Author: Ugochukwu Levi F

 From Blue Links to AI-Generated Answers For more than two decades, web search followed a familiar pattern. Users entered a query, scanned a ranked list of links, and decided which sources to trust. This model, continually refined by Google, has become one of the most influential information gateways in modern life. It shaped how people learn, shop, research, and form opinions. The emergence of generative artificial intelligence has begun to unsettle that long-standing arrangement. Instead of pointing users to information, search engines can now synthesise it directly, presenting answers in a concise, conversational format. Google’s response to this shift is Google AI Overview,…

Egypt has strengthened its position as a rising centre for artificial intelligence and digital innovation after hosting the inaugural AI Everything Middle East & Africa (MEA) Summit in the capital, an event that drew policymakers, global technology companies, investors, startups and researchers from across Africa and the Middle East. The summit, held in Cairo in February, marked the first time the AI Everything platform was staged for the Middle East and Africa, underscoring Egypt’s determination to play a leading role in the region’s fast-growing AI ecosystem. Organised in collaboration with the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology and industry partners,…

When headlines state that “AI experts don’t think OpenClaw is all that exciting,” the reaction is often polarised. Supporters see undue negativity, while critics feel vindicated. Yet the reality is more nuanced. The scepticism reflects broader shifts in how the AI community evaluates new tools, rather than a simple judgement on the project’s intrinsic value. According to several AI practitioners cited by TechCrunch and The Register, OpenClaw is “well-structured but lacks the novelty to stand out in a crowded framework ecosystem.” Understanding this reaction requires examining what OpenClaw is, what it aims to achieve, and how experts define meaningful progress…

Africa’s relationship with technology has often been framed through the lens of late adoption. Yet history tells a more complex story. From mobile banking leapfrogging traditional finance to digital identity systems built at scale, the continent has repeatedly demonstrated its ability to adopt and adapt technology to suit its realities. Artificial intelligence now represents the next chapter in this journey. This week’s African Union Summit in Addis Ababa arrives at a pivotal moment. African leaders, policymakers and technologists are meeting at a time when AI is no longer experimental across the continent. It is being deployed in hospitals, farms, classrooms,…

Systems that generate text, analyse images, write software, and make complex predictions now operate far beyond laboratories. They are embedded in offices, public institutions, creative industries, and everyday consumer tools. This rapid expansion has brought a central question into sharp focus: who controls AI, and according to which rules? The debate over AI control is not merely technical. It sits at the crossroads of power, economics, governance, and social values. Decisions about how AI models are designed, trained, deployed, and constrained determine who benefits from the technology and who carries its risks. As competition intensifies among technology companies and governments…

For much of the past two decades, Alibaba Group built its global reputation as a commerce and cloud computing powerhouse. Its platforms reshaped online retail, logistics and digital payments, while its cloud arm quietly grew into one of the most important infrastructure providers in Asia. Yet the company’s most consequential bet today lies elsewhere: in artificial intelligence, and specifically in its rapidly expanding Qwen family of large language models. Alibaba’s heavy investment in Qwen AI is not a side project or branding exercise. It reflects a deeper strategic recalibration driven by technological competition, economic pressures and shifting global dynamics in…

Broadcasters in the Eastern Cape are increasingly exploring responsible artificial intelligence (AI) to drive growth and innovation in the radio sector. Industry leaders say that when applied thoughtfully, AI can enhance content creation, audience engagement, and operational efficiency without compromising ethical standards. Speaking at a regional media forum, Thabo Mkhize, Director of Programming at Eastern Cape Radio Network, highlighted the transformative potential of AI. “AI is not here to replace broadcasters; it’s a tool to amplify creativity and better connect with listeners,” he said. Broadcasters are particularly focused on using AI for tasks such as personalising playlists, improving news delivery, and…

African chief executives are increasingly prioritising innovation and artificial intelligence (AI), yet many remain cautious about taking the risks needed for transformative change, according to PwC’s 29th Global CEO Survey. The survey revealed that only 13% of African CEOs are willing to tolerate high risk in innovation projects, even as more than half view innovation as critical to their business strategy. Drawing on surveys of over 150 CEOs across the continent, the report highlights a gap between ambition and action. Dion Shango, PwC Africa CEO, said: “The uncertainty we all live with today needs to be accepted as the new…

The global artificial intelligence landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace, with a handful of companies shaping the trajectory of next-generation computing. Among them, Europe has begun asserting itself as a source of innovation, challenging the dominance of US and Asian tech giants. Central to this emergence is Mistral AI, a company that, in a remarkably short period, has captured the attention of AI researchers, investors, and industry stakeholders alike. Its rise underscores Europe’s growing role in developing advanced AI systems that prioritise openness, transparency, and technical excellence. Founded on principles that combine cutting-edge research with practical applications, Mistral AI…

The John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation has awarded a $2 million grant to the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) to support the launch of a Global Forum on AI and the Social Sciences, marking a major investment in social science-led research and dialogue on artificial intelligence. LSE said the Global Forum will be an annual international convening that brings together policymakers, academics, technologists, industry leaders, and civil society actors to examine the social, economic, and governance implications of AI and translate research insights into practical policy and institutional action. The initiative will be led by Cosmina Dorobantu and Helen…