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The BIG5D Podcast
BIG5D Podcast Ep. 49: "Trends in AI and Blockchain" with Author Steven Boykey Sidley
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BIG5D Podcast Ep. 49: "Trends in AI and Blockchain" with Author Steven Boykey Sidley

"I don't think we have any chance of governing this."
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This episode of the BIG5D Podcast is presented by Fraktional.dev

Fraktional connects developers and organizations for short to medium-term projects.

Contact Fraktional.dev to learn more.


Welcome to Episode 49 of the BIG5D Podcast, a production of BigFive Digital and the Africa B2B Tech Report.

In this episode, I talk about AI and blockchain with the candid and opinionated Steven Boykey Sidley. Steven is a professor at the Johannesburg Business School (part of the University of Johannesburg).

Steven is the author of multiple books, including non-fiction works on technology as well as novels and plays. His latest book is It’s Mine: How the Crypto Industry is Redefining Ownership. He is also an investor and advisor.

Steven is a regular contributor to The Daily Maverick, where he opines on trends in technology. This latter pursuit brings Steven regularly to my attention and led me to think he would be a great podcast guest. And I was right.

This candid and engaging conversation spans AI safety, the AI opportunity for startups, and AI's geopolitical implications.

A few highlights

In this clip, Steven agrees that AI tools make it at least conceivable for a startup to scale to unicorn status without taking on employees.

I have been obsessed with the AI-enabled one-person unicorn ever since I watched Sam Altman (Open AI) and Alexis Ohanian (Reddit) discuss this in a YouTube video. I also believe this represents a unique opportunity for African founders who struggle to raise seed capital. AI may be making seed capital obsolete.

Here Steven talks about how many AI startups are building on top of existing AI models. We got into whether this approach is truly innovative and sustainable.

And finally, we talked about the long-term implications of AI. Steven is not optimistic that humans will be able to prevent the worst outcomes.

You can also catch this episode on your favorite podcast apps.

Listen on Spotify

Listen on Apple

If you prefer to watch the full interview with Steven on our YouTube channel, here it is.


Recommended Reading

The following is a curation of content from around Africa, the Middle East, and the world related to big tech, digital marketing, small business, startup life, venture funding, M&A, and more. Please vote with your clicks to tell us what we should curate for you in future editions.

Conduit Raises $6.5M for Cross-Border Payments Expansion

Africa Not Spared from TikTok’s Global Layoffs

Launch Africa Ventures Funds Digital Lending Marketplace Kredete

93% of Saudi Entrepreneurs Comfortable Using AI

Now Money Rolls Out New Strategic Banking Relationships


The BIG5D Podcast features in-depth conversations with the leaders who are building, investing in, or taking to market the digital products and services designed to make businesses more successful in Africa and the Middle East.

The BIG5D Podcast is available on Substack as well as on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Please follow, comment, rate, and review the BIG5D Podcast. Your engagement helps others discover us so they can learn more from the amazing builders and thought leaders we feature on the show.

To recommend a guest for the podcast or discuss sponsoring an upcoming episode, please write to us at info@bigfivedigital.org.

Please stay tuned for information on future BigFive Digital live and virtual events.


Thank you Fraktional.dev for sponsoring this episode of the BIG5D Podcast.

“Where innovation meets code, and the possibilities of technology unfold at your fingertips”


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