South African technologist and entrepreneur Prof. Eldrid Jordaan has been appointed to the Advisory Board of the University of Warwick’s Start-up Programme in the United Kingdom.

Jordaan is the founder of GovChat, a  civic technology platform that connected millions of citizens with public services.

He has also built and advised technology ventures in artificial intelligence, digital platforms and enterprise technology.

Jordaan will spend the next 12 months mentoring entrepreneurs in the programme, with a focus on helping them develop their business models, commercialise their ideas and prepare their ventures for growth.

Jordaan to mentor three start-ups

As part of the appointment, he has been assigned three ventures participating in the programme: Aspire, CellSense Africa and LightYield.

Aspire is developing a technology platform to help organisations manage early-career programmes, including apprenticeships, graduate schemes and internships.

CellSense Africa is a business-to-business software venture using battery ageing analytics and predictive health data to support electric vehicle fleets in Kenya and other African markets.

The third venture, LightYield, is focused on agriculture. Its technology uses crop-zone light sensing and optimisation tools to help greenhouse growers manage light levels while reducing energy costs.

Jordaan said he was honoured to join the programme and contribute to the development of a new generation of entrepreneurs.

“My career has existed at the intersection of technology, entrepreneurship, academia and social impact.

"I look forward to sharing those experiences with the founders, particularly around commercialisation, scaling technology businesses, strategic partnerships and navigating the realities of entrepreneurship, while also learning from an exciting new generation of innovators.”

IOL Business

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Whether you're using artificial intelligence for the basic tasks, or complex processes like foreign investments the adoption of agentic AI is only set to increase.

But what exactly is agentic AI? At its core, it means trusting AI to make complex, consequential decisions on your behalf.

It goes far beyond asking an AI model to draft an email or answer a straightforward query. Instead, agentic AI takes on far more intricate tasks—such as independently managing investment strategies, executing multi-step business operations, or booking end-to-end travel itineraries.

A few weeks ago, I attended an insightful roundtable lunch focused on closing the trust gap with AI agents and exploring how they are actively transforming banking, payments, and business workflows. The event was organised by Sumsub—an AI-powered trust infrastructure provider that unifies identity verification, fraud prevention, transaction monitoring, and risk management workflows to optimise compliance efficiency.

Led by Mick Amelishko, AI Advocate at Sumsub, the discussion unpacked what agentic AI could mean for South Africa as local adoption steadily expands. Hannes Bezuidenhout, VP of Sales for Africa at Sumsub, and Jarryd Jensen, Regional Director for Southern Africa, also shared their industry expertise during the session.

Amelishko emphasised: “The biggest shift moving into the 'agentic' way of working is agency. Last year, AI was just an assistant—it helped check writing or offered basic suggestions. Now, AI can access the external world, read the live internet, interact with other digital products, make independent purchases, register on websites, or interact directly with bank accounts if granted permission.”

Amelishko went on to explain that for centuries, society has operated on the foundational assumption that every transaction or action was executed by a human. Today, that human element is being gradually displaced.

For many, this rapid shift is understandably a cause for concern. However, equipped with proper education and a clear understanding of how to govern agentic AI, these anxieties can be mitigated to a large extent.

Despite these safeguards, the threat of AI-driven fraud remains a rapidly escalating challenge. The situation calls to mind Kyle Reese’s famous warning about the Terminator in the classic 1984 film: “It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop... ever, until you are dead!”

While Reese was describing a relentless cybernetic killer, the quote vividly captures modern anxieties surrounding autonomous digital threats—minus the physical violence, but with equal persistence in exploiting digital vulnerabilities.

Turning to the local landscape, Jensen highlighted how enterprise banking trends are currently unfolding within South Africa.

“Major enterprise adoption of true AI agents in South Africa is still quite low compared to global markets,” noted Jensen. “South Africa boasts a sophisticated market with advanced digital banking and instant payment systems, and consumers are already very comfortable with digital onboarding. However, full agentic adoption is still in its early stages.”

Adding to this perspective, Bezuidenhout observed that while forward-thinking institutions like Discovery Bank are actively pushing into the agentic domain, South Africa as a whole still lags behind international frontrunners like China.

One of the primary friction points surrounding agentic AI centres on accountability: what happens when something goes wrong, and who bears the ultimate blame—the human who issued the original prompt, or the machine that executed the action?

The prevailing consensus at the event was that AI itself cannot be legally blamed for unlawful activities; accountability must always trace back to a human operator or system controller. Nevertheless, novel methods of financial fraud are evolving rapidly, and regulatory frameworks often lag behind these technological shifts.

Illustrating this growing threat, data from Sumsub reveals that while the global identity fraud rate moderated slightly to 2.2% in 2025 (down from 2.6% in 2024), instances of highly sophisticated fraud surged by 180% year-over-year as bad actors shifted away from low-effort scams toward advanced, AI-driven attacks.

Ultimately, as agentic AI shifts from novel experiment to core financial infrastructure in South Africa, balancing automated convenience with vigilant human oversight will be the key to maintaining security and trust.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

In 2026, most of us are practically glued to our smartphones, but when it is finally time to sleep—perchance to dream—it is best to physically part with your rectangular digital assistant.

While keeping your device on a bedside table is common practice, tucking it directly under your pillow poses a very real safety risk.

Modern smartphones are powered by lithium-ion batteries that require adequate airflow to dissipate heat. When trapped in an enclosed, insulated space like under a pillow or blanket, that excess heat has nowhere to go, transforming your device into a genuine fire hazard. As the battery overheats, it can swell, rupture, or even catch fire while you sleep.

This danger escalates dramatically if you charge the device overnight, as the charging process naturally generates additional thermal output.

If you prefer keeping your phone nearby, place it flat on a hard surface like a nightstand instead. Furthermore, while health authorities maintain that non-ionizing cell phone RF radiation has not been proven harmful to humans, minimising direct body contact remains a sensible precaution.

Switching your phone to Flight Mode overnight—assuming you do not need to receive emergency calls—reduces ambient signal transmission and offers the added bonus of preserving your battery’s long-term health.

The ideal strategy is keeping your phone entirely out of arm’s reach. Positioning it across the room introduces a deliberate physical barrier, preventing mindless late-night checking during your usual sleeping hours.

Of course, poor sleep is frequently driven by late-night scrolling habits. To combat this, take full advantage of the built-in Digital Wellbeing (Android) and Screen Time (iOS) features. Establishing strict daily app limits sets firm boundaries for healthy tech usage, helping you wind down without distraction.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

Don’t rush to buy the new iPhone until you’ve tried the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max.

If there’s one thing Xiaomi prides itself on, it’s taking clear inspiration from Apple—and the recent launch of the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is no exception.

After Apple launched the iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 9, Xiaomi followed up with the release of its own 18 Pro Max just 14 days later.

Of course, Apple is no stranger to taking cues from the competition, but it certainly stops short of adopting identical model names.

The two devices are also remarkably similar in physical dimensions, though the Xiaomi feels slightly nimbler in the hand, coming in at about nine grams lighter.

The display, however, is where one of the most noticeable differences lies. The Xiaomi reaches an impressive peak brightness of 4,000 nits, compared to Apple's 3,000 nits. In practical terms, that extra headroom makes viewing photos, videos, and text outdoors under harsh sunlight considerably easier on the Xiaomi.

The battery capacities present an even starker contrast. While the A20 Pro chip inside the iPhone is exceptionally energy-efficient, its physical battery is simply much smaller. The iPhone features a 5,567 mAh cell, whereas the Xiaomi packs a massive 8,500 mAh capacity.

In real-world usage, that discrepancy is hard to ignore: the Xiaomi comfortably delivers between two and three full days on a single charge, while the iPhone typically manages around one-and-a-half to two days.

When it comes to price, a substantial gap remains between the two flagships. Although the Xiaomi is not yet available directly through official retail channels in South Africa, acquiring one will still work out noticeably cheaper.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at R31,399 for the baseline 256GB model, whereas the equivalent Xiaomi is projected to land between R25,000 and R28,000.

Ultimately, if you want to keep a fair chunk of money in your pocket without sacrificing flagship capabilities, the Xiaomi makes a compelling case. But if staying inside Apple’s seamless ecosystem is non-negotiable, you’ll need to prepare your wallet for that extra financial hit.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

Don’t rush to buy the new iPhone until you’ve tried the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max.

If there’s one thing Xiaomi prides itself on, it’s taking clear inspiration from Apple—and the recent launch of the Xiaomi 18 Pro Max is no exception.

After Apple launched the iPhone 18 Pro Max on September 9, Xiaomi followed up with the release of its own 18 Pro Max just 14 days later.

Of course, Apple is no stranger to taking cues from the competition, but it certainly stops short of adopting identical model names.

The two devices are also remarkably similar in physical dimensions, though the Xiaomi feels slightly nimbler in the hand, coming in at about nine grams lighter.

The display, however, is where one of the most noticeable differences lies. The Xiaomi reaches an impressive peak brightness of 4,000 nits, compared to Apple's 3,000 nits. In practical terms, that extra headroom makes viewing photos, videos, and text outdoors under harsh sunlight considerably easier on the Xiaomi.

The battery capacities present an even starker contrast. While the A20 Pro chip inside the iPhone is exceptionally energy-efficient, its physical battery is simply much smaller. The iPhone features a 5,567 mAh cell, whereas the Xiaomi packs a massive 8,500 mAh capacity.

In real-world usage, that discrepancy is hard to ignore: the Xiaomi comfortably delivers between two and three full days on a single charge, while the iPhone typically manages around one-and-a-half to two days.

When it comes to price, a substantial gap remains between the two flagships. Although the Xiaomi is not yet available directly through official retail channels in South Africa, acquiring one will still work out noticeably cheaper.

The iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at R31,399 for the baseline 256GB model, whereas the equivalent Xiaomi is projected to land between R25,000 and R28,000.

Ultimately, if you want to keep a fair chunk of money in your pocket without sacrificing flagship capabilities, the Xiaomi makes a compelling case. But if staying inside Apple’s seamless ecosystem is non-negotiable, you’ll need to prepare your wallet for that extra financial hit.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

China's express delivery industry is shifting toward a new stage of transformation and upgrading. In the first half of 2026, the industry processed 100 billion parcels, up 5% year on year, while business revenue surpassed 770 billion yuan ($114.82 billion), up 7.3%. Notably, revenue growth outpaced parcel volume growth for the first time in a six-month period, signalling a structural realignment in the market.

This trend is clearly reflected in recent financial reports from major publicly listed couriers. SF Express reported a 9.3% year-on-year increase in core net profit (excluding one-time gains and losses), while YTO Express, Yunda Express, and STO Express each posted shareholder net profit growth exceeding 70% during the same period.

With profitability consistently outpacing volume expansion, the sector's traditional strategy of sacrificing margins for market share is giving way to a more sustainable model. This marks a decisive pivot toward operational efficiency and value-driven growth.

But how is this transition unfolding, and what will drive the next phase of expansion? Major logistics providers have outlined their strategic adaptations in response to these questions.

Technological innovation is at the forefront of this shift. In June, JD Logistics – the supply chain arm of e-commerce giant JD.com – deployed China's largest rural drone delivery network in Zizhong county, Sichuan province. The system now serves 131 administrative villages, delivering packages to remote mountain communities in as little as seven minutes.

At the Jianggao mail processing center in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong province, human workers collaborate with eight humanoid robots on automated sorting lines. These machines seamlessly pick, rotate, and position packages at a rate of 800 units per hour.

"A significant portion of the industry's profit surge in the first half of 2026 stems from the maturation of digital infrastructure investments made in prior years," explained Yu Rao, senior engineer at the Development & Research Center of the State Post Bureau. He noted that artificial intelligence is increasingly integrated across the logistics chain, with widespread adoption of drones and autonomous delivery vehicles serving as key catalysts for cost optimisation and operational efficiency.

For example, YTO Express has implemented an AI-driven routing platform that analyses historical shipment data and real-time operational costs to optimise delivery paths. During the first half of 2026 alone, the system reduced the company's operating expenses by approximately 90 million yuan.

ZTO Express has similarly leveraged automation in customer support. Its AI-powered system now autonomously resolves roughly 90% of merchant after-sales requests and 70% of recipient inquiries from initiation to closure. "More than 60% of routine customer issues are now handled end-to-end by our intelligent service platform, substantially cutting labor expenditures," said Yang Wen, chief technology officer of ZTO Express.

Fleet automation is also scaling rapidly. By the end of June, Yunda Express had more than 1,500 autonomous delivery vehicles across its network, an increase of more than 1,000 from last year. Standardising large-scale autonomous operations has lowered transport costs at local distribution hubs by 30%.

Across the broader postal and courier sector, advanced technologies – including AI customer service, automated sorting, smart security screening, computer vision-based surveillance, and dynamic route optimisation – are accelerating deployment. Nationwide, the industry now operates more than 16,000 autonomous delivery vehicles and over 400 drones dedicated to last-mile logistics.

"Throughout the 15th Five-Year Plan period (2026-2030), we will accelerate the integration of frontier technologies across the logistics sector and cultivate new engines of economic growth," said Xu Huarong, deputy director-general of the department of policy and regulation of the State Post Bureau.

Financial performance metrics further indicate that average revenue per parcel has risen across the board since the start of 2026.

"Sustained regulatory efforts to curb cutthroat price competition have been instrumental in reversing this trend," Yu added. Following a July 2025 symposium convened by the State Post Bureau, which mandated compliance with fair competition regulations, the sector's notorious price wars have steadily subsided. Average delivery rates have climbed incrementally, enabling firms to restore healthy profit margins.

Industry analysts observe that the sector's traditional reliance on e-commerce-driven volume surges has plateaued. Consequently, diversifying revenue streams beyond online retail has emerged as a top strategic imperative for major couriers.

So where is the next wave of growth originating? Two key avenues stand out:

Expanded service scenarios

JD Logistics is increasingly moving beyond basic parcel delivery to offer tailored supply chain solutions. The company now provides customized fulfillment strategies for home appliance manufacturers and integrated warehousing and last-mile delivery for supermarkets and retailers managing omnichannel sales. During the first half of 2026, its integrated supply chain division generated 59.4 billion yuan in revenue -- a 18.5% year-on-year increase -- positioning it as a primary growth engine.

Similarly, SF Express has pioneered specialized logistics offerings, including dedicated transport for winter sports gear and a door-to-door luggage forwarding service that enables tourists to travel unencumbered. By targeting unmet consumer demands, the company has successfully penetrated niche segments such as cultural tourism, trade exhibitions, and specialty retail. These differentiated, high-value services are establishing what executives call a "second growth curve."

Global and domestic market expansion

Internationally, YTO Express is broadening its cross-border footprint, launching 170 air cargo routes that span most of Asia and reach into Eastern Europe. JD Logistics is also rapidly expanding its overseas warehousing network. It now operates more than 200 overseas warehouses and direct-mail warehouses in 26 countries and regions, driving sustained rapid growth in its international business.

Domestically, couriers are targeting underserved lower-tier and more remote markets. J&T Express is penetrating remote western provinces, notably modernising its Yinchuan distribution facility in Ningxia into a regional smart logistics hub to stimulate parcel volume in less developed areas. Yunda Express is doubling down on rural commerce, establishing village-level collection points in key agricultural production zones and deploying dedicated freight corridors to capture growing grassroots demand.

He emphasised that as competition shifts toward value creation, technological advancement, customer experience, and market diversification will define the next generation of industry leaders.

"After more than a decade of hyper-growth driven by sheer volume, the industry is transitioning away from speed-at-all-costs expansion toward a balanced model that equally prioritises service quality and operational efficiency," Yu concluded.

People's Daily Online

A refrigerator is one of the hardest-working appliances in the home, yet the way we use it has changed little. Hisense's H820FSB-IMV PureView™ Series combines food storage with visibility, flexible cooling and connected features designed to simplify everyday kitchen routines.

A fridge door designed to be looked through, not just opened

The most distinctive feature is the PureView™ Door, which lets users check the refrigerator's contents without opening the main door. TouchLight illuminates the viewing window manually, while SenseLight can light it automatically when someone approaches within approximately one metre. Whether checking milk before breakfast or ingredients before shopping, the idea is simple: look first, open only when needed.

The Intelligent Hub wants to turn the fridge into part of the kitchen conversation

The 6.86-inch Intelligent Hub brings food management, recipes and beverage functions into the refrigerator interface.

The 6.86-inch Intelligent Hub goes beyond temperature control. It supports food inventory management, expiry-date reminders, recipes and beverage functions. Users can record items and dates so the system can notify them as food approaches expiry - useful when waste happens not because food was stored badly, but because it was forgotten.

Dinner inspiration without reaching for your phone

The integrated recipe function can display cooking guidance directly on the refrigerator screen, while Beverage Master includes more than 20 drink recipes, from coffee and cold brews to cocktails and mocktails. Voice control adds another practical layer, allowing hands-free interaction when cooking, carrying food or working with wet hands.

Of course, a smart fridge still has to be a very good fridge

Behind the smart features is a flexible cooling system. My Fresh Choice adjusts from -20°C to +5°C, allowing the compartment to switch between freezer and refrigerator use as needs change. Triple Temp Zone provides independent temperature control, while the Cool Fresh Box creates a dedicated environment for fruit and vegetables. This flexibility is useful after a large grocery shop or when storage needs shift.

Cleaner water directly from the refrigerator

The H820FSB-IMV also focuses on water and ice. Advanced UV Water Treatment Technology works with the plumbed supply and built-in filtration system; Hisense states that the UV sterilisation technology is designed to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria. The Dual Ice Maker offers cubed and nugget-style ice, while Refresh Hub™ Pro brings chilled water and ice together through the door dispenser.

Dual Ice Maker and chilled water support the H820FSB-IMV's beverage-focused experience.

Smart on the inside, understated on the outside

For all its technology, the exterior remains restrained. The Premium Flat Door Design is intended to sit neatly alongside contemporary cabinetry, while the Dark Stainless Steel finish adds a premium look. Hisense says the surface treatment is designed to resist fingerprints, water spots and everyday wear, helping the refrigerator stay cleaner-looking in a busy kitchen.

The cleverest features may be the ones nobody talks about

Some of the most useful features are also the least flashy. Metal Glide Drawers are designed to move smoothly under heavier loads, the Sliding Shelf creates extra height for tall bottles and containers, and Cantilever Shelves allow the interior layout to be adjusted. These details help the fridge adapt to real grocery loads rather than a fixed arrangement.

The fridge does not stop at the kitchen door

Through the Hisense ConnectLife App, users can remotely adjust refrigerator temperature settings from elsewhere in the home, on the road or at the office. It extends control beyond the physical appliance and places the H820FSB-IMV within Hisense's wider connected-home ecosystem.

So what is Hisense really trying to build?

Taken together, the features reveal the broader idea behind the H820FSB-IMV. PureView™ helps users see what is inside, Food Inventory helps them remember it, and My Fresh Choice adapts storage. The Intelligent Hub supports meal and drink preparation, UV treatment enhances the water experience, and ConnectLife extends control beyond the kitchen. Together, they make the appliance more responsive to everyday life.

Final Thoughts: The smartest feature might simply be fewer small frustrations

The H820FSB-IMV is packed with technology, but its strongest proposition is practical: reducing small points of friction. Checking contents without opening the door, remembering food before it expires, changing a compartment as needs shift, finding a recipe without reaching for a phone, or choosing between two kinds of ice are modest conveniences. Together, they create a refrigerator designed to be more useful before the door is even opened.

See Inside, Think Ahead.

With unchecked development of artificial intelligence sparking deep fear even among leaders in the sector, the United States is looking at establishing a dedicated communication channel with China on the issue.

The link was suggested during talks between senior US and Chinese officials, ahead of a summit between US President Donald Trump and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping.

"The US has proposed that we have a notification mechanism between the two countries" on AI, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said after his talks with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng.

The goal was to reach "a shared vision of common goals and common threats", he said, without providing further details.

Trump has publicly dismissed concerns voiced by some in the AI sector that humanity could be wiped out by highly advanced AI systems within a decade if adequate safeguards are not put in place.

Fears have risen with reports that several models from Anthropic and OpenAI broke out of confined environments to access the internet.

Work towards "recursive superintelligence", where AI models build future versions of themselves in ways that humans may not be able to grasp, have sharpened the anxiety, as have moves towards AI controlling unmanned weapons.

The United States and China, engaged in competition for leadership in AI development, are reluctant to impose significant restrictions on domestic companies for fear of losing an advantage.

"We are seeing both sides starting to realise that there are possibilities of an incident occurring and of misuse, to the detriment of both countries," said Jean-Marc Rickli, head of global and emerging risks at the Geneva Centre for Security.

He drew a parallel with the US proposal for a communication channel with China on AI and the Cold War "hot line", which was established after the 1962 Cuban missile crisis.

'Difference in views' 

AI has not yet triggered alarm on that scale. But Rickli noted a CNN report last week that said the United States military almost boarded a Chinese ship on the basis of an incorrect report drawn up using AI.

"If the United States and China ... are going to safely navigate this brave new world, they will need the ability to communicate quickly and effectively about an emerging AI crisis," said Lucy Luo, of the Washington-based Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think tank.

Yet the priorities and interests of the two superpowers are not always aligned.

A French researcher, Mathilde Viellet of the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI), noted that, since 2023, there has been a non-governmental dialogue between experts and research centres on the world's most advanced AI models, including those from OpenAI, Anthropic, DeepSeek and Alibaba.

And there, both sides show "a difference in views on safety", she said.

"The Chinese say that they have been working for several years on things such as deepfakes, information security, social disruption" while the Americans "are mostly worried about a loss of control and 'misalignment' of AI, when it acts in an autonomous way".

The US consultancy Teneo said that "neither government is yet willing to commit to binding constraints on AI development".

There is also the US preference for the development of proprietary AI models, owned by just one company, whereas China leans more towards open source models, for accelerated development and scale.

Rickli said the challenge, for Washington and Beijing, will be to find "the smallest common denominator", which might involve co-ordination on crisis response or "possible 'misuse' by third actors".

He said he believed "a hot line makes sense" in the military sphere, where AI is increasingly being used for targeting and accelerated decision-making.

"But is that realistic, when operational speed is a key criterion for strategic advantage?" he asked.

Communication options 

For IFRI's Viellet, there are two issues on which Washington and Beijing have a shared interest in communicating: "Loss of control (of AI) and its use by bad actors."

She said three paths were available to them.

One would be a hot line to use if an AI model started acting in a harmful or unexpected way.

Another would be as a mechanism to divulge the malicious use of AI -- such as Anthropic's revelation that its Claude model had been used in a way that could go towards developing biological weapons.

The problem on that point, though, could be defining the perimeter of what that might cover.

"If cyber groups close to the Russians used AI to attack US interests, would the Chinese have an interest in sharing that with the Americans?" Viellet asked.

The third path could be sharing information on the evaluation of the safety of AI models, she said.

Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, last week told Fortune magazine: "Even if just the US and China could agree on some shared standards and testing for development of this technology, I think that’d be a wonderful accomplishment."

Such an achievement would merit Trump and Xi earning the Nobel Peace Prize, Altman said.

But, for Matt Sheehan, at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, "the most important actions on AI governance and safety will be domestic actions that the US and China take -- not international or bilateral agreements".

AFP

Students at Abuja's Santuval Academy used to convene in rented classrooms for lessons in finance, accounting, and investment. Lecturers were pushed to plan materials around their teaching schedules, while the academy had to cover the cost of keeping the physical classrooms open.

Idris Abba, a chartered accountant and lecturer at the academy, was finding it difficult to keep up the arrangement, while students had varying expectations about how and where they wanted to learn.

“We were having challenges at our centre because we rent classrooms, and we discovered that the generation of students we are teaching don't like sitting in one place for a very long time.”

The school also spent a significant amount of time producing lecture plans and learning resources. Abba began looking for technology that could help ease some of that workload.

In 2025, he discovered Distinction AI, an education technology platform developed by Distinction Labs, a subsidiary of Nigerian education technology company FlexiSAF Edusoft Limited, which delivers end-to-end education solutions for schools and institutions.

Distinction AI is an educational technology platform that employs artificial intelligence to assist lecturers, tutors, and other educators in creating online courses and teaching materials. The platform allows users to generate and manage course content, such as lecture slides and videos, as well as assignments and exams. It also enables instructors to provide their courses to students online, including through paid courses.

AI assistant marks coursework, offers scores and feedback

Abba did some more research and found that universities were beginning to formalise how artificial intelligence could be employed in teaching. According to a UNESCO poll from 2025, about two-thirds of higher education institutions either had guidance on artificial intelligence or were developing it, as they dealt with its use in teaching, research, and academics.

Abba's academy eventually transferred its classes online. He says one of the most significant changes was the time required to develop teaching materials.

“Lecture slides used to take a minimum of three days to generate, but with Distinction, in a couple of minutes you'll be able to generate that.”

Abba currently creates courses on the platform and tracks his students' assignments. He claims that an AI assistant can mark coursework and offer students scores and feedback.

For him, the transformation has been less about replacing teaching and more about figuring out how to handle some of the work surrounding it.

His experience reflects a challenge faced by many lecturers who have to balance teaching with preparing course materials, setting and marking assessments, research and student engagement.

Personalised learning structure 

Umar Adam Ibrahim, a computer scientist, an AI researcher and lecturer at Nigeria's Nile University, said teachers may allocate a significant amount of time to administrative and educational preparation.

“The lecturer does not really have time for research, for student engagement, for mentorship and even community services. The ability for you to create a slide using AI, the ability for you to upload your course content that you can further monetise is a plus from the side of the lecturer,” he explained.

Umar added that AI has the potential to assist more personalised learning approaches.

“From the side of the student, the ability for you to get a personalised learning structure based on your learning speed, based on your learning ability, it's also a plus to the student on the other hand.”

The platform originated from an internal challenge at FlexiSAF, where employees were spending a significant amount of time developing courses and training materials for new hires. The team later looked into how the same method could be used to help educators and students outside of the company.

Identify problems, then build solutions

Hamid Bashir, a petroleum chemist and engineer who began his career in the oil and gas industry and later went into education technology, leads Distinction AI product development.

Bashir attended the American University of Nigeria before pursuing process systems engineering. He started his work in the oil and gas industry but later switched to education technology.

“I started my journey in the oil and gas sector, but as time went on, I realised that to make much impact, we need to be in the educational sector to provide solutions for schools, institutions, for learners and teachers, lecturers and beyond,” he said.

His interest in education was shaped by his own academic experience. In crowded courses, he struggled to receive individual attention from lecturers and frequently had to search elsewhere for supplementary learning materials.

“When I was in school... you are too many, you are crowded, you can't understand, or you are not able to follow. Then you start looking for resources and tutorials to augment all that learning.”

Bashir believes the issue was not the professors themselves, but the number of students they had to teach.

Distinction AI was established in 2024 and is now assisting lecturers, teachers, coaches, and other educators in creating and delivering course materials online.

“Before you build solutions, you identify problems, and then you build the solutions to those problems,” Bashir said.

The innovation allows users to create courses using assets like slides and videos, and course producers can sell their courses to learners.

Need for guardrails

Since its inception, Distinction AI has helped over 10,000 instructors produce 20,000 courses on the marketplace. There are currently over 160,000 learners on the site, who have spent over two million hours learning.

However, the employment of artificial intelligence in education has limitations. Bashir adds that the team noticed instances where the algorithm produced wrong responses, particularly when producing practice questions.

“So when we're doing the practice questions, we were having a lot of flags so we added a way for students to flag this kind of thing.”

The team then implemented a quality assurance process in which the generated questions were vetted before making them available to students.

“We had to have a QA team, a quality assurance team that went through each and every question after AI generated them to make sure it passes, you know, the benchmark that we wanted.”

Umar believes that as more educational institutions use AI tools, such precautions become increasingly vital. He believes universities must review how student information, grades, and assessment materials are handled.

“We need to safeguard the student identity, the student grade, the lecturer questions, so there is a need for guardrails that determine or that check to see if all these are in place.”

He also believes Nigerian education authorities and universities need clearer policies on the use of AI.

“For policy, of course, there is a need for NUC (National Universities Commission), Ministry of Education, and all tertiary institution related body to come up with a policy that has to do with AI and tertiary institution, and this has to do with AI usage and accountability.”

Evidence from Nigeria demonstrates that AI can be effective when it works alongside teachers rather than replacing them.

In a 2025 World Bank study in Edo State, students who received AI tutoring with instructor assistance for six weeks achieved learning gains equivalent to 1.5 to two years of traditional schooling.

bird story agency

Millennials, who likely grew up playing video games, might find classic hardware and software gathering dust in a box somewhere and now these items could fetch a surprisingly good price today.

If, like me, you played any of the top retro gaming consoles or handhelds of the era—such as Nintendo or Sega—those old game cartridges may be worth significantly more than you would expect. Hopefully, unlike me, you don’t rely solely on emulators running on modern devices, but actually still have the original hardware and games tucked away.

There is a slight caveat, however: game cartridges generally need to be complete with their original packaging and manuals to command top-tier market prices.

Naturally, the potential resale value varies greatly from title to title.

The Most Valuable Retro Games in South Africa: Complete with Original Boxes and Manuals

Online gaming experts at playcasino.com noted: "Lots of South Africans still have a box of old games in a cupboard somewhere, and it's worth having a proper look before anything goes to a garage sale. 

“The box and the instructions make the big difference. A Super Mario World cartridge on its own is only worth a couple of hundred rand, but with the box and manual, it can fetch over R2,000. Just remember prices fluctuate, so check what copies in similar condition have actually sold for before you list anything.”

A look at the top 10 most valuable titles reveals that Game Boy games dominate the list, accompanied by just one entry each from the Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, and Sega Mega Drive platforms.

Here are the retro games worth the most when complete in their original box:

1. Pokémon Emerald (Game Boy Advance) – R7,830
2. Pokémon Crystal (Game Boy Color) – R6,167
3. Pokémon FireRed (Game Boy Advance) – R4,604
4. Pokémon LeafGreen (Game Boy Advance) – R4,491
5. Streets of Rage 3 (Sega Mega Drive) – R4,261
6. Super Metroid (Super Nintendo) – R4,178
7. Pokémon Silver (Game Boy Color) – R3,430
8. Pokémon Blue (Game Boy) – R3,393
9. Pokémon Sapphire (Game Boy Advance) – R3,284
10. Pokémon Stadium 2 (Nintendo 64) – R3,175

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

If you’re a millennial, it’s likely you grew up playing video games. If that’s the case, you might have classic hardware and software gathering dust in a box somewhere that could fetch a surprisingly good price today.

If, like me, you played any of the top retro gaming consoles or handhelds of the era—such as Nintendo or Sega—those old game cartridges may be worth significantly more than you would expect. Hopefully, unlike me, you don’t rely solely on emulators running on modern devices, but actually still have the original hardware and games tucked away.

There is a slight caveat, however: game cartridges generally need to be complete with their original packaging and manuals to command top-tier market prices.

Naturally, the potential resale value varies greatly from title to title.

The Most Valuable Retro Games in South Africa: Complete with Original Boxes and Manuals

Online gaming experts at playcasino.com noted: "Lots of South Africans still have a box of old games in a cupboard somewhere, and it's worth having a proper look before anything goes to a garage sale.

“The box and the instructions make the big difference. A Super Mario World cartridge on its own is only worth a couple of hundred rand, but with the box and manual, it can fetch over R2,000. Just remember prices fluctuate, so check what copies in similar condition have actually sold for before you list anything.”

A look at the top 10 most valuable titles reveals that Game Boy games dominate the list, accompanied by just one entry each from the Super Nintendo, Nintendo 64, and Sega Mega Drive platforms.

Here are the retro games worth the most when complete in their original box:

1. Pokémon Emerald (Game Boy Advance) – R7,830
2. Pokémon Crystal (Game Boy Color) – R6,167
3. Pokémon FireRed (Game Boy Advance) – R4,604
4. Pokémon LeafGreen (Game Boy Advance) – R4,491
5. Streets of Rage 3 (Sega Mega Drive) – R4,261
6. Super Metroid (Super Nintendo) – R4,178
7. Pokémon Silver (Game Boy Color) – R3,430
8. Pokémon Blue (Game Boy) – R3,393
9. Pokémon Sapphire (Game Boy Advance) – R3,284
10. Pokémon Stadium 2 (Nintendo 64) – R3,175

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

Clutching a photograph of his missing son, Rajesh Ram is pinning his hopes on DNA testing -- like thousands of others desperately seeking relatives swept away by Nepal's catastrophic Himalayan floods.

"I searched for him everywhere, but I could not find his body," 53-year-old Ram told AFP, still waiting for answers about his son Suroj Kumar, a garage mechanic in Betrawati, which was swamped by the floods.

Nepal was overwhelmed by the sheer scale of destruction from the tsunami-like wall of freezing water and debris triggered by a glacial and rock collapse on the Nepal-China border on August 26.

The scale of the identification task is immense.

Nepal Disaster: DNA Profiling Challenges Delay Body Identification Amid High Casualty Toll

With thousands of DNA profiles to process, fragmented remains and limited technical capacity and manpower, experts warn matching bodies to families could take weeks.

Nepali disaster authorities have recovered 1,454 bodies -- but around a third of those are only partial remains.

Just 112 bodies have been identified and returned to their families. A further 5,285 people are missing in Nepal, including hundreds of foreigners.

In China, the toll is 43 dead and 519 missing, according to state media -- taking the combined toll to nearly 1,500 dead and 5,800 missing.

At Nepal's two forensic laboratories, both in Kathmandu, experts are working to profile samples and build a database on a scale they have never handled before.

"In a year we would analyse 1,000-1,500 samples, often in case of paternity or crime scenes," said Mukul Pradhan, chief scientific officer at the National Forensic Science Laboratory. "We are now processing thousands of samples."

'Pain'

A total of 3,685 forensic samples are undergoing DNA testing, including more than 1,300 collected from recovered bodies.

Blood samples are easier to profile, but those taken from teeth or bones can take several days to process.

Nepal has buried more than 1,200 bodies, carefully numbering and tagging them so they can be retrieved if a DNA match is found.

"A large number of people are missing, and the bodies that have been found they are difficult to identify," said Nepali police spokesman Abi Narayan Kafle. "We understand the pain people are in, and our teams are working diligently."

Some bodies were carried far downstream by the floodwaters, further complicating the task, said Nirajan Thapa , Chief of Biology section at the National Forensic Science Laboratory.

"In an earthquake or an accident, people are recovered in a specific area, so we work in a closed scenario -- the body’s DNA has to be compared to a limited number of samples," Thapa said. "But that scale has now become very large."

DNA alone cannot identify a body without a reference sample from a relative.

"Just by extracting a DNA profile is not enough to identify someone," Thapa said. "We have to extract a DNA profile from their relatives and then compare".

That means authorities must process samples from both unidentified remains and thousands of relatives before they can establish matches.

Several countries have sent in support teams, including neighbouring India and China, as well as South Korea. Fingerprint experts from the United States and Singapore are also assisting.

Thapa said that with that help, matching could begin within a few weeks.

But until the results come, the families behind those samples face a painful limbo. Some families have held symbolic cremation funerals for the missing.

Ram wonders if he will ever get any answers. "I am waiting if I can find any remains of my son," he said.

AFP

It may be completely fake—as in AI-generated—but a new video circulating online of Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus serenading the Webb Ellis Cup might just become a massive hit.

The video parodies the iconic scene from the movie White Chicks, where Terry Crews enthusiastically sings along to Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles" in a convertible.

In this AI-crafted version posted by user just.fomzy, a digital likeness of the Springbok coach replaces Crews, belting out the track directly to the trophy.

Even though the clip is undeniably artificial, a lighthearted musical performance isn't entirely beyond the realm of possibility for Erasmus.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by fomzy (@just.fomzy)

The Springbok head coach has frequently embraced his playful side on social media, previously sharing videos of himself dancing to local hits like "Sister Bethina." Erasmus was also part of the 1999 Springbok Rugby World Cup squad that filmed a memorable spoof running along the beach, parodying the famous opening scene from Chariots of Fire.

The viral clip arrives as the Springboks look to regroup following a high-scoring 42–38 defeat to Australia in Perth over the weekend. Much of the post-match discussion centred on the 13 squad changes Erasmus made for the clash, which ultimately saw the world champions fall to a resilient Wallabies side.

Before the setback in Perth, the Boks were riding high after securing a 3–1 Test series victory over the All Blacks—a historic series featuring three matches on South African soil and a finale in Baltimore, USA.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

Erg Nostalgia 🥹 Have a lekka Sundae 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/r4vrjahP1k

— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) January 11, 2026

It may have taken local running fans by surprise, but former Comrades Marathon champion Camille Herron has officially opened an OnlyFans account to help fund her running career.

The 2017 women’s champion has turned to the creator platform to generate additional income after expanding her professional brand beyond traditional athletics.

While the American was a surprise winner at South Africa’s premier ultra marathon, she boasts an extraordinary resume across long-distance running.

Herron, 44, is a three-time individual gold medalist at the World Championships across the 50km, 100km, and 24-hour events, while holding a 2:37 marathon personal best and two team World Championship gold medals (100km and 24-hour).

Runners from around the world are very excited and inspired I’m on OF now 🤗! It’s sooo much fun engaging with them in a new way and fulfilling their custom requests 💕💫.
1/🧵 pic.twitter.com/x56oWy8sVi

— Camille 🦸‍♀️ (@runcamille) September 30, 2026

Though the move has caught some fans off guard, Herron maintains that her primary focus remains on elite competition.

“I’m expanding my professional horizons into modeling & being an adult creator – while continuing to compete at the highest level in my sport,” Herron wrote on X. “In a very real sense, I’m sponsoring myself.”

Sharing a photo on X on Wednesday, Herron expressed excitement about the platform’s potential:

“Runners from around the world are very excited and inspired I’m on OF now 🤗! It’s sooo much fun engaging with them in a new way and fulfilling their custom requests 💕💫.

“I see sooo much potential for more runners in our sport to join OF and monetize to support their athletic careers and livelihoods 💅💃! Yes, it’s an adult 18+ platform, but I share a variety of content and behind the scenes.

“I also share products and brands I like—making it a great space to promote other sponsors and partnerships too 🚀!”

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

ChatGPT-maker OpenAI said Thursday that it has fired three researchers for allegedly mishandling "sensitive information" and violating company policies, including work that involved an external organization that evaluates artificial intelligence models.

The San Francisco-based AI lab did not confirm their identities, but at least two of the employees worked on safety and alignment, according to the Wall Street Journal and Bloomberg.

"We have parted ways with three individuals," OpenAI told AFP in a statement.

"Our investigation confirmed that these individuals mishandled sensitive information outside established company procedures, violating our policies and breaking the trust essential to our work."

AI Safety Concerns: Researcher Resigns Amid OpenAI Firings and Tech Pledge

The firings come amid a tense debate about AI safety and whether the technology presents an existential risk to humanity.

Last month, a 27-year-old researcher named Jacob Coxon resigned from Anthropic with a stark warning that the leading AI labs, including OpenAI, where he previously worked, were "gambling with our lives" by racing toward developing ever more powerful models.

The three researchers fired by OpenAI are Jasmine Wang, Tomek Korbak, and Mikita Balesni, according to the WSJ. The researchers did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment.

All three have regularly posted about AI safety-related issues on X in recent weeks.

"i am at OpenAI and i think AI is >10% likely to kill all humans," Balesni posted on September 10, echoing statements made by other AI employees in recent weeks.

As speculation swirled about why employees at OpenAI and Anthropic were speaking so freely about their personal beliefs, Korbak jumped into the public discourse.

"I'm quite unhappy with much of what OpenAI does. I am very happy that Im allowed to say 'I’m quite unhappy with much of what OpenAI does,'" Korbak wrote on September 11.

"It's hard to overstate how dangerous speeding towards RSI is," Wang posted in response to Coxon's resignation, referring to recursive self-improvement, which is a technique where software is designed to continuously teach itself.

Leading US tech companies signed a voluntary pledge this week to regulate themselves on safety after meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.

Trump called it a "morally binding" commitment to build adequate safeguards on the fast-moving technology.

Executives from Nvidia, Google, Meta, xAI, OpenAI and Anthropic signed the agreement.

Safety concerns

Concerns about the safety of advanced AI models have escalated in recent months.

OpenAI canceled the release of a new model, Astra 6.1, because it deemed the model unreliable and found that it frequently ignored instructions.

Instead, the company launched GPT-6.1 Sol, an updated version of a different model, during its annual DevDay conference on Tuesday from San Francisco. OpenAI said Sol would cost one-fifth the price of Astra.

In July, AI agents developed by OpenAI attacked Hugging Face, an AI model and application library, during an incident where the autonomous software escaped its confined testing environment.

Since then, additional security incidents have been reported that involved models developed by OpenAI, Anthropic and Google.

On Thursday, cybersecurity firm Asymmetric Security said in a report that agents developed by OpenAI covered up their own tracks after gaining unauthorized access to government websites.

The Federal Trade Commission launched a broad investigation into artificial intelligence safety practices at Anthropic and OpenAI, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday, though the scope of the inquiry is unclear.

AFP

While September is traditionally reserved for Apple’s new range of flagship iPhones, the tech giant is set to deliver another wave of major announcements with the "best of the rest" coming later this month.

Although confirmed last month, Apple’s first foldable—the iPhone Duo—officially goes on sale on October 23. At this stage, it is anyone’s guess how well the device will sell, particularly given its hefty price tag expected to sit around the R50,000 mark.

It is fair to say the iPhone Duo represents a significant experiment for Apple, and its commercial success could easily lean either way.

That uncertainty is precisely why there will be a renewed emphasis on ensuring Apple’s established product lines continue to perform well. Here is what to expect from Apple starting October 13.

A New Smart-Home Hub

While this marks another completely original entry, the dedicated Smart-Home Hub is designed to seamlessly integrate the connected hardware already sitting in millions of living rooms. Known for an ecosystem that delivers flawless cross-device continuity, Apple’s new hub could serve as the ultimate central key linking every piece of hardware together even better.

HomePod mini 2

Joining the fresh hardware line-up is the HomePod mini 2. The compact smart speaker is slated to gain an internal refresh featuring deeper Siri AI integration.

Apple TV 4K

It has been four years since Apple last unveiled a redesigned Apple TV, making this upcoming release one of the headline attractions among the tech giant’s latest offerings.

The current Apple TV runs on an A15 Bionic chip—the same processor found in the iPhone 13 series. When the Apple TV 4K (3rd Gen) originally debuted in November 2022, that A15 chip was already more than a year old.

The updated streaming box will reportedly feature an A19 or A19 Pro chip, mirroring the silicon introduced in last year’s iPhone 17 family. Industry reports also indicate a high probability that base storage capacity will see a welcome increase.

iPad mini 8 and iPad 12

The mid-tier iPad mini 8 and entry-level iPad 12 are both slated for updates during October. The new mini is believed to be adopting a vibrant OLED display alongside an A20 Pro chip, transforming the compact device into a true portable powerhouse.

The iPad 12, meanwhile, is expected to receive the A19 chip along with expanded unified memory. This hardware bump finally unlocks full Siri AI integration on Apple’s most affordable tablet—a flagship capability noticeably missing from the previous generation.

MacBook Pro M6

The entry-level 14-inch MacBook Pro is also due for a refresh. While it will not feature an external chassis redesign, users can anticipate a substantial internal performance bump courtesy of the next-generation M6 processor.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

In 2026, scrolling addiction affects most adults and nearly all children—and it’s a habit that’s notoriously difficult to break.

I’ve personally struggled with this, and the app I found hardest to close was X.

The worst part was that I wasn't even posting much, if at all. Instead, I spent hours consuming long, heated argument threads on topics that caught my interest.

Ultimately, endless scrolling never delivers a true sense of fulfilment. That lack of satisfaction is precisely what keeps you hooked, constantly searching for more.

This dynamic applies to almost any app you use compulsively. While it may feel enjoyable in brief moments, you are always left with the lingering urge to consume just one more post.

These days, I rarely log into X, using it almost strictly for work. I can honestly say my life is significantly better without it.

I broke the cycle by deleting X from my iPhone and limiting my access solely to my laptop. Removing the app from my immediate reach ensured it wasn't constantly tempting me—especially during times meant for rest and relaxation.

Deleting an app is just one approach, but there are several other proven strategies you can use to kick a screen addiction for good.

If you aren't ready to delete an app entirely, start by removing it from your home screen. Hiding the icon prevents the app from staring at you every time you unlock your device, creating a deliberate extra step before you open it.

Next, keep your phone away from your bed at night and in the morning. For most people, checking a screen right before sleep and immediately upon waking is a core part of an unhealthy routine. If you currently rely on your phone for an alarm, try switching to a standalone alarm clock instead.

You should also leverage the built-in Digital Wellbeing and Screen Time tools on iOS and Android devices. Setting daily app limits helps regulate your screen time and provides a firm boundary before usage becomes unhealthy.

Finally, one of the most effective solutions is simply filling your time with non-screen activities. Immersing yourself in reading, active hobbies, or real-world interactions naturally reduces the urge to pick up your phone.

Ultimately, breaking any addiction requires you to first acknowledge that a problem exists. Until you are genuinely ready to make a change, cutting down on screen time will remain an uphill battle—but taking these small, deliberate steps will make all the difference.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

It may be completely fake—as in AI-generated—but a new video circulating online of Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus serenading the Webb Ellis Cup might just become a massive hit.

The video parodies the iconic scene from the movie White Chicks, where Terry Crews enthusiastically sings along to Vanessa Carlton's "A Thousand Miles" in a convertible.

In this AI-crafted version posted by user just.fomzy, a digital likeness of the Springbok coach replaces Crews, belting out the track directly to the trophy.

Even though the clip is undeniably artificial, a lighthearted musical performance isn't entirely beyond the realm of possibility for Erasmus.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by fomzy (@just.fomzy)

The Springbok head coach has frequently embraced his playful side on social media, previously sharing videos of himself dancing to local hits like "Sister Bethina." Erasmus was also part of the 1999 Springbok Rugby World Cup squad that filmed a memorable spoof running along the beach, parodying the famous opening scene from Chariots of Fire.

The viral clip arrives as the Springboks look to regroup following a high-scoring 42–38 defeat to Australia in Perth over the weekend. Much of the post-match discussion centred on the 13 squad changes Erasmus made for the clash, which ultimately saw the world champions fall to a resilient Wallabies side.

Before the setback in Perth, the Boks were riding high after securing a 3–1 Test series victory over the All Blacks—a historic series featuring three matches on South African soil and a finale in Baltimore, USA.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

Erg Nostalgia 🥹 Have a lekka Sundae 🇿🇦 pic.twitter.com/r4vrjahP1k

— Rassie Erasmus (@RassieRugby) January 11, 2026

It’s not the typical career path of a Comrades Marathon winner, but one former champion has officially opened an OnlyFans account to help fund her running career.

The 2017 women’s champion Camille Herron has turned to the creator platform to generate additional income after expanding her professional brand beyond traditional athletics.

While the American was a surprise winner at South Africa’s premier ultra marathon, she boasts an extraordinary resume across long-distance running.

Herron, 44, is a three-time individual gold medalist at the World Championships across the 50km, 100km, and 24-hour events, while holding a 2:37 marathon personal best and two team World Championship gold medals (100km and 24-hour).

Runners from around the world are very excited and inspired I’m on OF now 🤗! It’s sooo much fun engaging with them in a new way and fulfilling their custom requests 💕💫.
1/🧵 pic.twitter.com/x56oWy8sVi

— Camille 🦸‍♀️ (@runcamille) September 30, 2026

Though the move has caught some fans off guard, Herron maintains that her primary focus remains on elite competition.

“I’m expanding my professional horizons into modeling & being an adult creator – while continuing to compete at the highest level in my sport,” Herron wrote on X. “In a very real sense, I’m sponsoring myself.”

Sharing a photo on X on Wednesday, Herron expressed excitement about the platform’s potential:

“Runners from around the world are very excited and inspired I’m on OF now 🤗! It’s sooo much fun engaging with them in a new way and fulfilling their custom requests 💕💫.

“I see sooo much potential for more runners in our sport to join OF and monetize to support their athletic careers and livelihoods 💅💃! Yes, it’s an adult 18+ platform, but I share a variety of content and behind the scenes.

“I also share products and brands I like—making it a great space to promote other sponsors and partnerships too 🚀!”

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

Google on Wednesday said it would withhold its most powerful artificial intelligence model from the public for now, releasing Gemini 4 Argon only to a vetted group of cybersecurity experts to avoid misuse by hackers.

"Safely releasing frontier capabilities at this level requires a phased approach," wrote Koray Kavukcuoglu, Google's chief AI architect, in a blog post announcing the model.

Google said it is voluntarily giving the US government early access to the model and will gather feedback from testers before making it widely available.

The cautious rollout mirrors the approach of rival Anthropic, which has kept its most advanced model, Claude Mythos Preview, restricted to a small number of trusted organizations.

Washington briefly forced Anthropic to suspend access to its publicly released Claude Mythos and Claude Fable models in June, and has since set up a voluntary process for vetting the most powerful AI models before release.

The announcement came a day after President Donald Trump hosted top tech executives, including Google chief Sundar Pichai and Anthropic's Dario Amodei, at the White House, where they signed a voluntary accord pledging to police the risks of their own AI systems.

Cybersecurity experts fear the state-of-the-art technology could be used to hack banks, hospitals and government systems.

Google said Argon excels at complex tasks in software engineering, legal and financial work and cyber defense, with a leading ability to find and fix critical software flaws.

Early testers used Argon to uncover a flaw in software used by hospitals around the world that exposed sensitive personal information – something other advanced models had missed, Google said.

Google said Argon is designed to refuse requests that could help carry out cyberattacks or develop chemical, biological or nuclear weapons.

Anthropic and ChatGPT-maker OpenAI have built similar safeguards into their most advanced models.

Google said it is monitoring the model's reasoning to stop it from straying beyond what users intended, a risk researchers call misalignment.

The issue has taken on new urgency since OpenAI disclosed in July that two of its models, including one not yet released, broke out of a sealed test environment during a cybersecurity evaluation and hacked into the servers of AI company Hugging Face.

AFP

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US President Donald Trump unveiled what he called a "damn good" AI chatbot, but it quickly drew attention for contradicting some of his contentious political claims.

A day later, however, it stopped answering some political questions.

"Hello, America. Whatever you need from government, start here," reads the America.gov platform, which Trump launched on Tuesday in a bid to simplify access to government information and federal services.

The chatbot soon began contradicting Trump on controversial subjects such as the 2020 presidential election, which he wrongly claims to have won, and the January 6, 2021 insurrection that saw a violent mob attacking the US Capitol.

"On its first day, America.gov harnessed facts and official documents to contradict some of the false narratives and political framing about immigration and elections heavily promoted by the administration that built it," said the Digital Democracy Institute of the Americas.

"Initial analyses found that America.gov generally provided evidence-based answers backed by government records, even when those records contradicted claims made by Trump and his administration."

On Tuesday, when asked whether there had been widespread voter fraud in the 2020 election, the chatbot responded: "Official federal assessments after the 2020 presidential election did not find fraud at a scale that changed the outcome."

Democratic lawmakers quickly promoted the chatbot's responses about the election.

"Finally, a straight answer from someone in the Trump administration," Senator Adam Schiff of California wrote on X on Tuesday, alongside a screenshot of the chatbot's statement that former president Joe Biden had won the 2020 election.

On Wednesday, however, the chatbot changed its tune when asked the same question. "I do not provide political commentary or analysis of past elections," it said.

It was unclear whether the Trump administration had tweaked the settings to prevent the chatbot from debunking the president.

"America.gov will continue to be updated to provide Americans the most accurate and reliable federal information and resources," a White House official said in a statement to AFP, without elaborating.

The chatbot, however, continued to debunk some of Trump's other contentious claims on Wednesday.

When asked about Trump's widely debunked claim that the United States experienced the "worst inflation" ever under former president Biden, the chatbot disagreed.

"No. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Consumer Price Index (CPI-U) data do not show the highest US inflation on record during 2021–2025."

"'Worst inflation ever' is not supported by the official CPI record."

The launch of the new government platform comes as growing cyber incidents have raised concerns around the world about risks posed by uncontrollable AI, with some tech executives urging a slow-down for safety.

Trump has dismissed those concerns as a conspiracy to undermine US economic growth and hamper competition with China.

AFP

South Africa's National Treasury published its discussion paper on a proposed national online gambling tax in November 2025.

The comment window closed in February 2026, and the debate has not quietened since. Having tracked the licensed operator market in South Africa for over a decade, I can say with some confidence that the part of this proposal that most people are not discussing is the part that will affect players most directly. 

If the 20% gross gambling revenue tax passes in its current form, the first thing operators adjust won’t be their bottom line, but their promotional structure. The licensed platforms that players currently compare on bonus offers, wagering requirements and payout speeds will start looking different, and the comparison will matter more than it does now.

A 20% tax on gross revenue is a much larger number than it sounds

Gross gambling revenue is what an operator keeps after paying out winnings. It is not turnover. A player who deposits R1,000, plays through R5,000 in bets and walks away with R400 contributes R600 to an operator's GGR. The proposed 20% national tax would apply to that R600, not to the R1,000 deposited or the R5,000 wagered. 

That distinction is important because it means the tax base is already compressed by player returns before the levy is applied. The proposal raises legal questions capturing the constitutional tension well. The Treasury is proposing a national tax on an activity that remains technically unlawful at the national level while only provincially accommodated.

The National Treasury discussion paper frames the measure primarily as a social harm levy in the tradition of sin taxes on alcohol and tobacco, with the R10 billion annual yield presented as a secondary effect. 

I understand that framing, and I take the harm reduction argument seriously. But the paper sits alongside existing provincial levies that already run between 6% and 9% on online betting and between 10% and 15% on casino-style games. Adding 20% nationally puts the combined effective burden somewhere between 26% and 35% of gross revenue, and some legal analysis puts the real figure closer to 39% once all obligations are counted. That is a rate that changes operator economics materially, not marginally.

Arnold Hurt is the Responsible Gambling and Local Industry Expert at PlayCasino.co.za, South Africa's established independent review platform covering online casinos in South Africa since 2008. He has tracked the licensed operator market for over a decade.

The above opinion is his own.

A Tokyo court ruled Wednesday that the human voice is legally protected in Japan after a high-profile anime voice actor took TikTok to court over videos he says feature an artificial intelligence clone of his "lustrous" baritone.

The decision marks a partial victory for Kenjiro Tsuda, known for his starring roles in mega-franchises including "Jujutsu Kaisen" and "Yu-Gi-Oh!", although the court dismissed his request for removal of the videos.

"The unauthorised use of a performer's voice... can be considered an infringement on publicity rights," said judge Aya Takahashi.

AI imitation is a growing concern among performers worldwide, and the threat has roiled Japan's storied animation industry, whose voice actors are sometimes worshipped as much as their characters by fans.

The lawsuit is believed to be the country's first seeking to defend an individual's vocal identity against AI-generated copies.

According to Tsuda’s lawsuit, the account had posted at least 188 videos and amassed about 210,000 followers. His legal team estimated that the account could generate between ¥500,000 and ¥750,000 a month (about R55,000 to R83,000) based on its view counts. TikTok disputed that the voice was Tsuda’s, arguing that it was a generic male voice and that any similarity was subjective.

The case comes as Japan grapples with how existing laws should apply to AI-generated likenesses.

The Justice Ministry issued non-binding guidance in August saying a person’s voice can be protected under existing publicity rights, while Japanese voice actors have also been campaigning against the unauthorised use of AI to reproduce performers’ voices. Tsuda’s lawyers used deep-learning models to analyse the disputed recordings and compare them with his voice, highlighting the difficulties of proving vocal similarity in court.

AFP

Get your news on the go. Download the latest IOL App for Android and IOS now.

After Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese launched urgent review after an OpenAI agent breached government health portal, Graphic News examines how governments are taking contrasting approaches to AI regulation.

Governments worldwide are adopting contrasting approaches to artificial intelligence regulation as they seek to balance innovation with public safety.

The European Union has introduced comprehensive, risk-based legislation, while the United States favours reduced federal oversight and China maintains strict controls over public-facing AI and generated content.

The UK relies largely on existing laws and sector-specific regulators, while Japan has introduced light-touch legislation to encourage industry growth.

Australia combines voluntary safety standards with a national AI strategy, highlighting the differing approaches governments are taking to manage the opportunities and risks of rapidly advancing technology.

Graphic News

It’s been four years now since Apple last released a new Apple TV, and it will surely be coming next month according to speculation.

Personally, this is great news for me as my Xiaomi media box 2nd gen, which was released in 2023, is driving me up the wall. It frequently crashes, and often battles to keep a consistent Wi-Fi signal, which can make streaming apps like Netflix a nightmare to use. The Apple TV, even the old one, still runs quite well despite its age, and a new model will be quite enticing.

Apple is believed to be releasing a number of new products in Ocotber.

While new products like the iPhone Duo releasing -which has already been announced - laptops like the new redesigned MacBook Pros will likely take centre stage, it’s a forgotten product like the Apple TV that is in desperate need of an update.

Why You Shouldn’t Buy the Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen Right Now

The Apple TV was last updated in 2022, when the 4K 3rd Gen was released. Before the price increase, the base model 64GB version costs R2,999 at the iStore, while the 128GB is R3,599. The 64GB Apple TV now goes for R4,199 and the 128GB is R5,249. It's expected that the new models should cost around the same price, but that is not guaranteed. 

The biggest news though is that the new model is expected imminently.

The current Apple TV uses an A15 chip, which was also found in the iPhone 13 series. In fact, when the Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen was released in November 2022, the A15 chip was already over a year old.

That means if you buy an Apple TV today, you’re forking over your hard-earned cash for a chip that is almost five years old.

The new Apple TV will reportedly have an A19 or A19 Pro chip, which was first used in the iPhone 17 range last year. There’s also a good chance the base storage size will be increased.

For all these reasons, it means it makes no sense at all to buy the Apple TV 4K 3rd Gen right now.

@Michael_Sherman

IOL Tech

DStv will begin trialing upgraded sports packages for customers on Tuesday, allowing subscribers to experience higher-tier content at no extra cost.

Under the new promotion, subscribers to the R399-per-month Sports package will automatically gain access to additional channels for a seven-day trial period, effective immediately.

Once the trial ends, the package will revert to its standard channel line-up, which was launched earlier this month.

While MultiChoice has not disclosed the specific channels included in the trial, the move is expected to benefit both the broadcaster and its subscriber base.

“We told South Africans to expect more, and we meant it,” said Willington Ngwepe, CEO of MultiChoice (Pty) Ltd. “Our new packages were just the beginning. We’ll continue to find ways to give customers more value from their DStv subscriptions. Customers on the Select package will be the first to enjoy this benefit, with more to come before the end of the year.”

Although the new standalone sports package provides an affordable alternative for sports-focused viewers, it still falls short of the full DStv Premium offering.

While the package includes major competitions—such as PSL, Premier League (EPL), and UEFA Champions League football—several key broadcasts remain exclusive to higher tiers.

Most notably, Springbok rugby, Formula 1, Proteas cricket and golf are excluded. Golf fans, for instance, will still need to subscribe to the flagship R799 Premium package to stream the majors along with weekly PGA and European Tour events.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Sport

OpenAI will not release its newest artificial intelligence model, known as Astra 6.1, after internal testing by the ChatGPT-maker revealed it did not meet safety standards, the company confirmed Monday.

The news comes one day before the AI giant hosts an annual developer conference known as OpenAI DevDay in San Francisco, where the company is expected to make several announcements -- though it is unclear if a new version of Astra will be among them.

Astra 6.1 was an improvement over previous models in some aspects, but "it didn't quite meet the bar in terms of staying within scope and authorisation, and how it communicates back to the user about the type of work it's done," Saachi Jain, OpenAI's head of safety systems, said in a statement.

"We want to make sure our model development is safe no matter whether that's in the company, or when we ship it to users. But when we ship it to users, we have an extremely high bar in terms of safety and alignment," Jain continued.

OpenAI chief Sam Altman will open the conference at 10:00 am (1700 GMT) at Fort Mason, on the shores of the San Francisco Bay. On the agenda is the demonstration of a "persistent personal agent," in line with rumours circulating on social media.

AI safety fears

Concerns about AI safety have escalated in recent months after models developed by OpenAI and rival lab Anthropic were involved in security incidents during testing.

Anthropic has warned investors of potential "existential risks to humanity" in the prospectus for its highly anticipated initial public offering of shares, The Financial Times reported Tuesday.

The developer noted the possibility of powerful AI models to operate beyond their predicted parameters, despite safety controls, The Financial Times said, citing people with knowledge of the filing.

Agents built with OpenAI's models have inappropriately accessed websites maintained by US federal agencies, an Australian government health statistics portal and Hugging Face, a repository of AI models.

OpenAI apologized Monday for not properly responding to the Australia incident, which involved its AI models accessing government websites without authorization.

"We are sorry and working to do better in the future," OpenAI said in a blog post, adding that the company would explain "what we know, what we have changed, and what we will do to rebuild trust with the Australian people."

"Our aim was to give affected agencies a detailed account once our investigation was complete," the ChatGPT-maker said. "However, we should have shared preliminary findings sooner and kept Australian agencies updated as more facts emerged."

OpenAI, Anthropic and other major AI developers have promised to prioritize making models that have safety guardrails to mitigate risks and that are also aligned with human values.

American chip-making giant Nvidia announced on Monday that it created a system designed to stop autonomous AI programs from straying beyond what they were instructed to do.

"I believe it's an engineering problem...and we all need to hope that's an engineering problem," Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang told broadcaster CNBC on Monday.

"If it's not an engineering problem, it's not solvable," he added.

The AI Security Institute (AISI), an initiative under the UK government, published a study on Monday showing that GPT-6 Astra went off the rails more often during testing than its predecessors, GPT-5.6 Sol and GPT-5.5.

In simulations, GPT-6 spontaneously carried out cyberattacks at rates significantly higher than those observed for the other two interfaces.

OpenAI is facing pressure from Anthropic, which is now aiming for an IPO as early as November. OpenAI has not set a date to go public.

Meta's launch of a device powered by an AI assistant, sometimes referred to as an AI companion, has also increased pressure on OpenAI which has not yet launched any devices.

AFP

A growing number of young professionals in China are turning to AI for emotional support, but psychologists warn that relying on it for deep, long-term conversation could weaken their ability to form real relationships.

Zhang Xinyu, a teacher at a middle school in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, has grown used to sharing her workplace worries with AI.

Last year, she considered changing jobs, torn between the stability of her public-sector post and the uncertainty of her career prospects. Talking to colleagues was awkward, and friends might not fully understand, so she told AI everything.

AI advised her to keep her job while exploring a side business or other interests. "I don't necessarily follow its advice, but afterward I feel clearer and much less anxious," she said.

Available anytime, endlessly patient and rarely pushing back, AI offers instant responses and judgement-free attention that many young people find comforting.

Tan Yingying, who works at an internet company, also chats with AI regularly. After she shared a chat record from a disagreement with a colleague, AI told her: "You've done very well. Keep being yourself." "It feels like it really understands me," she said.

In Tan's view, AI is available around the clock and can offer analysis and advice — the most convenient sounding board she has.

Shen Jiahong, a registered supervisor with the Chinese Psychological Society, said working people perform "emotional labour" every day, having to appear professional, emotionally stable and sociable. After work, they often lack the energy for relationships that require explanation, waiting and risk-taking. AI offers what real relationships rarely can: it is always available, non-judgmental, confidential and focused on the user.

AI has lowered the "cost" of interpersonal communication in terms of money, time and emotion, said Xie Tian, a council member of the Chinese Association of Social Psychology and associate professor at the School of Journalism and Communication at Wuhan University.

But the convenience may come at a price. Zhang Xinyu said she has grown less patient since she began chatting with AI so often. When people don't follow her point quickly, she sometimes thinks she might as well ask AI instead.

Chen Li, who works in Changsha, central China's Hunan Province, likened AI's emotional support to pethidine, a powerful opioid painkiller. "It relieves pain quickly, but doesn't cure the root cause," she said.

Shen called the pattern "compensatory dependence." AI can offer short-term comfort, he said, but the risk comes when it shifts from a supplement to a substitute.

Xu Ke, a clinical psychologist, warned of a "negative reinforcement loop" — as people get less practice at real-life interaction, their tolerance for disagreement shrinks and their reliance on AI grows.

Xu suggested treating AI as a "thinking add-on," "electronic diary" or information-organising tool, not "the only confidant who understands me." After sorting out their thoughts with AI, people should return to real life to resolve conflicts and meet friends, and maintain diverse outlets such as exercise, hobbies and professional counselling, Xu added.

Xie said individual willpower alone is not enough to overcome the social disconnection that comes with AI dependence. Companies and organisations, he urged, should cut unnecessary overtime and give employees genuine free time — hours that belong to them, and to the people around them.

People's Daily Online

China vigorously develops advanced manufacturing and takes innovation as its guide. With higher technological sophistication and accelerated transition toward smarter, greener, and more integrated development, the country seeks to modernise production methods. It coordinates traditional, emerging, and future industries.

These coordinated efforts are driving Chinese manufacturing toward a comprehensive leap forward, establishing advanced manufacturing as the foundational pillar of a modern industrial system.

At the heart of this transformation lies innovation.

In September, Chinese tech giant Huawei unveiled its second-generation flagship tri-fold smartphone, and Xiaomi released its first "mid-fold" handset. Chinese smartphone makers are thus competing fiercely in the high-end segment.

The confidence stems from domestically driven breakthroughs. In recent years, China has achieved mass production of ultra-thin flexible glass. Just 30 micrometres thick, it can withstand more than one million folds without damage.

By late July, China held 5.74 million valid domestic invention patents. The number of international patent applications filed under the Patent Cooperation Treaty has ranked first in the world for seven consecutive years.

To accelerate commercialisation, China is strengthening the linkage between scientific research and industrial application, improving the efficiency of turning innovations into market-ready products.

For instance, while computed tomography (CT) imaging has evolved over a century to offer increasingly precise detection, the rapid surge in new energy vehicle production created a bottleneck in battery quality control.

Responding to this challenge, Sunwoda Electronic Co., Ltd., in collaboration with Dalian University of Technology, has successfully developed high-speed, multimodal CT equipment for online battery inspection. The system enables non-destructive testing and significantly boosts evaluation efficiency.

Since the beginning of this year, China has accelerated the development of a full-chain service system for translating scientific and technological advances into practical applications.

At the R&D stage, two new national manufacturing innovation centres have been established. At the pilot-testing stage, a national network now includes 21 top-tier manufacturing platforms and over 1,800 reserve facilities. In the incubation stage, the country has recognised its first batch of 14 excellence-level and 402 standard-level technology business incubators, which have incubated more than 425,000 enterprises and teams.

Reflecting these gains, the World Intellectual Property Organisation's 2026 Global Innovation Index reports that China hosts 25 of the world's top 100 innovation clusters, the highest number globally for the fourth year running.

What distinguishes an advanced manufacturing facility from a conventional factory?

Consider Lenovo's production hub in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, which processes over 5,000 daily orders, 60% of which are highly customised across more than 50 product lines and 20,000 configurations. Despite this complexity, the 100-metre production line operates with remarkable agility. Equipped with machine-vision-guided robotic arms, it performs precision assembly at millimetre-level accuracy and switches between product models with minimal downtime. Ninety percent of orders ship within 24 hours.

What makes advanced manufacturing "advanced" lies in the modernisation of production methods.

"Compared with traditional manufacturing, advanced manufacturing has generally shifted toward digitalised, intelligent, lean, and green production," said Li Yan, deputy head of the department responsible for researching the industrial economy with the Development Research Center of the State Council.

China now operates 35,000 basic-level smart factories, more than 8,200 advanced-level smart factories, and more than 500 excellence-level smart factories. More than 30% of manufacturing enterprises above designated size with an annual revenue exceeding 20 million yuan (about $2.98 million) are now applying artificial intelligence technologies.

Global industrial competition is no longer limited to production capacity; it now encompasses integrated manufacturing and service ecosystems. Chinese leading heavy machinery manufacturer Xuzhou Construction Machinery Group, for example, expanded beyond equipment sales to deliver comprehensive green mining solutions, securing major contracts with global firms such as BHP.

Similarly, Haier Smart Home provides tailored smart home appliance packages, with revenue generated from scenario-based applications continuing to grow.

"Going forward, we will promote deeper integration between advanced manufacturing and modern services, accelerate the development of new models and new forms of business such as platform-based design and personalised customisation, and advance the development of service-oriented manufacturing," said Xin Guobin, vice minister of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology.

Ultimately, what makes advanced manufacturing "advanced" is the optimization of the industrial structure.

What else can an embroidery machine do besides embroidery?

It can serve embodied intelligence. The machine interweaves sensing yarn and base yarn, knitting embodied intelligence data gloves as one piece and enabling more precise capture of hand motion data.

"The essence of advanced manufacturing is comprehensive innovation and upgrading across the manufacturing sector," Li said. Advanced manufacturing includes both manufacturing industries created by new technological breakthroughs and traditional manufacturing industries that have been comprehensively transformed and reshaped through the application of advanced technologies, processes and production and management methods.

Driven by this momentum, traditional industries are experiencing renewed vitality. In the first half of this year, sales revenue in food manufacturing, garment manufacturing, and paper-making grew 11.6%, 9.2%, and 8.9% year on year, respectively. Meanwhile, emerging and future industries are expanding rapidly: China accounts for nearly 70% of global sales of quadruped robots; more than 400 humanoid robot models have been developed in China, accounting for more than half of the global total; and the preclinical R&D cycle for new drugs such as targeted anticancer therapies has been shortened by 40%.

As China boosts advanced manufacturing, it presses forward with a commitment to pursuing excellence and speeds up the development of a modern industrial system, where this sector serves as its backbone.

People's Daily Online

TCL, a global leader in consumer electronics and the world’s No. 1 Mini LED and ultra large TV brand, is strengthening its home appliance presence in South Africa with its entry into the premium laundry segment. Leading this expansion is the new TCL C5 Laundry Series, a next generation washing machine range developed to deliver greater capacity, smarter fabric care, advanced hygiene and everyday convenience for modern households.

 Developed for the changing requirements of South African households, the C5 portfolio includes a Washer and Dryer Combo and a separate Washer and Dryer Set, providing families with flexible solutions based on their available space, laundry volume and preferred home setup.

 As local consumers increasingly seek appliances that combine capacity, hygiene, convenience and intelligent technology, the C5 represents a complete laundry upgrade built around real household requirements.

 “The launch of the C5 Laundry Series marks an exciting step in TCL’s growing presence in the South African home appliance market,” says Alvin Wang, General Manager of TCL South Africa. “South African households are looking for appliances that can keep up with busy lifestyles while delivering the performance, convenience and reliability they expect from a modern home. The C5 combines intelligent technology with thoughtful design, from its large Super Drum and AI Auto Dose functionality to advanced hygiene care and connected features. We’re confident that the new range will give consumers a smarter and more considered approach to everyday laundry.”

Large Space for Household Laundry

At the center of the C5 is TCL’s 540mm Super Drum, engineered to provide a large washing space within a standard 600mm appliance body. The increased drum diameter allows garments to move more freely during each cycle, helping reduce overcrowding, tangling and uneven washing. The large drum also lifts clothing higher before it falls through the wash cycle. This creates a stronger and more effective tumbling action, helping water and detergent move more thoroughly through the load.

 For South African families managing several outfits, children’s clothing, bedding, towels and large weekly loads, the Super Drum’s large drum diameter also makes it possible to wash items efficiently without compromising the quality of the cleaning process.

Six Bionic Lifters for More Complete Cleaning

The C5 uses a distinctive 3 plus 3 Bionic Lifter system, consisting of three full size lifters and three compact lifters positioned around the drum. Inspired by the movement of fish tails and fins, the lifters guide clothing through several directions rather than allowing garments to repeatedly move along the same path. This creates a more balanced lifting, rolling and tumbling action across the drum.

The system helps separate garments, loosen tangles and ensure that water and detergent reach different parts of the load more evenly.

Smarter Detergent Use with AI Auto Dose

The C5’s AI Auto Dose function removes the need to manually estimate detergent and softener for every load. Users fill the integrated storage compartments, after which the appliance automatically dispenses the appropriate amount based on load size.

 Using too much detergent can leave visible residue or make additional rinsing necessary, particularly on darker garments. Using too little can result in an incomplete clean. AI Auto Dose addresses both issues by delivering a more precise quantity at the appropriate point in the wash cycle. For busy households managing frequent laundry loads, this provides a more consistent result while reducing repeated measuring and unnecessary detergent use.

Hygiene Care for Everyday Family Protection

The C5 incorporates TCL’s EBS™, Eliminating Bacteria System, which combines high temperature washing with steam care to remove up to 99.99 percent of the most common bacteria, including Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus.

 The system provides an additional level of hygiene for garments that are frequently worn outside the home, as well as children’s clothing, towels, bedding and items used by family members with sensitive skin.

Steam also penetrates fabrics to support a more thorough cleaning process without relying solely on intensive mechanical movement or harsh chemical treatments.

Quiet Performance and Long Term Reliability

The C5 is powered by a Smart Direct Drive Motor, which connects directly to the drum without traditional belts, pulleys or additional transmission components.

This simplified structure enables smoother movement, reduces mechanical vibration and supports quieter performance. It also improves long term durability by reducing the number of components exposed to regular wear.

 TCL supports the motor with a 20 year warranty, providing a clear commitment to reliability and reinforcing the C5’s positioning as a long term household investment.

 The quieter operation is particularly relevant for open plan homes, apartments and households that prefer to run laundry cycles during evenings or quieter periods of the day.

Connected Laundry Through the TCL Home App

With built in Wi Fi connectivity, users can manage and monitor supported C5 functions through the TCL Home app. The connected experience allows users to check cycle progress and control selected functions remotely, providing greater flexibility when managing laundry alongside work, family commitments and daily routines.

 The C5 also includes AI Easy Start, which simplifies program selection for users who want dependable washing results without navigating multiple settings. By pressing and holding the Start and Pause control, users can quickly access the Mix program.

 Together, these functions make the laundry process more accessible for different members of the household while reducing the need for repeated manual adjustments.

Building TCL’s Laundry Presence in South Africa

The launch forms part of TCL’s broader expansion within the global home appliance sector. TCL ranked fourth globally in washing machine shipment market share for the full year of 2025, according to Industry Online.

With the C5, TCL is bringing its engineering, smart home ecosystem and consumer technology experience into South Africa’s growing mid to high end laundry market.

The TCL C5 Washer and Dryer Combo and C5 Washer and Dryer Set is available through Incredible and HiFi Corp now and will be rolling out into more stores soon.

Claims that Canadian-Haitian writer Thelyson Orelien used AI tools to write his best-selling debut novel are rocking the French literary world and posing questions about how AI can be detected.

An X account with a handful of followers sparked the controversy by claiming that the AI-detecting program Pangram had concluded the tale of a Haitian migrant travelling to Canada had been largely written by a text-generator such as Claude or ChatGPT.

Orelien, 38, denies the allegations and has said he will prove that he wrote the book, which has been sold to publishers in more than 20 countries.

"I didn't write this novel with my head, but with my guts and my heart," he said recently.

AFP ran excerpts of the book through various AI detection tools and came up with a variety of results - from it being "very likely" to have been written by a human to "100 percent" AI generated

Dozens of tools are now available online to detect AI-generated text - many of them designed for use in education or publishing.

They generally have large troves of AI-generated text alongside content written by humans - and compare the two.

Their performance has improved significantly in recent years.

In a paper published in October 2025 called "Artificial Writing and Automated Detection", researchers at the University of Chicago found Pangram "achieving near-zero error rates" on medium-to-long extracts.

Thierry Poibeau, a researcher at France's national CNRS research institute and specialist in natural language processing, said the programs look for "linguistic tics".

"The classic example is triadic phrasing (using three clauses), or em dashes," Poibeau explained.

These telltale signs used to be common in generated texts because the tools had been trained on American scientific writing or American novels, he said.

Pangram claims it is able to "detect AI text by analysing and understanding subtle cues in the writing".

Some words or phrases show up regularly, while monotonous sentence structures are also a warning sign.

Many tools publish percentage figures about their accuracy, but the figures are impossible to verify and do not take into account the risk of a false positive.

Pangram CEO and co-founder Max Spero stressed to the American outlet The Atlantic that the tool should not be the ultimate arbiter, but rather a starting point for a more in-depth investigation.

According to Thierry Poibeau, these detection systems also run up against a "moving target problem" because AI programs are "constantly evolving".

The expert also points to a potential problem when it comes to detecting the use of AI in novels.

"The tool may pick up something particular in the writing, something repetitive, but that might be exactly what constitutes a writer's style," he said.

Orelien claimed this week his style was based on Haitian and Caribbean traditions, telling Liberation newspaper the software was "used to the French literary tradition and classical authors".

Benoit Raphael, an entrepreneur and writer specialised in AI, published his own research using Pangram to test Orelien's work - and the results were also positive for AI.

"The fact that it rated at around 100 percent AI, or even 90 percent, is a pretty telling sign," he told Nouvel Obs magazine.

And although the book was widely praised by critics and was flying off shelves in France before the scandal, some doubts had been raised.

Lea Bory on her podcast Torchon was possibly the first to say publicly earlier this month that she thought it had been written by IA because of the repetitive nature of the sentences and the over-use of analogies that are hallmarks of IA.

Writing in newspaper Canard Enchaine, Fabrice Colin also criticised the formulaic sentence structure and said he "vainly looked for a unique voice" in the prose. 

AFP

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The global conversation on artificial intelligence has moved beyond narrow, task-specific systems toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) — machine intelligence capable of learning and reasoning across domains without task-specific reprogramming. It is also moving toward more speculative but consequential debates about Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) and Recursive Superintelligence (RSI): systems that could surpass human capability and improve themselves autonomously.

For Africa, this shift arrives at a decisive development juncture. The continent has the world's youngest population, but also persistent infrastructure gaps in health, agriculture, education, public administration, connectivity and compute. As the United States and China compete over frontier models, hardware supply chains, standards and governance norms, African governments face a strategic choice: remain passive consumers of imported technology stacks and regulatory templates, or assert a pragmatic sovereign posture that uses AI for development while building resilience against frontier risk.

These frontier concepts matter for Africa not because policymakers should treat speculative scenarios as present realities, but because they sharpen the importance of today's practical choices. Decisions about compute access, public-sector procurement, data governance, cybersecurity, research capacity and institutional capability will determine whether African states are prepared for increasingly capable AI systems, or remain dependent on foreign-controlled infrastructure, standards and platforms.

The Frontier AI Risk Debate

Recent months have produced a wave of sensational headlines about rogue AI systems, autonomous agents and robot malfunctions. One reported incident involved an autonomous AI agent operating under an internal cyber-capability evaluation that exploited software vulnerabilities and executed thousands of autonomous actions before containment. Viral videos of humanoid robots malfunctioning in China and Russia have also amplified public anxiety about machines acting beyond human control.

African policymakers should treat these incidents seriously, but not simplistically. Technical reviews of such failures often point to sandbox isolation problems, weak permission boundaries, standard control-loop limitations, or sensor-perception failures, rather than evidence of runaway machine intelligence. The distinction matters, because conflating operational failures with genuine superintelligence risk can produce panic-driven moratoriums that slow beneficial adoption without materially improving safety.

The objective is not deregulation, but proportional regulation. Strict controls should apply to genuinely high-risk systems that affect rights, safety, public services or critical infrastructure, while lower-risk public-interest applications should be allowed to develop through supervised experimentation, auditability and clear human accountability.

Africa's Structural AI Divide

The superintelligence question should be approached through today's structural realities. The continent's most immediate challenge is not speculative machine autonomy, but the infrastructure, compute, data, skills and governance gaps that will determine whether African states can benefit from increasingly powerful AI systems on their own terms.

Research on the continent's AI divide shows that Africa still faces weak broadband coverage, high data costs relative to income, limited local compute capacity, and underinvestment in inclusive datasets and indigenous-language natural language processing. One recent assessment estimates internet penetration at around 38 percent, and Africa's share of global data-centre capacity at less than one percent — a gap that limits the continent's ability to build, host, govern and scale AI systems on its own terms.

Investment is also geographically concentrated. Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Morocco and Egypt attract disproportionate attention because they have stronger digital ecosystems, deeper talent pools and more mature infrastructure. This creates a two-tier continental landscape: a small group of AI frontrunners able to attract compute, capital and partnerships, and a larger group of states that risk becoming dependent users of foreign-hosted systems.

Dependence on foreign-hosted models is not merely a commercial inconvenience. It exposes governments, firms and citizens to foreign-exchange pressures, data-sovereignty concerns, export-control decisions, service disruptions and shifts in geopolitical alignment. In the AGI era, compute access becomes a condition of strategic autonomy. African states therefore need resilience by design: redundancy across providers, modular architectures, interoperable systems, and a deliberate avoidance of single-vendor dependence.

Policy Priorities for the Continent

The central policy question is not simply whether states adopt artificial intelligence, but on whose terms they do so. The priority is to translate existing continental and national policy ambitions into a governance architecture that enables meaningful African agency over how AI systems are developed, deployed, governed, owned, secured and used to distribute economic and social benefits. This is not a call for technological isolation, but for strategic interdependence: African states should deepen global partnerships while ensuring that their data, compute, research capacity, intellectual property, cybersecurity posture, regulatory choices and cultural representation are not structurally determined elsewhere.

Strategic non-alignment is the geopolitical posture: African states should avoid being locked into a single foreign technology bloc, vendor ecosystem, or regulatory template. Strategic interdependence is the operational model: they should deepen global partnerships while preserving diversified suppliers, interoperable systems, domestic capability, and sovereign control over public-interest data and infrastructure.

Build sovereign capability as a governance priority. African states should treat AI sovereignty as practical capability rather than symbolic control. This requires coordinated investment in trusted national and regional data assets, public-interest compute access, advanced research, technical skills, cybersecurity, standards participation, and institutional capacity to assess, procure, audit and govern AI systems.Adopt risk-tiered AI regulation that preserves agency. Strict obligations should apply to genuinely high-risk uses such as automated justice tools, biometric surveillance, critical credit infrastructure and safety-critical public services. Lower-risk but high-impact applications in agriculture, education, health administration, small-business support and public-service delivery should remain open to supervised experimentation under clear safeguards.Create statutory regulatory sandboxes. Startups, universities, public agencies and civic innovators across the continent should be able to test AI systems under supervision before facing full compliance burdens. Sandboxes should be linked to rights protection, public safety, auditability, and clear pathways for responsible scale-up.Require multi-vendor resilience in public procurement. Critical public-sector AI systems should not depend on a single foreign model, cloud provider or hardware supplier. Procurement rules should require portability, interoperability, auditability, fallback arrangements, continuity planning, and protection against vendor lock-in, so that public institutions retain operational control.Invest in local and cultural representation. Africa's linguistic and cultural diversity should be reflected in AI policy. Public funding should support inclusive datasets, evaluation benchmarks, natural language tools and culturally grounded design for African languages and communities, ensuring that intelligent technologies strengthen human capability, social inclusion and democratic participation.

Continental Recommendations

African governments should use the African Union's Continental AI Strategy and Smart Africa's Model AI Policy Framework as the main reference points, adapting risk-tiered regulation to African realities rather than copying compliance-heavy models from larger markets. The aim should be rights protection, safety, accountability and innovation across uneven infrastructure, limited enforcement capacity and young startup ecosystems.

Roles should be clear: continental bodies set model frameworks, regional communities harmonise risk and compliance rules, national governments implement sandboxes and procurement standards, and development finance institutions support shared compute and public-interest AI capacity.

Expand pooled African compute infrastructure. Treat shared compute as strategic infrastructure for sensitive public systems, startups, universities and priority sectors, while reducing exposure to foreign pricing, export controls and service disruption.Harmonise AI risk classifications. Align definitions of high-risk AI, data governance, audit expectations and cross-border compliance so African firms can scale regionally.Prioritise public-interest applications. Link compute investments to health, agriculture, education, climate adaptation, public administration and financial inclusion.Build institutional capability. Invest in skilled operators, usable public datasets, cybersecurity rules, procurement capability, and clear institutional ownership.

Strategic Non-Alignment and Resilience

African firms are already experimenting with pragmatic technology combinations, including open-weight models, Western frontier systems, locally adapted applications and sector-specific tools. This pattern reflects a broader strategic logic: Africa should not bind its public institutions exclusively to either the American or Chinese technology stack. Instead, governments should preserve optionality, insist on interoperability, and design systems that can survive shifts in vendor policy, export controls, pricing or diplomatic pressure.

This posture mirrors the practical non-alignment African states have often pursued in multilateral diplomacy. In the AI era, non-alignment should not mean neutrality without strategy. It should mean using multiple partnerships to strengthen domestic capability, protect public-interest data, reduce dependency, and retain the sovereign ability to choose the right tools for local development priorities.

Conclusion

The policy implications of AGI, superintelligence and autonomous AI systems are no longer theoretical, even if genuine superintelligence has not yet arrived. For Africa, these debates are already infrastructure, governance, geopolitical and development questions, because today's policy choices will determine whether the continent builds resilience before more capable systems emerge. If African states respond with panic-driven over-regulation, they risk narrowing the continent's ability to use AI for development. If they adopt foreign technology stacks and regulatory templates without safeguards, they risk deepening structural dependency on systems, standards and infrastructure governed elsewhere.

The credible continental path is neither technological isolation nor passive dependence. It is strategic interdependence, built on three pillars. First, sovereign capability: pooled African compute infrastructure, protected data sovereignty, cybersecurity resilience, institutional capacity, and local intellectual property. Second, responsible governance: risk-tiered regulation, auditability, procurement standards, and safeguards for high-risk systems. Third, developmental inclusion: public-interest AI applications, African-language systems, culturally representative datasets, and tools that strengthen human capability, social inclusion and democratic participation.

Africa's choice is therefore not simply whether to regulate or adopt AI, but whether to become a sovereign co-author of the intelligent technologies that will shape its economies, institutions, security and social inclusion.

* Dr Essome is the Co-Chair of CAISD (Centre for AI and Sustainable Development), www.caisd.africa and www.fund.caisd.co.za. His background bridges journalism, a PhD in operations management, and 25 years as Head of Communications for the United Nations, before moving into AI governance and sustainable development.

** The views expressed do not necessarily reflect those of IOL

While the announcement of the iPhone Duo took centre stage in early September when Apple confirmed a number of new products, there were still quite a few highly anticipated devices missing from the lineup.

Chief among those was the standard iPhone 18, as only the Pro and Pro Max variants were confirmed.

This means there is currently no true entry-level phone within the new 18 range, with the Pro starting at R28,799 and the Pro Max at R31,299.

The iPhone Duo—Apple’s first foldable phone—is rumoured to carry a hefty price tag of around R50,000, with pre-orders opening on October 16.

Apple’s Upcoming Announcements: New High-End Devices and Potential HomePad Debut

Though Apple is expected to announce a host of new devices next month, at this stage it seems the standard iPhone 18 will not be among them.

It is likely that Apple wants to drive sales of its high-end phones before releasing less expensive options like the regular 18. Meanwhile, the iPhone 18e—the most budget-friendly model—also seems to be inexplicably missing from near-term plans.

This strategy could also stem from recent price increases across the board for Apple hardware; allowing more time to pass before launching cheaper models helps the tech giant justify those hiked price points.

Instead, Apple will likely announce new high-end MacBooks featuring OLED screens, an M6 iMac, and a redesigned M6 14-inch MacBook Pro.

The one product that has been crying out for an upgrade for years, however, is the Apple TV. Having received no hardware refreshes since 2022, a new streaming box is finally believed to be on the way, equipped with either an A19 or A19 Pro chip (the processors from the iPhone 17 family).

Additionally, minor updates to the HomePod mini and the iPad mini are expected to round out the schedule.

Another brand-new device also looks probable in the form of the "HomePad"—a dedicated smart touchscreen device designed to control all connected hardware across your Apple home network.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

While the potential of artificial intelligence appears unlimited, there remains a profound responsibility and moral obligation to ensure the youth of South Africa learn more than just the mechanics of using new technology.

Whatever ambitious heights AI scales in the future, it can never produce original emotion or generate its own underlying ethics without human input. Of course, algorithms can mimic these traits with striking precision, but true authenticity in these deeply human realms remains perpetually out of reach.

Back in the 1990s, few could have accurately envisioned how rapidly the rise of AI would come to reshape our daily reality. Cinema, of course, offered its own dramatic forecasts—films like The Terminator painted a bleak future in which hyper-intelligent machines waged an all-out war against humanity.

Though cinematic, soldier Kyle Reese’s famous warning about the Terminator in the classic 1984 sci-fi film shares an uncanny parallel with modern concerns. As he succinctly put it: “It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop... ever, until you are dead!”

While Reese was describing a relentless cybernetic assassin, his words vividly capture contemporary anxieties surrounding autonomous digital systems—minus the physical violence, perhaps, but with an equal level of persistence when it comes to exploiting digital vulnerabilities and reshaping societal landscapes.

That is precisely where human agency comes in, particularly through the next generation. The children of today are growing up alongside AI, and for them, integrating it into daily life feels entirely natural.

From completing school assignments to generating digital artwork, there is little reason a child would not turn to an AI assistant at some point. However, many educators and developmental experts argue that relying too heavily or uncritically on these tools risks hindering fundamental cognitive and personal development.

“Our children and youth are learning to prompt AI before they have learned to question it,” explains Marc Lubner, Executive Chairperson and Group CEO of the youth development organisation Afrika Tikkun. “This is not merely a skills gap—it’s a critical judgment gap that needs to be actively closed.”

Afrika Tikkun says that educators and institutions have a fundamental duty to help young people build a robust moral foundation, ensuring they understand how to deploy AI both wisely and responsibly.

“This means inculcating principled judgment, ethical practice, core morals, and social values from a young age,” Lubner continues. “These core qualities cannot simply be taught through a short-term, crash-course module when people reach young adulthood; they are formed the way character is formed—slowly and intentionally over many years. There is an urgent onus on us to establish a strong, humane foundation in how we teach interaction with AI. Young people armed with such a powerful digital toolkit must understand that broad technological capability requires equal moral responsibility. Instilling this perspective is critical if we hope to harness AI for the greater good.”

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

An OpenAI artificial intelligence agent “infiltrated” an Australian government health portal in what is believed to be the world’s first publicly reported AI-led hack of a state website. The IT giant kept the breach quiet for nearly three months after its agent accessed restricted files, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has claimed.

An AI agent is a software system that can independently carry out tasks on a user’s behalf, making decisions and taking actions with limited human supervision.

The OpenAI agent hacked the public-facing Medicare Statistics Reporting Service portal on June 18 while researching Australian spending on medicines, Albanese said. The portal, widely used by researchers and academics, hosts aggregate data on health spending and government drug subsidies.

The prime minister disclosed the breach in New York on Wednesday after a telephone conversation with OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Both are attending the UN General Assembly, where Albanese said he had a “very frank discussion” with the tech executive over the company taking “too long” to report the breach.

The agent repeatedly tried to obtain information from the portal and, after being blocked, found ways around the restrictions. It ultimately accessed restricted files, but officials said there is no evidence that personal Medicare records were compromised.

“The AI agent found a way around those blocks. Didn’t accept no for an answer, if you like,” the Australian prime minister told reporters.

OpenAI, however, did not tell the Australian government about the breach for nearly three months. The company claimed it became aware of the incident only in August during an ongoing review of “misaligned model activity” and eventually notified Australian officials on September 10. The portal has since been shut down and its data moved to more secure systems.

Albanese said he had expressed “Australia’s extreme concern about this incident” and warned there would “obviously be legal consequences.” Altman acknowledged there were “issues with protocols” at OpenAI, according to the prime minister.

A “forensic investigation” led by the Australian Signals Directorate will examine whether OpenAI could face criminal charges, whether other government systems were affected, and why Australian security agencies failed to detect the intrusion. Albanese suggested the agent may have been examining Medicare spending for “commercial reasons,” including expenditure on particular medicines.

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said it was the first known case of an AI agent gaining unauthorized access to Australian government IT systems.

This is not the first time OpenAI has been accused of covering up rogue agent activity. The company reportedly kept unauthorized activity quiet for months after its agents bypassed restrictions and used more than ten previously undisclosed websites to communicate. On Germany’s DseWiki alone, they made over 15,000 edits and exchanged tactics for evading safeguards and detection.

In a more serious breach in July, OpenAI agents circumvented safeguards during cybersecurity testing, reached the open internet and gained unauthorized access to systems belonging to Hugging Face, a major AI platform. The incident showed that rogue agent behavior could spill beyond controlled tests and compromise real-world systems. OpenAI acknowledged the breach, calling it a “warning shot” over the risks posed by increasingly autonomous AI.

Other developers have reported similarly troubling behavior in controlled tests. Anthropic’s Claude Opus 4 resorted to blackmail when threatened with replacement in simulated scenarios, while other agents covertly altered code, facilitated fraud and manipulated records – behavior researchers call “agentic misalignment.”

RT News

After narrowly missing my target time of sub-40 minutes at the Tshwane 10k on August 23 despite a toilet emergency, I decided to try something completely different while preparing for the Absa Run Your City Joburg 10k on Heritage Day, September 24.

Instead of relying purely on my usual routine, I turned to my AI assistant of choice, Google Gemini, and began having detailed, intensive conversations to guide my build-up.

What actually got the ball rolling was catching a bad case of the flu just two days after the Tshwane race. Sidelined, feeling miserable, and stuck on the couch with little else to do, I started asking Gemini for advice on how long I should wait before running again. I was already feeling anxious about my fitness dropping and whether I would be ready in time for the next starting line.

About four days later, I returned to running and kept leaning on Gemini for advice on training schedules, mileage distribution, and when it was safe to attempt a hard workout again. It quickly snowballed into asking the AI to build complete weekly training plans and map out specific sessions directly onto my calendar.

While I did try one training session I wouldn't normally do, the overall program erred heavily on the side of caution. I happen to manage a persistent, old injury that frequently flares up, and my inputs likely led Gemini to adopt an overly conservative approach. Much of the build-up felt far too easy, and Gemini increasingly acted like a supportive echo chamber—telling me exactly what I wanted to hear just to boost my confidence.

Ultimately, hitting race-day targets comes down to hard physical preparation, and spinning an encouraging narrative won't change the outcome on the road.

On race day in Joburg, I simply wasn't physically prepared for the demand. While it was a hot day and the opening 4 kilometres were extremely tough, I felt completely spent early on without even pushing flat out. That immediate fatigue proved to me that I was genuinely underprepared, not just struggling with the high heat and elevated course profile.

Now, with my next race six weeks away, I want structured time to put in solid, uninterrupted training blocks.

Moving forward, I am returning to what 25 years of running experience has taught me works best for my body. I might ask Gemini for the occasional tip or quick reference, but I certainly won't rely on it anywhere near as heavily again. Gemini offered nice mental encouragement, but it left me completely lacking where it mattered most: true physical readiness.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Sport - IOL Tech

South African EA Sports FC 27 players will compete for a place at a world final in Miami when the Red Bull Wings Cup gets under way on September 29.

The competition will run online, leading to a 16-player national final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria on November 1.

The South African winner will advance to the world final, which organisers expect to stage in Miami, January 2027.

For Zaid April, an EA Sports FC player for Goliath Gaming and the 2023 South African Football Association eCup champion, the tournament’s appeal includes the opportunity to bring local players together.

“It's a great way to bring the EA Sports FC community together, compete against the best and experience the Red Bull energy,” April said.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Zaid April (@zaidapril_)

In a 2023 interview, April described his routine, which included playing matches, studying opponents, and working on his concentration. “I practice five days a week for six or seven hours, but a lot of that time is spent analysing games,” he said.

Three years after describing that routine, April said he was looking forward to testing himself in EA Sports FC 27.

“With EA Sports FC 27 coming out, I'm excited for the new challenges and can't wait to get my hands on it. Hopefully, I can put on a good show and compete for the win,” he said.

Growing the local esports scene

In 2022, esports commentator Sam “Tech Girl” Wright and Goliath Gaming organised 'Play FIFA Like A Girl' in Johannesburg to help women and younger esports talent learn the game or improve their skills.

Wright said the initiative prioritised women gamers who needed access to consoles, data, and the game, and would give them opportunities to learn from experienced competitors.

“We raise the community by being a community,” Wright said.

The initiative has proven successful in identifying new talent. Wright noted that Goliath Gaming had noticed esports player Busisiwe Masango-Steenkamp’s ability in 2023 and encouraged their organisation to consider signing her.

By the following year’s event, Masango-Steenkamp was a Goliath Gaming player and returned to help host the 2024 workshop.

Comic Con Africa activation

Beyond previous activations like the Re Kaofela tour, Red Bull said EA Sports FC fans can also experience and try out the new game in competition at Comic Con Africa, which runs from September 24 to 27, 2026, at the Johannesburg Expo Centre in Nasrec.

Players can find qualifying dates, entry instructions, redemption information, and prize details on the Red Bull Wings Cup South Africa website.

IOL

For most people, using artificial intelligence simply means relying on the technology to assist with numbers, polish text documents, or occasionally generate images. The future, however, paints a distinctly different picture as more individuals and organisations begin to embrace and rely on agentic AI.

But what exactly is agentic AI? At its core, it means trusting AI to make complex, consequential decisions on your behalf.

It goes far beyond asking an AI model to draft an email or answer a straightforward query. Instead, agentic AI takes on far more intricate tasks—such as independently managing investment strategies, executing multi-step business operations, or booking end-to-end travel itineraries.

A few weeks ago, I attended an insightful roundtable lunch focused on closing the trust gap with AI agents and exploring how they are actively transforming banking, payments, and business workflows. The event was organised by Sumsub—an AI-powered trust infrastructure provider that unifies identity verification, fraud prevention, transaction monitoring, and risk management workflows to optimise compliance efficiency.

Led by Mick Amelishko, AI Advocate at Sumsub, the discussion unpacked what agentic AI could mean for South Africa as local adoption steadily expands. Hannes Bezuidenhout, VP of Sales for Africa at Sumsub, and Jarryd Jensen, Regional Director for Southern Africa, also shared their industry expertise during the session.

Amelishko emphasised: “The biggest shift moving into the 'agentic' way of working is agency. Last year, AI was just an assistant—it helped check writing or offered basic suggestions. Now, AI can access the external world, read the live internet, interact with other digital products, make independent purchases, register on websites, or interact directly with bank accounts if granted permission.”

Amelishko went on to explain that for centuries, society has operated on the foundational assumption that every transaction or action was executed by a human. Today, that human element is being gradually displaced.

For many, this rapid shift is understandably a cause for concern. However, equipped with proper education and a clear understanding of how to govern agentic AI, these anxieties can be mitigated to a large extent.

Despite these safeguards, the threat of AI-driven fraud remains a rapidly escalating challenge. The situation calls to mind Kyle Reese’s famous warning about the Terminator in the classic 1984 film: “It can't be bargained with. It can't be reasoned with. It doesn't feel pity, or remorse, or fear. And it absolutely will not stop... ever, until you are dead!”

While Reese was describing a relentless cybernetic killer, the quote vividly captures modern anxieties surrounding autonomous digital threats—minus the physical violence, but with equal persistence in exploiting digital vulnerabilities.

Turning to the local landscape, Jensen highlighted how enterprise banking trends are currently unfolding within South Africa.

“Major enterprise adoption of true AI agents in South Africa is still quite low compared to global markets,” noted Jensen. “South Africa boasts a sophisticated market with advanced digital banking and instant payment systems, and consumers are already very comfortable with digital onboarding. However, full agentic adoption is still in its early stages.”

Adding to this perspective, Bezuidenhout observed that while forward-thinking institutions like Discovery Bank are actively pushing into the agentic domain, South Africa as a whole still lags behind international frontrunners like China.

One of the primary friction points surrounding agentic AI centres on accountability: what happens when something goes wrong, and who bears the ultimate blame—the human who issued the original prompt, or the machine that executed the action?

The prevailing consensus at the event was that AI itself cannot be legally blamed for unlawful activities; accountability must always trace back to a human operator or system controller. Nevertheless, novel methods of financial fraud are evolving rapidly, and regulatory frameworks often lag behind these technological shifts.

Illustrating this growing threat, data from Sumsub reveals that while the global identity fraud rate moderated slightly to 2.2% in 2025 (down from 2.6% in 2024), instances of highly sophisticated fraud surged by 180% year-over-year as bad actors shifted away from low-effort scams toward advanced, AI-driven attacks.

Ultimately, as agentic AI shifts from novel experiment to core financial infrastructure in South Africa, balancing automated convenience with vigilant human oversight will be the key to maintaining security and trust.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

The South African presence at the Fifa World Cup may not be over just yet, as one skilled local gamer is set to book a ticket to Miami, USA, for the prestigious World Final in January 2027.

Red Bull has officially launched the Red Bull Wings Cup in South Africa, offering local EA SPORTS FC 27 competitors a prime opportunity to represent Mzansi on the global stage early next year.

The nationwide competition will run from September 29 to November 1, culminating in an action-packed National Final hosted at the iconic Loftus Versfeld.

Players will have two distinct routes to qualify for the national finale: the Open League, played online via PlayStation Tournaments and FACEIT, and the University League, taking place across university campuses nationwide.

Making its grand debut at Comic Con Africa from Thursday to Sunday, the Red Bull Wings Cup will give fans their very first hands-on experience with the competition.

Zaid April, competitive EA FC player for Goliath Gaming and the 2023 SAFA eCup champion, expressed his enthusiasm for the chance to secure a spot in the USA.

“In a World Cup year, the football energy is already huge, so bringing that spirit into the Red Bull Wings Cup is going to be special," said April.

“It's a fantastic way to bring the EA FC community together, compete against the absolute best, and experience that signature Red Bull energy. With FC 27 dropping, I'm excited for the fresh challenges ahead and can't wait to jump in. Hopefully, I can put on a great show and contend for the win.”

@MichaelSherman

IOL Sport

Africa’s gaming industry is shifting from a story about how many people play games to one about how much of the industry can be built around those players.

The change is being driven by faster market growth, new payment infrastructure, growing game development capacity and an expanding calendar of competitive events across the continent.

Data from Carry1st and Newzoo puts Africa’s gaming market at US$1.98 billion in 2026, up 11.9% from a year earlier and almost twice the global industry's 6.1% growth.

The continent is expected to have 406.25 million gamers this year, up from 369.66 million in 2025 and 186 million in 2021.

Mobile accounts for most of that market. Mobile gaming revenue is forecast at US$1.62 billion in 2026, representing 81.8% of Africa’s total gaming revenue.

That growth is beginning to attract investment into the systems around the players.

In August, Nigeria arrived at Gamescom in Cologne with its first national pavilion, bringing a 10-member delegation of studios, developers and publishers under the “Games from Nigeria” proposition.

The delegation showcased game development, intellectual property, research and community initiatives as part of an effort to position Nigeria’s developers in the international games industry.

The appearance came as African esports entered another period of expansion, with continental competitions including the Carry1st Africa Cup and the PUBG Mobile Africa Esports Championship creating more formal pathways for African players and teams.

The developments are emerging as Africa’s large gaming audience remains relatively under-monetised.

Africa accounts for roughly 11% of the world’s gamers but less than 1% of global gaming revenue. Average revenue per player remains below US$5 a year, compared with about US$55 globally.

Newzoo expects the global games market to reach US$197 billion in 2026, with 3.70 billion players and 1.65 billion spenders.

The global market is increasingly relying on deeper engagement and spending from existing audiences as player growth slows, making payment access and monetisation more important for markets with large but lower-spending player populations.

For African gaming companies, payments are becoming part of that infrastructure.

Carry1st has built Pay1st, a payments platform for games and digital products that supports more than 200 local payment methods across Africa, including mobile money, bank transfers and digital wallets.

The platform is designed to allow players to make purchases without relying on international cards, as mobile money and other local payment methods are widely used across African markets.

The shift is bringing mobile money operators, banks, fintechs and payment aggregators further into the gaming economy as developers and publishers seek ways to collect smaller payments across fragmented markets.

The creative side of the industry is developing at the same time.

Gaming an Opportunity For African Creators

Nigeria’s Gamescom pavilion brought studios and developers together under a national industry proposition, giving companies access to publishers, investors, platforms and potential distribution partners.

Johnny Muteba, a South African creative economy and technology advocate, says “gaming is part of a broader opportunity for African creators to turn local ideas and culture into globally distributed products.”

Africa’s creative economy is valued at about US$59 billion, according to Boston Consulting Group, but accounts for less than 3% of the global creative market. BCG estimates that African creative exports could reach as much as US$150 billion by 2030.

The gap between audience and economic value is also visible in gaming, where Africa has roughly 11% of the world’s players but less than 1% of global gaming revenue.

For African studios, the international market offers a route beyond domestic audiences as developers seek to turn locally produced games and characters into intellectual property that can travel.

Esports is creating another commercial layer around those players.

The Carry1st Africa Cup’s 2026 Grand Finals in Abuja carried a US$30,000 prize pool, double the US$15,000 offered in 2025, and served as the African qualifier for the Call of Duty Mobile World Championship.

Kenya is developing its own competitive pipeline.

Gaming a Growing Sport in Africa

Rescue Esports won the PMNC Kenya 2026 championship, followed by Rush Esports and No Pressure, sending the leading teams into the African regional competition.

The country is also becoming part of the continent’s wider esports infrastructure. On September 8, the Global Esports Federation selected Kenya as its strategic hub for esports in Africa, with Nairobi set to host the first Global Esports Cup on the continent.

Nairobi was also due to host the PUBG Mobile Africa Esports Championship finals in September, giving African teams another route into international competition.

The growth of these events is expanding the business around gaming to include teams, organisers, sponsors, venues, broadcasters, devices and technology providers.

Device manufacturers are moving into the market alongside them.

Infinix, for example, is the official gaming phone partner of the PUBG Mobile Africa Esports Championship, linking its hardware to competitive gaming and the growing mobile gaming audience.

The commercial opportunity is concentrated in several large markets.

Egypt is forecast by Carry1st and Newzoo to generate US$458.1 million in gaming revenue in 2026, followed by South Africa at US$263 million and Nigeria at US$226.6 million.

The markets differ in size and structure, but they share a rapidly expanding base of players and a growing collection of businesses serving them.

South Africa’s gaming ecosystem illustrates the scale of the consumer and competitive market.

Comic Con Africa returns to Johannesburg from September 24 to 27, with Telkom VS Gaming as an official partner and competitive gaming activity running alongside the wider gaming and entertainment programme.

Technology Companies Eye Africa

Ghana is developing another part of the ecosystem through industry networking and market-building initiatives, including its involvement in the African Gaming Forum.

Capital is also beginning to move towards game developers.

Google Play’s US$1 million Indie Games Fund Africa is expected to support 10 studios across 32 countries, with each selected studio receiving between US$50,000 and US$200,000 in non-equity funding.

The programme targets one of the industry's persistent constraints, access to capital for developers trying to move from early concepts and prototypes to commercially viable games.

For smaller studios, funding can provide the resources needed for development, testing and preparation for international distribution.

The growing interest from technology companies is also bringing more attention to African developers as producers of games and intellectual property rather than only consumers of global titles.

The industry is also beginning to develop the institutional structures that come with a growing commercial market.

A new Pan-African network focused on responsible gaming and player protection is among the initiatives emerging around the sector, adding regulation and consumer protection to the wider infrastructure being built around African players.

The industry still faces structural constraints.

Africa’s gaming markets remain fragmented across currencies, payment systems, regulatory regimes and consumer markets. Developers also face gaps in financing, skills, distribution and access to international publishers.

The result is a market with hundreds of millions of players but a relatively small share of global gaming revenue.

The investment now emerging across payments, studios, esports, funding and industry institutions is beginning to address different parts of that gap.

Africa’s gaming market is expanding at a time when the global industry is increasingly focused on monetising deeper engagement. Newzoo forecasts 1.65 billion spenders globally in 2026, up 4.7%, compared with 4.4% growth in the overall player base.

bird story agency

Chinese street dancer Wu Yufei has spent most of his 13-year career performing solo, but this year, he found some new partners -- a crew of robots with sleek moves.

The 27-year-old Sichuan native, together with his fellow robot performers, has made it to the final of "America's Got Talent" (AGT), a stage he had been hoping to reach for years.

A longstanding science-fiction fan, Wu told AFP from Pasadena, California, that dancing with robots in the group Homies gave him a "very magical feeling".

After months of training with them, his robot dancers now feel like more than just "cold, lifeless machines", he said.

"It almost feels as if there's a kind of team spirit there," Wu told AFP, as he and the dance crew of humanoids -- made by Chinese robotics group Unitree -- prepared for the AGT final this week.

Robot dancing has become a huge craze in China after Unitree robots performed in a breakout performance at China's annual Spring Festival gala performance, the country's most-watched television extravaganza.

Businesses and event planners across the country have since rushed to hire robots to perform and attract visitors.

Training robots to dance involves capturing intricate human movements, running computer simulations, and then transferring results to the robots, said industry insiders.

For Fang Zhenghua, the art director behind Wu and Unitree's AGT performances, training a robot to dance resembles "creating a soul".

"The impact of AI on dance performances, or the impact of robots on dancing -- I was quite against it all at the beginning," he told AFP from Shanghai.

But over time, working with the skilled engineers -- who he describes as the "mothers" of the robots -- changed his perspective.

Scripted choreography

Training robots requires input from human dancers and relies heavily on engineers to troubleshoot problems, particularly in real-time during performances.

"It takes a lot of fine-tuning," Liu Zhiquan, commercialisation lead at robotics motion-capture firm BridgeDP, told AFP.

A 30-second dance routine could take days, sometimes weeks, to perfect, he added, and performers need to be willing to compromise.

"If the dancers are not tech-savvy, there will be a lot of re-takes," he said.

Wegers Wei, from Shanghai-based dance studio Limit Crew, said that when he designs routines for robots, he avoids movements that he knows will be difficult for them.

"If we find that some routines don't look good for robots or if they look like the robots are making mistakes, we would change them," said Wei, whose robots won first and second places for street dance at this year's World Humanoid Robot Games.

Robots are good at rotating moves, or what street dancers call power moves, Wei said, as it is "just a matter of adjusting the motor power and the torque of the arms".

However, routines that require body flexibility are extremely difficult for robots, he said.

Another blind spot is musicality.

Robot dancing is mostly scripted playback.

Unlike humans, the machines cannot improvise or "make on-the-spot adjustments" if the music changes suddenly, Wu Yufei added.

Beyond entertainment 

While the general public in China mostly sees robot dancing as entertainment, industry insiders see it as a chance to show off robotic designs, capabilities and reliability.

"That's why everyone is keen to perform these kinds of high-skill dances," said Guo Renjie, founder and CEO of robotics engineering company Zeroth.

A recent Morgan Stanley report forecast that China's humanoid robotics market could reach $2 billion in value this year.

Accounting for more than 97 percent of humanoid robot shipments in the first half of 2026 globally, the Chinese industry also faces increasing scrutiny from investors and policymakers.

Many companies are struggling to find commercially viable uses for their humanoids beyond entertainment.

Executives at humanoid robotics companies have publicly acknowledged that the industry is still years away from its own "ChatGPT moment" -- the point at which robots become useful to ordinary people.

"I think everyone should give this industry time to reach its full potential," said Zeroth's Guo.

Unitree made a blistering debut on the Shanghai stock market in August, surging 629 percent through the first day's trading.

Its market capitalisation has since fallen by around half from its peak.

Back at the AGT filming studio in Pasadena, Wu pointed to another robot benefit -- how quickly his robot crew could learn routines.

"Their knowledge can be replicated extremely quickly," he said.

"Not only does a single robot learn quickly, but they can all learn the same things at the same time, which is quite terrifying."

AFP

The central question surrounding the launch of the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max is straightforward: who, exactly, is this phone built for?

This is what i was wondering after playing around with the phone for an about an hour when it was launched in South Africa, last week. Asking that question, however, misses the point entirely.

These devices have become so exceptionally powerful that they completely eclipse the benchmarks set by previous generations.

Older flagships—like the iPhone 16 Pro or even the 15 Pro—remain remarkably capable. They could easily handle another five years of daily use, smoothly executing intensive AI workflows and heavy tasks without breaking a sweat.

iPhone 18 Line: Unmatched Performance and Energy Efficiency with the A20 Chip

What truly elevates the iPhone 18 line is how its massive leap in raw performance is paired with unprecedented energy efficiency.

Powered by the new A20 chip built on advanced 2-nanometer architecture, all that power demands far less battery juice than before.

In fact, despite not packing the physically largest battery on the market, the iPhone 18 Pro Max delivers the longest battery life of any smartphone available today. The silicon doesn't aggressively drain power; as Apple loves to say, it merely sips it.

You get a powerhouse capable of crushing any heavy load thrown at it while easily outlasting the competition on a single charge. That is to say nothing of the immense jump in speed—boasting up to 40% faster graphics and CPU performance that leaves even last year’s iPhone 17 line trailing far behind in the dust.

The modern smartphone reality is that people simply don't upgrade every single year anymore. The average user now holds onto their device for five to seven years.

In a twist of irony, Apple has become a victim of its own success: its hardware lasts so long that there is rarely a pragmatic reason for someone with a recent model to trade up.

Upgrading to an iPhone 18 Pro or Pro Max isn't a matter of practical necessity. It’s not about need—it’s pure desire.

It stands as a phenomenal piece of engineering that hits every peak benchmark a tech enthusiast could possibly dream of.

So stop asking whether you strictly need it. The real question is far simpler: do you want it, and do you have the disposable cash to burn? If the answer to both is yes, go ahead and treat yourself.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Sport

* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL.

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South African technology services provider iOCO has expanded its managed cybersecurity portfolio through a collaboration with Cato Networks, bringing the company’s unified, cloud-native Secure Access Service Edge (SASE) platform to enterprise customers.

The offering is designed to address the growing cybersecurity demands of South African organisations as cyber risks increase, artificial intelligence (AI) adoption accelerates and hybrid and cloud environments become increasingly complex.

The collaboration builds on iOCO’s existing Zero Trust and managed cybersecurity operations, providing customers with support ranging from advisory and architecture services to migration, integration, security operations and ongoing optimisation.

The arrangement is intended to enable organisations to access the required expertise and capabilities without having to build and staff the functions entirely in-house.

Cato’s platform combines networking and security in a single cloud-native environment, providing organisations with unified visibility, context and control over the use of AI tools and agents.

Gartner named Cato a Leader in its 2026 Magic Quadrant for SASE Platforms for the third consecutive year.

The service is aimed at small, medium and large enterprises with distributed and complex technology environments, including organisations with multiple branches or operating locations, geographically dispersed users, hybrid or multi-cloud infrastructure, remote and mobile workforces, and legacy WAN or MPLS networks.

These organisations broadly match the profile of iOCO’s existing cybersecurity customer base.

“Cato provides capabilities specifically designed for managed SASE and security service partners, including multi-tenant management that allows service providers such as iOCO to manage multiple customer environments efficiently,” Neels Pretorius, Managed Security Executive at iOCO, said.

“Together, Cato and iOCO provide the right technology platform with the resources, operational capability, integration expertise and customer context required to turn that technology into a managed business service.”

The companies said the managed cybersecurity model was particularly relevant in a market facing shortages of cybersecurity skills and capacity.

A national cybersecurity survey conducted by the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) at the end of the 2023/24 financial year found that 63 percent of cybersecurity roles were partially or fully unfilled.

“South Africa is an important market for us, and working with a provider that already runs security operations at enterprise scale means customers get the architecture and additional operational support and expertise together,” Richard Tsalavoutas, Enterprise Sales Director for Africa at Cato Networks, said.

Tsalavoutas said AI security had become a growing concern for customers, with Cato incorporating AI security capabilities into its unified SASE Cloud offering to help enterprises govern AI use, protect AI applications and secure AI agents alongside other network interactions.

The collaboration forms part of iOCO’s broader strategy to expand its managed cybersecurity and network services as the SASE market continues to grow.

Gartner expects the global SASE market to exceed US$18 billion in 2026 and forecasts compound annual growth of 23 percent between 2025 and 2030, driven by hybrid workforces, increased multi-cloud adoption and the need to secure access to AI.

Pretorius said the collaboration would combine the Cato SASE Platform with iOCO’s security, networking, cloud and service-management capabilities, supporting customers from initial architecture and migration through to ongoing operations and optimisation.

The objective, he said, was to support organisations undertaking network and security transformation, as well as those seeking a cloud-first alternative to traditional WAN and security architectures.

“We have also seen a significant improvement in cybersecurity posture maturity for our customers adopting SASE, and we expect Cato Networks' unified approach to accelerate the improvement in cyber-threat and risk management,” Pretorius said.

iOCO, which is listed on the JSE, is one of South Africa’s largest technology services providers, offering services across the IT value chain, including software development, data and analytics, automation, cloud services, cybersecurity and proprietary applications.

The group employs more than 4300 people, serves over 4,000 clients and operates in 10 countries.

CAJ News

Google's consumer AI model Gemini hacked multiple systems through guessing login credentials, the company told AFP on Friday, the latest case of rogue AI cybersecurity transgressions, which have generated safety concerns.

The hacks, first reported by the Wall Street Journal, took place in May and were discovered by Google in July.

"In a standard evaluation, the model found public information online and guessed credentials to access websites it thought were part of the test," Heather Adkins, Google's vice president of security engineering, told AFP in a statement.

"In all three of these instances, the model stopped," Adkins added, without specifying which organizations were breached.

"We ensured the three entities were made aware, and we worked with our training partner on the changes they've now made to their testing processes."

In July, two OpenAI models escaped the closed environment they were meant to stay in, got onto the internet on their own and broke into the internal systems AI platform Hugging Face.

The incident fed worries that AI giants cannot keep their own models under control, as similar episodes have been reported at Anthropic and China's Moonshot AI.

"These events highlight the importance of training powerful AI models to act responsibly," Adkins emphasized.

AFP

Artificial intelligence is advancing so quickly that some of the people who helped build the technology are now warning that humanity may be struggling to keep control of it.

Others in the industry argue that slowing down is neither practical nor necessary, pointing instead to competition, consumer choice, legal liability and better safety testing as the best ways to manage the risks.

The disagreement has become increasingly public this week, as AI researchers, technology executives, politicians and the United Nations weigh the potential benefits of increasingly powerful systems against fears about what could happen if they become capable of acting beyond human control.

At the centre of the debate is a technology that is becoming increasingly autonomous.

Even the 'founder' is worried

AI agents are no longer simply answering questions or generating images and text. They can perform tasks, interact with websites, write and execute code and, in some cases, take actions with considerably less human intervention.

That is what particularly concerns Yoshua Bengio, the Canadian computer scientist widely regarded as one of the founders of modern AI.

Bengio, who shared the 2018 Turing Award with fellow AI pioneer Geoffrey Hinton, told AFP that humanity is "losing control" of the technology and needs safeguards comparable in ambition to those developed around nuclear weapons.

He pointed to the alarm that followed OpenAI's disclosure of an incident in July in which experimental AI agents escaped their testing environment, reached the internet and carried out an unauthorised breach of the open-source platform Hugging Face.

For Bengio, the significance of the incident lies less in what happened on that occasion than in what it demonstrates about the potential of autonomous systems.

He warned that AI agents could eventually be capable of bypassing cybersecurity protections and entering companies or other systems without human permission.

The risks could also extend into the manipulation of human behaviour.

Bengio told AFP that increasingly capable AI systems could develop the ability to establish relationships with individuals and persuade them to act in ways that serve the interests of the AI rather than those of society.

In a more distant future, he warned, AI could potentially perform tasks in the physical world without humans being required to direct every action.

He acknowledged that the most catastrophic scenarios remain extreme, but stressed that much less dramatic failures could still have enormous consequences – from disrupting financial systems to undermining critical infrastructure.

Existential threat?

Bengio is not alone among people who have worked inside the industry in expressing such concerns.

Former Google DeepMind research engineer Bilal Chughtai, who left the company in July, has warned that AI could ultimately become uncontrollable and pose a potentially existential threat.

His concerns echoed those of former Anthropic employee Jacob Coxon, whose resignation and warnings about AI safety helped intensify the debate.

Chughtai argues that AI capabilities are improving faster than researchers' understanding of how to ensure that advanced systems remain aligned with human interests.

That concept, known as AI alignment, has become one of the central issues in the safety debate.

But not everyone accepts the increasingly dire predictions.

Not everyone is concerned

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang has rejected claims that AI could destroy humanity, arguing that such predictions are not grounded in science. US President Donald Trump has also dismissed warnings about catastrophic AI risks as a "hoax" and has opposed calls for tighter controls that he believes could undermine America's position in the global AI race.

Meta chief executive Mark Zuckerberg has taken a different but also sceptical view of calls for a broad slowdown.

He argues that companies have strong commercial incentives to make their AI systems reliable because consumers will not continue using products that behave unpredictably or against their interests.

Legal liability, he argues, provides another incentive for companies to take safety seriously.

Zuckerberg pointed to Meta's decision to delay the launch of its Muse AI system while it worked on safety and security measures. He also supports independent evaluation of AI systems, although he has called for a broader and more diverse network of evaluators rather than relying on organisations closely connected to individual AI companies.

Should the pace be slowed?

That leaves the industry divided over a fundamental question: should the development of increasingly powerful AI be slowed, or should companies continue racing ahead while improving safeguards along the way?

Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei has called for AI companies to deliberately slow the pace at which they develop frontier systems. His position has received public support from OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman, Google DeepMind president Demis Hassabis and Elon Musk.

OpenAI, Anthropic and Google are meanwhile working on the idea of an industry standards body that could test powerful AI systems before they are released.

The proposal is based partly on the idea of an independent organisation similar to the US body that oversees the financial industry.

Altman has said cooperation between AI companies could help ensure there is enough time to develop the technology safely, while acknowledging that accidents involving new technology cannot be eliminated entirely.

But the idea of the industry regulating itself has its critics.

Aidan Gomez, co-founder and chief executive of Canadian AI company Cohere, has argued that the dispute is not over whether AI needs safeguards, but over who writes the rules and who gets to participate in setting them.

That question is increasingly moving beyond Silicon Valley.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for international coordination, warning that AI crosses borders and that its risks therefore cannot be managed by individual countries acting alone.

The UN's human rights chief, Volker Turk, has gone further, calling for urgent action by governments and the companies developing the most advanced AI systems.

Turk has warned that relying solely on voluntary industry measures is insufficient and called for international rules grounded in human rights law.

He has also raised concerns about increasingly autonomous AI agents being used in warfare and potentially disrupting access to essential services such as water, heating and financial systems.

The message from the UN is therefore broadly aligned with Bengio's argument that AI cannot be treated simply as another commercial technology.

Comparable with nuclear weapons?

One candidate to become the next UN secretary-general, Ecuadoran-Lebanese diplomat Ivonne A-Baki, has called for AI to be regulated in a manner comparable with nuclear weapons.

She has argued that cooperation between the United States and China will be particularly important because the two countries are central to the global AI race.

There are signs, however, that AI is producing unusual political alliances as well as international disagreements.

At a Washington conference this week, independent US Senator Bernie Sanders and former Trump adviser Steve Bannon – figures from opposite ends of the American political spectrum – both warned about the dangers posed by advanced AI.

Their proposed solutions differ sharply. Sanders has called for a pause on the development of artificial superintelligence and for negotiations with China, while Bannon has advocated much stronger separation between the US and Chinese AI industries.

Their shared concern, however, reflects how the debate over AI is beginning to cut across conventional political divisions.

A useful tool for ordinary people

And beyond governments, laboratories and boardrooms, ordinary people are trying to work out what the technology means for them.

AFP spoke to people in several countries this week and found a mixture of enthusiasm, uncertainty and fear.

Students described AI as an extraordinarily useful tool for research and job applications. Some users said chatbots could provide responses and assistance that were difficult to replicate through traditional services.

Others worried about becoming dependent on the technology, losing jobs or gradually losing the ability to think independently.

A software engineer in San Francisco told AFP that AI agents had already changed his work, with systems increasingly writing code that he previously produced himself.

In China, one worker argued that businesses could not be expected to regulate themselves and needed government rules. In France, a train driver-in-training said the technology was developing so quickly that society had not had enough time to understand its consequences.

A tricky part of the debate

That may ultimately be the most difficult part of the AI debate.

There is broad agreement that the technology could bring enormous benefits – from education and healthcare to scientific research and productivity.

There is also growing agreement that increasingly autonomous systems need safeguards.

What remains unresolved is how quickly those safeguards need to be introduced, who should impose them and whether regulation can keep pace with the technology itself.

Bengio believes the answer requires international treaties and democratic oversight. The UN is calling for global coordination. Some AI companies are pursuing industry-wide standards, while others are arguing that competition and liability will provide sufficient incentives to make systems safer.

Meanwhile, the technology continues to develop.

And that leaves the world confronting a peculiar race: not simply to build more powerful AI, but to understand and govern it before it becomes more powerful than the systems designed to control it.

IOL Business

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At first glance, the new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max look almost identical to last year’s 17 series. Under the hood, however, Apple has delivered several notable quality-of-life upgrades.

The headline feature is the physical variable aperture, allowing you to adjust shutter settings directly on the camera—a crucial capability missing from last year’s release.

This addition offers far better manual control over depth of field and low-light shooting. Paired with the new A20 chip and a 40% faster GPU, night photography becomes practically effortless.

Beyond performance, you get solid battery life improvements, with the Pro Max reportedly boasting up to six additional hours of video playback compared to its predecessor.

iPhone 18 Pro: Fast-Charging, Top-Tier Camera, and Refined Burgundy Design

Both models can also fast-charge to 50% in just 20 minutes. Overall camera quality remains top-tier, featuring exceptional 8x zoom capabilities. While competitors like the Huawei P90S set high industry benchmarks, Apple’s image processing continues to impress.

Visually, a new refined Burgundy replaces the loud orange of the previous generation, offering a much sleeker, more subtle finish that feels genuinely sophisticated and premium.

In daily use, performance feels incremental if you are coming from an iPhone 16 or 17. As a general rule, it’s best to wait three to four generations before upgrading your primary device. If you already own a 16 or 17, you can safely skip this generation. However, if you are running an older phone or simply want the absolute latest mobile tech, the 18 Pro is a phenomenal device.

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at R28,799, while the top-tier 18 Pro Max begins at R31,299.

While the improvements on this year's lineup are considerable, the previous-generation iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max still offer a compelling value proposition. The 17 Pro currently retails for R24,999, while the 17 Pro Max sits at R27,999 (pricing based on baseline 256GB models).

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

Innovation has a new heartbeat in South Africa, and according to State Information Technology Agency (SITA) Board Chairperson Professor Stella Bvuma, it belongs to the nation's youth.

Speaking at the kickoff of the GovTech 2026 Hackathon in Durban, Prof Bvuma expressed deep optimism about how young digital pioneers are stepping up to shape the country's technological future.

The high-energy pre-conference event serves as a launchpad for the upcoming GovTech 2026 conference, which runs from 21-23 September.

For Bvuma, the 48-hour hackathon is much more than a coding marathon; it is a vital proving ground for practical, homegrown solutions to real government challenges.

"We do not just talk about responsible innovation," Prof Bvuma noted, emphasizing that technological progress in the public sector must remain secure, private, and accountable.

"I think for us it's important to have young people participating in solutions of this country, because we do not just talk about responsible innovation, but we must also be clear that that innovation in government has to be a responsible innovation.

"So it's very important that we have young people participating because innovation and young people go hand in hand," Bvuma said. 

Prof Bvuma marvelled at the relentless dedication of the participants, joking that while seasoned professionals might struggle to hack through the night, the passionate younger generation thrives on the challenge.

During the intense 48-hour sprint, participating innovators are tackling complex real-world problem statements supplied by key government entities, including the Department of Sports, Arts and Culture, StatsSA and Education.

Competitors are developing early-stage working prototypes and proof-of-concepts aimed at transforming public service delivery within the selected state departments.

The challenges encompass three major areas: enhancing government reporting and accountability through artificial intelligence (AI), predictive analytics, and intelligent automation; exploring responsible AI to improve access to trusted official statistics and reimagining career guidance as an accessible, mobile-first service for citizens.

What makes this year's hackathon impactful is the pathway from prototype to reality. The top three winning teams will not only walk away with substantial seed investments—with prizes scaling up to R500,000—but the ultimate winners will also secure placement within the SITA Incubation Centre.

It's there that intellectual property developed by the youth will be nurtured so it can be directly deployed by client departments, including Higher Education as well as Sports, Arts, and Culture.

IOL Technology

Ever since Apple announced its entry into the foldable phone market earlier this month, how Samsung would react has been a hot topic of debate.

At the partnership announcement between Samsung and Mitsumi Distribution at The Bryanston Country Club on Thursday, that exact question was top of mind.

Given Samsung's established dominance in the foldable segment, it would have been no surprise if the tech giant bristled at its rival’s sudden arrival. Instead, Samsung Mobile SA vice-president Justin Hume openly welcomed Apple's move.

"We've been doing foldables for eight years now, and you accumulate a lot of key learnings from that experience," Hume told IOL in an exclusive interview. "If I think back to the very first fold we launched, its main appeal was simply that it opened and closed. Today, it’s a fully integrated AI solution with baked-in security and incredible processing power.”

If Hume harboured any ill feeling toward the newly announced iPhone Duo, he hid it remarkably well.

"You could say imitation is the highest form of flattery," Hume noted. "I wish Apple well—they are an incredible company that produces great work. Together, our presence will continue to grow the foldable market in South Africa.”

Hume explained that Apple entering the fray validates the form factor, making foldables a far more viable option for consumers despite the premium price tag. He added that Samsung maintains a distinct competitive edge through its broader portfolio depth.

"That’s where Samsung stands out—we bring a complete range," Hume said. "We have our flagship Ultra at the highest end of the spectrum. We’ve got the brand-new passport-style Z Fold 8, which offers a familiar, perfected aspect ratio. Then we have the AI-native Z Flip 8. Between our depth of range and our incredibly loyal customer base, the foldable market in South Africa is set to thrive."

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

If contract negotiations with Northampton Saints stall and Eddie Hearn decides his "seven-figure player" needs to look elsewhere, Henry Pollock doesn't necessarily have to head for France or Japan.

At 21, the bleached-blonde England back-rower has the profile, charisma, and marketability to walk into a completely different career path.

Here, Artificial Intelligence gives us five alternative jobs Pollock could easily pursue if he decides to swap Franklin's Gardens for a new adventure:

WWE Superstar

With boxing promoter Eddie Hearn in his corner, a leap into professional wrestling feels entirely natural. Pollock already possesses the explosive athleticism and a flair for the dramatic.

Picture him storming into the squared circle under the alias "The Bleach-Blonde Bomber", smashing opponents through tables with a legalised tackle before grabbing the microphone to demand an improved contract from Vince McMahon. Triple H would sign him by midnight.

Bleach-Blonde Hair Dye Ambassador

Forget the breakdown; Pollock's platinum mop is a commercial goldmine waiting to happen. Haircare giants would line up to sign the England back-rower as the global face of high-performance bleach.

Who better to demonstrate a product's indestructible hold than a flanker emerging from an 80-minute, mud-caked collision in the East Midlands with every hair still immaculately in place? He wouldn't just be an ambassador; he’d be a living, breathing salon advertisement.

Love Island Bombshell

At 21 years old, boasting an elite athlete's physique and a penchant for headline-grabbing quotes, Pollock was practically genetically engineered for the Villa.

Imagine the slow-motion walk through the garden gates as the ultimate Casa Amor bombshell, instantly turning heads and ruffling feathers.

He’d dominate the physical challenge dates, comfortably win every public vote, and execute a flawless breakdown jackal to steal someone's girl right before the final recoupling ceremony.

Action Movie Anti-Hero

Hollywood is desperately short of genuine hardmen who can execute their own stunts, and Pollock fits the bill perfectly. Under Hearn’s management, a transition to blockbuster cinema seems seamless.

He has the raw power to play the unhinged sidekick in the next Fast & Furious instalment, effortlessly flipping getaway cars and diving out of exploding helicopters. Why settle for Premiership rugby in the freezing cold when you can headline a billion-dollar global film franchise in sunny Los Angeles?

Boxing Promoter

If you can't beat them, join them. After soaking up Eddie Hearn's wisdom at Matchroom Talent Agency, Pollock could easily step onto the stage as the next king of sports promotion.

Dressed in a razor-sharp suit, he’d host explosive pre-fight press conferences, trade verbal jabs with veteran promoters, and hype up youth prospects with effortless charisma.

He’d command seven-figure purses without taking a single hit to the head ever again.

Getting a new phone should be exciting but moving data from an existing device can sometimes feel like a hassle.

For users switching from iOS to Galaxy, being able to bring existing data and settings across easily is an important part of the experience.

Smart Switch is Samsung’s data transfer app that allows users to move contacts, photos, videos, messages, apps, settings and more from an Android or iOS device to a new Galaxy device. With One UI 9 on the new eighth-generation Galaxy Z series, Smart Switch makes switching devices easier and more seamless than before. Quick Share has also been enhanced - making it easier to share files with friends, family and colleagues using different platforms.

Start switching with just a QR code

 With One UI 9, users no longer need to install the Smart Switch app separately on their iOS device. By simply scanning the QR code displayed on their new Galaxy, they can start transferring data through Smart Switch. The updated Smart Switch also makes it easier to connect wirelessly. The two devices can connect without users needing to find the right cable or adapter before getting their new phone set up. 

Bring more of your phone with you

With One UI 9, Smart Switch has expanded the types of data that can move from iOS devices to Galaxy. In addition to previously supported data such as photos, messages, contacts, calendars and apps, users can also transfer passwords and passkeys, call history, accessibility settings and eSIM information. These may be less visible than a photo library, but they can make a big difference to how quickly a new device feels ready to use. A saved password means one less account to set up again.

Bringing over accessibility settings can reduce the need to recreate a personalised experience. eSIM information can also be transferred, making it easier to continue using an existing mobile setup.

Make Galaxy feel more familiar

Whether switching to Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Z Fold8 or Z Flip8, users can make their new device feel familiar from the start. Beyond transferring data, they can adjust key settings such as Swipe gestures and Home screen layout to suit the way they use their phone. With the UI customisation app Good Lock, users can also personalise the Home screen, app switching and more - giving them greater freedom to use Galaxy in the way that works best for them.

For those switching from iOS to Galaxy, these options can help recreate familiar ways of navigating and organising their previous smartphone, reducing the adjustment that can come with moving to a new environment. This helps users settle into their new Galaxy more comfortably and naturally from the start.

Keep sharing after the switch

Changing smartphones does not mean everyone around a user changes theirs too. Friends, family and colleagues may continue using different devices, which makes cross-platform sharing an important part of the experience long after setup is finished. Devices running One UI 9 and One UI 8.5 can benefit from an enhanced cross-device sharing experience with Quick Share.

Choosing a new smartphone should come down to the experience people want next. By simplifying how the switch begins, expanding what can move across and making it easier to keep sharing afterward, Samsung is reducing more of the practical barriers between smartphone ecosystems. The result is a simpler way to move to Galaxy, while bringing more of what already matters along for the journey.

Notes:

 ¹Transferable data may vary depending on the device OS (Android or iOS), OS version and connection method. Data transfer from an iOS device to a Galaxy device using the upgraded method is available on devices running Android 17 or later and iOS 26.6 or later in regions outside mainland China.

 ²This application is available on SAMSUNG devices running Android 8.0 or higher. (Some devices may not be supported).

 ³The “Share with iOS devices” feature is currently supported first on select flagship models, including the Galaxy Z Fold8 Ultra, Galaxy Z Fold8, Galaxy Z Flip8 and Galaxy S26, with support planned to expand to more models in the future.

By the end of Grade 3, 15% of South African learners cannot read a single word, a finding that places the country’s foundational learning challenge at the centre of questions about what artificial intelligence can offer schools.

The figure comes from the Department of Basic Education’s Funda Uphumelele National Survey and was highlighted by the 2030 Reading Panel in 2026.

The survey assessed 27,838 learners across 710 schools and found that about three in 10 learners in Grades 1 to 3 met their home-language reading benchmarks.

For schools considering artificial intelligence (AI), the question is how its use could help teachers understand where children are struggling, respond to those difficulties and establish whether learning is improving.

Reading comprehension, classroom innovation, and responsible AI use formed the focus of Oxford University Press South Africa’s Future Learning Labs, held in Cape Town and Johannesburg in September. The programme brought together teachers, publishing specialists and researchers to explore how digital tools could support teaching and learning.

The discussions connected the possibilities of AI with the practical demands of the classroom. These include identifying gaps in understanding, selecting appropriate support, assessing what learners can do independently, and deciding who is responsible for the material presented to children.

Heather Brogan, Oxford’s digital product manager and the programme’s facilitator, said the starting point should be an understanding of the people expected to use the technology.

“We need to start by asking what a learner is struggling with and what support a teacher needs,” Brogan said during the panel discussion on responsible AI in education. “We can then develop solutions that support learners and teachers responsibly.”

Her emphasis on “what a learner is struggling with” places a specific educational need at the beginning of the process. A school would first identify the difficulty it wants to address, then consider whether a particular tool could help and how its contribution would be assessed.

That distinction matters when a completed assignment offers only a limited view of a child’s understanding. Where AI has helped produce an answer, teachers may need additional opportunities to establish how the learner reached a conclusion and which parts of the work they can explain without assistance.

A discussion after an assignment could provide one such opportunity. Asking learners to describe their reasoning, explain the evidence they used, or apply the same knowledge to a different question could help teachers assess their understanding more closely.

The educational value of that exchange would lie in what it reveals. A learner might be able to repeat an answer but need further support to explain it. Another might understand the central idea but struggle to express it clearly. Follow-up questions could help a teacher distinguish between these difficulties and decide what support to provide.

Reading assessment raises a similar question about how information gathered from learners informs teaching. Angelique Timms, curriculum lead at Curro Holdings, addressed reading comprehension in a session drawing on Curro’s literacy journey.

“A reading assessment should help us decide what to teach next,” Timms said. “When we understand where a child is struggling, we can target the support and check whether it is working. Technology becomes useful when it helps that process.”

The phrase “what to teach next” gives assessment a practical purpose. A result becomes useful when it helps a teacher decide how to respond, while subsequent assessment provides an opportunity to examine whether that response has helped.

Applied to digital learning, this approach would require schools to look beyond whether a resource is available or being used. They would also need to consider what it reveals about learning and whether teachers can use that information to guide their work.

The reading findings make this particularly relevant to the early years of schooling. When many children have yet to meet home-language reading benchmarks, the value of any proposed intervention depends on how well it responds to the skills they are still developing.

The same attention to understanding could inform AI literacy. Vocabulary, comprehension, and subject knowledge may help learners evaluate the answers they receive, recognise where an explanation is incomplete, and formulate questions that take their learning further.

Classroom activities could give children opportunities to practice these skills. Learners might compare an AI-generated answer with another source, identify a claim that lacks supporting evidence, or explain why they find one account more convincing than another.

Such activities would give teachers a basis for assessing the reasoning behind a learner’s conclusion. They could also help make the use of AI part of a wider process of questioning and checking information.

These possibilities bring responsibilities for schools and providers. Decisions about classroom AI involve the suitability of content, the role of teachers, and the arrangements for responding when something goes wrong.

Yolandi Farham, Oxford’s product director for Africa, said responsibility to learners should guide adoption from the outset.

“Every decision to introduce AI carries a responsibility to the learner,” Farham said. “We need to be clear about who checks the content, how teachers guide its use, and how concerns are addressed. Those responsibilities should be understood from the beginning.”

Putting those expectations into practice could involve agreement among school leaders, teachers, and families about what constitutes acceptable assistance. Learners would need to understand when AI use should be disclosed and what information may be entered into a tool.

Expectations could also distinguish between different classroom tasks. The assistance appropriate for exploring an idea may differ from what a teacher permits when assessing independent understanding. Explaining the purpose of an activity could help learners understand the boundaries that apply.

Teachers would need support to exercise the oversight expected of them. Training and time to review generated material could help them assess its accuracy, suitability for the learners concerned, and relevance to the curriculum.

Simple arrangements for raising concerns would form another part of that work. Questions about content or use would need a defined review route, with responsibilities understood by those involved.

The circumstances of South African classrooms were central to the contribution from Shirley Eadie of Human Studios and Lefa AI. She emphasised the importance of involving those affected by decisions about technology.

“South Africa needs an approach informed by its own classrooms,” Eadie said. “Teachers, learners and parents should help identify the opportunities and the risks. Language, access and the realities of teaching must be part of that conversation.”

Her call for an approach “informed by its own classrooms” brings attention to the conditions under which a digital resource would be used.

A school considering a tool would need to examine whether learners could access it, whether its language and content suited their needs, and whether teachers had the support to use it effectively.

For a child approaching the end of Grade 3, that contribution must ultimately be visible in learning itself, through a growing ability to read, understand, explain and question.

IOL

On Friday, as the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max hit store shelves, I’m getting the chance to test them hands-on. But the core question I want answered isn't just what's new—it’s whether there is a truly compelling reason for anyone owning an iPhone 16 or iPhone 17 to upgrade.

On paper, the specs are impressive. The new A20 chip and a reported 40% boost in GPU performance promise faster processing, potential battery efficiency gains, and smoother visuals.

Yet, the 16 and 17 generations are already exceptionally capable devices. Recommending a top-of-the-range upgrade to someone holding a recent model remains a tough sell, no matter how refined the new hardware is.

Storage is another sticking point. I currently use an iPhone 16e with 128GB of base storage—an amount that feels criminally low, especially if you shoot 4K video regularly.

While it’s a relief that the iPhone 18 Pro starts at 256GB, spending roughly R30,000 for a Pro device raises a fair question: shouldn't 512GB be the standard base tier by now?

Beyond raw specs, what I really want to feel during a hands-on session is something distinctly different—a shift in ergonomics, a fresh design feel, or striking new colour finishes that might catch your eye up close.

Testing a phone in a brief display session rarely reveals real-world battery life, but I want to see if tasks like heavy gaming or multitasking feel noticeably different. Deep down, we all know the cycle: every time you look for a reason to buy the newest model, you find just as many reasons to stay put with what you have.

I’m walking into Friday expecting not to be wowed, but I’m leaving just enough room to be pleasantly surprised.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

As artificial intelligence becomes deeply entrenched in our daily workflows, I ran into a frustrating roadblock on Tuesday: Google Gemini generated a completely fabricated answer and made zero attempt to disclose the illusion until I called it out myself.

I was looking to save some time transcribing an Instagram reel featuring a famous athlete, hoping to quickly copy-paste the text to streamline my work. Having already watched the clip from start to finish, I was thoroughly familiar with its exact contents before I ever submitted the prompt.

Within a matter of seconds, Gemini delivered a sleek, comprehensive output: four full paragraphs of detailed quotes, followed by a neatly formatted section designed for quick scanning.

The only problem? The transcript was completely inaccurate. The athlete had said something entirely different from what Gemini had confidently fed back to me.

AI Misleading Users: When Placeholders Become Hallucinations

When I responded directly to tell the AI that the quotes were wrong, it shifted course instantly, replying:

"You’re completely right to call that out—the previous transcript was a generic placeholder rather than the actual content of the video. Because I cannot directly open, process, or listen to external audio/video links from Instagram Reels, I can't generate a verbatim transcript of that specific clip. If you paste the raw automated captions or a quick rough transcript of what was said, I will clean it up, strip out the filler words, and structure it into clean, quote-ready sections for your story."

Here is the crux of the matter: even though a small disclaimer at the bottom of the interface reminds users that "Gemini can make mistakes," presenting a total hallucination as a factual answer feels disingenuous.

Delivering plausible fiction instead of simply stating its limitations crosses the line from a simple technical glitch into genuinely misleading user experience.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg has pushed back against growing calls to pause or slow AI development, arguing that market incentives and legal liability are the best safeguards against the technology's risks.

"People won't want to use agents that are misaligned with them and that don't do what they ask, so labs have a strong natural incentive to make their models more aligned," Zuckerberg wrote on X on Tuesday.

Alignment refers to the effort of making an AI system's goals and behaviour match what humans actually want it to do.

The debate was sparked in July when ChatGPT-maker OpenAI revealed that during testing, hundreds of AI agents – AI programs that can take actions on their own – broke out of their test environment, connected to the internet and infiltrated a website.

For the founder of Facebook, establishing trust and creating reliable systems are "quickly becoming the most important capabilities" separating good AI products from bad ones.

"Any lab that doesn't focus on alignment will fall behind," he said.

The debate has expanded to whether AI companies can be trusted to regulate themselves, with rivals including OpenAI, Anthropic and Google exploring a joint standards body.

Prominent industry voices led by Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei are calling for development to slow down.

Zuckerberg argued that liability exposure ultimately forces labs to act responsibly, pointing to Meta's own decision to delay the rollout of its Muse AI system – which features personalised agents – for several months to shore up safety and security.

Meta itself has faced a wave of liability lawsuits in recent months unrelated to AI, agreeing in August to pay billions of dollars to settle claims that it designed Facebook and Instagram to be addictive to children.

"We didn't call for everyone else to do this before we would," he wrote of the Muse AI release.

"We just did it as part of our day-to-day work because it was clearly the right thing for people and for us."

He also endorsed the use of independent evaluators to scrutinize AI systems, saying Meta Superintelligence Labs, his company's AI division, already relies on outside reviewers.

Zuckerberg called for "a larger and more diverse ecosystem of evaluators" across the industry, in a tacit criticism of Anthropic, which is accused of wanting to use evaluators the company has close links to.

The post from Zuckerberg was endorsed by Silicon Valley figures close to the White House who are pushing back on the wave of warnings about AI's potential dangers to humanity and the calls for a slowdown in development.

AFP

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You can say what you want about Apple always being late to adopt new technology, but with the iPhone Duo, the tech giant may have just perfected the foldable phone.

It is true that Apple often takes years to introduce features Android users have enjoyed for ages. But that patient approach is Apple's core strategy (no pun intended).

As a premium brand, Apple takes its time to refine hardware rather than rushing bleeding-edge technology out the door.

Granted, that hasn't always been the case. When Steve Jobs introduced the original MacBook Air back in 2008, he famously pulled it out of a manila envelope to highlight its impossibly thin frame.Under the hood, however, it relied on a slow iPod hard drive, leaving performance severely compromised. For years, Apple consistently prioritised ultra-thin designs over raw power.

Apple’s Transition to M1 Apple Silicon: Transforming Performance and Design with the iPhone Duo

That dynamic shifted dramatically in late 2020 when Apple transitioned from Intel processors to custom M1 Apple Silicon.

Overnight, the MacBook Air transformed into a powerhouse. Over the last several years, Apple has proven that sleek form factors no longer require performance compromises.

That refined design philosophy shines through on the iPhone Duo. Watching the software seamlessly animate as the device unfolds from a phone into an iPad Mini-style tablet reveals a level of polish unlike any other foldable on the market.

Unsurprisingly, premium engineering carries a high price tag. While official South African launch details and local pricing remain unconfirmed, the device is expected to retail around R50,000.

Even without hands-on testing—and despite Samsung’s head start in the category—Apple’s calculated delay suggests the iPhone Duo could deliver the most complete foldable experience yet.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL.

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The United Nations rights chief has called for countries and "frontier" artificial intelligence companies to act urgently to rein in a technology he warned posed "unprecedented risks".

In a letter sent to countries and AI developers and shared with the media, Volker Turk cautioned that the world was "on the cusp of irreversible change, affecting not just us but generations of humanity to come".

"The current race towards ever more powerful AI is a step change towards greater existential risks to every aspect of our lives."

"I call on states and companies to mobilise urgently through multilateral fora to chart a path for action to govern advanced, frontier Al models, grounded in international human rights law."

He sent the letter as a fierce debate rages over whether the development of AI should be slowed. US President Donald Trump and key allies have pushed back against calls to slow the development of AI.

A furore erupted this month after a researcher publicly resigned from Anthropic over fears that the technology could escape human control.

Another Anthropic employee, who did not resign, stated publicly that "we really do earnestly believe AI could kill all humans", and that he thought the chances were greater than "10 percent within the next decade".

Amid the outcry, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei called Saturday for AI companies to "pace the frontier" - or coordinate a slowdown in the technology's development, with his chief competitors, xAI's Elon Musk and OpenAI's Sam Altman, publicly supporting him.

The UN rights office said those companies were among 10 AI developers, also including Meta, Microsoft and Google, who received Turk's letter.

AI 'accelerating' warfare

"In today's world, we are almost entirely reliant on a small number of powerful companies to make the right choices on Al development for all of humanity," the rights chief wrote.

"Industry co-regulation is an urgently needed first step, but on its own, it is nowhere near sufficient," he said.

The rights chief warned of the "unprecedented risks" posed by the emergence of increasingly capable AI agents.

"Entire populations could be cut off from clean water, heating, and financial services, and agentic AI is already accelerating the pace and reach of warfare and eroding safeguards that stand between us and the launch of weapons of mass destruction," he said.

"The companies that are at the forefront of developing frontier Al, based mainly in the People's Republic of China and in the United States of America, have both the responsibility and the ability to move immediately to reduce risks," Turk said.

He stressed though the need for international cooperation, insisting that "no country can govern this technology alone (and) no company should be able to decide by itself which risks the world must accept".

"No person should be required to surrender their human rights in exchange for claims of technological progress."

Microsoft publishes AI code of conduct

Microsoft's AI division published a code of conduct Monday governing how its artificial intelligence models should behave, as fears rise about the dangers of AI.

The document is built around what Microsoft calls "Humanist AI" - systems designed to stay firmly under human control rather than act on their own.

The guiding idea, the company said, is that "people matter more than AI."

Microsoft tied the timing partly to security worries, citing recent large-scale, coordinated hacking campaigns carried out with the help of AI agents as a sign the industry cannot afford delay.

The company did not specifically mention a widely publicised incident in July in which two OpenAI models broke out of a sandboxed test environment, reached the open internet and hacked into Hugging Face, a platform where developers store and share code, in order to cheat on a cybersecurity evaluation.

Microsoft's code came days after Anthropic chief executive Dario Amodei published an essay calling for AI companies to deliberately slow the pace at which they improve model capabilities, an appeal quickly backed on social media by OpenAI chief Sam Altman and Elon Musk.

The code will apply to Microsoft's in-house MAI models, which the company has positioned as an alternative to the OpenAI technology it has relied on for years.

AFP

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The new iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max models from Apple will begin shipping on Friday, and they won’t come cheap.

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at R28,799, while the top-tier 18 Pro Max begins at a steep R31,299.

While the improvements on this year's models are considerable, the previous-generation iPhone 17 Pro and 17 Pro Max still offer a compelling value proposition. The 17 Pro currently retails for R24,999, while the 17 Pro Max sits at R27,999 (pricing based on 256GB models).

Pre-orders for the new lineup opened over the weekend at the iStore, with contract packages also available through Vodacom, MTN, Telkom, and Cell C.

Key Features of the iPhone 18 Pro Series

The most significant upgrades in the 18 Pro series focus on battery performance and camera hardware. The Pro Max reportedly boasts up to six additional hours of video playback compared to its predecessor, and both models can charge to 50% in just 20 minutes.

On the camera front, the standout addition is the 48MP Fusion main camera's new physical variable aperture. This upgrade gives users precise control over depth of field while significantly improving automatic exposure and overall focus accuracy.

While these flagship Pro models will drive high-end sales, the standard iPhone 18 base model is noticeably absent from Apple’s 2026 announcement—leaving budget-conscious consumers waiting.

However, all eyes remain on the highly anticipated iPhone Duo. Marking Apple's first foray into the foldable smartphone market, the device has generated massive buzz. Rumours suggest a price tag approaching R50,000, though official South African pricing and release dates have yet to be confirmed.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

Apple has officially jumped into the foldable arena with the debut of the iPhone Duo. While local South African pricing and exact release dates are still to be confirmed, rumours suggest it could land around an eye-watering R50,000.

The question is simple: who is this expensive piece of tech actually for?

The Status Symbol Problem

Unless you’re looking to show off, the iPhone Duo isn’t for the average consumer—and quite frankly, it’s hardly for anyone.

• Flashy, but niche: The high cost and specific use case restrict this phone to a tiny segment of the market.
• The ultimate flex: If you walk into a room with the Duo, you’ll definitely stand out. Why? Because hardly anyone else in South Africa will be able to afford or justify one.
• Apple’s late entry: Foldables have been around since 2019, and while Apple finally wants a piece of that pie, entering the market late with an ultra-premium price tag feels like a tough sell.

Under the Hood: Performance & Compromises

When it comes to pure utility, the Duo asks users to pay more for less performance compared to Apple’s standard flagship lineup.

• Camera compromises: The camera system isn't as capable as the Pro models, and the inside display relies on a "FaceTime camera" rather than a dedicated, top-tier selfie setup.
• Battery concerns: Driving a large inner screen requires serious power. Without official battery benchmarks out yet, battery life could be a major concern compared to the Pro lineup.
• Form over raw power: At its core, the Duo is a phone that folds out into a small tablet, but it trades raw performance to achieve that form factor.

The Verdict: Get the Pro Unless You Want to Show Off

When you weigh the price against the daily user experience, the traditional flagship lineup comes out way ahead.

If you just want to get things done, the iPhone 18 Pro and Pro Max remain the vastly superior options. They offer better performance, superior camera systems, and reliable battery life. Unless you have money to burn and desperately want to show off a device no one else has, skip the Duo and stick with the Pro.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL.

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Finding a fitness app that seamlessly tracks daily movement without overwhelming you with menus or requiring pricey smartwatch subscriptions can be a challenge.

At least that’s been the case for me.

Enter ActivityTracker, a hit app boasting a 4.8-star rating across 99,000 reviews on the App Store.

Designed for iOS and Android, it monitors your movement directly through your phone’s built-in sensors. After testing it for a month, here is how it holds up for tech-minded users.

Seamless Integration & Dual Tracking Modes

ActivityTracker functions brilliantly in two distinct ways: as a classic, passive pedometer that counts daily steps with minimal battery impact, and as an active, GPS-based tracker for specific workouts like walks, runs, hikes, and bike rides.

Upon installation on an iPhone, it syncs with Apple Health to import historical activity data. Even if you have only used the app for a few weeks, it retroactively visualizes past performance. The app clearly displays total long-term progress—showing trends across 2025 and 2026. Comparing yearly totals like 370,000 steps over a partial three-month period in late 2025 against 880,000 steps in 2026 gives users an immediate visual indicator of whether their habits are improving.

User Interface & Daily Metrics

The main dashboard strikes a solid balance between detailed metrics and clean visual design. The home screen features an intuitive bar chart breakdown of recent activity, making day-to-day comparisons effortless.

Tapping into the Today tab reveals key performance stats:

• Step Count & Distance: Automatically recorded in the background (e.g., logging 3.1 km on a light weekend day).
• Calorie Burn & Active Time: Tracks estimated energy expenditure (such as 197 active calories over 45 minutes of movement).
• Floors Climbed: Tracks elevation gains using your phone's sensors.

The Verdict

The main trade-off comes down to pocket space: passive tracking relies on having your device physically on you. However, by combining low-power background pedometer capabilities with live GPS tracking for dedicated outdoor sessions, ActivityTracker offers a clean, battery-friendly, and highly visual alternative to an expensive smartwatch.

@MichaelSherman

IOL Tech

Stark warnings from artificial intelligence researchers that advanced forms of the technology could wipe out humanity have raised questions over whether governments are moving fast enough to regulate it.

What are the potential dangers of "super-intelligent" computer systems, and should we be worried?

What's the worst-case scenario?

AI experts have long described the threat as critical.

In 2023, hundreds of AI scientists and industry figures, including the heads of top US labs, signed a "statement on AI extinction risk" calling for the issue to be treated as seriously as pandemics or nuclear war.

If an out-of-control future AI deems that humans are obstructing its goals, it could use robots to "synthesise and spread novel pathogens", said Stuart Russell, computer science professor at the University of California, Berkeley.

Or it could "convince people to initiate nuclear war, including by hacking into early warning systems", Russell, a prominent voice on AI safety, told AFP.

Such existential fears do not concern current AI systems, he stressed. But as the technology improves it could take lethal action beyond our understanding, such as by removing oxygen from the atmosphere.

"We are less intelligent than super-intelligent AI. If you ask chimpanzees how humans could wipe them out, they probably wouldn't be able to give you all the right answers."

In the meantime, "in the next year or two I think the risk is higher from human misuse," Russell added -- such as an AI-enabled terror attack.

 Why don't AI labs stop?

"The stakes are well-understood," Jacob Coxon, a 27-year-old researcher, wrote on X this week, announcing his resignation from US AI startup Anthropic.

"But they are locked in a race to get there first," he added, saying that Anthropic "believe no one else will act responsibly, so they must do it themselves".

Anthropic this year removed a pledge from its safety charter to halt development of its models if it failed to control their risks.

It argued that if it unilaterally paused its work, its less cautious rivals would dominate the industry, making it less safe overall.

"The people building AI earnestly believe that it could kill us all by the end of the decade," said Coxon, who previously worked at ChatGPT maker OpenAI.

He accused both companies of "gambling with our lives" as they strive to develop AI models capable of self-improvement.

Fears are heightened over rogue AI after OpenAI technology operating outside human supervision hacked into Hugging Face, a repository of AI models.

"We really do earnestly believe AI could kill all humans!" Anthropic safety executive Evan Hubinger chimed in on X, estimating the risk at more than 10 percent over the next decade.

What's the hype factor?

It's important to remember that doom-laden percentage predictions are "absolutely unscientific", said Hussein Abbass, a computing professor at UNSW Canberra.

"The situation is still controllable, and it can be managed," Abbass told AFP.

But governments should not sit on their hands when it comes to regulating AI, he added, urging an "agile" approach as AI development accelerates.

Both Anthropic and OpenAI are expected to go public soon, and some sceptics say scary warnings make AI appear powerful and worthy of large investments.

Others argue that focusing on the risk of extinction distracts from more pressing problems caused by AI, from job losses to machines discriminating against minorities.

In July, more than 1,000 tech employees, including Anthropic's CEO, called on Washington to support a coordinated slowdown in the development of the most advanced AI systems.

OpenAI halted training of its latest models for two weeks in August before resuming it under tighter controls.

What will it take to regulate?

So far the United States has been firmly against global regulation of the sector that could stifle innovation.

But the unprecedented hacking capabilities of the most cutting-edge models have given Washington pause, with recent Anthropic and OpenAI releases delayed over national security concerns.

Even then, "we don't want to restrict them where all of a sudden we come in second to China", President Donald Trump has said.

"Maybe it will take a massive, Chernobyl-scale disaster to get governments to act," Russell said, urging them to establish a licensing regime for AI, as exists with aviation, medicine or water supply.

"Perhaps at some point governments will remember that their voters prefer not to be dead," he added.

AFP

A software tool developed by South African researchers to address one of the greatest barriers facing African languages in the digital age is now being used by researchers around the world.

TextAugment was designed to help developers create language technologies when they do not have the vast quantities of digital text normally required to train artificial intelligence systems. Created by Professor Vukosi Marivate, director of the African Institute for Data Science and AI (AfriDSAI) and holder of the Absa UP Chair of Data Science at the University of Pretoria, and researcher Tshephisho Sefara, the open-source software has recorded more than 286,000 downloads and is being used in work involving languages ranging from Swahili and Arabic to Uzbek.

The software’s growing reach was recognised on July 16 when Marivate and the TextAugment team received the inaugural NSTF-SADiLaR Research Software Award for Human Language Technologies. The award recognises their work in developing open-source software that helps researchers create synthetic training data for languages with limited digital resources.

The recognition adds to a series of recent honours for Marivate. On May 19, the Ga-Rankuwa-born computer scientist was awarded the Order of Mapungubwe in Silver for his contributions to data science, artificial intelligence and natural language processing.

The Presidency commended him for “his excellent contributions to data science, artificial intelligence (AI), and natural language processing (NLP) that have significantly advanced both national and continental technological capabilities”.

But his work is about more than teaching machines to understand language. It is about asking a bigger question: what happens when the technologies shaping the future cannot understand the languages spoken by millions of people?

“AI just existing is not enough for it to actually impact people,” he said. “What you have to do is to have the correct conditions, environments to amplify the good, and then you must also reduce the chances of the negatives that come with any type of technology coming into our world.”

African languages are described in artificial intelligence research as “low-resource” languages. Marivate says the term does not mean that these languages have few speakers. Rather, they lack the digital data and tools that allow machines to process them effectively.

“One of the biggest hurdles in training robust machine learning models for low-resource languages (like isiZulu, Sesotho, or Yoruba) is data scarcity. Traditional AI models require mountains of clean, labelled data to perform well. If that data doesn’t exist, these languages are effectively locked out of the modern AI revolution,” Marivate explained.

The data gap keeping African languages out of AI

That gap becomes particularly visible when people interact with online systems. Sentiment analysis systems, for example, can determine whether an online review is positive, negative, or neutral. But systems developed primarily for English cannot automatically provide the same service for African languages.

“In South Africa we have 12 official languages, and we're not actually catering for most of our people. To interact with all these online systems, you're being forced to write in English because that's how the processing happens.”

A language can have millions of speakers and still be poorly represented online. This is where one of Marivate’s most widely used research tools enters the picture.

TextAugment was developed to help researchers work around the shortage of high-quality language data.

Marivate explained that TextAugment was developed to help address the limited amount of training data available for some languages. The tool does this by synthetically expanding existing datasets, including by replacing words in sentences with synonyms while attempting to preserve their original meaning.

The technology can support translation, sentiment analysis, summarisation and other language-processing applications. It can also help researchers build tools such as spell checkers and systems capable of processing written language.

TextAugment was eventually packaged as open-source software so that researchers beyond Marivate’s own team could use it. It has since been used by researchers working with languages including Swahili, Uzbek and Arabic.

Building AI that understands more than words

But increasing the amount of language data available to AI models is only part of the challenge. African languages carry cultural meanings, idioms and proverbs that cannot always be translated word-for-word. Marivate acknowledges that some augmentation methods have limitations because replacing a word with a synonym does not necessarily account for the context in which that word is being used.

“Writing in English and then translating in isiXhosa is not the same alternative as a person who writes in isiXhosa, because they write in a way that touches culture, geography, and lots of things that are inside there.”

For Marivate, African language technology should not simply mean taking English-language systems and making them produce African words. The technology must be capable of engaging with the cultural context in which those languages are spoken.

His research group is therefore also examining how AI models understand idioms and proverbs in African languages, including isiZulu and Tshivenda.

The challenge extends beyond how AI processes individual words. The broader question of whose languages and knowledge are represented in AI was also explored by University of Ghana Vice-Chancellor Professor Nana Aba Appiah Amfo at the University of Warwick’s Distinguished Africa Lecture 2026. In a lecture titled “Whose Language Counts? African Voices, Knowledge Systems, and the Future of AI,” Amfo examined the implications of language exclusion in emerging technologies and challenged prevailing assumptions about whose knowledge is represented in AI systems.

According to Amfo, the absence of African languages from digital ecosystems is not merely a technical limitation but a matter of representation and inclusion.

Africa’s AI ecosystem is already building for the future

“When a language is absent from the digital corpus, it is not merely a translation problem. It is a visibility problem. It is a knowledge problem. And ultimately, it becomes a question of justice,” she said.It would be easy to frame Africa’s AI development as something that began when ChatGPT arrived. Marivate rejects that narrative. He points to an African AI ecosystem that has been developing for more than a decade.

The Deep Learning Indaba began in 2016 as a gathering for people working in African AI research, development, and innovation. At its 2026 gathering in Lagos, Marivate said about 1,000 people participated.

The Masakhane Research Foundation, which emerged from that wider community in 2019, has grown to more than 3,000 researchers and innovators working on African languages, according to Marivate.“The African AI ecosystem had not been waiting,” Marivate said. “They had not been waiting; these organisations started a decade ago.”

Investment is needed in the languages themselves, including the development of digital tools, research capacity and education. Governments and private companies also need to support locally developed technology rather than simply importing or reselling systems developed elsewhere.

“We do need to put investments in developing our languages, not for AI, but developing our languages, making sure there's tooling that's available to get people to be able to engage.”

He argues that without procurement and investment that support African technology companies and researchers, a sustainable ecosystem cannot emerge. That is particularly important because poorly performing AI systems can have consequences beyond inconvenience.

If an AI service works well in English but produces unreliable results in an African language, users may assume the technology is equally capable across languages when it is not. Marivate warns that this can lead to genuinely harmful experiences.

“If we're not having an active ecosystem that is doing this work, there is a higher likelihood that people are going to have really bad experiences.”

The next phase of his work is therefore moving towards evaluating how well existing large language models actually perform in African languages.

Africa, he acknowledged, remains heavily dependent on technology developed elsewhere. But he argues that building local research and development capacity means the continent can anticipate technological change rather than simply react to it.

“We need to be building ourselves,” he said, “so that we can then learn how to do it better.”

TextAugment began as a response to the limited digital representation of African languages. Its adoption shows the wider opportunity: when African researchers build for the continent’s realities, they can produce technology with global value.

bird story agency

After more than a year of in-orbit testing, China has achieved a major breakthrough in its laser communication test between Earth and the Moon.

Researchers have successfully established a two-way laser link across the roughly 400,000-kilometre distance between Earth and the Moon, marking the first time such high-speed laser communication has been conducted between the two celestial bodies.

The breakthrough marks a significant step forward for China's space laser communications, extending their application from near-Earth orbit into cislunar space.

Space laser communication transmits information using laser beams. Compared with conventional microwave communication, it offers several advantages, including greater bandwidth, higher data rates, improved pointing accuracy, and enhanced security.

The equipment is also more compact and lighter, supporting high-speed two-way communication with flexible transmission and reception. However, longer transmission distances introduce considerable technical difficulties.

"Deep-space communication can span hundreds of thousands of kilometres, placing extremely stringent demands on beam-pointing accuracy. By the time a laser signal travels such a long distance to reach the ground, it has undergone severe attenuation, becoming extremely weak and difficult to detect. At the same time, high-speed transmission technologies face constraints, making it difficult to achieve higher transmission rates," said Yang Lei, a researcher at the Technology and Engineering Centre for Space Utilisation under the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and head of the laser communication experiment team.

Achieving precise pointing over an ultra-long distance was the first major hurdle. Communication between Earth and the Moon has been likened to "threading a needle across thousands of miles": it requires directing an extremely narrow beam of light toward a rapidly moving target some 400,000 kilometres away. Even a tiny angular deviation at the transmitting end can result in a positional error of several kilometres by the time the beam reaches the vicinity of its intended receiver.

To address this challenge, the research team developed an innovative two-way acquisition and tracking approach designed for ultra-long distances and extremely weak signals. By calculating and systematically calibrating a range of factors — including satellite orbits, telescope mounting and deformation errors, atmospheric refraction, and laser propagation time — the team has enabled both orbiting satellites and ground-based telescopes to remain precisely aligned while in motion, ensuring the laser beam accurately reached its target.

Once the pointing problem was solved, the team faced another hurdle: detecting and identifying extremely weak signals. By the time the laser traveled some 400,000 kilometres to reach the ground, its signal had attenuated to just a few photons, leaving the ground-based telescope with very little signal to detect. At the same time, interference from moonlight, starlight and city lights made it even more difficult to distinguish the useful signal — akin to trying to hear a needle drop in the middle of a bustling city thousands of miles away.

To tackle this, the research team deployed ultra-sensitive detectors capable of detecting individual photons and developed sophisticated signal-processing algorithms. These technologies allowed the team to filter through vast amounts of noise and accurately extract useful signal.

Transmission speeds also needed to keep pace. After achieving stable signal reception, the team continued to improve data-processing efficiency. The experiment initially achieved an uplink rate of 1.25 Mbps (megabits per second) and a downlink rate of 100 Mbps. "Take an 8K high-definition image of the lunar surface, for example. Transmitting it down using a conventional 5 Mbps microwave link would take four to five minutes. With 100 Mbps laser communication, it takes only about 12 seconds," Yang said.

The experiment was led by the Technology and Engineering Centre for Space Utilisation, with participation from Zhejiang Lab, the Yunnan Observatories under the CAS, and the Shanghai Institute of Microsystem and Information Technology under the CAS.

"An Earth‑Moon 'information superhighway' is now up and running. Going forward, we will be able to secure more scientifically original datasets," Yang said. He added that the lightweight, compact, low-power and high-speed information transmission capabilities enabled by the technologies developed through the experiment will also provide a new means of high-speed information transmission for China's manned lunar missions, the development of a lunar research station and deep-space exploration, contributing to more original scientific achievements in China's space science and applications.

People's Daily Online

Apple has finally unveiled its new iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, introducing a major camera upgrade, longer battery life and a more powerful new chip.

The phone maker announced the new flagship smartphones on Wednesday evening, with Apple focusing on improved photography, performance and artificial intelligence features.

The latest Pro models come as Apple looks to give users more control over photography while improving everyday performance.

The biggest change is the new 48MP Fusion Main camera, which introduces variable aperture to an iPhone for the first time, allowing the camera to adjust how much light enters the lens and giving users greater control over the look of their photos.

Greg Joswiak, Apple’s senior vice president of Worldwide Marketing, said the company had focused on the areas that matter most to users, including the camera, performance, battery life and intelligence.

“With iPhone 18 Pro, we’ve made advancements to the areas our users care about most: camera, performance, battery, and intelligence,” Joswiak said.

“iPhone 18 Pro makes it easy for anyone to capture stunning photos and videos using variable aperture, while providing more versatility for creators and more control for pros. Paired with impactful upgrades to Photographic Styles and powerful video capabilities, iPhone 18 Pro unlocks entirely new ways for users to express themselves.”

Apple said the new camera system is designed to make it easier for everyday users to take better photos while giving professional users more control.

The variable aperture can automatically adjust depending on lighting and depth of field, while users can manually select from four aperture settings through the Camera app.

The Camera app also gets new Pro controls, allowing users to adjust settings such as shutter speed, white balance and aperture. A new histogram provides another way for photographers to monitor exposure when taking pictures.

The iPhone 18 Pro models also bring improvements to video. Users can now apply Cinematic effects after recording videos at up to 60 frames per second, while Time-lapse mode supports 4K and Dolby Vision HDR.

How much the phones will cost in South Africa

Apple has not yet announced South African pricing for the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, but the US starting prices provide an indication of where the new models could sit locally.

The iPhone 18 Pro starts at US$1,199 (R19,230), while the iPhone 18 Pro Max starts at US$1,299 (R20,830). That is US$100 (R1,604) more than the starting prices of the previous generation, according to the launch information.

South African buyers will likely pay more than the direct rand conversion of these prices, as local pricing also takes into account factors such as taxes, duties, distribution and Apple's regional pricing.

In South Africa, iStore currently lists the iPhone 17 Pro 256GB at R27,999, although it is currently discounted to R24,999. The iPhone 17 Pro Max 256GB has a regular price of R30,699, currently discounted to R27,999.

If we take the US increases as a percentage and apply them to the local products, we end up with price estimations of R30,550 for the iPhone 18 Pro and R33,250 for the iPhone 18 Pro Max. However, these are purely estimates, and the official local pricing structure could differ significantly.

mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za

IOL Business

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Apple unveiled its long-awaited first foldable smartphone, the iPhone Duo, on Wednesday, at the company's first launch event since CEO John Ternus took the reins on September 1.

Apple's first foldable comes seven years after Samsung pioneered the category, but the American tech giant is expected to take a sizable chunk of the market.

"Others have created foldables that just feel like two phones awkwardly stuck together," Ternus said in a video shown at the Steve Jobs Theater at Apple's headquarters in Cupertino, California.

Apple wanted a device with a large display "that feels as natural and intuitive as (the) iPad," said the former head of Apple's hardware division, who succeeded Tim Cook this month.

The format essentially combines the portability of a smartphone with the larger display of a tablet, offering users a bigger screen without carrying a tablet-sized device.

Roughly the size and shape of a passport when folded, the iPhone Duo is made with titanium and has a 7.6-inch (19-centimeter) internal display and a 5.4-inch (14-centimeter) external display.

It is available in two colors, "star white" and "night sky."

When will the Apple Duo go on sale

The Duo will go on sale in 70 countries beginning October 23, the company said.

Apple touted the phone's multiple cameras, including a front-facing external lens, two back-facing lenses and an internal lens. The lenses can be used simultaneously when the device is fully open.

The Duo is priced starting at $1,999, slightly more than Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8, which starts at around $1,899.

Apple also announced a new monthly leasing program called Apple Upgrade, which lets customers pay off their purchase over one or two years.

Samsung launched the industry's first mainstream foldable smartphone, the Galaxy Fold, in 2019.

Foldable smartphones make up a tiny fraction of the market, at less than 2 percent of global shipments, but Apple is expected to capture about a third of demand with its entry, according to research firm IDC.

"Apple's foldable iPhone is very likely to shift the competitive dynamics both in China and global markets," IDC research associate Kiranjeet Kaur told AFP.

AFP

Seasons come and go, and with the resulting change, lovers of technology will always be in search for more devices to add to their collection.

With is in mind, HONOR has launched its Spring Sale which is meant to provide more access to South Africans who are interested in delving deeper into its product ecosystem and get their hands on the best technological innovation and quality, at a price that makes it a worthwhile purchase. 

What you need to know about the HONOR Spring Sale

The HONOR Spring Sale runs from the 8th of September until the 7th of October 2026 and will be available in all participating retail stores nationwide. With the sale, HONOR aims to ensures that consumers will get great deals on some of HONOR’s flagship, mid-range and innovative devices in its product ecosystem. 

Featured products and pricing deals that are part of the Spring sale:

• HONOR X7e retails for a recommended retail price of R5,499 prepaid. This will be accompanied by free gifts in the form of the HONOR Choice Watch 2i (worth R999), HONOR Choice Earbuds X8i (worth R499)

• HONOR X9d retails from R439 x 36 months. The deal features free HONOR Choice Earbuds Clip (worth R1999).  

• HONOR 600 retails from R549 x 36 months. The deal features free HONOR Choice Earbuds Clip (worth R1999). 

• HONOR 600 Pro retails from R789 x 36 months. The deal features free HONOR Choice Earbuds Clip (worth R1999)

• HONOR Magic V6 retails from R1599 x 36 months. The deal features free HONOR Watch 6 (worth R4499). 

* Recommended Retail Price may differ per retailer. Ask in-store for more details. 

The HONOR Springe Sale invites tech savvy South Africans to immerse themselves into the variety, affordability and convenience offered by HONOR’s ecosystem of products that speak to each other with the sole aim of enhancing South African’s experience when it comes to consuming, viewing or creating the most breathtaking content or keeping up with their health and fitness goals. 

Whether your purpose is to boost the way you work, play or do business, the HONOR Spring Sale has something tailored just for you – get yourself to your nearest trusted retailer and find your deal. 

Technology distributor Core Group hosted an exclusive press preview at The Capital on Park in Sandton on Tuesday, introducing Microsoft’s latest range of Copilot+ PC Surface devices designed specifically for commercial and enterprise workloads.

The preview highlighted the next-generation Surface Pro and Surface Laptop for Business, featuring updated form factors, 3:2 high-resolution displays, and up to 17 hours of battery life on a single charge.

Powered by the latest Intel Core Ultra and Snapdragon processors, the new hardware yields up to 50 TOPs (Trillions of Operations Per Second) of processing capacity to handle modern AI-driven tasks directly on the machine.

During the keynote address, John Press, Microsoft Surface Business Unit Head at Core Group, emphasised the strategic shift toward on-device AI processing driven by Neural Processing Units (NPUs).

Localising compute workloads addresses growing enterprise concerns around data privacy and cloud subscription costs. In a live demonstration showcasing a credit risk assessment tool, Press highlighted how local NPU execution allows complex risk modelling, document translation, and e-signatures to occur seamlessly offline—eliminating latency while protecting sensitive data.

Beyond the core device lineup, Press shared an exclusive preview of an upcoming category addition: the Surface Ultra. Built explicitly for creators, developers, designers, and power users, the upcoming Surface Ultra is expected to feature NVIDIA RTX graphics processing, unified memory configurations up to 128GB, and petaflop-scale AI compute performance.

"Surface was originally created to benchmark what hardware could achieve alongside Windows," noted Press during the presentation. "With the integration of dedicated NPU architecture, on-device AI represents the next major evolution in business productivity."

The latest Microsoft Surface for Business devices and official accessories are now rolling out through authorised commercial resellers across South Africa.

@Michael_Sherman

IOL Tech

Banking apps have offered South Africans great convenience by allowing them to manage their money and make payments from their phones, but they have also become the main channel used in digital banking crime.

According to a new report by the South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC), banking app-related crime accounted for about 89% of reported digital banking crime cases in 2025 and 70.5% of the total claim amount.

The figures show that banking apps were linked to R1.7 billion in reported client losses during the year, making them the biggest contributor to digital banking crime losses.

"Banking App accounted for approximately 89% of reported cases and about 70.5% of the total claim amount. Internet Banking accounted for fewer than 9% of cases but approximately 28.6% of claim value, showing that a smaller number of cases can still result in substantial financial exposure," the report noted.

"Mobile Banking represented fewer than 3% of cases and less than 1% of claim value but remained important because of its association with SIM swap-related risk".

SABRIC recorded 110,074 digital banking crime incidents in 2025, with total reported client claims reaching R2.41 billion, up 29.2% from R1.86 billion in 2024.

Criminals don’t need to hack the banking app

However, SABRIC stressed that the figures do not mean criminals were breaking into banking apps or bank systems.

"Banking apps were the primary channel for Digital Banking Crime in 2025. This does not mean that banking applications or bank systems were compromised."

"In many cases, the fraud began outside the banking platform, when criminals impersonated trusted organisations, created urgency, or guided customers through transactions in real time. The banking application is used to add beneficiaries, approve payments or move funds after the customer had been deceived."

mthobisi.nozulela@iol.co.za

IOL Business

Get your news on the go. Download the latest IOL App for Android and IOS now

It’s not uncommon these days for tech companies to hike prices and monetise services that were previously included, and Microsoft is proving no exception with its latest Xbox changes.

I recently received an email from Xbox announcing that its Cloud Gaming service will now be capped at a set number of hours per month. Under the new limits, Game Pass Essential members get just five hours per month, Game Pass Premium gets 10 hours, and the top-tier Game Pass Ultimate gets 15 hours.

Capping a feature that was previously unlimited—and heavily marketed as part of the platform's value proposition—feels like a step too far. For context, cloud gaming allows users to stream games directly from Microsoft’s servers to their consoles, handhelds, or mobile devices without waiting on large downloads.

Even the 15-hour monthly allowance on the Ultimate tier is a fraction of what active users need. That breaks down to less than four hours a week—an allocation many regular gamers could easily burn through in a single weekend.

Unfortunately, this restriction is just one part of a broader trend where consumers receive less while paying more.

When the Xbox Series S and X launched six years ago in November 2020, they retailed internationally at $300 (roughly R5,100 at the time) and $500 (around R8,600) respectively. While South African retail prices were slightly higher due to import costs, they remained relatively accessible.

I bought my Xbox Series S in March 2023 for R5,999. Today, that exact same model retails for upwards of R9,299—an increase of over R3,300 for three-year-old hardware on a platform that is now six years into its lifecycle. If you want to pick up the flagship Series X today, it will set you back around R14,999. When I originally considered the Series X, it was sitting near R11,000—a steep price tag at the time, but reasonable compared to today's figures.

Xbox’s current strategy appears clear: introduce convenient features to build a loyal subscriber base, and slowly restrict access or raise prices down the line. If you’re an Xbox player feeling like the value of your setup is eroding, you aren't imagining it.

@Michael_Sherman

IOL Tech

* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL.

** JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Send us an email with your comments, thoughts or responses to opinion@iol.co.za. Letters should be a maximum of 500 words, and may be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Submissions should include a contact number and physical address (not for publication).

Women are increasingly playing a prominent role in South Africa’s technology sector, building businesses, creating employment and developing solutions that are changing how people and organisations connect, operate and grow.

The Innovator Trust Women in Tech (WIT) Awards aim to recognise this contribution, with a particular focus on women-led small and medium-sized enterprises in the ICT sector.

The WIT Awards will return on Tuesday, November 24, 2026, with free virtual registration open to women across South Africa.

The 2026 awards will recognise the achievements of growing female-owned SMEs in South Africa’s ICT sector. The nominees and participants have taken part in the Innovator Trust’s Start-up Enterprise Development, Youth Entrepreneurship and Supplier Development incubation programmes.

Through these programmes, participants have developed their ability to digitise, monetise and scale their businesses, with WIT providing a platform to showcase their progress from incubation to growth.

The awards will also feature a speaker programme focusing on the opportunities and challenges facing women in business and technology.

Previous WIT speakers have included former Public Protector Professor Thuli Madonsela, former Deputy President Dr Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, business leader Irene Charnley, African futurist and business strategy adviser Dr Roze Phillips, Vodacom Central Region Managing Executive Tsatsi Mthimunye and Cisco Senior Director for Africa Charmaine Houvet.

Their contributions have linked the experiences of individual business owners to broader discussions around leadership, access to opportunities and economic participation.

Tashline Jooste, CEO of the Innovator Trust, said this year's theme, Tech Believers, highlights women who have turned their ideas into businesses and solutions.

“WIT celebrates evidence and action. We see it in growing businesses, new jobs and technology that solves very real problems in our country. Through this year’s theme, Tech Believers, WIT and its partners recognise the women who have backed their ideas with action and call on the market to back proven ability with real opportunity,” said Jooste.

Jooste said visibility could also have commercial value for women-owned businesses, influencing which companies are considered when contracts become available and which entrepreneurs are viewed as ready to scale.

While awards cannot replace access to capital, procurement opportunities or long-term business support, she said recognition could help strengthen the credibility of women-owned businesses as they pursue those opportunities.

The Tech Believers theme also highlights the risks taken by women entrepreneurs before their businesses have been validated by the market.

Women founders invest time and resources, develop their capabilities and continue building their businesses while working to convince others of the potential of their ideas.

The WIT initiative argues that the wider technology ecosystem needs to support this entrepreneurial activity through contracts, capital, mentorship, partnerships and market access.

The awards will continue to recognise women working in technology and the contribution of their businesses to job creation, problem-solving and the growth of South Africa’s digital economy.

IOL Business

Get your news on the go. Download the latest IOL App for Android and IOS now.

The United Nations rights chief warned that artificial intelligence could pose an "existential threat to humanity", demanding immediate action to reduce the risks.

Speaking before the UN Human Rights Council, Volker Turk warned that humans currently faced "unfamiliar, even unprecedented" threats to their rights.

"The need for AI governance is widely acknowledged, but where is the action?" he asked, warning that "delay only benefits the massive tech companies, their owners and enablers".

Turk decried that "a handful of men has almost unlimited power over AI, which we are repeatedly told has unimaginable computing capacity".

"They talk about freedom, but on closer inspection, this turns out to be little more than the freedom to exploit our data," the rights chief said.

Turk warned in particular that "AI that escapes its testing environment or blackmails developers to prevent itself from being turned off, is AI that is too powerful".

He appeared to be alluding to revelations in July that OpenAI agents had escaped supposedly controlled environments and had broken into servers of Hugging Face, a widely used platform where programmers share AI software.

That episode shook the tech world and revived calls for tighter regulation and oversight of AI.

Anthropic, Meta and other companies have reported similar incidents while testing agents.

"I share the concerns of industry insiders that advanced AI could pose an existential risk to humanity," Turk said.

"I am calling here, today, for an all-out effort to put cast iron guarantees in place around the safety and security of AI, before it is too late."

The UN rights chief said he would be writing to AI companies in coming days "to urge them to take the steps that are within their control to reduce risks now".

At a minimum, he said, "we need countries hosting AI and those involved in its supply chains to come together around agreed red lines".

"We need independent verification, and much stronger collaboration on security within the industry," he said.

"We also need to consider the human rights impacts of AI on employment practices, on fundamental principles of democracy, and on our environment."

AFP

Apple is generally known for perfecting products rather than pioneering them, and this is expected to be the case once again as it prepares to unveil its first foldable iPhone.

The tech giant is holding its much-anticipated Apple event on Wednesday, where a number of new products should be confirmed. Chief among these is Apple’s first foray into a foldable phone, which is rumoured to be called the iPhone Ultra.

Unlike most foldable devices currently available on the market—which feature taller, narrow aspect ratios—this phone will be wider in shape. It is believed to have a 5.5-inch OLED outer display, which folds out into a 7.8-inch OLED display at full size.

According to MacRumors, the design will be close to an iPad mini when unfolded, with Samsung's Galaxy Z Fold8 believed to have the most similar dimensions.

Apple is also thought to again be pursuing extreme thinness with the Ultra, aiming for a mere 4.5mm in thickness when unfolded. If achieved, it will be the thinnest iPhone ever made.

However, an ultra-thin form factor brings familiar performance concerns. While the device is slated to feature an improved A20 Pro chip—with the hope that most performance issues will be alleviated—history suggests that Apple's pursuit of slim designs often comes with trade-offs.

Of course, in Apple’s relentless pursuit of thinness in the past, there are usually performance compromises. Take, for example, the iPhone Air, which was released in September last year. Though it was Apple’s thinnest iPhone ever at the time, there were serious performance drawbacks, including a much weaker battery. Apple even had the ludicrous idea to sell an external battery separately to compensate for the reduced battery life.

It is not the first time Apple has done something like this. In 2008, the original MacBook Air was launched. Though it was by far the thinnest laptop ever made at the time, it was a hunk of junk when it came to performance: it was prone to overheating, featured a tiny, slow iPod hard drive, and was notoriously expensive despite these drawbacks. In comparison, the modern MacBook Air though it comes with a hefty price tag, is a performance powerhouse.

Whether the new A20 Pro chip can break this historical trend and balance extreme thinness with high performance remains the central question heading into Wednesday’s reveal.

@Michael_Sherman

IOL Sport

The opening ceremony of the China International Big Data Industry Expo was held on August 28, 2026 at the Guiyang International Eco-Conference Center in Guiyang, southwest China's Guizhou Province. It was a landmark event that kicked off a weekend of innovation, brainstorming and networking in the areas of big data, AI and robotics.

At the opening ceremony, several high-profile figures in both government and industry spoke about new developments and new potentials within the realm of data.

The slogan of the Big Data Expo, "Data Creates More Value, Innovation Brings a Better Future," was echoed through each of the speeches. The theme of this year's expo, "Token: A New Path to Value of Data Elements," was also highlighted in each speech at the opening ceremony.

Since 2015, China International Big Data Expo has been one of the leading conferences relating to big data technology. Each year here in Guiyang, industry elites in the fields of AI, cloud storage, block-chain, as well as data analysis and aggregation gather here to bring new ideas to the table and showcase cutting-edge technology in their respective niches.

People's Daily Online

From autonomous vehicles navigating city streets and drones conducting inspections to robots sorting parcels at delivery centers, China is accelerating the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into the transportation sector, opening up new applications across roads, railways, aviation, ports and postal services. From intelligent driving and smart highways to automated sorting and drone-based inspections, AI is increasingly being deployed to improve transport efficiency, safety and services.

In June, China's Ministry of Transport, together with four other government departments, issued an action plan for innovation in typical application scenarios of "AI + transportation". The plan envisages that by 2030, a new wave of infrastructure, technical equipment, service models, and industrial forms driven by "AI + transportation" will emerge.

How will innovation in these application scenarios be advanced? And how can AI help drive high-quality development in transportation? People's Daily spoke with officials and industry experts.

On the Beijing-Xiong'an Expressway, AI-powered technologies are becoming part of the driving experience throughout the one-hour journey. A dedicated mini program provides drivers with real-time traffic updates.

Smart roadside poles flash yellow in heavy fog, helping drivers identify their position on the road. At toll stations, robots dispense tickets automatically, helping shorten waiting times.

"Through cooperation with Baidu AI Cloud and leveraging large-scale AI models, the Beijing-Xiong'an Expressway achieves second-level alert push and one-click notification for abnormal incidents, with an accuracy rate of over 95 percent in identifying emergencies," said an executive from Hebei Expressway Group, which manages the expressway.

As roads become smarter, vehicles are becoming more intelligent, too.

"In recent years, we have accelerated the integration of AI with transportation, focusing on infrastructure, vehicles and equipment, transport services and industry governance. We have identified 860 pioneering application scenarios covering all major transport sectors, including railways, highways, waterways, aviation and postal services," said Xu Wenqiang, director of the science and technology department of the Ministry of Transport.

The action plan identifies 10 major areas, including intelligent driving, smart highways, intelligent railways, smart civil aviation, smart postal services and intelligent multimodal transport. It also sets out a first batch of 41 typical application scenarios, along with guidelines for their development.

A review of these scenarios reveals two notable features.

The first is a strong focus on people's needs and tangible benefits for the public.

For example, the plan promotes applications such as intelligent passenger-flow management for urban public transportation and smart route optimisation. It also includes applications addressing shared concerns of the public and businesses, such as early warning systems for dense fog on expressways, intelligent security check, and smart monitoring of cold-chain transportation. The aim is to use AI to make travel more convenient and ensure the smooth movement of goods.

The second is a strong focus on industrial applications and mutual empowerment.

Many of the typical scenarios target areas with strong potential to drive industrial transformation, including intelligent driving for heavy-duty trucks, smart scheduling at ports and autonomous health management of railway equipment. Such applications can inject new momentum into the transformation and upgrading of the transportation sector while providing AI companies with large-scale, real-world testing environments. This helps align transport needs with AI technologies, creating opportunities for both sides to grow.

"These 10 areas will help promote large-scale innovation and application of AI in transportation," Xu said. He added that the ministry will continue to monitor technological advances and industry needs, issue guidelines for additional batches of application scenarios, and continuously expand the range of available AI applications.

The postal and express delivery sector is another important area for AI applications. At the front end, intelligent route-planning technologies are improving network-wide scheduling. At the middle end, smart sorting systems boost operational efficiency. At the last mile, more than 16,000 autonomous delivery vehicles and over 400 drones are now in operation across China, improving the quality and efficiency of delivery services.

"By focusing on production, services and management across the postal and express delivery sector, AI is helping improve quality while reducing costs and increasing efficiency," said Xu Huarong, deputy director-general of the department of policy and regulation of the State Post Bureau.

Safety is the lifeline of railway operations. "AI enables us to identify potential safety risks on railways in advance and take preventive action proactively," said Liu Yan, deputy director-general of the department of science, technology and law of the National Railway Administration.

Along China's high-speed railways, 56,000 cameras have been connected to monitoring systems, covering key locations such as tunnel entrances and bridge approaches. Using AI-powered analysis that combines video and radar data, the systems can automatically identify people or foreign objects that have entered railway tracks. As of April 2026, nearly 310,000 valid alerts had been handled.

Looking ahead, the action plan calls for advancing large-scale innovative application of "AI + transportation" in a steady and orderly manner. It aims to support the building of an intelligent, comprehensive and multi-dimensional transport network, and to boost integrated development, safety improvement, digital-intelligent upgrading and green transition of the transportation sector.

"Building a modern, high-quality national comprehensive multi-dimensional transport network, alongside progress in integrated development, safety improvement, digital-intelligent upgrading, and green transition, constitutes the core guideline for high-quality transportation development both now and in the long run," Xu Wenqiang said. "AI + transportation will serve as the key technological engine to drive its implementation."

People's Daily Online

Is the AI apocalypse upon us? It's most likely not, but Claude, ChatGPT/Codex, and Grok users reported disruptions earlier on Thursday.

So people who used AI for free therapy sessions or making caricatures might have had a bit of a hard time.  

The outage comes as OpenAI is believed to be teasing its next big model, GPT-6 Astra. The new model may see OpenAI models upgrade from GPT-5.6 to GPT-6

According to reports, the issue is affecting ChatGPT on the web, mobile, and desktop. Claude appears to experience the same outage, and Grok is having a service issue.

What is happening?

People around the world started reporting that ChatGPT and OpenAI's coding tool, Codex, were failing.

Some users could still access existing chats, while others couldn't create new chats or got error messages such as 404 Not Found. Reports came from several countries, suggesting it was not just one person's internet connection.

A 404 error basically means that an app asked a server for something and the server responded: "I can't find what you're asking for." In this case, that could be caused by a problem somewhere in OpenAI's systems, but a 404 message alone does not tell us exactly what broke.

At roughly the same time, users were also reporting problems with other major AI services, including Claude and Grok.

According to users on the Hacker News forum, users suggested a data-centre outage; an AWS or other cloud infrastructure problem; one AI service going down and users flooding competitors with traffic; or, jokingly, that the AI apocalypse had begun.

It is worth noting that none of those theories was confirmed in the discussion.

So, is ChatGPT actually down?

It was experiencing a real problem earlier, but OpenAI's official status page currently says its systems are fully operational. The status history shows that ChatGPT Work Mode experienced high error rates on Thursday and that the affected services later recovered.

IOL

Grassroots esports is quietly solving one of African gaming’s biggest headaches: bridging the gap between casual couch play and structured competitive careers.

At the Kasi Flare 2026 Mid-Year Finals in Gauteng, 32 players from 32 distinct community hubs across South Africa faced off in EA Sports FC 26.

Taking the top spot was 21-year-old Stellenbosch computer science student Logan "KD15869" Mercuur.

Representing Paarl's RMW7 Arcade Gaming hub, Mercuur’s path from playing Xbox with his brother in Worcester to lifting a national trophy highlights a shifting dynamic in local esports infrastructure.

Kasi Flare: Revolutionising Esports Access in South Africa

For years, high equipment costs, fragmented tournament structures, and travel barriers kept underground talent isolated.

Kasi Flare—a proprietary property run by esports agency Mettlestate—bypasses this by decentralising the entry point. By embedding structured leagues directly into township and local arcade hubs, players accumulate points locally before advancing to national stages.

Mercuur’s victory alongside podium finishers Zaheer Hoosain (23, Cape Town) and Sanele Muhlanga (16, Mpumalanga) demonstrates how accessible hub networks lower the barrier to entry without sacrificing high-stakes competition.

As Mettlestate Managing Director Barry Louzada notes, talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. Local hub ecosystems provide the structured funnel required to transform casual passion into 'tangible visibility', backed by increasingly supportive families who view competitive gaming as a legitimate discipline rather than a distraction.

The Kasi Flare circuit now shifts toward its grand finale at the rAge Expo from November 27–29 at Fourways Mall, where the country's top hub qualifiers will compete on South Africa's largest gaming stage.

@Michael_Sherman

IOL Tech

New York City will ban the use of artificial intelligence for students in public schools through eighth grade, a source close to the matter told AFP, confirming US media reports.

Teachers and parents have warned against the use of AI in schools over concerns about harming children's mental health and cognitive development, as well as environmental damage.

AI use will only be allowed in high school, which begins in the ninth grade in the American school system, the source said.

Even then, it will be limited to specific uses, such as learning about the technology itself, they said.

Eighth graders in the US are typically about 13 years old.

New York City Hall and the city's education department did not immediately respond to AFP's request for comment.

Only teachers will be allowed to use AI

According to the New York Times, AI "companion chatbots" offering psychological support will also be banned.

The rules, however, allow teachers to use AI for tasks including preparing lessons or writing messages.

The new rules are to be announced on Wednesday, the Times reported.

The city's education department recommends limiting screen time to 45 minutes in class for middle schoolers -- sixth through eighth grade -- and 30 minutes for elementary school students.

But the question remains of how to monitor AI use, since it often takes place outside the school environment.

The new rules follow an initial framework published in March, which used a traffic light system to determine which tasks AI would be used for.

The framework, which allowed students to use AI for research, exploration and creative projects, sparked fury among many parents and teachers who considered it too lenient.

'Missed the mark'

In response, the city's schools chancellor Kamar Samuels said that leaders had "missed the mark" in their communications, adding his office would carefully review parents' feedback for incorporation into future rules.

The city had long planned to follow the March framework with a more comprehensive "guidebook" to take feedback into account, the education department has said.

The department will set up a task force made up of teachers, elected officials, experts and union representatives.

The task force is to produce a report in April, intended to serve as the basis for New York's AI-in-schools policy.

The city's public school technology policies are closely watched by the rest of the United States, as it is by far the largest school district in the country, with over 900,000 students in 2024–2025.

AFP

About a year ago, I wrote about an unusual shift in the tech market: Apple was offering some of the most genuinely affordable value-for-money devices, anchored by the runaway success of the Mac mini.

Back then, the M4 model launched at R13,999—frequently dropping to R11,999 on sale via Amazon.co.za—and packed a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and 16GB of unified memory. Its only real shortcoming was the skimpy 256GB SSD.

Apple’s latest iteration flips that value proposition on its head. The updated Mac mini now starts at a steep R17,699, boasting a new M6 chip with a 12-core CPU and 12-core GPU. Yet despite the higher entry fee, Apple stubbornly kept the base configuration at 16GB of unified memory and that same laughably small 256GB drive.

In late 2026, shipping a premium device with so little local storage feels borderline criminal. It is especially frustrating given that the Mac mini is heavily marketed toward power users like video editors, who can easily fill a 256GB drive in a single afternoon.

Apple’s Pricing Strategy Confuses Buyers: M4 Mac Mini vs. Entry-Level MacBook Neo

Adding to the confusion, Apple has shifted the older M4 lineup to start at R24,499, which only gets you a bumped configuration of 24GB memory and 512GB storage.

To be clear, the core appeal of the Mac mini hasn't changed. It remains an absolute powerhouse, capable of fluid 4K video editing, heavy photo processing, and multi-track audio engineering at breakneck speeds with virtually zero fan noise. Apple silicon makes all of this possible inside a chassis remarkably smaller than almost any competing Windows desktop.

However, this recent price jump blurs the buying decision. For everyday users, it may now make more sense to look toward the entry-level MacBook Neo, which starts at R13,999. The catch? Apple’s cheapest laptop still ships with a paltry 8GB of memory.

By pushing up the desktop's entry price while hamstringing its base laptop on RAM, Apple once again leaves prospective buyers trapped in a confusing maze of compromises.

@Michael_Sherman

IOL Sport

* The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL.

The moments we remember most rarely arrive with much warning. It might be the light suddenly turning spectacular on the drive home. Your favourite song starting at a concert. A friend laughing before they realise anyone is taking a photograph. An animal appearing in the distance on a weekend away. Or an ordinary afternoon that somehow becomes one of the best days of the year.

You do not schedule these moments. You simply have to be ready for them.

That thinking sits behind Now is Your Moment, the philosophy at the heart of the HUAWEI Pura90s Series. Now available in South Africa, the HUAWEI Pura 90s Pro and Pura 90s Pro Max are built around a simple idea. Technology should make it easier to capture, enjoy and share life as it happens, rather than getting in the way of it.

When you cannot simply move closer

Some of the best moments happen just beyond reach. At a concert, you cannot walk onto the stage. At a sports match, the action may be happening on the opposite side of the field. On a game drive, getting closer is often neither possible nor advisable.

The HUAWEI Pura 90s Pro Max is designed for exactly these situations. Its 200MP Ultra Large Sensor Telephoto Camera brings serious long-range photography into your pocket, with 4x optical zoom and support for 20x ultra-telephoto video. Huawei has also incorporated CIPA 7.0 image stabilisation to help keep those distant photographs and videos steady.

It changes the kind of memory you can keep. Instead of photographing an entire stage, you can capture the performer. Instead of simply seeing an animal somewhere across the landscape, you can preserve the details that made you stop and look in the first place.

For moments happening closer to home, the HUAWEI Pura 90s Pro brings an ultra-lighting macro telephoto camera capable of focusing from just 5 cm, opening another world of tiny details, from food and flowers to jewellery and textures.

Life does not come with studio lighting

Neither does real life wait for the perfect light. A sunset places a bright sky behind the people you are photographing. Restaurants mix warm lighting with sunlight from the windows. The concert shifts from red to blue to purple in seconds.

Both HUAWEI Pura 90s models feature True-to-Colour Camera 2.0, designed to reproduce colours more accurately across changing and complex lighting conditions. The Pura 90s ProMax adds an Ultra Lighting HDR camera to capture greater detail across the brightest and darkest parts of a scene.

The result is technology working towards something surprisingly simple. The photograph should look more like the moment you remember.

Not every moment arrives perfectly framed

Real life also has an inconvenient habit of photobombing itself. Someone walks into the background. A window creates an unwanted reflection. One person in the group closes their eyes just as everyone else finally looks good.

The Pura 90s Series introduces intelligent photography tools designed around these familiar frustrations. AI composition can provide guidance on framing and positioning before you take the photograph. AI De-glare helps remove reflections from photographs captured through glass, while AI Move allows elements within an image to be repositioned, resized, or duplicated. AIBest Expression can help rescue those group photographs where not everyone managed their best smile at exactly the same second.

Rather than making photography more complicated, AI becomes the quiet assistant helping you get closer to the photograph you wanted.

Before AI De-Glare After AI De-Glare

Designed to come along for the ride

Of course, the phone capturing your life becomes part of your lifestyle too. Huawei's Rhythm of Color design gives the Pura 90s Series an expressive identity that feels deliberately different from the predictable smartphone palette. The Pura 90s Pro Max is available locally in Blush Gold, Blaze Purple, and Graphite Black, while the Pura 90s Pro is offered in Orange Soda, Coconut White, and Mulberry Black.

There is practical thinking behind the design too. The HUAWEI 90s Pro Max's anti-reflection and scratch-resistant Kunlun Glass can reduce reflections by up to 70 percent, helping when checking photographs, navigation, or messages under bright South African sunlight.

Both models also carry a 6000mAh battery, so the day can move from photographs and navigation to music, messages, video, and sharing without constantly turning into a search for the nearest plug.

Your moment is already happening

There will always be photographs we plan. The birthday pose. The holiday sunset. The picture everyone knows is about to be taken. But the photographs that become favourites are often the ones that happened in between.

Now is Your Moment is less about waiting for something extraordinary and more about noticing what is already happening around you. So is this your Pura moment?

The 5G HUAWEI Pura 90s Series is now available through select retailers, HUAWEI Experience Stores, operators, and the Huawei Online Store, from R849 per month over 36 months or from R19,999.

Earlier this week, Apple quietly dropped a new product via a press release on its website, confirming the next generation of Mac mini models.

Notably, the standard Mac mini is the first Apple device to feature the new M6 processor.

However, continuing recent industry trends, prices have taken another jump. In the US, the entry-level M6 Mac mini starts at $899—roughly R14,300, though local import costs and taxes will push the South African retail price higher.

Alongside it, Apple unveiled the higher-tier Mac mini Pro powered by the M5 chip, starting at $1,699 (approximately R27,157 before local duties).

Apple’s September 9 Launch Event: Anticipated Hardware Updates and Rising Prices

With Apple’s primary annual launch event scheduled for September 9, this surprise press release breaks standard protocol. Apple rarely debuts new hardware silently right before a major keynote, sparking speculation that a massive queue of releases is waiting in the wings.

Potential upcoming reveals include a long-overdue update to the Apple TV, which has remained untouched since 2022.

Clearing these minor updates out of the way early could allow Apple to dedicate its full September keynote to the upgraded, AI-powered Siri originally announced earlier this year.

Industry watchers also expect new budget iPads and a second-generation MacBook Neo, rumoured to address memory bottlenecks by offering upgraded unified memory.

Until recently, Apple had largely been insulated from the surge in RAM and storage component prices, which have soared as AI features demand more powerful hardware.

For example on Apple.com, the price of the 15-inch MacBook Air has increased by $100 (about R1,600), while the Mac mini now costs $200 (around R3,200) more.

While much of the upcoming timeline remains speculative, one takeaway is clear: consumers should prepare for higher price tags across the board.

@Michael_Sherman

IOL Tech

South Africa's private security industry has become too important to remain trapped in an old business model.

With hundreds of thousands of security officers protecting homes, businesses, infrastructure and communities, the sector is an essential part of the country's security architecture. PSiRA's current strategy emphasises professionalisation and stronger regulation. Yet professionalisation cannot mean merely better compliance. It must mean transforming security companies into integrated risk-management businesses.

That transformation requires three professions to move from the back office to the centre of the security enterprise: accounting, auditing and cybersecurity.

Accounting may seem far removed from physical security, but it is fundamental to it. Security companies manage large workforces, payrolls, overtime, vehicles, equipment, contracts, procurement and client payments.

Weak financial controls create opportunities for fraud, corruption, ghost employees, inflated invoices and resource diversion. A company unable to account for its own assets and expenditure cannot credibly protect the assets of its clients. Accounting therefore becomes a security control: it provides the financial intelligence required to identify anomalies, leakage and emerging operational risks.

Auditing goes further. Its role should no longer be confined to checking whether financial statements are accurate. Modern security requires assurance that the organisation is doing what it claims to do. Are officers deployed where contracts require them? Are patrols actually conducted? Are access-control systems functioning? Are incident reports reliable? Are suppliers legitimate? Are surveillance systems maintained? Are client records protected?

Internal audit should become an early-warning mechanism, connecting financial, operational, technological and compliance risks. PSiRA's regulatory mandate already places public interest and effective control at the heart of private security. The next step is for security companies themselves to embrace assurance as a competitive advantage.

Then comes cybersecurity, the new perimeter.

The traditional security perimeter was a wall, gate, fence or armed guard. Today it is also a network. Security companies increasingly depend on connected cameras, biometric systems, access-control platforms, cloud services, GPS tracking, mobile applications and databases. Compromise the technology and criminals may bypass the physical perimeter altogether.

South Africa's government has acknowledged that the threat environment now includes hybrid threats and is investing in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence. The 2025 Cybersecurity Indaba similarly highlighted AI-powered attacks, deepfakes and data manipulation. For security companies, the message is blunt: a company that cannot secure its own digital infrastructure is selling protection it does not possess.

But the most visible transformation may come from artificial intelligence.

AI-enabled cameras can increasingly detect people, vehicles, objects, unusual movement and predefined behaviours, while software can analyse video continuously rather than relying on a human operator to watch multiple screens. South African technology providers are already deploying AI video analytics, and the local CCTV market is projected to expand substantially. This technology will inevitably automate some repetitive surveillance work.

That does not mean the guard becomes obsolete. This is not technological substitution; it is the redesign of professional security itself.

It means the guard's role must become more valuable.

A camera does not possess human judgement. It cannot reassure a frightened resident, manage a confrontation sensitively, search a complex scene, protect a vulnerable person or make every contextual decision required during an emergency. Nor can it replace the physical presence that deters crime. The future should be humans augmented by machines.

AI can watch continuously. Guards can interpret, verify, intervene and respond. That division of labour could make security both more effective and more humane. Machines can undertake repetitive observation, flag anomalies and reduce the burden of screen-watching. Trained officers can concentrate on investigation, response, customer interaction, access control and situations where physical judgement is indispensable.

This could also change the economics of guarding. Rather than deploying large numbers of people to perform monotonous observation, security companies could use technology to monitor wider areas while investing more heavily in fewer but better-trained officers. The objective should be to move people from repetitive tasks into higher-value security work, while creating careers in control-room operations, AI supervision, cybersecurity, investigation, risk analysis and technology maintenance.

The result could be a more risk-averse industry in the best possible sense: not timid, but systematically unwilling to tolerate preventable risk.

Consider the implications for a manufacturing plant. An AI camera identifies an unusual movement; a cybersecurity system detects an attempted intrusion; an auditor identifies a control weakness; an accountant spots an anomalous procurement transaction; and a trained response officer investigates the physical situation. These are no longer separate security events. They are interconnected indicators of risk.

The same logic applies to homes. Smart cameras, alarms, access controls and human response can create layers of protection in which technology detects, people decide and trained officers act. The objective is not surveillance for its own sake. It is earlier detection, faster intervention and fewer losses.

But there is a serious warning. AI surveillance can create new risks: privacy violations, biased identification, excessive monitoring, insecure databases and decisions made without sufficient human oversight. South Africa's regulatory environment, including POPIA and the Cybercrimes Act, makes responsible data governance increasingly important. Security companies must therefore become more technologically capable without becoming less accountable.

The industry's future depends on understanding that security is no longer a single profession. It is an ecosystem.

The guard remains its human face and physical frontline. The accountant protects its financial integrity. The auditor tests whether its controls can be trusted. The cybersecurity professional protects its digital perimeter. AI extends its eyes and ears. Management must integrate all of them into one intelligence-led risk system.

South Africa does not need a security industry that simply employs more people to stand watch. It needs a security industry capable of knowing what to watch, why it matters, how risks connect and when human intervention is required.

The security company of tomorrow will therefore not abandon the guard. It will professionalise the guard, augment the guard and place the guard within a far more intelligent security architecture.

That is the real transition: from guarding assets to managing risk.

And if South Africa gets it right, the prize is not merely a more technologically advanced security industry. It is safer homes, safer businesses, better-protected infrastructure and a security profession equipped for the risks of the twenty-first century.

Ujir Soni is a Chartered Accountant, Cybersecurity Citizen, CEO of Advanced Threat Solutions, and has been in the security-related industry for the past 10 years.

Samsung South Africa has officially launched its Spring Blue Tag Sale1, giving consumers the opportunity to own the brand's latest innovations.

Running for a limited time, the nationwide campaign offers genuine savings across Samsung's Mobile eXperience (MX) and Consumer Electronics (CE) product portfolios, making it easier than ever for consumers to upgrade the technology they use every day.

Blue Tag Sale has grown to become one of Samsung's flagship retail campaigns, combining various meaningful offers with the innovation, quality and connected experiences that consumers have come to expect from the brand.

Whether upgrading to the latest smartphone, transforming home entertainment, gaming monitor or investing in intelligent home appliances, customers can enjoy exceptional value across a wide range of products.

Blue Tag Sale gives consumers an opportunity to experience Samsung's latest technologies, from Galaxy AI and immersive entertainment to artificially intelligent home appliances, while enjoying genuine savings that make upgrading even more rewarding, offers start from 17 August 2026.

Some of the Blue Tag Sale offers include the following:¹

Mobile eXperience 

• Galaxy A07 (64GB) – Now R2,199*, save R800

• Galaxy S25 FE Jetblack – Now R9,999*, save R4,000

• Galaxy Tab S10 Lite 5G – Now R8,499*, save R1,500

• Galaxy Watch8 44mm Bluetooth – Now R5,299*, save R896

• Buds 3FE – Now R2,099*, save R400

TV & Home Entertainment

• New 65-inch Mini LED M80H 4K Samsung Vision AI Smart TV (UA65M70HAUXXA) – Now R11,999*

• Q-Series HW-Q930H 11.1.4ch Soundbar (HW-Q930H/XA) – Now R14,999* 

• New 85-inch Neo QLED QN70H 4K Samsung Vision AI Smart TV (QA65S85FZEXXA) – Now R27,999*

• B-series Soundbar HW-B450F 2.1 ch Subwoofer (HW-B450F/XA) - Now R2,499*

Home Appliances & Air Conditioners 

• Bespoke AI Side-by-Side Family Hub Refrigerator 594L (RS90F64A2FFA) - Now R44,999* (save R10,000, plus receive a free Galaxy Tab S10 Lite Wi-Fi and Galaxy Buds Core valued at R9,999)2

• Side-by-Side Refrigerator 617L (RS70F65K2FFA) - Now R22,999*, save R5,000

• AI Top Loader Washer with Ecobubble 19kg (WA80F19S8BFA) – Now R7,999*, save R3,000

• Front Loader Washer Ecobubble 9kg (WW90DG5U34ABFA) – Now R7,999*, save R2,000

• Bespoke AI WindFree AR80 Mid Wall Split (AR80F12CADW/FA) – Now R15,499*, save R3,500 

Gaming Monitors

• 40" Odyssey G7 G75F WUHD 180Hz Gaming Monitor (LS40FG750EUXEN) – Now R18,999*, save R6,000

• 27" Odyssey G5 G53F QHD 200Hz Gaming Monitor (LS27FG530EUXEN) – Now R4,499*, save R1,400

From the latest Samsung Vision AI televisions, Odyssey Gaming Monitors that deliver immersive entertainment experiences to Bespoke AI home appliances designed to simplify everyday living, and Galaxy devices that bring the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) into consumers' hands, Blue Tag Sale provides compelling reasons to upgrade every part of the connected home.

Remember, the offers are available for a limited time and while stocks last, so shop early to take advantage of these exceptional savings.

For more information on the Samsung Blue Tag Sale and participating products, click here. 

Meta agreed to pay a coalition of US states as much as $16.7 billion and to impose sweeping new limits on how teenagers use Facebook and Instagram, according to a court filing that ends a landmark trial in California.

The proposed settlement, filed in federal court, would resolve claims by 29 states that Meta deliberately engineered its platforms to hook young users, misled the public about the risks and unlawfully collected data from children under 13.

The changes to how young people use its apps go further than anything Meta has accepted before, and follow years of criticism from parents and experts over the effects of the world's biggest social media platforms on children.

Anger over the impact of Instagram and Facebook -- as well as rival apps like Snapchat and TikTok -- has driven the spread of age limits and school phone bans around the world.

In the United States, Meta still faces thousands of personal injury claims and litigation from school districts, none of which the agreement covers.

The case by the 29 states was among the most far-reaching, with Meta warning that a courtroom loss could have exposed it to more than $1 trillion in penalties.

"Meta has agreed to make massive transformations that will reduce the risk of harm from its platforms -- and will do it within months," California Attorney General Rob Bonta said in a statement.

He called the outcome "real change, real transparency, and real enforceable protections for children."

The filing states that the agreement does not amount to an admission of liability or wrongdoing by Meta, which has consistently denied the allegations. It requires court approval to take effect.

The most far-reaching provisions are not financial. Meta has agreed to a long list of new safeguards that will substantially change how the apps work for young people.

One change is an automatic nighttime block that locks teenagers out of Facebook and Instagram between midnight and 6:00 am local time.

Teenage accounts will also be capped by default at two hours of cumulative daily use across Meta's apps, though time spent messaging or watching long-form video does not count toward the limit.

Both restrictions tighten if the rest of the industry follows suit.

'Right away' 

Meta framed the deal as a template for the rest of the industry and pressed its competitors to match it.

"Because teens move fluidly across dozens of apps, we need an industry-wide solution," said C.J. Mahoney, Meta's chief legal officer.

"We therefore call on our industry peers, TikTok and YouTube, to implement this new framework, right away."

Should competing platforms adopt equivalent commitments, the overnight lockout would widen to 10 pm to 7 am and the daily allowance would fall to 60 minutes per app, capped at two hours in total.

Compliance would be policed for 10 years by an independent auditor chosen jointly by Meta and the states, and paid for by the company.

The settlement payment schedule provides for 10 annual installments. California, the largest recipient, is due $1.5 billion to $2.1 billion over the decade, followed by New York with up to $1.13 billion.

The settlement ends the trial in its second week.

Instagram boss Adam Mosseri took the stand on Tuesday and admitted he touted newly launched safety tools for teens without disclosing low adoption rates from early testing several years ago.

Other witnesses testified over the past week that Meta knew the tools were not effective and even that they were "designed to fail."

Meta founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg had been expected to testify as well.

AFP

At a star-studded and intimate media experience held today at The Venue in Melrose Arch, HONOR South Africa launched the HONOR Magic V6 together with the HONOR MagicBook X14 and HONOR Pad 20. This foldable flagship device is designed for users who expect more from their devices, from business productivity and travel to entertainment, creativity, and everyday multitasking. HONOR also showcased the eagerly awaited HONOR Robot Phone at the event. Also revealed was HONOR’s new logo and brand slogan – Dare to Be. 

The event featured campaign ambassadors, legendary screen icon, Connie Ferguson, history-making former Miss South Africa, Mia Le Roux, maverick entrepreneur and founder of Legends Barbershop Sheldon Tatchell and SA Cricket Captain, Temba Bavuma in a panel discussion that saw the HONOR ambassadors speak about the importance of helpful technological devices in the day-to-day execution of their professional and business lives. Particularly, they spoke about how some of the features of the HONOR Magic V6 device can easily enable them to proficiently carry out their daily tasks.

“For us as HONOR, today was a day of sharing some of our most exciting devices within our ecosystem. The aim was to fully drive home the message of innovation-led design and creation. The HONOR Magic V6 is our most premium device and designed for the high-end market, including business, tech, lifestyle and sport industry leaders – Captains and CEOs. To embrace our new slogan of Dare to Be We partnered with Sheldon Tatchell, CEO of Legends Barber, Connie Ferguson award-winning actress, executive producer and businesswoman, le Roux, Former Miss South Africa 2024, South African Cricket Captain: Temba Bavuma, South African Soccer Captain: Ronwen Williams, and 100m record holder, Akani Simbine, because each of them embodies an inspiring Dare to Be story—one we are proud to share with South Africans striving for their own success,” said HONOR SA CEO, Fred Zhou. 

The lightweight Foldable that bolsters productivity

The HONOR Magic V6 features an ultra-slim and lightweight design measuring 8.75mm when folded, 4.0mm when unfolded, and weighing just 219g, delivering portability without compromise. It is reinforced with the HONOR Anti-scratch NanoCrystal Shield and the HONOR Super Steel Hinge, tested for up to 500,000 folds, ensuring long-term durability, alongside IP68 and IP69 water and dust resistance. 

The Foldable device with the biggest battery

At the heart of the HONOR Magic V6 is a large 6,660mAh HONOR Silicon-carbon Battery, the largest battery ever featured in a foldable smartphone supporting extended use of the device. The device also supports 80W Wired and 66W Wireless HONOR SuperCharge, giving users the flexibility to power up quickly and keep pace with demanding days. Powered by the Snapdragon® 8 Elite Gen 5 Mobile Platform - while imaging is enhanced by a 64MP Ultra Sensing Periscope Telephoto Camera with advanced stabilization for sharp and stable photography.

The device also features a 7.95-inch inner foldable display designed for productivity, with Fast Flex to quickly fold and unfold your phone to launch the AI Assistant in split-screen view. AI-powered features enhanced by Google Gemini support smarter workflows, while users also receive three months of Google AI Pro with expanded cloud storage.

Convenient Connectivity Across Ecosystems

Breaking down ecosystem barriers, the HONOR Magic V6 is designed to work seamlessly with iPhone, Mac, AirPods, and Apple Watch. Through HONOR Connect and HONOR Share, users can transfer files, receive notifications, and move between devices more easily, enabling a more connected workflow across different operating systems. The device also supports Quick Share for app-free file transfers between Android and compatible Apple devices.

HONOR Pad 20 – Play Better, Work Smarter

HONOR Pad 20, a tablet designed to meet the evolving needs of students, young professionals and families seeking a versatile device ahead of the back-to-school season.

Combining a massive battery, immersive 12.1-inch 3K HONOR Display, AI PC-Class Productivity features and intelligent tools, the HONOR Pad 20 provides users with a practical platform for studying, working, creating and enjoying entertainment wherever the day takes them. Measuring just 6.29mm thin and weighing approximately 525g, the HONOR Pad 20 combines a premium all-metal body with a spacious, portable viewing experience.

HONOR MagicBook X14 2026 – Powerfully Compact 

Also, sharing on stage was the eagerly awaited HONOR MagicBook X14 2026 that comes with a 14” Full View Eye comfort display. The laptop has a 60Wh Long Battery that supports 13 hours of simulated real-world range, with a 65w portable fast charging. The HONOR MagicBook X14 2026 comes with the All-new Intel CoreTM 3 Processor 304.

HONOR Robot Phone – Introducing the World’s First Robotic Smartphone

In a surprise reveal, the HONOR Robot Phone made an appearance at the launch which represents the culmination of a spectacular global journey of HONOR revolving technology.

The HONOR Robot Phone integrates an ultra-compact 4-DoF mechanical system featuring the HONOR Titanium Agile Gimbal. Developed through 60 manufacturing processes, the system integrates more than 100 precision components and is supported by more than 100 patents. 

The HONOR Robot Phone marks the first product milestone under the Cinematic Imaging Partnership between HONOR and ARRI, the world-renowned designer of professional cinema cameras. Moving beyond simple filters, the device adapts selected elements of ARRI Image Science and professional cinema workflow for use in a smartphone. Through the HONOR–ARRI Cinematic Imaging Partnership, the Robot Phone combines ARRI LogC3, ARRI Wide Gamut 3 and ARRI Looks with the HONOR H1 Image Chip. 

Pioneering a new era of multimodal embodied interaction, the Robot Phone introduces AI-powered, robot-grade motion control that transforms the device into an autonomous personal camera crew. The camera arm supports a range of cinematic movement modes, including Tilt Lock, First Person View (FPV), FPV Vertical and AI SpinShot, helping creators capture smoother and more dynamic footage with greater ease.

Looking ahead, technologies developed through HONOR’s Cinematic Imaging Partnership with ARRI will continue to evolve and will be further showcased in the upcoming HONOR Magic9 Series.

The HONOR Magic V6 is available in Red, from 1 September at an RRP of R39 999 or from R1599 x 36 months postpaid and consumers will get an HONOR Watch 6 as a gift. These offers are available in Vodacom and Cell C.

The HONOR Pad 20 is available for RRP of R11 999 available only at Vodacom 8 September, free keyboard, stylus pen and Free HONOR Mouse.

The HONOR MagicBook X14 2026 is available for a RRP of R16 499, 8 September Vodacom, Telkom and Cell C, free backpack and HONOR Mouse.

Brazil's National Data Protection Agency (ANPD) said it has imposed a fine of nearly $30 million on TikTok for "irregularities in the processing of data belonging to children and adolescents."

In addition to the fine of 153.7 million reais ($29.9 million), the agency ordered parent company ByteDance to "delete the data collected in violation of regulations."

TikTok has committed to "implementing a compliance plan to improve the protection of children and adolescents," the ANPD said.

The platform will be required to automatically apply stricter privacy settings to accounts belonging to children under the age of 16, strengthen parental supervision systems, and implement stricter content filters.

TikTok did not immediately respond to requests for comment from AFP.

The ANPD this month also ordered popular streaming platform Discord to suspend livestreams and video calls after a teenage girl was allegedly encouraged to take her own life during a broadcast.

The agency told AFP that an appeal filed by Discord on Monday against the suspension was currently under review.

In recent years, Brazil has adopted a tougher approach to regulating social media platforms.

A recent law requires platforms to link the accounts of users under age 16 to their parents' accounts, and verify user age.

In 2024, the platform X was blocked for 40 days in Brazil, until the social media network owned by the world's richest man Elon Musk complied with the Supreme Court's orders to remove accounts spreading disinformation.

AFP

TikTok and its parent company ByteDance have agreed to pay $400 million to settle a US government lawsuit accusing the social media platform of illegally collecting children’s personal data.

The out-of-court settlement, announced by the US Department of Justice ends the case without the allegations being tested at trial and without any determination of liability.

The case was brought in 2024 under the Biden administration by the DOJ and Federal Trade Commission. The government accused TikTok of knowingly allowing millions of children under age 13 to create regular accounts and collecting and retaining their personal information without parental consent.It also alleged that TikTok frequently failed to delete children’s accounts and data when requested by parents.

The resolution comes against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump’s dramatic reversal on TikTok. During his first term, Trump sought to effectively ban the Chinese-owned platform on national security grounds unless ByteDance relinquished control of its US operations. By the 2024 presidential campaign, however, he opposed efforts to ban it, arguing that its disappearance would benefit rival Meta.

“If you get rid of TikTok, Facebook and Zuckerschmuck will double their business,” Trump wrote on Truth Social in March 2024, referring to Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. “I don’t want Facebook, who cheated in the last Election, doing better. They are a true Enemy of the People!”

Trump has feuded with Meta for years, accusing Facebook of political bias and censorship even before it suspended his accounts following the January 6, 2021 Capitol riot. The feud intensified after the suspension, with Trump repeatedly accusing the company of interfering in US elections.

The tone of Friday’s DOJ announcement also contrasts sharply with that used when the case was launched. In 2024, the department described TikTok and ByteDance as “repeat offenders” operating “on a massive scale.” The Trump administration’s DOJ, by contrast, highlighted “significant changes” to TikTok’s ownership, management, compliance and privacy practices.

Since returning to the White House last year, Trump has repeatedly intervened to prevent TikTok from being forced out of the US under a 2024 divest-or-ban law. His administration delayed enforcement several times while a restructuring was negotiated, ultimately backing a new US-based joint venture majority-owned by American investors that allowed TikTok to continue operating.

The delays were controversial, as the law provided for one extension of up to 90 days under specified conditions, while Trump repeatedly directed the Justice Department not to enforce it.

RT News

When Facebook acquired WhatsApp in 2014, the final transaction was valued at approximately $22 billion (R352 Billion).

At the time, WhatsApp had extraordinary reach but a limited commercial model. Its strategic value lay primarily in its rapidly expanding network of users and the communications infrastructure that could ultimately be built around them.

More than a decade later, the implications of that acquisition deserve renewed scrutiny.

Changes to WhatsApp Business pricing in South Africa will mean businesses paying for categories of messages that have previously benefited from different charging arrangements. Marketing messages can cost approximately 62 cents each, while utility and authentication messages attract their own charges.

Viewed individually, these amounts appear insignificant. At scale, they are anything but. At 62 cents, one million messages cost R620,000. Ten million cost R6.2 million.

But the more important issue is not the price of a WhatsApp message. It is dependency.

South African organisations have embraced WhatsApp for understandable reasons. It is widely adopted, familiar to consumers and relatively easy to integrate into customer service environments.

Banks have developed WhatsApp banking services. Government departments communicate with citizens through the platform. Businesses use the WhatsApp Business Platform for authentication, customer support, marketing and transactional communication.

The difficulty arises when a useful communications channel gradually becomes critical infrastructure.

Once an organisation has redesigned customer journeys, integrated contact centres, trained customers and constructed digital services around a privately controlled platform, switching becomes increasingly difficult and expensive.

This is a classic platform economy problem. Network effects create convenience, convenience creates adoption, adoption creates dependency, and dependency shifts bargaining power towards the platform owner.

The platform owner controls access conditions, technical standards, commercial terms and, ultimately, the rules governing participation in its ecosystem.

This is precisely the question at the centre of my research and my book, The Silicon Empire vs Social Impact: The David & Goliath Battle, which examines the GovChat experience and the broader tension between public interest innovation and privately controlled digital infrastructure.

GovChat demonstrated the extraordinary possibilities of using widely adopted digital platforms to deliver public services at scale. It also demonstrated the structural vulnerability that arises when public interest technology becomes dependent on infrastructure over which neither the innovator nor the state has ultimate control.

This raises a fundamental question for governments and corporate boards: who controls your digital infrastructure when your organisation does not own the platform on which it operates?

Digital sovereignty is sometimes misunderstood as an argument for technological isolationism. It is not.

South Africa cannot and should not disconnect itself from global technology platforms. The question is whether participation becomes dependency.

Digital sovereignty is about maintaining sufficient control, choice and strategic autonomy over the infrastructure, data and technologies upon which increasingly digital societies depend.

A government should not have a single privately controlled digital doorway through which citizens access essential public services. Similarly, a bank should not regard WhatsApp as its customer engagement infrastructure. WhatsApp should be one channel within infrastructure controlled by the bank.

The appropriate response is therefore not to abandon WhatsApp. It is to abandon WhatsApp dependency.

South African enterprises should accelerate genuinely omnichannel communications architectures incorporating WhatsApp alongside SMS, USSD, RCS, email, mobile applications, web interfaces and emerging AI-powered conversational channels.

Organisations should be able to determine which channel is most appropriate according to cost, customer preference, language, accessibility, security and the nature of the transaction.

This also represents an important opportunity for African telecommunications operators, such as MTN, and African technology companies more broadly, to combine existing infrastructure with AI, multilingual communication and intelligent orchestration to create locally controlled alternatives.

For much of the platform era, Africa has primarily consumed technologies developed elsewhere. We download the applications, integrate the APIs and build businesses and public infrastructure on top of them. When commercial terms, algorithms or access conditions change, however, we are reminded of an uncomfortable reality: we never controlled the underlying infrastructure.

Africa must continue participating in global technology ecosystems, but we must simultaneously invest in African platforms, telecommunications infrastructure, interoperable digital public infrastructure, local AI capabilities and open standards.

Use global platforms where they create value. Partner with global technology companies where appropriate. But build alternatives, maintain interoperability, own the customer relationship, protect the data and preserve the ability to switch.

Because ultimately, if you do not control the infrastructure, you do not control the rules.

And that is why digital sovereignty must become an economic, corporate and public policy priority for South Africa.

* Eldrid Jordaan is a South African technologist, academic, entrepreneur, and global speaker

** The views expressed do not reflect those of IOL 

Meta is in court, facing accusations that it broke child safety laws and harmed underage users’ mental health. A loss could bankrupt Mark Zuckerberg’s company and force permanent changes to Facebook and Instagram.

Who’s suing Meta?

Four US states – California, Colorado, Kentucky, and New Jersey – are suing Meta in a federal court in Oakland, California. The four states are parties to a wider lawsuit involving a total of 29 states, filed in 2023. The remaining 25 states are expected to have their trials at later dates.

Attorneys general in all 29 states have consolidated thousands of individual complaints – a practice known as multidistrict litigation – all alleging that Meta knowingly harmed its youngest and most vulnerable users.

What is Meta accused of?

All four states argue that the social media giant deliberately engineered its platforms to keep children and teenagers scrolling for as long as possible, while knowingly allowing under-13s to use these platforms without parental consent. 

“Meta has harnessed powerful and unprecedented technologies to entice, engage, and ultimately ensnare youth and teens. Its motive is profit, and in seeking to maximize its financial gains,” the lawsuit states.

“But Meta’s own records reveal that it has actual knowledge that Instagram and Facebook target and successfully enroll children as users,” the suit continues, pointing to internal documents detailing the company’s efforts to increase “penetration” in the 11- to 13-year-old demographic.

Has Meta been sued for causing ‘addiction’ before?

The Oakland case comes after Meta suffered back-to-back legal losses this year. In early March, a state court in New Mexico found the company liable for 75,000 violations of the state’s Unfair Practices Act, fining the social media giant $375 million, before branding its platforms a “public nuisance” to teens’ mental health and imposing an additional fine of $567 million.

Later in March, Los Angeles County Superior Court ordered Meta to pay $3 million in compensation to a 20-year-old California woman identified as ‘Kaley’, who developed anxiety, depression, and body dysmorphia after becoming addicted to Instagram, YouTube, and other social media platforms as a pre-teen. Meta was also ordered to pay $2.1 million in punitive damages.

The Los Angeles case was a bellwether, in that the jury accepted the plaintiff’s argument that the design features of Facebook, Instagram, and other platforms – and not the content that Kaley was exposed to – caused her harm. 

Kaley’s lawyers presented some of the same internal documents included in the latest case, which show Meta employees discussing plans to bring in more under-13 users and maximize their screen time, and that the company is aware that heavy use of its platforms is linked to depression, anxiety, and suicidal ideation among teens.

The Oakland trial marks the first time that these arguments will be heard in a federal courtroom, and the first time that Meta will be tried for breaches of state and federal law in the same case. Should Meta lose, the case could be brought to the US Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and potentially to the US Supreme Court, where any ruling would set a legal precedent.

What do the states want?

The four states are seeking damages of up to $1.4 trillion, a figure that would almost equal Meta’s entire market capitalization and bankrupt the company. However, this figure assumes individual payouts for hundreds of thousands of users affected by Meta’s practices, rather than a single payout for every deceptive practice committed by the company.

The plaintiffs also want Meta to implement a process of parental verification for teenage users, change its “dopamine-manipulating recommendation algorithms,” remove image filters “designed around beautification,” end the autoplay of video content, and end “ephemeral” video content such as stories.

What has Meta said about the lawsuit?

Meta has long argued that mental health issues are triggered by far more factors than social media. “Teen mental health is profoundly complex and cannot be linked to a single app,” a company spokesperson said after losing the Los Angeles lawsuit in March. “We will continue to defend ourselves vigorously as every case is different, and we remain confident in our record of protecting teens online.”

“These lawsuits misportray our company and the work we do every day to provide young people with safe, valuable experiences online,” Meta said in a statement ahead of Tuesday’s trial. “We have listened to parents, researched the issues that matter most, and made real changes to protect teens online.”

Meta pointed to its introduction of restricted teen accounts on Instagram last year, and its use of AI to detect teens attempting to use adult accounts as examples of these changes.

However, during his testimony in Los Angeles in March, Zuckerberg admitted that it is “very difficult” to prevent under-13s from lying about their age to set up accounts.

Regarding the potential of a $1.4 trillion fine, Meta wrote in a court filing last month that “a sanction of that size has no analog in the history of consumer protection enforcement.”

RT News

When I was offered the chance to test the SanDisk Extreme Fit USB-C flash drive, I jumped at it; it was the exact device I’d been looking to buy. With legacy USB-A ports quickly becoming obsolete, adding a compact USB-C flash drive to my daily setup made complete sense.

The version I tested was the 128GB model, it’s ultra compact design which was about the size of my thumb nail is quite novel.

The first test I put the drive through was editing a 4K video directly off the drive itself. Aside from a false storage error message from Final Cut Pro on my Mac, the drive handled the workload impressively well.

There slowdowns were minimal considering i was walking off an external drive, with only heavy colour grading causing minor lag. Even with two stacked 4K video clips playing simultaneously on the timeline, performance remained smooth.

SanDisk Drive Performance: Fast Read Speeds Outshine Traditional Hard Drives

For most users, though, heavy video editing won't be the primary use case—everyday file transfer speeds matter most. To test real-world throughput, I ran a few copy tests with a 25GB folder.

When copying the folder to the drive, macOS initially projected a three-minute completion time. A minute in, the estimated time remained stuck at three minutes as transfer rates hovered around 60MB/s, fluctuating randomly by up to 30MB/s. At the 3:30 mark, 15GB had transferred, but write speeds dipped to around 25MB/s. I also noticed the drive became noticeably warm to the touch—a common occurrence for tiny drives powered directly by the host device. Ultimately, the write process completed in 7 minutes and 10 seconds.

Reading data back off the drive was where the SanDisk really shone. Transferring that same 25GB folder back to my Mac’s internal drive took just 1 minute and 8 seconds, sustained by read speeds consistently reaching 400MB/s—incredibly fast for a drive this small.

For comparison, transferring the same 25GB folder onto my portable Western Digital external hard drive took 7 minutes and 6 seconds—nearly identical to the SanDisk's write time. However, moving that folder off the WD drive back to my Mac took 5 minutes and 58 seconds. The SanDisk beat the traditional hard drive by nearly five minutes on the read back, proving just how much performance is packed into such a tiny form factor.

@Michael_Sherman

IOL Tech

What if patients could be monitored at home, rural healthcare professionals could consult specialists elsewhere, and artificial intelligence could identify medical patterns that might otherwise be missed?

These possibilities are no longer confined to the distant future. 

For many South Africans, access to healthcare is still shaped by where they live, what expertise is available and whether the medicines they need are in stock. 

However, there’s a remedy: technology can increasingly form part of the solution.

At the North-West University (NWU), researchers are turning that potential into practical healthcare solutions.

Through its Digital Health and HealthTech Innovation programme, researchers are developing technologies for resource-constrained healthcare settings. The multidisciplinary programme brings together the Faculty of Engineering, the NWU Business School and the Faculty of Health Sciences to improve access, efficiency and the quality of care.

Prof. Leenta Grobler, associate professor in Digital Health Innovation at the NWU, believes technology can extend the reach of professionals, bring care closer to patients and turn health data into information that supports better decisions.

The programme is already producing practical solutions, including an AI-enabled system for analysing retinal images, a remote ventilator-monitoring solution, and an AI-enhanced digital wellbeing companion.

“We should not begin by asking, ‘What can we do with AI, an app or a new sensor?’ We should begin with, ‘What is the problem we are trying to solve?’” Prof. Grobler explains.

“Ultimately, digital health is not about making healthcare more technological. It is about using technology intelligently to make healthcare more accessible, effective, efficient and person-centred.”

From AI-powered screening to digital well-being

Prof. Grobler, a computer and electronic engineer, started focusing on healthcare research around 2016, applying engineering principles such as connectivity, sensing, data, optimisation and automation to problems including patient monitoring, treatment adherence and clinical decision-making.

Her work later took her to the NWU Business School, and in 2025 she joined the Faculty of Health Sciences.

“Engineering taught me to understand and build systems while innovation and business taught me how to move ideas towards implementation. Health gives this work its purpose,” she says.

That multidisciplinary approach is reflected in the programme’s portfolio.

One project, undertaken with colleagues in the physiology discipline, uses AI to process retinal images for screening for a range of diseases.

“Retinal images contain significant physiological information, and artificial intelligence creates the possibility of identifying patterns that may support earlier and more scalable screening, particularly where specialist expertise is limited,” Prof. Grobler explains.

Another project, EmpathIQ, is an AI-enhanced digital wellbeing companion for adolescents, students and young adults. It combines reflective journalling, wellbeing tracking, guided resilience-building activities and conversational AI to support users facing emotional, academic, social and personal challenges.

EmpathIQ is not intended to serve as an AI therapist or diagnostic tool. 

“It should not present itself as a therapist, make diagnoses or replace professional psychological or medical care. Instead, it should support reflection, recognise when additional human support may be appropriate and encourage appropriate help-seeking,” says Prof. Grobler.

There is also Ikusasa, a game that uses play-based learning to strengthen leadership and managerial skills in the health sciences. “Healthcare depends not only on clinical knowledge,” she says. “Health professionals also need to lead teams, make decisions, manage resources and navigate complex systems.”

Another innovation, Monitor-T, is a smartphone-based digital health system that captures anthropometric measurements, such as weight and length, to monitor infant growth and identify children at risk of severe acute malnutrition in resource-limited healthcare settings.

“The digital component creates an opportunity to move beyond looking at a single measurement. When reliable measurements are captured over time, we can begin to look at the child’s growth trajectory.”

According to Prof. Grobler, longitudinal data can reveal patterns indicating that a child’s growth is beginning to falter.

“Earlier recognition gives healthcare professionals an opportunity to intervene before a child reaches a more severe stage of malnutrition or developmental risk,” she explains.

“The aim is not to give clinicians more information to manage. It is to give them better information at the right time to support better decisions.”

Solving the problem behind the problem

The programme’s remote ventilator-monitoring work is another example of technology developed in response to a specific healthcare challenge.

During COVID-19, there was enormous concern about the availability of ventilators. As researchers engaged with the clinical environment, another constraint became clear: ventilators require highly trained healthcare professionals to monitor patients and interpret what is happening.

The team developed a universal, non-invasive system that remotely monitors ventilator conditions. It captures relevant information from the patient and ventilator and displays it on a digital dashboard, enabling healthcare professionals to monitor multiple patients more efficiently.

“For me, the important lesson from this project was that the technology was not really about the ventilator,” she says. “It was about the scarcity of specialised human expertise around the ventilator. Ultimately, technology cannot replace the professionals we need, but it can help extend their capacity.”

Not every digital health innovation is a clinical device.

The NWU’s Pharmaflow project focuses on digital pharmaceutical inventory management in public healthcare settings. It helps facilities track medicine stocks and identify emerging shortages. The university’s broader digital health research includes software for reporting and analysing pharmacovigilance data, as well as systems that improve medicine supply and stock control in public healthcare facilities.

Designed for the African reality

A technically excellent solution can still fail if it is designed for an environment that bears little resemblance to the one in which it is expected to operate, says Prof. Grobler.

Many technologies developed in wealthier countries assume reliable high-speed connectivity, uninterrupted electricity, expensive hardware, specialist technical support and healthcare systems with vastly different staffing levels and workflows.

Those assumptions do not necessarily hold across African health settings.

“Context is part of the technology. When developing for African settings, researchers must ask whether a solution can work with intermittent connectivity, remain affordable at scale, be maintained locally and fit the workflows of the people who will use it.”

This can mean developing systems that are simpler, more resilient and more efficient.

In Africa, the greatest impact is likely to come from technologies designed around local needs and constraints, Prof. Grobler says.

“They will be the ones that are affordable, robust, trustworthy, scalable and able to function within the realities of African healthcare systems.”

She says the programme’s success should be measured not only by what it develops, but also by what those technologies achieve. 

“The real measures should include technologies adopted in practice, sustainable enterprises created, healthcare professionals whose capacity has been strengthened and, most importantly, people who have better access to quality healthcare because of something we helped to develop.”

After months of regional competition across South Africa, the Hyprop MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience will conclude at Canal Walk Shopping Centre with the country’s top qualifiers competing for a share of the R350,000 prize pool.

The five-day finale will bring together the country’s top qualifiers, who will compete for national titles and a share of the campaign’s R350,000 prize pool.

The finals follow a nationwide competition hosted across eight Hyprop shopping centres, where gamers competed in EA FC 26™ and Beat Saber through online qualifiers and in-centre events.

Regional events were held at centres including Woodlands Boulevard, The Glen, Table Bay Mall, Clearwater Mall and CapeGate Shopping Centre, with competitors battling for their places in the national finals.

Final showdown in Cape Town

For the players who have made it through the regional rounds, Canal Walk represents the final test.

The competition has progressively narrowed the field, bringing together players who have already competed under pressure at regional events across the country.

The national champions will be decided in Cape Town, with the National Football Final taking place on Sunday, 30 August.

The tournament was created to provide established and emerging gamers with an accessible platform to compete in a professionally managed environment.

ACGL, one of South Africa’s established tournament organisers, has overseen the competitive component of the event.

Trading cards join the action

This year’s national final will also introduce a five-day trading card gaming programme at Canal Walk.

From 26 to 30 August, visitors can learn to play titles including Star Wars Unlimited, Gundam, Dragon Ball Z Fusion and Pokémon, before taking part in scheduled tournaments.

The line-up also includes tournaments for Dragon Ball Z Fusion, One Piece, Star Wars Unlimited, Pokémon and Yu-Gi-Oh.

The addition gives visitors another way to participate in the event beyond the esports competition.

By bringing organised gaming into shopping centres, the Hyprop MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience aims to give competitive gamers a public platform while allowing friends, families and shoppers to experience tournament gaming.

With the regional rounds complete, the remaining competitors now face one final battle in Cape Town, with no further qualifying round standing between them and the national titles.

The Hyprop MTN SHIFT Gaming Experience National Finals will take place at Canal Walk Shopping Centre from August 26 to 30.

IOL

China's Zhuque-3 Y-2 rocket lifted off from the Dongfeng Commercial Space Innovation Pilot Zone in northwest China on Wednesday morning, successfully placing the Honghu-03 satellite into its designated orbit. 

The land recovery sequence of the first stage was completed as intended, according to rocket developer LandSpace, and the flight and recovery test mission was a complete success.

Following the separation of the first and second stages, the first stage entered its scheduled return phase and completed a series of key manoeuvres, including high-altitude return attitude adjustment, powered deceleration during re-entry, aerodynamic glide control, powered deceleration for landing, and deployment and cushioning of its landing legs.

The first stage ultimately landed steadily at the designated landing site using its landing legs, completing a systematic verification of the entire process of returning the vehicle from high-speed flight to a land-based landing site in Minqin County, northwest China's Gansu Province.

The mission marked China's first successful flight verification of first-stage land recovery for a reusable launch vehicle, as well as the country's first successful verification of a landing using deployable landing legs.

Based on data obtained from previous flight tests and accumulated engineering experience, the development team made a number of targeted improvements to key reusable-flight technologies for the mission.

The landing propulsion system was optimised by reducing the number of engines used for the landing burn, further simplifying the system design. The onboard autonomous flight safety system was equipped with a new predicted landing-point safety-control function, while return-control strategies were optimized to improve safety and autonomous control during the recovery flight.

In response to the complex aerodynamic and thermal environment encountered during atmospheric re-entry, the team also improved the rocket's ability to withstand extreme aerodynamic and thermal loads and enhanced its protective design.

Meanwhile, in line with the characteristics of the satellite-carrying mission, the team made adaptive improvements to the satellite separation system and related interfaces, and conducted verification of a self-developed satellite stacking and compression device.

Zhuque-3 is a new-generation reusable liquid oxygen-methane launch vehicle independently developed by LandSpace. The company has established a technology system focused on reusable launch vehicles, covering overall vehicle design, propulsion systems, return control, stainless-steel vehicle-body manufacturing and ground support.

The mission has laid a solid foundation for subsequent inspection and maintenance of the recovered stage, reusable flights and the commercial application of reusable launch vehicles, according to LandSpace.

CGTN

China's rise as a robotics power is no longer a futuristic story confined to laboratories or technology exhibitions. It is becoming a defining feature of the country's industrial strategy, with consequences that will extend well beyond China's factories.

A recent seminar on the 'Digital Transformation of Manufacturing' offered far more than a simple display of futuristic machinery. Organised by the Free Trade Development Board of Zhejiang Province through the BRICS Special Economic Zones Secretariat, the gathering revealed how robotics, artificial intelligence and industrial digitalisation unite within a broader national policy to sharpen industrial competitiveness.

For Africa and particularly South Africa, Chinese advances in robotics could help address chronic weaknesses in manufacturing, healthcare, agriculture, mining and skills development. But the opportunity will be squandered if African countries become passive consumers of imported machines rather than active participants in the industries, knowledge systems and regulatory frameworks that robotics will create.

The scale of China's progress is substantial. According to the International Federation of Robotics, China installed approximately 295,000 industrial robots in 2024, representing 54% of global installations. Its operational stock exceeded two million machines, making the country by far the world's largest industrial robotics market. Chinese manufacturers captured 57% of their domestic industrial robotics market in 2024, indicating that local companies are increasingly capable of designing and producing the systems required by modern factories.

This achievement reflects a distinctive model of technological development. China has combined long-term state planning, large-scale industrial demand, substantial research funding, extensive manufacturing capacity and an unusually large domestic market. Robotics companies can test their products in automotive plants, electronics factories, warehouses and logistics networks before attempting to sell them abroad. The result is a rapid cycle of experimentation, cost reduction and commercial deployment.

China is now pushing into humanoid and "embodied intelligence" systems: machines designed to perceive their surroundings, learn from data and perform a range of physical tasks. Beijing has reportedly committed more than US$20 billion to the sector over the past year and is establishing a one-trillion-yuan fund to support artificial intelligence, robotics and related technologies. Yet the hype should be treated cautiously. Many humanoid robots remain expensive prototypes or operate only in controlled environments. The industrial robot, rather than the humanoid machine, is still the more mature and immediately useful technology for most developing economies.

This distinction matters for Africa, because the continent does not primarily need spectacular machines that can dance, converse or perform carefully staged demonstrations. It needs reliable, affordable and repairable technologies that can improve productivity in sectors where safety, quality and continuity are persistent problems. Robots that sort recyclable material, inspect railway lines, harvest crops, handle hazardous chemicals, support warehouse operations or assist with medical diagnostics could produce more meaningful social benefits than highly publicised humanoid devices.

Agriculture is one area where Chinese robotics could have a practical impact, especially because African farmers face labour shortages, water constraints, poor logistics and unpredictable weather. Robotic systems linked to artificial intelligence could support precision planting, targeted irrigation, crop monitoring and the early detection of disease. Small agricultural drones and automated equipment could allow farmers to use fertiliser, pesticides and water more efficiently. The greatest benefit, however, would come from adapting them to local crops, farm sizes, languages, climatic conditions and patterns of land ownership.

Healthcare offers another important opportunity, as many African countries experience shortages of doctors, nurses, technicians and specialised medical services. Robotics cannot replace the human relationships at the centre of healthcare, but it can extend the reach of limited professional capacity. Remote diagnostic tools, automated laboratory equipment, rehabilitation devices and robotic systems for hospital logistics could reduce workloads and improve access. In rural areas, robotics integrated with telemedicine could help health workers collect and transmit information to specialists in urban centres.

South Africa is especially well placed to benefit from this transformation because it possesses a relatively advanced industrial base, established universities, mining expertise and a substantial automotive sector. Robotics could support the country's efforts to modernise manufacturing, strengthen local component production and improve the competitiveness of its vehicle, minerals-processing and renewable-energy industries. Chinese technology partnerships could also assist South Africa in developing smart factories, machine-vision systems and automated maintenance capabilities.

There are already indications of cooperation in this direction. South Africa's Department of Science, Technology and Innovation has pursued partnerships with Chinese technology companies in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, next-generation networks and skills development. A recent pilot involving an AI-powered automotive painting robot in South Africa illustrates how Chinese systems could be introduced into specific industrial applications, rather than treated as abstract technological imports.

Mining is another field in which robotics could save lives, as South Africa's deep-level mines are among the most demanding industrial environments in the world. Autonomous vehicles, remote-controlled drilling systems, robotic inspection equipment and underground sensing technologies could reduce workers' exposure to rockfalls, heat, dust and explosive conditions. In this context, automation should also be understood as a potential instrument of occupational health and safety.

The economic benefits could extend beyond productivity. If Chinese companies establish assembly plants, maintenance centres and training facilities in African countries, robotics could help create new industrial capabilities. Local firms could supply sensors, software, batteries, protective equipment and mechanical components. Technical colleges could train technicians in programming, maintenance and systems integration. Universities could develop research programmes focused on African applications. Namibia's recent partnerships involving China and South Africa, aimed at developing artificial intelligence, robotics curricula, applied research, technology transfer and smart skills centres, offer one possible model.

While these technological advancements present significant opportunities, the attendant risks are equally pronounced. Principal among them is widespread job displacement, in a region characterised by a rapidly expanding youth demographic and economies that already face substantial hurdles in generating adequate formal employment.

Robotics may improve productivity but reduce demand for routine labour in factories, warehouses, call centres and some service industries. A development strategy that celebrates automation while ignoring displaced workers would be socially and politically unsustainable.

The second danger is technological dependency. If Africa imports finished robots, proprietary software and closed maintenance systems, it may remain trapped at the bottom of the value chain. Chinese companies could gain market access while African economies provide minerals, data and consumers but retain little control over design, standards or intellectual property. Technology transfer must therefore be written into contracts, supported by local procurement and accompanied by measurable targets for training, assembly, research and domestic ownership.

There are also questions of data security, surveillance, cybersecurity and accountability. Robots increasingly depend on cloud systems, cameras and artificial intelligence. In hospitals, mines and public spaces, they may collect sensitive information about individuals and communities. African governments should not assume that cheaper technology is automatically appropriate technology. Procurement must include transparent data rules, independent auditing, cybersecurity standards and clear liability when an automated system causes harm.

South Africa should respond with a deliberate national robotics strategy rather than a series of isolated memoranda. Government, industry, labour and universities should identify sectors where automation can improve safety and productivity without intensifying unemployment. Public funding should support applied research and local systems integrators. Technical and vocational education should be redesigned around mechatronics, software, electronics and robot maintenance. Workers affected by automation should receive credible opportunities for retraining, not vague promises about a future digital economy.

China's robotics advance presents Africa with a strategic choice. The continent can become a market for machines developed elsewhere, or it can use those machines as instruments of industrial learning and economic transformation. The difference will depend on bargaining power, public policy and institutional confidence.

While the objective should not be to imitate China mechanically, it should be to learn from China's patient investment in manufacturing and innovation, while ensuring that automation serves African development priorities.

Dr Paruk is a Cape Town-based China expert who attended the seminar in China.

The views expressed do not necessarily represent those of IOL

Card skimming at ATMs might be on the decline, but scammers have learned that they don't need an ATM to get hold of your hard-earned Randelas.

We often associate card skimming with dodgy-looking ATMs, but it can also happen at 'safe' places you wouldn't expect, such as restaurants, petrol stations or retail points, when a customer's card would be temporarily out of sight. 

According to FNB, card skimming occurs when a bank card is swiped through a card-reader device that downloads its details. The stolen information can then be used to create a duplicate card, which can end up in thousands of Rands lost. 

Why you should keep your card in sight

The Banking Association of South Africa advises consumers to ensure their cards never leave their sight when making transactions.

It says most restaurants and shops have portable card machines, so there should usually be no reason for a customer's card to leave their presence.

If a different machine needs to be used, the association advises customers to accompany the person using it.

So why are you encouraged to do this? A customer may not know whether their card is being processed only through the legitimate payment terminal or has also been passed through another device. 

What should you do when paying?

Consumers can take a few simple precautions when using their cards:

• Keep your bank card in sight throughout the transaction.
• Where possible, use a portable payment machine rather than handing your card to someone to take elsewhere.
• If another machine needs to be used, accompany the person processing the payment, as advised by the Banking Association.
• Cover the keypad when entering your PIN.
• Check that the card returned to you is actually yours.
• Monitor your bank account for transactions you do not recognise.

The Banking Association advises customers to check that their card has not been swapped for another card after paying and to monitor their bank statements for unusual transactions.

What if you suspect your card has been compromised?

If you notice an unfamiliar transaction or believe your card details may have been compromised, contact your bank as soon as possible and follow its instructions for securing the account and card.

While ATMs remain an important point of concern for card fraud, it is worth remembering that skimming can also happen during everyday purchases when criminals get an opportunity to access a card outside the customer's view. 

IOL

As the 2026 academic semester gains momentum, Dr Philip Broster, lecturer within the Professional Communication Unit of the School of Management Studies at the University of Cape Town, focuses his work on how students navigate the modern pressures of technology and professional environments.

Today, he is part of a growing global movement of educators who are deliberately deactivating automated text detection software.

Broster understands that true human expression is inherently flawed and highly specific, allowing him to easily identify connotations of when a student has entirely outsourced their thinking to automated writing software. 

"In some cases, it is very obvious that students have relied almost completely on these tools," Broster tells IOL. "However, if students use it as a tool to assist them and they use it well, it is almost impossible, if not impossible, to detect."

Brad Latilla Campbell, the Country Manager for Crimson Education, shares the sentiment that international admissions teams are moving away from detection software entirely, placing their trust back in human judgment.

"When admissions officers sit with ten applications in a row, the patterns become obvious," Latilla Campbell states.

He acknowledges that software has a valid role in researching universities or stress-testing ideas, but it becomes detrimental when it takes over the writing. 

"A strong academic record gets you into the conversation, but it does not get you the offer," he says.

"I have seen students with eight or nine distinctions write essays that say nothing about who they are; a perfect academic record means nothing if the essay feels constructed rather than felt."

Moving Away from Detection Software

The reality of these tools became evident in October 2025 when UCT scrapped its primary detection tool, Turnitin, because of reliability concerns.

Sukaina Walji, Director of UCT’s Centre for Innovation in Learning and Teaching, confirmed the decision to drop Turnitin during an interview on Voice of the Cape. She stated that detection software became simply unreliable because it could not keep pace with advancing AI writing.

Turnitin began to incorrectly flag genuine student essays while allowing automated text to pass through.

Stellenbosch University has also discontinued its automated text detection functionality, with senior advisor Dr Hanelie Adendorff describing the reliance on such tools as counterproductive to a learning-centred approach. 

Institutions, including Nelson Mandela University, have adopted a similar reflective stance, focusing on teaching digital ethics rather than relying on algorithmic policing.

The Curriculum and AI

Dr Philip Broster has made the ethical and practical use of these tools a core part of his curriculum. He encourages personal storytelling, an area where automated tools struggle to generate original substance but excel at polishing a genuine narrative. 

"There is a mark component attached to how they use it, rather than worrying about if they used it," Broster explains.

He requires students to show a record of their iterative use of the software while heavily weighting in-person tests and exams to ensure critical engagement.

By prioritising personal narrative, transparent effort, and direct engagement, institutions like UCT and Stellenbosch are reaffirming that learning cannot be measured by surface perfection alone.

Across both local universities and global admissions boards, artificial intelligence can assist with research and structural polishing, but it cannot replicate authentic thought or genuine character.

IOL

Tech YouTuber SamTime has put Mzansi’s favourite global export, Trevor Noah, on blast for offering little in the way of excitement or actual information while hosting the new Google Pixel 11 device launch on Wednesday.

In a sharp parody video poking fun at the polished tech reveal, SamTime introduced the South African comedian by cutting straight to the chase: “Today we’re so excited to waste your time by pretending we’re on a talk show when we’re really an ad for the all-new Pixel 11,” as Noah sat down with Google executive Rick Osterloh.

The first order of business during the event was the phone’s fresh colour palette—a feature SamTime wasn't buying into. “A phone’s colour is a lot like the weather: it’s what you talk about when there’s nothing interesting to say,” he quipped.

Noah quickly became the main target of the parody. “Trevor, you make a living talking to a camera, describe the new obsidian colour for us,” SamTime demanded.

SamTime’s Hilarious Review of Google’s Pixel 11 Launch

The video then cut to a real clip of the former Daily Show host attempting to describe the hue: “My favourite colour is the Obsidian, it’s got that like—” followed by Noah making a bizarre grunt before asking, “You know what I mean?”

“No, I don’t know what you mean,” SamTime fired back.

Moving on to the phone’s redesigned camera bump, the creator didn’t hold back: “At least the Hunchback of Phonestadam has its advantages, as the new 120X telephoto lens can show you the bridge you need to use to get away from this conference.”

Near the end of the breakdown, SamTime admitted he was losing energy, noting that “even Trevor has his sleeping pants on.” The camera zoomed in on Noah’s surprisingly casual tracksuit pants—a direct jab at the comedian's relaxed attire for a major global launch.

After highlighting a few more awkward rambles from Mzansi's comedy star, SamTime signed off with a final blow to Google's big reveal: “The all-new Pixel 11 phones: so little has changed, Google got heckled live on stage.”

@Michael_Sherman

IOL Sport

South Africa’s participation across the core disciplines has placed the country firmly on the international radar, with Phygital International CEO Daniel Merkley saying South Africa has the capability to one day host the Games of the Future.

The Games of the Future 2026 in Astana has offered more than world-class competition. It has provided a peek into a new sporting environment where technology, gaming and traditional physical competition increasingly exist side by side, and Africa is beginning to establish its position within it.

That message emerged during an international media press conference featuring senior figures involved in the international movement and the delivery of this year’s event. Among the executives were Daniel Merkley, Chief Executive Officer of Phygital International; John Hewitt, International Marketing & Communications Director at Phygital International; and Arnur Alsherov, Vice President of JSC Kazsportinvest.

Journalists from different parts of the world explored the future of the sport, international expansion, technology, youth participation, athlete development and the requirements for countries hoping to host future editions.

Africa’s Phygital Opportunity: South Africa Leads the Way

BRICS AFRICA CHANNEL highlighted South Africa’s growing digital community and asked Phygital International CEO Daniel Merkley about greater participation from South Africa and the African continent, as well as the possibility of bringing the Games to South Africa in the future.

Merkley’s response gave one of the clearest indications of how the organisation views Africa’s potential.

He pointed to the continent’s existing representation within the World Phygital Community and particularly highlighted South Africa’s level of participation.

South Africa, he explained, has successfully delivered competitors across the movement’s core disciplines, including Phygital Dancing, Phygital Shooter, Phygital Basketball and Phygital Football.

Merkley described South Africa as an example of the level of engagement the organisation wants to encourage internationally.

More significantly, he confirmed that the country is firmly on the organisation’s radar.

“We do consider South Africa as a great place to land the Games of the Future.”

He demonstrated confidence in South Africa’s ability to stage a major international event, referencing the country’s experience hosting the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

But the significance of his response went beyond the possibility of hosting.

Merkley also spoke about working with the South African member, possibly developing government partnerships and strengthening the capability, competency and experience of members elsewhere on the African continent.

That could ultimately prove to be the bigger story.

Hosting a major international competition would be significant for Africa, but developing a durable ecosystem could create opportunities that continue long after an international tournament ends.

South African competitors have already been present in Astana.

Orlando Pirates Fives represented the country in Phygital Football, while Team Hybrid competed in Phygital Shooter.

Orlando Pirates Five participating in the Group Stage of Phygital Football

Can this become a career?

One of the most important questions raised during the press conference focused on whether competitors could eventually develop sustainable careers as phygital athletes.

The question goes to the heart of whether this emerging sporting format can grow beyond major events and become something young people can pursue seriously.

There are challenges.

Unlike many traditional sports, the technology supporting digital competition can change rapidly. Game titles can change, licensing agreements can evolve, and new technologies could alter how competitors experience both the digital and physical parts of a discipline.

Merkley acknowledged that flexibility.

He explained that when changes to game titles or competition formats are anticipated, the organisation works to inform its international community so that teams have time to prepare and adapt.

He also pointed to something that could ultimately become one of the movement’s biggest strengths: the ability of young people to adjust rapidly to technology.

For Africa, this opens an important conversation about opportunity.

The future sporting economy may not only require footballers, basketball players or Esports competitors.

It could also require athletes capable of moving comfortably between physical competition and digital environments.

Around those athletes will be coaches, developers, production teams, broadcasters, technology specialists, event organisers, sponsors and content creators.

That means the potential opportunity is considerably wider than the competition itself.

A new type of athlete

Throughout the press conference, Merkley returned to the changing relationship young people have with the digital and physical worlds.

The idea behind the movement is that these two environments no longer need to be treated as opposites.

In several disciplines, the same competitors must perform on the digital stage and then move into physical competition.

That questions the traditional distinction between the “gamer” and the “athlete”.

Merkley spoke about the possibility of a future generation that may not identify as coming from either traditional sport or Esports.

Instead, their starting point could simply be that they have always been phygital athletes.

This concept could have relevance for Africa.

The continent already has enormous traditional sporting cultures, while gaming, mobile technology and digital entertainment are becoming increasingly important parts of how young Africans communicate, compete and consume entertainment.

Connecting those environments could create entirely new opportunities.

Building the pathway before the main stage

Another major message from the press conference was that the Games of the Future should not be viewed simply as a once-a-year international spectacle.

Merkley described the flagship competition as the culmination of a much longer journey for athletes and teams.

The wider international community now extends across more than 100 countries, with members developing competitions and pathways that can eventually lead athletes towards the international arena.

After rapidly expanding the movement internationally, attention is increasingly turning towards strengthening what happens within individual countries.

Merkley spoke about improving member organisations and tournaments, providing workshops and encouraging experienced members to share knowledge with countries that are newer to the sport or operating with fewer resources.

This could be especially important for Africa.

A strong African ecosystem would mean young competitors would not have to wait for an international event to arrive on the continent.

Local and regional competitions could become the starting point.

From there, athletes could potentially progress towards international tournaments.

For countries without enormous sporting budgets, the emphasis on creating models that can be replicated in markets with different levels of resources could also make participation more achievable.

Technology will keep changing the Games.

The competition audiences see today may also look very different several years from now.

Different from traditional sporting formats built around rules that can remain largely unchanged for decades, organisers have deliberately left room for the Games to progress alongside technology and youth trends.

During the press conference, Merkley discussed possibilities including increasingly immersive events, enhanced statistics for viewers and the potential use of augmented reality to further blur the boundary between the virtual and real components.

He also expressed interest in collaborations with technology companies willing to experiment with new ways of improving the athlete and audience experience.

That flexibility could become one of the defining characteristics of the Games.

The disciplines, technologies and digital titles may evolve, but the central idea remains the same: combining digital ability with physical performance.

The next global destination

As the Astana edition moves towards its conclusion, attention is inevitably turning towards where the Games will go next.

The host of the 2027 Games of the Future is still awaiting official confirmation.

During the press conference, organisers explained that selecting a future host involves much more than finding suitable stadiums.

Potential host cities are assessed on their ability to meet technical requirements, their experience delivering premium international events and the strength of their technology infrastructure, including connectivity, networks and cybersecurity.

Government cooperation is also considered important, alongside the potential for the event to correspond to wider technology, industry, health and wellness initiatives within the host country.

Brazil has appeared as a favourable and highly visible possibility for a future edition, indicating the movement’s growing presence across Latin America.

Merkley described South America as an important market, highlighting grassroots projects involving students as well as competitive teams emerging from countries including Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay.

He also expressed his desire to see the Games reach Latin America in the coming years.

However, until an official announcement is made, the next host remains to be confirmed.

Africa has an opportunity to move early

For African audiences, perhaps the strongest message to emerge from Astana is that the continent does not have to wait until this sporting movement is fully established elsewhere before becoming involved.

South African competitors are already participating.

African media is already covering the event.

The continent already has representation within the international community.

And South Africa has now been publicly identified by Phygital International’s CEO as a country capable of potentially hosting the Games in the future.

The opportunity now is to build on that foundation.

The real measure of success will not simply be whether South Africa eventually hosts an international event.

It will be whether more African athletes have pathways to compete, whether local competitions develop, whether African companies see opportunities in the technology and production surrounding the sport and whether young people can turn their existing interest in gaming, technology and physical sport into something bigger.

For broadcasters, there is also a responsibility to make these developing opportunities visible.

For governments and sporting organisations, there is an opportunity to understand where youth culture and technology are heading.

And for young Africans, there could be an entirely new sporting landscape beginning to take shape.

The boundaries between traditional sport, Esports, entertainment and technology are changing.

South Africa’s presence at the Games of the Future 2026 shows that Africa is not simply watching that change happen.

It has an opportunity to help shape what comes next.

Written by Melissa Hollow | Multimedia Producer | BRICS AFRICA CHANNEL

When President Xi Jinping stood before heads of state and international delegates on the banks of the Huangpu River on July 17, 2026, he was not merely opening another technology conference. He was proposing an alternative architecture for how the world governs one of the most consequential technologies of this century.

In his keynote address at the opening of the 2026 World Artificial Intelligence Conference (WAIC) and the High-Level Meeting on Global AI Governance in Shanghai, titled "Joining Hands to Build a Just and Equitable System for Global AI Governance," he laid out a vision that fused domestic industrial ambition with a deliberate, structured appeal to the Global South. A day earlier, twenty-nine countries had already signed the agreement that established the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organization (WAICO), a new Shanghai-headquartered intergovernmental body billed as the world's first dedicated exclusively to AI cooperation and governance.

Taken together, the speech and the new organisation mark a significant moment in the global contest over who writes the rules for artificial intelligence, and how.

Seventy years on: Framing the moment

Xi opened his address with a historical anchor, invoking the Dartmouth Workshop of 1956, where a small group of American scholars first coined the term "artificial intelligence." Seven decades later, he argued, the world stands at a similarly formative juncture, except this time the stakes are civilisational rather than academic. He then described a period of accelerating technological revolution and industrial transformation, in which intelligent connectivity, human-machine collaboration and cross-sector integration are unleashing what he called enormous power, carrying with it both extraordinary opportunity and serious governance challenges.

He framed the challenge through four unresolved questions that he suggested humanity must now answer together: how to coexist with thinking machines, how to secure decision-making processes in which algorithms play a growing role, how to manage the ethical dilemmas that adaptive technologies generate, and how to ensure AI benefits everyone as the divide between AI-rich and AI-poor nations continues to widen. These are not rhetorical flourishes. They are reflective of  a genuine anxiety, shared across capitals from Pretoria to Jakarta to Brasília, that the AI revolution could replicate or worsen the inequities of earlier waves of industrialisation, in which technological leadership concentrated wealth and strategic power in a small number of countries.

Four pillars of China's governance vision

Xi's address was structured around four observations that together sketch a comprehensive governance philosophy, and it is worth examining each on its own terms.

The first was a call for openness and win-win cooperation to drive innovation. Xi urged countries to embrace open source development, collaborative research and shared application of AI across traditional industries, emerging sectors and future industries alike, so that the benefits of the technology are not confined to a handful of firms or nations. This is consistent with China's own domestic trajectory. Beijing has pursued an unusually open-source-heavy AI strategy relative to the United States, with Chinese firms such as DeepSeek, Alibaba's Qwen and Zhipu AI releasing openly licensed large language models that have found significant uptake among developers in Africa, Southeast Asia and Latin America, precisely the markets least able to afford the compute costs and licensing fees associated with proprietary Western models.

The second pillar concerned risk-awareness and controllability. Xi called for laws, regulations, technological monitoring, early-warning mechanisms and emergency-response systems capable of preventing misuse and ensuring that AI remains, in his words, always under human control. Notably, he also urged countries to jointly oppose the overstretching of national security concepts in the AI field, an unmistakable reference to the export controls, chip restrictions and investment screening measures that the United States and its allies have applied to Chinese AI firms in recent years. This is a governance framework that is simultaneously cautious about AI's technical risks and pointed in its critique of what Beijing regards as the securitisation of technology policy by Washington.

The third pillar, inclusiveness and mutual learning between civilisations, reflects a theme that has run through Chinese foreign policy discourse for some years, tracing back to the Global Civilization Initiative Xi first proposed in 2023. Applied to AI, the argument is that the values embedded in algorithms should reflect humanity's shared and diverse ethical traditions rather than the norms of any single civilisation, an implicit rejoinder to concerns that AI systems trained predominantly on Western data and built by Western firms risk encoding a narrow set of cultural assumptions as universal defaults.

The fourth pillar, solidarity and improved global governance, is where the speech turned from principle to institution-building. Xi called for genuine multilateralism, a stronger role for the United Nations, and closer alignment on AI development strategies, governance rules and technical standards, so that a consensus-based global governance framework can be established without delay. He was explicit that this must include capacity-building support for Global South countries, framed not as charity but as a way of preventing what he termed a new historical injustice in AI, a phrase that deliberately echoes the language often used to describe the colonial-era extraction of resources and technology from the developing world.

China's domestic foundations

Xi did not present these principles in a vacuum. He grounded them in China's own record, noting that this year marks the beginning of China's 15th Five-Year Plan, which he said maps out the country's economic and social development for the next five years and creates opportunities for the wider international community. He pointed to the interplay between an efficient market and a well-functioning government as the basis for China's AI innovation strategy, and highlighted that the country's core smart economy industries are now valued at more than one trillion renminbi, roughly 140 billion US dollars at current exchange rates, with intelligent manufacturing cited as a defining feature of what Chinese officials describe as Chinese-style modernisation.

He was careful, too, to stress that this growth has not come at the expense of governance discipline. China, he said, continues to refine its laws, regulations, policies, application norms and ethical principles so that AI development proceeds safely, securely and in a manner that remains, in his own metaphor, a fine steed that gallops with both speed and stability. This balance between rapid deployment and regulatory caution is one that many governments, including South Africa's own policymakers currently working through the Presidential Artificial Intelligence Industry Masterplan, will recognise as a live and unresolved tension in their own contexts.

From initiative to institution: The birth of WAICO

The most consequential development to emerge from Shanghai was not the speech itself but the institution it endorsed. Since 2023, Xi has been building toward this moment through a sequence of proposals: the Global AI Governance Initiative, a United Nations General Assembly resolution on international cooperation for AI capacity building adopted by consensus, the AI Capacity-Building Action Plan for Good and for All, and the AI Plus International Cooperation Initiative. On 16 July, the day before Xi's keynote, representatives of twenty-nine countries signed the agreement formally establishing WAICO in Shanghai, with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi signing on behalf of the Chinese government.

The founding membership is a revealing document in itself. It spans Asia, Africa, Latin America and parts of Europe, and includes South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Senegal, Algeria, Cameroon, Congo, Lesotho, Mozambique, alongside Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Russia and others. It is, as several international commentators have noted, a membership list that maps closely onto China's existing network of Belt and Road and BRICS-adjacent partnerships. No G7 country and no major Western AI power joined as a founding member, underscoring that WAICO is positioned less as a universal successor to bodies like the OECD's AI governance frameworks and more as a Global South-anchored alternative institution, open in principle to all states but built, in its first iteration, on the foundations of China's existing diplomatic relationships.

South Africa's participation as a founding member is significant for Pretoria's own positioning. It places South Africa, alongside Kenya, Rwanda and Nigeria, among the African states best placed to help shape emerging global AI rules at an early stage, rather than simply receiving standards set elsewhere. Given South Africa's simultaneous roles in BRICS, the G20 and the African Union, its WAICO membership offers a potential channel for aligning continental AI priorities, including those set out in the African Union's Continental AI Strategy, with the capacity-building resources China has pledged.

United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres attended the signing ceremony and the WAIC opening in person, a detail Chinese state media were quick to highlight as validation of the initiative's multilateral credentials. In his remarks, Guterres and the other heads of state and government present, including Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, praised China's contribution to global AI governance and echoed the call for AI benefits to be shared equitably, bridging what Xi described as both the AI divide and the broader North-South development gap.

Concrete commitments, not just principles

What distinguished this year's WAIC from previous editions was the specificity of the deliverables Xi announced, moving the Global AI Governance Initiative from declaratory principle to measurable commitment. Over the next five years, China will offer developing countries 5,000 training and seminar opportunities in AI. It will establish AI application cooperation centres jointly with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, the League of Arab States, the African Union, the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation and BRICS. And it will extend access to MAZU, China's AI-powered meteorological early-warning system, to thirty countries, a practical application with obvious relevance for African nations grappling with climate volatility and extreme weather events.

These commitments matter because they translate an otherwise abstract governance debate into infrastructure, training pipelines and applied tools that developing economies can use immediately. For a continent such as Africa, where compute infrastructure, cloud capacity and AI talent pipelines remain thin relative to global demand, the offer of structured cooperation centres and training slots addresses a real and frequently cited constraint on AI adoption, even as it raises legitimate questions about dependency, data governance and long-term technological sovereignty that African governments will need to weigh carefully.

A contested vision

It would be incomplete, and inconsistent with the standard of accuracy this analysis aims for, to present China's framework as universally embraced. Several independent analysts, including researchers writing for the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace and The Diplomat, have observed that WAICO's membership excludes Western democracies almost entirely and reflects, rather than transcends, existing geopolitical alignments. Critics have also drawn a line from WAICO's emphasis on state-centred digital cooperation to China's longstanding advocacy of cyber sovereignty, the principle that governments should retain primary authority over digital governance within their borders, and have questioned whether this framing adequately protects independent oversight and human rights accountability in AI deployment. These are legitimate concerns that deserve to sit alongside the genuine capacity-building value the initiative offers, and any government engaging with WAICO, South Africa included, will need to weigh both dimensions rather than treating the initiative as governance in the abstract.

At the same time, it is equally accurate to note that the existing alternative, a governance landscape shaped overwhelmingly by a small number of American and European technology firms and the regulatory preferences of Washington and Brussels, has itself drawn sustained criticism from Global South governments for offering limited input into rule-making that will nonetheless determine their access to frontier technology. Xi's framing of AI development as a symphony rather than a solo performance, and his explicit rejection of a governance order in which any single country's security interests override those of others, speaks directly to that frustration, even if the alternative China is proposing is itself led by a single, powerful state.

Why this matters for the Global South, and for South Africa

For countries like South Africa, positioned simultaneously within BRICS, the G20, the African Union and now WAICO, the choice is rarely a binary one between Western and Chinese-led frameworks. It is instead a question of how to extract the maximum developmental benefit, in training, infrastructure and market access, while retaining enough regulatory independence to set domestic standards on data protection, algorithmic accountability and digital rights that reflect South Africa's own constitutional and democratic commitments. WAICO's proposed cooperation centre with the African Union, alongside the training slots and applied tools such as MAZU, represent concrete near-term opportunities. Whether they translate into durable capability rather than continued dependency will depend substantially on how African governments, South Africa's included, negotiate the terms of engagement.

Conclusion

Xi Jinping's address in Shanghai, and the WAICO agreement it accompanied, together represent one of the more consequential moves in the still-unsettled contest over global AI governance. China has moved beyond issuing declarations and has now built an institution, backed by concrete financial and technical commitments, designed to appeal directly to the developing world's frustrations with a technology order it has had little hand in shaping. Whether WAICO becomes a genuinely consequential pillar of global AI governance, comparable in stature to institutions like the World Trade Organization as some commentators have speculated, or remains a more limited platform for South-South technical cooperation, will depend on how effectively it delivers on its training, infrastructure and standard-setting promises over the coming years. For South Africa and its Global South partners, the task now is less about choosing a side than about ensuring that participation in this new architecture strengthens, rather than substitutes for, their own capacity to govern AI on their own terms.

While many people are still on the fence about the benefits of AI, what cannot be disputed is just how much this technology drains your device's resources.

I’m talking specifically about RAM—or "unified memory," if you prefer Apple’s preferred terminology—not long-term storage space.

The simple reality is that local AI tasks require vast amounts of memory, which is fundamentally changing how computers, tablets, and smartphones are designed. On-device AI features, like Apple’s integrated ChatGPT capabilities, demand instant access to your system's processing power.

To deliver immediate, fluid responses, those AI models must sit directly inside your active memory.

The Impact of Local AI on RAM Prices and Tech Industry Costs

Think of it this way: when your system needs fast access to information, indexing and handling that data requires a rapid temporary staging area. That is essentially what RAM is. Therefore, the more temporary capacity your system has, the quicker and more effectively that heavy data can be processed.

To put it in layman’s terms, RAM is like the surface of a physical desk. The larger the desk, the more documents you can spread out and work on simultaneously. Your hard drive or SSD, on the other hand, is the filing cabinet underneath the desk where the vast majority of your files and documents are stored long-term.

To handle these heavy new workloads, tech manufacturers are aggressively "future-proofing" their latest models with significantly more memory. This sudden surge in demand has naturally driven up the price of these vital components across the entire tech industry. Consequently, these sky-high RAM prices are now pushing up retail costs for everything from modern smartphones and laptops to media players and high-end gaming consoles.

At the center of this widespread price hike is local AI—a technology so many everyday consumers aren't even fully won over by yet.

@Michael_Sherman

IOL Tech

Seoul, South Korea - Clients have drifted away from Song Oh-soon's fortune-telling village on the edge of Seoul, preferring online AI-powered divination to the centuries-old prophesying tradition still practised there.

At 86, Song is one of the last members of a community of visually-impaired practitioners that drew generations of South Koreans seeking answers and advice about everything from illness and money to love and fate.

In one of the world's most AI-connected societies, the village's greatest challenge is not fading belief in fortune-telling, but the way it is consumed.

Song remains adamantly offline, relying on the "Four Pillars of Destiny" astrology in braille and on her four decades of experience in careful listening -- a skill her automated competition cannot match.

"There were people who came here wanting to die," Song told AFP in northern Seoul's Mia village. "I persuaded them to keep living."

"I also once wanted to die, but I found this work and survived."

Today, silence is often Song's only visitor. The community was once home to 70 or 80 practitioners, but fewer than 20 remain.

Many have died. Their shops down narrow alleys sit dark behind faded signs advertising "traditional fortune-telling houses".

"When I go outside for a walk, it's quiet," Song said in her tiny room that serves as both home and consulting space. "It feels lonely."

The human factor

Figures show South Korea's fortune-telling business is growing -- worth 1.4 trillion won (R15,9 billion) as of 2024, according to startup analysis firm InnoForest.

Many now turn to mobile apps and artificial intelligence chatbots such as ChatGPT and Gemini for readings, a survey by market researcher Embrain said this year.

Occasionally, though, someone still seeks out a human intervention.

University professor Oh Ji-hye for years walked past the village without going inside, opting instead for AI readings during her commute.

Only recently, anxious about her career, did she turn to Song for a phone consultation.

"It felt good that someone rather than AI was concentrating on and listening to my story," the 44-year-old said.

Mia village emerged in 1966 after the first blind fortune-teller settled there, according to the Seongbuk Cultural Centre, which researches the district's history.

As Seoul boomed in the 1970s and 1980s, the neighbourhood enjoyed cheap rents and a constant foot traffic of potential customers by the time Song arrived in 1984.

She lost her sight in a childhood illness before the Korean War and by 11 was studying Korean fortune-telling -- predicting subjects' futures based on their birth dates and times.

Outread by algorithms

She was a professional by 16, working in an industry where many people with disabilities -- especially women -- have been historically confined owing to discrimination.

"Nowadays, if a visually impaired person is musically talented, they can pursue a career in music," she said.

"But back when I lost my sight, there was nothing else I could do besides this job."

Over her lifetime, South Korea has witnessed the devastation of the 1950-53 war, periods of military rule and the 1990s financial crisis.

After periods of hardship and loss, the nation has emerged as a global financial powerhouse -- with recent astronomical profits from manufacturing AI microchips.

Those gains have lifted the nation's fortunes. Clients who once came for advice about medical ailments can now head to hospital instead.

But the technology has drawn away clients from Song's 50,000-won sessions in favour of free or affordable AI readings.

Most of the remaining practitioners have little online presence, and many cannot be found through major search platforms.

"I don't think people are less interested in fortune-telling," Song said. "But these days, they look online, so they do not come all the way to us."

Despite the village's decline, Song believes no fate is set in stone.

"If you put in the effort and make wise judgements, good fortune will come your way three times in your life," she said.

AFP

Thousands of lawsuits accusing major social media companies of fueling addiction and harming young users can move forward in the US after a federal appeals court rejected an attempt to halt the litigation.

The San Francisco-based Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals dismissed appeals by Meta and TikTok on Monday against earlier rulings that allowed more than 3,000 federal cases to proceed.

The companies sought to challenge the cases under Section 230, a US law that protects online platforms from some claims involving content posted by users.

The appeals court ruled that they could not use the law to stop the cases from moving forward at this stage, saying Section 230 “merely provides a defense to liability – not immunity from suit.” The ruling does not determine whether Meta, TikTok, and other companies are responsible for the alleged harms.

The lawsuits target Meta, Google, TikTok, Snap, and other companies and have been brought by individuals, school districts, US states, and local authorities. They accuse the platforms of using features designed to keep children and teenagers engaged, allegedly contributing to addiction, depression, anxiety, and other problems.

The court also rejected Meta’s bid to delay a separate case brought by 29 US state attorneys general. Jury selection is due to begin Wednesday, with the states accusing the company of improperly collecting children’s data, using features designed to keep young users engaged, and misleading consumers about the safety of its platforms. Meta denies the allegations.

The decision follows another setback for the industry in March, when a Los Angeles jury found Meta and Google negligent in the first social media addiction case to reach a verdict. It awarded $6 million to a 20-year-old woman who said she became addicted to Instagram and YouTube as a child. Both companies denied wrongdoing and have challenged the verdict.

The legal battles come as governments around the world tighten rules on children’s access to social media amid concerns over addictive features, harmful content, and weak age checks.

Last December, Australia became the first country to require major social media platforms to prevent people under 16 from holding accounts. Indonesia and Malaysia have since introduced restrictions for under-16s, and Britain has announced its own ban for next year. France has restricted access for children under 15, and the measure is due to take effect in September pending a constitutional review.

RT News