Author name: franklin

1. Google Launches 2025 BOLD Internship Program, Inviting Applications from Underrepresented Students Google has officially opened applications for its 2025 BOLD Internship Program, a unique opportunity for talented students from underrepresented groups to gain valuable experience at one of the world’s leading tech companies. The BOLD Internship Program provides participants with a hands-on learning experience, mentorship, and professional development opportunities. Interns will have the chance to work on real projects, collaborate with experienced Google employees, and develop their technical and leadership skills. Key Program Highlights: Benefits for BOLD interns include: To apply for the BOLD Internship Program, students must meet the following criteria: If you are a talented student from an underrepresented group and are interested in pursuing a career in technology, the Google BOLD Internship Program is an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience and make a positive impact. 2. African Startups Flourish, Raising $138 Million in September 2024 African startups continued their impressive growth trajectory in September 2024, securing a total of $138 million in funding. This represents a significant increase compared to previous months, underscoring the growing investor confidence in the continent’s burgeoning tech ecosystem. The funding round was a diverse mix of equity, debt, and grants, indicating the increasing maturity of the African startup landscape. While the exact breakdown of the funding is not yet publicly available, it is clear that a wide range of sectors and stages of development were represented. The $138 million raised in September 2024 marks a significant increase compared to previous months, demonstrating the growing investor interest in African startups. The funding round included equity, debt, and grants, indicating the increasing variety of financing options available to African startups. The funding was distributed across various sectors, including fintech, agritech, healthtech, and e-commerce, reflecting the diversity of the African startup ecosystem. The growing number of successful African startups is attracting larger investments from both local and international investors, fueling innovation and driving economic growth. This latest funding surge is a testament to the increasing maturity of the African startup landscape. As more and more startups achieve significant milestones, they are attracting larger investments from both local and international investors. This influx of capital is fueling innovation and driving economic growth across the continent. Kindly click here to check the tech news from last week 3. NCC Threatens Starlink with License Suspension Over Price Hike The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has issued a stern warning to Starlink, a satellite internet service provider, over its recent decision to increase hardware and monthly subscription prices. The regulator has indicated that it may take “appropriate enforcement measures,” including the suspension of Starlink’s operating license if the company does not comply with its directives. The NCC expressed concerns that Starlink’s price increase was implemented without prior approval from the regulatory body. This action is seen as a violation of the terms and conditions of its operating license. The regulator has emphasized that any changes to tariffs or services must be submitted for its review and approval to ensure that they are fair and reasonable for consumers. Starlink has yet to respond publicly to the NCC’s threat. It remains to be seen whether the company will comply with the regulator’s demands or challenge its decision. The outcome of this dispute could have significant implications for the future of satellite internet services in Nigeria. 4. Michael Dell Sheds $1.22 Billion in Dell Technologies Shares Michael Dell, the legendary founder and CEO of Dell Technologies, has made another significant move in his personal investments. In September, Dell sold 10 million shares of the company, cashing in a substantial $1.22 billion. This marks the second major share sale by Dell in recent months, sparking speculation about his future plans. While the exact reasons behind Dell’s decision to reduce his stake in Dell Technologies remain unclear, it could be attributed to several factors. One possibility is that he may be looking to diversify his investment portfolio and explore other opportunities. Another explanation could be that Dell is taking advantage of the current market conditions to realize some of his gains. Dell’s sale of 10 million shares represents a significant reduction in his overall holdings in Dell Technologies. However, he still retains a substantial stake in the company, reaffirming his commitment to its long-term success. As Dell Technologies continues to navigate the evolving tech landscape, Michael Dell’s decision to sell a portion of his shares raises questions about the company’s future direction. It also highlights the dynamic nature of corporate ownership and the challenges faced by even the most successful entrepreneurs. 5. OpenAI Secures Massive $6.6 Billion Funding, Valued at $157 Billion In a groundbreaking move that underscores the immense potential of artificial intelligence, OpenAI, the pioneering research organization, has successfully raised a staggering $6.6 billion in new funding. This significant investment catapults the company’s post-money valuation to a remarkable $157 billion. The infusion of capital represents a major milestone for OpenAI, solidifying its position as a dominant force in the AI landscape. This substantial funding will enable the company to accelerate its research and development efforts, potentially leading to even more groundbreaking advancements in artificial intelligence. With this new influx of funds, OpenAI can now invest more heavily in training larger and more complex AI models, expanding its research capabilities, and attracting top talent in the field. This will undoubtedly fuel the development of innovative AI applications across various industries. As AI continues to reshape the world, OpenAI’s massive funding round signals a bright future for the technology. The company’s ability to secure such a significant investment is a testament to the growing confidence in AI’s potential to revolutionize society.

1. Mozilla Under Fire: NOYB Accuses of Secret Tracking Feature A European digital rights organization, None of Your Business (NOYB), has filed a formal complaintagainst Mozilla, the company behind the popular privacy-focused web browser Firefox, for quietlyintroducing a new tracking feature.The feature, called Privacy-Preserving Attribution (PPA), allows websites to track users across the webwithout their explicit consent. While Mozilla claims that PPA is designed to protect user privacy, NOYBargues that it undermines the very principles that Firefox was founded upon. According to NOYB, Mozilla rolled out the PPA feature in a recent Firefox update without informingusers or obtaining their consent. The organization alleges that this constitutes a violation of Europeandata protection laws, particularly the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).Mozilla has yet to issue a detailed response to NOYB’s complaint. However, in a previous statement, thecompany defended the PPA feature, claiming that it is designed to protect user privacy while stillallowing websites to function properly. Mozilla argues that PPA is more transparent and user-friendlythan other tracking methods commonly used by websites. The controversy surrounding the PPA feature has raised concerns about the erosion of online privacyand the potential for website abuse. If NOYB’s complaint is successful, it could have significantimplications for Mozilla’s reputation and its commitment to user privacy.The case is expected to be closely watched by privacy advocates and tech enthusiasts alike, as it couldset a precedent for how companies handle user data and transparency in the digital age. 2. NCC Encourages Telecom Operators to Prioritize Talent Retention The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has urged telecom operators in the country to adoptmore flexible work policies, improve remuneration packages, and foster a culture of innovation toattract and retain top talent.The NCC emphasized the critical role of human capital in driving the growth and development of thetelecom industry. A skilled and motivated workforce is essential for delivering quality services, meetingcustomer needs, and staying competitive in a rapidly evolving market.Telecom operators in Nigeria face several challenges in attracting and retaining talent. These includelimited career opportunities, rigid work cultures, and inadequate compensation. The NCC believes thatby addressing these issues, telecom firms can create a more attractive and rewarding workenvironment.The NCC’s recommendations include:– Flexible work arrangements: Implementing flexible work options such as remote work, flexiblehours, and compressed workweeks.– Competitive remuneration: Offering competitive salaries and benefits to attract and retain toptalent.– Professional development opportunities: Providing opportunities for employees to learn newskills and advance their careers.– Culture of innovation: Fostering a culture that encourages creativity, experimentation, and risk-taking. By implementing these measures, telecom operators can create a more appealing work environmentthat attracts and retains the best talent in the industry. This, in turn, will benefit consumers by ensuringthe delivery of high-quality telecom services.The NCC’s call for improved talent management practices is a timely reminder of the importance ofhuman capital in the telecom sector. As the industry continues to evolve, it is essential for telecomoperators to invest in their employees and create a positive work environment. 3. Dell Unveils AI Program to Empower Telecom Service Providers Dell Technologies has introduced a new program, Dell AI for Telecom, designed to simplify andaccelerate the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) solutions for communications service providers(CSPs). The program was unveiled at the Dell Technologies Forum 2024, held at the Hilton Hotel KualaLumpur.AI is becoming increasingly important in the telecom industry, offering opportunities to improvecustomer experience, optimize network performance, and reduce costs. However, many CSPs facechallenges in implementing AI solutions due to factors such as complexity, lack of expertise, and highcosts.Dell AI for Telecom aims to address these challenges by providing CSPs with a comprehensive set oftools, resources, and support. The program includes:– Pre-configured AI solutions: Dell offers pre-configured AI solutions that can be easily deployedby CSPs.– Expert guidance: Dell provides expert guidance and support to help CSPs identify andimplement the right AI solutions for their specific needs.– Partnerships: Dell collaborates with leading AI technology providers to offer a wide range of AIsolutions. By leveraging Dell AI for Telecom, CSPs can more easily and quickly adopt AI technologies and realize thebenefits of AI in their operations. This can include improving customer satisfaction, enhancing networkefficiency, and driving new revenue streams.Dell’s commitment to empowering telecom service providers is evident in its ongoing investments in AIand other emerging technologies. The company aims to play a leading role in helping CSPs navigate thedigital transformation and succeed in the competitive telecom market. 4. Starlink’s Aggressive Move: Lower-Cost Kit and Plan Challenge Safaricom Elon Musk’s satellite internet service, Starlink, has intensified its competition with Safaricom in Kenya byintroducing a cheaper kit and a more affordable monthly residential plan. This move comes just threedays after Safaricom announced an increase in its fiber internet speeds.Starlink’s new kit is priced lower than its previous offering, making it more accessible to a wider range ofconsumers. Additionally, the company has launched a $30.87 monthly residential plan, which issignificantly cheaper than Safaricom’s fiber internet options. The introduction of Starlink’s new offerings is a clear signal of the company’s commitment to expandingits presence in Kenya and challenging Safaricom’s dominance in the internet market. Safaricom, one ofKenya’s largest telecommunications companies, recently increased its fiber internet speeds to competemore effectively with Starlink.The increased competition between Starlink and Safaricom is likely to benefit Kenyan consumers, whocan now choose from a wider range of internet options at more competitive prices. However, it isimportant to note that Starlink’s service may have limitations, such as slower speeds and potentialoutages, especially in areas with limited satellite coverage. 5. Africa Tech Festival 2024: Innovators Vie for $1 Million Prize Burgeoning innovators from across the African continent are gearing up to compete for a lucrative $1million investment prize at the Africa Tech Festival 2024. The prestigious event will take place fromNovember 12 to 14 in Cape Town, South Africa.The Africa Tech Festival is a leading platform for showcasing African innovation and connecting startupswith investors, corporations, and industry experts. The event features a wide range of activities,including keynote speeches, panel discussions, workshops, and networking opportunities. One of the highlights of the festival is the pitch