Artificial intelligence (AI) tools have been used in the news industry for over a decade to assist in automating tasks, including summarizing data from outside sources, crafting financial reports and sports stories and performing grammatical checks. However, the release of OpenAI’s ChatGPT in November 2022 ushered in an era of generative artificial intelligence that dramatically reshaped this landscape, and newsrooms’ use of AI tools has been increasing. The news industry’s adoption has been spurred by desires for efficiency, hopes of growing readership and general market pressures. These processes and decisions are becoming well-documented within academia and the trade press. However, much less is known about the…
Author: Abdallah el-Kurebe
HIV is a legitimately difficult problem. Thousands of very smart people have devoted the last 30 years to studying every gene, protein, and molecule in the virus and have created more models than any disease other than cancer. I spent two hours sitting with an undergrad who asked me “Well… why didn’t they try [X] then?” and I had an answer ready for them. Nearly everything has been tried against HIV and unless people invent a class of drugs (which does happen on a periodic basis), our current tools aren’t going to work. People have to recognize what HIV is.…
The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a concerning REPORT highlighting a significant rise in mpox cases across various countries, particularly in Africa, with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) leading as the epicenter of this outbreak, and other hotspots also identified in Burundi and Uganda. This report highlights mpox as a global health concern with complex challenges that demand a multifaceted and coordinated international response. It also ensures prompt, equitable action in vaccination, infrastructure support, and surveillance will be key to addressing this expanding health crisis. As of November 3, 2024, the DRC reported cases across six provinces,…
The African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), through its Open Forum on Agricultural Biotechnology in Africa (OFAB) project, marked the 4th annual OFAB Day by celebrating African scientists whose groundbreaking innovations are shaping the future of agricultural biotechnology. This year’s OFAB event brought together policymakers, lawyers, researchers, students, and agricultural stakeholders to honor these leaders for their contributions to advancing science, addressing food and nutritional security challenges, and combating misinformation surrounding biotechnology. Among the notable honorees was 27-year-old Fatma Mohamed Omar, a graduate of Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). Fatma has been instrumental in advancing Kenya’s agricultural sector…
Just like brushing your teeth or washing your hands regularly, digital hygiene should be second nature to most of us—except that it is not. What most people think is sufficient will hardly protect you against the advanced nature of cybercrime, a constantly changing threat. By Anna Collard Digital hygiene involves cultivating habits that keep your digital life healthy and secure. In our highly connected world, you want peace of mind so that you can prevent or quickly detect and fix problems with your devices. Digital hygiene is crucial for individuals and organisations as it serves as the first line of…
Discover how AI amplifies cloud security risks and how to mitigate them, with insights from Tenable’s Liat Hayun on managing data sensitivity, misconfigurations, and over-privileged access. The AI boom is amplifying risks across enterprise data estates and cloud environments, according to cybersecurity expert Liat Hayun. By Ben Abbott In an interview with TechRepublic, Hayun, VP of product management and research of cloud security at Tenable, advised organisations to prioritise understanding their risk exposure and tolerance, while prioritising tackling key problems like cloud misconfigurations and protecting sensitive data. She noted that while enterprises remain cautious, AI’s accessibility is accentuating certain risks.…
Effective policies and taxes are needed to curb smoking and fund public health as chronic respiratory diseases currently affect over half a billion people worldwide, with smoking recognized as a leading cause, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). The health impact of tobacco use is staggering, contributing to illnesses like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema, and lung cancer. These diseases place an immense burden on healthcare systems and reduce the quality of life for millions. Addressing this issue requires strong political commitment to drive comprehensive tobacco control policies, especially through taxation and regulation. Political leadership plays a critical…
The Adaptation Gap Report 2024, released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), highlights the urgent need to boost climate adaptation efforts, starting with a strong financial commitment at COP29. The report calls for a substantial increase in adaptation finance to address escalating climate impacts on vulnerable populations. As climate impacts intensify, the report warns that global temperatures are nearing 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, with potential rises to 2.6-3.1°C by the century’s end if greenhouse gas emissions are not drastically reduced. Presented ahead of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the report underscores the need to scale up adaptation this decade, focusing…
The US election results are in: Donald Trump will lead the country once again. The former president and convicted felon declared victory Wednesday over Vice President Kamala Harris—less than one week before COP29 kicks off in Baku. The energy transition is inevitable and accelerating in many countries, regardless of US political winds. During Trump’s last administration, the world saw American businesses, states and local governments step up to uphold U.S. climate action. In the immediate wake of the election, representatives from the U.S. government, society, NGOs, academia, and elsewhere are indicating that this will once again be the case. Here’s what…
The Critical Minerals Africa (CMA) 2024 Summit commenced today in Cape Town, featuring expert analyses on Africa’s mineral market by research firms Project Blue and Rystad Energy, as well as The World Bank. Nils Backeberg, Founder & Director at Project Blue, highlighted how geopolitical changes and the growing demand for energy-transition metals are reshaping Africa’s mineral sector. “Policy changes in countries like Botswana, Mozambique, the U.S., and regions in Europe are influencing trade and investment in minerals,” he said, emphasizing the effects of shifting global power dynamics on Africa’s mineral landscape. Backeberg noted that U.S.-China trade tensions, alongside similar rivalries…