Author: Okikiola O. Johnson

Google said its AI Mode in Search has surpassed 1 billion monthly users, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ongoing transition toward artificial intelligence–driven and agentic search experiences. The company disclosed the figure in a product update, noting that adoption has accelerated rapidly as users increasingly engage with conversational, AI-generated responses integrated directly into Search. AI Mode is powered by Google’s Gemini family of models and is designed to synthesise information from multiple sources into direct answers, reducing reliance on traditional lists of web links. Sundar Pichai, business executive and Chief Executive Officer of Google and its parent company,…

South Africa has emerged as the leading adopter of generative artificial intelligence (AI) on the African continent, according to a recent report by Microsoft. The report highlights the country’s rapid integration of AI technologies, including large language models, AI-driven analytics, and automation tools, across sectors such as finance, healthcare, and retail. Despite South Africa’s progress, Microsoft notes that Africa as a whole continues to trail global adoption, with countries such as the United States, China, and the United Kingdom leading in AI deployment and integration. “South Africa is showing that African countries can be at the forefront of AI innovation,”…

Young People in Tech (YPIT), a global community founded in Lagos in 2022, has launched a multi-week artificial intelligence programme titled The Artificial Future, aimed at connecting and accelerating Africa’s emerging AI builder framework. The programme, running from May to June 2026 across Lagos and online, includes a global webinar and workshop series, a two-weekend AI hackathon, and a closing conference expected to bring together over 1,000 participants. Organisers say the initiative is designed to strengthen collaboration among African AI developers working on locally relevant systems, such as African-language datasets, speech recognition tools, and healthcare applications adapted to regional contexts.…

Derragui Hibat-Allah-Mouna | Lois Christopher Mwamzanya | Thiouna Traore | Amanda Sibanda | Marie Yahaya Abdou Maikassoua | Amie Marie Flora Dushimumukiza | Fifaliana Arizaka | Cathleen Sacheus | Olorato Ralefala The AWC Women and Girls Digital Tech Hub has announced the successful graduation of nine women from across Africa following the completion of its six-month Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science Program, Cohort 1. The initiative was jointly implemented by the Helpline Social Support Initiative, Africa Women Conference (AWC), and DataCamp Donates USA, and was designed to equip women and girls with future-ready digital skills in Artificial Intelligence, Data…

Several leading universities in the United Kingdom have expelled students for using artificial intelligence tools to cheat on academic work, amid a sharp increase in AI-related misconduct cases across the higher education sector. New figures obtained through Freedom of Information requests show that thousands of students at major British universities were investigated or disciplined during the 2024-25 academic year for improper use of generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT in essays, coursework, and examinations. Among the institutions taking disciplinary action were University College London, Imperial College London, the University of Leeds and the University of Glasgow, according to reports published…

Microsoft’s head of artificial intelligence has warned that white-collar work is on the verge of a rapid transformation as AI systems become capable of handling a growing share of knowledge-based tasks. According to his outlook, the next 18 months could mark a turning point in how office jobs are structured, executed, and even defined. The prediction centres on the accelerating capability of AI tools to perform tasks traditionally handled by professionals in fields such as administration, finance, law, marketing, and technology. Rather than gradual change over decades, the shift is expected to unfold quickly as organisations adopt AI systems at…

Without any doubt, Artificial intelligence has moved far beyond simply responding to prompts or executing commands. A more subtle and arguably more powerful shift is now underway: the rise of anticipatory AI, systems designed to predict what humans will do next and act ahead of time. This development represents a major change in how we interact with technology. Instead of waiting for input, these systems attempt to infer intent, context, and future behaviour. In doing so, they are gradually reshaping how decisions are made across digital environments, from search engines and entertainment platforms to finance, healthcare, and workplace tools. Understanding…

Nigeria’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has said it is positioning artificial intelligence (AI), data analytics, and fintech integration at the centre of sweeping reforms aimed at expanding the country’s capital market and boosting retail investor participation to 20 million. The Director-General of the SEC, Emomotimi Agama, disclosed this during the FSDH Investor Conference 2026 in Lagos, where he outlined the Commission’s ongoing efforts to modernise Nigeria’s investment ecosystem through technology-driven regulation and innovation. According to him, the future of Nigeria’s capital market will be shaped by “intelligent investing,” a framework where data and AI systems play a central role…

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…