Artificial Intelligence & Medical Innovation to Dominate 5th Trendsetters Forum 2024

Various players in the medical sub-sector, especially entrepreneurs and business leaders, will discuss and showcase the latest innovations and Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions driving their innovations during the 5th Business Trendsetters Forum, set for 29th August 2024, at the Sheraton Hotel in Kampala.

The theme of the forum is: “Artificial Intelligence, Your Mind and Your Business,”

According to Yvonne Mpanga, Business Development Consultant and Executive Director of Business Trends Galore while applauding the sponsors of the event said that the participants will showcase and discuss innovations in different sector using the latest technologies such as AI.

“We are privileged to have organizations such as the Youth Startup Academy (YSAU), URA, HiPipo, URSB, and the National Planning Authority (NPA) supporting this year’s forum. This forum brings together CEOs, business leaders, and entrepreneurs who are driving innovations in different sectors and encourages setting new trends” she said

Ms. Yvonne while emphasizing the importance of embracing new technologies while maintaining core business principles, said that the innovation needs to originate from the business to ensure sustainability.

“Technology should simplify what businesses do, but the foundational message and innovation must come from the businesses themselves. Change is inevitable, and AI is just the latest wave we need to ride on” she said

Among the health care exhibitors is Rose Nakasi, a distinguished Artificial Intelligence (AI) researcher whose work is at the forefront of technological innovation in healthcare. Her research interests lie at the intersection of Computer Vision and Machine Learning, specifically focusing on applying these cutting-edge technologies for automated microscopic diagnosis and spatial modeling of diseases in low-resourced countries.

As the Head of the new Makerere Artificial Intelligence Health Lab, she said that she is providing improved patience care through harnessing AI based technologies in Uganda and abroad.

“I am specifically focusing on utilizing and harnessing AI-based technologies to support Health Care. We are geared towards providing improved patient care. I also chair the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)/WIPO/WHO Topic Group on artificial intelligence for malaria detection under the global initiative AI for Health (GI-AI4H) – formerly the Focus Group AI for Health (FG-AI4H)” she said.

Ms. Rose added that “My research interest is artificial intelligence, particularly in developing low-cost tools for improved automated solutions for diagnostic health challenges. For example, we have developed tools to support microscopy diagnostics for diseases like malaria, cervical cancer, tuberculosis, and intestinal parasites. We are focusing on diseases that present a bigger public health burden to the country”

Ethan Bampeire, The Team Lead at Neexa AI, is another participant at the forum, designed to enhance business efficiency by integrating with websites and social media platforms.

“We have seen AI impact businesses globally, and in Uganda, we’ve seen companies using Neexa AI report a 25% to 50% increase in sales and efficiency,” said “This forum is the perfect platform to discuss and showcase how AI can transform businesses,” he said

At the peak of the forum will also feature a Trendsetters’ Awards gala, recognizing outstanding achievers in various categories, including Business Trends Heroes, Business Trendsetters in the Private and Public Sectors, and Business Trendsetter Youth.

Tickets are available for individuals and companies, booking slots startsat UGX 250,000.

The awards are determined through a public survey conducted annually between October and January since 2021, followed by a rigorous investigation to select the final nominees. The list of nominees has been published on the forum's website.

Ms Yvonne said that "We encourage everyone to join us on August 29th at the Sheraton Kampala Hotel to witness the achievements of these trailblazers”