Author: Okikiola O. Johnson

The Federal Government has unveiled an AI-powered National Cancer Control Plan (NCCP) for 2026–2030, marking a major step toward strengthening cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and research nationwide. The plan integrates artificial intelligence into public health systems to improve early detection, expand access to care, and enhance data-driven decision-making in cancer control. Speaking at the unveiling, government officials said the new framework reflects a shift toward technology-enabled healthcare, designed to reduce cancer-related deaths and address long-standing gaps in screening, diagnosis, and treatment. The AI-driven approach is expected to support risk assessment, automate screening processes, optimise treatment planning, and improve cancer surveillance…

In the global race for artificial intelligence, languages are quietly competing for survival. Those that are not digitised risk being left behind. With the launch of Google’s open speech dataset for African languages, Nigeria’s major indigenous tongues may finally be stepping into the AI spotlight. For years, artificial intelligence has struggled to understand African voices. From voice assistants that fail to recognise accents to speech-to-text tools that simply ignore indigenous languages, Africa, and Nigeria in particular, have remained on the sidelines of global AI conversation. That gap will now be closing up with Google launching WAXAL, a large open-access speech dataset…

From the farms of Benue to the bustling markets of Lagos, food moves through a long, inefficient journey before it reaches the Nigerian consumer. Along the way, delays, waste, and poor coordination quietly push prices higher. Tomatoes rot in transit, grains arrive late, and households pay the price. As food inflation tightens its grip on Nigeria, attention is shifting to an alternative ally, artificial intelligence. So here comes the pertinent question; can AI-powered supply chains fix what decades of inefficiency have broken? Let us find out. Nigeria’s Food Inflation Crisis Food prices in Nigeria have risen sharply in recent years,…

Dubai is transforming into a centre for artificial intelligence innovation, driven by substantial investments and strategic planning. It’s becoming a key location for international tech giants. The Mohamed bin Zayed University of AI is at the forefront of this transformation. The Dubai AI Strategy 2031 underscores the city’s commitment to fostering a supportive environment for AI companies worldwide. By promoting a culture of AI innovation, Dubai aims to draw in top talent and businesses. Dubai is rapidly becoming a significant player in the global AI scene. Its efforts are backed by substantial investment and a clear vision for the future.…

Carbon Robotics has achieved a major milestone in agricultural technology. They’ve developed the Large Plant Model (LPM), a cutting-edge AI system. This system can instantly spot and identify plants. This breakthrough changes the game for plant monitoring and management. It allows farmers to target weeds more precisely. This is done without requiring extensive retraining of robots. The LPM is trained on over 150 million images and data points. These were gathered by Carbon Robotics’ machines on farms worldwide. Key Takeaways Carbon Robotics’ Large Plant Model (LPM) enables instant detection and identification of plants. The LPM is trained on over 150…

Snowflake and OpenAI today unveiled a new multi-year strategic partnership valued at $200 million, aimed at embedding advanced AI capabilities directly into enterprise data environments and accelerating how businesses deploy intelligent applications and AI agents at scale. The announcement marks a major milestone in the evolution of enterprise artificial intelligence, bringing frontier AI closer to the data that powers the world’s largest organisations. Under the partnership, OpenAI’s industry-leading models — including the latest GPT-5.2 architecture — will be natively available inside the Snowflake AI Data Cloud. This integration enables Snowflake’s more than 12,600 global customers to build custom AI applications…

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, Elon Musk’s xAI has emerged as a significant player with its flagship AI assistant, Grok. Launched with the ambitious goal of “understanding the true nature of the universe,” xAI represents Musk’s vision for developing AI that is both powerful and aligned with human values. This article explores what xAI is, how Grok functions, and what sets it apart in the competitive AI market. Elon Musk’s xAI aims to create AI systems that help humanity understand the universe The Birth of xAI: Musk’s Vision for Artificial Intelligence Founded in 2023, xAI emerged from…

AFRI CONVERSE 2025 #4 Event – Africa’s AI Moment, Preparing for Rapid Growth November 25, 2025 Date December 12, 2025 Time 17:30–19:00 (Japan Standard Time) ／ 11:30–13:00 (East African Time) Location United Nations University 1F Annexe Space (hybrid — online broadcasting via Zoom) AFRI CONVERSE 2025 brings together experts, entrepreneurs and students to explore AI in Africa – how data-driven innovation can accelerate sustainable development across the continent, foster inclusion, and create opportunities for people and communities. Join us to hear how Africa is shaping the future of artificial intelligence and is being brought together with international partners to…

Nigeria’s hospitality industry stands at a pivotal crossroads in 2025. With projections to reach US $2.61 billion by 2029, the sector faces both promising growth opportunities and persistent challenges. Infrastructure deficits, high operating costs, uneven service quality, and staff shortages continue to hamper potential. However, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a transformative force that could help Nigerian hospitality businesses overcome these obstacles while enhancing guest experiences and operational efficiency. AI technologies are transforming guest experiences in Nigeria’s hospitality sector. This comprehensive guide explores how AI is reshaping Nigeria’s hospitality landscape, examining practical applications, benefits, challenges, and implementation strategies. From…

The tech giant has launched the AI Skilling Blueprint for Africa. It’s a detailed plan to help governments build a futureproof workforce. This plan is part of a bigger effort to boost innovation in Africa. It aims to close the skills gap on the continent. The AI Skilling Blueprint is a step-by-step guide. It helps countries create national skilling strategies. It focuses on developing people who can use, implement, and innovate with AI. By introducing this blueprint, the organisation wants to meet the need for skilled professionals. This will drive progress and innovation. Google’s Strategic AI Initiative in Africa Google…