GOOGLE DONATES $1 MILLION TO UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA

A massive financial boost of $1 million (R17.7 million) from Google has given the University of Pretoria the funds to invest in its African Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AfriDSAI).

The AfriDSAI institute is located at the University, and it’s a place where technologists, researchers and communities can get together to increase the efforts of data science and AI on the African continent.

Professor Vukosi Marivate, who’s leading the efforts at the institute, said the donation will have a big impact on the research.

“This gift significantly enhances AfriDSAI’s ability to conduct high-impact, socially responsive research and grow a new generation of African data scientists and AI leaders.”

Africa’s drive to become a significant contributor to the worldwide AI research landscape is based on and boosted by funds like the one gifted by Google.

Professor Francis Petersen, the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Pretoria, said the donation will make an impact on the university’s research efforts.

“The University of Pretoria is committed to being a thought leader in knowledge generation that is relevant, inclusive, and solutions-oriented.”

Petersen also added that AfriDSAI will now support the institution’s aim of real-world impact: “This generous support from Google aligns with our strategy to advance research with impact and reinforce Africa’s position in the global AI ecosystem. AfriDSAI is a flagship example of how we aim to drive innovation with real-world impact.

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