Author: Ugochukwu Levi F

Yann LeCun, the former chief artificial intelligence scientist at Meta, has launched a new AI research company and raised more than $1 billion in seed funding to pursue next‑generation artificial intelligence technology. The startup, called Advanced Machine Intelligence (AMI), is focused on developing “world models”-AI systems designed to understand and interact with the real world more deeply than current large language models. The funding round, reportedly around $1.03 billion, is one of the largest early‑stage investments in a European tech company in recent years. AMI is backed by a global group of investors from Europe, the United States, and Asia, reflecting strong…

Qualitative customer research has long been valued for its depth, nuance, and ability to uncover the motivations behind consumer behaviour. However, it has traditionally been limited by time, cost, and the complexity of analysing unstructured data. Artificial intelligence is now changing that landscape, enabling organisations to conduct qualitative research at a scale that was previously unthinkable while preserving, and in some cases enhancing, its richness. Understanding this transformation requires examining how AI is being applied across the research process, from data collection to insight generation. The shift from small samples to continuous listening Historically, qualitative research relied on relatively small…

The digital marketing landscape is currently navigating its most significant upheaval since the inception of the commercial internet. As we move through 2026, the traditional search engine results page, once a predictable list of blue links, has been replaced by a sophisticated, AI-driven synthesis of information. For businesses, the challenge is no longer just ranking at the top of a list; it is about ensuring they are the source the AI chooses to trust. This shift has triggered a frantic scramble among brands to adapt to what experts are calling the era of “Answer Engine Optimisation” (AEO). The goal has shifted…

Artificial intelligence is increasingly transforming the auditing profession, introducing new levels of speed, scale, and analytical capability. However, this rapid adoption is also raising critical questions for regulators about oversight, accountability, and the future of audit standards. A close examination is expected to reveal vulnerabilities and ways to address them. 1. Growing Adoption of AI in Auditing Analyse large volumes of financial transactions AI systems can process entire datasets rather than limited samples, allowing auditors to review millions of transactions quickly and identify irregularities that might otherwise go unnoticed. Detect anomalies and potential fraud Machine learning models are trained to…

MTN Group has underscored emerging trends in artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure following NVIDIA’s GTC 2026 conference. Charles Molapisi, MTN’s Group Technology and AI Executive, said operators must now view AI as an infrastructure challenge, not just a software or application opportunity. “In the AI game, it’s land and energy first. The one who converts electrons into revenue at the lowest cost wins,” Molapisi said, highlighting the growing importance of energy-efficient computing and site selection. He noted that workload optimisation is critical, with different processors-GPUs, CPUs, and Language Processing Units required depending on whether AI tasks involve training, inference, or continuous…

In a notable development for the global artificial‑intelligence investment landscape, a group of former OpenAI employees has launched a new venture capital firm, Zero Shot, aiming to raise $100 million to back early‑stage AI and robotics startups. The fund has already begun deploying capital even as it continues to raise capital. Headquartered in San Francisco, Zero Shot represents a growing trend of operator‑led funds forming in the AI sector, where those who built leading technologies now seek to shape the next generation of companies. The fund has quietly written its first checks while still in the early stages of its capital raise, a…

A sweeping wave of workforce reductions is hitting the global technology sector as major companies restructure to prioritise artificial intelligence (AI), redirecting resources toward research, product development, and infrastructure. Thousands of employees across operations, administrative, and mid-level roles are facing layoffs, while demand grows for AI, machine learning, and data science talent. Analysts say this reflects a broader industry shift that balances cost-cutting with investments in next-generation technologies. Affected companies include, but are not limited to: Oracle On April 1, 2026, Oracle announced one of the largest workforce reductions in its history, cutting up to 30,000 jobs worldwide, particularly in…

Anthropic PBC, the AI developer behind the Claude model family, announced a major expansion of its compute infrastructure through strengthened partnerships with Google LLC and Broadcom Inc. The multi‑party agreement will deliver multiple gigawatts of next-generation AI computing capacity beginning in 2027, a scale critical for training and serving frontier artificial intelligence systems. Under the expanded arrangement, Anthropic will secure access to approximately 3.5 gigawatts of next-generation tensor processing unit (TPU)-based compute capacity, leveraging Google’s custom AI accelerators and Broadcom’s role as a producer and supply partner for future TPU generations and associated networking infrastructure. “This groundbreaking partnership with Google…

As Africa faces rising food insecurity and the challenge of feeding a growing population, the innovative use of artificial intelligence in agriculture is emerging as a potential solution to a longstanding, protracted problem. From smallholder farms to large agribusinesses, AI technologies are helping farmers increase yields, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve supply chain efficiency. “AI allows us to predict crop diseases, optimise irrigation, and make smarter decisions about planting and harvesting,” said Dr Chinedu Okafor, an agricultural AI researcher based in Lagos. “This is a crucial step toward securing our food systems and boosting economic growth,” he emphasised. Startups across…

Two Nigerian teenage sisters have developed an innovative artificial intelligence‑driven solution to help reduce massive food losses suffered by farmers after harvest. Eleven‑year‑old Zainab Nasirudeen Yakubu and her 13‑year‑old sister Asmau Nasirudeen Yakubu are the co‑founders of Guard Grains, an agritech initiative that includes an AI‑powered mat designed to protect harvested crops and improve storage outcomes for farmers. The sisters’ creation combines artificial intelligence with sensors and sound‑repellent technology to detect and deter pests, such as rodents and reptiles, that often damage stored grains, and to monitor moisture levels that can lead to rot and nutrient loss if left unchecked.…