Tech
Google Invests $1 Billion in Subsea Fiber-Optic Cable Connecting Africa and Australia
Google has announced plans to con- struct a subsea fiber-optic cable connecting Africa and Australia,
a project that promises to revolution- ize digital connectivity and economic growth across the continent.
The new cable, dubbed “Umoja,” which is Swahili for “unity,” will directly link Africa and Australia, reducing latency and enabling faster data transfer between the two continents.
The announcement, made on May 23, 2024, marks a significant milestone in Google’s ongoing efforts to bridge the digital divide and empower communities globally.
The project is expected to take several years to complete, with a estimated completion date of 2026.
The Umoja cable will start in Kenya and run through various countries, including the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and k Africa, before crossing the Indian Ocean to Australia. The terrestrial part of the route is already complete, with Google collaborating with Liquid Intelligent Technologies on the project.
According to Brian Quigley, VP for Global Network Infrastructure at Google Cloud, “Umoja will enable African countries to more reliably connect with each other and the rest of the world.
Establishing a new route distinct from existing connectivity routes is critical to
maintaining a resilient network for a region that has historically experienced high-impact outages.”
The project has garnered enthusiastic support from various stakeholders, including Meg Whitman, the U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, who emphasized the project’s significance for Kenya’s digital transformation journey. “This is a momentous occasion,” she remarked.
“Access to the latest technologies, underpinned by dependable and resilient digital infrastructure, is essential for fostering economic opportunities.”
Google’s investment in the Umoja cable is a testament to the company’s ongoing commitment to promoting digital inclusion and fostering sustain- able economic growth in Africa. As the project progresses, it is expected to have a transformative impact on the digital landscape of the continent, paving the way for a future of enhanced connectivity, economic opportunity, and global collaboration.
With the Umoja cable, Google is poised to play a critical role in shaping the future of digital connectivity in Africa, empowering businesses, communities, and individuals to fully leverage the potential of the digital age.
A group of former employees has filed a lawsuit against X, formerly known as Twitter, alleging unfair treatment following the company’s acquisition by Elon Musk. The lawsuit claims that X violated labor laws, failed to provide adequate notice and severance packages, and disproportionately targeted women and older workers for job cuts.
The lawsuit is one of several filed in the months after Musk’s $44 billion acquisition, which led to the layoffs of approximately 75% of the workforce. Court documents reveal that other cases accuse Twitter of not giving employees and contractors advance notice of layoffs and failing to pay billions of dollars in promised severance.
X has denied any wrongdoing, but the lawsuits highlight the challenges faced by the company as it undergoes significant restructuring. As the cases move forward, they will likely provide insight into the inner workings of X and the decisions made by Musk and his team.
Read also : Venezuela Blocks X (formerly Twitter) For 10 Days, Accusing Elon Musk Of Promoting Hatred
“We’re committed to protecting the rights of our former employees and ensuring that they receive the fair treatment they deserve,” said a spokesperson for the plaintiffs. X has not commented further on the lawsuits, but its denial of wrongdoing suggests a lengthy and contentious legal battle ahead.
In a bold move to enhance user safety across Sub-Saharan Africa, TikTok has launched its inaugural Safety Advisory Council, a diverse group of experts tasked with providing localized insights and recommendations on safety issues. This initiative marks a significant step in TikTok’s global safety strategy, expanding on its existing network of Safety Advisory Councils that have shaped the platform’s safety policies worldwide.
The council members, comprising academics, NGOs, content creators, and community leaders, will work closely with TikTok to address regional safety concerns and develop proactive strategies to manage emerging challenges. This collaborative approach underscores TikTok’s commitment to creating a secure and positive environment for its users in the region.
Read also : TikTok Unveils Inaugural Visionary Voices List For Africa
Alongside the council, TikTok is launching the latest phase of its #SaferTogether campaign, focusing on educating the community about safety features and community guidelines through workshops, social media outreach, and partnerships with local stakeholders. The campaign aims to promote a shared responsibility for safety and encourage users to engage actively with the platform’s safety tools.
With the support of strategic partners like Safaricom, TikTok remains dedicated to upholding platform integrity and safeguarding its user community across Sub-Saharan Africa. As the platform
A pioneering AI model has been hailed as a game-changer in the fight against heart disease, detecting inflammation in the heart that evades traditional CT scans. This innovative technology has the potential to revolutionize heart disease prevention and treatment, identifying individuals at risk of a heart attack within the next decade.
The AI platform, developed by Oxford University spinout company Caristo Diagnostics, is currently being piloted at five NHS hospital trusts. The project has already shown promising results, with plans for a national rollout pending approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. This breakthrough technology uses an algorithm to detect coronary inflammation and plaque, enabling early intervention and treatment.
Research has consistently shown that increased inflammation is linked to a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and fatal heart attacks. The British Heart Foundation estimates that approximately 7.6 million people in the UK live with heart disease, costing the NHS £7.4 billion annually.The AI technology has the potential to significantly reduce this burden, providing a targeted approach to prevention and treatment.
The Orfan study, involving 40,000 patients, found that 80% of individuals sent back to primary care without a defined prevention or treatment plan were at risk of future heart attacks. By using the AI technology, 45% of these patients were prescribed medication or encouraged to make lifestyle changes to prevent future heart attacks.
Ian Pickard, a participant in the pilot project, received a wakeup call when the AI analysis revealed he was at risk of having a heart attack. He has since been prescribed statins, quit smoking, and increased his exercise, crediting the technology with saving his life. Prof Charalambos Antoniades, lead researcher on the Orfan study, emphasized the significance of this technology, stating that it enables early intervention and treatment, preventing heart attacks from happening.
As the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence assesses the technology, the potential for a nationwide rollout brings hope for a future where heart disease is prevented and treated with unprecedented accuracy
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