AS alluded to in previous articles in this column, we were poised to closely monitor developments stemming from the endeavours of our tech luminaries Strive Masiyiwa and James Manyika of Google.

Towards the end of last week, Masiyiwa declared: “A bit more detail on the significant news I've been eager to share with you for some time now... Cassava AI was just unveiled yesterday! A vision realised through the collaboration of a stellar team and esteemed partners”.

Cassava Technologies has achieved notable progress in the field of artificial intelligence (AI) by inaugurating its own AI business division, Cassava AI, and forging strategic alliances with industry heavyweights such as Microsoft, Google, AWS, and Atlas AI.

Strive Masiyiwa, the founder and executive chairperson of Cassava Technologies, is propelling digital transformation and AI integration throughout Africa and beyond.

These endeavours underscore Cassava's dedication to leveraging AI for driving digital transformation and economic advancement, particularly in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

What are the key roles of Cassava Technologies in AI?

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 Strategic partnerships

Cassava Technologies has set up partnerships with leading technology firms like Microsoft, Google, AWS, and Atlas AI.

These collaborations enable Cassava to integrate advanced AI solutions into its service offerings, enhancing system integration and support for enterprise customers across various international markets.

The partnership with Atlas AI, in particular, focuses on delivering AI development capabilities tailored to the unique needs of African businesses, promoting digital transformation and economic resilience.

AI-driven digital transformation

Cassava Technologies is at the forefront of digital transformation in Africa through its AI initiatives. By harnessing AI and data analytics, Cassava aims to provide quality data and insights that empower businesses to better serve their customers.

This approach is part of Cassava's vision for a digitally connected future that ensures no African is left behind.

The AI tools developed in collaboration with Atlas AI help African organisations scale, future-proof supply chains and build resilience to rapid changes.

Enhancing service delivery

The integration of AI into Cassava's services enhances its ability to deliver cutting-edge solutions across the continent.

This  includes  the  use  of  AI  for predictive  algorithms  and  model  development without  the  need  for  in-house  AI  data scientists,  making advanced AI capabilities accessible to a broader range of businesses.

Cassava's extensive network in Africa allows for the widespread adoption of geospatial AI, offering detailed insights into development conditions in underserved communities and supporting public sector initiatives.

Focus on agriculture, food security

AI's role in agriculture is particularly noteworthy, as it can optimise food supply sustainability through efficient practices such as crop surveillance, irrigation management, and yield forecasting.

Cassava Technologies' initiatives align with these goals by leveraging AI to enhance agricultural productivity and address food security challenges, especially in regions like Sub-Saharan Africa where staple crops like cassava are crucial.

Empowering workforce, customers

Cassava has trained and deployed over 200 of its 5 000-strong staff to help customers adopt and use generative AI services from leading vendors.

This focus on workforce development ensures that Cassava's clients can effectively integrate AI into their operations, driving innovation and growth.

What it means for the average person in Africa

Improved digital services: Enhanced connectivity and AI-driven solutions could lead to better access to digital services, potentially improving everyday life in areas like mobile banking, healthcare, and education.

Job opportunities: As Cassava expands its AI capabilities; it's creating new job roles. The company has already trained over 200 AI specialists from its workforce, indicating potential growth in tech-related employment.

Economic growth: The digital transformation driven by AI could contribute to overall economic growth, potentially leading to improved living standards and more opportunities.

For African businesses:

Access to advanced AI tools: Businesses can now leverage AI technologies without needing in-house AI experts, allowing them to develop predictive models and algorithms more easily.

Enhanced decision-making: AI-powered analytics can provide businesses with valuable insights, helping them make data-driven decisions and better serve their customers.

Improved resilience: AI tools can help businesses future-proof their operations, build more resilient supply chains, and adapt to rapid changes in the market.

Sector-specific benefits: In agriculture, for instance, AI can optimise practices like crop surveillance and yield forecasting, potentially improving food security.

Global competitiveness: Access to cutting-edge AI technologies could help African businesses compete more effectively on the global stage.

Tailored solutions: The partnership with Atlas AI ensures that the AI tools are customised for the unique needs of African businesses, addressing specific challenges they face.

This development represents a significant step towards digital transformation in Africa, potentially narrowing the technological gap between Africa and more developed regions.

Conclusions

Cassava Technologies, through the establishment of Cassava AI, is poised to play a transformative role in the realm of artificial intelligence across Africa and beyond.

By fostering strategic partnerships with tech giants like Microsoft, Google, AWS, and Atlas AI, Cassava is bringing cutting-edge AI capabilities to over 40 markets in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.

This expansion drives digital transformation by providing businesses access to advanced AI tools without the need for in-house expertise, democratising technology and fostering innovation.

The company's focus on enhancing service delivery through AI-driven solutions promises to revolutionise sectors such as agriculture, finance, and healthcare, potentially improving food security and economic resilience.

By training over 200 staff members in AI technologies, Cassava is not only empowering its workforce but also creating a ripple effect of knowledge transfer to its customers and partners.

Ultimately, Cassava AI's establishment represents a significant step towards bridging the technological gap between Africa and more developed regions.

It embodies Strive Masiyiwa's vision of a digitally connected future that leaves no African behind, potentially catalysing economic growth, social mobility, and technological advancement across the continent.

  • Bangure is a filmmaker. He has extensive experience in both print and electronic media production and management. He is a past chairperson of the  National Employment Council of the printing, packaging and newspaper industry. Bangure has considerable exposure to IT networks and Cloud technologies and is an enthusiast and scholar of artificial intelligence. — naison.bangure@hub-edutech.com