Join Karla Jo Helms on the Disruption Interruption™ podcast as she talks with Terrence Taylor, a visionary and former executive at Meta, as they discuss the African Institute of Future Technologies (AIFT) and the organization's aim to bridge the technology gap in Africa and enable individuals to participate fully in the global digital economy.
TAMPA BAY, Fla., July 16, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Digital access includes physical access to devices and networks, financial resources, and socio-demographic factors like education and income. (1) Africa is one of the continents that struggles the most with this issue: it is estimated that in the Sub-Saharan region only 22% of the population has access to mobile internet services and 61% of people living in areas with broadband are not able to use it. (2) These disparities perpetuate global and intra-national divides, affecting economic development, political stability, and societal resilience. That's why Terrence Taylor, the passionate force behind the African Institute of Future Technologies (AIFT), is on a crusade to educate and empower individuals across Africa. "I keep asking myself: Where is Africa going to be in the future? How do we help Africa leapfrog into a future where every individual can experience the highest sense of well-being and dignity?", he states in this interview with Karla Jo Helms (KJ), host of the Disruption Interruption podcast.
In a discussion about the role that cognitive readiness, institutional support, and political and cultural dimensions play in shaping access to information and technology, Taylor highlights the importance that cutting-edge technologies such as AI, robotics, and genetics will play in the future of this region. "Increasingly, I realize that I have a role to play in ensuring that Africans continue to have opportunities", he points out.
Empowering Africa: AIFT's Mission to Bridge the Technology Gap
The AIFT is dedicated to empowering one billion Africans through education in advanced technologies. Co-founded by Taylor, AIFT aims to bridge the technology gap in Africa and enable individuals to participate fully in the global digital economy.
Born in Sierra Leone, Taylor's illustrious career spans prestigious roles at Google and Meta, bringing a wealth of experience in technology and leadership to his new endeavor. His journey from Wall Street to Johannesburg underscores his commitment to driving impactful global change. Taylor articulates a compelling vision for harnessing AI and other advanced technologies to empower Africans and drive economic growth across the continent. Reflecting on the dangers of technological monopolization, Taylor emphasizes, "It becomes yet another tool for the privileged few to stay privileged".
Empowering Africa's Tech Leaders Through Innovation and Collaboration
AIFT plans to collaborate with industry leaders, educational institutions, and governments to deliver comprehensive training programs that equip individuals with the skills needed to thrive in the digital age. Taylor's vision includes fostering innovation hubs across Africa and nurturing a new generation of tech leaders.
Taylor highlights AIFT's future impact by emphasizing strategic priorities such as pan-African scalability and global partnerships. He envisions a future where empowering Africa through technology allows the entrepreneurs to lead in AI innovation and economic development, creating global ripple effects.
"I am because we are," Taylor remarks, reflecting on the African concept of ubuntu. "This sense of connection and community is what drives me. It's about ensuring that the opportunities created by technology are accessible to all Africans."
Links:
Disrupting the "Compute" of GenAI: The $7 Trillion Impasse and the Fight for Tech Democracy with Terrence Taylor
https://omny.fm/shows/disruption-interruption/disrupting-the-compute-of-genai-the-7-trillion-imp?in_playlist=podcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrenceokeketaylor/
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About Terrence Taylor
Terrence Taylor is the Founder of the African Institute of Future Technologies, which aims to train one million to one billion individuals in advanced technologies such as AI, robotics, and genetics, preparing Africa to lead by 2050. Born in Sierra Leone and raised in Maryland, Taylor's career began on Wall Street and culminated as CFO for the Internet startup Africa.com in 2001. He transitioned to leadership development at Turner, Harper & Associates in Johannesburg before establishing his own global consultancy. Taylor has worked with Ecobank, Standard Bank, Discovery Limited, and Google, creating impactful leadership development programs and building an internal Organization Development consultancy.
About Karla Jo Helms
Karla Jo Helms is the Chief Evangelist and Anti-PR® Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors™. Karla Jo learned firsthand how unforgiving business can be when millions of dollars are on the line — and how the control of public opinion often determines whether one company is happily chosen, or another is brutally rejected. Being an alumnus of crisis management, Karla Jo has worked with litigation attorneys, private investigators, and the media to help restore companies of goodwill into the good graces of public opinion — Karla Jo operates on the ethic of getting it right the first time, not relying on second chances and doing what it takes to excel. Helms speaks globally on public relations, how the PR industry itself has lost its way, and how, in the right hands, corporations can harness the power of Anti-PR to drive markets and impact market perception.
References
1. Signé, Landry. "Fixing the Global Digital Divide and Digital Access Gap." Brookings, 28 Dec. 2023, brookings.edu/articles/fixing-the-global-digital-divide-and-digital-access-gap/.
2. "Digital Transformation Drives Development in Africa." World Bank, 18 Jan. 2024, worldbank.org/en/results/2024/01/18/digital-transformation-drives-development-in-afe-afw-africa.
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