Artificial intelligence (AI) is upending life, work, and play as we know it … and it’s only just getting started. The rise of AI is a milestone on par with the discovery of fire, the invention of the wheel, and the creation of the internet. In short, AI is going to change everything. For some, that’s an exciting prospect. For others, it’s terrifying. However you feel about AI, there’s no escaping it, whether you’re in a global metropolis or a farmer in rural KwaZulu-Natal.
Dr. Mark Nasila has been watching AI’s ascent for over a decade, studying its effects on everything from agriculture and aviation to healthcare, education, entertainment, crime prevention, energy management, policy creation, finance, and anything in between, and applying them to his role at one of South Africa’s most successful financial institutions, First National Bank, a division of FirstRand Group.
African Artificial Intelligence is a comprehensive and fascinating journey, tracing the rise of AI and its evolution into the emerging technology underpinning all others – from connected devices and smart chatbots to the metaverse. Mark combines unexpected use cases and tales of cutting-edge innovation with a unique and potent argument: harnessing AI to solve Africa’s problems requires embracing it from an African perspective.
African nations can’t afford to simply import AI solutions from afar. Instead, Mark contends, they need to rework, remix, and refine AI so it’s able to meet uniquely African challenges in uniquely African ways, and to take advantage of the once-in-a-generation opportunity AI represents for every industry, sector, and person, everywhere.
About the authorÂ
Dr. Mark Nasila is a luminary in the realms of AI and data science, currently serving as the Chief Data and Analytics Officer at First National Bank (FNB). His expertise extends beyond the corporate world, as he also shares his knowledge at the Singularity Group, specializing in AI, data science, and data strategies. Dr. Nasila is a prominent member of the National Institute for Theoretical and Computational Sciences (NITheCS), a research fellow at Stellenbosch University, and a Professor of Practice in Artificial Intelligence at the University of Johannesburg.
At FNB, Dr. Nasila’s innovative approach has revolutionized risk management and forensic due diligence through the development and implementation of advanced AI systems. His pioneering work has set new benchmarks in banking technology, garnering recognition both locally and internationally. He is the developer and the brain behind Manila, an AI system that FNB has harnessed to reimagine its risk management and forensic due diligence processes. This system was featured as part of Corinium’s top 25 Global 2020 data and analytics industry greatest achievements, particularly noted for its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Dr. Nasila is a renowned speaker, frequently gracing stages at prestigious events such as the Business-Tech Digital Banking Conference, Chief Data & Analytics Officer forums, and the SingularityU South Africa Summit. His insights into the future of AI and big data are highly sought after, and he has presented at numerous local and international conferences, including the European Simulation & Modelling Conference.
In addition to his corporate achievements, Dr. Nasila is an active academic contributor. He co-supervises PhD and Masters students and serves as an external examiner at various South African universities in AI, data science, and statistics. His opinion pieces and research have been published in esteemed outlets like BusinessDay, Daily Maverick, CIO Talk Network, CIO.com, Corinium Intelligence, and the European Simulation & Modelling Association.
Dr. Nasila holds a PhD in Mathematical Statistics from Nelson Mandela University in South Africa and is an alumnus of the SingularityU South Africa Executive Programme. His contributions to the field have earned him a place among Corinium Global Intelligence’s “2020 Global Top 100 Innovators in Data and Analytics.”
Through his work at FNB and his academic and professional engagements, Dr. Mark Nasila continues to shape the future of AI and data science, driving innovation and excellence in the industry.
