Daniel Castro

Castro writes and speaks on a variety of issues related to information technology and internet policy, including privacy, security, intellectual property, Internet governance, e-government, and accessibility for people with disabilities. His work has been quoted and cited in numerous media outlets, including The Washington Post, The Wall Street Journal, NPR, USA Today, Bloomberg News, and Bloomberg Businessweek. Castro previously worked as an IT analyst at the Government Accountability Office (GAO) where he audited IT security and management controls at various government agencies. He contributed to GAO reports on the state of information security at a variety of federal agencies, including the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation.

Pamela M. Tremont

Ambassador Pamela M. Tremont presented her credentials to President Mnangagwa on August 18, 2024. She was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be the U.S. ambassador to the Republic of Zimbabwe on May 2, 2024. A member of the U.S. Foreign Service since 1992, Ms. Tremont was most recently Deputy Chief of Mission and Chargé d’Affaires in Stockholm, Sweden. Prior to that she was Assistance Coordinator and Deputy Chief of Mission in Kyiv, Ukraine 2017-19, for which she was awarded the Baker Award for Outstanding Deputy Chief of Mission. From 2014 to 2017 she was Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus. Previous assignments include Deputy Director for NATO Policy in the State Department’s European Bureau; Political-Economic Counselor in Lusaka, Zambia; and political-military officer at the U.S. Embassies in London and Ankara, as well as in the Department’s Africa bureau. She has also served in the State Department Operations Center, as well as at the U.S. Embassy in Port Louis, Mauritius and the U.S. Consulate General in Calgary, Canada. Ms. Tremont holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Baylor University and a Master’s in National Security Resource Strategy from the National Defense University.

Prof. Eng. Quinton C Kanhukamwe

Professor Eng Quinton Kanhukamwe is the Vice Chancellor of the Harare Institute of Technology (HIT), Zimbabwe’s leading Innovation and Technopreneurial University. He is responsible for providing strategic leadership, toward the realisation of the HIT mandate of developing, incubating, transferring and commercialising technology for rapid national industrialisation. He has over 30 years of experience in academia and is the founding Vice Chancellor of HIT, which now boosts of five faculties offering over thirty degree programmes in Science, Engineering and Technology (SET) as well as seven centres of Excellence. He has won national and international awards in recognition of his contribution toward the development of science and technology in Zimbabwe. A two-time Presidential CEO of the Year recipient (2022 and 2023) award winner. A leader with vast experience in cooperate governance and strategy development and implementation. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering, Amity University, India, Msc Eng Metallurgy Foundry Production of Ferrous & Nonferrous Metal, St Petersburg and several certificates in management. He is a Member of the Institute of Industrial Engineers –USA, Pr Eng, Engineering Council of Zimbabwe, Zimbabwe Institute of Engineers, Institute of Cast Metals Engineers (ICME-UK). ZUPCO, Board Chair, 2019 to 2023, ZIE, Board Member, 2012, ECZ, Board Member, 2015 , HIT, Chairman HIT Transformation Committee, 2004, MUST, Committee Member for Marondera State University Foundation Committee,2018, JCI, President of JCI Zimbabwe, 1997, UNIDO, Board Member UNIDO Cleaner Production, 1998 to 2000, NAMACO, Board Member, 1998-2002, NAMACO, Chair of Mechanical Committee,1998-2002, UDCORP, Board Member, 2002-2006

Dr. Eng. Fungai Jacqueline Kiwa

She holds a Doctor of Philosophy Degree in Cultural Heritage and Information Technology, a Master of Science in Mechatronics and AI, a Master of Science in Information Systems, a Master of Business Administration in Strategy and Leadership, a Post Graduate diploma in higher education, a Bachelor of Technology (Honors) degree in Computing and Information Technology, and an Advanced Diploma in Computing and Information Technology. With a wealth of academic achievements, Dr.Eng. Kiwa has authored 27 publications, encompassing articles, conferences, book chapters, thesis, and dissertations. She is a member of IEEE, IET and ACM.Currently, Her expertise extends to Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, creative IoT framework designing, and intensive programming skills.

Denzel S Ngwenya

He is a Financial and Operational Risk Analyst at TelOne Pvt. With experience in telecommunications, retail, and a sneak peek into the hospitality industry, he brings a unique perspective to his role. He holds two master's degrees in Applied Mathematics and Mathematical Science, driven by a keen interest in Deep Learning and AI. Currently pursuing the Financial Risk Manager certification with GARP, Denzel believes that we need to revolutionize the financial landscape by using ethical and responsible AI to improve service provision. His love for coding and disruptive problem solving complements his part-time role as an Analytics lecturer.

Rachael Chikoore

A/Dean | School of Information Science and Technology | HIT

Bridget Chipungu-Chimbga

Bridget Chipungu-Chimbga is the Executive Director of AI-RISE and a Part-time Lecturer at the University of Zimbabwe (Faculty of Engineering and Build Environment). She is also a 2nd year PhD Candidate at the University of Pretoria. Her research focuses on the ethical concerns at the convergence of AI and IoT technologies as AIoT. An Electrical Engineering graduate from the University of Zimbabwe, Bridget holds an MSc in Telecomm Engineering from Anglia Ruskin University in the UK. She has over 12 years' experience in ICT having worked for companies like Liquid Intelligent technologies as the Project Manager for 8 years. Bridget contributes as a guest writer on AI for the Sunday Mail and Business Weekly Newspapers in Zimbabwe. Bridget's passion lies at the intersection of technological innovation and its impact on society.