Author: Okikiola O. Johnson

Nigeria’s push for artificial intelligence and digital transformation has received another major boost as Nigeria LNG Limited (NLNG) officially opened submissions for the 2026 edition of The Nigeria Prize for Science and Innovation, with a whopping $100,000 prize at stake. The prestigious award, regarded as one of Africa’s richest and most respected science prizes, is calling on scientists, researchers, innovators, and technology experts to submit groundbreaking solutions focused on Artificial Intelligence (AI), Information and Communication Technology (ICT), and digital innovations capable of driving national and global development. According to the organisers, the 2026 competition theme is centred on: “Innovations in…

WhatsApp is rolling out a new privacy feature designed specifically for conversations with Meta AI, introducing what the company describes as an “incognito” experience for users who want more discreet interactions with the chatbot. The update, now available to selected users on both Android and iPhone, adds a separate privacy layer to AI conversations in WhatsApp. Once enabled, chats with Meta AI can be hidden from the main conversation list, protected behind device authentication and excluded from certain forms of chat history visibility. The move signals Meta’s latest attempt to address growing concerns around AI privacy as generative assistants become…

Google has introduced a major upgrade to Gboard, integrating its Gemini AI models into a new dictation system that automatically refines spoken input into polished text. Announced during Google’s Android Show: I/O Edition 2026, the feature upgrades traditional voice typing by using AI to interpret meaning, remove filler words, and restructure sentences in real time, producing cleaner output without manual editing. Google said the update is designed to make voice input feel more like assisted writing than transcription. “We want dictation to feel like you’re expressing ideas, not correcting them afterwards,” a Google product lead said during the presentation. The…

General Motors has laid off more than 600 salaried employees from its information technology division as the automaker accelerates its transition toward artificial intelligence-focused operations. The decision reflects a growing trend among major corporations to restructure their workforces around AI capabilities rather than traditional software and IT functions. The layoffs reportedly affect more than 10% of GM’s IT workforce and are being described as part of a broader “skills transformation” strategy rather than a standard cost-cutting exercise. The company is said to be prioritising engineers and specialists with expertise in artificial intelligence, automation, machine learning infrastructure, and advanced data systems.…

A China–Africa artificial intelligence initiative has called on young people across Africa to submit innovation cases demonstrating practical AI applications in real-world settings. The programme, titled the AI Case Innovation Competition and Study Visit for African Youth, is organised under the Secretariat of the Chinese Follow-up Committee of the Forum on China–Africa Cooperation (FOCAC). It forms part of ongoing cooperation efforts between China and African countries in science, technology, digital transformation, and youth development. The competition aims to identify functional, scalable AI solutions developed by African youth and to highlight how artificial intelligence is being used to address social, economic,…

The Katsina State Government has organised a training programme for media aides, focusing on artificial intelligence (AI) and social media communication, as part of efforts to modernise public engagement and strengthen digital communication strategies. The training brought together government media personnel and communication aides to explore how emerging technologies, particularly AI tools, can improve information management, content creation, public communication, and online engagement. Participants were introduced to practical applications of AI in media and communication, including content drafting, audience analytics, digital storytelling, media monitoring, and social media management. The programme also highlighted the importance of responsible communication, fact-checking, and combating…

OpenAI has introduced a new safety feature called “Trusted Contact,” designed to strengthen protections for users who may express or exhibit signs of self-harm risk during conversations with ChatGPT. The feature allows adult users to voluntarily select and designate a trusted individual, such as a close family member, friend, or caregiver, who can be contacted in rare situations where the system detects serious safety concerns. OpenAI stated that its aim is to bridge the gap between digital interaction and real-world support for users who may be in crisis. According to the company, Trusted Contact is activated only when automated monitoring…

NVIDIA and IREN have announced a strategic partnership to accelerate the deployment of large-scale artificial intelligence infrastructure globally, as demand for high-performance computing continues to rise across industries. Under the agreement announced on Thursday, the companies said they plan to support the deployment of up to five gigawatts of NVIDIA DSX-aligned AI infrastructure across IREN’s global data centre network over time. The initial focus will be IREN’s two-gigawatt Sweetwater campus in Texas, described as a flagship site for next-generation AI factories. The collaboration also includes deploying NVIDIA accelerated computing systems in AI factories operated by IREN to expand access to…

The United States government is moving to formally safety-test some of the world’s most advanced artificial intelligence systems, including those developed by Google, Microsoft, and xAI, to address mounting national security and public safety concerns tied to rapidly evolving AI capabilities. The initiative is being coordinated through the U.S. Department of Commerce, specifically its Centre for AI Standards and Innovation (CAISI). Under the arrangement, the companies will provide the government with early or pre-release access to their most advanced AI models. These systems, often described as “frontier AI”, will then undergo structured evaluations designed to uncover weaknesses, risks of misuse,…

Artificial intelligence company Anthropic is teaming up with investment giants Blackstone and Goldman Sachs to launch a major new venture to accelerate AI adoption across the corporate world. The reported $1.5 billion initiative will focus on bringing advanced AI tools into companies owned or backed by private equity firms. Rather than simply offering access to its AI models, Anthropic plans to work closely with these businesses to integrate AI into their daily operations. The venture reflects a broader shift in the AI industry. While many organisations are eager to adopt artificial intelligence, they often lack the technical expertise and infrastructure…