Meta AI is an intelligent assistant designed to enhance your learning, creativity, and connections. With advanced features, including integration with Llama 3.1, Meta AI can answer questions, provide advice, and even generate images, helping users unlock new possibilities. Available in select languages and regions, Meta AI aims to expand users' horizons by offering personalized and innovative AI experiences, with plans for wider availability in the future.

Melio AI is a startup focused on helping businesses commercialize and scale their AI projects by bridging the gap between business, data science, and engineering. Its flagship product, Highwind, delivers AI-as-a-Service, providing ready-to-deploy solutions like eKYC and customer chatbots to enhance efficiency for businesses in Sub-Saharan Africa. By democratizing access to advanced AI technology, Melio AI empowers startups and scale-ups, fostering a collaborative tech ecosystem. With $1.2 million in revenue last year and a strong impact on the African tech landscape, Melio AI is committed to promoting sustainable economic growth and innovation.

VOX Solutions has introduced innovative AI-based developments within its VOX360 platform, a multi-channel managed service solution aimed at preventing voice and messaging fraud. VOX360 combines multiple modules, including proprietary firewall and analytics engines, to help mobile network operators (MNOs) protect and enhance their A2P SMS revenue. Their solution is the first to address challenges such as flash call blocking, artificial inflation of traffic (AIT), and use-case pricing for SMS.

The company’s AI-powered AIT module, which detects and blocks fraudulent traffic in real-time, has been successfully deployed in over 20 client networks, reducing unsolicited traffic complaints by 98%. This innovation helps MNOs maintain A2P SMS as a trusted communication channel, safeguarding it from fraud and the migration to OTT channels.

VOX Solutions has seen significant commercial success, growing its customer base across 25 countries and achieving 240% revenue growth, with expectations to generate $80 million in 2023. Their commitment to rapid deployment and impactful results solidifies their role as a leader in telecom fraud prevention and revenue optimization.

GRIT (Gender Rights in Tech) is a South African non-profit organization that uses innovative technology to combat gender-based violence (GBV). Their AI-powered Zuzi Chatbot provides immediate legal guidance, emotional support, and resources for survivors. Zuzi’s design, created with the input of GBV survivors and vulnerable communities, ensures its responses are accurate, empathetic, and culturally sensitive. Tested by over 1,000 South Africans, Zuzi has transformed GBV reporting, increasing access to justice and improving survivors' quality of life.

GRIT’s work with Zuzi has been widely recognized, earning the Gates Grand Challenges Award and 2nd place in Mozilla's Ethical AI Challenge. These honours underscore the organization’s leadership in AI innovation and ethical technology development. By making AI a tool for social good, GRIT is empowering marginalized communities and revolutionizing how technology can address urgent societal issues.

Vodacom, celebrating 30 years as a leading African connectivity and financial services company, has developed an innovative VodaPay Network-Based Zero Rating Solution. This solution eliminates the need for companion apps, offering seamless data zero-rating within the VodaPay app for all users, including iOS. Launched in record time, it enhances user experience and reduces operational monitoring, generating annual savings of 8 million Rands.

The solution leverages sophisticated network management, a concept that aligns with AI-powered optimization in telecom infrastructure. Future AI integration could enhance predictive monitoring and personalized user experiences, furthering Vodacom’s commitment to technological innovation.

The individual or organization must demonstrate groundbreaking innovation in AI, developing novel solutions and applications that push the boundaries of the field.

The AI solutions should have a significant positive impact, delivering measurable outcomes and benefits across various industries and sectors.

The awardee should showcase advancements in AI technology, contributing to the development of new tools, methodologies, and frameworks that drive the field forward.