As AI systems evolve, their ability to operate in fast-changing, resource-constrained, and high-impact environments is redefining what’s possible. SACAIR 2025 will explore how AI is being deployed at the edge—whether in real-time decision-making, autonomous systems, or applications in healthcare, finance, and infrastructure. This theme highlights cutting-edge research driving efficiency, resilience, and breakthroughs in AI’s most challenging frontiers.

This multi-, inter-, and transdisciplinary conference is the premium, annual AI conference in Southern Africa. The conference will bring together nationally and internationally established and emerging researchers from various disciplines, including Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics, Statistics, Informatics, Humanities and Philosophy. As in the past, the focus is on growing a formidable network of talented students working in AI from across Africa.

SACAIR is affiliated with the Centre for AI Research (CAIR). CAIR is a South African distributed research network established in 2011 to build world-class Artificial Intelligence research capacity in South Africa. CAIR conducts foundational, directed and applied research into various aspects of AI through several research groups: Adaptive and Cognitive Systems, AI and Cybersecurity, AI for Development, Foundations and Applications of Machine Learning, Computational Logic, Ethical and Legal aspects of AI, Computational Intelligence, Knowledge Representation and Reasoning, and Probabilistic Modelling. An essential part of CAIR’s mandate is to develop and nurture an Artificial Intelligence ecosystem within South Africa.

SACAIR 2025 is the sixth to be held under the SACAIR brand. The conference will build on the successes of the past five conferences.

SACAIR 2025 will be hosted by the University of the Western Cape at the Cape Town Marriott Hotel Crystal Towers from 1 to 5 December 2025.

SACAIR 2025 will offer five main tracks:

Algorithmic and Data-Driven AI (Computer Science)
Symbolic AI (Knowledge Representation and Reasoning)
Socio-technical and human-centred AI (Information Systems)
Responsible and Ethical AI (Philosophy and Law / Humanities)
Inter- and transdisciplinary AI research

The programme includes an unconference for students on 1 December 2025 (a student-driven event for students to interact with each other and with sponsors and other possible employers), a day of tutorials on 2 December 2025 and the main conference from 3 – 5 December 2025.