Google agrees to major funding package for South African media

Google agrees to major funding package for South African media

Carlos Barria/Reuters Google has committed R688-million to support South Africa’s under-pressure media industry, alongside a separate initiative aimed at fostering its long-term growth. This follows the release of the media and digital platforms market inquiry final report by the Competition Commission on Thursday. It marks an about-turn from earlier this year, when the US search…

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Google, YouTube to pour R688m into SA’s media sector

Google, YouTube to pour R688m into SA’s media sector

The Competition Commission found that Google and YouTube reproduce South African news content, but provide no remuneration to local publishers. Google and YouTube have agreed to establish a combined R688 million media support package to fund national, community and vernacular media in SA. This is one of the key recommended remedies in the Competition Commission’s…

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Apple’s new Siri will be powered by … Google

Apple’s new Siri will be powered by … Google

Siri has fallen hopelessly behind other chatbots Apple plans to use a 1.2 trillion-parameter AI model developed by Google to help power a revamp of its Siri voice assistant, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday. After an evaluation, the companies are finalising a deal that would have Apple pay about US$1-billion/year for access to Google’s technology,…

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Discovery teams up with Google to launch AI-powered Vitality platform

Discovery teams up with Google to launch AI-powered Vitality platform

Discovery Group CEO Adrian Gore Discovery Group has unveiled Vitality AI, a new artificial intelligence platform developed in partnership with Google, designed to make millions of people healthier through personalisation and data-driven insights. Vitality AI will be made available to Discovery’s South African customers and offered in the other markets around the world where it…

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Google SA commits R49m to AI, security upskilling

Google SA commits R49m to AI, security upskilling

The R49 million funding reflects Google’s long-term commitment to supporting SA’s digital economy, it says. Google has announced a $2.85 million (R49 million) funding injection through its philanthropic arm, Google.org, to support artificial intelligence (AI) skills development, education, online safety and cyber security in South Africa. The announcement was made last night at AI Expo…

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