South Africa launches Artificial Intelligence Industry Association

Artificial Intelligence

South Africa, known for its burgeoning technological landscape, is taking a significant step towards embracing the potential of artificial intelligence (AI). The South African Artificial Intelligence Association (SAAIA) will be officially launched on July 19, 2023, in partnership with the esteemed Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), a prominent hub for AI innovation in South Africa. The association’s mission is to engage individuals and organizations, provide research and analysis to inform decision-making, assist with policy-making, connect buyers and suppliers, support SMMEs, attract foreign investment, help African tech companies access international markets,…

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Google’s Nearby Share app for Windows PCs is now officially to be had

Google's Nearby Share app for Windows PCs is now officially to be had

App for Windows PCs is now  officially  available. A PC  model of the app, which makes it a cinch to  share  documents  among  gadgets like Android  phones and Chromebooks, has been in beta for  some months,  however  it is now  equipped for  high time. Nearby Share for Windows,  to be had as an app  download on PCs  across the world, has now been  installed  by  more than 1.7 million people. With  images and  videos being the  most  popular  file  types to  send, we’ve  seen over 50 million  files transferred  between…

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Technology Shapes Future Work

Tech Shapes Future Work

Technology plays a vital role in shaping the work and businesses of the future. Here are several ways in which technology can chart a path for the future: Automation and Artificial Intelligence (AI): Automation and AI technologies are transforming various industries by streamlining processes, reducing costs, and increasing efficiency. Repetitive and mundane tasks can be automated, allowing employees to focus on more complex and creative work. AI can also provide data-driven insights and decision-making support, improving business outcomes. Remote Work and Collaboration Tools: Advances in communication and collaboration technologies enable remote work…

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Google Bard Debuts in Swahili, Expanding Language Reach

Google Bard Debuts in Swahili, Expanding Language Reach

Google is expanding Bard, its conversational AI service, to 40 new languages including Swahili. Swahili becomes the first African language to be included, pushing Bard’s reach to 59 new countries across territories. The expansion includes new features that allow users to better customize their experience, and boost their creativity. With this expansion, Bard is now available in most parts of the world, including countries in the European Union (EU), and in the most widely spoken languages, such as Swahili, Chinese, German, Spanish, Arabic, and Hindi. Bard now allows users to…

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HR tech startup Propel wants to power the open talent economy via tech communities

HR tech startup Propel wants to power the open talent economy via tech communities

In the latest development, Propel, a Lagos- and Berlin-based startup that wants to build sustainable talent pipelines for communities and help global companies derisk the process of hiring remote talent from emerging markets, particularly in Africa, has secured €2.5 million (~$2.74 million) in seed investment. The round was led by Amsterdam-based No Such Ventures, with participation from APX (an accelerator by Axel Springer Digital Ventures and Porsche Digital), Golden Egg Check and Future of Learning Fund. The startup, founded in 2020 by Sunkanmi Ola, Seun Owolabi and Abel Agoi, intends…

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African tech VC funding down 50% quarter-on-quarter in H1 2023

African tech VC funding down 50% quarter-on-quarter in H1 2023

In the first half of 2023, African tech startups experienced a significant drop in funding, with a total of US$1.19 billion raised. This marks a decline of over 50% compared to the corresponding period in 2022, highlighting the continued influence of the global economic climate on investment in the sector. According to the most recent edition of the annual African Tech Startups Funding Report released by Disrupt Africa, available free in partnership with Flat6Labs, MarketForce, 4Di Capital, Mercy Corps Ventures, Newtown Partners, and InsiderPR, 633 African tech startups raised a…

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Google, Microsoft, OpenAI Among Tech Firms Seeking AI Regulation on Their Terms

Google, Microsoft, OpenAI Among Tech Firms Seeking AI Regulation on Their Terms

OpenAI Chief Executive Officer Sam Altman surprised everyone last month when he warned Congress of the dangers posed by artificial intelligence. Suddenly, it looked like tech companies had learned from the problems of social media and wanted to roll out AI differently. “In terms of both potential upsides and downsides, superintelligence will be more powerful than other technologies humanity has had to contend with in the past,” OpenAI execs Sam Altman, Greg Brockman and Ilya Sutskever said. “We can have a dramatically more prosperous future; but we have to manage…

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Africa Data Centres Announced as Latest Partner for London Internet Exchange (LINX) Nairobi. The Interconnection Hub for East Africa

Africa Data Centres Announced as Latest Partner for London Internet Exchange (LINX) Nairobi. The Interconnection Hub for East Africa

Africa Data Centres (ADC) has announced its partnership with the London Internet Exchange (LINX) for the new East African interconnection hub, LINX Nairobi. LINX Nairobi is set to become the region’s first interconnected, multi-site Internet Exchange Point (IXP), offering redundancy and resilience for networks peering there. This partnership aims to foster growth, enhance connectivity, and expand digital services across new markets in Africa. LINX Nairobi is set to go live in the coming weeks and is the region’s first interconnected, multi-site Internet Exchange Point (IXP). The technical specification of the…

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SA’s new AI association will promote innovation and education

SA’s new AI association will promote innovation and education

SAAIA seeks to encourage stakeholders in the adoption of responsible AI for the commercial and societal benefit of the citizens of South Africa with a primary focus on economic growth, trade, investment, equality and inclusivity. The founding advisory board of SAAIA comprises notable entities such as Michalsons and Webber Wentzel law firms, the Western Cape government, Tshwane University of Technology, the Technology Innovation Agency, and various AI start-ups, including Zindi. Dr Nick Bradshaw, the founder of SAAIA, stated, “Our research has shown that AI and related automation technologies are currently…

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Adobe pushes Firefly AI into big business

Adobe pushes Firefly AI into big business

Adobe earlier this year released a test version of Firefly, its own service which it says was created with legally safe image data. On Thursday, San Jose, California-based Adobe said it will start offering Firefly to its corporate customers as part of Adobe Express, a tool aimed at helping business users who do not specialize in design to create images and documents. The massive creative software company says that the new offering will help enterprises “streamline and accelerate” their content supply chain while “optimizing costs,” or  in short  reducing man-hours…

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