As the Twitter debates continue, most tech founders and venture capitalists have chosen a side: Web 2.0 or Web 3.0. Web3 proponents believe it is the internet’s future, and that blockchain-based products will completely replace Web 2.0 within the next few years. Web 2.0 stalwarts argue that it’s all just hype spewed by crypto bros…
By 2026, the Korean government intends to develop a technology that will allow Korea’s first artificial sun, KSTAR, to maintain 100 million degrees for 300 seconds. The minimum time required for the commercialization of nuclear fusion technology is 300 seconds. On December 30, the Ministry of Science and ICT announced that the 16th National Fusion…
What is artificial intelligence (AI)? Artificial intelligence is a rapidly developing technology that is already being used in a variety of applications. AI has proven to be much more than we thought it was in the past, from self-driving cars to language translation software. AI is a concept that is frequently created before it is…
As the digital and physical worlds continue to merge, the internet’s new age — the “metaverse” — is reshaping the fashion industry. Balenciaga is one of the luxury houses leading the charge. The company (known for its embrace of virtual clothing) recently announced plans to establish a business unit dedicated to exploring opportunities in the…
Zindi is all about using artificial intelligence to solve real-world problems for businesses and individuals. And the crowd-solving startup from South Africa has done just that in the three years they’ve been in business. Last year, a team of data scientists led by Zindi used machine learning to improve air quality monitoring in Kampala, while…
Timnit Gebru, one of the leaders of Google’s ethics in AI team and a leading expert in the field, was fired almost exactly one year ago after sending a concerned email to her team. She has now established her own research institute, DAIR, focusing on the topics she felt were being neglected at Google. According…
Once upon a time, artificial intelligence (AI) was the stuff of science fiction. However, it is becoming more common. It is employed in mobile phone technologies as well as automobiles. It powers agricultural and healthcare tools. However, questions have been raised concerning the responsibility of AI and associated technologies such as machine learning. Timnit Gebru,…
Grammarly, the popular editing tool for writing beginners, has raised $ 200 million out of $ 13 billion from new investors, including funds and financings from Baillie Gifford and BlackRock. The company plans to use the capital to drive product innovation and team development. “I think this funding is a good testament to the strength…
South African insurtech startup OneSpark has launched what it claims is the world’s first AI-powered, pay-as-you-need, P2P life insurance product in a bid to make policies more efficient and affordable. Disrupt Africa reported late last year on the launch of OneSpark, powered by a “significant, dollar-based” funding round secured in October. At launch, the startup admitted its…
An innovative local software development partnership between 4Sight Holdings and Bidvest Advisory Services has created 4MIA powered by ALICE TM, a first-of-its-kind AI-powered automated digital transformation advisor. Developed on the ALICE TM platform, the intelligent predictive solution Monitors, Investigates and Advises (MIA) business and technology executives on critical aspects related to their digital transformation roadmaps….
South African startup BotsZA is helping companies and organisations improve their talent acquisition processes and better liaise with customers using artificial intelligence (AI). Launched in November 2016, BotsZA is helping businesses both locally and internationally to integrate its two main products – Hazie and MASON – into their business processes to help them improve productivity and efficiency,…
Every October for the last four decades, Breast Cancer Awareness Month has helped to raise visibility of the most prevalent cancer on Earth — one that takes almost three-quarters of a million lives every year. Despite recorded cases stretching back to ancient Egypt, breast cancer was considered an “unspeakable” condition for millennia. Women were expected…
Over 264 million of the global populations are affected by depression, according to the World Health Organization (WHO) report. It was also noted that the causes of depression include complex interactions between social, psychological, and biological factors. Life events such as childhood adversity, loss, and unemployment contribute to and may catalyze the development of depression….
Google announced today it will be applying AI advancements, including a new technology called Multitask Unified Model (MUM) to improve Google Search. At the company’s Search On event, the company demonstrated new features, including those that leverage MUM, to better connect web searchers to the content they’re looking for, while also making web search feel more natural and intuitive….
IBM today announced that 6 major financial institutions across Africa have selected the technology corporation for hybrid cloud and AI capabilities to promote digital innovation and continue developing digital-first solutions. COVID-19 continues to accelerate the already rapid changes that were happening across the financial services sector in Africa, fast-tracking the adoption of digital technologies to…
Apple is reportedly researching ways to use the cameras inside of the iPhone to detect childhood autism, aiming to use data from the camera to observe a child’s behavior that could be used for early diagnosis, according to a new report from The Wall Street Journal. According to the report, which echoes previously announced research efforts, Apple wants to be…
Written by Luis Monzon Data has undoubtedly permeated every aspect of our modern life, from what we buy to the news we consume to fundamental truths we believe; data has become the bedrock of the modern decision-making process. The data analytics landscape has evolved drastically over the past five years, with Big Data and IoT…
Written by Luis Monzon South Africa’s Department of Transport announced the implementation of the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (AARTO) Act, which will introduce a new licence points demerit system geared towards imposing stricter penalties for road rule infringements. It’s estimated that between 15 and 20 million fines a year will be issued countrywide once the new system…
Written by Luis Monzon Nedbank South Africa has announced the launch of a series of enhancements to its digital services, including the introduction of a conversational AI-powered chatbot. “In line with its commitment to offer cutting-edge digital banking that adds real value to clients, Nedbank works tirelessly to add new features and services across its…