🤖 Nigeria AI Strategy | 🤖 Boston Dynamics sunsets Atlas

In today’s menu ☕️

🧑🏽‍🌾 Nigeria Poised to Lead the Future of AI in Africa
 Boston Dynamics Bids Farewell to Atlas, the Pioneering Parkour Robot
📱Apple drops to second place behind Samsung as iPhone shipments decline by 10% in Q1 2024
🛜 Vodacom Tanzania expands 4G and 5G capabilities with $27.4 million purchase of Smile Communications
👨🏻‍💻 Opportunities

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🤖ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Nigeria Poised to Lead the Future of AI in Africa

Nigeria's aspiration to lead in global AI development and deployment has gained momentum through the "Developing the High-Level Strategy and Implementation Plan for a National AI Strategy for Nigeria" workshop. Led by the Federal Government, this initiative demonstrates a commitment to steering the trajectory of transformative AI technology. Minister of Communications, Innovations, and Digital Economy, Dr. Bosun Tijani, emphasized the nation's ambitious stance, recognizing both the potential of AI for progress and the importance of ethical considerations in its implementation. Nigeria aims not only to adopt AI but also to influence its global design and regulation.

The workshop convened a diverse group of AI experts and researchers, signaling a strategic investment in fostering a robust domestic AI ecosystem. NITDA Director-General, Kashifu Abdullahi, envisions AI as a catalyst for economic diversification and Nigeria's leadership within Africa. To realize this vision, collaboration between government, private sector, and international partners is essential. Initiatives such as bridging the digital divide, investing in AI education and talent development, establishing data governance policies, and supporting AI startups are key components of Nigeria's AI strategy....…….continue reading

🦾 ROBOTICS

Boston Dynamics Bids Farewell to Atlas, the Pioneering Parkour Robot

In a move that surprised many in the robotics industry, Boston Dynamics announced yesterday, the retirement of its iconic humanoid robot, Atlas. Atlas, known for its impressive athletic abilities and parkour skills, was a pioneer in the field of bipedal robots.

Developed in collaboration with DARPA (Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency) for the agency’s Robotics Challenges, Atlas first appeared on the scene in 2009. Over the years, the robot has undergone numerous revisions, with each iteration showcasing significant advancements in balance, agility, and manoeuvrability.

Atlas’ ability to perform complex movements, like backflips and traversing rough terrain, captured the imagination of the public and made it a popular face of Boston Dynamics. The company frequently released videos featuring Atlas’ athletic feats, further solidifying its place in pop culture.......continue reading

📱DEVICES

Apple drops to second place behind Samsung as iPhone shipments decline by 10% in Q1 2024

According to the latest data released by the market research firm IDC on Sunday, Apple has experienced a significant 10% reduction in its smartphone shipments during the first quarter of 2024. This decline in sales has been attributed to the rising competition from various Android smartphone manufacturers who have been increasingly vying for market dominance.

In the international context, total smartphone shipments saw a rise of 7.8%, reaching a figure of 289.4 million units in the timeframe from January to March. During this period, Samsung achieved a 20.8% share of the global market, which allowed it to surpass Apple and reclaim the title of the number one smartphone manufacturer.

This downturn in shipments for Apple is particularly notable given the company’s impressive performance in the previous December quarter, wherein it had surpassed Samsung to become the world’s leading smartphone maker. However, with the recent developments, Apple has now slipped back to the second position, holding 17.3% of the market share. Meanwhile, Chinese smartphone brands, with Huawei being one example, have continued to expand their presence in the market........continue reading

🛜 TELECOMMUNICATIONS

Vodacom Tanzania expands 4G and 5G capabilities with $27.4 million purchase of Smile Communications

Vodacom Tanzania PLC (VTPLC), a leading telecommunications provider in Tanzania, has finalized the acquisition of Smile Communication Tanzania Limited, a smaller telecommunications company, for a purchase price of 68.8 billion Tanzanian Shillings (approximately $27.4 million USD).

Notably, the transaction was structured as a “debt-free, cash-free” deal, meaning that VTPLC will not assume any of Smile’s debt nor will it hold cash from Smile at the time of the acquisition. This strategic move by Vodacom aims to boost its capabilities in rolling out advanced 4G and potential 5G services, positioning it as a top player in Tanzania’s telecom market.........continue reading

OTHER STORIES

• OpenAI and Meta are reportedly preparing new AI models capable of reasoning…..read more

• WhatsApp is adding filters to easily find messages…..read more

• AMD introduces AI chips for business laptops and desktops…..read more

OPPORTUNITIES

• Mastercard Foundation Fund Invites Agribusiness SMEs to Apply for Resilience and Prosperity Grants….read more

• Huawei invites applications for Kenya’s Seeds for the Future Programme 2024…..read more

• Entries open for 2024 Edition of Global Startup Awards Africa: Aiming to spotlight Africa’s top innovators and entrepreneurs…..read more

• 12 African entrepreneurs win a total of US$400,000 in grants from the FINCA Ventures Prize Competition…..read more

• AgriTech4Egypt Innovation Challenge invites applications from agri-tech ventures for a sustainable agricultural future….read more

• Irish Tech Challenge 2024: Call for South African startups to help address global issues….read more