I'm the CEO of SAIA Ventures and Managing Director of Africa on AI, where I am leading a consortium of private and public sector organizations to accelerate adoption of artificial intelligence across Africa and its Diaspora.
Of all our projects, I'm most excited about our goal to help 500 African women learn to use AI in their everyday lives by the end of 2025.
- Men have slightly higher awareness of AI than women (38% vs. 23%)
- In workplace adoption, 54% of men use AI in personal or professional settings compared to 35% of women.
- Women use AI slightly more than men for monthly tasks like virtual assistants and fitness trackers​, while ​men are more likely to use AI for professional tasks, accelerating their productivity and careers (!)
My work primarily focuses on strategy and innovation for governments, corporations, and non-profits in Africa, but making sure women aren't left behind is near and dear to my heart.
Are you a woman in tech with friends or colleagues (at least 10) who want to learn about AI in an informal setting? Do you lead a nonprofit group that would welcome real talk about AI and its implications for change?
The Training Disconnect (i.e. Isn't It All So Boring?)
Most AI trainings are facilitated either by someone who just learned about AI 5 minutes ago or has been socially isolated in the study of it for way too long they can't speak in regular English—and often, going on and on about "foundational models", the fact that "Africa is behind", and how important it is for you and your business to "Implement your AI strategy ASAP."
But technical complexity without practical application leads nowhere.
Noise
Overwhelming information without clarity
Complexity
Technical jargon creates barriers
Relevance
Generic content lacks African context
Engagement
Boring delivery leads to abandonment
What If Learning about AI Could Be Fun?
Our success is measured by how many people we successfully train (and eventually, train to train others). We're not here to sell you services (though if we can help you/your business or know someone who can, we will!).
Instead of the train-and-flee model, we offer an informal environment via which you can understand the basics—through every day concepts you can relate to: grocery shopping, parenting, building a side hustle, even dating!
The result? When AI becomes fun, it leads to greater personal adoption, then, naturally, women doing what they do best—taking AI to the next level at work! 😊
Closing the AI Adoption Gap with Women's Groups
My approach transforms complicated AI concepts into simple every day concepts, while leveraging the power of high-trust groups to create safe spaces for learning, experimenting, and disagreeging! I believe that when people understand the fundamentals—and can formulate their own point of view—they can envision possibilities for themselves, their families, and their careers.
Start with the Consumer
Meet people where they are, not where experts think they should be.
Simplify Complex Concepts
Break down technical ideas into everyday language.
Create Contextual Relevance
Apply AI concepts to African realities and challenges.
Empower Through Understanding
Build confidence through accessible knowledge.
Empowering African Women Leaders with AI Skills
We're not creating technical experts. We're building confident AI citizens who can shape Africa's technological future.
Foundation Building
Creating strong mental models of AI capabilities and limitations
Practical Understanding
Applying AI concepts to real African contexts
Decision Confidence
Empowering informed choices about AI adoption
Innovation Catalysis
Sparking new ideas for African-led AI solutions
Reimagining AI Training: Less Code, More Conversation
Traditional trainings bore people into disengagement. Our approach ignites curiosity, builds lasting understanding, and is fun!
Insightful & Interactive
Our training session and workshops replace passive learning with storytelling, debate (!), and experiential activities.
Culturally-Relevant Context
We ground AI concepts in our personal realities, geographical context, and both personal and business challenges.
Real Experts = Engaging Delivery
Live, accessible & interactive sessions les by an actual AI practitioner (not newbies) guarantee engagement and enthusiasm throughout.
From Live Projects to Practical Outcomes
Participants get to write prompts, role play, and leave with applicable both skills and apps they can use, not just theoretical knowledge.
Our Practical Approach
Our methodology focuses on building lasting conceptual understanding. We prioritize relevant skills over technical minutiae.
AI Literacy
Building foundational understanding that empowers decisions
Contextual Application
Exploring African-specific use cases and challenges
Hands-on Experience
Interacting with AI tools in guided, low-risk environments
Conceptual Mastery
Developing mental models that last beyond specific tools
Engage in AI Conversations with Confidence
Our workshops transform participants from passive listeners to active, confident - and delightfully dissenting! - voices in the AI conversation.
Understand Key Terms & Concepts
Master essential AI vocabulary without unnecessary jargon.
Recognize Fluff from Real Expertise
Develop critical thinking to separate realistic AI from overblown claims.
Learn to Ask the Right Questions
Learn what to ask when evaluating AI tools or proposals.
Formulate Your Own Point of View
Contribute meaningfully to discussions about AI in Africa.
AI for Business & Professional Development
Our workshops demystify AI fundamentals. Participants build mental models that serve as foundations for deeper understanding.
Core Concepts
Grasp what AI actually is and isn't, beyond the hype and fear.
How It Works
Understand the basic mechanics without needing to code.
Evolution
Learn how AI has developed and where it's likely heading.
Capabilities
Recognize what current AI can and cannot realistically do.
AI for Personal Use & Passion Projects
Personal AI adoption builds confidence. When people see AI working in their lives, they can envision professional applications.
Daily Productivity
Discover AI tools that streamline everyday tasks and save precious time.
Home Integration
Explore practical AI applications that enhance home life and connectivity.
Side Hustle Assistance
Learn how AI can amplify personal creativity and problem-solving.
We're Setting You Up to Be Able to Adopt AI at Work
We're confident that after our training, participants will be in a better position to learn to identify valuable AI opportunities beyond personal use — for their roles at work, their teams, or organizations.
Opportunity Spotting
Develop an eye for processes that could benefit from AI enhancement.
Value Assessment
Learn to evaluate potential ROI and implementation feasibility.
Solution Matching
Connect business challenges with appropriate AI approaches.
Implementation Planning
Create roadmaps for successful AI adoption in African contexts.
Whether at home or at work, we want you to learn how to make informed decisions about AI.
African Women are Already Leading the AI Revolution—You Could Be One of Them.
Together, we can build an AI-empowered Africa that leverages technology on its own terms. The future starts with understanding.
Attend an Event or Training
We host monthly virtual events and are hosting meetups in different cities across Africa.
Bring Training To Your Organization
Transform your team into anxious spectators to confident AI decision-makers (or even designers).
Join Our Community
Connect with fellow Africans locally and across different countries, who are navigating the AI landscape.
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I'd Love to Hear From You
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Hi, I'm Spectra :)