Author: Michael O Oke

Stripe has unveiled a new digital wallet called “Link”, designed to enable autonomous artificial intelligence (AI) agents to make online payments on behalf of users, marking a significant step towards what the company describes as “agentic commerce”. The announcement was made during Stripe’s annual Sessions conference, where the financial technology firm introduced a series of new products aimed at building infrastructure for AI-driven transactions. According to the company, Link is a consumer wallet that enables users to connect payment methods, manage subscriptions, and track spending, while also giving AI agents controlled access to make purchases on their behalf. The system…

Google is expanding its artificial intelligence capabilities by integrating an AI-powered search experience into YouTube, marking a significant step in the company’s broader push to reshape how users discover content online. The move will see Google introduce a more conversational search mode to YouTube, allowing users to ask detailed questions rather than relying on traditional keyword-based queries. The feature is designed to deliver more precise and context-aware results, including summarised answers, recommended video segments, and guided suggestions. The new system builds on Google’s wider rollout of AI-driven search tools, often referred to as “AI mode”, which aims to transform search…

The Metropolitan Police Service has launched a wide-ranging investigation into officers identified by an artificial intelligence system developed by Palantir Technologies, amid efforts to strengthen internal standards and accountability. The system, which analyses large volumes of internal data, flagged hundreds of officers for potential misconduct risks. These alerts are understood to span a range of concerns, from breaches of professional standards to more serious allegations. Scotland Yard confirmed that the tool is being used to support ongoing vetting and monitoring processes, rather than to make disciplinary decisions in isolation. Each case identified by the system is subject to further human…

Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote has raised concerns about the growing influence of artificial intelligence on the engineering profession, warning that the technology could significantly disrupt traditional roles if left unchecked. According to a report by Punch Newspapers, Dangote cautioned that rapid advances in AI are reshaping how engineering tasks are performed, potentially reducing the need for certain categories of human labour. His remarks come amid increasing global debate over how automation and intelligent systems are transforming technical industries. Dangote highlighted that engineering, long regarded as a cornerstone of industrial and economic development, is not immune to the changes driven by…

Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has warned that the rapid rise of artificial intelligence is beginning to erode entry-level job opportunities for young people, raising concerns about the long-term structure of the labour market. Speaking in recent interviews and public remarks, Sunak said it is “reasonable and understandable” for graduates to feel anxious about their prospects, particularly in sectors such as law, finance and professional services, where junior roles have traditionally been the first step on the career ladder. He noted that advances in AI tools are enabling firms to complete routine and analytical tasks with fewer junior staff.…

Tesla, Inc. has expanded its robotaxi rollout to include Dallas and Houston, marking a further step in the company’s push to establish a foothold in the autonomous ride-hailing market across the United States. The move extends Tesla’s ongoing efforts to deploy its Full Self-Driving (FSD) technology in real-world urban environments, as it seeks to transition from traditional electric-vehicle manufacturing to a broader artificial-intelligence and mobility-services provider. The introduction of robotaxi operations in the two major Texas cities follows earlier testing and limited deployments in select locations, where the company has been refining its software and operational model. Tesla’s robotaxi concept…

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…