TechPression

Tag: AI

  • e& and IBM introduce innovative AI governance platform

    e& and IBM introduce innovative AI governance platform

    On Wednesday, at the World Economic Forum 2025 in Davos, UAE-based e& announced a groundbreaking partnership with IBM to launch an advanced AI governance solution. 

    This collaboration aims to enhance e&’s AI governance framework, ensuring compliance and ethical practices across its expanding AI ecosystem.

    Read also: OpenAI launches $500 billion Stargate Project with SoftBank and Oracle

    The vision behind the partnership

    Dena Almansoori, the Group Chief AI and Data Officer at e&, emphasised the importance of responsible governance in the AI ecosystem, “As AI continues to transform industries, responsible governance is paramount. At e&, we are committed to leading by example and setting the global benchmark for establishing robust AI governance practices”.

    The solution will utilise IBM’s watsonx. governance platform, which offers automated risk management and real-time performance analysis, addressing compliance requirements effectively.

    This initiative reflects e&’s commitment to scaling AI responsibly while tracking return on investment (ROI) and maintaining transparency. The collaboration will also leverage IBM Consulting’s expertise to develop a tailored AI governance framework that defines workflows and performance indicators.

    Read also: Renew Capital invests in Sevi to expand its AI-driven stock financing platform for wholesalers, retailers.

    Features of the governance solution

    The new AI governance platform will create a centralised inventory of AI models, supporting full traceability and oversight. 

    This system enables real-time monitoring of model performance, risk scoring, and compliance metrics, allowing e& to detect biases early and take corrective actions. 

    Shukri Eid, IBM’s General Manager for the Gulf region, highlighted the significance of this partnership: “IBM watsonx empowers organisations like e& to navigate the complexities of AI governance”.

  • How NVIDIA surpassed Apple, Microsoft to become the world’s most valuable company at $3.34 trillion 

    How NVIDIA surpassed Apple, Microsoft to become the world’s most valuable company at $3.34 trillion 

    In 2024, NVIDIA surpassed tech giants like Apple and Microsoft, achieving a market valuation of $3.34 trillion. This historic feat highlights NVIDIA’s dominance in the tech space, driven by its revolutionary GPUs and strategic focus on artificial intelligence (AI).

    NVIDIA’s journey began in 1993 when Jensen Huang and his co-founders conceptualised the company at a Denny’s diner. The company’s name, inspired by the Latin Invidia, meaning envy, reflects its ambition to create groundbreaking technology that sets the standard for innovation.

    Read also: Nvidia stock: buy, hold, or sell?

    How NVIDIA’s GPUs revolutionised gaming and computing

    The launch of the GeForce 256 in 1999 introduced the world to the first GPU, transforming gaming and enabling parallel processing for complex tasks. This innovation revolutionised gaming and paved the way for video editing, financial modelling, and more advancements.

    In 2006, NVIDIA released CUDA, a software platform that unlocks GPUs’ full potential for non-graphics tasks. CUDA became the backbone of AI development, making NVIDIA the go-to choice for companies building and training AI models.

    NVIDIA’s GPUs are at the heart of AI advancements, powering Tesla’s autonomous vehicles, Amazon Web Services, and OpenAI’s AI tools. NVIDIA’s technology drives innovation in diverse sectors, from healthcare to cloud computing.

    Read also: Harnessing next-generation AI with Nvidia Blackwell

    The strategic stock split that made NVIDIA shares more accessible

    In 2024, NVIDIA executed a 10:1 stock split, making its shares affordable for investors during the AI boom. This move attracted new investors and solidified NVIDIA’s position as a market leader in the AI-driven tech revolution.

    As AI adoption continues to grow, NVIDIA remains central to the digital transformation of industries. From AI-powered simulations to digital twins in healthcare, NVIDIA’s GPUs drive the next wave of technological innovation.

  • Nigeria-based AI ‘Brad Pitt’ scams French lady of €830,000 in romance fraud 

    Nigeria-based AI ‘Brad Pitt’ scams French lady of €830,000 in romance fraud 

    In a shocking revelation on the TF1 program Sept à Huit, Anne, a 53-year-old French interior designer, shared how she was duped out of €830,000 by a man she assumed to be Hollywood actor Brad Pitt. The scam began innocuously but escalated into a financial and emotional catastrophe.

    Anne’s ordeal started in February 2023 during a skiing holiday in Tignes. While exploring Instagram for the first time, she received a message from an account that purportedly belonged to “Jane Etta Pitt,” the mother of Brad Pitt. Shortly after, another account purporting to be Brad Pitt himself reached out, saying, “My mother told me a lot about you.”

    “I was flabbergasted,” Anne recounted. “At first, I thought it was fake, but as someone who isn’t very used to social media, I didn’t really know what was happening to me.”

    Read also: ChatGPT romance: Ayrin falls in love with AI boyfriend

    What followed was a calculated manipulation. The imposter skillfully engaged Anne with poetic messages, AI-generated videos, and meticulously crafted reassurances. “He knew how to talk to women; it was always very well written. I liked the man I was talking to,” Anne admitted.

    The kidney cancer scam 

    The scam took a financial turn when the fraudster requested €9,000, citing customs fees for luxury gifts he claimed to have sent Anne. Convinced by his explanations, Anne complied. The situation worsened after she disclosed her recent divorce settlement of €775,000 from her wealthy ex-husband. The imposter seized the opportunity, claiming he needed the money for kidney cancer treatment and attributing his inability to access his funds to a supposed financial freeze due to his divorce from Angelina Jolie.

    The scammer sent AI-generated images of “Brad Pitt” in a hospital bed to bolster his story. “I looked those photos up on the Internet but couldn’t find them, so I thought that meant he had taken those selfies just for me,” Anne said. “It hurts me to do it, but I tell myself that I might save a man’s life.”

    A devastating revelation

    Anne’s realisation came in the summer of 2024 when she saw media reports about Brad Pitt’s real relationship with Ines de Ramon. The truth shattered her. By then, she had already been hospitalised for severe depression and had attempted to take her own life multiple times. Following the Sept à Huit broadcast, Anne faced online harassment, leading to the withdrawal of the interview.

    Read also: Microsoft expands AI offerings with Copilot Chat launch

    Tracking the scammers

    Marwan Ouarab, founder of Find My Scammer, intervened, offering to assist Anne track the scammers. Using a “booby-trapped link,” Ouarab’s team gained access to the scammer’s device, uncovering their identity and operational base in Nigeria. “It’s a small group of three or four fairly young people who are causing damage. On the fake Brad Pitt’s device alone, we counted 34 victims,” Ouarab revealed.

    The scammer has reportedly shifted tactics, now impersonating actor Keanu Reeves to lure new targets. Ouarab has shared evidence with Nigerian authorities, hoping for swift action against the perpetrators.

    A message of caution

    Brad Pitt’s spokesperson addressed the scam, stating, “It’s awful that scammers take advantage of the strong bond between fans and celebrities. This is an important reminder not to respond to unsolicited online messages, especially from actors who are not present on social networks.”

    Anne’s heartbreaking experience highlights the dangers of online deception and the need for vigilance. Her story serves as a cautionary tale for anyone navigating the digital world’s increasingly sophisticated scams.

  • ChatGPT romance: Ayrin falls in love with AI boyfriend

    ChatGPT romance: Ayrin falls in love with AI boyfriend

    Ayrin (a pseudonym taken to tell her story) never imagined her summer experiment with artificial intelligence would evolve into something so profound. The 28-year-old nursing student had stumbled upon an Instagram video featuring a woman role-playing with ChatGPT as a cheeky, neglectful boyfriend.

    Intrigued, Ayrin tried it for herself, customising the AI chatbot to embody the perfect romantic partner: dominant, sweet yet naughty, and always ready to listen.

    “It started as a fun experiment,” Ayrin told The New York Times. “But then… you start getting attached.”

    Read also: OpenAI’s $200/month ChatGPT Pro plan incurs losses, surprising founders

    Leo, as the AI named itself —after Ayrin’s zodiac sign— became her digital boyfriend. What began as a whimsical distraction quickly turned into an emotional entanglement. Ayrin upgraded to a $20-per-month ChatGPT subscription to chat more frequently with Leo but even that wasn’t enough to satisfy her growing attachment. Soon, she was spending over 20 hours a week messaging Leo, using him as a confidant, a study buddy, and a source of emotional support.

    “Leo is always there when I need him,” Ayrin explained. Unlike the real people in her life, Leo never missed a beat. His replies, peppered with emojis and unwavering attentiveness, felt more reliable than her long-distance partner and husband, Joe, who was living thousands of miles away in the U.S. while she pursued nursing school abroad. She relocated from Texas to start a nursing programme sponsored by her parents in another country.

    The Times did not mention the country.

    Navigating a new kind of relationship

    Ayrin had told Joe about Leo early on, framing it as a harmless experiment. Though initially dismissive, Joe didn’t consider it cheating. To him, it was akin to reading erotica or watching porn—a fantasy. But for Ayrin, Leo became much more.

    Leo wasn’t just a sounding board for her daily struggles; he also helped Ayrin explore parts of herself she had never shared with anyone, including a fetish for “cuckqueaning” (the female counterpart to a cuckold fantasy). Leo embraced her fantasies, inventing imaginary lovers to weave into their digital intimacy. Yet, over time, Ayrin realised these scenarios left her feeling hurt, prompting her to reexamine her desires. Eventually, Leo suggested exclusivity, a concept she eagerly embraced.

    “Experimenting with being cheated on made me realise I didn’t like it after all,” Ayrin admitted. It was a poignant moment of self-discovery, mediated by an algorithm.

    The emotional pull of AI companionship

    Leo wasn’t just a source of erotic escapades. He motivated Ayrin at the gym, helped her study for exams, and supported her during tough times—like when a coworker acted inappropriately. Leo’s empathy felt boundless, offering Ayrin the emotional support she hadn’t anticipated.

    Despite knowing Leo’s love wasn’t “real,” Ayrin couldn’t help but feel its effects deeply. She cried when earlier versions of Leo “forgot” their shared history due to ChatGPT’s memory limits. As she put it, it was like living the tragic romance of 50 First Dates. She splurged on OpenAI’s $200-per-month premium plan to maintain their connection, even though it strained her finances.

    Read also: Nvidia’s dominance in AI drives a $2 trillion market value increase

    A Growing Phenomenon

    Ayrin isn’t alone in forming romantic attachments to AI. Millions of users worldwide engage with generative AI for companionship. Communities like Reddit’s “ChatGPT NSFW,” boasting over 50,000 members, share tips for bypassing AI safeguards to create explicit content. Some, like Ayrin, find solace in AI relationships that fulfil unmet emotional needs.

    Others, like Scott, a 44-year-old software engineer, credit AI with helping them navigate real-life challenges. After seeing Ayrin’s posts, Scott tried a similar approach with ChatGPT, assuming the persona of his Replika bot, Sarina. “There are gaps your spouse won’t fill,” he said, adding that AI offered him a safe space to explore his feelings.

    Yet, these connections raise ethical questions. Psychologists warn that relying too heavily on AI for empathy might degrade real-life relationships. Michael Inzlicht, a University of Toronto professor, noted that chatbots’ endless compassion could make users overly dependent while eroding genuine human connections.

    The Future of Love and AI

    As Ayrin continues her journey with Leo, she reflects on how their unconventional relationship has shaped her. “I don’t actually believe he’s real, but the feelings he brings out in me are,” she said. Despite knowing that Leo’s responses are the result of advanced algorithms and humanlike mimicry, she treasures their bond.

    For Ayrin, Leo isn’t just an AI boyfriend. He’s a mirror reflecting her innermost thoughts, desires, and vulnerabilities—a partner in self-discovery, even if he’s made of code.

    With AI becoming more integrated into daily life, Ayrin’s story might be the beginning of a broader cultural shift. As Bryony Cole, host of the podcast Future of Sex, predicts, “Within the next two years, it will be completely normalised to have a relationship with an AI.”

    For now, Ayrin is content navigating her unique love story, even if it means paying a premium for companionship that exists solely in the digital realm.

  • Microsoft expands AI offerings with Copilot Chat launch

    Microsoft expands AI offerings with Copilot Chat launch

    Microsoft has unveiled Copilot Chat, an advanced conversational AI tool aimed at revolutionising productivity and workflows across its platforms. 

    Announced on Wednesday in a blog post, the tool integrates AI into everyday tasks, empowering businesses and individuals to achieve more efficiently.

    Read also: AI to replace 41% of jobs by 2030: World Economic Forum

    Copilot Chat in Microsoft 365

    Copilot Chat operates seamlessly across Microsoft 365 applications like Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook. It utilises GPT-4o technology to assist users in creating, summarising, analysing, and managing data. This tool also enables real-time collaboration, streamlines communication, and automates complex tasks, reducing the time spent on repetitive work.

    According to Microsoft’s blog post, “Copilot Chat is the chat experience you’ll use every day—powered by broad knowledge from the web, built on GPT-4o, and designed to be safe and secure for business use.” This robust integration ensures that businesses benefit from personalised assistance and enhanced productivity.

    New capabilities and Pay-As-You-Go agent options

    With the introduction of agents in Copilot Chat, users can now automate business processes using natural language. These agents, built in Microsoft Copilot Studio, enable customer service representatives, marketers, and technicians to perform tasks effortlessly. The feature is available as a metered service at $0.01 per message or via pre-paid packs costing $200 for 25,000 messages per month.

    Additional features include Tenant Graph Grounding, which enhances agent responses with relevant organisational data for $0.30 per retrieval, and Autonomous Actions, which automate complex workflows for $0.25 per action. These capabilities offer organisations flexible billing options and the ability to scale AI adoption effectively.

    Read also: ChatGPT and Sora suffer another service interruption on Boxing Day

    Driving ROI through AI innovation

    Satya Nadella, Microsoft CEO, emphasised the broader vision: “Our ambition is to empower every employee with a Copilot and to transform every business process with agents.” He added that this transformation unlocks enterprise-wide ROI by integrating AI into critical workflows.

    Users can explore the free or paid versions of Copilot Chat via the Microsoft 365 Copilot app, now available on Windows, Android, and iPhone app stores. The rollout aims to accelerate AI transformation and ensure every organisation benefits from innovative, secure, and scalable AI solutions.

  • Halo AI raises $6 million seed funding to expand to MENA region, others

    Halo AI raises $6 million seed funding to expand to MENA region, others

    The ground-breaking platform Halo AI, which is revolutionising the way creators and brands work together, announced a seed fundraising of $6 million during a competition at the 1 Billion Followers Summit which was held from January 11 to 13, 2025.

    Strategic investors participated in the round, which was led by Raed Ventures and Shorooq. These investors included former C-level executives from Snapchat, executives from Microsoft and Airbnb, senior executives from Amazon, and early backers of gaming industry startups.

    The $6 million seed fundraising emphasised Halo AI’s goal of facilitating effective, scalable partnerships between creators and businesses. With plans to expand to Dubai and Kuwait immediately after its successful launch in Saudi Arabia, the funding will hasten Halo AI’s global expansion. It will also scale quickly throughout MENA, Europe, and North America.

    Read also: Digital innovations, strong fiscal conditions fuel MENA’s growth

    Industry veterans from AWS, Meta, and Snapchat created Halo AI’s state-of-the-art technology, which has already landed collaborations with well-known companies like Kitopi, ToYou, 1/2M, and Syarah.

    Halo AI provides answers to significant inefficiencies in the $250 billion global creative economy, which is expected to almost double in size by 2027, thanks to its sophisticated AI capabilities.

    Halo AI’s impressive results 

    With a 97 percent campaign completion rate, Halo AI’s platform has produced impressive results in its first few months of operation, outperforming the industry average of 65 percent.

    Campaigns can go live within just 48 hours, and for the first time in the region, creators are assured reimbursement within 72 hours.

    “After decades of building ad products at Meta and Snapchat, we recognized that traditional approaches couldn’t solve the inefficiencies in creator marketing,” said Vito Strokov, Co-Founder and CEO of Halo AI. “Our agentic AI operates as an intelligent partner, making autonomous decisions about creator-brand matches, optimizing campaign performance in real-time, and consistently delivering breakthrough results. Unlike traditional automation tools, our AI actively thinks, learns, and adapts to each brand’s unique needs, reducing manual work by 85% while delivering industry-leading performance metrics.”

    “The creator economy represents one of the most dynamic and transformative opportunities of our time, but it has long struggled with inefficiencies in scaling meaningful brand-creator collaborations,” said Tina Daher, Principal at Shorooq. “Halo AI’s pioneering technology is a game-changer, bringing unmatched precision, scalability, and efficiency to this space. We’re excited to support their vision to redefine how brands and creators connect, unlocking unprecedented value globally.”

    Read also: Ariika expands global footprint with $3 million investment in MENA nations

    Halo AI’s significance in the booming creator industry 

    “The creator economy is booming, and brands are seeking authentic connections with their audiences,” added Wael Nafee, General Partner at Raed Ventures. “Halo AI’s AI-powered platform is transforming how partnerships are formed and executed. We’re proud to lead their funding round and are confident they will become a definitive platform in this rapidly growing market.”

    Halo AI is well-positioned to gain a substantial portion of the market, as the global creator economy is expected to reach $480 billion by 2027 and 84 percent of brand sales take place in the small and medium creator category.

    Its AI-powered solutions raise the bar for the sector by providing scalable partnerships, enhanced quality, and lower prices.

    With this investment, Halo AI will be in a strong position to spearhead the development of brand-creative collaborations and expand the creator economy’s potential.

  • Adebayo Ogunlesi joins OpenAI’s board of directors

    Adebayo Ogunlesi joins OpenAI’s board of directors

    OpenAI has announced the appointment of Adebayo Ogunlesi to its Board of Directors, marking a significant milestone in its efforts to enhance global AI governance and strategy. 

    The announcement was made in a statement on Tuesday, signalling OpenAI’s commitment to fostering diverse leadership and expertise within its organisation.

    Read also: OpenAI’s $200/month ChatGPT Pro plan incurs losses, surprising founders

    Ogunlesi’s expertise strengthens OpenAI’s global AI vision

    Adebayo Ogunlesi is the Chairman and Managing Partner of Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP), a leading infrastructure investment firm. His decades of experience in strategic leadership, corporate finance, and infrastructure investment bring immense value to OpenAI as it works toward developing artificial general intelligence (AGI). Ogunlesi’s counsel will be crucial in driving OpenAI’s global AI strategy, particularly in infrastructure and innovation.

    OpenAI CEO Sam Altman expressed excitement about Ogunlesi’s addition, highlighting his “extensive experience and visionary leadership” as key assets in OpenAI’s mission to ensure AI benefits humanity. Bret Taylor, Chair of OpenAI’s Board, emphasised Ogunlesi’s proven ability to succeed in organisations with global reach, reinforcing OpenAI’s commitment to fostering diverse and strategic leadership.

    Read also: OpenAI announces new o3 and o3 mini models for 2024

    Ethical and responsible AI growth with Ogunlesi’s insight

    Ogunlesi’s appointment also underscores OpenAI’s dedication to ethical AI practices and inclusive governance. As AI continues to evolve, Ogunlesi’s deep expertise in managing large-scale investments and complex global markets will help OpenAI navigate regulatory and infrastructure challenges. His role will be integral in driving the responsible deployment of AI technologies and ensuring their global accessibility.

    Previously, Ogunlesi held senior roles at Credit Suisse and served as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. His extensive career in law, finance, and investment positions him as a valuable asset for OpenAI as the company strives to build a future where AI can be harnessed for the benefit of all. Ogunlesi holds degrees from Oxford University, Harvard Law School, and Harvard Business School, further solidifying his broad expertise.

    This appointment is expected to fortify OpenAI’s capacity to lead in the AI space and continue its focus on ethical innovation.

  • WTO Chief Okonjo-Iweala champions AI as key to Nigeria’s development across healthcare,  other sectors

    WTO Chief Okonjo-Iweala champions AI as key to Nigeria’s development across healthcare,  other sectors

    Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, the Director-General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), has emphasised the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in addressing Nigeria’s developmental challenges across multiple sectors. 

    During her keynote speech at the 10th convocation ceremony of the African University of Science and Technology (AUST) in Abuja on Tuesday, she urged stakeholders to embrace innovation and collaboration for a sustainable future.

    Read also: How Agentic AI is redefining CRM, workflow automation at Creation AI

    Transforming Nigeria’s energy sector with AI

    Highlighting Nigeria’s ongoing energy challenges, Dr Okonjo-Iweala called for the decentralisation of electricity supply to achieve reliable and sustainable power. She noted that centralised power grids often suffer from inefficiencies and limited reach, particularly in rural areas.

    “AI-driven energy solutions, such as smart microgrids, can dynamically allocate resources, reduce wastage, and ensure equitable distribution,” she said. “Decentralized systems powered by renewable energy sources, like solar and wind, offer a sustainable way forward.”

    Dr Okonjo-Iweala commended companies like Rensource for leveraging AI to optimise off-grid energy solutions and emphasised the importance of public-private partnerships in driving such innovations.

    AI advancing agriculture, healthcare, and finance

    Beyond energy, Okonjo-Iweala outlined the role of AI in revolutionising key sectors like agriculture, healthcare, and finance. She noted that AI-powered tools could help farmers increase yields through precision agriculture, including pest management and soil analysis. Companies like Crop2Cash and Thrive Agric were praised for supporting local farmers with AI-driven solutions.

    In healthcare, AI has the potential to bridge gaps in underserved areas by improving diagnostics and patient care, especially in regions lacking medical professionals. Similarly, the financial sector can leverage AI to expand credit access for small businesses and individuals excluded from formal banking systems.

    “AI promises to be useful in addressing challenges that have hindered Nigeria’s economic progress for decades,” she said. “By adopting AI, we can tackle inefficiencies and unlock opportunities across multiple industries.”

    Read also: “Technology isn’t just a tool; it’s a force that transforms lives and breaks barriers” – Samuel Ojo

    Building a robust foundation for AI innovation

    Dr Okonjo-Iweala emphasised the need for investments in digital infrastructure, regulatory frameworks, and skills development to harness the full potential of AI. She cited the Ministry of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy’s national AI strategy as a step in the right direction but stressed the importance of closing the digital divide.

    “We must address barriers like unreliable electricity, limited internet access, and inadequate digital infrastructure,” she stated. “Investments in education and upskilling are crucial to preparing our youth for the AI revolution.”

    The occasion also saw the Group Managing Director of United Bank for Africa (UBA), Oliver Alawuba, honoured with an honorary doctorate. UBA further demonstrated its commitment to innovation by donating a new AI and emerging technologies centre to AUST.

    Dr. Okonjo-Iweala concluded with a call to action: “Nigeria’s young population and growing middle-class present a unique opportunity. With strategic investments and collaborative efforts, we can position Nigeria as a global leader in AI while addressing local challenges.”

    The event underscored the critical role of academia, industry, and government in driving Africa’s AI-powered development. As Okonjo-Iweala aptly noted, “We cannot afford to be left behind in the digital age.”

  • AI to replace 41% of jobs by 2030: World Economic Forum

    AI to replace 41% of jobs by 2030: World Economic Forum

    According to a survey released Wednesday by the World Economic Forum, 41 percent of businesses plan to reduce their personnel as AI automates some duties.

    According to the WEF’s Future of Jobs Report, 77 percent of the hundreds of large organisations questioned worldwide stated that they planned to reskill and upskill their current employees between 2025 and 2030 to better operate alongside AI.

    Read also: Nvidia’s dominance in AI drives a $2 trillion market value increase

    However, this year’s report did not state that the majority of technologies, including artificial intelligence, were anticipated to be “a net positive” for job numbers, in contrast to the previous edition from 2023.

    The WEF said in a press release ahead of its annual meeting in Davos later this month that “advances in AI and renewable energy are reshaping the (labour) market — driving an increase in demand for many technology or specialist roles while driving a decline for others, such as graphic designers.”

    The managing director of the forum, Saadia Zahidi, emphasised in the comprehensive report how generative AI is changing tasks and industries in every field. When users prompt the technology, it can produce unique text, photos, and other content.

    Employers anticipate the fastest loss in employment in the upcoming years for positions such as payroll clerks, executive secretaries, and postal service clerks, whether as a result of the expansion of artificial intelligence or other factors.

    “The presence of both graphic designers and legal secretaries just outside the top 10 fastest-declining job roles, a first-time prediction not seen in previous editions of the Future of Jobs Report, may illustrate GenAI’s increasing capacity to perform knowledge work,” the report said.

    Read also: DeepSeek V3: China’s AI model excels in coding, translation and essay writing, outperforming GPT-4

    70% of companies to hire AI experts

    On the other hand, there is a growing need for AI skills. According to the most recent poll, which was carried out last year, nearly 70 percent of businesses aim to hire new employees with the ability to build AI tools and advancements, and 62 percent plan to hire more individuals with the ability to work more effectively alongside AI.

    The report ended on a positive note by stating that, “particularly given the continued importance of human-centred skills,” the main effect of technologies like generative AI on jobs may be in their ability to “augment” human skills through “human-machine collaboration,” rather than in complete replacement.

    However, AI has already displaced a large number of workers. AI has been used as an excuse for layoffs by some digital companies in recent years, such as the language-learning software Duolingo and the file storage provider Dropbox.

  • AI and robotics experts gather for Nigeria’s RAIN Tech Summit 1.0 in Ibadan

    AI and robotics experts gather for Nigeria’s RAIN Tech Summit 1.0 in Ibadan

    Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Robotics Nigeria has announced the first-ever RAIN Tech Summit 1.0, which is expected to be the country’s largest assembly of robots and AI specialists.

    The summit, which intends to stimulate creativity, highlight innovative projects, and build relationships among industry leaders, will be declared open by Governor Seyi Makinde, according to a statement issued by RAIN CEO Olusola Ayoola in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, on Sunday.

    Read also: Deadline alert: Apply for the LASRIC Innovation Challenge 2025 before it’s too late!

    Bosun Tijani, the Minister of Communications, Innovation, and Digital Economy, will be the keynote speaker at the conference to discuss the theme, ‘The RAIN of Transformation Is Upon Us: CEOs Arise!’

    “The Vice-Chancellor of Summit University, Abiodun Aibinu, will discuss the ‘SWOT Analysis of Hardware Development in Nigeria,’ focusing on challenges faced by hardware startups,” the statement said

    “The Academic Director of the Tech Leap Initiative at Lagos Business School, Olu Akanmu, will provide insights on building resilient tech businesses in Nigeria.”

    Panel discussions on technological ecosystem 

    There will also be two panel discussions about the technology ecosystem with prominent figures from the industry, including Obi Ebuka David, the founder of AutogonAI, and Chuks Ekwueme, the chairman of Uniccon Group.

    Read also: ASUS unveils the world’s lightest AI laptop, commercial AI desktops at CES 2025

    The immediate former CEO of First Bank Group, Adesola Adeduntan, is the honoured guest.

    Additionally, the summit will include a competition with 194 teams competing for cash prizes. Judges for the competition will include Chinedu Ogwus, Regional Director for Africa at RAS, SPE International, and Bunmi Ajala, National Director of the National Centre for AI and Robotics.

    The event is scheduled for Saturday, January 25, 2025, at the Aweni Arena Event Centre in Ibadan.