Author: Akin Naphtal

Elon Musk’s xAI has rolled out its latest AI models, Grok-2 and Grok-2 mini, in beta today, introducing enhanced reasoning capabilities and image generation on the X social network. Currently, access to Grok is limited to Premium and Premium+ users on the platform. In a statement, xAI announced, “We are excited to release an early preview of Grok-2, a significant step forward from our previous model Grok-1.5, featuring frontier capabilities in chat, coding, and reasoning. At the same time, we are introducing Grok-2 mini, a small but capable sibling of Grok-2.” The company revealed that Grok-2 has already been tested…

China’s Huawei Technologies is set to unveil a new artificial intelligence (AI) chip named Ascend 910C, which is reportedly comparable to Nvidia’s H100 model, and has been undergoing tests by Chinese internet and telecom companies in recent weeks. It is believed that this move could challenge U.S. chipmaker Nvidia’s dominance in the Chinese market. This development comes in the wake of U.S. sanctions imposed last year that prevent Nvidia from selling its advanced chips, including the H100, to Chinese customers due to national security concerns. In response, Nvidia introduced three alternative chips tailored for the Chinese market, including the H20.…

Universal Music Group (UMG), the world’s largest music label, has announced the expansion of its agreement with Facebook parent company, Meta Platforms, to create new opportunities for UMG’s artists and songwriters across Meta’s vast social media ecosystem. UMG, which represents global superstars such as Taylor Swift and Billie Eilish, was the first major music company to licence its content to Facebook in 2017. This new agreement builds on that relationship, further integrating music into Meta’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and, for the first time, WhatsApp. The updated deal also addresses the critical issue of compensation for artists and songwriters,…

Austrian privacy advocacy group, NOYB, led by privacy activist, Max Schrems, has filed a complaint against the social media platform X, (formerly Twitter), accusing the company of using personal user data to train its artificial intelligence (AI) systems without their consent. The complaint, lodged under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), was submitted to data protection authorities across nine European Union countries, aiming to increase pressure on Ireland’s Data Protection Commission (DPC). The Irish DPC, which serves as the primary EU regulator for most major U.S. tech companies due to their EU headquarters in Ireland, has been urged to order…

In a crucial move to enhance the aviation industry, Safaricom, one of Kenya’s leading telecommunications operators, has entered into a strategic partnership with Kenya Airways aimed at enhancing the airline’s operational efficiency and customer experience. This collaboration is set to introduce state-of-the-art technologies and innovative solutions across various facets of air travel and aviation services. The partnership will address multiple key areas, starting with in-flight services. Passengers can look forward to improved in-flight Wi-Fi connectivity, ensuring a seamless online experience during their journeys. Additionally, the alliance will bolster cybersecurity measures to safeguard the airline’s digital infrastructure and customer data, reinforcing…

Fincra , a Nigerian payment infrastructure provider, has relocated its headquarters to the residence of Lord Lugard, one of Nigeria’s colonial administrators, in Ikoyi, Lagos. The move is part of Fincra’s strategy to be closer to its clients and enhance its service delivery. The new office location, unveiled on July 31, is expected to boost the company’s operations. “Our new office is more central for clients and partners,” said Wole Ayodele, CEO of Fincra. “It will enable us to better serve our customers with more efficient operations, faster response times, and personalized support.” Founded in 2021, Fincra offers a range…

YouTube is experimenting with a new AI feature called Brainstorm with Gemini to assist creators in generating video ideas, titles, and thumbnails. The initiative revealed on YouTube’s Creator Insider channel, is currently available to a select group of creators as part of a limited trial. A YouTube spokesperson said that the feedback from these creators will influence whether the feature is rolled out more broadly. This new tool could provide YouTube an edge over other video platforms like TikTok and Instagram by offering AI-powered content creation support. The Brainstorm with Gemini feature integrates Google’s AI large language models, branded as…

Margaret Ndung’u, with over two decades of experience in the ICT sector, stands as a distinguished figure in the digital ecosystem of Kenya. She is currently tapped to become the nation’s Cabinet Secretary (CS) for ICT and Digital Economy, succeeding her predecessor Eliud Owalo. Her extensive career spans various roles and sectors, reflecting her profound expertise in digital policy, innovation, and ICT development. Ndung’u commenced her professional journey at Africa Online Holdings, where she honed her skills as a content editor and web designer, laying the foundation for her future endeavours in ICT. Her passion for digital development led her…

IHS and MTN have announced the renewal and extension of their Nigerian tower Master Lease Agreements (MLAs) until December 2032. This agreement, covering approximately 13,500 tenancy contracts, solidifies the partnership between one of the world’s largest independent owners of shared communications infrastructure and Africa’s largest mobile network operator. The renewal specifically addresses about 2,500 MTN Nigeria tenancies that were set to expire in 2024 and 2025. Under the new terms, IHS Towers will renew 1,430 tenancies, which includes new colocations. The updated contracts introduce new financial terms designed to balance local and foreign currency components more sustainably and include a…

MTN Group has announced the successful sale of its subsidiary in Guinea-Bissau, Spacetel Guinea-Bissau S.A. (MTN Guinea-Bissau), to Telecel Group Mobile Limited. The transaction, completed after securing all necessary regulatory approvals, aligns with MTN’s strategy to streamline its operations and concentrate on core markets within Africa. In a statement, MTN emphasized its commitment to ensuring a smooth ownership transition, stating that the transfer is in the best interests of MTN Guinea-Bissau, its stakeholders, and the broader telecommunications sector in Guinea-Bissau. This sale is part of MTN’s plan to exit smaller West African markets. Earlier this year, MTN Group CEO Ralph…