Johnson Idesoh, group chief information and technology officer, Absa Group. (Photograph by Lesley Moyo) Absa Group says its agentic artificial intelligence (AI)-based chatbot handles over 100 000 queries per month from approximately 1.6 million users. This, as the banking group continues to modernise its core platforms, positioning technology as a strategic lever for growth across…
Big-four bank Standard Bank’s IT spend reached R11.8 billion for the six months ended 30 June. Standard Bank Group says 72% of employees were active users of generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, as of 30 June, with 87 use cases approved. This, as the bank continues to scale the deployment of technology and AI across…
The South African Broadcasting Corporation’s (SABC’s) free streaming platform, SABC+, has officially passed the three-million registered user mark, solidifying its position as one of the country’s leading digital entertainment hubs. According to the public broadcaster, these registered profiles represent a fully logged-in, consented audience rather than transient web traffic. This distinction enables SABC+ to deliver…
The username feature is the latest in a series of privacy-focused additions WhatsApp has introduced to enhance user privacy. Meta-owned WhatsApp has announced plans to introduce usernames, a new feature aimed at allowing its users to connect with others without sharing their phone numbers. The messaging platform disclosed the feature on its website on Monday,…
Google will appeal a German court ruling which said it is legally liable for false claims appearing in AI Overviews, the US tech company said on Friday, in a case that will likely impact other AI developers. The challenge came after a Munich court issued a landmark judgment against Google’s AI-generated summaries that appear above traditional search…
Imposter Facebook page uses Watu branding to lure users into paying for non-existent goods IN SHORT: This Facebook page uses the name and logo of Watu – a legitimate asset finance company operating in Kenya – to offer motorbikes and household products at unbelievable prices. But don’t fall for the scam. The Facebook page Watu…
Google has launched Personal Intelligence in the Gemini app for South African users, a feature that lets the chatbot draw on a user’s Gmail, Google Photos, YouTube and Search history to produce personalised responses. The feature, which rolled out in the US earlier this year, is being made available first to paying subscribers on Google’s…
On 8 April, the GPU held an emergency meeting with stakeholders from the media industry and civil society organisations to discuss the new regulations. Those present agreed that introducing a controlled registration and accreditation system would grant the government and the regulatory authority unlawful and arbitrary powers to decide who can and cannot practise journalism….
In a major boost for digital accessibility in South Africa, Vodacom has zero-rated news and educational content on the SABC+ streaming platform. The initiative allows Vodacom subscribers to access critical information and learning resources without incurring data charges, addressing a significant barrier to entry in a market where data costs remain a primary concern for…
The author, Telviva’s Rob Lith Voice is the most unforgiving channel in business communication. It may seem odd to read that because, as we know, before telephones were invented, everything was face-to-face and involved speech, and then, for most the modern age, a good proportion of business affairs were conducted over the telephone. The internet…
