Business

Datacentrix graduates singled out as only Southern Hemisphere winners in IBM watsonx Generative AI Challenge

 

Datacentrix, a leading provider of high performing and secure ICT solutions, is proud to announce the outstanding achievements of two graduate teams. The two teams entered the recent IBM watsonx Generative AI Challenge and achieved first and third place in the watsonx AI Assistant Challenge track.

The aim of the interactive, hands-on competition was to allow participants to transcend theoretical generative AI concepts and create practical, AI-infused solutions for real-world customer use cases.

Competing against teams from 44 different countries across the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region, Datacentrix’s X-men group, composed of graduates from Cape Town and Johannesburg, secured first place, while the Quadbots, hailing from Durban, earned third place, marking a significant milestone for Datacentrix as the only winning teams from the Southern Hemisphere across the entire competition.

The IBM watsonx Generative AI Challenge focused on three key trials: using prompt engineering to analyse customer experience with watsonx.ai; automating repetitive manual tasks with watsonx Orchestrate; and creating a generative AI-powered virtual assistant with watsonx Assistant and watsonx Discovery.

The X-men team developed a bot that enhances Datacentrix’s engagement processes with its clients. This bot efficiently accesses a data repository to provide accurate and up-to-date information, including use cases, brochures and cost estimates. In addition, the X-men created a ticket-handling bot capable of generating one-time passwords and resetting pins in real time. Quadbots built a brainstorming bot designed to capture and analyse ideas, providing valuable feedback to users.

Says Arno Hanekom, Digital Strategist at Datacentrix: The extraordinary success of our graduates in this challenge underlines Datacentrix’s commitment not only to nurturing talent, but also to ensuring that, as a business, we continue to push the boundaries when it comes to driving innovation in AIto deliver solutions motivated by client use cases with tangible measurable benefits to their enterprises.

“As a graduate mentor, I took a different approach to training this year’s group of graduate learners, spending the past six months equipping them with relevant technology skillsets to assist with data and AI-specific client requests, while also understanding the current market landscape and the direction AI technology is moving towards in terms of pertinent client demand in South Africa enterprises. Our ultimate goal is to have these graduates become an extension of Datacentrix’s AI capabilities, contributing to our intellectual property. We want to ensure strong skills retention within our business while also continuing to bolster local technical expertise and delivery capability levels.”

Since joining the Datacentrix graduate programme in April 2024, the eight graduates have undergone an intensive training regimen, including bi-weekly certifications, technical assessments and practical assignments. Their preparation culminated in mastering the full stack of IBM watsonx technologies, positioning them for success in the challenge.

“Congratulations to our incredible graduates for their dedication and hard work,” adds Shakeel Jhazbhay, General Manager: Digital Solutions at Datacentrix. “Their success in the IBM watsonx Challenge is a testament to the calibre of their skills and the robust graduate training programme at Datacentrix. We look forward to seeing their continued contributions to our AI capabilities and the broader business landscape.”

About Datacentrix:

Datacentrix provides leading ICT integration services and solutions to South African organisations, ensuring their success and sustainability into the digital age. The company’s approach is to partner with its customers, equipping them with valuable insight and helping to align their ICT undertakings with their business strategy.

Datacentrix offers a deeply specialised skills component and is endorsed by the world’s foremost technology partners. The company is recognised for its agility, in-depth industry knowledge, proven capability, and strong overall performance.

Datacentrix is a Level One (AAA) B-BBEE Contributor, with 135 percent procurement recognition. For more information, please visit www.datacentrix.co.za.

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published.

You may also like

Business Culture Economy Society Travels Trends

Lagos Governor Speaks on Expansion of Red Line Rail Service, Receives Mixed Public Reactions

post-image

 

By ANTHONY EMEKA NWOSU

The Governor of Lagos State, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has unveiled a significant enhancement to the Lagos Rail Mass Transit (LRMT) Red Line as part of the state’s ongoing efforts to revolutionize urban mobility. Effective from tomorrow, the Red Line will expand its service schedule, now offering five morning trips and four evening trips daily, an increase from the previous two morning trips. This step is aimed at improving the daily commute for residents traveling along the high-demand route from Agbado to Oyingbo.

This upgrade promises to ease the stress of navigating the city’s notorious traffic jams by reducing overall travel times. With a journey time of just 50 minutes between Agbado and Oyingbo, commuters will benefit from the convenience of waiting times as brief as two minutes at each station. The increased frequency of train services is expected to significantly enhance the efficiency and reliability of the Red…

Read More
Business Culture Economy Tourism Travels Trends

Radisson Hotel Group concludes record-breaking year with over 300 new signings and openings in 2024

post-image

Radisson Hotel Group (www.RadissonHotels.com) reported a record-breaking year in 2024 after adding almost 40,000 keys to its global brand portfolio, thereby achieving significant milestones and further strengthening its footprint around the world. Radisson Blu remained the leading upper upscale brand in Europe for the 13th consecutive year and the Group is now leading the upscale resort segment in EMEA.

VIDEO
Elie Younes, EVP & Global Chief Development Officer, walks you through Radisson Hotel Group’s 2024 Business Development highlights

 

Elie Younes, Executive Vice President and Global Chief Development Officer at Radisson Hotel Group, comments: “Despite global geopolitical…

Read More
Business Economy Gadgets News Security Society Software Technology Technology Trends

Zoracom Announces Strategic Collaboration with Exeon Analytics AG to Enhance Cybersecurity Resilience and Next-Gen NDR Solutions

post-image

 

Zoracom, Nigeria’s foremost Network Security Operations Center (NSOC) and leading cybersecurity firm, has unveiled a groundbreaking initiative aimed at advancing Next-Generation Network Detection & Response (NDR) capabilities and bolstering cybersecurity operational resilience. The company revealed plans for a strategic visit to its partner, Exeon Analytics AG, in Zürich, Switzerland, scheduled for 2025, as part of its commitment to innovation and excellence in the cybersecurity landscape.

In an official statement, Zoracom emphasized that this collaboration underscores its dedication to addressing the evolving challenges of cybersecurity in an increasingly digital world. The initiative is designed to not only enhance Zoracom’s service offerings but also to provide cutting-edge solutions to its growing customer base, which includes enterprises, government agencies, and organizations across various sectors.

Key Objectives of the Initiative

The strategic partnership with Exeon Analytics AG, a renowned Swiss-based leader in cybersecurity analytics, is expected to deliver significant benefits, including:

  1. Support for a Growing…
Read More
Business News

Why Every Business Needs a Website and Social Media Management – Menxtt Technology NG is the Digital Partner You Can Rely On

post-image

 

 

Imagine a customer hears about your business and wants to learn more. The first thing they do? Search for you online. If they find nothing—no website, no social media page—chances are they’ll move on to your competitor. In today’s fast-paced digital world, businesses that lack an online presence are practically invisible.

That’s why Menxtt Technology NG, a trusted IT solutions provider based in Ikeja, Lagos, is helping businesses of all sizes build strong digital footprints. From creating professional websites to managing social media pages and deploying smart business software, Menxtt ensures businesses don’t just exist online but thrive in the digital space.

According to Anthony Nwosu, a marketing consultant at Menxtt Technology NG, going digital is no longer an option—it’s a necessity.

“Think about it—when was the last time you tried a new restaurant, salon, or service without first checking them out online? Today’s customers do their research before making a decision….

Read More
Agriculture Business

John Dumelo: “Agriculture Has Given Me More Than I Ever Dreamed Of”

post-image

Acclaimed Ghanaian actor and entrepreneur John Dumelo has shed light on his decision to step away from acting, citing agriculture as a more rewarding and impactful pursuit. Dumelo, who once graced the screens in some of Ghana’s most popular films, revealed that he left the entertainment industry to focus on farming, a venture that has transformed his life in ways he never imagined.

In a candid statement, Dumelo expressed that the film industry was financially unsustainable for him, prompting him to seek a more stable and fulfilling career path. His passion for agriculture, coupled with a strong desire to fight hunger in his community, led him to invest in large-scale farming.

“The film industry was not enough to sustain me. Besides, I had a deep passion for agriculture and a desire to eliminate hunger in my community and beyond through my products. This passion led me to venture into poultry farming,…

Read More
Business

NIMC Partners with Vice President’s Office to Advance Gender Inclusion at #SheIsIncluded Conference

post-image

 The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has reaffirmed its commitment to gender equality by actively participating in the Gender Inclusion Conference (#SheIsIncluded), organized by the Office of the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The conference serves as a significant platform for addressing key challenges faced by women in Nigeria, including education, healthcare, economic empowerment, and leadership opportunities. With gender inclusion being a crucial factor in national development, the event aims to foster dialogue and policy recommendations that will create a more equitable society for women.

Speaking at the event, representatives of NIMC emphasized the critical role of identity management in bridging gender gaps. They highlighted the need for inclusive policies that ensure…

Read More
Business Entertainment Environment News

The World’s Fastest-Rising Startups Emerge on the AI Industry’s Grandest Stage

post-image

 

 

While Ai Everything Global welcomed capacity crowds for a second consecutive day, Wednesday was momentous for several reasons – including the emergence of the world’s fastest-rising startups. As the most reputable and iconic AI and big tech enterprises attracted substantial visitor numbers at the largest public-private global AI gathering of the year. As, so too did pure AI startups.

 

With over 250 early-stage international AI companies participating – 70% of which are certified award-winning – the Ai Everything Global Exhibition Showcase was the perfect platform for these top-rated startups to shine.

Booster Robotics of China received enormous praise and plaudits on its first-ever appearance in the UAE. The advanced humanoids creator has experienced a meteoric rise since its establishment in 2023, inventing the Booster T1, which has since gained international attention with its crowning as the ‘fastest free-walk robot’ at the 2024 IEEE-RAS Humanoids Championship.

Chaoyi Li, Head of Globalisation at Booster…

Read More
Announcements Business Culture Economy Education News

Girls in STEM Program Celebrates Record Success as 100% of Matric Cohort Passes Exams, Secures Scholarships

post-image

 

Subheadline: Melisizwe Computer Lab Project and e4’s Initiative Empowers Young Women to Break Barriers in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics

The Girls in STEM Awards Ceremony, held on 31 January 2025, celebrated the remarkable achievements of young women who have overcome challenges to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This year, the program achieved a 100% pass rate among its matric cohort, with many students earning scholarships and university placements in highly competitive STEM fields.

Launched in 2021 by the Melisizwe Computer Lab Project in partnership with e4, the Girls in STEM program aims to equip young women with the knowledge, mentorship, and confidence needed to excel in technology-driven industries. Over the past four years, the initiative has opened doors for participants, transforming academic potential into tangible success.

This year’s top achievers include:

  • Talitha Moosa, who scored 95% in Physical Sciences and 96% in Mathematics, and will study Actuarial…
Read More