Author: Akin Naphtal

PowerSchool, a cloud-based software provider for K-12 education in North America, has announced a partnership with Board Middle East (BME) aimed at serving nearly eight million students and educators across the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Kuwait. The partnership, which plans to serve more than 750,000 students across these countries in the next 12 months, further strengthens the edtech leader’s customer support in the region. READ ALSO:Kia Launches Software Defined Vehicle Technology in its EV9 SUV Zoho Corp Incorporates 13 Generative AI Integrations into its Applications, Powered by ChatGPT Biotech firm NovFeed wins $1 million Milken-Motsepe Prize in Agritech…

Kia has introduced its Software Defined Vehicle (SDV) technology through its new electric SUV, the EV9. This technology allows customers to remotely purchase and install new software functions based on their needs, via over-the-air (OTA) software updates. This is made possible by the EV9’s electrical/electronic (E/E) architecture, which allows for OTA software updates. The Kia Connect Store provides a range of digital features and services accessible to EV9 customers. On-demand services will be continuously introduced through the store, providing personalized experiences and new value for customers through advanced SDV technology. This includes the Highway Driving Pilot (HDP), which provides conditional…

Zoho Corp, a global technology company, has announced the incorporation of 13 generative artificial intelligence (AI) application extensions and integrations, powered by ChatGPT, into various Zoho applications. The integration of generative AI, which blends third-party intelligence with Zoho’s powerful AI engine, Zia, enables the company to provide a more intuitive, efficient and secure experience for its customers. The integration model improves customer experience, adds considerable value and better protects user privacy. Zoho’s investment in AI over the past decade has enabled the company to leverage its expertise in AI, blending it with ChatGPT’s generative AI to provide customers with a…

Tanzanian-based biotech company NovFeed has won the Milken-Motsepe Prize in Agritech, a $1 million award for its innovative technology that upcycles organic waste into sustainable and traceable plant-based protein ingredients and natural biofertilisers. The biotechnological platform developed by NovFeed uses natural microbes and industrial biotech to transform organic waste into a concentrated protein product, which can be used in the meat and aquaculture sectors. The Milken-Motsepe Prize in Agritech, organised by the Milken Institute and the Motsepe Foundation, aims to promote innovative solutions for global agricultural challenges and progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). NovFeed emerged as the…

Alef Group, a real estate and retail developer in the Emirate of Sharjah, has partnered with Metadata Technologies to implement a Customer Relationship Management (CRM) solution powered by Microsoft Dynamics 365. The group selected Property-xRM, a Microsoft-based Real Estate CRM Solution, to streamline customer management, boost operational efficiency and improve productivity. According to Alef Group, they were looking for an intuitive CRM solution with functionalities that meet and enhance their daily operational requirements. Metadata’s ready-to-use industry-standard solution helps address those requirements and allows quicker implementation with customization capabilities. READ ALSO:Middle East ahead of Africa in 5G adoption, says Nokia report…

According to a new research report by Nokia, the Middle East is much further ahead in terms of 5G adoption than Africa, where many operators are still developing their 4G business models. The Nokia MEA Mobile Broadband Index provides a comprehensive overview of the mobile broadband landscape in the MEA region, highlighting the steady growth of 5G and its impact on digital transformation. READ ALSO:Samsung Electronics Egypt Explores Expansion Plans in Egyptian Market Convergence Partners acquires strategic stake in 42Markets Group Animal welfare experts raise concerns over Neuralink’s oversight board filled with company insiders The report confirms that many parts…

Samsung Electronics Egypt is exploring expansion plans in the Egyptian market, according to a statement from the General Authority for Investment and Free Zones (GAFI) on May 7th. GAFI CEO Hossam Heiba said that Samsung has already invested over $500 million in Egypt, with sales exceeding $1.3 billion. Heiba added that Samsung has become the leading exporter of electronics in Egypt, catering to both domestic and international markets. The company has contributed to the growth of the electronics industry in Egypt by manufacturing electronic tablets and mobile phones, creating around 5,000 direct and indirect job opportunities. READ ALSO:Convergence Partners acquires…

Convergence Partners, a private equity investment manager focused on the technology sector in sub-Saharan Africa, has acquired a stake in 42Markets Group, an incubator, investor and builder of high-growth specialist businesses in the financial and capital markets sector. Convergence Partners has a 20-year history of investing successfully in digital infrastructure in the region, with more than $600m under management, including the recently launched Convergence Partners Digital Infrastructure Fund, focused on long-term investments in data centres, fibre networks, wireless and towers, edge, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things, cloud, fintech and platforms across Africa. READ ALSO:Animal welfare experts raise concerns over Neuralink’s…

Neuralink, the brain-implant company owned by Elon Musk, has filled its animal-research oversight board with insiders who could potentially financially benefit as the company reaches development goals, according to company documents and interviews with six current and former employees. These oversight boards are required by law for organisations conducting experiments on certain types of animals to ensure proper animal care, high research standards and reliable data. The membership of the Neuralink panel raises questions about potential conflict-of-interest regulations aimed at protecting research integrity, a dozen animal-research and bioethics experts told Reuters. Neuralink is conducting animal experiments in order to seek…

Apple Inc has reported an increase in iPhone sales despite a global slump in the smartphone market. The rise was attributed to growth in emerging markets like India, where Apple is attracting Android phone users. Apple saw a 1.5% increase in iPhone sales to $51.3 billion for its fiscal second quarter while global smartphone shipments fell 13% in January to March, according to research firm Canalys. Apple gained market share from Android phones during this period. Apple said it set sales records in several countries across South Asia, Latin America and the Middle East. Apple’s biggest focus is India, where…