Author: Michael O Oke

The United Nations Independent International Scientific Panel on Artificial Intelligence has begun a landmark global study to assess the human-centred impacts of AI, marking one of the most coordinated international efforts yet to evaluate the technology’s rapid rise. The 40-member expert panel, established following a United Nations General Assembly mandate, brings together leading researchers, policymakers, and interdisciplinary specialists to examine how AI is reshaping economies, governance systems, labour markets, and public services. The study focuses on ensuring that AI development remains aligned with human rights, safety, and equitable global access. UN Secretary-General António Guterres has repeatedly underscored the urgency of…

Ghana is expanding its use of artificial intelligence (AI) and precision technologies to strengthen scientific research, agriculture, and healthcare systems, as institutions deploy new digital tools to improve innovation and productivity. The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research–Institute for Scientific and Technological Information (CSIR-INSTI) has introduced AI-powered applications designed to support key sectors, particularly agriculture and healthcare. These tools include mobile and web-based systems that help farmers detect crop diseases in maize and tomato plants, as well as a microscope-integrated mobile solution to improve early malaria detection in clinical settings. Researchers say the rollout forms part of a broader national…

South Africa has released a draft national Artificial Intelligence (AI) policy aimed at building new regulatory institutions, strengthening governance, and accelerating AI-driven innovation across the economy. The policy, published by the Department of Communications and Digital Technologies, proposes establishing a National AI Commission, an AI Ethics Board, and an AI Regulatory Authority. These bodies would be responsible for oversight, ethical compliance, and coordination of AI-related regulation across both public and private sectors. According to government briefing notes accompanying the draft, the framework is designed to ensure that AI development in South Africa remains “anchored on ethical standards, accountability, and human…

A self-driving car operating in autonomous mode struck and killed a mother duck this week in the Mueller neighbourhood of Austin, Texas, raising concerns about the safety of autonomous vehicle technology. The incident occurred near Mueller Lake Park, where residents said the duck was well-known and regularly seen. A local resident shared that the autonomous vehicle “didn’t slow down or hesitate at all, just steamrolled through” before hitting the duck. They added that the vehicle did not stop after the collision. An Avride spokesperson confirmed the vehicle was in autonomous mode and stated that the company reviewed vehicle data and…

Global AI, a leading provider of autonomous artificial intelligence solutions, has announced a landmark deployment of its agentic AI platform with a top-tier pharmaceutical company, marking a major step forward in applying AI to complex research and operational processes. The agreement, described as one of the largest of its kind in the healthcare sector, will see Global AI’s autonomous agents integrated into the pharmaceutical firm’s drug development pipeline, from early-stage research to clinical trial optimisation. These agents are designed to operate independently, making decisions and executing tasks with minimal human oversight, a capability that promises to accelerate research timelines and…

Automated traffic generated by artificial intelligence (AI) bots has surged 300% over the past year, creating widespread concern across the global publishing industry about declining website referrals, lost revenue, and the future of digital content distribution. The surge is primarily driven by AI “fetcher” bots, which crawl and extract content in real time to provide answers to users without directing traffic back to the original source. Publishers say this undermines page views, reduces advertising revenue, and disrupts subscription models. Patrick Sullivan, Chief Technology Officer for Security Strategy at Akamai, said, “AI bots are eroding core revenue streams while driving up…

OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT, has called on companies to experiment with four‑day workweek trials as AI technologies increasingly transform productivity and workplace dynamics. In its recently released policy blueprint, Industrial Policy for the Intelligence Age: Ideas to Keep People First, OpenAI outlined several proposals to help societies adapt to the economic and social changes brought about by advanced AI. Central among these is a recommendation for 32‑hour, four‑day workweeks with no reduction in pay, allowing employees to benefit from efficiency gains while maintaining output levels. “We believe that as AI reshapes work and production, it’s important that the benefits…

Anthropic has introduced a powerful new artificial intelligence model, known as “Mythos,” as part of a broader push into cybersecurity, but the company is withholding a full public release amid concerns over the system’s potential misuse. The mode, formally referred to as Claude Mythos Preview, is designed to autonomously detect and analyse software vulnerabilities across complex systems. Early tests show it can identify critical flaws in major operating systems and web browsers, including long-hidden bugs that had evaded human experts for years. Anthropic said the system represents a significant leap in capability, particularly in its ability to uncover “high-severity vulnerabilities,” prompting the company…

The National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) on Tuesday launched Nigeria’s first-ever chip design training programme, marking a significant step in efforts to build local capacity in semiconductor technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI). The programme was unveiled in the nation’s capital as part of broader initiatives to strengthen indigenous tech skills and position the country within the global semiconductor value chain. Addressing stakeholders at the inauguration event, NBTE Executive Secretary Prof. Idris Bugaje said the programme is designed to address the global skills gap in semiconductor design and enable Nigerian youth to compete in high‑tech industries. “There are very serious,…

The landscape of modern conflict is undergoing a seismic shift, driven by the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the very fabric of military operations. At the heart of this transformation lies Project Maven, arguably the most significant and controversial AI initiative in the history of the US As we move through 2026, the programme has evolved from a niche data-processing experiment into a central pillar of global security strategy. Here are five key facts you need to know about Project Maven and the future of AI in warfare. 1. It is the “Air Traffic Control” of Modern Combat Launched…