The FDL Foundations Big Think is a hybrid event on 9-10 March 2026, hosted at NITheCS in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa. See the full agenda below.
Where Africa’s boldest ideas in science and AI take shape
The FDL Foundations Big Think is an interdisciplinary workshop bringing together AI researchers, scientists, and African partner organisations to help shape the challenge set for the Autumn 2026 FDL Foundations sprint.
FDL Foundations (Africa), delivered in partnership with SARAO, SANSA, DARA, the University of Cape Town, Stellenbosch University, Trillium Technologies and commercial AI partners such as Google Cloud and NVIDIA, brings AI researchers, domain scientists, and partner organisations together for an interdisciplinary workshop.
The strongest ideas evolve into one-page concept notes, forming the basis of the challenge set for the FDL Foundations Autumn 2026 sprint.
Two themes shape the Big Think:
Novel Applications: Practical agentic tools built on geospatial foundation models.
Scientific Discovery: New science outcomes powered by agentic analysts.
AGENDA
Please note: All times below are detailed in South African Standard Time (SAST)
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9:00 - 10:00: Welcome
Registration and welcome pack pick-up, with networking over tea and coffee
(Online participants join 9:45)
10:00 - 11:15: Opening Session
Welcome remarks and a brief introduction to the workshop's mission and goals
Invited talks from partners
11:30 - 12:30: Culture Session
Establishing FDL culture for the following sessions: facilitated by Belina Raffy
13:30 - 15:00: Track 1: Novel Applications I
Session 1:
Scene setting for the session, including 5-minute expert lightning talks
Briefing for the group break-out session
Group break-out session for new idea generation
15:30 - 17:00: Track 1: Novel Applications II
Session 2:
Share-back, each group shares a 60 sec pitch of ideas
Group break-out session for new idea generation
Share-back, each group shares a 60 sec pitch of ideas
Ideas are collated, and dot voting takes places to identify the most interesting ideas
17:00 - 17:15: Closing (Day 1)
Summary of the day, and outlook for the next sessions
(Optional) 18:30 - 21:00: Workshop Dinner
Including special guest speakers from partner organisations
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09:30 - 09:40: Opening
Welcome for both in person and online participants with daily briefing
09:40 - 11:00: Track 2: Scientific Discovery I
Session 1:
Scene setting for the session, including 5-minute expert lightning talks
Group break-out session for new idea generation
Share-back, each group shares a 60 sec pitch of ideas
11:15 - 12:30: Track 2: Scientific Discovery II
Session 2:
Group break-out session for new idea generation
Share-back, each group shares a 60 sec pitch of ideas
Ideas are collated, and dot voting takes places to identify the most interesting ideas
13:30 - 15:00: Feedback & Synthesis
Facilitated session to synthesise outputs into a cohesive vision:
Briefing for session
Group break-out session defined by proposed ideas
Share-back, each group shares an elevator pitch of their idea
Group break-out session defined by proposed ideas
Share-back, each group shares an elevator pitch of ideas
15:30 - 16:30: Closing Session
A summary of the workshop outcomes and a clear, committed plan for post-workshop activities
Pathway forward, with summary of the workshop outputs, an invitation to the FDL Foundations steering committee and proposed timeline for sprint
Funding environment discussion panel session
Closing perspectives from partners
16:30: Departure
BIG THINK IN ACTION
FDL Big Think in action: Google Mountain View (Oct 2024)
The Big Think is designed to surface applied AI research concepts through co-creation between domain experts and data scientists and technologists. It is rare for a single individual to have deep expertise in both the problem space and the current state of the art in AI methods and acts as a springboard for the follow up research programmes.
By bringing together people with complementary expertise, the Big Think creates space to explore “what if” and “how might we” questions collaboratively. The aim is not to arrive at fully formed solutions, but to shape early ideas that can be developed into well-scoped FDL research challenges.
The Big Think is intended as a constructive and open forum, where participants can think ambitiously, test assumptions, and refine ideas together. Concepts that emerge may ultimately become FDL Foundations challenges.
Participants who contribute to early concepts may be invited to continue working with FDL as part of the 2026 faculty or SME cohort, supporting the development and delivery of the research.
FAQS
What is the timeline for selection of the FDL Foundations challenges?
Challenges go through final selection after the submission deadline and Big Think discussion. Timelines and an additional call are subject to change.
What is the selection process for challenges submitted?
Challenges are assessed for basic compliance and FDL Foundations fit. After pre-screening, challenges are refined and those that meet the criteria and have secured funding are selected.
My idea was strong. Why was it not selected?
There may be many reasons a challenge is not selected that are independent of the validity of the idea itself. Selection reflects alignment to agency goals, portfolio balance, data readiness, feasibility within the sprint, and availability of resources and expertise.
What happens if my challenge is not selected this year?
Your challenge may remain in the pool for consideration in future years.
Who can peer review my submission?
Any individual from an institution, company, or organization who is an accredited subject matter expert with relevant peer reviewed publication history in the domain within the last three years. This individual should be a respected third party who can provide a balanced assessment and who will not take part in the research or benefit if the project is selected.
I have an idea that I want to keep under my hat and it includes proprietary information, can I submit?
All ideas must be submitted in the spirit of open science. Information must be shareable with faculty, researchers, and partners. We cannot accept liability for proprietary information included in a submission.