This year, I had the privilege of attending my first-ever Escape Conference hosted by BBD. Here’s a glimpse into my experience and the key takeaways that left an impact.
As someone living in KZN, I’m incredibly fortunate that my employer, Umuzi, supports my travels to Joburg for face-to-face interactions with colleagues and partners.
On the morning of the conference, I found myself hesitating about what to wear not wanting to stick out like a sore thumb in a room full of ‘techies’. But after a bit of deliberation, I got ready, and off we went to the Emperor's Palace.
I entered the event with low expectations for a couple of reasons: first, I’d never attended before, and second, not being a ‘techie’ myself, I worried that the talks might go over my head, leaving me disconnected from the overall experience.
However, as soon as we checked in and started walking around, I noticed a youthful energy in the crowd. I couldn’t help but wonder if I, as a slightly ‘older’ millennial without a technical background, could relate to these younger, tech-savvy individuals.
Nonetheless, after grabbing some coffee and mingling, the conference officially kicked off with a thought-provoking keynote address by Lucky Nkosi.
Here are some of my key takeaways from the 2024 BBD Escape Conference:
1. The Growing Presence of Women In Tech
One of the first things that struck me was the significant number of women in attendance. Despite the strides being made, women continue to be underrepresented in South Africa’s tech industry, with only about 23% of tech roles filled by women. While the visible presence of women at the conference was encouraging, it serves as a reminder that there’s still a long way to go.
Technology, being the backbone of so many industries today, is shaping the future. For that future to be equitable and truly innovative, we need to ensure that the voices shaping it are diverse. Women’s contributions to tech are not just important for representation but are essential for innovation.
Bridging the gender gap in tech remains a top priority for us at Umuzi in our partnerships with BBD and others. Our focus is on removing barriers to entry and creating opportunities and pathways for women to thrive in tech roles. More mentorship, support networks, and targeted initiatives are needed to encourage women not just to enter the tech field but to stay and grow within it.
As I observed the interactions and discussions at the conference, it became clear to me that creating an inclusive tech industry isn’t just about filling quotas. It’s about cultivating environments where women and other underrepresented groups feel they belong, can contribute meaningfully, and are supported in advancing their careers.
2. Continuous Learning and Adaptation
The event highlighted the necessity of ongoing learning in the ever-evolving tech industry. The range of topics and the sharing of ideas between experts illustrated that staying relevant requires a constant commitment to upskilling and adapting. The pace of change in tech means that one must remain agile, and the discussions reinforced this point.
3. The Role of AI in the Workplace
One of the most intriguing discussions for me was around the role of artificial intelligence in the workplace. Will AI replace human workers? It’s a question that comes up in many industries. The short answer? No.
BBD’s Russell Davidson used an example of leveraging generative AI to write code, emphasizing that AI’s role is to assist, not replace. He emphasized that AI-generated output requires human oversight. You can’t simply take what the AI produces and use it without thorough validation. This brought up a critical point that AI isn’t here to replace us but to augment our capabilities and enhance productivity.
This perspective is vital for leaders in the tech industry to understand. The future of work is not a zero-sum game between humans and machines. Rather, it’s about finding the synergy between the two. AI can automate routine tasks, streamline processes, and provide insights at scale, but it lacks the nuance, creativity, and ethical reasoning that human intelligence offers.
4. Inspiring Speakers Who Stood Out
Two speakers in particular left a lasting impression on me:
- Lucky Nkosi’s Keynote: “Your Thoughts Are Not Your Own”
Lucky’s talk was a perfect reminder of Seneca's timeless wisdom: "We suffer more in imagination than in reality." His words hit home, and suddenly all my pre-event jitters went away. I realized that most of the worries I had (both about the event and in life) were just me overthinking.
Lucky shared some of his own quirky fears - like his fear of cats and swimming - which made everyone chuckle, but they were real! And what did he do? He faced them head-on by going deep-sea diving with friends. While I won’t be taking the plunge into the ocean anytime soon, I’m definitely going to tackle my own fears with that same boldness.
- “It’s Not CSS, It’s You”
A presentation by Umuzi Alumni Phindile Sidumo on the ‘correct’ ways to use CSS.
Phindi’s presentation was technical but so insightful and engaging that I found myself following along and learning how to centre a div (still not sure what that means). Even though the majority of Phindi’s presentation sounded like a foreign language to me, I could not help but be proud of the impact Umuzi and BBD have made in the past five years to help young people get into high-value tech jobs.
Attending the Escape Conference was an eye-opening experience. It reaffirmed that while technology evolves rapidly, the core of success remains rooted in continuous learning, diversity, and human connection. The conference provided not only valuable insights but also a sense of belonging within a vibrant community - even for a non-techie like myself.
I left the event feeling inspired by the advancements in tech and excited about what the future holds, especially as we continue to work toward a more inclusive and innovative tech ecosystem in partnership with organizations like BBD.