From 7–11 July 2025, Stellenbosch University will host the much-anticipated Deep Learning IndabaX South Africa, a local yet powerful extension of the continental Deep Learning Indaba. At its core, IndabaX Stellenbosch 2025 is more than just a conference, it is a bold, community-led affirmation of Africa’s place in the global AI landscape.
The Deep Learning IndabaX, where “X” signifies its grassroots, community-driven model, has grown into a continental movement that empowers African students, researchers, and practitioners by bringing machine learning knowledge and networks closer to home. In 2024, iAfrikan was fully immersed in the IndabaX South Africa experience, covering the event from keynote sessions to hackathons, engaging with researchers, and amplifying African voices in machine learning.
Prof Mpho Primus, Co-Director of the University of Johannesburg’s Institute for Intelligent Systems and founder of the Primus Tech Hub
Held on the scenic campus of Stellenbosch University, the event will feature a dynamic blend of lectures, hands-on tutorials, poster sessions, hackathons, and networking engagements. The week begins with the AI Fest, an open, vibrant celebration of African innovation through music, art, food, and tech exhibitions. Open to the broader public, AI Fest sets the tone for a conference that is intellectually rich but grounded in real-world energy and community inclusion.
As Africa continues to grapple with both the promises and challenges of AI, be it algorithmic bias, language representation, or access to compute, the need for locally rooted, inclusive, and forward thinking spaces like IndabaX cannot be overstated. They are where policy meets practice, and where young minds transform potential into progress.