On 20 February 2020 the NWU were paid a visit by the Head of the Technology Innovation Agency (TIA) ICT unit, Mrs Rudzani Mulaudzi.  Several researchers  with research interests / projects in the field of the artificial intelligence (AI) across several faculties within the NWU joined the meeting. 

Each researcher had the opportunity to explain their AI projects to the TIA representatives to open the future possibilities for project funding from TIA.  Mr Rudzani Mulaudzi from TIA also provided context into the current process followed by TIA to engage with respective university stakeholders to craft an AI commercialisation programme.  The respective inputs from researchers during this meeting will guide TIA in setting up a strategy that works for AI.  At this stage the programme will get buy-in from existing AI industry players to collaborate with universities, and provide access to much needed infrastructure to embark on innovative AI projects.  TIA envisages to support such projects through providing funding.