Lillian Barnard takes new role as Microsoft hunts for SA MD

Lillian Barnard takes new role as Microsoft hunts for SA MD

Lillian Barnard, chief of enterprise partner solutions for #Microsoft Middle East and Africa. (Photograph by Lesley Moyo) Former Microsoft South Africa MD, Lillian Barnard, has stepped into a new leadership role as chief of enterprise partner solutions for Microsoft Middle East and Africa (MEA). In a statement, the software giant says this strategic move reflects…

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Microsoft appoints Naim Yazbeck as MEA president

Microsoft appoints Naim Yazbeck as MEA president

Microsoft has announced Naim Yazbeck as President for the MEA region. Microsoft has announced the promotion of Naim Yazbeck to president of Microsoft Middle East and Africa (MEA), effective 1 July. The company said since joining Microsoft in 2009, Yazbeck has held several leadership roles, most recently serving as GM, UAE. Microsoft commented: “A respected…

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Microsoft SA hosts first AI Skilling Day

Microsoft SA hosts first AI Skilling Day

Tiara Pathon, AI skills director at Microsoft. Microsoft’s global artificial intelligence (AI) skilling initiative prioritises 20 countries, with SA and Kenya leading the charge in Africa. This was revealed by Tiara Pathon, AI skills director at Microsoft, during Microsoft South Africa’s first AI Skilling Day, on Tuesday, at the Gallagher Convention Centre, in Midrand. The…

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Microsoft wants AGI access – OpenAI says no

Microsoft wants AGI access – OpenAI says no

Microsoft and OpenAI are at odds over a contractual provision related to artificial general intelligence, The Information reported on Wednesday (paywall). Under the current terms, when OpenAI achieves AGI, Microsoft’s access to such a technology would be void. Microsoft wants OpenAI to remove that clause but so far OpenAI has refused, the report said. “We…

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AI-infused job loss fears at Amazon, Microsoft

AI-infused job loss fears at Amazon, Microsoft

As AI replaces human roles, the tech sector could lose as many as 235 000 positions this year. Amazon has warned that artificial intelligence (AI), specifically generative AI (GenAI), will trim its workforce as the technology will “change the way our work is done”. The company, the world’s fourth most valuable in terms of market…

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