Author: Ugochukwu Levi F

The Oyo State Government has entered into a strategic partnership with the Department of Marketing and Consumer Studies at the University of Ibadan (UI) to deploy Artificial Intelligence (AI) to strengthen and expand Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) across the state. The collaboration aims to bridge academic research and real-sector applications while equipping SMEs with digital tools to improve productivity, competitiveness, and long-term sustainability in an increasingly technology-driven economy. Speaking during a courtesy visit by a delegation from the University of Ibadan, the State Commissioner for Trade, Industry, Commerce and Cooperatives, Chief Adebisi Adeniyi, said the government remains committed to…

Cyberpedia has unveiled a new artificial intelligence-powered search engine designed to improve information accuracy and reduce the spread of misinformation and disinformation online. The announcement was made on Monday during a virtual product briefing, where the company outlined its approach to reshaping how users access and verify digital content. The platform, simply named Cyberpedia Search, integrates generative AI with real-time verification systems that cross-check information against multiple trusted databases, academic sources, and verified news outlets. According to the company, the goal is to prioritise “contextually accurate and source-verified answers” over traditional keyword-based search results. A statement released by the company…

A Nigerian engineer, Osazee Harrison Oravbiere, has unveiled a new artificial intelligence (AI) framework designed to transform the planning, delivery, and management of infrastructure systems globally. Oravbiere, a doctoral researcher at the University of Georgia in the United States, presented the framework as a solution to persistent challenges in infrastructure development, including cost overruns, project delays, and inefficient maintenance systems. Speaking during the unveiling, he said the innovation responds to the growing complexity of modern infrastructure demands. “What we are dealing with today is not just a shortage of infrastructure, but a deficit in intelligent systems that can manage and…

An artificial intelligence enthusiast, Jeremiah Musa, has identified what he calls ‘AI phobia’ as a bane to the widespread adoption of artificial intelligence tools by university graduates across Nigeria. Speaking to an AIbase correspondent in a phone interview from the United Arab Emirates, Jerry said that those with AI phobia struggle with the demands of integrating AI into their workflows, a situation that he said undermines productivity and encourages inefficiency. He described AI fear as the biggest challenge facing Nigerian graduates today, stating that their peers globally now focus on advancing AI use, while many Nigerian youths are still on…

Despite being home to world-class universities, influential research labs, and globally recognised companies such as DeepMind, Britain is increasingly being questioned about its ability to translate its strengths in artificial intelligence into long-term industrial dominance. While the UK remains an important AI research hub, structural weaknesses in funding, scaling, and commercialisation are slowing its ability to compete with the United States and China. Strong research base, weak commercial scale-up The UK has no shortage of AI talent. It consistently ranks among the top countries globally for computer science education and produces a steady stream of advanced research. London has become…

According to the SquirrelPR RANKED 2026 Report, Nigeria’s digital media industry has recorded a significant 26.2% decline in audience traffic, as artificial intelligence continues to transform how people access and consume news. The report indicates that total visits to Nigerian digital media platforms fell sharply between 2024 and 2025, marking a major shift in the country’s online information ecosystem. While audience engagement with news remains strong, the way users access content is changing rapidly due to AI-powered search tools and automated summaries. “The old model of digital media was built on clicks. That model is breaking down,” said Jonah Solomon, Co-founder of…

Taylor Swift has filed trademark applications in the United States to protect her voice and likeness from misuse by artificial intelligence, amid growing concerns over deepfakes. The applications, submitted through her company TAS Rights Management, cover two audio clips and one image of the singer. One filing includes Swift saying “Hey, it’s Taylor Swift,” and another “Hey, it’s Taylor,” while a third covers a stage image from her Eras Tour performances. The move is aimed at countering the spread of AI-generated content that imitates her identity. Deepfakes have previously depicted Swift in false endorsements, advertisements and explicit imagery, heightening calls…

China has blocked and ordered the reversal of Meta Platforms’ acquisition of the artificial intelligence startup Manus, marking a significant escalation in global tech regulation and intensifying scrutiny of cross-border control over advanced AI systems. According to China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), the country’s top economic planning authority, the deal was prohibited under national security and foreign investment regulations. The regulator instructed all parties to unwind the transaction, effectively forcing Meta to dismantle a deal already in motion. “The National Development and Reform Commission has made a decision to prohibit foreign investment in the Manus project in accordance…

Tech expert Oluwafemi Wale Ogunniyi has highlighted the growing impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on African startups, describing it as a key enabler of innovation, cost reduction, and faster digital product deployment across the continent. According to him, AI is helping founders overcome major technical hurdles by reducing the need for deep engineering expertise. “AI-assisted development tools now allow startups to bypass complex tasks such as debugging, hosting setup, and domain configuration, significantly lowering barriers to entry for new entrepreneurs” Ogunniyi noted that AI is also transforming key sectors in Africa’s startup ecosystem. In agriculture, startups are using predictive analytics…

Financial experts, banking stakeholders, and policy analysts are urging Nigerian banks to accelerate the adoption of privacy-by-design frameworks and expand the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in fraud-prevention systems, amid rising concerns about cybercrime and data protection compliance in the financial sector. Industry stakeholders say the increasing sophistication of digital fraud requires banks to move beyond reactive security measures and embed privacy and risk controls into the core design of their digital systems. Speaking at industry discussions on digital transformation in banking, the President of the Association of Corporate Affairs Managers of Banks (ACAMB), Rasheed Bolarinwa, emphasised that trust in…