A selection of tech news from Nigeria and Africa at large.
Nigeria Slow Internet and AI | Starlink’s Internet Competition | Africa Technology Expo 2023! | Top ICT Trends For CIOs, CTOs | Microsoft Deepen ChatGPT AI Research
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Slow Internet to affect AI adoption in Nigeria – PUNCH
A low share of skilled workers and slow download speed would impact the adoption of Artificial Intelligence in low-income and middle-income countries like Nigeria, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development has stated.
UNCTAD’s latest report titled ‘How artificial intelligence chatbots could affect jobs,’ by the agency’s Director, Division on Technology and Logistics, Shamika Sirimanne, said developing economies generally lagged behind in the adoption of digital technologies.
It disclosed that based on a UNCTAD readiness index that assesses countries’ abilities to use, adopt and adapt frontier technologies, developing countries were still struggling with issues like digital skills and infrastructure, and research and development.
The report was on the heels of the recently launched ChatGPT, a chatbot created by Open AI for public use. A low share of skilled workers and slow download speed would impact the adoption of Artificial Intelligence in low-income and middle-income countries like Nigeria, the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development has stated. Read more here
MTN Group remains confident that Starlink’s internet is no competition in Nigeria – Technology Times
South Africa’s MTN Group, the parent company of MTN Nigeria, says they are not worried about competition from the launch of Starlink in Nigeria due to the high cost of the satellite internet service offered by the US company.
US-based Starlink operated by SpaceX and owned by tech billionaire Elon Musk says it is launching its satellite internet service in Nigeria, after securing licences from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) authorising the deployment of its service in the country.
“No. We’re not nervous as MTN Group or MTN Nigeria,” Mr Ralph Mupita, MTN Group President & CEO says in an interview with AriseTV while responding to questions over when the telecoms group is “nervous” over Starlink’s arrival into the Nigerian internet service market.
The MTN Group CEO agrees that satellite services like Starlink will complement mobile and fixed networks, but his telecoms group remains calm that the US satellite internet provider will not upset its local business unit, MTN Nigeria. Read more here
Final Countdown to Africa Technology Expo 2023! – TechEconomy
Holding in the city of Abuja – Nigeria tomorrow January 27 and Saturday January 28, the Africa technology expo is hosted by spark Africa. It expo promises to be one where the most influential tech experts gather together to share their insight and help promote tech education in Africa.
Many tech influencers will be present at the event, discussing all sharing viable ideas on how to make tech accessible to Africans. The Africa Technology Expo is the largest tech gathering in Africa aimed at promoting local content and Africa’s diverse indigenous technology & talent. Organized by Spark, the African technology Leader, the annual gathering brings together thousands of tech talents, creators, innovative startups, budding investors, policymakers, and business enthusiasts.
This year’s event (debut) themed “Creating the Spark for Innovation” will hold in the Giant of Africa, Nigeria, and is aimed at implementing the recent Nigerian Startup Act, promoting inclusiveness and innovation, supporting viable local ideas, and as well attract investments to the country. Read more here
Top ICT trends for CIOs, CTOs, others in 2023 – TheGuardian
As organizations continue to navigate through economic challenges, PPC Limited, Nigeria’s ICT and infrastructure development company, has shared some technology trends that will help Chief Technology Officers (CTOs), IT Managers or Chief Information Officers (CIOs) improve business operations and achieve greater productivity and corporate profitability.
The Director of ICT Operations at PPC Limited, Dr. Patrick Ede, said, “This year’s predictions highlight some key aspects of hardware and software technologies that IT managers must prioritise in their strategy to remain competitive over the next 12 months.”
Ede said these include smart technologies; 5G networks; clean climate; collaborative tools; cyber security and cloud tech. On Smart technologies, the PPC chief said these have a transformative effect wherever they are applied. He said this year, organizations and governments will harness the benefits they offer. Read more here
Microsoft injects billions into ChatGPT to deepen AI research – Nairamatrics
OpenAI, the company behind the popular AI tool ChatGPT, announced on Monday that it had secured an additional investment running into billions of dollars from Microsoft. Nairametrics understands that the investment will allow OpenAI to continue its independent research toward developing increasingly safe, useful, and powerful AI.
Note that the latest investment extends the partnership between the two tech companies. However, the status quo remains: OpenAI also noted that the investment by Microsoft will not change its status as a capped-profit company, saying:
“In pursuit of our mission to ensure advanced AI benefits all of humanity, OpenAI remains a capped-profit company and is governed by the OpenAI non-profit. This structure allows us to raise the capital we need to fulfil our mission without sacrificing our core beliefs about broadly sharing benefits and the need to prioritize safety. Read more here
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Image Credit: Akingate Design Studio
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