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Geospatial Machine Learning: Research and Social Impact Use Cases

Workshop at Deep Learning Indaba

8th September, 2023

Accra, Ghana

 

Join us for an immersive journey into the dynamic intersection of geospatial data and cutting-edge machine learning techniques. This workshop is your opportunity to dive into the world of geospatial intelligence, where data-driven insights pave the way for meaningful societal change in Africa.  

Discover how geospatial data, combined with the power of machine learning and natural language, is revolutionizing research and driving tangible social impact across the African continent. Learn from leading experts who are at the forefront of this exciting fusion and gain hands-on experience in applying these technologies to real-world challenges. 

Whether you’re a seasoned data scientist, a geospatial enthusiast, or someone passionate about making a difference, this workshop offers a unique platform to explore transformative research and actionable use cases. Network with like-minded individuals, engage in thought-provoking discussions, and leave with the skills and knowledge to unlock the potential of geospatial machine learning for a brighter future in Africa. 

Don’t miss this opportunity to be part of a community committed to leveraging technology for positive change. Secure your spot today and embark on a journey that empowers you to drive impactful innovation through geospatial machine learning in Africa. 

Aims & Objectives

Elevate geospatial technology awareness and its pivotal role in African sustainable development goals, while achieving diverse objectives that foster the infusion of data types for impactful progress

Increased awareness and understanding of the use of geospatial data

Attendees will gain a deeper understanding of how geospatial data can be used to enhance techniques, optimize processes and improve sustainable development efforts. There will be a special focus on different satellite formats, how to manipulate original satellite data using useful tools and libraries, the use of Google Earth Engine, and different satellite data visualization tools.

Advancement of geospatial NLP techniques

Explore the latest advances in geospatial NLP, including applications in toponym resolution, sentiment analysis, named entity recognition, and other areas of text analysis. Attendees will have the opportunity to share their work and learn from others, potentially leading to advancements in geospatial NLP techniques.

Development of new tools and resources in satellite

The workshop may lead to developing new tools and resources for using geospatial data in NLP. This can be particularly important for African countries, where such tools can help address sustainable development, conservation practices, and biodiversity challenges.

Development of new tools and resources in satellite

The workshop may lead to developing new tools and resources for using geospatial data in NLP. This can be particularly important for African countries, where such tools can help address sustainable development, conservation practices, and biodiversity challenges.

Community Building

Building a community of practice of practitioners, researchers, and students across Africa who are building solutions that address local problems.

Retail Dominance and Precision Sales

Maximize productivity and drive revenue growth with cutting-edge analytics and insights. Stay ahead of the competition and exceed customer expectations with our innovative approach to retail optimization.

Climate Risk Impact Assessment

Our assessment helps you identify and mitigate potential risks to your business. By analyzing the likelihood and impact of various risks, we provide actionable insights to help you make informed decisions and protect your business from harm

Location intelligence and Supply Chain Optimization

Geographic data analysis to provide location insights that helps minimize costs, maximize efficiency and optimize your supply chain.

Development of new tools and resources in satellite

The workshop may lead to developing new tools and resources for using geospatial data in NLP. This can be particularly important for African countries, where such tools can help address sustainable development, conservation practices, and biodiversity challenges.

Increased innovation

The workshop will inspire innovation and creativity by exposing participants to new technologies, data sources, and methods. Participants will develop new ideas and solutions to address local problems within their community

Policy implications

The workshop may also have policy implications, such as the use of geospatial data to inform decision-making related to sustainable development, conservation

Community Building

Building a community of practice of practitioners, researchers, and students across Africa who are building solutions that address local problems.

Increased innovation

The workshop will inspire innovation and creativity by exposing participants to new technologies, data sources, and methods. Participants will develop new ideas and solutions to address local problems within their community

Policy implications

The workshop may also have policy implications, such as the use of geospatial data to inform decision-making related to sustainable development, conservation practices, and environmental policies at the local, national, and international levels.

Agricultural Vegetation Mapping and Crop Yield Prediction

We deploy advanced technology to map agricultural vegetation and predict crop yields. By analyzing crop conditions and other relevant factors, we provide insights to help you make informed decisions and maximize your harvest.

Community and Amenities Planning

Leverage our comprehensive community planning solutions to help you design facilities, optimize amenities, and create thriving and sustainable communities.

Geo-analytics and Visualization

From spatial analysis to predictive modelling, we uncover hidden patterns and trends in your data. Advanced data analysis and visualization to help you gain insights and make informed decisions using location data.

Sensor Data Management

Leverage our expertise in managing large-scale sensor networks to maximize data value and streamline operations. Our comprehensive services, from seamless data acquisition to real-time analytics, drive efficiency, productivity, and help achieve your business goals.

Mobile Mapping Applications

Seamlessly integrate real-time location data and gain valuable insights on the go, all while increasing operational efficiency and reducing costs. Stay ahead of the curve with our user-friendly and customizable mobile mapping solutions.

Disaster Risk Intervention

Disaster-proof your business with our AI-powered risk intervention solutions. Minimize losses and maximize resilience with our cutting-edge technology

Workshop Agenda

Sessions Time Description
Session 1
11h00 – 11h10
Welcome: Introduction & description of workshop agenda
11h10 – 11h40
Keynote Address - Jason Hickey
11h40 – 12h30
Fireside Chat (Q&A) - Google Research, WorldPop, AtlasAI and DSNai
Main Track
12h30 – 14h00
Indaba: Lunch
Session 2
14h00 – 14h45
Tutorial 1: Satellite data ingestion and processing Overview of how to leverage the power of Xarray and other libraries to read different satellite data formats including GeoTiff, NetCDF, HDF. - Abubakr Babiker
14h45 – 15h15
Discussion: GeoNLP, Geo-Semantic and Generative Location descriptions in natural language text - Olubayo Adekanmbi
15h15 – 16h00
Tutorial 2: Mobility Data and African Geoportal Hands-on immersion and Geospatial/Mobility Dataset and use cases from Kenya, Senegal, and Nigeria. - Pauline Okeyo
Main Track
16h00 – 16h30
Indaba: Coffee Break
Session 3
16h30 – 17h10
Meta Data For Good Datasets, Types and Applications - Alex Pompe
17h10 – 17h50
Tutorial 3: Geospatial data analysis and modeling using Google Earth Engine - Ibrahim S. Yusuf
17h50 – 17h55
Raffle draw/Prize winning
17h55 – 18h00
Closing Remarks and Group Photographs.

Meet Our Speakers

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Jason Hickey

Head of Google Research,  Accra, Ghana 

Jason Hickey is a distinguished computer scientist with over 40 years of expertise spanning artificial intelligence, weather and climate modeling, and programming languages. He currently leads the Google Research office in Accra, where their work encompasses vital areas like food security, precise weather prediction, and the preservation of indigenous African languages. Jason’s legacy is etched with innovation, where each milestone becomes a stepping stone toward reshaping the trajectory of artificial intelligence in Africa. His unwavering commitment to progress, coupled with his profound technical acumen, lays the foundation for a future where AI serves as a catalyst for positive transformation

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Olubayo Adekanmbi

CEO, DSNai

Olubayo (Bayo) Adekanmbi, a seasoned C-level business leader, holds 22 years of diverse expertise spanning AI, Digital Innovations, and Geospatial Data Science across 30+ countries. Recognized among the world’s top 50 Data Innovators, Bayo has championed impactful AI for social good products, with UNESCO/IRCAI acknowledging five in the Global Top 100 list. His distinguished research graces premier global AI conferences. As CEO of DSNai, a leading AI research, consulting, and solution delivery startup in Africa, Bayo is dedicated to building cutting-edge AI solutions, improving the lives of over 2 billion in emerging markets. He’s also the author of “The Future is Shared” and “Beginners Artificial Intelligence and Python Programming”.

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Vivek Sakhrani

Vice-President, Data & Analytics, Atlas AI 

Vivek leads Atlas AI’s data science, analytics, and solutions engineering. With fifteen years’ experience in systems planning, investment advisory, and development projects, he guides a team of data scientists and engineers. As Principal Investigator for grants from US National Science Foundation, Rockefeller Foundation, and World Bank, he oversees solutions for partners in agriculture, telecom, energy, public health, and impact evaluation. Formerly Global Director for Infrastructure Analytics at CPCS, he managed modeling and analytics services for global clients including World Bank, African Union Commission, and private firms.

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Alex Pompe

Research Manager, Data For Good, Meta 

Alex Pompe, a Research Manager at Meta’s Data for Good team, drives impactful projects creating over 25 privacy-ensured datasets aiding in disaster response, public health, poverty, and climate change. Formerly, Alex led startup growth across 35 countries in 3 years. With 6 years at IREX, an international NGO, he focused on information access and internet programs in Ukraine, Namibia, and Washington DC. . Alex holds a physics BS from the University of Illinois, an MS from the University of Michigan, and has guest lectured at the University of Maryland’s School of Information.

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Abubakr Babiker

Research Software Engineer, Google Research

Abubakr Babiker is a seasoned Research Software Engineer at Google Ghana Lab. He is deeply committed to addressing food security challenges in the developing world. His fervor for reducing hunger levels drives his work, as he channels his technical expertise into creating real-world impact. With a strong foundation in geospatial modeling, data analysis, and natural language understanding, Abubakr’s efforts focus on devising innovative solutions to tackle food shortages, one of the world’s most pressing issues.

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Pauline Okeyo

Senior Solution Engineer WAMEA Region, ESRI 

Pauline Okeyo is a geospatial professional with over 10 years’ experience currently working with Esri as a Solution Engineer in the Middle East and Africa region, where she supports users in the application of GIS solutions to achieve sustainable development across the region. Prior to joining Esri, she worked for Esri Eastern Africa as the Professional Services Manager managing the training and services portfolio across 5 countries, and before that in biodiversity management for the Kenya government under the Kenya Wildlife Service. 

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Justice Moses Aheto

Statistical Modeller, WorldPop 

Dr. Justice is a Research Fellow who worked on geospatial and statistical modeling for childhood vaccination coverage in Nigeria’s VaxPop II project. As a Visiting Research Fellow at WorldPop from 2020, he contributed to Nigeria VaxPop I and related initiatives. He has a PhD in Statistics & Epidemiology from Lancaster University. He previously held positions at the University of Ghana and serves as a Visiting Scholar at the University of South Florida and Honorary Assistant Professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

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Ibrahim S. Yusuf

AI Research Engineer, InstaDeep 

Ibrahim, Yusuf is an AI Research Engineer and a pivotal member of InstaDeep’s Lagos team in Nigeria. With a commitment to harnessing AI’s potential for the greater good, he specializes in geo-spatial machine learning, computer vision, and computational biology. His portfolio includes a spectrum of projects, ranging from bolstering food security and optimizing disaster response to propelling forward immunology research and development. Ibrahim stands at the forefront of innovation, driving impactful initiatives that bridge AI and humanity’s betterment.

Organizers

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Olubayo Adekanmbi

CEO, DSNai, Nigeria 

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Chinazo Anebelundu

Geospatial Business Lead, DSNai, Nigeria 

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Ibrahim S. Yusuf

AI Research Engineer InstaDeep, Nigeria 

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Anthony Soronnadi

Machine Learning Engineer, DSNai, Nigeria 

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Deep Learning Indaba 2023 in Ghana

Venue: The University of Ghana

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Geolocating Hidden Treasure Hunt!

We have placed some treasures in the form of medium-sized cards across the DLI conference venue. Find one and win exciting prizes!

How to Participate:  

  1. Find a hidden treasure around the conference vicinity. This is in the form of a medium-sized plastic card. 
  2. Scan the QR code on the treasure.  
  3. Follow the instructions provided to redeem your prize.  
  4. Ensure you come to our workshop with your treasure card to participate in the raffle draw.
  5. See you at the Geospatial Machine Learning: Research and Social Impact Use Case workshop on the 8th! 
  6. Note: To know that you have found the right card, the QR code on the card MUST lead you to a page with further instructions. 
  7. Note: Come to the workshop booth with the hidden card that you found. 

 

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Geospatial ML Workshop Partners

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Deep Learning Indaba 2023 Sponsors

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Register for the Geospatial Machine Learning Workshop at DL Indaba 2023.