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Discuss the current state of artificial intelligence, its implications for industries, and the opportunities and challenges it presents, especially in the African context.
Delve into the role of innovation and disruption in today’s business landscape, highlighting case studies and best practices from across the global tech industry.
Explore how digital transformation is reshaping businesses, government, and society, and discuss strategies for harnessing the power of technology to drive growth and development.
Explore the qualities and leadership styles required to navigate the rapidly changing digital landscape and inspire teams to excel in a tech-driven world.
Examine the growing importance of cybersecurity in an interconnected world and offer guidance on protecting organizations and individuals from cyber threats.
Examine the ethical considerations and regulatory frameworks for AI and technology globally, emphasizing the importance of responsible tech development.
Explore the potential of blockchain technology and cryptocurrency, discussing its applications, challenges, and regulatory considerations.
Offer insights into how organizations can build digital resilience to adapt to unforeseen challenges and disruptions, drawing from personal experiences and industry knowledge.
Stafford Masie is a digital strategist and speaker who helps organizations translate complex technology trends into business outcomes. Stafford focuses on making AI, platform thinking, and digital strategy accessible to non-technical leaders so teams can move from pilots to scaled value.
He blends frameworks with practical examples tailored to sector context, helping leadership prioritize initiatives that yield measurable growth. Stafford’s sessions are workshop-friendly and ideal for transformation programs that need cross-functional alignment and testable roadmaps.
Stafford Masie talks around Digital Innovation and Disruption, and are applicable to any audience because technology is a transversal matter, irrespective of industry or theme.
Stafford Masie, a name synonymous with innovation and digital expertise, is a South African tech luminary who has left an indelible mark on the technology landscape. With a career spanning decades, Masie has consistently demonstrated his passion for pushing the boundaries of digital innovation, driving change, and empowering individuals and organizations through technology.
Stafford has been in the ICT industry for more than 25 years. His career foundations started in mid 90’s working for Telkom, Dimension Data and then Novell as a software engineer. After spending 7.5 years living in the USA working for Novell based in Utah, he notably was responsible for establishing Google’s presence in South Africa (2006).
He led their team in launching the African versions of Google Search, Adwords, Google Maps and Streetview as well as the local version of YouTube – in other words, the Southern African Google business eco-system and strategy.
After leaving Google in 2010, he founded several fintech businesses and has since established several technology start-ups that have expanded globally. He’s known for the ‘Payment Pebble®’ and ‘Payment Blade®’ which he invented and which were launched via ABSA in South Africa and ANZ Bank in Australia and New Zealand.
They are presently being launched throughout the Asia Pacific region. During Stafford Masie time in the fintech arena he raised capital via an international venture capital firm and also the USA based Visa Inc (who also acquired an equity stake in one of his businesses).
Stafford continues his entrepreneurial journey today as an inventor and mentor within early-stage technology start-ups. Presently the two most notable of which are GATTACA – an artificial intelligence platform – and another which focuses on bitcoin crypto currency innovations.
Stafford Masie joined WeWork (an American commercial real estate company that provides shared workspaces for technology startups and services for other enterprises) and was their General Manager for Africa and launched their first presence on the African continent for 2.5 years.
He also guest lectures at several business schools such as Wits/UJ Business School, GIBS and Henley, participates in television and radio broadcasts and is an international guest keynote speaker on the influence of technology on modern life, society and education.
Over the past 7 years his focus has turned to the Bitcoin blockchain network and all aspects of cryptocurrencies. Many of his recent keynotes entails deciphering this world to audiences and inspiring enterprises with these new tectonic technological shifts.
Stafford Masie served on the Advtech board for 7.5 years and is currently an independent non-executive director on several boards including the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research) & Discovery Bank.
He serves as a non-executive director, of the board of ADvTECH (the largest private school education body in Africa) and, after being approached by the Minister of Science and Technology, accepted an invitation to join the board of the CSIR (Council for Scientific and Industrial Research).
Stafford Masie has also been appointed as one of the specialist advisors to the Office of the President of South Africa.
Masie’s career trajectory led him to hold leadership positions in several prominent technology companies. He worked for leading organizations in South Africa and beyond, consistently pushing the envelope when it came to digital innovation and technological advancements.
One of the milestones in Masie’s career was his tenure as the Managing Director of Google South Africa. During his time at Google, he played a pivotal role in expanding the company’s presence in the South African market, as well as advocating for increased internet access and digital literacy across the continent.
Beyond his contributions as a technology executive, Stafford Masie has also emerged as an influential speaker and thought leader. He has delivered keynote addresses and participated in panel discussions at numerous tech conferences, sharing his insights on emerging trends, innovation, and the transformative power of technology.
His ability to communicate complex technological concepts in a relatable and accessible manner has made him a sought-after speaker. Masie’s talks often touch on the future of digital technology, the importance of digital inclusion, and the role of innovation in solving global challenges.
Stafford Masie’s work extends beyond corporate leadership and speaking engagements. He is a fervent advocate for digital inclusion, believing that access to technology is a fundamental human right. His efforts to bridge the digital divide have included initiatives aimed at providing access to technology and digital education in underserved communities in South Africa and across the African continent.
He is also a strong proponent of the potential for technology to drive positive societal change, emphasizing its role in addressing pressing issues such as education, healthcare, and economic development.
Stafford Masie’s journey from a curious technophile to a digital visionary in South Africa is a testament to his unwavering dedication to the world of technology and innovation. His pioneering spirit, leadership in the tech industry, and advocacy for digital inclusion have not only transformed the digital landscape in South Africa but have also had a significant impact on the broader global technology community.
As a digital expert and visionary, Stafford Masie continues to inspire, educate, and lead the way for South Africa and the world, emphasizing the boundless possibilities that technology offers for individuals and societies. His commitment to the principles of innovation, openness, and empowerment make him a guiding light in the ever-evolving digital age, reinforcing his role as a true South African digital luminary.
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International flights – Business class, ground travel accommodation and incidentals for clients account.
Africa: Business class flights from Johannesburg, South Africa.
Please note all flights must be in 1st three aisles of plane with extra leg room.
This keynote redefines artificial intelligence, shifting the focus away from machines and data toward the profound ways AI intersects with humanity. With insights on millennials, social media, and the need for purpose-driven work, the talk illustrates why the future of organizations isn’t just about technology, but about unlocking human potential. Leaders will discover why innovation is combinatorial, how expectations of new generations are reshaping business, and why AI is ultimately a human story.
Opening:
“Today I want you to ignore the slides and look at me. Because what I want to talk about isn’t really about tech slides — it’s about love. Specifically, love in the context of artificial intelligence.”
The presentation challenges conventional views of AI:
Closing:
“As much as today is about technology, it is even more so about humanity. Understand the substrate of what makes us who we are — because AI is not technological, it is human.”
00:00 – Opening: Ignore the slides, focus on love and AI
03:00 – The millennial shift: Cities, iPhone, and workforce in 2000
07:30 – Redefining AI: Beyond chess machines and data lakes
11:20 – Internet traffic and the power of giving over taking
16:00 – Unlocking latent human potential in organizations
20:15 – Millennials’ demand for impact and purpose
25:00 – The truth of social media as human expression
30:00 – Three core human desires: community, recognition, and legacy
36:00 – Combinatorial innovation and collective intelligence
40:00 – Closing: AI is not technological, it is human
This keynote explores how emerging technology, social graphs, and sensory devices are reshaping the way cities work and how governments deliver services. Highlighting the power of real-time data, social integration, and open ecosystems, it challenges leaders to rethink infrastructure, policies, and innovation. With examples ranging from mobile devices to driverless cars, the talk demonstrates why Africa is uniquely positioned to lead the charge in building sensory-aware, responsive cities.
Opening:
“This talk is about ambient awareness within the context of cities. Technology has finally caught up to our vision — it’s time to turn cities into sensory-aware platforms.”
The presentation highlights:
Closing call:
“I want citywide, real-time sensory blankets. Let’s inject intelligence into everything and allow our cities to speak back to us. Africa can lead this future if we act now.”
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In this keynote, the speaker explores the radical shifts reshaping technology, business, and society. From exoskeletons that restore mobility to paraplegics, to the way smartphones have become powerful sensory engines, the talk unpacks how computing has evolved from desktops and peripherals into immersive, always-connected edge devices. The keynote also highlights the cultural clash between “digital natives” and traditional enterprises, and why the future economy is moving away from ownership toward real-time access and services.
Opening:
“Today I want to talk about robotics, computing, and how the world is changing. One of my startups is working on exoskeletons — not just to help paraplegics walk, but even to give them the ability to reach up from a wheelchair. At the same time, I want to show how computing itself is evolving…”
Core themes of the talk:
Closing:
“Everything is converging on the edge. The devices in our hands will store, sense, and render more than we can imagine. The future network won’t just be cloud in the sky, it will be cloud in your hand. And that changes everything.”
00:00 – Introduction: robotics, exoskeletons, and startups
03:10 – From Windows 95 to iPads: the disappearing peripherals
07:20 – Kids, media, and changing expectations (make there be dolphins)
11:40 – Digital Clash of Civilizations: organizations vs. digital natives
16:20 – Phones are not phones: edge devices as sensory rendering engines
22:00 – The rise of real-time media and social networks
27:00 – From ownership to access: Spotify, Dropbox, Netflix, Airbnb, Zipcar
33:10 – Apps vs. the open web: how behavior has shifted
37:00 – Peripheral devices as sensory engines (Google Goggles, CabSense, Connect)
44:30 – The future of edge storage: from 16 years of music to entire internet in your hand
49:00 – Closing thoughts: osmotic data flow and re-architected networks
A: Both — he tailors the depth to your audience: strategic briefings for execs or hands-on workshops for teams.
A: Yes — governance and ethical considerations are included where relevant to adoption strategies.
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