Author: Akin Naphtal

As businesses increasingly prepare for an AI-centric future, Edward Kim, co-founder and head of technology at payroll startup Gusto, has cautioned against a widespread approach of replacing existing teams with AI specialists. Speaking in a recent interview, Kim emphasized that cutting non-technical employees in favor of hiring AI engineers is “the wrong way to go.” Instead, he advocates for leveraging the domain expertise of non-technical staff, particularly those with deep customer understanding, to guide AI tool development. Kim pointed out that non-technical team members often possess a more nuanced understanding of customer needs and challenges than engineers, making them better…

Leading tech companies including Nvidia, Google, and Microsoft will converge in Las Vegas to unveil groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) tools aimed at reducing the administrative burdens faced by healthcare professionals. The highly anticipated showcase will take place at the annual HLTH conference, one of the largest healthcare technology events, expected to draw over 12,000 industry leaders. At the heart of this year’s conference will be AI-powered solutions designed to address the excessive documentation and paperwork that doctors and nurses must handle daily. These administrative tasks—ranging from patient record management to insurance compliance—are widely seen as a major contributor to burnout…

At the GITEX Global tech trade show in Dubai, Morocco has announced a strategic partnership to accelerate its digital transformation, aligning with the country’s Digital Morocco 2030 strategy. The collaboration, formed between Morocco’s Ministry of Digital Transition and Administrative Reform and the UAE-based AI71, was finalized on the sidelines of the event. AI71, launched in 2023 by Abu Dhabi’s Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), specializes in AI solutions driven by the Technology Innovation Institute’s Falcon AI models. The partnership aims to explore implementing AI-powered solutions to enhance access to government services and create a more user-friendly experience for Moroccan citizens.…

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) and Mastercard have teamed up to co-chair a new initiative, the Mobilising Access to the Digital Economy (MADE) Alliance Africa. This ambitious program aims to provide digital access to essential services for 100 million Africans and companies over the next decade. As part of the initiative’s first phase, AfDB is committing $300 million to bring 3 million farmers in Kenya, Tanzania, and Nigeria into the digital economy. This will be done through Mastercard’s Community Pass, a platform that provides farmers with digital credentials, allowing them to connect with a network of agricultural agents and…

IHS Nigeria, one of the world’s largest independent telecommunications infrastructure groups, is sponsoring an Art Hackathon as part of the lead-up to the inauguration of the Ilorin Innovation Hub. The Art Hackathon aims to celebrate creativity and innovation among young Nigerians. It invites artists from Kwara State and across Nigeria to submit works reflecting themes of innovation, creativity, and community development. Winning artists will receive ₦500,000 for each selected entry, and their artworks will be showcased at the Ilorin Innovation Hub, allowing them to leave a lasting legacy. The submission deadline for entries is November 14, 2024, and interested participants…

Embrace, a leading provider of modern observability solutions for mobile developers, has joined the Amazon Web Services (AWS) Independent Software Vendor (ISV) Accelerate ProgramThis strategic partnership, part of a co-sell initiative with AWS, aims to bring Embrace’s advanced mobile observability tools to a broader audience of companies building on the AWS platform. Acceptance into the AWS ISV Accelerate Program is a significant milestone for Embrace, highlighting the company’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. Embrace passed rigorous architectural and security evaluations to gain admission, a testament to the reliability and security of its user-focused mobile observability platform. As a participant…

Infosys, a global leader in digital services and consulting, has partnered with MIT Technology Review Insights to release a new report, Reimagining Cloud Strategy for AI-first Enterprises. The report, based on a survey of 500 global industry leaders with at least $500 million in revenue, examines how organizations are preparing their cloud and data infrastructures to support AI initiatives at scale. The findings indicate that while many companies are in the early stages of AI adoption, they are increasingly prioritizing cloud infrastructure as a critical component in becoming AI-driven enterprises. According to the report, 67% of respondents claim to have…

In a significant development for the future of AI-powered data centers, Vertiv , a global leader in digital infrastructure solutions, has announced the release of a comprehensive 7MW reference architecture designed for NVIDIA’s GB200 NVL72 platform. This architecture, co-developed with NVIDIA, promises to transform traditional data centers into high-efficiency “AI factories,” capable of powering advanced AI applications across various industries. The new blueprint is specifically tailored to optimize the deployment of the NVIDIA GB200 NVL72, a liquid-cooled, rack-scale platform supporting up to 132kW per rack. Vertiv’s design emphasizes speed, scalability, and efficiency, making it a critical resource for enterprises aiming…

Viasat, Inc, a global leader in satellite communications, in partnership with India’s telecommunications provider BSNL, has successfully demonstrated direct-to-device satellite connectivity in India for the first time. The milestone was showcased at the India Mobile Congress, one of Asia’s largest technology fairs, marking a significant step in expanding satellite-powered communication services. During the demonstration, Viasat engineers showcased two-way messaging and SoS capabilities using a commercial Android smartphone with non-terrestrial network (NTN) connectivity. Messages were transmitted over 36,000 kilometres via one of Viasat’s geostationary L-band satellites, proving the feasibility of satellite-based connectivity for Indian consumers and businesses. Direct-to-device connectivity is an…

In a strategic collaboration, Vodafone, Sumitomo Corporation’s Economy of Things business, and Mastercard have announced a new service that will allow machines to trade and make payments on behalf of fleet, freight, shipping, and logistics operators. The service is designed to simplify operations by enabling direct, authorized payments through connected devices. The new system links Vodafone’s Pairpoint platform with Mastercard Gateway, allowing vehicles to make payments at charging stations and freight companies to cover pre-approved costs along shipping routes, including port charges, storage, and handling fees. This collaboration aims to streamline logistics, enhance efficiency, and reduce human intervention in routine…