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The Cortex Hub AI Summit 2025

The rapid growth of artificial intelligence presents an important moment for countries, regions, and institutions to shape their own approach—one that is ethical, inclusive, and locally relevant. As open-source models like DeepSeek and Huawei’s Pangu 5.5 become more advanced, the key question is how to adopt AI in ways that protect data sovereignty, support innovation, and serve the public good.

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This summit brings together leaders from government, research, industry, and civil society to explore practical uses of AI in education, governance, and development. With a focus on open-source tools, local language models, public sector data, and remote sensing, the event aims to support meaningful African participation in the global AI landscape.

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Why This Summit? Why Now?

As AI technologies evolve globally, it is critical for regions like the Eastern Cape—and the broader African continent—to define strategies that are rooted in local realities, public sector relevance, and open-source innovation. Rather than import solutions, this is a moment to build capacity, infrastructure, and policy from the ground up.

 

With growing exposure to tools like DeepSeek and Huawei’s AI infrastructure, the region is well-positioned to lead in shaping sovereign, inclusive, and practical AI ecosystems. This summit marks the beginning of a multi-year effort to turn that vision into coordinated action.

Strategic Goals:

  • Position DeepSeek and Pangu as Africa’s open-source AI foundation models of choice

  • Establish a working AI training program 2026–2028 with practical toolsets

  • Launch a dedicated focus group for AI strategy

  • Begin data storage and compute infrastructure procurement discussions

  • Lay groundwork for AI for Public Sector use cases (starting with Treasury, Stats SA, DoH)

  • Integrate Remote Sensing AI and Satellite Data into training, climate modelling & planning

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🎯 Proposed Agenda: The DeepSeek AI Summit:

📍 Venue: The Cortex Hub, East London, 33 Church Street, East London CBD, Eastern Cape
📆 Dates: 29th & 30th August 2025
🧭 Format: 2-Day In-Person Summit 
 

The Cortex Hub AI Direction & DeepSeek Deep Dive

🗓️ Day 1: The Cortex Hub AI Direction & DeepSeek Deep Dive​

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  • 08h30 – 09h00: Keynote: Why Open Source? Why DeepSeek & Pangu?

  • 09h00 – 10h30: Panel: Future of Open Source AI in Africa

  • 11h00 – 12h30: DeepSeek Training Modules | Cortex AI Data Strategy | Language Fine-tuning (isiXhosa)

  • 14h00 – 15h40 (Parallel Workstreams):

    • DeepSeek Training & Development

    • AI Start-Up Ecosystem (Funding, Apps)

    • GitHub Agentic AI & Codebase

  • 16h00 – 17h30: Plenary Reports + Action Planning 

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🗓️ Day 2: Pangu Exploration, Data Storage & Next Steps

  • 09h00 – 10h30: Pangu 5.5 Hands-On Workshop

  • 11h30 – 12h30: Public Sector Use Cases | Pangu Training Modules

  • 14h00 – 15h40: Huawei Storage Solutions Workshop (Cold, Warm, Hot)

  • 16h00 – 17h00: Consolidation: Next Steps (Training, Tools, Infra)

  • 17h00 – 19h00: Networking Cocktails

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Remote Sensing workstream -  Special Focus will include:

  • Fibre and Network Planning (GIS-enabled)

  • Climate / Wind Mapping for coastal provinces

  • AI for Agriculture and Ocean Monitoring

  • Satellite Data Processing in partnership with JL1.CN

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