In this episode of Across the Opti-Verse, we sit down with Victor Dippenaar, a Chemical Engineer whose career is defined by continuous evolution. Victor shares his journey from completing his first Master’s into working full-time, to making the bold leap into a second Master’s in Data Science - supported by Opti-Num and inspired by conversations that connected academic ambition with industry opportunity.
We explore what it really takes to balance demanding studies with client delivery, how Victor’s research in Computer Vision is shaping the projects he works on today, and how he’s taking the lead in Opti-Num’s growing Computer Vision sub-division.
This is what Across the Opti-Verse is about, always learning and always growing.
Thank you, Victor!
Catch us for a very special guest on the next episode to close off Season 2 of Across the Opti-Verse!
From engineering graduate to data scientist, businessintelligence specialist, and PropTech innovator - Tsepo Phohleli’s story is one of constant evolution.
In this episode of Across the Opti-Verse, we explore themindset behind growth - how curiosity, courage, and a willingness to adapt can turn uncertainty into opportunity. Tsepo shares the pivotal moments that shapedhis career, from his early engineering days to his work in data science and forecasting.
It’s a story about using the tools you have, learning as yougo, and designing your own path forward - because in Tsepo’s world, growth isn’t given, it’s built.
We also touch on his recent webinar on forecasting fornatural disasters using the DIGNAD model, and how preparation and perspectivecan change the way we face what’s next.
🎥 Watch Tsepo’s most recent webinar here.
What if the campaign you’ve been planning for months couldbe ready in just eight minutes?
In this episode, we sit down with Ilan Malkin, developer ofAd Alchemy, a real-time AI tool built to supercharge marketing workflows. We explore how the platform keeps human creativity at the center, while usingenriched data to deliver insights and results faster than ever.
From collaborative workflows to breakthrough client results,discover why Ad Alchemy could change the way marketing teams think about time, creativity, and impact.
Tune in now to hear how campaigns are moving from weeks to minutes, and reach out to ilan.malkin@optinum.co.za tostart your Ad-Alchemy journey.
This month on Across the Opti-Verse we sit down with ourin-house Data Science expert, Dr. Oluwatobi Afolabi - a walking encyclopedia of AI. With passion and clarity, he takes us back to the origins of AI, unpacks its power across industries, and reminds us that using AI responsibly is aboutknowing your data and recognising that one-size-fits-all solutions don’t exist. If you’ve ever wondered how AI is transforming healthcare, finance, and beyond, this episode is your crash course in the future.
In this episode, we sit down with Prof. Charis Harley -who’s navigated both the classroom and the boardroom - to debunk the common myths holding AI back on campus and in industry. We dig into why “everything starts with a conversation,” revisit her keynote for the South African Council of Automation, explore the Virtual Internship concept as a springboard for students to tackle real-world problems, and lay out the urgent need to build a collaborative community today. If you’re passionate about closing the divide between research and practice, now is the time to join us. To discuss this further, reach out to Michelle at michelle.lappeman@optinum.co.za or Prof. Harley at charis.harley@optinum.co.za. We want to start the conversations!
Please note: this episode is presented in audio-onlyformat.
Season 2 of Across the Opti-Verse is here – and we’rekicking things off with fresh energy.
Dean returns to the series, this time stepping in as guesthost for a conversation with engineer and simulation specialist Nur’ain Areff.
Together, they explore how simulation is shaping the futureof electrification, unpack Nur’ain’s path into digital twins and real-time energy modelling, and reflect on why South Africa’s grid needs more intelligent, simulation-led strategies.
You’ll also get an inside look at Nur’ain’s recent webinar, where she shares a practical, real-world approach to modelling and optimisation in renewables and how AI is fastbecoming part of that toolkit.
Season 2. New Season. New Energy. Same Opti-Verse depth.
We can hardly believe it—Season 1 of Across the Opti-Verse has officially come to a close! 🎉 This bonus clip is a heartfelt thank-you from Adri, Michelle, Dean, and the entire Opti-Num Solutions team to everyone who tuned in and supported us on this journey.
When we started, we had no idea how to produce a podcast—just a passion for storytelling and a deep desire to share the incredible work happening at Opti-Num. It’s been an amazing experience showcasing our unique company culture and introducing you to just a few of the talented individuals who make it all possible.
Looking ahead, 2025 promises even more excitement for Across the Opti-Verse! Adri will be joined by a new co-host as Dean steps away from the mic. Here’s a parting message from Dean:
"Creating Across the Opti-Verse was a true passion project, and seeing it come to life with the support of Opti-Num has been a dream come true. I’ll always be grateful for this opportunity, and I’m excited to become a fan of the show, cheering on the team and celebrating the wonderful things Opti-Num will achieve in the future!"
Thank you for an unforgettable season—we can’t wait to see you in 2025!
In The Spark that Started it All, Adri sits down with Opti-Num’s CEO, Grant Grobbelaar, for a deep dive into the company’s origins. From humble beginnings at Wits University to becoming an innovative software consultancy, Grant shares the journey of Opti-Num’s growth and the lessons learned along the way. They discuss how selling software evolved into supporting Southern African innovation across multiple industries, and what it takes to go from a small office to a team of 60+ employees. Don’t miss this inspiring conversation and join us in early December for the season 1 roundup!
In this episode of Across the Opti-Verse, we dive into the impact of computational thinking in tertiary education. Adri goes from co-host to guest to share insights on going beyond just software tools, like MATLAB and Python, to empower educators, researchers, and innovators. We explore how Opti-Num helps bridge software and strategy, building a foundation for impactful teaching, effective research, and real-world innovation. Don’t miss this exploration of how computational thinking can be the spark for meaningful change.
In this episode of Across the Opti-Verse, Dean and Jeremy dive into the real risks of AI in practice. Drawing from years of experience across industries like banking, telecoms, and oil and gas, they discuss how AI models are often misused, the headaches it can cause, and most importantly, how to get it right. They’ll explore MLOps, governance best practices, and share stories of what happens when AI goes wrong—and how to avoid those pitfalls. It’s not about avoiding AI; it’s about being responsible with it to unlock massive potential.
In this special Women's Month episode of Across the Opti-Verse, Adri sits with Eunice and Zimasa to share inspiring stories that have shaped their journeys and changed how they view the world. Tune in to hear how these stories can offer new perspectives and inspire others.
Join us on the latest episode of Across the Opti-Verse, "Taking Flight: Advice from an Expert," as we dive into the fascinating world of UAV creation with Lethabo, our resident expert in all things Simulation Engineering. Discover the differences between UAVs and drones, explore the initial steps of gathering requirements, and learn about the intricacies of design, simulation, testing, and deployment. Lethabo shares expert insights, real-world challenges, and best practices for anyone looking to venture into the UAV or Simulation Engineering industry. Don't miss out on this informative and engaging conversation!
Get ready for an insightful journey on the latest episode of Across the Opti-Verse! Join our guest host Kirsten Smith from Episode 1 (go check that out!) and our Head of Product Architecture, Dean Redelinghuys, as they dive deep into our competencies and passion for Model Operations. Discover how to move from effective processes, models, and algorithms in a software environment to making them production-ready and integrated into data-driven decision-making businesses. Learn how adopting a solution that operationalizes your models in industrial communications can seamlessly integrate into existing environments, enabling easy and effective deployment. Don't miss out on this valuable conversation!
We’d love to hear from you and chat more to you about Model Operations! If you are keen to chat, please fill in this form: https://forms.office.com/r/jeDut1wxFt
It is here! Join us for a special episode, Part 2, of our deep dive into groundbreaking safety innovations in the mining industry on Across the Opti-Verse. Adri and Jason return to discuss the results, challenges, and the exciting innovations that followed from the initial project discussed in Part 1. Don’t miss this insightful continuation!
Dive into the latest episode of Across the Opti-Verse, where we explore groundbreaking safety innovations in the mining industry. This episode focuses on Control Interlocking for safety using machine vision techniques. In Part 1, we discuss a project aimed at addressing the dangers of slag granulation in the smelting process, and the safety innovations that can happen through real-time video analytics. Adri and our guest, Jason, walk us through the challenges and solutions related to the problem, data handling, and the development of innovative algorithms. Due to the abundance of fascinating content, we split this topic into two episodes. Stay tuned for Part 2, airing on June 6th, where we delve into the results, monitoring, adoption, and the question of “What happened next?”.
Embark on a journey through the digital frontier of South Africa's financial landscape on "South Africa’s Financial Frontier" an all new episode of Across the Opti-Verse. Join guest host Kate as she engages in a riveting conversation with Opti-Num's finance experts, Jackie and Leo. Explore how their passion for digital transformation drives innovation in finance, offering valuable insights into navigating the dynamic terrain of South Africa's financial world.
Join us on an enthralling journey into the heart of engineering in this months episode of Across the Opti-Verse! We invite you to dive into "The Art of Becoming an Engineer" where we uncover the captivating transformation of Daniela Ghersevich from Graduate to Engineer. Prepare to ignite your passion for software and design as we unravel the profound impact of engineering in the real world. Don't miss out on this enlightening episode that promises to inspire and empower! #AcrossTheOptiVerse #Engineering #SoftwareDesign
The inaugural episode of Across the Opti-Verse has arrived! Join Adri and Kirsten as they delve into Transforming the Healthcare Industry with AI in Medical Image Analysis where we explore the dynamic intersection of artificial intelligence and healthcare. In this engaging discussion, we uncover how AI is reshaping medical image analysis. Tune in as we navigate the challenges, celebrate breakthroughs, and envision the future possibilities of harnessing AI to elevate accuracy and efficiency in healthcare.
🚀 Get ready to dive into the future of tech with the launch of the Across the Opti-Verse Podcast! 🎙️ Join Dean Kennedy and Adri van Nieuwkerk as we unravel cutting-edge topics like AI, Model-Based Design, and computer vision, keeping you at the forefront of innovation. 🌟 Our premiere episode, dropping on Thursday, 29th of February 2024, features Adri and Kirsten Smith as they dissect the game-changing impact of AI in medical image analysis. 🧠 Don't miss out – mark your calendars and join the conversation that's shaping our future! #OptiVersePodcast #AI #TechInnovation #PodcastPremiere