Author: Joseph Michael

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…

To ensure ethical adoption and responsible application of artificial intelligence in Nigeria, an Islamic leader has called on the National Assembly to introduce clear regulatory frameworks guiding its use, warning that the technology could pose serious societal threats if left unchecked. The call was made by Suleiman Yusuf Njoku, the Chief Imam of Imo State, who expressed concern over the rapid integration of AI into various aspects of society without corresponding legal oversight. He noted that while artificial intelligence holds immense potential to drive innovation and economic growth, it also presents ethical and moral challenges that must not be ignored.…

The Algerian government has launched a national innovation call inviting startups, researchers, and technology experts to develop artificial intelligence (AI) and smart technology solutions for the country’s water management challenges. The initiative, announced by the Ministry of Knowledge Economy, Start-ups and Micro-enterprises, marks a major step in Algeria’s push for digital transformation and climate-resilient resource planning. Titled a “national open call for water innovation,” the programme seeks proposals in areas such as AI-driven monitoring systems, Internet of Things (IoT) connectivity, smart irrigation, energy-efficient desalination, water reuse technologies, and climate adaptation tools. By encouraging practical, technology-driven solutions, the government aims to…

Egypt has formally released its National Guidelines for Trustworthy and Responsible Artificial Intelligence, setting a comprehensive framework for the development, deployment, and oversight of AI across both public and private sectors. The guidelines, released at the Egyptian Ministry of Communications and Information Technology headquarters in Cairo, are designed to operationalise Egypt’s existing AI governance framework by providing practical methodologies, compliance checklists, and metrics for developers, data scientists, and compliance officers. The guidelines emphasise that AI systems must be safe, transparent, and aligned with ethical principles, while supporting technological innovation. They highlight the protection of individual rights, accountability in AI systems,…