The future of innovation will not be built by technology alone. It will be shaped by the people asking better questions, challenging conventional thinking and creating solutions that improve lives, says the summit.

Reflecting this momentum, Singularity South Africa has announced another group of global speakers who will address the 2026 Summit, taking place in collaboration with Old Mutual and metaverse partner, UBU, at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Wednesday 21 October and Thursday 22 October.

Building on an its programme of global thought leaders, the latest speaker announcement aims to celebrate women in innovation while also bringing together experts in artificial intelligence, digital transformation, urban development and robotics, says the summit.

Together they will aim to explore how emerging technologies are reshaping business, cities and society, while highlighting the diverse voices helping to lead that transformation.

New Technologies Shaping the Future

Leading the conversation is Amanda Manna, one of Singularity's AI Specialists, whose session, "What's Next in AI", will aim to explore the rapid pace of artificial intelligence development and what organisations, leaders and individuals should be preparing for as the technology continues to evolve, says the summit.

Poet, Author and Broadcaster Lebo Mashile returns as the Summit's Poet and MC, aiming to connect complex technological ideas with the human stories behind them. Her role throughout the Summit will aim to help frame conversations around innovation through creativity, culture and imagination, adds the summit.

The programme will also feature Tilly Lockey, whose journey with AI-powered bionic arms aims to offer a glimpse into how technology is transforming lives and expanding human potential.

Building Tomorrow's World

The latest speaker line-up also aims to showcase the practical application of exponential technologies across industries, governments and communities, says the summit.

Barak Kaufman, AI Leader from Wonderful.ai, will present "Moving From Pilots to Production: Closing the Execution Gap in Enterprise AI", aimed at exploring why many AI initiatives fail to scale and how organisations can successfully move from experimentation to measurable business impact, adds the summit.

Hamed Kazim will present "The Future of Cities and Exponential Leadership", aimed at offering insights into how one of the world's most ambitious cities is using technology, infrastructure and long-term planning to shape urban innovation.

Valter Adão, one of Africa's voices on digital transformation, will also aim to examine how organisations can modernise at scale through the adoption of exponential technologies, helping leaders navigate increasingly complex digital environments, says the summit.

Adding an inspiring African innovation story to the programme, Inventor Fana Shabane will share how he designs and builds robots using recycled materials in his session, "Inventing Robots: One Man's Trash is Another's Treasure". His work aims to demonstrate how creativity, resourcefulness and innovation can emerge from the most unexpected places, adds the summit.

Old Mutual's Group Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Officer, Celiwe Ross, says they can't help people on this continent secure their futures without innovators and builders. 

"Innovation is not only about advancing technology. It is about unlocking human potential and creating opportunities for people to thrive," says Ross. "As emerging technologies reshape our world, it is encouraging to see more changemakers leading these conversations, challenging established thinking and helping to build solutions that are more inclusive, relevant and impactful."

"One of the most exciting aspects of this year's programme is the diversity of perspectives shaping the conversation," says Shayne Mann, Co-CEO of Singularity South Africa. "Innovation is strongest when it brings together different experiences, disciplines and ways of thinking."

"These speakers demonstrate that the future of technology is not only about breakthrough ideas, but also about the people translating those ideas into meaningful impact," adds Mann.

"The pace of technological change means organisations need both vision and practical execution," says Mic Mann, Co-CEO of Singularity South Africa. "This group of speakers reflects exactly that balance. From artificial intelligence and smart cities to digital transformation and home-grown innovation, delegates will gain practical insights from leaders who are actively building the future rather than simply predicting it."

Further speakers and programme announcements will be revealed in the coming months, concludes the summit.

For more information, updates and registration, visit www.singularitysouthafricasummit.org. You can also follow Singularity South African Summit on LinkedIn, X, or on Instagram.

*Image courtesy of contributor