In this episode of iAfrikan BYTES, we are honoured to have Prof. Ulrich Paquet, a leading expert in artificial intelligence and machine learning. With a career spanning over two decades, Ulrich is currently the Director at AIMS South Africa, an institute dedicated to advancing mathematical sciences. Prof. Paquet earned his PhD in Machine Learning from the University of Cambridge’s Computer Laboratory, highlighting his profound academic expertise. Prof. Ulrich Paquet takes us through the evolution of artificial intelligence in South Africa. He provides a historical overview of the country’s AI winter, a period when progress in the sector was largely stagnant, and discusses its vibrant resurgence as AI technology has advanced and gained widespread popularity. Furthermore, Prof. Paquet shares insights from his time at Microsoft Research, where he contributed to the development of the Xbox One console, illustrating the pivotal role of academic research in industry applications. Join us for an enlightening conversation with one of the foremost minds in AI and machine learning.