Hello readers,
I am Victoria from Techpoint, and I am back with the latest tech news updates for you. Here is what I have in store for you today:
- Telegram faces shutdown in Kenya
Kenya’s Communications Authority (CA) has issued a directive to block Telegram temporarily in an effort to prevent exam cheating. This move has resulted in restrictions on Telegram across major telecom networks in the country. The CA has requested the suspension of Telegram during exam hours on weekdays until November 22. This is not the first time Kenya has taken such action, with a similar ban in November 2023 leading to significant losses for businesses. Despite these restrictions, Telegram remains a popular encrypted messaging platform with close to 1 billion users worldwide. - BoG slaps TapTap Send with 1-month suspension
The Bank of Ghana (BoG) has imposed a one-month suspension on TapTap Send, an international remittance platform, for violating remittance regulations. TapTap Send’s "cedi remittance wallet" was found to be in breach of the Foreign Exchange Act and specific guidelines for payment service providers handling remittances. The suspension took effect on November 8, 2024, prohibiting TapTap Send from working with regulated financial institutions in Ghana. - Inside Bolt’s cleanup
Bolt recently announced a major cleanup of its platform, removing over 5,000 drivers in 2023. The company plans to continue this process using a driver score system that tracks drivers’ performance based on their last 100 trips. While this scoring method aims to maintain standards, it has faced criticism from the Amalgamated Union of App-based Transporters of Nigeria (AUTON) for adding psychological pressure on drivers. On a positive note, Bolt has committed €100 million to enhance safety for drivers and riders in Nigeria, introducing new safety features and accident prevention measures.In case you missed them, here are some opportunities in the tech industry:
- Paystack is hiring for multiple senior positions.
- Moniepoint is hiring for various roles in the UK and Lagos.
- Interswitch is looking for a Senior Backend Engineer.
- Flutterwave has several job openings in African countries and the UK.
- Explore over 1,500 internship and remote job opportunities in different fields.
Stay updated on the latest trends and news in the African tech space by following Techpoint Africa’s WhatsApp channel.
That’s all for now. Have a productive week ahead!
Best regards,
Victoria Fakiya for Techpoint Africa. The world of technology is constantly evolving, with new innovations and advancements being made every day. One of the most exciting developments in recent years is the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). AI is a branch of computer science that aims to create machines that can perform tasks that typically require human intelligence, such as visual perception, speech recognition, decision-making, and language translation.AI has the potential to revolutionize many aspects of our lives, from how we work and communicate to how we access information and make decisions. In fact, AI is already being used in a wide range of industries, including healthcare, finance, transportation, and entertainment.
One of the key areas where AI is making a significant impact is in healthcare. AI-powered tools are being used to analyze medical images, diagnose diseases, and develop personalized treatment plans for patients. For example, AI algorithms can analyze MRI scans to detect early signs of cancer, or analyze genetic data to predict a patient’s risk of developing certain diseases.
In the finance industry, AI is being used to detect fraudulent transactions, automate customer service, and predict market trends. AI-powered chatbots are also being used to provide personalized financial advice to customers, based on their individual financial goals and risk tolerance.
In transportation, AI is being used to optimize traffic flow, improve safety, and develop autonomous vehicles. AI-powered algorithms can analyze real-time traffic data to predict congestion, reroute traffic, and reduce accidents. Autonomous vehicles, such as self-driving cars and trucks, are also becoming increasingly common on our roads, thanks to advancements in AI technology.
In the entertainment industry, AI is being used to personalize content recommendations, create immersive virtual reality experiences, and even write music and scripts. Streaming services like Netflix and Spotify use AI algorithms to analyze user data and preferences, in order to recommend movies, TV shows, and music that are likely to be of interest to each individual user.
While the potential of AI is vast, it also raises important ethical and social questions. Issues such as privacy, bias, and job displacement are all concerns that need to be addressed as AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives.
Overall, the rise of artificial intelligence is reshaping the world in profound ways, with the potential to improve efficiency, accuracy, and convenience in many aspects of our lives. As we continue to explore the possibilities of AI, it will be important to ensure that its development is guided by ethical principles and a commitment to serving the greater good.
