The people shaping tomorrow are not simply waiting for technology to change the world. They are questioning how it can be used, challenging the way things have always been done and finding new ways to solve some of society’s biggest challenges.
That conversation will take centre stage when Singularity South Africa hosts its 2026 Summit at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 21 and Thursday, 22 October, in collaboration with Old Mutual and metaverse partner UBU.
The latest speaker announcement adds another group of global and local voices to an already strong programme, with this year’s Summit placing a particular focus on women in innovation while exploring the impact of artificial intelligence, digital transformation, robotics and urban development.
Among the speakers is Amanda Manna, one of Singularity’s leading artificial intelligence specialists, who will unpack the rapid development of AI during her session, What’s Next in AI. Her presentation will examine where the technology is heading and what organisations, leaders and individuals need to consider as AI continues to evolve at an unprecedented pace.
Poet, author and broadcaster Lebo Mashile will also return to the Summit as Poet and MC. Known for connecting ideas, culture and storytelling, Mashile will bring a distinctly human perspective to conversations that can often become dominated by technology, helping audiences explore innovation through creativity and imagination.
International robotics pioneer Tilly Lockey will bring another powerful perspective to the programme. Her personal experience with AI-powered bionic arms has placed her at the intersection of technology, accessibility and human potential, offering delegates an opportunity to see how innovation can fundamentally change people’s lives.
The Summit will also examine what happens when emerging technologies move beyond ideas and into real-world applications.
Barak Kaufman, an enterprise AI leader from Wonderful.ai, will address one of the biggest challenges facing organisations experimenting with artificial intelligence in his session, Moving From Pilots to Production: Closing the Execution Gap in Enterprise AI. His presentation will explore why many AI projects struggle to move beyond testing and what businesses can do to turn experimentation into measurable results.
Hamed Kazim will look at the future of urban development in The Future of Cities and Exponential Leadership, exploring how ambitious cities are using technology, infrastructure and long-term planning to rethink the way people live and work.
Africa’s digital transformation journey will also feature prominently, with Valter Adão examining how organisations can modernise at scale through exponential technologies. His session will focus on helping leaders navigate increasingly complex digital environments while identifying opportunities for meaningful transformation.
Adding a uniquely South African innovation story to the programme is inventor Fana Shabane, who creates robots using recycled materials. His session, Inventing Robots: One Man’s Trash is Another’s Treasure, demonstrates how innovation does not always require expensive laboratories or sophisticated resources, but can emerge from creativity, curiosity and the determination to solve problems with what is available.
For Old Mutual Group Chief Human Capital and Corporate Affairs Officer Celiwe Ross, innovation must ultimately be connected to people and opportunity.
“We can’t help people on this continent secure their futures without innovators and builders. Innovation is not only about advancing technology. It is about unlocking human potential and creating opportunities for people to thrive. As emerging technologies reshape our world, it is encouraging to see more changemakers leading these conversations, challenging established thinking and helping to build solutions that are more inclusive, relevant and impactful,” says Ross.
Singularity South Africa co-CEO Shayne Mann says the diversity of voices participating in this year’s Summit is one of its biggest strengths.
“One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s programme is the diversity of perspectives shaping the conversation. Innovation is strongest when it brings together different experiences, disciplines and ways of thinking. These speakers demonstrate that the future of technology is not only about breakthrough ideas, but also about the people translating those ideas into meaningful impact,” says Mann.
Fellow co-CEO Mic Mann adds that the programme has been designed to balance big-picture thinking with practical insights.
“The pace of technological change means organisations need both vision and practical execution. This group of speakers reflects exactly that balance. From artificial intelligence and smart cities to digital transformation and home-grown innovation, delegates will gain practical insights from leaders who are actively building the future rather than simply predicting it,” he says.
Further speakers and programme announcements are expected to be revealed in the coming months as Singularity South Africa builds towards the October Summit.
The Singularity South Africa 2026 Summit takes place on 21 and 22 October 2026 at the Sandton Convention Centre in Johannesburg.
Early Mover tickets are priced at R18,500 for in-person attendance and R5,200 for the metaverse experience. Delegates who book before 15 August can receive 10% off the standard ticket price, subject to limited availability. The next pricing packages take effect from 15 August 2026.
All prices include VAT.
For more information, updates and bookings, visit Singularity South Africa Summit.
