Join Karla Jo Helms on the
Disruption Interruption™ podcast as she talks with
Terrence Taylor, a visionary and
former executive at Meta, as they discuss the African Institute of
Future Technologies (AIFT) and the organization's aim to bridge the
technology gap in Africa and
enable individuals to participate fully in the global digital
economy.
TAMPA
BAY, Fla., July 16, 2024 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ --
Digital access includes physical access to devices and networks,
financial resources, and socio-demographic factors like education
and income. (1) Africa is one of
the continents that struggles the most with this issue: it is
estimated that in the Sub-Saharan region only 22% of the population
has access to mobile internet services and 61% of people living in
areas with broadband are not able to use it. (2) These disparities
perpetuate global and intra-national divides, affecting economic
development, political stability, and societal resilience. That's
why Terrence Taylor, the passionate
force behind the African Institute of Future Technologies (AIFT),
is on a crusade to educate and empower individuals across
Africa. "I keep asking myself:
Where is Africa going to be in the
future? How do we help Africa
leapfrog into a future where every individual can experience the
highest sense of well-being and dignity?", he states in this
interview with Karla Jo Helms (KJ),
host of the Disruption Interruption podcast.
"How do we help Africa leapfrog into a future where every
individual can experience the highest sense of well-being and
dignity?" - Terrence Taylor
In a discussion about the role that cognitive readiness,
institutional support, and political and cultural dimensions play
in shaping access to information and technology, Taylor highlights
the importance that cutting-edge technologies such as AI, robotics,
and genetics will play in the future of this region. "Increasingly,
I realize that I have a role to play in ensuring that Africans
continue to have opportunities", he points out.
Empowering Africa: AIFT's
Mission to Bridge the Technology Gap
The AIFT is dedicated to empowering one billion Africans through
education in advanced technologies. Co-founded by Taylor, AIFT aims
to bridge the technology gap in Africa and enable individuals to participate
fully in the global digital economy.
Born in Sierra Leone, Taylor's
illustrious career spans prestigious roles at Google and Meta,
bringing a wealth of experience in technology and leadership to his
new endeavor. His journey from Wall Street to Johannesburg underscores his commitment to
driving impactful global change. Taylor articulates a compelling
vision for harnessing AI and other advanced technologies to empower
Africans and drive economic growth across the continent. Reflecting
on the dangers of technological monopolization, Taylor emphasizes,
"It becomes yet another tool for the privileged few to stay
privileged".
Empowering Africa's Tech
Leaders Through Innovation and Collaboration
AIFT plans to collaborate with industry leaders, educational
institutions, and governments to deliver comprehensive training
programs that equip individuals with the skills needed to thrive in
the digital age. Taylor's vision includes fostering innovation hubs
across Africa and nurturing a new
generation of tech leaders.
Taylor highlights AIFT's future impact by emphasizing strategic
priorities such as pan-African scalability and global partnerships.
He envisions a future where empowering Africa through technology allows the
entrepreneurs to lead in AI innovation and economic development,
creating global ripple effects.
"I am because we are," Taylor remarks, reflecting on the African
concept of ubuntu. "This sense of connection and community is what
drives me. It's about ensuring that the opportunities created by
technology are accessible to all Africans."
Links:
Disrupting the "Compute" of GenAI: The $7
Trillion Impasse and the Fight for Tech Democracy with
Terrence Taylor
https://omny.fm/shows/disruption-interruption/disrupting-the-compute-of-genai-the-7-trillion-imp?in_playlist=podcast
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/terrenceokeketaylor/
Disruption Interruption is the podcast where you will hear from
today's biggest Industry Disruptors. Learn what motivated them to
bring about innovation and how they overcame opposition to
adoption.
Disruption Interruption can be listened to in Apple's
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About Disruption InterruptionTM
Disruption is happening on an unprecedented scale, impacting all
manner of industries— MedTech, Finance, IT, eCommerce, shipping,
logistics, and more—and COVID has moved their timelines up a full
decade or more. But WHO are these disruptors and when did they say,
"THAT'S IT! I'VE HAD IT!"? Time to Disrupt and Interrupt with host
Karla Jo "KJ" Helms, veteran communications disruptor. KJ
interviews badasses who are disrupting their industries and
altering economic networks that have become antiquated with an
establishment resistant to progress. She delves into uncovering
secrets from industry rebels and quiet revolutionaries that uncover
common traits—and not-so-common—that are changing our economic
markets… and lives. Visit the world's key pioneers that persist to
success, despite arrows in their backs at
http://www.disruption-interruption.com.
About Terrence Taylor
Terrence Taylor is the Founder of
the African Institute of Future Technologies, which aims to train
one million to one billion individuals in advanced technologies
such as AI, robotics, and genetics, preparing Africa to lead by 2050. Born in Sierra Leone and raised in Maryland, Taylor's career began on Wall Street
and culminated as CFO for the Internet startup Africa.com in 2001.
He transitioned to leadership development at Turner, Harper &
Associates in Johannesburg before
establishing his own global consultancy. Taylor has worked with
Ecobank, Standard Bank, Discovery Limited, and Google, creating
impactful leadership development programs and building an internal
Organization Development consultancy.
About Karla Jo Helms
Karla Jo Helms is the Chief
Evangelist and Anti-PR® Strategist for JOTO PR Disruptors™.
Karla Jo learned firsthand how
unforgiving business can be when millions of dollars are on the
line — and how the control of public opinion often determines
whether one company is happily chosen, or another is brutally
rejected. Being an alumnus of crisis management, Karla Jo has worked with litigation attorneys,
private investigators, and the media to help restore companies of
goodwill into the good graces of public opinion — Karla Jo operates on the ethic of getting it
right the first time, not relying on second chances and doing what
it takes to excel. Helms speaks globally on public relations, how
the PR industry itself has lost its way, and how, in the right
hands, corporations can harness the power of Anti-PR to drive
markets and impact market perception.
References
1. Signé, Landry. "Fixing the Global Digital Divide and Digital
Access Gap." Brookings, 28 Dec. 2023,
brookings.edu/articles/fixing-the-global-digital-divide-and-digital-access-gap/.
2. "Digital Transformation Drives Development in Africa." World Bank, 18
Jan. 2024,
worldbank.org/en/results/2024/01/18/digital-transformation-drives-development-in-afe-afw-africa.
Media Inquiries:
Karla Jo Helms
JOTO PR™
727-777-4629
jotopr.com
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SOURCE Terrence Taylor