Author: Joy Levi

Japan’s government has approved an additional 631.5 billion yen (about $3.96 billion) in funding for semiconductor startup Rapidus, intensifying its drive to secure a foothold in the global AI chip race. The latest support, announced by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, aims to accelerate research and development of advanced 2-nanometre chips, which are expected to power next-generation artificial intelligence systems and high-performance computing infrastructure. A statement from the ministry read: “The government will provide 631.5 billion yen in additional assistance to chipmaker Rapidus Corp. to support its 2-nanometer chip production,” as disclosed by industry officials at a facility…

The University of Lagos has appointed Chika Yinka-Banjo as the pioneer director of its newly established AI UniPod, a facility aimed at advancing artificial intelligence research and innovation. The university said the appointment takes effect from March 2026 and will run for an initial two-year term. The AI UniPod is designed to support research, training and collaboration in emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence. The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen digital capacity in Nigeria, where institutions are increasingly investing in technology-driven education and innovation. Professor Yinka-Banjo, an expert in artificial intelligence and robotics, is expected to lead the…

The Nigerian Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has declared that Nigeria is strategically positioned to lead Africa in the unfolding Artificial Intelligence (AI) revolution, underscoring the country’s commitment to building a homegrown innovation network and digital infrastructure. Speaking recently at the launch of the Artificial Intelligence University Innovation Pod (UniPod) at the University of Lagos. Shettima, who was represented by the Deputy Chief of Staff to the President, Senator Ibrahim Hassan Hadejia, described AI as “humanity’s most powerful general-purpose technology,” capable of transforming economic, social, and technological landscapes if deployed responsibly and inclusively. “I believe Nigeria is prepared to lead the whole African continent in this…

Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has issued a stark threat against the Stargate artificial intelligence data centre currently under construction in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, escalating the already tense geopolitical environment in the Middle East. In a video released publicly on April 3, IRGC spokesperson Brigadier General Ebrahim Zolfaghari warned that Iran would retaliate with “complete and utter annihilation” of the $30 billion facility and other U.S.‑linked technology infrastructure in the region if the United States proceeds with threatened strikes on Iranian civilian power plants and energy systems. The video includes satellite imagery that zooms in on the desert…

Amazon.com has broadened access to its Health AI healthcare artificial intelligence assistant, making the service available on its main website and mobile app for all U.S. customers, not just members of One Medical or Prime. The AI-powered assistant, originally launched within the One Medical app, helps users manage more than 30 non-emergency health conditions, including acne, sleep apnea, diabetes, and colds. It can answer questions about symptoms and medications, explain test results, and connect users with human clinicians when necessary. “Health AI is designed to handle the logistical and informational work that creates friction in health care, so patients and…

You’re watching a high-profile tech clash reshuffling the app landscape: Anthropic’s Claude climbed to the top of Apple’s US App Store in the wake of a public dispute with the Pentagon. Claude’s surge followed intense media attention and user interest after the Pentagon flagged the company as a supply-chain concern and paused federal use, coinciding with a surge in downloads and social support. This post will unpack how the App Store ranking change happened, what role the Pentagon disagreement played, and what the episode means for AI firms, government policy and public perception. You’ll get clear, sourced context on the…

Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. announced on Monday the launch of its latest artificial intelligence model, Qwen3.5, a next-generation system designed to perform complex tasks autonomously, marking a key milestone in China’s rapidly evolving AI landscape. The company described the model as built for the emerging “agentic AI era,” in which artificial intelligence systems are expected to not only respond to queries but also plan, reason, and act with minimal human oversight. According to Alibaba, Qwen3.5 represents a major improvement over its predecessors, delivering enhanced efficiency and operational performance. The company stated that the model is approximately 60 per cent cheaper…

Dyna.Ai, a Singapore‑headquartered artificial intelligence service provider, has entered into a strategic partnership with PalmPay, one of Africa’s leading digital banking platforms, in a move aimed at accelerating the adoption of AI technologies in Nigeria’s financial sector. The partnership was officially announced at a private launch event in Lagos, attended by industry stakeholders, fintech experts, and government representatives. Both companies emphasised that the collaboration is focused on enhancing digital financial services across Nigeria, aiming to improve operational efficiency, automate backend processes, and deliver an enhanced experience for millions of PalmPay users. Under the agreement, Dyna.Ai’s AI solutions will be embedded…

Canada and Germany have signed a joint declaration of intent on artificial intelligence (AI) and announced the launch of a new Sovereign Technology Alliance to deepen bilateral cooperation on advanced technologies, officials said on 14 February 2026. The agreement was finalised on the margins of the Munich Security Conference in Germany, signalling a strategic commitment by both countries to collaborate on AI research, infrastructure, skills development and secure technology ecosystems. The declaration was signed by Evan Solomon, Canada’s Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation, and Karsten Wildberger, Germany’s Minister for Digital Transformation and Government Modernisation. The leaders said the agreement builds on…

From early science-fiction portrayals of thinking machines to more recent debates about automation and surveillance, AI has often been discussed in dramatic, abstract terms. Against this backdrop, Google’s role in AI development has made it a focal point for speculation. As one of the world’s largest technology companies, Google operates at a scale that few organisations can match. Its AI systems influence how information is found, how content is recommended, how languages are translated, and how images and speech are interpreted. This ubiquity has created fertile ground for myths: some born of misunderstanding, others shaped by legitimate concerns that become…