Home
About Us
"We need to decolonize technology and align it with the record of our history, our languages, and the data we use to feed these tools."
So says Pelonomi Moiloa, a South African data scientist who co-founded Lelapa AI, "one of the first in the continent devoted to the development of artificial intelligence products" designed to improve lives in Africa.
Quartz reports Lelapa AI was founded in 2017 after Moiloa, who moved to Japan for a master's degree in artificial intelligence, realized that when companies import AI models developed in the West and deploy them in African context, they often fail.
"A bias in that sense has not been introduced, but the model learned it with the information that was provided to it," she says.
For example, when you use location in a credit model to determine whether someone is eligible for a mortgage loan, race may actually come into play, she says.
Quartz reports Lelapa AI's products range from access to public information to customer service for companies in the South African market.
But Moiloa, who was included among Time's 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence in 2023, says there's much more to be done.
"We need to decolonize technology and align
Selected Grant News Headlines
A customized collection of grant news from foundations and the federal government from around the Web.
National Award-Winning Startup "RampMyCity" Makes 30 Public Places Wheelchair Accessible.RampMyCity is on a mission to build an Inclusive, Accessible, and New India.With 600+ public locations already...more
Good Experts Episode 1: How to do AI the social enterprise way.Speakers at the ChangeNow conference offer practical solutions to create a truly sustainable AI.Also this week: will B Lab's new...more
Haril Kazindra and wife Andrea are the co-founders of Musana, a community development NGO that runs 19 social enterprises across Uganda.Musana has offices in Denver and London and employs 700 staff,...more
The report was commissioned by the Essential Services Commission Victoria as part of a partnership with Thriving Communities Australia, Flequity Ventures, Safe and Equal and the Centre for Women's...more
The Impact Leaders Book, co-authored by Dr. Iris Wright and Kevin Harrington, the original Shark from Shark Tank, will officially launch in Hollywood, California, on October 4, 2025.Wright is an...more
Gawad Kalinga faces questions over its response to concerns about the care of young people in its organization.He believes that open and honest discussions engaging not just organization heads, but...more
Assam NewsVeteran entrepreneur and artiste Abhijit Chaliha passed away at the age of 65 at his residence in Sivasagar town.He was the cousin of former Assam Chief Minister Bimala Prasad Chalih.Among...more
WayMakers is an organisation which supports people with autism and ADHD.Founder Alex Kelly says businesses may not be aware of the support available.Support includes neuro-affirming strategy...more
In this feature, we spotlight 10 entrepreneurs who aren't just following trends, they're creating them.Whether they're using technology to streamline healthcare, redefining sports opportunities for...more
Non-profit social enterprise Grow ECD's learners are developmentally on track and ahead of the national average.Their online curriculum is now available for free to any ECD centre in South Africa.232...more
Social Entrepreneurship News from...
Gates Foundation
Changemakers
Coca-Cola Foundation
Dell Foundation
Skoll Foundation
Simons Foundation
Citi Foundation
eBay Foundation
REDF
Truist Foundation
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
When it Comes to Social Enterprises, Failure is the Best Platform for Innovation
In the world of social enterprises, failure is a cringe-worthy moment nobody wants to talk about. But, social entrepreneurs can benefit from their failures.