SATURDAY, 28 JUNE 2025, 20:00
Artificial intelligence is transforming the financial services sector, offering a new level of efficiency, security, and personalization. With its ability to analyze vast datasets in real time, AI is enhancing everything from fraud detection to credit risk assessment and regulatory compliance. One of the most immediate applications of AI is fraud detection. Financial institutions process […]
Hacked and jailbroken AI-powered chatbots are increasingly capable of generating dangerous and illegal information, according to cybersecurity researchers who say the risk is urgent and growing. The warning follows a report from researchers at Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, who found that leading chatbots – including ChatGPT, Gemini, and Claude – can be manipulated into […]
The United States has escalated its semiconductor conflict with China by implementing a sweeping global ban targeting Huawei’s Ascend AI chips. The move, announced May 14, 2025, marks a significant shift in Washington’s export control policy – applying restrictions not just domestically, but worldwide. The Biden-era “AI Diffusion Rule” has been rescinded without a direct […]
Google has unveiled a new “AI Mode” for its search engine, offering users a more conversational experience powered by its Gemini chatbot. The feature, launched Tuesday in the U.S., allows people to interact with search more like they’re speaking to an expert, rather than sifting through web links. The announcement came during Google’s annual developers […]
When it comes to artificial intelligence, the global conversation often feels like a high-stakes boardroom meeting where Africa’s chair is conspicuously empty. But as Charles Murito, Google’s policy lead for Sub-Saharan Africa, made clear at the recent Successfully Harnessing AI in Africa event, excluding African voices isn’t just a missed opportunity—it’s a critical misstep that […]
Africa stands at the cusp of a technological revolution, with artificial intelligence (AI) poised to redefine its economic, social, and cultural landscapes. As the continent embraces AI, the next decade promises transformative advancements. From healthcare to agriculture, education to governance, here’s a glimpse into the future of AI in Africa, blending bold forecasts with grounded […]
Elon Musk’s AI chatbot, Grok, sparked controversy this week after repeatedly referencing the debunked “white genocide” conspiracy theory in South Africa – even in responses to unrelated topics like baseball and software development. Grok, a product of Musk’s artificial intelligence company xAI, is embedded into X, his social media platform. Users can summon the chatbot […]
U.S. President Donald Trump just wrapped up his Persian Gulf tour with a jaw-dropping €179 billion ($200 billion) deal with the United Arab Emirates – and it’s not about energy pipelines or oil rigs. It’s about AI. At the heart of this mega-deal? Plans for the world’s largest AI campus outside the U.S., a futuristic […]
Across the continent, brilliant founders are using cutting-edge tech to tackle real problems, not just pitch-deck hypotheticals. Think AI-driven edtech, sleek fintech apps, and platforms that make sense for African markets. The ideas are solid, the need is real, and the ambition? Through the roof. So why do so many of these startups stall out? […]
The South African Medical Association (SAMA) in January gathered some of the country’s sharpest minds for an Executive Roundtable that tackled one big question: Can AI cure what ails South Africa’s healthcare system? The answer? Not alone – but it can definitely help write the prescription. AI is quickly stepping into the spotlight as a […]
According to a McKinsey report dropped on May 12, 2025, generative AI isn’t just a trendy tech buzzword – it could be Africa’s economic game-changer. The numbers are big: up to $103 billion in annual value big. But, as always, the road to AI-powered prosperity comes with a few potholes. The report, fittingly titled “Leading, […]
Solar-as-a-service trailblazer Wetility just flipped the switch on AI Mode, a sleek, data-savvy upgrade designed to take the hassle out of managing your solar setup. Starting May 1, Wetility customers can sit back while their solar and battery systems do the thinking – optimizing energy use, cutting down electricity bills, and staying one step ahead […]
In 2024, a clever little chatbot named Ulangizi started whispering farming secrets to smallholder farmers in rural Malawi. The result? Bigger harvests, stronger resilience, and a whole lot of hope. Powered by Opportunity International, this AI buddy delivered real-time, hyper-local agricultural advice – and thousands of farmers reaped the benefits, quite literally. Fast forward to […]
The AI ecosystem is buzzing with potential, but turning algorithms into impact requires cash—lots of it. From bootstrapping to billion-dollar venture rounds, navigating the funding landscape can feel like a high-stakes treasure hunt. For African AI startups, the challenge is amplified by a historically underfunded tech scene, yet the opportunities are growing. Let’s break down […]
Meta’s next big AI brain, code-named Behemoth, just hit a major speed bump. According to The Wall Street Journal, Meta has quietly pushed back the launch of its flagship AI model – again. Originally set to debut in April during Meta’s first AI dev conference, Behemoth was delayed to June… and now it’s looking more […]
Google just claimed the AI patent crown, unseating IBM to become the new heavyweight champ in generative AI. And it’s not stopping there – Google is also leading the charge in the emerging space of agentic AI, according to fresh data from IFI Claims. The report, covering the past 14 months (Feb 2024–April 2025), puts […]
OpenAI just dropped something new – and no, it’s not another AI model that writes sonnets about soup. This time, it’s all about transparency. Say hello to the Safety Evaluations Hub, a shiny new webpage where OpenAI will post how its models are doing on critical safety metrics like harmful content, hallucinations, and those pesky […]
The University of Cape Town is flexing its research muscles again – this time with two of its star scholars landing prestigious SARChI chairs to tackle two of the world’s biggest challenges: climate change and artificial intelligence. Professor Babatunde Abiodun, a climate science heavyweight, now holds the chair in Ocean and Atmospheric Modelling. He’s using […]
Artificial intelligence is shaking up everything from healthcare to agriculture – and Africa’s getting in on the action. Across Ghana, Kenya, and South Africa, AI is helping farmers manage crops with drones, diagnosing TB via X-rays, and tracking deliveries in real time. It’s a productivity boost with serious promise: AI could add nearly $15.7 trillion […]
DeepMind and Google Health are back with some serious AI eye magic. After first debuting a system in 2018 that could detect over 50 eye diseases with 94% accuracy, they’ve now stepped it up – their latest model can predict if someone will develop sight-threatening macular degeneration six months in advance. This is a big […]
If you’re an early-stage startup in Africa using artificial intelligence to tackle big, bold problems – Google wants a word. Applications are officially open for the 2025 Google for Startups Accelerator: Africa, a three-month whirlwind of mentorship, resources, and growth support designed to help AI-first startups do what they do best: innovate their way out […]