The Decent Report

June 10, 2023

(dig.watch) - The platform will include a data repository, technical development, and regulatory policy expertise. The foundation hopes this program will make AI tools more available to African researchers in health and development, thus leading to local innovation and solution implementation.

The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed $30 million to develop an AI platform in Africa.

The AI platform will equip African researchers and scientists with technological and operational support, helping them turn innovative ideas into scalable health solutions. The announcement by the foundation was made during the annual Grand Challenges meeting in Dakar, Senegal.

The investment is part of a larger call by the Gates Foundation for countries to increase their annual spending on global health and development research by an additional $3 billion to address the funding gaps for neglected diseases. Bill Gates stresses the need for additional R&D funding, stating that new health technologies have the potential to save millions of lives.

The platform will include a data repository as well as technical development and regulatory policy expertise. The foundation hopes that this program will make AI tools more available to African researchers in health and development, thus leading to local innovation and solution implementation.

You can read the full article here

Oct 19, 2023

(bitcoin.com) - The South African crypto exchange Valr said its partnership with the global card firm Visa is set to expand the former’s reach. The two companies said they would work on a solution that enables Valr customers to use the card firm’s network to make or receive payments.

The South African crypto exchange Valr has partnered with the global payment card services corporation Visa to expand the use of crypto payments inside and outside the African country. The partnership arrangement means the two firms will collaborate on payment solutions that leverage the crypto exchange’s expertise and Visa’s capabilities.

Farzam Ehsani, the CEO and co-founder at Valr, lauded the partnership as a step that allows the crypto exchange to widen its range of products.

“Visa is a household name in payments, with vast experience and global reach. A partnership with Visa was a natural step for VALR as we bring more innovative products and services to our customer base,” Ehsani said.

For Valr, the announcement of the partnership with Visa represents another step in the crypto exchange’s endeavor to become a global digital asset platform. It also comes just under a month after the crypto exchange said it had commenced the process to acquire a license in the UAE.

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Oct 13, 2023

(ABN) - The avatar, a blend of AI and human likeness, is modelled on Chanel Retief, who works for Africa Business News (ABN), the parent group of CNBC Africa. By integrating the features and persona of a real-life member of the ABN family, CNBC Africa aims to infuse a touch of authenticity and familiarity into the AI newsreader, bridging the gap between technology and human connection.

While AI technology continues to grow and capture an increasing share in various sectors, CNBC Africa emphasizes that this new AI initiative is designed to augment human productivity, not replace it. The integration of the AI newsreader will work in tandem with CNBC Africa's team of skilled journalists, analysts, and anchors, ensuring a seamless synergy of human expertise and technological efficiency.

"We're incredibly excited about this new chapter for CNBC Africa," says Sid Wahi, Executive Director of CNBC Africa. "As a first step, by introducing our AI newsreader, we're not just adopting new technology; we're embracing a future where humans and machines collaborate to deliver news in ways we once only imagined."

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Oct 17, 2023

(Bloomberg) - South Africa has started a probe to gauge if artificial intelligence models, digital and social media platforms managed by companies including Alphabet Inc.’s Google and Meta Platforms Inc.’s Facebook are limiting the nation’s news and media companies’ ability to generate revenue.

Big tech firms dominate the digital advertisement markets, limiting local news companies’ ability to generate revenue from online content, forming the basis of the inquiry by South Africa’s Competition Commission over the next 15 months.

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May 17, 2023

(Mariblock) - Standard Bank Group’s Head of the Blockchain Centre of Excellence, Ian Putter says crypto will function alongside other payment rails in Africa rather than disrupt them.

Over the years, the general disposition of many African governments to blockchain has been cautious and skeptical, with many placing restrictions and some outrightly banning the use of cryptocurrencies. However, some countries, such as South Africa, have recently recognized cryptocurrencies and digital assets as financial products, providing clarity on the use and taxation of the technology. 

In this light, Standard Bank Group’s Head of the Blockchain Centre of Excellence, Ian Putter, discussed the effects of regulatory clarity on crypto adoption in South Africa and the opportunities blockchain offers the African continent in a recent interview with CoinDesk.

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