Latest news with #JamesManyika
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Google announces $37m in cumulative funding to advance AI in Africa
Google said Africa's AI talent is growing rapidly, but the infrastructure to support it must grow in tandem. Google has outlined a wave of artificial intelligence (AI) support across Africa, representing $37 million in cumulative funding. The announcement includes previously committed but unannounced funding to research, talent development, and infrastructure. Funding The funding package includes funding and partnerships that aim to strengthen AI research, support African languages, improve food systems, expand digital skills, and build research capacity. Google also announced $3 million in funding to the Masakhane Research Foundation, the open research collective advancing AI tools in over 40 African languages Google said Africa's AI talent is growing rapidly, but the infrastructure to support it must grow in tandem. 'That's why a cornerstone of this announcement is the launch of the AI community centre in Accra — a first-of-its-kind space for AI learning, experimentation, and collaboration in Africa. The centre will host training sessions, community events, and workshops focused on responsible AI development.' ALSO READ: Two decades of Google Maps: How people mapped out their world Four pillars Google said the programming will span four pillars: AI literacy, community technology, social impact, and arts and culture — providing a platform for a diverse ecosystem of developers, students, and creators to engage with AI in ways that are grounded in African priorities. To help meet the rising demand for AI and digital skills, Google is rolling out 100 000 Google Career Certificate scholarships for students in higher learning institutions across Ghana. Beyond Ghana, is committing an additional $7 million to support AI education across Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa, and Ghana. It stated that the funding will support academic institutions and nonprofits in building localised AI curricula, online safety training, and cybersecurity programs. Africa Speaking about the announcements, James Manyika, senior vice president for Research, Labs, and Technology & Society at Google, said Africa is home to some of the most important and inspiring work in AI today. 'We are committed to supporting the next wave of innovation through long-term investment, local partnerships, and platforms that help researchers and entrepreneurs build solutions that matter.' Yossi Matias, vice president of Engineering and Research at Google, added that this new wave of support reflects the company's belief in the talent, creativity, and ingenuity across the continent. 'By building with local communities and institutions, we're supporting solutions that are rooted in Africa's realities and built for global impact.' Initiatives These new initiatives build on Google's ongoing work across the continent. Past efforts have included partnerships to support AI-powered maternal health dashboards in Ghana and Nigeria, as well as wildfire alerts in East Africa, and regional language models developed by teams in Accra and Nairobi. ALSO READ: Google Open Buildings helping strengthen community resilience
The Hindu
25-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Google commits $37 million to AI development in Africa
Google on Thursday unveiled a $37 million package to accelerate artificial intelligence development across Africa, pledging support for local AI research and projects ranging from crop monitoring to adapting technology for the continent's languages. The commitment from the U.S. tech giant also included efforts to back startups in the health and education sectors. "Africa is home to some of the most important and inspiring work in AI today," said James Manyika, a senior vice president at the company, speaking during the launch of an "AI community centre" in Ghana's capital, Accra. The centre will serve as a hub for training, collaboration and experimentation, including programming for AI literacy. Among the flagship initiatives unveiled is the AI Collaborative for Food Security, meant to connect researchers and non-profits to develop tools to improve early hunger detection, crop resilience and decision-making for smallholder farmers. The project aims to help African food systems withstand growing climate and economic shocks. AI has already been deployed by some farmers across the continent, including in nearby Nigeria, long home to a booming domestic tech industry. Local agri-tech companies have popped up to monitor soil conditions for crops or temperature and humidity on chicken farms. Google is also set to launch a financing platform to back AI-driven startups in the agriculture, health and education sectors. Through its philanthropic arm, it committed $7 million to expand AI education initiatives in Nigeria, Kenya, South Africa and Ghana. Google also announced $3 million in funding for Masakhane, a tech collective advancing AI tools in more than 40 African languages. A pair of $1 million research grants meanwhile will go to the African Institute of Data Science and Artificial Intelligence and the Wits Machine Intelligence and Neural Discovery Institute, both in South Africa. Sam George, Ghana's communications and digital technology minister, called on Ghanaians to use AI "to look at how we're going to fix our national challenges such as flooding, waste management and traffic management". Google's past AI initiatives in Africa have focused on maternal health tech in Ghana and Nigeria, wildfire alerts in east Africa and language model development in Accra and Nairobi.
South China Morning Post
06-06-2025
- Business
- South China Morning Post
Who will win the AI contest of the century?
The arrival of artificial intelligence, robotics and new technology has been heralded as a game changer. But how will it unfold, and who will be able to take advantage of AI to win the contest of the century: the United States, China or some other country? Advertisement Writing in Foreign Affairs in 2023, James Manyika, senior vice-president of technology and society at Google, and Nobel laureate economist Michael Spence argued that 'by the beginning of the next decade, the shift to AI could become a leading driver of global prosperity'. These gains would come from not just the rapid advances in AI in creating new content and applications in daily life, but also its rapid spread through the democratisation of innovation. But for it to happen, Manyika and Spence say, we need a new policy framework as well as a new mindset towards AI, and that 'AI technologies must be embraced as tools that can enhance, rather than undermine, human potential and ingenuity'. I think the AI revolution has arrived faster than expected. So far, it looks like the US and China are in a two-horse race, with the others still struggling to catch up for various reasons. My thesis is that no country can afford not to encourage AI adoption to enhance national productivity and avoid the digital knowledge divide. Those who do not will become marginalised. The contest of the century is thus between all countries. In this cutthroat race, with Big Tech seeking to dominate the 'pay-by-subscription' game, we may end up being mentally and financially colonised in different tech domains. Advertisement This is where the Global South can innovate its way through open-access systems that meet individual or local needs, without giving away valuable data by choosing to follow one algorithm platform or becoming locked into 'pay for upgrade' contracts.
The Advertiser
03-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Australia risks missing AI boost if it gets rules wrong
Australia could miss out on vital health, entertainment and productivity breakthroughs if it introduces rigid artificial intelligence rules rather than taking a balanced approach like some of its neighbours. Google-Alphabet Senior Vice President James Manyika issued the warning while attending an AI summit in Sydney on Tuesday to discuss the technology's potential uses in Australia. The executive also warned the risks of AI misuse were real and its governance would require careful consideration in each industry. His warnings come a day after the Business Council of Australia called for greater support, rules and innovation in AI to boost the nation's productivity, and as the federal government considers regulations following an inquiry. Rules about the use of AI technology vary across the world, from the more restrictive approach of the European Union to the hands-off style adopted in the US. A "two-sided" balance between the risks and rewards of AI - similar to rules adopted by Singapore - should be Australia's goal, Mr Manyika said. "On the one hand, you want to address the risks and complexities that come with this technology, which are quite real, but on the other side, you want regulation that enables all the beneficial applications and possibilities," he told AAP. "Both are important and I'm hoping Australia takes that approach." Allowing businesses to experiment with AI technology would be crucial to boosting productivity, he said, as well as financially supporting research opportunities, as breakthroughs in health and social issues would not "happen automatically". Restrictions should be applied to individual high-risk uses, the former United Nations AI policy co-chair said, and by focusing on industries with the highest risks. "A sector-based approach is important because often underlying technology applied in one sector may be perfectly fine - but applied in a sector, like financial services or health care, it is absolutely not," he said. Google announced several AI advancements at its annual developers conference in the United States in May, including plans to build a universal AI assistant and make changes to web searches. But the internet giant's video-generating AI tool Veo 3 arguably grabbed the most attention as it created audio that appeared to come from the mouths of AI-crafted characters. The development, like others in AI video creation, had the potential to make traditional filmmakers nervous, Mr Manyika said. But it could also play an important role as a tool in designing productions rather than replacing them. "Many start with fear and concern but often, when they have actually played with the tools and also been part of ... collaborations we've done ... that's generated a lot of excitement," he said. "Scrappier filmmakers have been thrilled because (they) can do previews with a hundred possibilities and then decide which one (they're) actually going to shoot." The federal government issued voluntary AI rules in September but has not created mandatory guardrails for high-risk AI use. A Senate inquiry made 13 recommendations in November, including introducing a dedicated AI law and ensuring general AI services such as Google Gemini and Open AI's ChatGPT fall beneath it. Australia could miss out on vital health, entertainment and productivity breakthroughs if it introduces rigid artificial intelligence rules rather than taking a balanced approach like some of its neighbours. Google-Alphabet Senior Vice President James Manyika issued the warning while attending an AI summit in Sydney on Tuesday to discuss the technology's potential uses in Australia. The executive also warned the risks of AI misuse were real and its governance would require careful consideration in each industry. His warnings come a day after the Business Council of Australia called for greater support, rules and innovation in AI to boost the nation's productivity, and as the federal government considers regulations following an inquiry. Rules about the use of AI technology vary across the world, from the more restrictive approach of the European Union to the hands-off style adopted in the US. A "two-sided" balance between the risks and rewards of AI - similar to rules adopted by Singapore - should be Australia's goal, Mr Manyika said. "On the one hand, you want to address the risks and complexities that come with this technology, which are quite real, but on the other side, you want regulation that enables all the beneficial applications and possibilities," he told AAP. "Both are important and I'm hoping Australia takes that approach." Allowing businesses to experiment with AI technology would be crucial to boosting productivity, he said, as well as financially supporting research opportunities, as breakthroughs in health and social issues would not "happen automatically". Restrictions should be applied to individual high-risk uses, the former United Nations AI policy co-chair said, and by focusing on industries with the highest risks. "A sector-based approach is important because often underlying technology applied in one sector may be perfectly fine - but applied in a sector, like financial services or health care, it is absolutely not," he said. Google announced several AI advancements at its annual developers conference in the United States in May, including plans to build a universal AI assistant and make changes to web searches. But the internet giant's video-generating AI tool Veo 3 arguably grabbed the most attention as it created audio that appeared to come from the mouths of AI-crafted characters. The development, like others in AI video creation, had the potential to make traditional filmmakers nervous, Mr Manyika said. But it could also play an important role as a tool in designing productions rather than replacing them. "Many start with fear and concern but often, when they have actually played with the tools and also been part of ... collaborations we've done ... that's generated a lot of excitement," he said. "Scrappier filmmakers have been thrilled because (they) can do previews with a hundred possibilities and then decide which one (they're) actually going to shoot." The federal government issued voluntary AI rules in September but has not created mandatory guardrails for high-risk AI use. A Senate inquiry made 13 recommendations in November, including introducing a dedicated AI law and ensuring general AI services such as Google Gemini and Open AI's ChatGPT fall beneath it. Australia could miss out on vital health, entertainment and productivity breakthroughs if it introduces rigid artificial intelligence rules rather than taking a balanced approach like some of its neighbours. Google-Alphabet Senior Vice President James Manyika issued the warning while attending an AI summit in Sydney on Tuesday to discuss the technology's potential uses in Australia. The executive also warned the risks of AI misuse were real and its governance would require careful consideration in each industry. His warnings come a day after the Business Council of Australia called for greater support, rules and innovation in AI to boost the nation's productivity, and as the federal government considers regulations following an inquiry. Rules about the use of AI technology vary across the world, from the more restrictive approach of the European Union to the hands-off style adopted in the US. A "two-sided" balance between the risks and rewards of AI - similar to rules adopted by Singapore - should be Australia's goal, Mr Manyika said. "On the one hand, you want to address the risks and complexities that come with this technology, which are quite real, but on the other side, you want regulation that enables all the beneficial applications and possibilities," he told AAP. "Both are important and I'm hoping Australia takes that approach." Allowing businesses to experiment with AI technology would be crucial to boosting productivity, he said, as well as financially supporting research opportunities, as breakthroughs in health and social issues would not "happen automatically". Restrictions should be applied to individual high-risk uses, the former United Nations AI policy co-chair said, and by focusing on industries with the highest risks. "A sector-based approach is important because often underlying technology applied in one sector may be perfectly fine - but applied in a sector, like financial services or health care, it is absolutely not," he said. Google announced several AI advancements at its annual developers conference in the United States in May, including plans to build a universal AI assistant and make changes to web searches. But the internet giant's video-generating AI tool Veo 3 arguably grabbed the most attention as it created audio that appeared to come from the mouths of AI-crafted characters. The development, like others in AI video creation, had the potential to make traditional filmmakers nervous, Mr Manyika said. But it could also play an important role as a tool in designing productions rather than replacing them. "Many start with fear and concern but often, when they have actually played with the tools and also been part of ... collaborations we've done ... that's generated a lot of excitement," he said. "Scrappier filmmakers have been thrilled because (they) can do previews with a hundred possibilities and then decide which one (they're) actually going to shoot." The federal government issued voluntary AI rules in September but has not created mandatory guardrails for high-risk AI use. A Senate inquiry made 13 recommendations in November, including introducing a dedicated AI law and ensuring general AI services such as Google Gemini and Open AI's ChatGPT fall beneath it. Australia could miss out on vital health, entertainment and productivity breakthroughs if it introduces rigid artificial intelligence rules rather than taking a balanced approach like some of its neighbours. Google-Alphabet Senior Vice President James Manyika issued the warning while attending an AI summit in Sydney on Tuesday to discuss the technology's potential uses in Australia. The executive also warned the risks of AI misuse were real and its governance would require careful consideration in each industry. His warnings come a day after the Business Council of Australia called for greater support, rules and innovation in AI to boost the nation's productivity, and as the federal government considers regulations following an inquiry. Rules about the use of AI technology vary across the world, from the more restrictive approach of the European Union to the hands-off style adopted in the US. A "two-sided" balance between the risks and rewards of AI - similar to rules adopted by Singapore - should be Australia's goal, Mr Manyika said. "On the one hand, you want to address the risks and complexities that come with this technology, which are quite real, but on the other side, you want regulation that enables all the beneficial applications and possibilities," he told AAP. "Both are important and I'm hoping Australia takes that approach." Allowing businesses to experiment with AI technology would be crucial to boosting productivity, he said, as well as financially supporting research opportunities, as breakthroughs in health and social issues would not "happen automatically". Restrictions should be applied to individual high-risk uses, the former United Nations AI policy co-chair said, and by focusing on industries with the highest risks. "A sector-based approach is important because often underlying technology applied in one sector may be perfectly fine - but applied in a sector, like financial services or health care, it is absolutely not," he said. Google announced several AI advancements at its annual developers conference in the United States in May, including plans to build a universal AI assistant and make changes to web searches. But the internet giant's video-generating AI tool Veo 3 arguably grabbed the most attention as it created audio that appeared to come from the mouths of AI-crafted characters. The development, like others in AI video creation, had the potential to make traditional filmmakers nervous, Mr Manyika said. But it could also play an important role as a tool in designing productions rather than replacing them. "Many start with fear and concern but often, when they have actually played with the tools and also been part of ... collaborations we've done ... that's generated a lot of excitement," he said. "Scrappier filmmakers have been thrilled because (they) can do previews with a hundred possibilities and then decide which one (they're) actually going to shoot." The federal government issued voluntary AI rules in September but has not created mandatory guardrails for high-risk AI use. A Senate inquiry made 13 recommendations in November, including introducing a dedicated AI law and ensuring general AI services such as Google Gemini and Open AI's ChatGPT fall beneath it.
9 News
03-06-2025
- Business
- 9 News
Google's new AI tool creates the most realistic videos yet
Your web browser is no longer supported. To improve your experience update it here BREAKING Major Sydney tunnel closed after crane truck rolls over Google's new AI video generator Veo 3 - announced just last month - is causing shockwaves online with its photorealistic content. The AI video generator can create eight-second videos within moments after receiving a prompt. Content like short films, fake street interviews, sci-fi, action and other prompts are appearing all over social media; you may have seen them already without even knowing it's AI. Google's own prompt of an "old sailor" showcases just how impressive the quality of the AI is. (Google) Google's "state-of-the-art video generation model" claims it stands out from other AI video generators due to its innovations that were "designed for greater control". Notably, the tool now produces realistic soundscapes featuring audio and dialogue and can be fine-tuned to keep consistent characters in different video clips. Users can also precisely adjust framing and movement. Veo 3 can even use videos of yourself as a reference point for animating facial expressions and emotions. The tool has been available through Google's paid AI plans and is accessible through its AI chatbot Gemini and new creative tool Flow. The technology is set to cause an even greater shift within the creative industry as filmmakers experiment with the technology . Some social media users noted the "uncanny" nature of the AI videos. (Google) AI and its future use were the topic of the Australian Financial Review 's AI summit held today, with Google Australia and New Zealand managing director Melanie Silva saying the technology will be critical to lift Australia's productivity. "Everything we know of can be faster and easier," she told the AFR summit. "If we put a productivity lens around it and think about how Australia might solve the 10-year productivity slump that we are in, this is by far one of the biggest solutions." Google's senior vice president for research, labs, technology and society James Manyika said Australia would need to capitalise on opportunities provided by AI. "It's fundamentally important in our minds to have a very vibrant research and AI ecosystem," Manyika told the summit. "I think Australia has a great starting point." "The CSIRO is an extraordinary entity ... but more may actually be needed." Technology Artificial Intelligence Google Tech World CONTACT US Property News: 'Stressful': Perth mum's dilemma after rental mix-up.
