🤖 OpenAI introduces Sora Turbo

Today’s Menu ☕️

🤖 OpenAI introduces Sora Turbo, a text-to-video AI model
🐟 Triggerfish and UNESCO Launch “The Creator Labs” to Empower Women in African Animation
🛢️Chappal Energies Completes Acquisition of Equinor Nigeria Energy Company
🏦 Tanzania’s Central Bank Introduces Control Sandbox to Drive Fintech Innovation

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🤖 ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

OpenAI introduces Sora Turbo, a text-to-video AI model

Earlier this year, OpenAI unveiled Sora, its groundbreaking text-to-video AI model, designed to simulate and interact with reality. Building on this innovation, the company has now introduced Sora Turbo, a faster and more advanced version, launched as a standalone product on Monday at Sora.com for ChatGPT Plus and Pro users.

Part of OpenAI’s “ship-mas” product release series, Sora Turbo is available to users in the U.S. and many other countries. This launch marks a major milestone in AI-driven creativity, empowering users to generate realistic videos from text and explore new possibilities in visual storytelling.

OpenAI has designed Sora Turbo with flexible access for ChatGPT users:

• ChatGPT Plus ($20/month): Generate up to 50 priority videos (1,000 credits) monthly at 720p resolution with durations of up to 5 seconds.

• ChatGPT Pro ($200/month): Offers unlimited generations, up to 500 priority videos, 1080p resolution, and durations of up to 20 seconds. Pro users can also download videos without watermarks and generate up to five videos simultaneously..……continue reading

🐟 ANIMATION

Triggerfish and UNESCO Launch “The Creator Labs” to Empower Women in African Animation

Triggerfish, Africa’s premier animation studio, has partnered with UNESCO to launch The Creator Labs, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at advancing women in the African animation industry. This collaboration seeks to address gender disparities and foster inclusivity in a sector contributing over $5 billion to Africa’s GDP and employing more than 5 million people. Despite this growth, women, especially those of color, remain underrepresented in leadership roles within animation.

This initiative is designed to fill gaps in education and training, which disproportionately affect women in the African film and audiovisual industries. “UNESCO’s report on the African film sector highlighted a significant need for capacity-building. This partnership is a vital step toward addressing that gap,” said Ernesto Ottone R, UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Culture. The program emphasizes technical and vocational education to enhance career opportunities for women in animation.……continue reading

🛢️ ENERGY

Chappal Energies Completes Acquisition of Equinor Nigeria Energy Company

Chappal Energies, an emerging player in Nigeria’s energy landscape, has finalized the acquisition of Equinor Nigeria Energy Company (ENEC), concluding Equinor ASA’s 32-year tenure in the country. This landmark deal is a defining moment for Chappal Energies, granting the indigenous firm a 53.85% ownership stake in Oil Mining Lease (OML) 128, including a 20.21% interest in the prolific Agbami oil field, operated by Chevron.

The Agbami oil field, one of Nigeria’s largest deep-water assets, began production in 2008 and has since delivered over one billion barrels of oil. This acquisition solidifies Chappal Energies’ presence in the offshore sector and positions it as a critical contributor to Nigeria’s oil production.

Additionally, Chappal Energies has assumed operatorship of OML 129, a block with untapped potential. This includes the Nnwa, Bilah, and Sehki discoveries, with the Nnwa-Doro gas field as a centerpiece. The Nnwa-Doro resource, despite being stranded for over two decades, holds significant strategic value for Nigeria’s energy ambitions, particularly under the government’s Decade of Gas agenda......……continue reading

🏦 BANKING

Tanzania’s Central Bank Introduces Control Sandbox to Drive Fintech Innovation

The Bank of Tanzania (BOT) has launched a new program called a “fintech regulatory sandbox.” This program allows banks and other financial institutions to test innovative financial products and services in a safe, controlled environment, without the full weight of traditional regulations.

The sandbox, which will open for applications in January 2025, is designed to encourage experimentation and accelerate the development of cutting-edge financial solutions. By providing a safe space for innovation, the BOT hopes to drive financial inclusion, improve efficiency, and enhance the overall financial ecosystem in Tanzania.....……continue reading

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