ai

LEO becomes Africa’s first AI chatbot to enable remittances

United Bank for Africa (UBA) has introduced cross-border payments via its AI chatbot, LEO, enabling instant transfers across African nations in local currencies.

However, this marks the first time an AI-powered chatbot has facilitated such transactions on the continent.

The feature relies on the Pan-African Payment and Settlement System, developed by Afreximbank, which allows seamless fund transfers between African countries supported by their central banks. It eliminates the need for hard currencies and aims to reduce fees while supporting financial inclusion.

UBA said the service allows customers to send and receive money across borders within seconds through self-service channels, with zero charges for recipients.

The initiative also supports Africa’s wider economic ambitions under the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement.

The bank operates in 20 African countries and serves over 45 million customers worldwide. CEO Oliver Alawuba described the development as a bold step toward digital innovation and Pan-African integration.

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Huang says Chinese AI science is world class

NVIDIA’s CEO has praised China’s open-source AI work during a high-profile visit to Beijing, spotlighting DeepSeek as an example of world-class science and engineering.

At the International Supply Chain Expo, Huang highlighted the global value of Chinese contributions to AI research.

He told former Alibaba executive Wang Jian that Chinese researchers publish more AI papers than any other nation, calling their output A-plus in both science and engineering. Huang named DeepSeek, Alibaba, Tencent, MiniMax, and Baidu’s Ernie Bot globally significant AI leaders.

The visit coincides with a policy shift by the US government allowing Nvidia to resume H20 chip exports to China. Huang confirmed that export licenses are expected soon, potentially unlocking billions in lost revenue.

Industry watchers see this development as pivotal for Nvidia, which had paused shipments under earlier restrictions. The chipmaker’s renewed access to China’s semiconductor market could reshape global AI infrastructure over the next year.

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Google expands AI tools in Search with new subscriber perks

Google has begun rolling out new AI features in Search, introducing AI-powered phone calling to help users gather business information instead of contacting places manually.

The service, free for everyone in the US, allows people to search for businesses and have Google’s AI check pricing and availability on their behalf.

Subscribers to Google AI Pro and AI Ultra receive additional exclusive capabilities. These include access to Gemini 2.5 Pro, Google’s most advanced AI model, which supports complex queries such as coding or financial analysis.

Users can enable Gemini 2.5 Pro through the AI Mode tab instead of relying on the default model. Google is also launching Deep Research tools through Deep Search for in-depth investigations related to work, studies, or major life decisions.

Rather than rolling everything out all at once, Google is phasing in the features gradually. AI-powered calling is now available to all Search users in the US, while Gemini 2.5 Pro and Deep Research are becoming available specifically to AI Pro and AI Ultra subscribers.

With these updates, Google aims to position Search as more than a simple information tool by transforming it into an active digital assistant capable of handling everyday tasks and complex research instead of merely providing quick answers.

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Experts link Qantas data breach to AI voice impersonation

Cybersecurity experts believe criminals may have used AI-generated voice deepfakes to breach Qantas systems, potentially deceiving contact centre staff in Manila. The breach affected nearly six million customers, with links to a group known as Scattered Spider.

Qantas confirmed the breach after detecting suspicious activity on a third-party platform. Stolen data included names, phone numbers, and addresses—but no financial details. The airline has not confirmed whether voice impersonation was involved.

Experts point to Scattered Spiders’ history of using synthetic voices to trick help desk staff into handing over credentials. Former FBI agent Adam Marré said the technique, known as vishing, matches the group’s typical methods and links them to The Com, a cybercrime collective.

Other members of The Com have targeted companies like Salesforce through similar tactics. Qantas reportedly warned contact centre staff shortly before the breach, citing a threat advisory connected to Scattered Spider.

Google and CrowdStrike reported that the group frequently impersonates employees over the phone to bypass multi-factor authentication and reset passwords. The FBI has warned that Scattered Spider is now targeting airlines.

Qantas says its core systems remain secure and has not confirmed receiving a ransom demand. The airline is cooperating with authorities and urging affected customers to watch for scams using their leaked information.

Cybersecurity firm Trend Micro notes that voice deepfakes are now easy to produce, with convincing audio clips available for as little as $5. The deepfakes can mimic language, tone, and emotion, making them powerful tools for deception.

Experts recommend biometric verification, synthetic signal detection, and real-time security challenges to counter deepfakes. Employee training and multi-factor authentication remain essential defences.

Recent global cases illustrate the risk. In one instance, a deepfake mimicking US Senator Marco Rubio attempted to access sensitive systems. Other attacks involved cloned voices of US political figures Joe Biden and Susie Wiles.

As voice content becomes more publicly available, experts warn that anyone sharing audio online could become a target for AI-driven impersonation.

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South Korea’s new Science Minister pledges AI-led national transformation

South Korea’s new Science and ICT Minister, Bae Kyung-hoon, has pledged to turn the nation into one of the world’s top three AI powerhouses.

Instead of following outdated methods, Bae outlined a bold national strategy centred on AI, science and technology, aiming to raise Korea’s potential growth rate to 3 per cent and secure a global economic leadership position.

Bae, a leading AI expert and former president of LG AI Research, officially assumed office on Thursday.

Drawing from experience developing hyperscale AI models like LG’s Exaone, he emphasised the need to build a unique competitive advantage rooted in AI transformation, talent development and technological innovation.

Rather than focusing only on industrial growth, Bae’s policy agenda targets a broad AI ecosystem, revitalised research and development, world-class talent nurturing, and addressing issues affecting daily life.

His plans include establishing AI-centred universities, enhancing digital infrastructure, promoting AI semiconductors, restoring grassroots research funding, and expanding consumer rights in telecommunications.

With these strategies, Bae aims to make AI accessible to all citizens instead of limiting it to large corporations or research institutes. His vision is for South Korea to lead in AI development while supporting social equity, cybersecurity, and nationwide innovation.

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Broadcom challenges Nvidia with Tomahawk Ultra AI networking chip

Broadcom has introduced a new networking chip designed to boost AI data centre performance, positioning itself against Nvidia in the AI hardware race.

Called Tomahawk Ultra, the chip helps link hundreds of processors within close range, ensuring fast communication vital for large AI models.

Instead of using Nvidia’s proprietary NVLink system, Broadcom’s Tomahawk Ultra operates on an accelerated version of Ethernet and connects up to four times more chips within a server rack.

The chip acts as a traffic controller, enabling what the industry refers to as ‘scale-up’ computing — where AI models tap into combined computing power from tightly grouped chips.

According to Broadcom senior vice president Ram Velaga, it took engineers around three years to design the Tomahawk Ultra, which was originally aimed at high-performance computing but adapted for AI workloads as demand surged.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) is producing the processors using its five-nanometre process, and the chips are already shipping to customers.

Rather than requiring major hardware overhauls, the Tomahawk Ultra offers a scalable, Ethernet-based alternative for AI firms looking to build faster, more flexible data centres.

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UK customer‑experience leaders champion human‑centred AI

Marketing Week’s CX50 2025 accolades spotlight ten individuals who are redefining customer experience by putting people before pixels.

These leaders are harnessing AI thoughtfully, augmenting frontline staff with tools that personalise service without eroding the human touch.

Their work spans retail, hospitality, financial services and the public sector, showcasing how AI-driven systems can streamline operations while nurturing empathetic engagement.

Strategies include using automation for routine tasks and intelligent routing, freeing teams to focus on empathy, insight and dialogue.

Partners Cognizant, Google Cloud and Salesforce helped assemble the CX50 list. The initiative underscores a growing movement: top-performing brands blend algorithmic precision with human warmth to build trust and loyalty in increasingly digital markets.

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AI system screens diabetic eye disease with near-perfect accuracy

A new AI programme is showing remarkable accuracy in detecting diabetic retinopathy, a leading cause of preventable blindness. The SMART system, short for Simple Mobile AI Retina Tracker, can scan retinal images using even basic smartphones and has achieved over 99% accuracy.

Researchers at the University of Texas Health Sciences Center in the US trained the AI using thousands of retinal images from diverse populations across six continents. The system processes images in under a second and can distinguish diabetic retinopathy from other eye diseases.

Experts say the technology could dramatically expand access to eye screenings, particularly in areas lacking specialist care. By integrating the tool into regular check-ups, both primary care providers and ophthalmologists could streamline early diagnosis.

Researchers highlighted that the tool’s mobile accessibility allows for global reach, potentially screening billions. The findings were presented at the annual meeting of The Endocrine Society, though they have yet to be peer-reviewed.

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Tech giants work to avert an AI‑driven energy crisis

The AI boom is triggering alarms in the energy sector, with data centres expected to consume 3% of the world’s electricity by 2030, double today’s share. This projection has spurred tech firms to pursue aggressive efficiency strategies.

Control systems powered by AI regulate cooling more precisely, while liquid cooling systems replace inefficient air-based approaches. Cutting-edge chips and more innovative software have already yielded energy savings of 20–30% per workflow.

Infrastructure improvements mean data-centre support systems now consume just 10% of the energy that powering the servers does. Despite these advances, the total energy demand continues to rise, prompting investments in technology upgrades and low-carbon power sources.

A global race is underway as US and Chinese companies push for increasingly efficient AI chips. Still, experts warn that overall consumption will grow, so efficiency alone won’t be enough. Broad energy planning and sustainable strategies are critical to avoid a looming power crunch as AI proliferates.

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AI tool uses walking patterns to detect early signs of dementia

Fujitsu and Acer Medical are trialling an AI-powered tool to help identify early signs of dementia and Parkinson’s disease by analysing patients’ walking patterns. The system, called aiGait and powered by Fujitsu’s Uvance skeleton recognition technology, converts routine movements into health data.

Initial tests are taking place at a daycare centre linked to Taipei Veterans Hospital, using tablets and smartphones to record basic patient movements. The AI compares this footage with known movement patterns associated with neurodegenerative conditions, helping caregivers detect subtle abnormalities.

The tool is designed to support early intervention, with abnormal results prompting follow-up by healthcare professionals. Acer Medical plans to expand the service to elderly care centres across Taiwan by the end of the year.

Fujitsu’s AI was originally developed for gymnastics scoring and adapted to analyse real-world gait data with high accuracy using everyday mobile devices. Both companies hope to extend the technology’s use to paediatrics, sports science, and rehabilitation in future.

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