Africa-Press – Zimbabwe. THIS year’s edition of the Ideas Festival, the fourth, set against the serene backdrop of Troutbeck Inn in Nyanga from October 28 to 31, is expected to provide answers and lasting solutions to most urgent questions around technology, language, identity and opportunity.
The festival will run under the theme The Future of Human Capital, Innovation and Ethics in the Age of AI.
NewsDay reporter Tendai Sauta (ND) had a dialogue with Alpha Media Holdings board chairman and founder and managing partner of Trevor and Associates, Trevor Ncube (TN).
Below are excerpts of the interview:
ND: Can you start by sharing what inspired the creation of the Ideas Festival and how your personal journey led to this visionary platform?
TN: The Ideas Festival was inspired by my involvement in the World Economic Forum (WEF) (Davos) process.
I chaired WEF councils which showed me that solutions to big and small problems can be found through structured engagements of like-minded people.
Through dialogue and research, the WEF has been able to be a thought leader and a platform for solving global issues.
The Ideas Festival has similar ambitions for Zimbabwe and the region.
ND: Looking back to the first three editions of the Ideas Festival, what are some of the major highlights, lessons or breakthroughs you feel set the tone for this fourth edition?
TN: The Ideas Festival has helped to focus attention on the start-up ecosystem in Zimbabwe and we sense that we will see breakthrough soon in this space.
It has also been heart warming to create a place where budding entrepreneurs get to meet with seasoned leaders and witness mentorship and reverse mentroship in action.
In partnership with the Old Mutual Eight 2 Five Innovation Hub, we have showcased work from young entrepreneurs with impactful results.
ND: What is the theme and what conversations are you hoping it will spark on the continent and globally?
TN: The Ideas Festival 2025 theme is The Future of Human Capital, Innovation, and Ethics in the Age of AI.
We have an amazing line-up of speakers, Ideas Panels, Master Classes and Ideas Tank to cover all aspects of this theme.
ND: What can delegates from policymakers and tech professionals to linguists and students expect in terms of engagement, workshops and knowledge exchange during the four days at Troutbeck?
TN: Ideas Festival is not just another conference.
The gathering takes the hugely successful In Conversation With Trevor series into an immersive live event to seek solutions to the leadership, innovation, technology and sustainability issues that we face everyday.
ND: What role do you see Zimbabwean institutions from universities to tech startups playing in developing AI tools that support local languages such as Shona, Ndebele, Tonga and others?
TN: People such as Chido Dzinotyiwei, CEO of Vambo AI, are doing amazing work in finding AI solutions that ensure that Africa has a say in the future of AI and closing the digital divide.
ND: How do you envision the Ideas Festival growing in the next five years both in terms of size and influence? Can it eventually become Africa’s premier ideas and innovation hub?
TN: We are building a legacy event and brand whose impact will be here long after we are gone.
We will be almost 10 years old in five years and we are confident the Ideas Festival will be the place to be for thought leadership and pioneering ideas.
ND: Lastly, what is your message to the youth of Zimbabwe and Africa as they prepare for a future where AI and language will shape identity, opportunity and power?
TN: Young people should focus on their education and learn and experiment with AI.
AI is a powerful enabler for those prepared to invest in what it offers.
Young people must read books and not waste time scrolling on toxic social media platforms.
For More News And Analysis About Zimbabwe Follow Africa-Press
