In this episode of Habesha in Tech, host Tef Kassa sits down with Getnet Aseffa, the Founder and CEO of iCog Labs. Getnet, a computer science and engineering graduate from Ethiopian Defense University, shares his personal tech journey, discussing how he got started in the industry and the challenges he faced along the way. Getnet began his career as a software engineer, working for a variety of companies before starting his own business. He talks about the struggles he faced as an entrepreneur, including the difficulty of securing funding and the challenges of building a successful team. Despite these obstacles, Getnet persevered and was able to launch iCog Labs, a company that specializes in developing artificial intelligence and machine learning technology. He explains how his company is working to improve the lives of people in Ethiopia and other African countries by creating cutting-edge technology that can be used in healthcare, education, and other fields. Getnet also talks about the importance of diversity in the tech industry and how he is working to promote diversity and inclusion within his own company. He stresses the importance of encouraging young people from underrepresented communities to pursue careers in technology and the need for more mentorship programs for these individuals. Throughout the episode, Tef and Getnet also discuss the current state of the tech industry in Ethiopia and the challenges faced by tech companies in the country. They delve into the importance of using technology for social good and how iCog Labs is working to make a positive impact on the world, such as the famous robot citizen Sophia and other AI related projects and innovations which are being developed by the lab. Tef would like to thank Getnet for his time and willingness to share his tech journey with Habesha in Tech listeners, and also express his gratitude to Addis Alemayehou for recommending Getnet as a guest on the show. Overall, this episode of Habesha in Tech is a fascinating and informative conversation with Getnet Aseffa, a successful entrepreneur and leader in the tech industry. Listeners will gain insight into the personal journey of a tech leader, his educational background and the innovative work being done by iCog Labs to improve the lives of people in Ethiopia and beyond. It is a great opportunity to learn from Getnet's experience and to understand the current state of AI and Robotics industry in Ethiopia and the role of iCog Labs in it. ___________________ Habesha in Tech is a podcast that aims to share the stories of successful tech leaders from the Ethiopian/Eritrean diaspora, providing insight into their personal and professional journeys, as well as their perspectives on the state of the tech industry in Ethiopian/Eritrean and beyond. It is a platform for the Ethiopian tech community to connect, share ideas and inspire one another. Please note that the views and opinions expressed in this episode are those of the host & individuals participating in the discussion and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of their respective employers. The information provided in this episode is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as official guidance or representation of the policies or positions of Salesforce or any other company. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/habeshaintech/message