COP27 – Microsoft announces new Africa AI Innovation Council

COP27 – Microsoft announces new Africa AI Innovation Council

Microsoft is announcing the establishment of the Africa AI Innovation Council to harness the power of data and artificial intelligence (AI) to boost climate resilience and adaptation efforts in Africa. With membership drawn from organizations led by the African Development Bank, African Risk Capacity, and African Climate Foundation.

The company is at the 27th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP27), taking place in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt. Where world and business leaders are gathered to take action on issues critical to tackling the climate emergency. Participating as a strategic technology partner and a principal sponsor, Microsoft is unveiling action-based new climate-focused initiatives.

The world needs to move faster and COP27 will provide an important forum to move from pledges to progress“, says Microsoft Vice Chair and President, Brad Smith.

In relation to Africa, Microsoft notes there is insufficient reliable climate data. It also lacks data scientists to work with the available data to turn them into insights for decision-making. It is therefore announcing the first global expansion of the AI for Good Lab to Kenya and Egypt. Where data scientists will close the climate data divide and work with local partners to use AI on new climate initiatives.

Microsoft AI Innovation Council cop27

The Africa AI Innovation Council will convene a high-level, multi-sector group of leaders who understand the issues facing the continent. They will inform the work of the new AI for Good Labs coming to Kenya and Egypt. It will also identify opportunities to improve climate resilience through data and AI. As well as facilitate ways to generate additional climate data and drive continued research.

Microsoft is making good on its commitment to move beyond pledges to climate action“, says Wael El Kabbany, General Manager, Africa Regional Cluster.

Given our role as an enabler of a diverse range of digital solutions, Microsoft has a unique responsibility to help governments and organizations to achieve their climate goals through the power of technology. We are committed to accelerating digital transformation in Africa, with a view to helping the continent realize its growing innovation potential in the climate technology space and beyond.”

Wael El Kabbany

Africa-based data scientists will also get access to satellite imagery to address challenges nominated by the Africa AI Innovation Council.

In 2020, Microsoft announced plans to be carbon negative by 2030 and to remove from the environment all the carbon the company emitted since its founding by 2050. The company built on this pledge by adding commitments to be water positive and zero waste by 2030. In opening its ultra-modern Africa offices it factored in solutions that reduce or prevent the emission of carbon. Using self-heating windows, solar plants, and a water treatment facility to recycle and purify water. The eco-friendly office also optimizes space utilization and lighting adjustments.

Microsoft is also announcing technical guidance and skilling initiatives to help people achieve sustainability goals with Azure.

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Microsoft AI for Good Lab comes to Kenya, Egypt

Microsoft AI for Good Lab comes to Kenya, Egypt

Microsoft is announcing plans to build a new team of data scientists on the ground in Africa to work to improve climate resilience, by setting up AI for Good Labs in Nairobi, Kenya, and Cairo, Egypt. This will be the company’s first global expansion of the AI for Good Lab. The new team will work with local partners to use AI on new climate initiatives.

Currently, statistics show that for every five data scientists in the Global North there is one in the Global South. In Africa the situation is dire and the gap is wider. For every data scientist in Africa, there are 14 in the Global North. This means a gap in the available reliable data to work with. As well as being able to turn them into insights for the decision-makers to use. This is why Microsoft is planning to open AI for Good Labs in Africa to help close that divide.

As world and business leaders gather in Egypt for COP27, Juan Lavista Ferres, Chief Data Scientist, AI for Good, Microsoft, reveals Microsoft’s plans to close the climate data divide in the Global South. The work of the Labs he notes will be informed by the Microsoft Africa AI Innovation Council. Another new establishment by Microsoft in partnership with representatives from African organizations such as the AfDB, and African Climate Foundation.

We see these days ahead as an opportunity to engage in important discussions and take steps toward solutions. Today we are sharing details about our work to support new climate solutions. By harnessing the power of data and artificial intelligence (AI), with an expansion of our AI for Good Research Lab into Egypt and Kenya.

Juan Lavista Ferres
AI for Good Lab, 
peson wearing a Microsoft HoloLens with streched hand and standing of a desk monitor  showing what the person is seeing in the mixed reality device

Access to reliable climate data is critical to inform decision-making and avoid the worst effects of climate change“, says Wael El Kabbany, General Manager, Africa Regional Cluster, Microsoft. “We believe these labs will be significant in closing the climate data divide“, he adds.

Microsoft AI for Good Lab

The Microsoft AI for Good Lab consists of data scientists and researchers who use AI, Machine Learning, and statistical modeling to address human challenges. Across the AI for Good program portfolio—Earth, Accessibility, Humanitarian Action, Cultural Heritage, and Health. They work on issues that improve societies and environments with a focus on sustainability.

Juan adds that Microsoft “will work to scale AI for Good projects and support startups in the region to deliver new AI innovations“. Africa-based data scientists will have access to satellite imagery thanks to a partnership between Microsoft and Plant Labs. To address challenges nominated by the Africa AI Innovation Council with a special focus on adaptation and early warning systems.

 The new Microsoft AI for Good labs in the region will bring in new jobs as it hires data scientists and researchers with experience in computer vision, statistics, and artificial intelligence.

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Microsoft Surface Pro 8 now available in Egypt

Microsoft Surface Pro 8 now available in Egypt

Microsoft Egypt is announcing the general availability of the Surface Pro 8 in the Egyptian market. Organizations in Egypt will be able to purchase the latest Microsoft Surface Pro from local authorized Microsoft device partners. The devices are built to be modern and designed to enhance productivity, promote innovation and ensure safety and security.

Launched in September last year a global chip and processor shortage has led to its slow rollout. The latest model of Microsoft’s 2-in-1 laptop, Surface Pro 8 starts at $1099.99

Surface Pro 8 Egypt Microsoft

I’m excited to announce the launch of the Microsoft Surface Pro 8 in Egypt, says Finn Morris, Surface Business Group Director at Microsoft Middle East and Africa, speaking about the devices coming to Egypt. “The new Surface device aims to unlock the potential of today’s digital workforce and enable industries to reach new heights“, she adds.

Surface Pro 8 Egypt

The Microsoft Surface Pro 8 gets a big improvement from its predecessor with a larger screen, new ports and the latest hardware. It comes powered by Windows 11 and runs on an 11th generation Intel core processor. Supports up to 32 GB of RAM and removable 256 SSD or 1T HDD of storage. Sports a 13-inch 120Hz display, two USB C Thunderbolt 4 ports. It has a vibrant display with a 10MP 4K rear-facing camera and is very slim and light weighing 891g. Check out the device hands-on review of Pro 8 below to learn more about the new changes.

Microsoft recently launched the Surface Pro 8 and Surface Laptop Studio in the UAE and Qatar. We can expect to see them launch in the South Africa market shortly.

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Cairo ICT 2021, Microsoft showcases innovations in Cloud, AI, Security, and modern work

Cairo ICT 2021, Microsoft showcases innovations in Cloud, AI, Security, and modern work

Cairo ICT 2021 is underway in Egypt and Microsoft is taking the opportunity to showcase its latest technological innovations in the areas of the Cloud, AI, Security and modern work. It is also showing off the latest Surface products, the Surface Pro 7+, Surface Laptop Go and Surface Go 2.

The international telecom, information, technology and media trade fair and forum event is taking place from 7-10 November. The event is co-locating with PAFIX 2021 at the Egypt International Exhibition Center, New Cairo.

We are delighted to be participating as Official Cloud Sponsor at the 25th edition of Cairo ICT, says Mirna Arif, Country Manager, Microsoft Egypt. We are looking forward to welcoming you at our booth to reimagine together a stronger future for Egypt. And to explore how organizations can harness the power of technology to thrive in an increasingly digital economy, she adds.

Microsoft will be participating and contributing to the conversation on the Digital Challenge during the event. Mirna will join other technology leaders to discuss “How ICT is changing the face of the world”. Other Microsoft discussions to look out for include:

  • 8th – Cloud-Tech & DevOps – Mr. Chadi Haddad, Data & Ai Regional Director, Microsoft
  • 9th – IoT & IIoT – Leading the way to Industry 5.0 – Ahmed Farag, Public Sector Industry Lead, Microsoft

You can find the Microsoft Egypt booth on the Cairo ICT 2021 event floor at Hall E stand 3E2. Where you can have a hands-on with their products and learn about their solutions.

Photos from Cairo ICT 2021

Cairo ICT 2021
Microsoft Cairo ICT
Cairo ICT 2021

Images Source: Cairo ICT

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Microsoft to award 1K graduates with DX technologies scholarship

Microsoft to award 1K graduates with DX technologies scholarship

DX technologies microsoft egypt

Microsoft is partnering with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), Egypt, to launch a Digital Transformation (DX) technologies scholarship to build the capacities of 1,000 graduates. The scholarship aims to refine the skills of graduates and qualify them to contribute to the tech renaissance in Egypt.

It will provide knowledge and know-how in advanced DX technologies through intensive digital training, virtual classes and practical exercises. Trainees will receive certificates at the end of the training. The training tracks include DevOps, data science, cloud infrastructure management, cloud app development and database management.

The scholarship program also seeks to give the trainees the skills needed to compete in both the local and global markets. Click to register and participate in the scholarship program.
https://www.globalknowledge.com/en-eg/training/special-offers/Ministry-of-Communications-Scholarship

Microsoft believes in the importance of building youth skills, says Mirna Arif, Country General Manager, Microsoft Egypt. 

“ … and enhancing their digital capabilities in the competitive labour market to accelerate digital transformation in Egypt towards a knowledge-based digital economy. Technology is an integral part of the workplace today, and businesses need employees who can increasingly work with new technologies.”

The MCIT says the scholarship is within its Egypt Vision 2030 framework and strategy of forging a digital society. And part of the agreement between the Egyptian government and Microsoft to digitally transform entities in the administrative apparatus of the state.

Microsoft Egypt is working with other organizations in Egypt as part of its goal of developing the youth’s digital skills. Through the Tawar w Ghayar initiative and Vodafone Begin platform, it supports entrepreneurs, startups and freelancers to find work opportunities. Microsoft is also deploying capacity building solutions and resources in 8 National Academy of Science and Skills applied technology schools.

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