Can technology really replace human relationships? As philosophy scholars who focus on human happiness and on artificial intelligence (AI), we tackle this question in a recent paper. In our study, we address the rise of AI companions, chatbots, and social robots for friendship, advice, emotional support, and even romance. We argue that AI can reduce…
What do you do when you need a moment to focus? For thousands of people around the U.S., the answer might be reaching for a technicolor piece of plastic that, when pressed, emits a soft and satisfying “click.” A lot of those people have Victoria Baumann and Charlie Moreton to thank, the father-daughter duo behind…
Washington — Amid volatile diplomacy and tit-for-tat strikes between the United States and Iran, American military planners have discussed contingencies that would involve U.S. forces helping secure Iran’s nuclear materials if a deal is reached, according to U.S. officials familiar with knowledge of the ongoing planning. The discussions, which remain preliminary and are contingent on…
Water drives over half of Mozambique’s economy, 90% of exports, and 84% of jobs–yet floods and droughts cost 6.7% of GDP each year. A new World Bank Water Security Diagnostic and the ProAguas Compact 2026-2036 chart a path forward: $14.3 billion by 2030 to secure resources, deliver services, build climate resilience, and mobilize finance. Discover…
The Fundamental Imperative Financing education, particularly “foundational learning”, is the smartest investment a nation can make. The returns on foundational learning, the ability to read, write, and count, are individual, social, and economic, touching every level of society. Evidence from the World Bank report indicates that each additional year of quality education can increase an…
Southern Russia is facing one of the largest environmental disasters in its modern history. In April, repeated Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure in Tuapse triggered massive refinery fires and oil spills along the Black Sea coast, including near Sochi. Residents described “black rain” falling from the sky as smoke and petroleum residue spread across…
The specific fruits of Disney’s $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games are finally coming into focus. According to Bloomberg, Epic is set to release a Disney-themed extraction shooter this November, marking the first major milestone in a partnership that has previously been limited to Fortnite character skins. The project is being positioned as a critical…
The greatest risk to Africa’s future is not inaction, but reactive crisis responses that inadvertently lock in long-term constraints. Within just one month of the new year, African political attention has been pulled in multiple directions – with both world and continental crises demanding urgent responses. At the same time, economic outlooks point to slower…
Do you know a woman who is making a real difference through mentorship in tech? Nominate her for the Mentor of the Year Award. Behind every successful tech career is often a mentor who opened doors, shared hard-earned knowledge and helped others navigate their path with confidence. Nominations are now open for the Mentor of…
By paying ransomware, organisations are leaving themselves open to repeat attacks and long-term business disruption, according to Lloyd Timcke, regional director for Africa and Israel at cybersecurity firm Rubrik. At a cybersecurity event in Johannesburg last week, the company said attackers are increasingly exploiting identity systems such as Active Directory and cloud identity providers, allowing…
