AI visionary blends technology, empathy, and Jewish roots

“I’m a computer scientist, so it’s no surprise that I honestly believe that technology, particularly artificial intelligence, provides the best path to benefit humanity,” Professor Benjamin Rosman said on receiving the Investec Professional Excellence Award at the Investec Jewish Achiever Awards on Sunday, 2 November. 

Rosman has established himself as a leading figure in machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI). 

He spoke of how his Jewish roots had inspired him to find ways to connect and empower people. “As a Jewish South African, I was raised with the core value of wanting to help my fellow South Africans by providing opportunities for others and contributing to society wherever possible. I’m privileged to be a member of this amazing community that has such a long history of doing so much for South Africa and its people,” he said. 

As well as being a professor of computer science at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), Rosman runs the Robot Learning and Artificial Intelligence (RAIL) laboratory at Wits; is one of the founders of the Deep Learning Indaba, the largest machine learning summer school in the world; the cofounder of Lelapa AI, a start-up dedicated to making sure that people in Africa can use and access technology in their own language; and the founder and director of the Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery (MIND) Institute at Wits. 

“What I do in a lot of my work is first, try and advance the technology to make sure it’s safer and better suited to us,” said Rosman, “but also that it’s able to interact with different spheres of society, ranging from the work we do in healthcare through to safety, ethics, and policy work. And even touching on some work in ensuring that the creative arts can positively use this technology.” 

Rosman recognises that AI is already ever-present in today’s society and is starting to find its way into every aspect of life. However, he wants it to be known that Africans can “sit at the adults’ table” of AI, and it can be used to improve the lives of those around us. 

“I am who I am because of the people closest to me,” Rosman said. “When I was a baby, my parents were told that I had cerebral palsy and may not be able to walk or talk. I can’t imagine how difficult that was for them, but regardless, my parents and brother taught me to believe in myself as well as in education, empathy, love, and community.” 

Rosman said that it’s often easy to forget the potential this country has, but through his work, he is reminded of it every day, especially through his work at Wits. “The students and raw talent that we have here is the fuel that drives everything,” he said. 

“None of these initiatives would have started or thrived without the environment we have here in South Africa,” Rosman said. “I’m so lucky to be surrounded every day by the most inspiring, dedicated, and passionate youth of every creed and background who are not only now winning many international awards for excellence, but spend much of their time in the service of others too.”