Author: Joseph Michael

Google has quietly released a new AI-powered dictation app that works entirely offline on iOS devices, marking a significant step in its push toward on-device artificial intelligence. Called Google AI Edge Eloquent, the app converts spoken words into structured text in real time using on-device AI models, allowing users to dictate without an internet connection after downloading the necessary speech models. It is available for free on the Apple App Store with no subscription fees or usage caps. Unlike traditional voice-to-text tools that transcribe everything verbatim, the app uses Google’s lightweight Gemma automatic speech recognition models to remove filler words…

Global calls for entries have opened for major artificial intelligence awards in 2026, inviting participation from technology teams, AI departments, startups, and organisations worldwide. The Globee Awards for Artificial Intelligence are accepting nominations to recognise outstanding achievements in AI, including advancements in machine learning, data-driven systems, automation, and predictive analytics. Organisations of all sizes are eligible to enter. The World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) has opened applications for its SAIL (Super AI Leader) Award, with a prize pool exceeding $280,000. The award targets AI innovators whose projects demonstrate technological excellence and real-world impact across sectors such as healthcare, energy, manufacturing,…

A new artificial intelligence model, DeepSeek-Coder, has been launched to assist developers in programming tasks, offering capabilities ranging from code generation to debugging and workflow automation. The AI tool aims to streamline software development processes and improve coding efficiency for both individual developers and enterprise teams. According to the developers, DeepSeek-Coder leverages advanced machine learning algorithms to understand programming languages and generate code snippets that adhere to best practices. The model supports multiple languages, including Python, JavaScript, Java, and C#, and can integrate with popular integrated development environments (IDEs), enabling seamless adoption into existing workflows. Early testing has shown that…

Cognichip, a semiconductor startup focused on artificial intelligence-driven chip development, has raised $60 million in fresh funding to scale its AI-powered design platform, as competition intensifies in the global AI hardware market. The funding round was led by Seligman Ventures, with participation from other industry investors, bringing the company’s total funding to approximately $93 million since its launch in 2024. The company is developing a physics-informed AI model designed to automate complex stages of semiconductor design, a process that traditionally requires years of engineering effort and significant financial investment. Cognichip said its technology aims to reduce chip development costs by…

Researchers at Lund University in Sweden have developed an artificial intelligence model capable of detecting and distinguishing several neurodegenerative brain diseases from a single blood sample. The findings were published on March 31, 2026, in the journal Nature Medicine. The AI system was created by a team led by Dr Jacob Vogel, assistant professor and head of a research group within the MultiPark strategic research area at Lund University, and Dr Lijun An, postdoctoral researcher specialising in neurodegeneration. The work was conducted in collaboration with colleagues from the Swedish BioFINDER study and the Global Neurodegenerative Proteomics Consortium, an international collaboration that maintains…

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has launched a continent-wide artificial intelligence (AI) training programme for African public sector officials and judicial professionals, aiming to equip 20,000 participants with skills in AI adoption and governance. The initiative was officially launched at the G20 “AI for Africa” conference in Cape Town, held under the South African G20 presidency. UNESCO emphasised that the programme seeks to modernise public administration, strengthen judicial efficiency, and improve service delivery. It is designed to ensure that AI adoption is grounded in ethical principles, legal compliance, and human rights protections, while promoting transparency, accountability, and responsible innovation.…

The Nigeria Computer Society (NCS), Lagos State Chapter, in partnership with the Salako Maven Foundation, has launched the fifth edition of the Salako Maven Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Prize (SMARP), aimed at accelerating youth‑driven innovation and job creation in Nigeria. The announcement was made in Lagos by Tunde Ogunremi, Director‑General of the Salako Maven Foundation, who disclosed this to Journalists on Tuesday. Ogunremi said the programme is intended to identify and support emerging entrepreneurs working on projects in artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics. “Nigeria cannot afford to lag behind in artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies. This initiative is about…

In an effort to ensure a level playing field in its operations and maintain competitiveness among firms, the Public Relations Consultants Association of Nigeria (PRCAN) is spearheading the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) in public relations practice across Africa, according to its president, Dr Nkechi Ali-Balogun. Speaking at a recent industry engagement in Lagos, Ali-Balogun emphasised that integrating AI into public relations is becoming critical for agencies seeking to remain relevant in an increasingly data-driven, technology-enabled environment. He noted that PRCAN is taking proactive steps to ensure its members are equipped to compete fairly while embracing innovation. “Artificial intelligence is…

South Korean artificial intelligence chip developer Rebellions announced it has secured $400 million in a pre‑IPO funding round, valuing the company at approximately $2.34 billion as it prepares for a public listing. The round was led by Mirae Asset Financial Group, with participation from the Korea National Growth Fund, a state-backed investment vehicle. The investment from the national fund marks its first direct contribution under the government’s initiative to foster domestic AI semiconductor companies. Rebellions, founded in 2020 and based in Seoul, designs neural processing units (NPUs) optimised for AI inference, the stage where trained AI models are deployed for…

A Nigerian film is turning heads internationally by offering a distinctly African perspective on artificial intelligence, a field often dominated by Western narratives and frameworks. Makemation, produced by Nigerian filmmaker and AI expert Toyosi Akerele-Ogunsiji, explores the social, ethical, and technological implications of AI through the lens of African experiences. Released in 2025, Makemation tells the story of Zara, a young Nigerian girl navigating poverty, gender expectations, and limited access to education, who discovers the transformative potential of artificial intelligence. Rather than portraying AI as a distant, abstract technology, the film emphasises its practical relevance to local communities and the…