Singularity South Africa has announced a new set of speakers for its 2026 Summit, underscoring the growing role of women in shaping technology policy and practice. The event, presented in partnership with Old Mutual and metaverse partner UBU, will take place at the Sandton Convention Centre on 21 and 22 October 2026.
Women, AI and robotics at the heart of the conversation
The latest programme update spotlights speakers who bridge emerging technology and lived experience. Leading the conversation on artificial intelligence is Amanda Manna, described in the announcement as one of Singularity’s foremost AI specialists. Her session is titled
"What's Next in AI"and, according to the organisers, will examine the rapid pace of AI development and what organisations, leaders and individuals need to prepare for as the technology evolves.
Also named for the Summit are creative practitioner Lebo Mashile, returning as Poet and MC, and internationally recognised robotics pioneer Tilly Lockey. Mashile’s role is framed as connecting complex technological debates with the human stories behind them, while Lockey’s work — as cited in the announcement — offers perspectives on how AI‑powered bionic technologies are altering possibilities for people and society.
The announcement emphasises that the programme brings together experts across AI, digital transformation, urban development and robotics, and explicitly celebrates women in innovation. The framing positions these speakers as part of a broader effort to show how exponential technologies are being applied in industry, government and cities.
- Event: Singularity South Africa 2026 Summit
- Dates: 21–22 October 2026
- Venue: Sandton Convention Centre, Johannesburg
- Partners: Old Mutual; UBU (metaverse partner)
| Speaker | Role / Focus |
|---|---|
| Amanda Manna | AI specialist — session: "What's Next in AI" |
| Lebo Mashile | Poet and MC — framing technological discussions through culture |
| Tilly Lockey | Robotics pioneer — experience with AI‑powered bionic arms |
For South Africans watching the AI debate, the Summit’s emphasis on diverse voices is notable. Public conversations about AI policy, data governance, and the social impact of automation are increasingly important for business leaders, public servants and citizens who must weigh the benefits and risks of rapid technological change. By placing women at the forefront of its programme, Singularity South Africa is signalling an intent to include perspectives that have historically been under‑represented in tech forums.
How this translates into concrete outcomes — for example, policy recommendations, partnerships with government or industry, or programmes to broaden access to AI skills — was not detailed in the announcement. The organisers framed the Summit as a space to explore practical applications of exponential technologies "across industries, government and cities" but did not publish a full agenda or list of sessions at the time of the speaker release.
For attendees and those tracking South Africa’s technology ecosystem, the Summit offers a chance to see how global conversations about AI and robotics are adapted to local contexts. The presence of cultural and lived‑experience voices alongside technical specialists is also an opportunity to surface questions about equity, access to skills and the distribution of technological gains.
Registrations, session details and the full speaker roster are expected to be published by the organisers closer to the October dates. The involvement of corporate and metaverse partners underscores how private sector actors continue to play a leading role in shaping public forums on technology in South Africa.
