OpenAI is launching a tool that can detect images created by its text-to-image generator DALL-E 3, the Microsoft-backed (MSFT.O), opens new tab startup said on Tuesday amid rising worries about the influence of AI-generated content in this year’s global elections.
he company said the tool correctly identified images created by DALL-E 3 about 98% of the time in internal testing and can handle common modifications such as compression, cropping and saturation changes with minimal impact.
The ChatGPT creator also plans to add tamper-resistant watermarking to mark digital content such as photos or audio with a signal that should be hard to remove.
As part of the efforts, OpenAI has also joined an industry group that includes Google, Microsoft and Adobe and plans to provide a standard that would help trace origin of different media.
In April, during the ongoing general election in India, fake videos of two Bollywood actors that are seen criticizing Prime Minister Narendra Modi have gone viral online.
AI content and deepfakes surge in India and global elections, impacting U.S., Pakistan, Indonesia, and beyond.
OpenAI said it is joining Microsoft in launching a $2 million “societal resilience” fund to support AI education.
The tech industry has long been perceived as a male-dominated field, but Nigerian women are shattering this stereotype and making significant contributions to the sector. Despite facing various challenges, Nigerian women in tech are breaking barriers and achieving success in various areas of the industry.
In this News Round the Clock (NRTC) post, we will highlight the achievements of Nigerian women in tech and showcase some of the communities supporting their growth.
Pioneering Women in Tech
Nigeria has produced several pioneering women in tech who have made a significant impact in the industry.
Some notable examples include:
Omobola Johnson: A former Minister of Communication Technology and a pioneer in the Nigerian tech industry. She played a crucial role in developing the country’s technology sector.
Omobola Johnson
Funke Opeke: A pioneer in the Nigerian IT sector and founder of Main One Cable, a leading West African connectivity and data center services provider.
Funke Opeke
Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho: A seasoned IT professional and founder of Future Software Resources Limited, a leading IT consulting firm.
Nkemdilim Uwaje Begho
Communities Supporting Nigerian Women in Tech
Several communities and organizations are dedicated to supporting and empowering Nigerian women in tech. Some of these communities include:
Women Who Code Lagos: A community of women coders and programmers who meet regularly to share knowledge, learn from each other, and work on projects together.
Ladies in Tech Nigeria: A community that aims to increase the number of women in tech by providing mentorship, training, and networking opportunities.
She Leads Africa: A social enterprise that aims to empower female entrepreneurs and professionals in Africa, including those in the tech industry.
Women in Technology in Nigeria (WITIN): A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and supporting women in technology, entrepreneurship, and leadership.
Girl Code Africa: A community that aims to increase the number of girls and women in tech by providing coding training, mentorship, and networking opportunities.
Despite the progress made, Nigerian women in tech still face various challenges, including:
Gender bias and stereotypes: Many people still believe that tech is a male-dominated field, and women are often discouraged from pursuing careers in tech.
Limited access to funding: Women-led startups often struggle to secure funding, and this limits their ability to scale and grow.
Lack of representation: Women are underrepresented in tech leadership positions, and this limits their ability to influence decision-making and policy.
Nigerian women are making significant contributions to the tech industry, and their achievements are worth celebrating. Despite progress, much work remains to address challenges Nigerian women in tech face, but collective effort can overcome obstacles.
Supporting communities like Women Who Code Lagos and others empower Nigerian women to pursue tech careers and achieve success. Together, we can create a more inclusive and diverse tech industry that benefits everyone.
As Nigerians increasingly rely on the internet for daily activities, the risk of cyber fraud and online attacks also grows. In recent years, the country has seen a surge in online scams, phishing attacks, and identity theft. It’s essential to take proactive steps to protect yourself from these threats. In this News Round the Clock (NRTC) post, we’ll share valuable tips on how to stay safe online and avoid cyber fraud in Nigeria.
1. Be cautious with links and attachments
When receiving emails or messages with links or attachments, be wary. Avoid clicking on suspicious links or downloading attachments from unknown sources. These could be malware or phishing scams designed to steal your personal information.
2. Use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication
Use a combination of letters, numbers, and symbols to create strong passwords. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) whenever possible, which adds an extra layer of security to your accounts.
3. Keep your software up-to-date
Regularly update your operating system, browser, and software to ensure you have the latest security patches.
Install and regularly update antivirus software to protect against malware and other online threats.
5. Be mindful of public Wi-Fi
Avoid using public Wi-Fi for sensitive activities like online banking or shopping, as these networks may be unsecured.
6. Monitor your accounts and credit reports
Regularly check your bank and credit card statements for suspicious transactions. Also, monitor your credit reports for any fraudulent activity.
7. Use a VPN (Virtual Private Network)
Consider using a VPN to encrypt your internet connection, especially when using public Wi-Fi.
8. Verify websites and apps
Before entering personal information or making transactions, ensure the website or app is legitimate and secure (look for “https” and a lock icon in the address bar).
9. Use two-factor authentication for online banking
Enable 2FA for your online banking accounts to add an extra layer of security.
10. Educate yourself and stay informed
Stay up-to-date with the latest online threats and scams by following reputable sources and online security experts.
By following these tips, you’ll significantly reduce your risk of falling victim to cyber fraud in Nigeria. Remember, online safety is everyone’s responsibility, and being proactive is key to protecting yourself in the digital world.
The United States of America (USA) and Nigeria are set to discuss digital economy, emerging technology, and the development and implementation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in a bid to find common grounds for partnerships.
Brown said in less than two weeks, high-level U.S. government officials would be in Abuja for a conference under the auspices of the U.S.-Nigeria Bi-National Commission.
Programs and policies
Providing further details on the upcoming meeting, the U.S. deputy chief of mission said:
“In less than two weeks, the United States and Nigeria will hold a Bi-National Commission, a conference with high-level U.S. government officials coming to Abuja to discuss, among other things, the digital economy and emerging technology.
“We want to foster deeper partnerships and work together to create programs and policies that will drive robust, resilient, and inclusive economic growth.
“Looking ahead, we hope to build on the momentum of this four days workshop with an Al conference in Lagos to deepen the linkages between our economies. We want to align Al governance to ensure that Al is deployed in a safe, secure, transparent, and trustworthy manner.’’
He said the U.S., through its various agencies was ready to work with Nigeria as equal partners, to deliver on everything from talent development, infrastructure, and research, to innovation. He commended Nigeria for its support on the adoption of a landmark United Nations resolution on AI. Additionally, he also pledged the U.S. government’s continued partnership with Nigeria on economy.
“Thanks to Nigeria’s support and co-spansorship, we were able to ensure the adoption of a landmark United Nations Resolution on seizing the opportunities for safe, secure, and trustworthy Al systems for sustainable development.
“The United States looks forward to continuing partnering closely with Nigeria, and everyone, to improve the lives of the people of both of our nations,’’ he said.
Also speaking during the workshop closing, the Minister of Communications Innovation and Digital Economy, Dr Bosun Tijani, stressed the need for governments and leaders across Africa to take decisions to back up their desires and approaches.
Speaking on expected revenue to be generated and jobs to be created, Tijani said:
“Revenue should not necessarily be where we even start from. “I think the first thing for us as a nation is to be well structured and organized to be able to govern this technology, which is a very special technique.
“AI by nature is a tool to support the evolution of productivity across different sectors and Nigeria is a country that has always talked about diversification of its economy.
“So, this is a unique opportunity for us to allow a technology that can help us raise the level of productivity in agriculture, public health, and education.”
The 4-day Artificial Intelligence workshop was organized by the ministry in collaboration with the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA) and the Nigeria Communications Commission (NCC) to develop a co-created framework for AI adoption in the country.
The Federal Government through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has launched Nigeria’s first Multilingual Large Language Model (LLM) as the country pushes forward to take a leadership position in Artificial Intelligence (AI) development in Africa. The Federal Government through the Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, has launched Nigeria’s first Multilingual Large Language Model (LLM) as the country pushes forward to take a leadership position in Artificial Intelligence (AI) development in Africa.
The Communications Minister, Dr. Bosun Tijani, who announced this on Friday said the launch of the LLM was one of the outcomes of the 4-day AI workshop held in Abuja between Monday and Thursday those weeks.
According to him, the AI tool was launched through a partnership between a Nigerian AI company, Awarritech, a global tech company, DataDotOrg, the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), and the National Centre for AI and Robotics (NCAIR).
“The LLM will be trained on 5 low resource languages and accented english to ensure stronger language representation in existing datasets for development of Artificial Intelligence solutions. The project will also be supported by over 7,000 fellows from the 3MTT Nigeria program,” the Minister stated.
Other key announcements from the Workshop Tijani further disosed that after the 4-day of co-creation with over 120 ArtificiaI Intelligence experts, the countey not only have an initial draft of its National AI Strategy, but also announced some significant developments and partnerships that would lead Nigeria towards accelerating the development of AI.
He said part of the announcements was the partnership between 21st Century Technologies, Galaxy Backbone and and NCAIR Nigeria to accelerate the development of Artificial Intelligence projects of national interest.
“21st Century Technology is funding the acquisition of an initial set of GPUs to kickstart our national computing capacity. The compute which will be available to local researchers, startups, govt entities working on critical AI projects, will reside at the GBB Data centre in the FCT,” he said. At the workshop, the Minister said the NCAIR, a special purpose vehicle created to promote research and development on emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Robotics and UAV, Internet of Things (IoT) and their practical application in areas of Nigerian national interest was also relaunched.
According to him, the improved capacity at NCAIR will help it better fulfill its mandate as a digital innovation and research facility.
Nigerian mobility startup Moove has emerged as the frontrunner in African tech investment for the first quarter of 2024, according to a report by research firm Africa: The Big Deal.
The report highlights that while overall investment in African startups declined compared to Q1 2023, Moove secured a significant amount, propelling them to the top spot.
Here’s a breakdown of Moove’s achievements: Total Funds Raised: $110 million Breakdown:
$100 million Series B round led by Uber
$10 million debt financing for India expansion
It reads, “Moove leads with $110m announced this quarter in total: a $100m Series B round led by Uber, and a $10 million debt deal to finance its India expansion. Moove alone attracted 24 per cent of the funding on the continent in Q1, therefore influencing other trends.
“87 per cent of the funding went to start-ups HQ’ed in the Big Four, with 60 per cent going to Nigeria (2/3 of which were the Moove deals) and Kenya. Few other countries managed to claim more than $5m in funding during the period.”
This impressive haul translates to Moove attracting a staggering 24% of all the funding raised by African startups in Q1 2024. This feat significantly impacted funding trends across the continent.
The report further reveals:
Overall Investment: $466 million raised by 121 African startups (deals exceeding $100,000)
Funding Distribution: ▪︎ 87% went to startups headquartered in the “Big Four” African economies (Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Egypt) ▪︎ 60% went to Nigerian startups, with two-thirds of that being Moove’s deals.
Moove’s success story signifies the growing potential of Nigerian startups to attract major investments, particularly in the transportation and logistics sector. It also highlights the increasing interest from established players like Uber in backing innovative African companies.
This development is likely to inspire further investment in Nigerian tech ventures and could potentially lead to a domino effect, boosting the overall African tech ecosystem.
Tecno’s Camon lineup has always been known for its camera focus, and the Camon 19 4G continues this tradition. This latest addition joins the Camon 19 Pro and Pro 5G, all unveiled in Nigeria and Africa in June 2022. Tecno has gained a reputation for offering capable smartphones at competitive prices, and the Camon 19 seems to be another winner at a price point of ₦150,000.
Prioritising camera features, the Camon 19 packs a powerful 64MP main sensor for impressive photos. But how does it perform in other areas? We’ll examine its other features in this review, exploring strengths and weaknesses to see if the Camon 19 lives up to Tecno’s reputation for delivering excellent budget-friendly value.
We’ll start by examining its design, including the beautiful Sea Salt White and Digital Green colour options available in this region. Then, we’ll weigh the pros and cons to help you decide if the Tecno Camon 19 is the right phone for you.
Battery: 5000 mAh, non-removable with 18W wired charging
Colours: Eco Black, Sea Salt White, Digital Green
Features of the Tecno Camon 19 4G
Unboxing the Tecno Camon 19 reveals the phone itself, an 18W charger, a USB cable, and a protective case. This budget-friendly device boasts the slimmest bezels in its price range, showcasing a vibrant 6.8-inch 1080p LCD display. While it lacks the higher refresh rate found on pricier models, the display remains crisp and enjoyable for everyday use.
Powering the Camon 19 is the MediaTek Helio G85 processor, known for its stability. This choice prioritizes optimization over the high refresh rate display seen on its predecessor, the Camon 18. While some users might miss the smoother visuals, the G85 offers reliable performance for daily tasks and even some light gaming at medium settings.
The star of the show is the 64MP main camera, capable of capturing sharp photos in various lighting conditions. The 5000mAh battery ensures a full day’s use on a single charge, making the Camon 19 a great option for those who prioritize camera quality and long battery life.
However, some compromises exist. The standard refresh rate display might feel less smooth compared to pricier options. Additionally, the lack of NFC functionality hinders contactless payments. There have also been reports of potential overheating during multitasking and occasional gaming performance issues.
Pros
Excellent Camera: The 64MP main sensor captures impressive photos, especially for a budget phone.
Lasting Battery: The 5000mAh battery keeps you going throughout the day.
Affordable Price: The Tecno Camon 19 offers good value for money.
Android 13 (with reservations): While the update to Android 13 brings new features, some users report limitations with copying files.
Cons
Standard Refresh Rate Display: Lacks the smoother feel of higher refresh rate displays.
No NFC: Disappointing omission for contactless payments.
Potential Overheating Issues: Some users experience overheating during multitasking.
Gaming Performance Concerns: Reports of app crashes and gyroscope lag during gaming.
Should you buy?
Yes, if you’re a casual user who values a good camera and long battery life at an affordable price. For those seeking a well-rounded phone for gaming or prioritising features like NFC and high refresh rates, exploring other options within the Tecno range, like the Spark 9 Pro, might be a better fit.
Pricing and Availability
You’ll find the Tecno Camon 19 4G with 4GB RAM and 128GB storage options. This Android smartphone lands at an attractive price point of around ₦150,000 in Nigeria. It’s readily available in Tecno stores, authorised dealers, and e-shops like Jumia and Jiji. If you’re seeking a potentially more well-rounded device from Tecno, check out our full review of the Tecno Spark 20 Pro. The starting prices for the Camon 19 are GHS 1,500 in Ghana, KES 23,499 in Kenya, and PKR 41,999 in Pakistan.
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OnePlus has always marched to the beat of its own drummer — for better and worse. Take, for example, the company’s latest foray into mobile artificial intelligence, the AI Eraser. Before you ask, no, this is not simply a rebadged version of Google’s longstanding and very good Magic Eraser.
“AI Eraser is the result of a substantial R&D investment from OnePlus,” the company notes in its press material. “The proprietary LLM behind the new feature has been trained on a vast dataset that allows it to comprehend complex scenes. Through this advanced visual understanding, AI Eraser is able to intelligently substitute unwanted objects with contextually appropriate elements that naturally elevate the photo’s appeal, empowering users with the ability to make high-quality photo edits anywhere and at any time.”
BeforeAfter
An AI-powered eraser is an undeniably handy feature, but it’s also one that Google knocked out of the park immediately. It’s probably not the best use of one’s R&D resources to go head to head on that feature — especially a feature that is currently available across iOS and Android devices via Google Photos.
More than anything, this appears to be OnePlus’s attempt to plant its flag into what has very much shaped up to be the year of the smartphone. Hopefully next time, it will use those resources to build something that truly differentiates itself from existing properties.
AI is rolling out to OnePlus devices this month, starting with OnePlus 12, OnePlus 12R, OnePlus 11, OnePlus Open and OnePlus Nord CE 4. It will not, however, be coming to the R12-D12.
Gemini Advanced vs ChatGPT Plus vs Copilot Pro: Which AI chatbot to subscribe to?
Tech titans are battling to offer the most advanced chatbots. Three major players have emerged: Google’s Gemini Advanced, OpenAI’s ChatGPT Plus, and Microsoft’s Copilot Pro. But which should you choose? Let’s delve into alternatives.
Writing and content creation
If writing and content creation are your primary goals, ChatGPT Plus arguably holds an edge. While all three chatbots excel in these areas, OpenAI’s offering is renowned for producing more eloquent and polished written outputs, with varied sentence structures and descriptive language. Gemini Advanced and Copilot Pro, on the other hand, are better suited for drafting and ideation.
Speed and performance
When it comes to speed and performance, reports suggest that Copilot Pro takes the lead. It offers three conversation styles to choose from, so you can prioritise either speed, creativity, or accuracy. However, Gemini Advanced from Google is no slouch either, reportedly outperforming GPT-4 in certain tasks, thanks to its cutting-edge “Ultra 1.0” model.
Coding and data analysis
For developers and data scientists, ChatGPT Plus shines as the superior choice. Its ability to understand and process uploaded files, analyse data, generate charts and tables, and even run Python code sets it apart from the competition. Gemini Advanced and Copilot Pro are currently not so robust with coding and data analysis.
AI-generated images
When it comes to generating images, DALL-E 3 integrated into ChatGPT Plus reportedly outperforms Gemini Advanced’s image generation capabilities. While Google’s offering can quickly produce a higher volume of images, the quality and adherence to prompts are often cited as superior with DALL-E 3.
Integrations and ecosystem
Both Copilot Pro and Gemini Advanced boast deep integrations with their respective ecosystems. Copilot Pro seamlessly integrates with Microsoft 365 apps like Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook, while Gemini Advanced promises future integration with Gmail, Docs, and other Google products. ChatGPT Plus, on the other hand, currently operates as a standalone offering.
When it comes to value for money, Gemini Advanced stands out. At $19.99 per month, not only do you get access to Google’s powerful AI model, but you also receive 2TB of Google Drive storage and other benefits as part of the “AI Premium” Google One subscription. ChatGPT Plus and Copilot Pro, both priced at $20 per month, offer fewer additional perks.
Which one to pick?
Here’s a quick breakdown:
1. For writers and content creators: ChatGPT Plus
With its unmatched eloquence and polished outputs, ChatGPT Plus is the go-to choice for writers and content creators seeking a powerful writing assistant.
2. For developers and data scientists: ChatGPT Plus
Thanks to its robust coding and data analysis capabilities, including the ability to run Python code, ChatGPT Plus is the clear winner for developers and data scientists.
3. For general AI tasks and Google integration: Gemini Advanced
If you’re looking for a well-rounded AI assistant with impressive capabilities across various tasks, and you prefer deep integration with Google’s ecosystem, Gemini Advanced is an excellent choice, especially considering its value proposition.
4. For Microsoft 365 users and speed: Copilot Pro
If you’re heavily invested in the Microsoft 365 ecosystem and priorities speed above all else, Copilot Pro is the way to go, thanks to its seamless integration and GPT-4 Turbo integration.
After the Nothing Phone 2a, the brand is launching two new earbuds – the Nothing Ear and Nothing Ear (a) on April 18.
The London-based startup Nothing has been actively engaged in new ventures recently. Shortly after unveiling its inaugural budget smartphone under the ‘a’ brand, the company is now preparing to release a set of new earbuds with an unexpected twist.
Dubbed the Nothing Ear and Nothing Ear (a), these two earbuds represent what the brand calls “the culmination of three years of design and innovation.” To showcase how far they’ve come, Nothing is even resetting its naming strategy. The two earbuds are set to make their debut on April 18.
If the previous naming convention had continued, we’d have gotten the Nothing Ear 3 on the same date. But just two iterations in, the company has already decided to ditch the flow.
Nothing hasn’t teased much beyond an image that shows what appears to be the stem of a single white earbud. From this tease, it’s unclear what design changes are in store this time around. As a design-focused hardware brand, the look of its products is a key selling point, but it remains to be seen if Nothing will also bring some new features to complement the slick designs this time.
We started Nothing with audio in 2021 and since our very first product, we’ve relentlessly refined our design and engineering with every new addition to our audio product suite.
2024 is the year we’re unveiling the ultimate iteration of Nothing Audio with two new products that… pic.twitter.com/bRrFzk9wUl
The Nothing Ear is likely to be positioned as the next iteration of the Nothing Ear 2 and may be priced similarly – around ₦149,795k. Meanwhile, the Nothing Ear (a) will likely occupy a new, more affordable spot in the company’s ever-expanding lineup, much like the Nothing Phone 2a.
As is often the case with Nothing, details are slim at the moment. However, you can expect a series of teasers leading up to the launch, revealing more about the two devices bit by bit.
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