insert_link Science & Technology Fake Biden robocall to New Hampshire voters highlights how easy it is to make deepfakes − and how hard it is to defend against AI-generated disinformation The fake robocall urged Democratic voters in New Hampshire not to vote in the Jan. 23, 2024, primary election. Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Joan Donovan, Boston University An unknown number of New Hampshire voters received a phone call on Jan. 21, 2024, from what sounded like President Joe Biden. A recording contains Biden’s voice urging voters inclined to support Biden and the Democratic Party not to participate in New Hampshire’s Jan. […] todayJanuary 25, 2024 17
insert_link Opinion Pieces Dating apps: marketing experts’ research reveals pitfalls to look out for, and tactics for success By Alisa Minina Jeunemaître, EM Lyon Business School; Jamie Smith, ISC Paris Business School, and Stefania Masè, IPAG Business School Dating can come with new and sometimes frustrating challenges. In the past, relationships were often arranged by families and guided by societal norms, limiting individual choice but sparing us the agony of endless decisions. Nowadays, those who are single have endless potential partners at their fingertips. A 2019 […] todayJanuary 25, 2024 9
insert_link Business / Economics Nokia sees ‘challenging’ 2024 after profits plunge Finnish telecommunications equipment maker Nokia warned Thursday that it expects another tough economic environment in the first half of this year after its net profit sank in the 2023. Nokia and its Swedish rival Ericsson have launched cost-cutting programmes as their customers have reduced spending amid a slowing global economy. The Finnish firm reported a profit of 679 million euros ($739 million) for last year, down 84 percent […] todayJanuary 25, 2024 19
insert_link Science & Technology Japan craft made successful pin-point landing, space agency says Japan's "Moon Sniper" craft landed around 55 metres (180 feet) from its target, the country's space agency said Thursday as it released the first images from the mission. The unmanned Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM), dubbed the "Moon Sniper" for its pin-point technology, had the goal of touching down within 100 metres (330 feet) of a specific landing spot. That is much more precise than the usual landing zone […] todayJanuary 25, 2024 28
Africa Africa’s cashless revolution is on, banking on virtual cards By Bonface Orucho, bird story agency International card companies are vying for Africa's fast-evolving electronic payments market as middle-class incomes rise and the quest for cashless transactions intensifies. UnionPay International, a subsidiary of China's Union Pay, is the latest entrant in the African card payments market, warming up to face-off with Visa and Mastercard. Notably, UnionPay International is partnering with the Standard Bank Group, the largest bank in […] todayJanuary 23, 2024 24
insert_link Africa Fintech and energy illuminate DR Congo’s nascent startup ecosystem By Conrad Onyango, via bird story agency The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), one of the world’s most resource-rich countries, is carving out a new prosperity niche as it emerges on the global tech scene. Known for its green metals, cobalt and copper, and the world's second-largest rainforest, the newest member of the East African Community is having a moment in the startup ecosystem. In 2023 the country raised […] todayJanuary 23, 2024 21
insert_link Business / Economics Major Belgian factory investment marks development of new harvester set to enhance arable farm efficiency World-leading combine harvester to be produced at New Holland’s Center of Harvesting Excellence in Zedelgem, Belgium Machine to be produced on completely renewed assembly line part-funded by government support alongside investment from parent firm CNH Industrial New CR11 combine extends further the productivity, efficiency and sustainability credentials of the existing world-record-holding CR10.90 In a major development in high-capacity harvesting set to help large farms gather their crops more efficiently […] todayJanuary 22, 2024 17
insert_link Africa Rwanda pushes Africa towards universal smartphone access By Seth Onyango, via bird story agency Progressive policy reforms and the influx of budget-friendly smartphones are steering Africa towards complete digital connectivity in just over a decade. Rwanda's recently-announced, three-year target is the most ambitious on the continent, although statistics show that other nations are also rapidly closing in on similar milestones. As part of Kigali's innovative funding scheme, citizens can obtain handsets at the subsidised price of […] todayJanuary 22, 2024 25
insert_link Business / Economics Business Leadership in an AI World in 2024 Europe faces a challenging year ahead. The confluence of several disruptive factors – geopolitical conflict, rising inflation, economic uncertainty, increased regulatory pressure, and last, but by no means least, the impact of new technologies – will undoubtedly test leaders to the limit in the year to come. Speaking with business leaders across the region, several common themes have emerged. From the urgent need to build greater resilience and reduce […] todayJanuary 19, 2024 15