Keynote Speakers

Prof Aleksandar Radovanovic

Quantum Computing Institute of Cape Town, University of the Western Cape

Keynote Title:

Quantum AI: The Next Frontier

Abstract:

The fusion of quantum computing and artificial intelligence is paving the way for a new era of computational possibilities. In this talk, we will introduce the core principles of quantum computing in an accessible and intuitive way, highlighting how quantum mechanics challenges classical notions of computation. Building on this foundation, the talk will explore the exciting convergence of quantum computing and artificial intelligence, which is already redefining the boundaries of computation and machine learning. A key focus will be on promising technologies, including variational quantum circuits and other quantum models for generative learning, classification, and optimization. Beyond their potential advantages, we will also discuss current challenges, including noise, scalability, and near-term feasibility. Finally, we’ll touch on the big questions: Are there theoretical limitations preventing classical computing from achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI), and could quantum computing help overcome them?

Bio:

Professor Aleksandar Radovanovic is a computer scientist, educator, and author specializing in quantum computing. He holds an electronic engineering degree from the University of Belgrade, completed postgraduate studies at UNISA, and earned his Ph.D. from the University of the Western Cape. He has taught computer science at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), where he spent several years before expanding his career internationally. As a founding member of the King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia, he contributed to establishing research and educational programs. He later returned to UWC to develop a specialized course in quantum computing and supervise postgraduate research in the field. He is also a professor of quantum computing at Union University in Belgrade and the founder and director of the Quantum Computing Institute in Cape Town. With close to 40 publications, a U.S. patent, and multiple books, including two textbooks on quantum computing, his work bridges theory and application. In his keynote, Quantum AI: The Next Frontier, Dr. Radovanovic explores the transformative potential of quantum computing in artificial intelligence and its impact on the future of technology.

Joseph Lumbahe

PMIITPSA – Professional Member at SFIA Level 5 Senior AI Technology Specialist – Microsoft South Africa Regional Ambassador – South African AI Association (SAAIA) Board of Directors & Executive Committee Member – African Energy & Economic Youth Council (AEEYC)

Keynote Title:

AI at the Edge of Intelligence: The Rise of Agentic Systems and the Future of Human–Machine Collaboration

Abstract:

Artificial Intelligence is no longer confined to centralized data centers or experimental prototypes. With the rapid evolution of large language models (LLMs) and their integration into distributed, resource-constrained environments, we are witnessing the rise of agentic systems, AI systems capable of autonomous decision making, contextual reasoning, and real-time adaptation at the edge.

This keynote explores how agentic AI, powered by advanced foundation models, is transforming industries and societies by moving intelligence closer to where it is needed most whether on a factory floor, inside a healthcare device, or within edge networks powering cities. Drawing from both global enterprise deployments and African innovation contexts, I will discuss the opportunities and challenges of deploying AI at the edge, including scalability, governance, trust, and ethical considerations.

The talk will shed some light on AI systems in production, where models are not just providing answers but actively orchestrating workflows, collaborating with humans, and dynamically adapting to uncertainty. It will also examine how new paradigms in AI application development ranging from low-code integration to autonomous multi-agent ecosystems are redefining what is possible in areas such as mobility, healthcare, energy, and financial services.

Ultimately, the session will challenge us to think critically about the balance between human oversight and machine autonomy, and how Africa’s unique context of innovation, constraints, and creativity positions us to not only adopt but to lead in shaping this next era of intelligent, agentic systems at the edge.

Bio:

Joseph Lumbahe is a distinguished leader in AI and technology, known for his multifaceted expertise spanning Business, Engineering, IT, Consulting, and Management. With a background in Electrical & Computer Engineering, Computer Science & Information Systems, and Financial Engineering from prestigious institutions, Joseph has leveraged his education to spearhead groundbreaking initiatives.

Formerly the Global Executive Manager & Lead AI Engineer at AIZATRON GROUP, Joseph drove the development of cutting-edge AI solutions, including Computer Vision and Large Language Models, elevating the company’s profile across Africa and the UK. His leadership extended to pivotal roles in AIOps and Fraud Detection Engineering for MTN South Africa.

His recent transition to MICROSOFT as a Senior AI Technology Specialist underscores his commitment to pushing the boundaries of AI application development. At MICROSOFT, Joseph architects and implements end-to-end AI solutions, integrating Azure OpenAI and Cognitive Services to deliver scalable, secure, and innovative applications. He collaborates closely with stakeholders to drive AI-powered prototypes that demonstrate transformative potential across industries.

Joseph’s remarkable contributions to the IT sector were honored with the IT Personality & Technology Excellence Award at the South Africa Annual President’s Awards. In 2024, he was honored as the Most Influential AI Technology Business Leader (Africa) by the African Excellence Awards led by the prestigious UK MEA Market Awards. Lastly, he has been recognized as an African Genius 2024 by the African Genius Awards (AGA) for being an exceptional African working to advance Africa’s competitiveness.

Joseph plays an important role in South Africa’s maturity in the rise of AI as he was in May 2024, appointed Regional Ambassador for the South African AI Association (SAAIA), collaborating with industry leaders and stakeholders to promote economic growth, inclusivity, and equitable AI practices. He advocates for responsible AI adoption across sectors and assists governments with policy making.

Joseph’s entrepreneurial endeavors include co-founding as the CTO of Bus54, a transformative mobility tech venture recognized globally for its impact on intercity bus transportation in Africa. He also co-Founded as the CEO of CaliVision, a company revolutionizing fitness through AI and computer vision.

Prof Vijayan Sugumaran

Distinguished University Professor, Management Information Systems; Janke Scholar of Management Information Systems; Chair, Department of Decision and Information Sciences; Director, Master of Science in Business Analytics (MSBA) Program; Co-Director, Center for Data Science and Big Data Analytics School of Business Administration; Oakland University

Keynote Title:

Agentic AI: Evolution From Simple Programs to Complex Autonomous Systems

Abstract:

Agentic AI represents the next stage in the evolution of autonomous systems, extending beyond the reactive capabilities of early software agents toward highly proactive, collaborative, and purpose-driven intelligence. Early agents were limited to simple rule-based responses, operating within narrow, predefined environments. As AI architectures, reinforcement learning, and large-scale foundation models advanced, these isolated agents evolved into sophisticated multi-agent systems capable of reasoning, planning, communicating, and adapting in dynamic contexts. Modern agentic AI enables multiple specialized agents to coordinate, negotiate, and share knowledge to solve complex, real-world problems that surpass the capacity of any single model. This shift from reactive automation to proactive teamwork marks a fundamental transformation in how intelligent systems operate—moving from static tools to self-directed, goal-oriented digital collaborators that can anticipate needs, orchestrate tasks, and continuously improve their performance.

Bio:

Vijayan Sugumaran is a Distinguished University Professor and Janke Scholar of Management Information Systems in the School of Business Administration at Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, USA. He is also the Chair of the Department of Decision and Information Sciences, Co-Director of the Institute for Data Science, and Director of the Master of Science in Business Analytics program. He received his Ph.D. in Information Technology from George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, USA. His research interests are in the areas of Big Data Management and Analytics, Ontologies and Semantic Web, Intelligent Agent and Multi-Agent Systems. Dr. Sugumaran is the Co-PI on a $2 million NSF grant to train students in STEM-driven data science and entrepreneurship. He has published over 350 peer-reviewed articles in Journals, Conferences, and Books. He has edited twenty books and serves on the Editorial Board of eight journals. He has published in top-tier journals such as Information Systems Research, ACM Transactions on Database Systems, Communications of the ACM, IEEE Transactions on Big Data, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, IEEE Transactions on Education, IEEE Transactions on Cybernetics, IEEE Multimedia, and IEEE Software. Dr. Sugumaran is the editor-in-chief of the International Journal of Intelligent Information Technologies and Journal of Web Engineering. He is the Chair of the Intelligent Agent and Multi-Agent Systems mini-track for Americas Conference on Information Systems (AMCIS 1999–2025). Dr. Sugumaran has served as the Program Chair for the 14 the Workshop on E-Business (WeB2015), the International Conference on Applications of Natural Language to Information Systems (NLDB 2008, NLDB 2013, NLDB 2016, NLDB 2019, NLDB 2023, and NLDB 2024), 29 the Australasian Conference on Information Systems (ACIS 2018), 14 the Annual Conference of Midwest Association for Information Systems (MWAIS 2019), 5 the IEEE International Conference on Big Data Service and Applications (BDS 2019), and 2022 Midwest Decision Sciences Institute Annual Conference (MWDSI 2022). He also regularly serves as a program committee member for numerous national and international conferences.