🤖 Nigerian Govt launches $100 AI fund in partnership with Google | 🎮 Sony reveals the $700 Playstation 5 Pro

Today’s Menu ☕️

🤖 Nigerian Govt launches $100 AI fund in partnership with Google
⚕️Gates Foundation Backs Field’s $11m Maternal Health Initiative in Africa
🎮 Sony reveals the $700 Playstation 5 Pro with GPU upgrade, advanced ray tracing, AI upscaling
📱Australian Government Considers Banning Young People from Social Media
📱Huawei unveils the first tri-fold smartphone – Mate XT Ultimate at $2,800

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🤖 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Nigerian Govt launches $100 AI fund in partnership with Google

The Nigerian government in partnership with Google, has launched a N100million Artificial Intelligence (AI) Fund in aimed at supporting Nigerian startups leveraging AI to build innovative solutions.

According to the Honourable Minister of Communication, Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, in a post on “X”; “the AI Fund, which will be coordinated by the National Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (NCAIR) , is a critical step in taking advantage of future technologies to develop homegrown innovation that addresses local challenges, accelerates economic growth, and contributes significantly to the development of the global technology ecosystem.”

The AI fund is designed to empower 10 Nigerian startups leveraging AI in their technology products. The N100 million fund will provide:

• Financial Support – Grant funding of up to ₦10 million per startup,

• Technical Expertise – Access to Google AI tools, resources, and mentorship from Google engineers,

• Mentorship: Opportunities to work closely with Google’s AI experts, gaining insights and guidance,

• Network and Visility – Connection to Google’s vast network and opportunities for global exposure, and

• Sectoral Impact: The ability to create AI-driven solutions across sectors such as healthcare, agriculture, education, and governance, contributing to real-world impact.

  To apply for the fund, visit the NCAIR website here.

⚕️HEALTHTECH

Gates Foundation Backs Field’s $11m Maternal Health Initiative in Africa

In a major boost to Africa’s healthcare sector, Field, a leading African healthtech company, has secured an $11 million grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to launch a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing maternal mortality, newborn health, and child nutrition across the continent. This financial backing underscores the critical need to enhance healthcare systems in Africa, where maternal mortality remains one of the most pressing public health challenges.

The new initiative will utilize Field’s proprietary technology platform and vast network of over 40,000 private and public healthcare providers in rural and urban areas across Kenya and Nigeria. By delivering emerging therapies and improving the distribution and financing of essential medical supplies, the initiative will directly combat the causes of maternal and child deaths, making healthcare more accessible and efficient....…....continue reading

🎮 GAMING

Sony reveals the $700 Playstation 5 Pro with GPU upgrade, advanced ray tracing, AI upscaling

Sony has announced the next in the evolution of console experience, the Playstation 5 Pro.

Some of the key performance features are:

• Upgraded GPU: With the PS5 Pro, the GPU has been enhanced, with the addition of 67% more Compute Units compared to the standard PS5 and delivering 28% faster memory speeds. These upgrades allow for up to 45% faster rendering, resulting in a smoother and more responsive gameplay experience..

• Advanced Ray Tracing: More powerful ray tracing has been added, providing more dynamic reflection and refraction of light. This allows the rays to be cast at double, and at times triple, the speeds of the current PS5 console.

• AI-Driven Upscaling: Sony is introducing PlayStation Spectral Super Resolution, an AI-driven upscaling that uses a machine learning-based technology to provide super sharp image clarity by adding an extraordinary amount of detail.

The PS5 Pro console will be available at $699.99 USD, £699.99 GBP, €799.99 EUR..…....continue reading

📱SOCIAL MEDIA

Australian Government Considers Banning Young People from Social Media

The Australian government has unveiled plans to introduce age restrictions for social media use, sparking a heated debate among policymakers, experts, and the public. The proposed measure aims to protect young people’s mental and physical health by setting a minimum age limit for accessing social media platforms.

The government has cited growing concerns about the negative impact of social media on the well-being of young people. Studies have linked excessive social media use to mental health issues, sleep disturbances, and cyberbullying. By imposing age restrictions, the government hopes to shield children and adolescents from these harmful effects.

However, the proposal has faced significant backlash from digital rights advocates who argue that it could have unintended consequences. They warn that the measure could drive dangerous online activity underground, making it harder for authorities to monitor and regulate.……continue reading

📱SMARTPHONES

Huawei unveils the first tri-fold smartphone – Mate XT Ultimate at $2,800

In a bid to rain on Apple’s iPhone 16 launch parade held on Monday, Huawei launched the world’s first tri-fold smartphone – the Mate XT Ultimate – some hours earlier.

When fully folded, the Mate XT Ultimate resembles a standard smartphone. However, when unfolded, it transitions into a 7.9-inch two-screen mode or an expanded three-screen mode, providing the functionality and feel of a 10.2-inch tablet.

Weighing 298 grams, the device, when fully unfolded, is just 3.6mm thick, making it one of the slimmest smartphones available on the market.

The Mate XT’s camera setup includes a 50 MP primary sensor, a 12 MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 12 MP telephoto lens with 5.5x optical zoom capability. For selfies, it features an 8 MP front camera housed within a punch-hole cutout.…...continue reading

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