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ITU Partners IBM Watson’s XPRIZE to Promote AI Innovation

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Data volumes are soaring to previously unimaginable heights. More data has been created in the past two years than in the entire history of humanity. 2.5 quintillion (that is, one-billion billion) bytes of data are produced every day by sensors, mobile devices, online transactions and social networking.

It is predicted that, by 2020, each person on the planet will account for the creation of an average of 1.7 megabytes of new data every second.

Scalable AI solutions could help address humanity’s biggest challenges

Drawing meaningful insight from such vast amounts data is beyond our capabilities as humans, but perhaps not those of machines.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and machine learning have the potential to make sense of gargantuan datasets with multiple variables, leading us to ask: what if humans could collaborate with powerful AI technologies to collect and analyze data in the interests of solving the problems most relevant to the future of civilization on our planet?

This is the question that inspired the creation of the IBM Watson AI XPRIZE, a 5 million USD competition that aims to accelerate the development of scalable AI solutions to address humanity’s grandest challenges.

How AI can help accelerate sustainable development

Many of these grand challenges are best described by the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), an ambitious set of 17 development goals to be achieved by 2030, including goals to end poverty, fight inequality and injustice, and tackle climate change.

AI innovation is certain to assist in the pursuit of the SDGs, with practical applications of machine learning, reasoning, planning and perception bearing the potential to improve the efficiency and sustainability of healthcare, education, transportation, agriculture, commerce and more.

As an example, tracking poverty in Africa is essential in collecting data to support development initiatives but collecting this data manually can be dangerous, slow and expensive. A new study building on satellite imagery and a machine-learning technique called “convolutional neural networks” provides an alternative: mapping poverty from space.

Our partnership with ITU
The global, technical nature of XPRIZE, and our mutual recognition of the importance of the competition, led us to sign a partnership agreement last month with ITU.

As the United Nations specialized agency for information and communication technologies (ICTs), ITU will draw on its global network of ICT experts to propose judges to join the XPRIZE scientific advisory board, in addition assisting in the proposition of datasets, test environments and other resources to aid the research of XPRIZE entrants. ITU also plans to offer mentors and other technical experts to assist entrants in improving their applications and showcasing their work, and this offer of assistance will also extend to the provision of an ecosystem of technical tools and resources.

For those interested in learning more about the extraordinary potential of AI, I would encourage you to attend ITU’s series of talks on the topic to be moderated by Stephen Ibaraki at the upcoming ITU World Telecommunication Standardization Assembly in Hammamet, Tunisia; as well as at ITU Telecom World and the ITU Kaleidoscope academic conference in Bangkok, Thailand.

ITU has also created a new LinkedIn group for debate on cutting-edge AI technologies and related ICT applications and services, with the aim of promoting discussion on the future course of AI innovation and its implications for technical standardization and governance.

Past XPRIZE competitions have helped to push the boundaries of what is possible with technology, rewarding teams for coming up with new ideas in areas such as spacecraft development, unmanned ocean exploration or mapping the human genome. The USD 10 million prize for innovations in the area of private space travel, for example, led contestants to spend over 100 million USD on research and development fundamental to the creation of today’s 2 billion USD private space industry.

We hope that this competition will provide similar stimulus to AI innovation, leading to breakthroughs that positively impact people’s lives. I encourage you to register today to help shape the future of AI technology.

Banifatemi is the Prize Lead of the IBM Watson AI XPRIZE.

 


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WHO Says Ebola Outbreak Worse than Reported

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World Health Organisation (WHO) at the weekend declared the Ebola outbreak linked to the rare Bundibugyo virus strain a global public health emergency.

WHO Says Ebola Outbreak Worse than Reported

WHO said there is currently no approved vaccine or specific treatment for this strain of Ebola.

At home, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (NCDC) said there is “no confirmed case of Ebola Virus Disease in Nigeria” but had  tightened surveillance against the deadly virus.

The outbreak, linked to the rare Bundibugyo strain of Ebola, has already caused dozens of deaths in Congo and spread into Uganda, raising fears of wider transmission across the region.

In response, Nigeria Centre for Disease Control and Prevention said that the country remains on alert because of growing movement across African borders.

Jide Idris, director-general said the agency was “closely monitoring the situation” and working with the Port Health Services and other health agencies to strengthen preparedness nationwide.

He added that surveillance has been increased at entry points and within Nigeria’s health system.

According to the WHO, the outbreak has recorded more than 240 suspected cases and about 80 suspected deaths in Congo’s Ituri province, while imported cases have also been confirmed in Uganda’s capital, Kampala.

The WHO said the outbreak is “extraordinary” because of uncertainty around the true number of infections and the lack of approved medical countermeasures for the Bundibugyo strain.

Health authorities advised Nigerians to maintain proper hygiene, avoid contact with infected persons and report symptoms such as fever, weakness, vomiting and bleeding to the nearest health facility immediately.

Nigeria was declared Ebola-free in 2014 after successfully containing an outbreak brought into the country by an infected traveler from Liberia.

 

 


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Digital PayExpo 2026 to Convene Africa’s Most Influential Payments Leaders in Lagos

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Africa’s digital payments ecosystem will take center stage as Digital PayExpo 2026 returns to Lagos on June 17–18, 2026, at the Landmark Centre, Victoria Island, under the theme: “Seamless Digital: Fostering Pan-African Market Expansion in the AI Era.”

At a time when artificial intelligence, cross-border commerce, and financial inclusion are redefining Africa’s economic future, the event is set to convene over 3,000 senior executives, policymakers, fintech innovators, and global technology providers.

The speaker lineup reflects a powerful blend of regulatory leadership, private sector innovation, and pan-African expertise.

Among the headline speakers:

  • Dr. Rakiya Yusuf, Director, Payment Systems Supervision, Central Bank of Nigeria — a key architect in Nigeria’s payment system reforms.
  • Dr. Folasade Femi-Lawal, Country Manager & Area Business Head (West Africa), Mastercard — a leading voice in digital payments expansion across Africa.
  • Clara B. Arthur, Managing Director, GhIPSS (Ghana) — driving Ghana’s interoperable payment ecosystem.
  • Wacera Maina, Chief Operations Officer, Kenwitch Kenya — an expert in East Africa’s payment infrastructure evolution.
  • Akeem Lawal, CEO, Interswitch Group — a pioneer in Africa’s fintech growth story.
  • Ngover Ihyembe-Nwankwo, Executive Director, NIBSS — shaping Nigeria’s core payment infrastructure.

The conference will explore:

  • AI-powered financial services
  • Cross-border payment systems and interoperability
  • Cybersecurity and trust frameworks
  • SME financing and financial inclusion
  • Infrastructure for a unified African digital economy

With participation from banks, fintechs, telcos, regulators, and global payment networks, Digital PayExpo 2026 is positioned as a critical marketplace for ideas, partnerships, and investment flows. Register: https://digitalpayexpo.com/register
Sponsorship Enquiries: [email protected]


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Only 1 in 3 Families Fully Secure their Devices, Kaspersky Study Reveals

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On International Day of Families observed on May 15th, a global Kaspersky study* reveals that while 47% of respondents talk about online safety, only 33% secure all their family devices – highlighting the need for proactivity from Family Digital Managers.

As online threats develop and every generation joins the online space, cybersecurity habits have become an essential part of life for every family. Typically, in every family, one or two people become so-called Family Digital Managers, responsible for managing subscriptions, setting up new devices, or thinking about cyber protection. Kaspersky has conducted a survey to find out what measures modern families take to stay safe online.

According to Kaspersky’s data, a significant portion of respondents adopt an educational approach to cybersecurity within their families:

47% regularly coach elderly relatives and children on safe online practices

45% advise family members to adopt password manager solutions

42% encourage the use of multi-factor authentication (MFA)

An equal 42% actively review and adjust privacy settings on both family devices and critical online accounts

Although a growing awareness of the importance of proactive, family-focused digital protection can be observed, when it comes to the implementation of security solutions, the trend is slightly different. 10% of respondents take no measures at all to protect their loved ones online, rising to 21% among those aged 55+.

As for the parental control apps, 67% of families with children under 18 years use this tool to monitor and secure their kids’ online activity. Parental control, such as the Kaspersky Safe Kids solution, can help restrict children’s access to inappropriate content and also gently manage their online habits by limiting access to certain websites and apps, controlling their screen time, and even enhancing their physical security by tracking their geolocation.

The most worrying number is that only 33% of respondents – just 1 in 3 – install security solutions on all family members’ devices. Kaspersky experts highlight that the current threat landscape shows that mobile devices and tablets as well as PCs all require comprehensive cyber protection, as they are often targeted by cybercriminals.

According to the survey, only 30% of respondents set up new devices for their families. Setting up a new device is not often regarded as a step that contributes to cyber safety; however, some actions performed before the device is put into use can significantly enhance its security.

For instance, experts recommend installing a security solution first, to scan the device for hidden threats and make web browsing safe from the first queries. What’s more, reviewing privacy settings on a new device allows you not to share data that you would like to keep private with some applications and services.

The research also shows that the older generation (55+) is generally less included in family security habits. Around 1 in 5 (21%) of this age group globally do not take any measures to protect their family online and only a quarter (24%) install security solutions for family members. The most popular security measure among them turns out to be a password manager, as 40% of this age group recommend their family members to use it.

“We are now using a lot of gadgets and digital services, and with every new device and every additional hour spent online, the potential entry points for cybercriminals continue to grow, exposing us to a wider range of cyber threats. At the same time, not every generation adapts to these rapid changes with the same ease.

“That’s why having someone in the family take on the role of a ‘Family Digital Manager’ can be so valuable, especially when it comes to protecting kids and elder people from digital cyberthreats, give advice and help with the use of trusted security solutions,” comments Brandon Muller, Technical Expert at Kaspersky.

 


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