Author: Okikiola O. Johnson

The University of Cape Town (UCT) has announced the launch of Africa’s first higher‑education‑dedicated artificial intelligence (AI) compute initiative, a landmark effort to strengthen the continent’s research and innovation capabilities in AI technologies. The African Compute Initiative (ACI) will establish the largest GPU-intensive computing cluster at an African university, providing local researchers and students with the high-performance infrastructure needed to develop and test AI systems. The initiative is part of the AI for Development (AI4D) programme, co-funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Canada’s International Development Research Centre. By providing researchers across Africa with dedicated compute…

Washington, D.C. – Melania Trump has highlighted the growing role of artificial intelligence in education, using a hypothetical AI-powered teacher named “Plato” to illustrate how emerging technologies could reshape learning in the future. Speaking at a White House event focused on education and technology, Trump outlined the potential for AI systems to support personalised learning and expand access to educational resources. Her remarks formed part of a broader discussion on how digital tools, including robotics, may influence classroom teaching and student engagement. During the event, a humanoid robot developed by Figure AI was also presented, demonstrating recent advances in robotics and…

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). Expert on artificial intelligence, Prof. Anish Kurien, has joined global and regional experts at a World Bank Group AI consultation held in Pretoria, South Africa, contributing to discussions shaping the forthcoming World Development Report 2026 on “Artificial Intelligence for Development.” The high-level consultation, hosted in South Africa’s administrative capital, brought together policymakers, academics, and development partners to examine how artificial intelligence could influence economic growth, public service delivery, and labour markets across developing countries. Prof. Kurien, who serves as Acting Director of the TUT AI Hub, is part of the academic delegation providing insights on how African…

The Safer-Media Initiative has trained journalists in Benin City, Edo State, on the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) as part of efforts to promote the responsible adoption of emerging technologies in Nigeria’s media landscape. The training, held in Benin City, brought together media practitioners to explore how AI is reshaping journalism and the need to apply ethical standards when using such tools in news production. As AI continues to gain traction in newsrooms across Nigeria and globally, concerns around misinformation, data privacy, and the credibility of AI-generated content have become increasingly prominent. During the session, organisers emphasised that while…

Multiverse Computing is rolling out its CompactifAI platform to the global market, aiming to address rising costs and infrastructure demands associated with deploying large-scale artificial intelligence systems. The company said CompactifAI is designed to compress large AI models significantly while maintaining performance, enabling faster processing and lower operational costs. The technology targets enterprises seeking to deploy advanced AI tools without the heavy computing requirements typically associated with large language models. Chief Executive Officer Enrique Lizaso Olmos said the company’s focus is on making artificial intelligence more accessible and efficient. “We want to transform the way organisations deploy AI by reducing…

The United Kingdom has announced a £45 million investment in an artificial intelligence-powered supercomputer to accelerate research into fusion energy, as part of efforts to advance next-generation clean power technologies. The system will be developed at the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s Culham Campus and will combine high-performance computing with AI-driven modelling to simulate the extreme plasma conditions inside fusion reactors. Scientists say the capability is essential to improving reactor design and bringing fusion energy closer to commercial viability. UK Science Minister Lord Patrick Vallance said the initiative reflects Britain’s ambition to lead global clean energy innovation, stating: “We can be…

As Artificial Intelligence continues to revolutionise work across Africa, Cassava Technologies, known for its expansive digital infrastructure spanning data centres, cloud services and fibre connectivity, has deployed a new AI factory in South Africa, with plans to expand the initiative across the continent. The company said the AI factory is designed to deliver high-performance computing capabilities and scalable AI tools to enterprises, startups and public sector institutions, helping to bridge the infrastructure gap that has historically limited AI adoption across Africa. The facility will serve as a regional hub for AI development, enabling machine learning model training, large-scale data processing…

The officials and investors of Xbow have confirmed that the AI security start-up has reached a valuation of more than $1 billion following its latest funding round, earning the company the prestigious “unicorn” status. The Washington-based cybersecurity company raised $120 million in a Series C financing round. The round was led by DFJ Growth and Northzone, with participation from new investors Alkeon Capital and Sofina, as well as existing backers including Sequoia Capital, Altimeter Capital, and NFDG Ventures. The fresh capital will be used to accelerate product development, expand enterprise sales, and support international growth amid rising demand for AI-driven security…

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer an optional tool; it’s a strategic imperative. From small businesses using simple automation to global corporations harnessing AI at scale, organisations are navigating the changing stages of AI adoption. Understanding the distinction between Basic AI and Enterprise AI is crucial for maximising value, minimising risks, and driving innovation and productivity. 1. Understanding Basic AI and Enterprise AI Basic AI Basic AI consists of pre-built, easy-to-deploy tools designed for general-purpose tasks. These solutions require minimal technical expertise and infrastructure. Examples include: A. Virtual Assistants (like Google Assistant or Alexa) Virtual assistants are AI-powered tools designed to help users…

Chinese technology giant Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. has launched a new enterprise‑oriented artificial intelligence platform designed to help companies automate complex work through connected AI “agents,” marking a major strategic push into one of China’s fastest‑growing segments of the tech industry. The platform, named Wukong, entered an invitation‑only beta and is positioned as a tool for businesses to coordinate multiple AI assistants under a single interface. Sources familiar with Alibaba’s plans say Wukong can handle activities such as editing documents, updating spreadsheets, transcribing meetings and conducting research tasks that previously required human effort or segmental automation. “This is part of our push…