Author: Ugochukwu Levi F

Music legend Lionel Richie has filed trademark applications to protect the sound of his voice, becoming one of the latest high-profile entertainers to take legal action against the growing threat posed by artificial intelligence-powered voice cloning and deepfake technologies. The applications, submitted to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), seek trademark protection for distinctive vocal recordings associated with some of Richie’s most recognisable songs. The filings reportedly cover vocal phrases from classics including “Hello,” “Say You, Say Me,” “Easy Like Sunday Morning,” and “All Night Long.” The move comes as generative AI tools become increasingly capable of replicating…

SpaceX has agreed to acquire Anysphere, the parent company of AI coding platform Cursor, in an all-stock transaction valued at approximately $60 billion, marking one of the largest artificial intelligence acquisitions on record and a major expansion of the aerospace company’s ambitions in AI software. The deal, announced on Tuesday, will be executed through X67 Inc., a wholly owned SpaceX subsidiary established for the merger. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals and customary closing conditions. The acquisition comes just days after SpaceX completed its landmark public offering and highlights the…

In most conversations about artificial intelligence in Nigeria, there is a familiar assumption: that the country is still “catching up.” But according to AI Automation Engineer and co-founder of EasyMarketPro, Jerry Byang, in a recent interview with AIbase Nigeria, that notion misses the real story entirely. Nigeria is not behind AI adoption. It is still in the early phase of a much larger operational transformation, one that is quietly beginning inside forward-thinking businesses already deploying AI systems to reduce cost, streamline operations, and scale without increasing headcount. And the difference between companies experimenting with AI and those gaining real value…

The Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) has trained 160 youths from Kebbi and Zamfara states in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Analytics as part of efforts to enhance digital literacy, improve employability, and prepare young Nigerians for opportunities in the evolving digital economy. The five-day training programme, implemented under the board’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, targeted unemployed youths and members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), with 80 participants drawn from each of the two states. Speaking at the conclusion of the programme in Kaduna, the Programme Coordinator of RimaFin Consulting, Mr Luka Dalang, said the…

The University of Lagos (UNILAG) will host leading technology experts, policymakers, researchers, innovators, and business executives from around the world for a high-level Digital Transformation Conference scheduled for November 5 and 6, 2026. The two-day summit is expected to provide a platform for discussions on digital innovation, artificial intelligence (AI), telecommunications, cybersecurity, data science, and digital infrastructure, with participants exploring how emerging technologies can accelerate economic growth and sustainable development across Nigeria and Africa. Organisers said the conference comes at a time when governments, businesses, and educational institutions are increasingly adopting digital technologies to improve productivity, expand access to services,…

Imagine finding a pair of sneakers on Instagram for ₦45,000, only to discover later that the same product was selling for ₦35,000 elsewhere. Or spending hours comparing dozens of listings on Jumia and Konga, trying to figure out which seller is offering the best deal. Online shopping offers convenience, but it also comes with challenges: inconsistent pricing, fake reviews, misleading product descriptions, and unreliable sellers. The good news? You don’t have to do all the research yourself anymore. Artificial intelligence (AI) tools can help you compare prices, analyze reviews, evaluate products, and make smarter buying decisions before you spend your…

The Jigawa State Government has deployed an Enterprise Artificial Intelligence (AI) suite across its public basic education system under the JigawaUNITE programme, in partnership with education technology organisation NewGlobe, in a move aimed at improving classroom learning, strengthening teacher support, and enhancing education governance. The initiative introduces AI-powered tools designed to support lesson delivery, provide pupils with structured learning and catch-up support, and give education authorities real-time access to data across schools. Officials say the system will enable policymakers to monitor attendance, teacher performance, and student learning outcomes instantly, allowing for faster and more targeted interventions in the education sector.…

Nigeria must move from being a consumer of artificial intelligence technologies to becoming a creator of AI solutions to remain competitive in the global digital economy, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) has said. The call was made at the Bluechip Data and AI Summit held at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, where the Director-General of NITDA, Kashifu Inuwa Abdullahi, was represented by Dr Aristotle Onumo, Director of Stakeholder Management and Partnerships. Delivering the keynote address on behalf of the agency, Onumo stressed the need for stronger local capacity in building digital solutions and deepening investment in talent, innovation,…

Women leaders across business, investment, technology, and development sectors have called for stronger policies, greater access to capital, and deliberate efforts to increase female participation in artificial intelligence (AI), warning that Africa risks missing out on the technology’s transformative potential if women are left behind. The call was made during a panel session titled “SheCodes the Algorithm: The Power of Women Rewriting Data & AI” at the third edition of the BlueChip Data and AI Summit held at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos. Moderated by Olamide Odekunle, TVC Communications’ first AI television presenter, the session featured Margreth Olele, Chief Executive…

 FOUNDER’S PROFILE Biography Alli Oni is a Nigerian AI automation specialist, entrepreneur, and Founder of SPAG AI, an AI automation company focused on helping businesses automate customer interactions, lead management, and operational workflows through artificial intelligence. He specialises in the development of AI voice agents, automated call systems, workflow automation, and customer engagement solutions that enable businesses to improve responsiveness and operational efficiency. Career & Leadership Oni founded SPAG AI in 2024 with the vision of making AI-powered automation accessible to businesses seeking to improve customer experience and operational performance. Under his leadership, the company has developed solutions that automate…