Line up

Artificial Intelligence is no longer a future trend, it’s a present-day reality that demands bold leadership. In this thought-provoking session, Ian Thomson challenges business leaders to move beyond incremental AI upgrades and confront deeper questions of relevance, humanity, and strategy.

Drawing from his experience founding TooMuchWifi and launching leadership collective The Guardians, Ian argues that adopting AI tools is table stakes, reimagining your entire business model is the real work. He offers a powerful framework for leading through transformation, aligning people, purpose, and performance in a rapidly changing world.

This is not just a talk about technology, it’s a call to reinvent your business before it’s reinvented for you.

Note: Bring your laptop fully charged. Guests to have Open AI or ChatGPT (free version is fine).

90‑minute keynote‑workshop hybrid.

AI doesn’t have to be relegated to your “I’ll get to it someday” list. In this high energy, hands-on session, Dillon shows how just 59 min a week can keep you and your team on the right side of disruption. Expect live demos, rapid fire prompting exercises, and just enough theory that you can hold your own in a generative AI discussion. Dillon has trained more than 1000 people in AI, from Pakistan to the United States.

You’ll leave with:

• A mindset shift – inspiration over intimidation, grounded in practical wins.
• The 59 minute playbook – a repeatable weekly ritual to explore, test, and implement new AI tools.
• AI Prompting Super Structure – A 4 step process that will super charge any prompting task for you.
• Walk out ready to take AI from buzzword to competitive advantage, all while having fun!

The role of AI in shaping the future of the Western Cape, and how technology and innovation can help build a more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready province.

In this session, we explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping what it means to teach, learn, and lead in an AI age.

What if schools could become ecosystems of curiosity? What if your tech tools could think with you, not for you? In this powerful and provocative opening keynote, globally recognised AI strategist and bestselling author Jos Dirkx takes audiences on a journey through the real-world possibilities of artificial intelligence in education, and far beyond.

Blending global case studies from South Africa to the Netherlands, Jos shares how schools and institutions are already reimagining the future of learning through human-AI collaboration.
Get ready to feel inspired, challenged, and wildly empowered.

AI Strategy for African Business Leaders: What’s Coming by 2030.

Opens AI Empowered with a future-focused keynote unpacking how artificial intelligence is transforming industries across the board, from creativity to finance.

What does it mean to build AI for Africa, in Africa, and by Africans? In this candid Q&A, we’ll delve into locally relevant AI that reflects our languages, cultures, and social priorities.

• Panel Discussion Moderator: Ian Thomson, Co-Founder, The Guardians Cooperative. EO Cape Town member.
• Panellist 1: Deshni Govender, Country Advisor: FAIR Forward – Artificial Intelligence for All at GIZ.
• Panellist 2: Thapelo Nthite, Co-founder and CEO, Botlhale AI Solutions.
• Panellist 3: Jade Abbot, Co-founder & Chief Executive Officer, Lelapa AI.

As AI transforms how the world learns, what does this mean for South Africa’s education system? Education strategist Shirley Eadie takes us on a grounded, thought-provoking exploration of AI’s biggest threats and boldest opportunities for our education system. From local language AI and personalised learning to the risks of deepening inequality, this session asks what it will take for South Africa not just to keep pace with AI’s disruption—but to shape it for our context and our kids.

This session dives into how leaders must rethink their approach to strategy and long-term planning in an AI-powered world.

This high-impact keynote is designed to reframe how non-technical leaders think about AI, not as a toolset, but as a source of leverage. Expect a coach’s lens on how to lead in the AI era. This talk doesn’t focus on models or tools, it focuses on mindset, decision-making, and performance.

From reducing mining fatalities to improving patient outcomes, Archana Arakkal’s work demonstrates the life-saving potential of responsible AI. In this session, the MIT PhD fellow and Practice Lead at Synthesis unpacks how privacy-preserving AI, multi-agent systems, and machine learning are driving innovation in African healthcare. Drawing from real-world case studies and community-driven pilots, she explores how to bridge the gap between technology and medicine while safeguarding patient data and promoting equitable access. A vital talk for those interested in AI’s real-world application and ethical scale across the continent.

Discover the game-changing innovations in climate tech that are helping to combat the climate crisis.

Artificial Intelligence is revolutionising climate action, offering solutions for environmental monitoring, renewable energy and disaster management. In this gripping keynote, Tamir explores how AI can address complex challenges like air quality mapping, wildfire prevention, and solar energy optimisation, while emphasising ethical decision-making and accuracy. Through real-world examples, he highlights the potential of AI to drive impactful change while navigating requirements and moral complexities.

AI can feel overwhelming, until Werner Stucky breaks it down. In this accessible and thought-provoking session, Werner explains how large language models (like ChatGPT) work, and explores the differences between predictive, agentic, and orchestration models in business.

Andi Friedman, founder of EdTech venture UpGrade LX, explores how AI is reshaping education, from smarter assessments and tutoring to personalised learning and institutional strategy. With 20+ years in tech and social impact, Andi offers practical takeaways on using AI to future-proof learning.

Live from Berlin, Gianni joins Catherine for an exclusive virtual keynote. Expect a powerful framework for understanding how AI is transforming the workplace. Gianni breaks down the two dominant types of AI, Predictive and Generative, and how they are leading to the next evolution – Agentic AI. He explores how AI is reshaping job roles, team dynamics, and organisational structures.

In just 12 months, Matthias scaled his company’s profits 5X, earning a place on the Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing businesses. In this session, he pulls back the curtain on the AI-powered marketing engine that made it possible. This talk offers a practical roadmap to cut through the noise of social media and AI hype, and build a lean, scalable marketing system that actually works. If your marketing feels chaotic or disconnected, this is your blueprint for clarity, growth, and serious ROI.

From personalised itineraries to intelligent booking systems, AI is transforming the travel experience, and Africa is uniquely positioned to benefit.

From eSIMs to AI-powered personalization, the travel experience is being reimagined, and Africa is poised to lead the way. In this insightful keynote, Nazareen Ebrahim explores how emerging technologies are transforming the continent’s tourism landscape. Drawing from her experience at the forefront of digital innovation, she unpacks how AI is optimising travel businesses, reshaping traveller journeys, and unlocking new growth opportunities.

The legal profession is being reimagined, and at the forefront of this shift is Kyle Torrington, a commercial lawyer and serial legal-tech entrepreneur.

In this dynamic conversation, Yvonne Wakefield, founder of Caveat Legal and a trailblazer in legal innovation, unpacks the rise of attorney-grade automation, and how AI is disrupting everything from contracts to compliance.

• Moderator: Nevo Hadas, Founder and Managing Partner, DYDX and CEO, Smartfill. EO Cape Town.
• Panellist 1: Jared Cinman: Chief Executive Officer, VML.
• Panellist 2: Valter Adão, Chief Executive Officer and Digital Leader at Cadena Growth Partners, Singularity University Africa, Faculty Member.
• Panellist 3: Heléne Smuts, Group CEO & Founding Partner at Credo Growth.
  Panellist 4: Nicole Adriaans, Buisness Executive: Data, Analytics & AI at BlueSky.

From local innovation to global breakthroughs, this session dives into how AI is transforming the way we diagnose, predict, and prevent disease.

In this high-impact 5-minute lightning talk, Braden will showcase how AI Diagnostics is empowering frontline healthcare workers with fast, accessible diagnostic tools, offering a glimpse into how local innovation is solving global health challenges.

In this high-impact 5-minute lightning talk, Archana will give us a glimpse into predictive health technology.

As the global burden of aging and non-communicable diseases continues to rise, the role of AI in transforming healthcare is more critical than ever. In this forward-looking session, Derek explores how AI can be harnessed to shift healthcare from reactive treatment to proactive prevention, unpacking the opportunities that AI presents.

Join Lolo Pearl Schrimpton, Retail Executive at Microsoft, for a dynamic fireside chat exploring how small businesses can harness AI to stay competitive and customer-centric. Drawing from real-world examples and insights from Microsoft’s clients, Lolo will unpack what’s working, what’s shifting in the industry, and what trends are set to define retail business and retail by 2030. She’ll also share practical advice on how SMEs can better partner with platforms and tech providers to drive sustainable growth in an AI-driven future.

Forget SEO, the new frontier is GEO. As chatbots, AI assistants, and generative search start replacing traditional Googling, how you show up is about to change forever. In this punchy, practical session, we’ll reveal actionable tips to make sure your brand isn’t just found, it’s chosen. Get ready to rethink your marketing, your messaging, and your entire visibility strategy in the era of LLMs & AI. If you’re still playing by yesterday’s search rules, you’ll get left behind.

AI isn’t just automating financial tasks, it’s redefining the role of the CFO. This session unpacks how smart tools are being used to streamline processes, unlock real-time insights, and shift finance teams from number-crunching to strategic business drivers. Expect insights on innovation in AI-driven finance and how CFOs can lead AI adoption and stay relevant in a world of automated advisory.

• Panellist 1: Dana Pretorius, Co-Founder and Head of Innovation at Outsourced CFO.
• Panellist 2: Colin Timmis, Regional Director EMEA at Xero.
• Panellist 3: Etienne Raubenheimer, CFO Advisory Division, Outsourced CFO.

As AI becomes more deeply woven into business and everyday life, the legal and ethical implications are impossible to ignore.

As AI advances at breakneck speed, governments face growing pressure to regulate, but where’s the line between protection and overreach? In this thought-provoking session, Beverley unpacks the delicate balance between responsible governance and the freedom entrepreneurs need to innovate.

From fake CEOs to $25 million Zoom scams, the cyber world is no longer science fiction, it’s business reality. This high-energy, story-rich session will teach you how hackers think, why humans are the weakest link, and how to build simple but powerful layers of protection in your day to day.

If you’re a business leader who wants to protect their people, data, and reputation from today’s fast-evolving cyber threats, you won’t want to miss this!

Emma Sadleir is SA’s leading expert on social media law and is an exceptional speaker. In this talk, she unpacks the legal and ethical risks of AI in business, from copyright issues to defamation and AI hallucinations. Through real case studies, she shows where companies are slipping up and why a social media policy isn’t enough anymore. Every business needs an AI policy, and this session will show you why.

As AI becomes more embedded in our daily operations, so do the threats. This hard-hitting panel brings together leading voices in digital fraud and identity security to explore how AI is being weaponised by bad actors, and what you need to do to stay ahead. Together, they’ll unpack real-world fraud trends, red flags to watch for, and the evolving role of AI in protecting, or penetrating, our systems.

• Panel Discussion Moderator: Rahul Jain, Co-Founder, Peach Payments, EO Cape Town Member.
• Panellist 1: Roshan Jelal, FNB Head of Fraud – Commercial.
• Panellist 2: Mark McChlery, Chief Data and Analytics Officer, PayJustNow.
• Panellist 3: James Saunders, Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer, RelyComply.

How AI is revolutionising the retail landscape.

• Panel Discussion Moderator: Catherine Lückhoff: Co-founder and CEO of 20fifty.
• Panellist 1: Jose Rodrigues, Chief Data Analytics Officer, Woolworths.
• Panellist 2: Chris Shortt, Group Chief Technology Officer, Shoprite.
• Panellist 3: Louise Liddell, Senior Solutions Architect at AWS.
• Panellist 4: Michael Yolland, Head of Artificial Intelligence, Pepkor.

This keynote offers a provocative entry point for understanding AI’s potential impact on markets and society. Drawing from history and current affairs, Khumalo shows how mythologies are confessions of how people would behave if they had god-like powers such as technology now grants. Though the mysteries of religion and the mysteries of technology seem different, understanding the human and political dynamics at play allows us to navigate AI’s risks and opportunities more shrewdly.

The role of AI in growing small businesses.

Discover how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing sales and customer relationship management, transforming how businesses connect with customers today and paving the way for a hyper-personalized, predictive future by 2030. This engaging talk explores the current state of AI-driven sales and CRM, offering insights into emerging trends and strategies to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving landscape. Join us to envision a future where AI empowers smarter, more human connections.

This session is for business leaders, sales professionals, CRM managers, and marketing executives interested in leveraging AI to enhance customer relationships and drive sales growth.

As AI makes it easier than ever to fake clicks, identities, and engagement, businesses face a growing crisis: rising fraud, unreliable data, and ad spend that simply doesn’t work. In this lightening session, discover how Trustlist is combatting AI-driven fraud and helping brands win back trust in a post-truth digital world.

AI can feel like hype until it hits your bottom line. In this highly practical session, Gaurav demystifies how businesses, regardless of size or technical expertise, can build real, valuable solutions using today’s most accessible AI tools. He’ll introduce platforms like v0, Replit, N8n, Pipedream, and Convex, showing how they can be used to prototype and integrate AI workflows into everyday operations.

This isn’t a coding masterclass, it’s a session for business leaders who want to move from curiosity to action. Expect real-world examples across industries like manufacturing, private equity, and accounting, and walk away with a clearer sense of:
Where AI fits into your business
What tools you can start using today
How to think like a builder without being a developer
How to identify AI opportunities in your own operations
And most importantly, how to begin, practically and with confidence

Whether you’re just starting or already experimenting with AI, this session will give you the clarity, inspiration, and momentum to take the next step.

This thought-provoking conversation between Karen Allen and Chris Roper, explores the role of truth, journalism, and identity in the age of artificial intelligence.

We’ll explore the evolving relationship between human creativity and machine intelligence.

In an era where algorithms shape attention and data fuels every decision, how do marketers stay human, relevant, and effective? Visionary strategist Musa Kalenga unpacks his vision for the future of marketing through human-AI collaboration.

How can leaders leverage AI to build trust at scale? There is mounting pressure to show up as a leader with an increasing risk of falling into the generic traps of AI-generated content. In the modern age, it is still true that before someone buys your product, service, or stock, they must buy your story.

Messages, goals, product plans, and slogans are abstract and forgettable without a powerful narrative. Yet at the same time, it is increasingly hard to cut through the exponential flow of digital noise, fake news and audience distraction.

Actionable takeaways:

• How to articulate a strong point of view.
• How to use AI to scale your expression of that.
• What to outsource to AI and what to keep ownership of.
• How to train your AI companion.
• Inspiration on how to promote your POV and not your product.

The astonishing advances of applied technologies fuelled by artificial intelligence and machine learning research over the last few decades has led to both dark warnings about its potentially destructive power and rosy promises of a new era of discovery and human flourishing. All have an element of truth. This opening keynote unpacks both edges of the spectrum of outcomes, from existential risks to unprecedented scientific breakthroughs, and separates what is real from what is merely hype.

Tyler explores how AI is silently reshaping the org chart – replacing tools, augmenting teams, and unlocking entirely new ways to scale.

Through real-world case studies and practical insights, you’ll learn how to integrate AI Agents into your business without breaking trust, culture, or momentum.

If you lead people, products, or performance – this is the blueprint for the next evolution of your team.