Author: Joseph Michael

Google has unveiled a new Android security feature designed to combat the growing threat of AI-powered voice scams, introducing what it describes as a major step forward in protecting users from deepfake impersonation attacks. The feature, known as Fake Call Detection, is rolling out globally through the Phone by Google app on Android devices running Android 12 and newer. The update comes as cybercriminals increasingly use artificial intelligence to clone voices and impersonate family members, employers, government officials, and other trusted contacts. In many cases, scammers combine AI-generated voices with caller ID spoofing to make fraudulent calls appear legitimate. According…

DuckDuckGo has reported a sharp increase in app installs and search traffic following Google’s latest expansion of AI-powered search features, suggesting that a segment of users is actively seeking alternatives to AI-first search experiences. The surge comes in the days after Google unveiled major updates to Search at its I/O 2026 developer conference, where the company doubled down on AI integration through AI Mode, AI-generated search experiences, and more conversational search capabilities. While Google has described AI as the future of search, not all users appear convinced. According to data released by DuckDuckGo, U.S. app installs increased by an average…

The donation of a ₦500 million Artificial Intelligence (AI) and technology centre by Nigerian technology entrepreneur Leo Stan Ekeh to Holy Ghost College, Owerri, has renewed conversations about the role of private-sector investment in Nigeria’s education system. Unveiled during the school’s 77th anniversary celebration, the facility is designed to provide students with access to digital learning tools, AI-focused resources, internet connectivity, and technology-driven training opportunities. The centre includes all-in-one computers manufactured by Zinox Technologies, solar-powered electricity infrastructure, AI-enabled interactive screens, and prepaid Starlink internet connectivity. While the project has attracted attention because of its scale, its broader significance lies in…

AIBase Nig, Nigeria’s dedicated artificial intelligence news platform, has surpassed 4 million views on X, marking a significant digital milestone for the rapidly growing AI-focused media outlet. The achievement highlights the increasing demand for credible and accessible artificial intelligence news, analysis and industry updates across Nigeria and Africa. According to analytics publicly displayed on the platform’s official X account, AIBase Nig recently crossed the 4 million view mark as engagement around AI-related discussions continues to surge. Founded to provide timely coverage of artificial intelligence developments, AIBase Nig has steadily built a growing audience by reporting on global AI breakthroughs, African…

AI company Anthropic has officially overtaken OpenAI to become the world’s most valuable artificial intelligence startup after securing a massive $65 billion funding round that pushed its valuation to an extraordinary $965 billion. The funding milestone marks one of the largest private technology investment rounds ever recorded and signals the growing global demand for advanced AI systems. Anthropic, the company behind the Claude family of AI models, has rapidly emerged as one of the most influential players in the global AI race. According to reports published on May 28, the new Series H funding round was led by major investment firms,…

I spent time testing Nigeria’s newly launched AI government assistant, GovGuide Nigeria, and after trying multiple real-world prompts, one thing became clear: this is not a “do everything” AI tool. Its primary strength is information delivery. It is essentially a conversational government information assistant that helps Nigerians quickly understand public services, requirements, procedures, and where to go for official processes. The platform supports English, Hausa, Igbo, and Yoruba via web and WhatsApp. Instead of speaking generally about the platform, I tested six practical, government-related questions that ordinary Nigerians ask every day. Here is what I found. 1. “How do I…

The National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has urged Nigerian youths to take advantage of opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI) by developing homegrown solutions capable of addressing the country’s socio-economic challenges. The call was made during an Artificial Intelligence Hackathon organised in partnership with VibeCode Africa in Abuja. Speaking at the event, NITDA Director-General Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi encouraged young Nigerians to move beyond being consumers of foreign technologies and become creators of innovative digital products tailored to local needs. He noted that Nigeria’s youthful population represents a strong advantage in the global digital economy and can drive technological growth across…

Visa is using artificial intelligence (AI) systems to identify and target “high-intent” users in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as part of its wider strategy to expand digital payments in one of Africa’s most cash-dependent economies. The initiative is tied to the rollout of Visa Pay, a mobile-first payments platform designed to connect banks, mobile money operators, and consumers through interoperable digital infrastructure. The system enables users to send and receive money, pay merchants, and conduct online transactions in Congolese francs and U.S. dollars, while integrating with major mobile money services such as Airtel Money, Orange Money, and M-Pesa…

What began as a modest digital training programme in a public girls’ secondary school in southeastern Nigeria has quickly evolved into an unexpected international success story, placing students from Ado Girls Secondary School on the global artificial intelligence stage. The school recently received the Outstanding Organisation Award at the global AI Youth Competition organised by the International AI Youth Education Society, a contest that drew participants from countries including the United States, the United Kingdom, China and Russia. The recognition is being viewed as the result of targeted digital inclusion efforts rather than a sudden breakthrough. At the centre of…

The Higher Education Authority has urged universities and tertiary institutions to urgently integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into teaching, learning, research, and administration, describing it as a core driver of transformation in modern education rather than a peripheral tool. This position was reinforced at a Leadership Summit on Generative AI in Higher Education Teaching and Learning held at University College Cork, where education leaders, policymakers, and technology experts discussed how institutions can adopt generative AI responsibly while maintaining academic integrity and quality assurance. The HEA stressed that AI can no longer be treated as optional. It called for its integration into…