artificial general intelligencelatest news & developments
Chinese tech giant Alibaba will spend more than $50 billion (R921bn) on artificial intelligence and cloud computing.
ALIBABA

China's Alibaba launches international data centre push

Hangzhou-based Alibaba is one of the frontrunners in China's artificial intelligence industry, with its Qwen model among the world's most downloaded AI models.

  • AFP
2 min read
The interior of a data centre in Hamina, Finland.
DATA CENTRE

Google data centre sparks protests in Austria

While Europe lags far behind the United States in data centre capacity, there are already hundreds of data centres across the continent, with many more planned as it looks to…

  • AFP
4 min read
South Africa has the cables, data centres and renewable-energy potential to become a continental AI hub. But the country must address electricity, water, ownership and data sovereignty before that ambition becomes meaningful.
AI ADOPTION

South Africa wants to become Africa’s AI capital, but who pays for the electricity and water?

South Africa needs a few things to be fixed before this ambition becomes meaningful.

  • Luvo Grey
6 min read
A 2025 review on Privacy in Speech Technology found that voice interfaces can hear conversations occurring in the same acoustic space and can mistake any unrelated speech or sounds for their wake words.
AI

Hey Alexa: How much office talk is absorbed by technology?

Why the devices on your desk may be your next security risk.

  • Richard Frost
4 min read
South African consumers are increasingly turning to AI to simplify financial decisions, with most trusting the technology to compare loans and find better rates.
LOAN

Would you let AI negotiate your next loan? South Africans increasingly do

A new survey reveals how consumers are turning to AI to navigate borrowing, compare options and make financial decisions.

  • Ashley Lechman
4 min read
Dr Nik Eberl is the founder and executive chair: The Future of Jobs Summit™ (Official T20 Side Event). He is also the author of Nation of Champions: How South Africa won the World Cup of Destination Branding.
ARTIFICIAL GENERAL INTELLIGENCE

Stop asking what AI will take. Ask what it can create

South Africa should move beyond asking how many jobs AI might displace and focus on how it can help build new businesses, industries and employment opportunities.

  • Dr Nik Eberl
5 min read
David Crisafulli said the company behind the Claude large-language model would set up in a new digital park expected to open next year.
ANTHROPIC

Anthropic signs deal for Australia data centre: government

David Crisafulli said the company behind the Claude large-language model would set up in a new digital park expected to open next year.

  • AFP
1 min read
Climate change is reshaping South Africa’s tourism sector. Responsible use of artificial intelligence could help destinations manage risk, improve efficiency and build more inclusive, resilient economies.
PCC

Artificial intelligence and climate action can build a more resilient tourism sector

Climate change is reshaping South Africa’s tourism sector. Responsible use of artificial intelligence could help destinations manage risk, improve efficiency and build more…

  • Blessing Manale
4 min read
A Tamagotchi, the 90s digital pet that lent its shape and its nickname to the "TAD" attestation device Rautenbach's team built.
ARTIFICIAL GENERAL INTELLIGENCE

He replaced his own team with AI. Now he wants to replace your card.

One programmer, a team of AI agents and an audacious attempt to rethink payments.

  • Andile Masuku
8 min read
In an ever-evolving digital landscape, South African SMEs are riding the wave of AI adoption. Yet, many remain unsure about their implementation. Explore how small businesses can navigate this transformative technology to solve real operational challenges.
ARTIFICIAL GENERAL INTELLIGENCE

South African SMEs embrace AI tools, but many are confused about their implementation

In an ever-evolving digital landscape, South African SMEs are riding the wave of AI adoption. Yet, many remain unsure about their implementation. Explore how small businesses can…

  • Ashley Lechman
3 min read
Pilot has launched Navigator, an AI intelligence tool designed to help South African restaurants turn point of sale data into actionable insights that can protect profitability.
PILOT

Homegrown AI tool helps South African restaurants protect profits

Pilot has launched Navigator, an AI intelligence tool designed to help South African restaurants turn point of sale data into actionable insights that can protect profitability.

  • Ashley Lechman
4 min read
A view across the Taurus-Littrow valley during Apollo 17, the last crewed Moon landing, December 1972.
MOON

From Apollo’s computer to AI: the lifelong technology journey of Francois Rautenbach

As a seven-year-old in Pretoria, Francois Rautenbach listened to Apollo 17 on the radio. Decades later, his fascination with hardware and software shaped a career spanning…

  • Andile Masuku
7 min read
With household finances under pressure, South African consumers are increasingly using AI to research products, compare prices and assess whether brands are delivering genuine value.
AI

South African shoppers using AI to get more value

Amid rising living costs, South African consumers are turning to AI to make smarter shopping decisions, but are brands keeping up with their expectations?

  • Ashley Lechman
5 min read