futures programme, the summit features high-level workshops, stakeholder engagements, and collaborative dialogues hosted with partners including University of Pretoria, University of Johannesburg, Utrecht University, and the Transformative Innovation Africa Hub. Through expert-led sessions—featuring contributors such as Johan Schot, Chux Daniels, Wakanyi Macharia-Hoffman, Erik Stam, and Tanja Bosch—alongside an intimate, action-oriented roundtable and dinner, the summit fosters cross-sector exchange on AI ethics, digital transformation, and just transitions. With a strong focus on locally grounded innovation, the programme explores how inclusive AI can strengthen data ecosystems, public services, and digital economies across the continent, positioning Africa as a leader in shaping equitable and future-ready technological infrastructures.

PARTICIPANTS

Payal Arora
Professor of Inclusive AI Cultures; Founder, Inclusive AI Lab
(NL)

Monika Bielskyte
Futurist in Residence, Nike; Founder, Protopia Futures
(Johannesburg, South Africa)

Tanja Bosch
Professor of Media Studies, University of Cape Town
(Cape Town, South Africa)

Bridget Chipungu Chimbga
Director, AI-RISE; 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics 2025
(South Africa)

Chux Daniels
Associate Professor in Transformative Innovation Policy, University of Sussex / University of Pretoria 
(UK/South Africa)

Lisel Engelbrecht
Global Top 100 Innovator in Data & Analytics; CDAO at Women in AI
(Johannesburg, South Africa)

Wakanyi Hoffman
Founder, Humanity Link Foundation & African Folktales Project; Africa AI Lead, Inclusive AI Lab
(NL)

Pierrinne Leukes
Senior Manager, Digital Impact Alliance (GIZ); Data Economy Policy Advisor
(Western Cape, South Africa)

Tyrone Magwagwa
Innovation & Strategy Specialist
(Cape Town, South Africa)

Caitlin Nash
CEO, Golden Thread Markets 
(Western Cape, South Africa)

Anye-Nkwenti Nyamnjoh
Senior Research Officer, University of Cape Town
(Cape Town, South Africa)

Johan Schot
Professor of Global History & Sustainability Transitions; PI, Deep Transition Labs, Utrecht University
(NL)

Mardiya Siba
Community Technologist; GESI in Tech Lead, Open Cities Lab

Erik Stam
Professor of Strategy, Organization & Entrepreneurship; Extraordinary Professor of Economics, Stellenbosch University
(NL)

Nadia Starr
Chief Executive Officer, South African Qualifications Authority
(Johannesburg, South Africa)

Christoph Stork
Partner, Research ICT Solutions
(Cape Town, South Africa)

Herman Wasserman
Professor of Journalism & Director, Centre for Information Integrity in Africa, Stellenbosch University
(Cape Town, South Africa)