Ashe Maharaj – your Hyde Park neighbour who’s seen your AI virtual future

Hyde Park local Ashe Maharaj (26) teased the imagination by sharing his understanding of where AI technology may be headed in Sandton and South Africa.

“What I’m looking forward to, is giving people the ability to think (develop code), and not thunk (depend on enhancing other developers’ codes),” Maharaj began. “Thinking is more like developing the lines, thinking how to code; thunking is more like the lines are developed for you, and you just need to go and tweak it, and focus on the bigger picture.”

Maharaj learned how to code after taking an interest when studying biomedicine at a university in Australia. Finding himself in the progressive technological space was akin to coming full circle for Maharaj.

“I completed my degree: but in the background, I did a lot of learning at Code Academy. Over that time, I realised my passion,” Maharaj said. “It was quite a circular path for me. I got into computers very young; so, I’ve always been playing around, experimenting with photo manipulation, and then game development.

“My brother studied computer science, in Australia as well. Looking at him do all these creations and apps, I wondered how I could ever do something like that,” Maharaj confided. “I’m proud of my achievements in the previous years, though. I created a home inventory system, just making sure we keep track of everything that goes in and out of the house.”

Maharaj enjoys residing in Sandton for the networking opportunities fostered within the community. He shared his vision for the future of the richest square mile in Africa.

“I like that within Africa, especially in South Africa, Sandton seems to be the place where all the movement happens,” Maharaj said.

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