Microsoft Build is one of the most anticipated events of the year for developers who use Microsoft technologies and platforms. This year, Microsoft Build 2023 will take place from May 10 to May 12 and will be a hybrid event that combines online and in-person sessions. Build 2023 will offer a variety of sessions, workshops, keynotes, and networking opportunities for developers of all levels and backgrounds.
In this blog post, I will highlight some of the main themes and features that attendees can expect from Microsoft Build 2023, and how they can make the most of their experience at the event.
Microsoft Build 2023 Themes and Features
Build 2023 will focus on four main themes: cloud, AI, mixed reality, and collaboration. These themes reflect the current trends and challenges in the software industry, and how Microsoft is empowering developers to create innovative solutions for them.
Cloud
Microsoft Azure is the leading cloud platform for developers, offering a range of services and tools to build, deploy, and manage applications across multiple environments. At Microsoft Build 2023, attendees will learn about the latest updates and enhancements to Azure, such as Azure Arc, Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Kubernetes Service, Azure Functions, and more. They will also get to see how Azure integrates with other Microsoft products and platforms, such as GitHub, Visual Studio, Power Platform, and Windows.
AI
Artificial intelligence is transforming every industry and domain with its capabilities to analyze data, generate insights, and automate tasks. At Microsoft Build 2023, attendees will discover how they can leverage Microsoft’s AI offerings to build intelligent applications that can see, hear, speak, understand, and interact with users and the world. They will also get to explore how AI can be applied to various scenarios and domains, such as conversational AI, computer vision, natural language processing, machine learning, cognitive services, and more.
Mixed reality
Mixed reality is the blending of physical and digital worlds to create immersive experiences that enhance human capabilities. At Microsoft Build 2023, attendees will get to experience how Microsoft is leading the way in mixed reality with its devices and platforms, such as HoloLens 2, Windows Mixed Reality, Azure Spatial Anchors, Azure Remote Rendering, and more. They will also get to learn how they can use mixed reality to create applications that can augment reality, simulate environments, train workers, entertain users, and more.
Collaboration
Collaboration is essential for developers to work effectively and efficiently with their teams and stakeholders. At Microsoft Build 2023, attendees will see how Microsoft is enabling collaboration among developers with its tools and platforms, such as Teams, Outlook, OneDrive, SharePoint, Yammer, Stream, and more. They will also get to learn how they can use collaboration tools to communicate better, share information faster, manage projects easier, and co-create solutions smarter.
Other highlights at Build 2023
Keynote speeches from Microsoft leaders and visionaries.
Microsoft Build 2023 will feature keynote speeches from Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella, Chief Technology Officer Kevin Scott, Corporate Vice President of Developer Division Amanda Silver, and other prominent Microsoft executives and experts. They will share their insights and perspectives on the latest trends and innovations in cloud computing, artificial intelligence, mixed reality, quantum computing, and more. They will also showcase how Microsoft is empowering developers to create solutions that address the challenges and opportunities of the digital era.
Breakout sessions and workshops on various topics and technologies.
Build 2023 will offer a wide range of breakout sessions and workshops that cover various topics and technologies relevant to developers. Attendees can choose from sessions and workshops on Azure, .NET, Visual Studio, GitHub, Power Platform, Windows, Microsoft 365, Teams, Edge, Dynamics 365, and more. They can also learn from experts and peers on best practices, tips and tricks, case studies, and demos. Whether they are beginners or advanced developers, attendees can find sessions and workshops that suit their interests and skill levels.
Networking and community opportunities with other developers.
Build will provide ample opportunities for attendees to network and connect with other developers from around the world. Attendees can join online chats and Q&A sessions with speakers and moderators, participate in live polls and surveys, share their feedback and ideas, and join virtual meetups and social events. They can also interact with other attendees who share similar interests or backgrounds through the Microsoft Build Community Zone. Additionally, attendees can visit the Microsoft Build Expo Hall to explore the latest products and services from Microsoft and its partners.
Exclusive access to new announcements and resources from Microsoft.
Microsoft Build 2023 will be the platform for Microsoft to announce new products, features, updates, and initiatives that will shape the future of development. Attendees will be among the first to hear about these announcements and get exclusive access to new resources such as documentation, samples, tutorials, guides, videos, podcasts, blogs, and more. They will also be able to try out new tools and technologies through hands-on labs and challenges.
Tips on how to make the most of your experience
Plan ahead: Before the event starts, check out the agenda and register for the sessions and workshops that interest you. You can also download the Microsoft Build app to access your personalized schedule, get reminders, and stay updated on any changes or announcements.
Engage actively: During the event, participate in the live Q&A sessions, ask questions, and share your feedback with the speakers and moderators. You can also join online communities and social media channels to connect with other attendees, exchange ideas, and expand your network.
Explore broadly: After the event, watch the on-demand sessions and keynotes that you missed or want to revisit. You can also browse the resources and samples that are available on the Microsoft Build website, GitHub, and Docs. to deepen your knowledge and skills on the topics that interest you.
Have fun: Last but not least, enjoy yourself at Microsoft Build 2023. You can also take part in the challenges, games, and contests that are organized throughout the event, and win prizes, swag, and recognition.
Microsoft Build 2023 is a must-attend event for developers who want to learn more about Microsoft technologies and platforms, network with other developers, and get inspired by the possibilities of development. To register for Microsoft Build 2023, visit https://build.microsoft.com/.
University students from across Kenya and some parts of Africa can now apply to participate in season 4 of the Microsoft Africa Development Centre’s (ADC) Game of Learners (GOL) student hackathon competition. The GOL initiative provides an opportunity for African university students, aspiring software engineers, and solution builders to improve their technical and coding abilities while creating solutions to current challenges facing the continent and the world.
GoL student hackathon Season 4
In this year’s student hackathon competition, participants will be working to develop possible technology solutions that can address different health challenges, including how to improve healthcare service provision in their localities or other parts of the world. The program runs as a 5-week hackathon with teams captained by Microsoft Learn Student Ambassadors crafting the innovations while receiving technical training from Microsoft’s professionals.
“Since we launched Game of Learners four years ago, we have seen incredible development in the learner’ skills through each season as they create incredibly clever solutions to some of Africa’s pressing problems using Microsoft technology,” said Ruth Ferland, Senior Program Manager at ADC, and the founder of the Game of Learners Program. “This year’s theme will allow the participants to plug into an area that has enormous potential to impact lives across the continent and indeed around the world.”
The students will benefit from the instruction of 32 coaches and more than 20 advisors who will guide them through the process of learning new technologies and building their solutions. The coaches, mentors, judges, speakers, and trainers will consist of volunteers from Microsoft and partners, who for season 4 will include PSI and AMREF Health Africa.
Winning teams
At the end of the season, the winning team will be eligible for awards, including collaboration with GOL Season 4 partners to advance their solution and entry into the Microsoft Imagine Cup, where they will present their innovation on a global stage.
“This partnership with Microsoft is part of a larger initiative to increase the talent pool of individuals working in Digital Health across Africa”, said Martin Dale, Population Services International’s (PSI) Global Director of Digital Health. “There is so much talent graduating from our universities and Game of Learners is a great opportunity for students to dig in and create solutions that make health care more accessible to all.”, he continued.
Speaking about the initiative, Samuel Weru, AMREF Health Africa Group ICT Director, challenged students to apply for the program and be part of the drive towards creating home-grown solutions for Africa’s challenges.
“As a continent that has historically had serious healthcare challenges, we need the kind of ideas that can only come from the youth to revitalize healthcare service provision. There are myriad opportunities ranging from health informatics and telemedicine to big data analysis and system security for the learners to explore. We are eager to work with the teams to create solutions that have the potential to change Africa and the world,” said Weru.
GoL Season 4
In total, Season 4 will have 16 teams, each made up of 4 learners, 2 men and 2 women, drawn from all over the continent. The virtual student hackathon competition is open to students of accredited universities and colleges in sub-Saharan Africa, who will be vetted as per the requirements after submitting an online application.
“The program is designed to provide a fun, hands-on learning experience while creating a virtual environment that transcends borders to allow young minds to collaborate and drive the advancement of Africa into a global innovation hub. Having gender-balanced teams further ties into our mission of promoting diversity and inclusion within the tech industry,” explains Ferland.
Like a sports league, each 5-week season of Game of Learners follows up with a month-long season of GOL Clinic and GOL exhibitions to accord individuals seeking deeper hands-on technical experience and specialized training from Microsoft and GOL partners.
The Microsoft Africa Development Centre (ADC) and Microsoft Leap are delighted to launch an inaugural workshop intentionally designed for university lecturers, proficient in leading technology-focused courses. University lecturers will be provided with an opportunity to engage with fellow educators in skill enhancement modules and identify best practices to incorporate into their curriculum. The 12-week program, which begins on March 6th, will use a hybrid classroom model and practical training to provide instructors with a better understanding of industry requirements and inspire a curriculum change that will align university classrooms with the needs of the technology industry.
“This program is the result of collaboration on many fronts, including university lecturers and their students. The training has been designed to provide lecturers with hands-on experience with industry needs, allowing them to design effective teaching for their students in an equally practical manner. The course will also expose them to advanced topics and allow them to learn and experiment with effective teaching techniques while obtaining essential aspects of carrying out research studies,” said Catherine Muraga, Microsoft ADC Managing Director, at the program’s launch.
Yolanda Natal-Santos, Microsoft Leap’s Senior Business Program Manager says “Rooted in our culture of the growth mindset and the belief that digital skills are for everyone, we are grateful for our partnership with the Microsoft ADC, as we extend Microsoft Leap’s global reach to a region that is rich in culture and talent. The growth of our partnership with the Microsoft ADC, has provided our program with a platform to continue identifying, engaging, and aligning with changemakers in Africa, as we impact and elevate together.”
Working collectively with Engineers from the ADC, Nairobi, the program will enhance skills, based on a curriculum developed and taught by Microsoft Leap instructors.
In addition to technical programming aspects and teaching a hybrid classroom, educators will receive training on specific Microsoft tools that are already being used in classrooms around the world and can be introduced to Kenyan lecture halls. The program will also provide technical educators with the tools they need to introduce popular Microsoft resources like Microsoft Azure, Microsoft Power Platforms, and Microsoft Dynamics. “JKUAT’s Department of Computing is thrilled to participate in the Microsoft Skilling Program, as it will provide our staff with access to cutting-edge technologies and a leading global company. This opportunity to engage with industry-relevant skills and knowledge
Microsoft Event
brings great joy to the university”, Dr. Lawrence Nderu, Chairman/Lecturer, Department of Computing, Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology said. “The world is changing quickly, and if we are to mould tomorrow’s leaders, we as lecturers must evolve too. Each day, there are new tools and methods being devised that are becoming increasingly crucial to operating within the tech industry. For the sake of our students, it is best that we learn how to leverage industry-standard and emerging technology from industry leaders.”
Githinji emphasised a multi-pronged approach to improving technical education in Kenyan universities. “Improving lecturers’ capacities is line with the ADC’s digital skilling initiatives that range from elementary school-level all the way into the workplace. We held several campus tours last year, which prompted us to begin a curriculum review process with JKUAT. Improving all aspects of the training ladder is critical if we want to create a tech talent pipeline that is not only robust enough to meet today’s needs, but also propels Africa to compete on a global scale,” she added.
The first cohort of 23 educators is drawn from both private and public universities, including Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), Multimedia University, and Kirinyaga University. Strathmore University, KCA University, Kabarak University, USIU- Africa, Zetech University, and Africa Nazarene University are the others.
This course is designed to magnify the lecturer’s delivery of core general management and drive engagement with advanced technology topics. Lecturers will be able to experiment with alternative teaching techniques and glean additional essential insight and research studies best practices.
About Microsoft Microsoft (Nasdaq “MSFT” @microsoft) enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.
About the ADC Microsoft launched the Africa Development Centre (ADC) in 2019 with an initial site within Microsoft offices in Nairobi, Kenya, and another in Lagos, Nigeria. The centre’s goal is to attract world-class African engineering talent to create innovative solutions spanning the intelligent cloud and intelligent edge. Since its inception in Nairobi in 2019, the ADC has grown to over 500
University student teams from Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa are among the shortlisted finalist of the 2023 Microsoft Imagine Cup world finals. They are among 16 teams who will represent the Europe Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region at the Microsoft Imagine Cup student technology competition.
The African teams consist of seven teams from Kenya, one from Nigeria, and one from South Africa. The remaining finalist teams from the region come from the UK, Pakistan, UAE, and Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The EMEA teams will be competing with 32 other finalist teams from the Americas and Asia regions. For a chance to win USD50,000 in prizes and a spot to present at the 2023 Microsoft Imagine Cup World Championship.
Only three teams will make it to the next stage of the technology competition. The teams will need to get the top-scoring points in the region or category to progress to the next stage. The winning teams will get support from Microsoft mentors to prepare for the World Championship in May during Microsoft Build. Where they will win the grand prize of USD100,000 and a mentoring session with Microsoft Chairman and CEO, Satya Nadella.
African student teams have been performing exceptionally well in the technology competition that seeks to empower the next generation of creators and problem-solvers. In 2021 and for the first time in its 19-year history, an African student team from Kenya won the technology competition.
Here is a highlight of the African teams and their projects.
2023 Microsoft Imagine Cup Africa finalists
Team CAi from Kenya. Project category: Health
CAi is an AI-powered wearable device that detects seizures both prior to occurrence and in real-time and alerts caretakers. It uses the patient’s vital signs and body movements to detect seizure-like symptoms.
Team Paramount from South Africa. Project category: Earth
This system addresses the lack of participation in recycling through a gamification approach. Users earn points and badges for recycling and can also use the app to identify the correct bin to use.
Team iBoost from Kenya. Project category: Lifestyle
iBoost is a smart signal amplifier that leverages Azure Machine Learning, Bing Maps platform, and a host of other Microsoft technologies to bring an end to the internet connectivity and cellular network challenges brought about by poor network coverage.
Team IBTRS from Nigeria. Project category: Lifestyle
Institution based transport system (IBTRS) is based on a shuttle management system, IBTRS uses a telegram bot and RFID system to book shuttles at an affordable price for institutions, students, and workers and maximize efficiency.
Team RIM from Kenya. Project category: Earth
RIM Energy is a Smart LPG regulator that improves safety, monitors consumption, detects gas leaks, alerts on refill, and measures carbon footprint to reduce GHG emissions in African households.
Team Score More from Kenya. Project category: Education
Udhamini web app is a platform that gives students access to a centralized repository of scholarships to make opportunities easier to find and ensure that students don’t miss deadlines.
Team Smart Farmer from Kenya. Project category: Earth
Smart Farmer aims to increase agricultural production in order to help reduce food waste using technology.
Team TAWI from Kenya. Project category: Education
Tawi is a home-based software app that helps children with Auditory Processing Disorder (APD) improve their auditory skills. It includes noise cancellation, sound amplification, speech-to-text conversion, and auditory training exercises.
Team Wastestars from Kenya. Project category: Earth
Wastestars aims to design a smart waste collection system that allows citizens to choose and post the various types of solid waste they want to dispose of on the website and for garbage collectors.
Microsoft and OpenAI have been collaborating since 2019, when the tech giant invested $1 billion in the research organization. Since then, they have jointly developed and deployed some of the most impressive AI systems in the world, such as GPT-3, DALL-E, and Codex. These systems have demonstrated remarkable capabilities in natural language processing, computer vision, and code generation, among other domains.
Mirosoft and OpenAI Logo
Many observers believe that this partnership gives Microsoft and OpenAI a significant edge over Google, which has been widely regarded as the leader in AI research and innovation. Google has its own impressive portfolio of AI products and services, such as TensorFlow, Google Cloud AI Platform, Google Assistant, and Google Duplex. However, some argue that Google’s AI efforts are hampered by its reliance on advertising revenue, its lack of focus on social impact, and its internal conflicts over ethical issues.
So will Microsoft and OpenAI surpass Google in the AI battle? It is hard to predict the future of such a fast-moving and competitive field. However, there are some factors that may favor Microsoft and OpenAI’s chances:
Microsoft has a strong presence in the enterprise market, where it can leverage its existing customer base and cloud infrastructure to offer AI solutions that are tailored to specific industries and use cases.
OpenAI has a mission to ensure that artificial intelligence is aligned with human values and can benefit all of humanity. This may attract more talent and support from the research community and the public.
Microsoft and OpenAI have shown a willingness to collaborate with other organizations and share their resources and insights. For example, they have made GPT-3 available to selected developers through an API service, and they have open-sourced some of their tools and frameworks.
Of course, Google is not standing still either. It continues to invest heavily in AI research and development across various domains. It also has some advantages over Microsoft and OpenAI:
Google has access to massive amounts of data from its various platforms and services. This data can be used to train more powerful AI models that can learn from diverse sources of information.
Google has a culture of innovation that encourages experimentation and risk-taking. This may enable it to discover new breakthroughs or applications for AI that others may not foresee.
Google has a global reach that allows it to deploy its AI solutions to billions of users around the world. This may give it more feedback on how its systems perform in different contexts.
Ultimately, the competition between Microsoft + OpenAI vs Google may not be a zero-sum game. There may be room for multiple players in the AI space who can contribute different perspectives or approaches. The real challenge may be how to ensure that these players cooperate rather than conflict with each other on issues such as fairness, accountability, and transparency of their AI systems.
What do you think? Who will win the AI battle? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
