A Concise Recap: Deep Learning Indaba 2023
Where should I begin? Perhaps at the acceptance stage. Earlier this year, I eagerly submitted my application for the Deep Learning Indaba, an event set to unfold in Ghana. Several months later, the exhilarating news of my acceptance reached me, complete with an accommodation grant — though transportation remained uncovered. Interestingly, a group of 21 friends, also eager to attend, faced the same transportation challenge. So, we turned to Twitter, hoping to secure much-needed financial support. To our astonishment, our collective efforts bore fruit!
The anticipation was nothing short of overwhelming. September couldn’t come soon enough. My days were consumed with checking for updates, immersing myself in speaker research, and counting down the days until the event.
Lo and behold, the day arrived!
Then came the road trip, a blend of mingling with new people, engaging in conversations, sharing laughter, and swapping stories with one another, all against the backdrop of a grueling journey. Our adventure began in Lagos on September 1st at around 9 a.m., but it wasn’t until 11 p.m. that we finally reached Legon University. Suffice it to say, this road trip lived up to its “dreaded” reputation. I highly do not recommend it, lol.
Sunday, September 3rd — The First Day at the Indaba: My day kicked off with registration and a much-needed lunch. Afterward, we gathered for the opening talk by Kevin Murphy. Then, I enjoyed a bit of free time to absorb the atmosphere, connect with new faces, and immerse myself in the Indaba experience. The day culminated with the opening party.
In the ensuing days, the Indaba became a whirlwind of activities and engagements. We seized the opportunity to participate in an array of events: workshops, keynote talks, one-on-one mentorship sessions, practical sessions, fireside chats, social gatherings, parties, ideathons, hackathons, and so much more. It was an immersive experience that left me inspired and enriched.
Personally, my mindset going into the Indaba was to connect with people, a challenge I’ve typically shied away from. However, Indaba was different. I asked myself, “What’s the worst that could happen?” and decided to go with the flow. Surprisingly, I engaged in conversations with a multitude of people, but one dialogue that resonated deeply was with Ally. His words of wisdom seemed to strike a chord with me as he shared his experience.
I also had a conversation with David during the MLC Luncheon we had with the ML Collective team about how he began his career and the changes he would have made if he were to start anew. It was during this exchange that I realized no one has it easy at the beginning, and many people feel as confused as I do when they embark on their journeys.
Nonetheless, I remain open-minded about what this new journey has in store for me. I eagerly anticipate how I will apply the knowledge and expertise I gained from this experience in the coming months.
I’m grateful to the team that worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make everything go as planned. This includes Busayo, Abraham, Mardiyyah, and Steven. Thank you so much, guys; y’all are amazing.
While this is just a glimpse into my experience, it’s far from the end. As I continue this journey, I look forward to sharing more insights, experiences, and discoveries, both in the world of deep learning and in my personal growth.
Note: This article serves as a personal documentation of my progress and is not intended to appear professional.
