These technologies are sold on the potential they hold for education. For example, Khan Academy’s founder opened his 2023 Ted Talk by arguing that “we’re at the cusp of using AI for probably the biggest positive transformation that education has ever seen.”

As optimistic as these visions of the future may be, the realities of educational technology over the past few decades have not lived up to their promises. Rigorous investigations of technology after technology – from mechanical machines to computers, from mobile devices to massive open online courses, or MOOCs – have identified the ongoing failures of technology to transform education.

Yet, educational technology evangelists forget, remain unaware or simply do not care. Or they may be overly optimistic that the next new technology will be different than before.

When vendors and startups pitch their AI-powered products to schools and universities, educators, administrators, parents, taxpayers and others ought to be asking questions guided by past lessons before making purchasing decisions.

As a longtime researcher who examines new technology in education, here are five questions I believe should be answered before school officials purchase any technology, app or platform that relies on AI.

1. Which educational problem does the product solve?

One of the most important questions that educators ought to be asking is whether the technology makes a real difference in the lives of learners and teachers. Is the technology a solution to a specific problem or is it a solution in search of a problem?

To make this concrete, consider the following: Imagine procuring a product that uses GenAI to answer course-related questions. Is this product solving an identified need, or is it being introduced to the environment simply because it can now provide this function? To answer such questions, schools and universities ought to conduct needs analyses, which can help them identify their most pressing concerns.

2. Is there evidence that a product works?

Compelling evidence of the effect of GenAI products on educational outcomes does not yet exist. This leads some researchers to encourage education policymakers to put off buying products until such evidence arises. Others suggest relying on whether the product’s design is grounded in foundational research.

Unfortunately, a central source for product information and evaluation does not exist, which means that the onus of assessing products falls on the consumer. My recommendation is to consider a pre-GenAI recommendation: Ask vendors to provide independent and third-party studies of their products, but use multiple means for assessing the effectiveness of a product. This includes reports from peers and primary evidence.

Do not settle for reports that describe the potential benefits of GenAI – what you’re really after is what actually happens when the specific app or tool is used by teachers and students on the ground. Be on the lookout for unsubstantiated claims.

3. Did educators and students help develop the product?

Oftentimes, there is a “divide between what entrepreneurs build and educators need.” This leads to products divorced from the realities of teaching and learning.

For example, one shortcoming of the One Laptop Per Child program – an ambitious program that sought to put small, cheap but sturdy laptops in the hands of children from families of lesser means – is that the laptops were designed for idealized younger versions of the developers themselves, not so much the children who were actually using them.

Some researchers have recognized this divide and have developed initiatives in which entrepreneurs and educators work together to improve educational technology products.

Questions to ask vendors might be: In what ways were educators and learners included? How did their input influence the final product? What were their major concerns and how were those concerns addressed? Were they representative of the various groups of students who might use these tools, including in terms of age, gender, race, ethnicity and socioeconomic background?

4. What educational beliefs shape this product?

Educational technology is rarely neutral. It is designed by people, and people have beliefs, experiences, ideologies and biases that shape the technologies they develop.

It is important for educational technology products to support the kinds of learning environments that educators aspire for their students. Questions to ask include: What pedagogical principles guide this product? What particular kinds of learning does it support or discourage? You do not need to settle for generalities, such as a theory of learning or cognition.

5. Does the product level the playing field?

Finally, people ought to ask how a product addresses educational inequities. Is this technology going to help reduce the learning gaps between different groups of learners? Or is it one that aids some learners – often those who are already successful or privileged – but not others? Is it adopting an asset-based or a deficit-based approach to addressing inequities?

Educational technology vendors and startups may not have answers to all of these questions. But they should still be asked and considered. Answers could lead to improved products.

Author: George Veletsianos, Professor of learning technologies, University of Minnesota

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Image Credits: Ariel Skelley via Getty Images

Online Accounts Nightmare | Apple ‘Like The Godfather’ | Elon Musk xAI Open-Source Grok | Social Care Unregulated AI Warning | Hidden iPhone AI Features

We each have an average of 100 online accounts. Here’s how to make sure they aren’t a nightmare for your family if you die – CNN Tech

When Rebecca Bistany’s 40-year-old husband Paul died suddenly of a heart attack in November 2022, she didn’t know what kind of assets he left behind for her and their infant daughter.

Compounding her heartache, Paul didn’t leave a will. Bistany wanted to access key business and financial accounts by resetting passwords but found herself in a spot many who lose loved ones encounter: She couldn’t get into his phone, leaving her locked out of everything from personal photos to critical estate information.

Her story is tragic and increasingly common. With password management company NordPass saying each person has an average of 100 online accounts, the deaths of loved ones have become ever more complicated. Read more: 

Apple ‘like The Godfather’ with new App Store rules – BBC Tech

This week Apple made the long-awaited landmark move to allow other companies to launch app stores on iPhones.

The tech giant was forced to act by EU politicians concerned about it having a market monopoly.

The decision is being watched closely around the world and was initially celebrated as an industry victory for businesses and consumers in the EU.

But Apple’s strict new rules and fees are being heavily criticised, with Spotify calling them “extortion”.

It is one of many companies, including Fortnite maker Epic Games, that has been pushing Apple to allow alternative app stores on iPhones. Read more: 

Elon Musk says xAI will open-source Grok this week launch – TechCrunch

Elon Musk’s AI startup xAI will open-source Grok, its chatbot rivaling ChatGPT, this week, the entrepreneur said, days after suing OpenAI and complaining that the Microsoft-backed startup had deviated from its open-source roots.

xAI released Grok last year, arming it with features including access to “real-time” information and views that countered “politically correct” approach. The service is available to customers paying for X’s $16 monthly subscription.

Musk helped co-found OpenAI with Sam Altman nearly a decade ago as a counterweight to Google’s dominance in artificial intelligence. But OpenAI, which was required to also make its technology “freely available” to the public, has become closed-source and shifted focus to maximizing profits for Microsoft, Musk alleged in the lawsuit filed late last month. (Read OpenAI’s response here.) Read more: 

Warning over use in UK of unregulated AI chatbots to create social care plans – The Guardian

University of Oxford study shows benefits and risks of technology to healthcare, but ethical issues remain

Britain’s hard-pressed carers need all the help they can get. But that should not include using unregulated AI bots, according to researchers who say the AI revolution in social care needs a hard ethical edge.

A pilot study by academics at the University of Oxford found some care providers had been using generative AI chatbots such as ChatGPT and Bard to create care plans for people receiving care.

That presents a potential risk to patient confidentiality, according to Dr Caroline Green, an early career research fellow at the Institute for Ethics in AI at Oxford, who surveyed care organisations for the study.

“If you put any type of personal data into [a generative AI chatbot], that data is used to train the language model,” Green said. “That personal data could be generated and revealed to somebody else.”.  Read more: 

Hidden AI Features Available on Your iPhone Right Now – CNET

Apple doesn’t have a ChatGPT rival of its own. But AI tools have played a behind-the-scenes role in iPhones for years.

Apple has been notably absent from the public conversation around generative AI until recently. But AI is already very present on the iPhone, driving core features in popular apps such as the Camera, Photos and Siri among others.

At the same time, Apple CEO Tim Cook has been more vocal about the technology — suggesting that Apple’s public AI push may finally be here. More than a year after ChatGPT took the global spotlight and catalyzed a tech arms race, CEO Tim Cook confirmed on an earnings call in February that Apple is investing in generative AI. Without offering specifics, he said there’s “a huge opportunity for Apple with gen AI and AI.” Read more: 

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Image Credits: CNET

Apple Foldable Iphone | Keep Your Art Out Of AI Generators | Battery-Powered Doorbell With 3D Motion | Fitbit AI Fitness | Microsoft 2M Indians AI Training

Apple eyes a foldable iPhone following Vision Pro launch – TechCrunch

The market is still a relatively small one dominated by Samsung. A folding iPhone could change that.

Last week’s Vision Pro release shed some fascinating light on Apple’s generally top secret development process. A Vanity Fair interview with Tim Cook detailed — in part — what a long and heavy lift it took to get the company’s first headset off the ground. The Apple CEO gave an early iteration of the device the less than flattering nickname, “the monster.”

Rumored foldable versions of the iPhone have also reportedly had their share of setbacks. Issues around durability and the ever-present crease are said to have caused the company to put the foldable iPhone’s development on ice, as the company shifted focused on a folding iPad. A new report from The Information, however, suggests that — after delays — Apple may be back in the foldable iPhone business.

Read more:

How to keep your art out of AI generators – The Verge

Some AI companies provide ways to opt images out of being used in training data, while tools like Glaze and Nightshade can interfere with AI models directly.

AI-generated imagery feels inescapable. It’s in the video games you play, in the movies you watch, and has flooded social media platforms. It’s even been used to promote the physical hardware that real, human artists use to create digital paintings and illustrations, to the immense frustration of those who already feel displaced by the technology.

The pervasive nature of it seems especially egregious to creators who are fighting to stop their works from being used, without consent or compensation, to improve the very thing that threatens to disrupt their careers and livelihoods. The data pools that go into training generative AI models often contain images that are indiscriminately scraped from the internet, and some AI image generator tools allow users to upload reference images they want to imitate. Many creative professionals need to advertise their work via social media and online portfolios, so simply taking everything offline isn’t a viable solution. And a lack of legal clarity around AI technology has created something of a Wild-West environment that’s difficult to resist. Difficult, but not impossible.

Read more:

Ring announces a new battery-powered doorbell with 3D motion detection and improved visuals – Engadget

There’s also color night vision and noise-cancelling tech.

Ring has announced a refresh of its popular Battery Doorbell Plus outdoor camera. The Battery Doorbell Pro is an upgrade in nearly every way, as is usually the case when companies slap “Pro” at the end of a name.

Ring says this new model is its “most advanced battery powered doorbell” ever and that it’s packed with features that exceed even its wired doorbells. It boasts radar-powered 3D motion detection, which was also included with the company’s Stick Up Cam Pro. Otherwise called “Bird’s Eye View”, this technology tracks an object’s path through the camera’s field of view so you can monitor where visitors are going and the route they took to get there.

This is paired with an algorithm that sets more nuanced and discrete motion alerts, so you won’t get pinged every time a cat or shadow crosses your yard. You also get something called “Bird’s Eye View” that translates this information into a series of dots on an aerial image of your property.

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Security Cameras Wireless Outdoor #Ad

How Fitbit Wants AI to Help You Reach Your Fitness Goals – CNET

Google-owned Fitbit thinks there’s big potential for AI to help people set more realistic health aspirations.

Anyone who exercises regularly —  or at least tries to — knows that every day is different. After an exhausting work trip, for example, you probably aren’t as ready for a workout as you would be after getting plenty of sleep over the weekend. Or perhaps you had a particularly intense day at the gym on Monday and still aren’t fully recovered by Wednesday.

Google’s Fitbit is hoping AI can help with scenarios like these as it explores bringing the buzzy technology to its fitness app. Fitbit co-founder James Park, who is leaving the company due to a reorganization of Google’s hardware division, introduced this idea October by announcing Fitbit Labs. The upcoming program will use AI to provide deeper health insights, such as answering questions about why your run may have been harder today than it was yesterday. But Ajay Surie, group product manager at Google, shared additional details about how generative AI will influence the Fitbit app more broadly.

Read more:

Microsoft plans to train 2M Indians in AI, says Nadella – TechCrunch

Microsoft’s prescient bets and aggressive investments in AI have propelled the software giant to become the world’s most valuable company. Yet Satya Nadella, its typically reserved chief executive, couldn’t resist landing a gloved jab at the rest of the industry.

“We have the best model today … even with all the hoopla, one year after, GPT4 is better,” Nadella said at a company event in Mumbai on Wednesday. “We are waiting for the competition to arrive. It will arrive, I’m sure, but the fact [is] that we have the … leading LLM out there.”

Nadella’s rare bit of reality-check came as he pitched Microsoft’s increasingly powerful lineup of AI offerings to the leaders of some of India’s largest companies. In a 35-minute keynote address, Nadella implored businesses to begin exploring ways to deploy AI to boost productivity and refine their products, while urging them not to fall behind.

Read more:

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Image Credits: Microsoft

Five AI Features Of Samsung’s Galaxy S24 | Bill Gates’ Take On AI Impact In Future | Amazon’s Generative AI Tool | Supernal’s Flying Car | Gamers At Risk Of Hearing Loss

Five AI features that make Samsung’s Galaxy S24 phones worth the upgrade – ZDNET

Samsung Unpacked revealed there would be some very exciting AI features coming to the Galaxy S24 that might convince you it’s time to make the switch.

AI has arrived, in full force, on phones for the biggest players on the market, and, with the Galaxy S24, Samsung is coming to prove it can stand toe-to-toe with Google and Apple. The new Galaxy phones are available for preorders starting today, in sync with the company’s Unpacked event.

This year, we’re seeing some serious upgrades (a new Qualcomm chip, a brighter screen, and an even further refined design). But as far as the new capabilities for the phones, AI takes the spotlight, thanks to Galaxy AI. Read more:

Bill Gates explains how AI will change our lives in 5 years – CNN

It’s no secret that Bill Gates is bullish on artificial intelligence, but he’s now predicting that the technology will be transformative for everyone within the next five years.

The rise of AI has elicited fear that the technology will eliminate millions of jobs around the world. The International Monetary Fund this week reported that about 40% of jobs around the world could be affected by the rise of AI.

Gates doesn’t necessarily disagree with that notion, but he believes history shows with every new technology comes fear and then new opportunity.

“As we had [with] agricultural productivity in 1900, people were like ‘Hey, what are people going to do?’ In fact, a lot of new things, a lot of new job categories were created and we’re way better off than when everybody was doing farm work,” Gates said. “This will be like that.”. Read more: 

Amazon launches generative AI tool to answer shoppers’ questions – CNBC

Amazon is rolling out an artificial intelligence tool that can answer shoppers’ questions about a product, a spokesperson confirmed, as the company continues to experiment with generative AI.

The new feature in Amazon’s mobile app prompts users to ask questions about a specific item. It then returns an answer within a few seconds, primarily by summarizing information collected from product reviews and the listing itself.

“We’re constantly inventing to help make customers’ lives better and easier, and are currently testing a new feature powered by generative AI to improve shopping on Amazon by helping customers get answers to commonly asked product questions,” Maria Boschetti, an Amazon spokesperson, said in an email.

The feature could keep shoppers from scrolling through pages of reviews or reading through a listing to find information about a product. Read more: 

Supernal’s 120-MPH Flying Car Is as Quiet as a Dishwasher and Designed Using Bees – WIRED

Hyundai Motor Group’s air mobility offshoot has finally unveiled the S-A2, its passenger eVOTL aircraft. It’s not the only electric whirligig trying to soar at CES 2024.

While this CES has been a more subdued affair in the on-road electric vehicle space—with Ford, General Motors, Toyota, and Stellantis all not exhibiting at the show—2024 seems to be a year of companies once again trying their darnedest to make flying cars happen.

Electric vertical takeoff and landing craft, or eVTOLs, for superfast urban mobility seem to be perennially just a few years or so away, but Hyundai’s air mobility division, Supernal, is seemingly making a concerted play to make this mode of transport a reality.

Supernal’s final product concept of its eVTOL, the S-A2, is an all-electric, pilot-plus-four-passenger vehicle designed to supposedly offer safe, efficient, and, yes, affordable everyday passenger air travel. Read more: 

Gamers at risk of irreversible hearing loss and tinnitus, study suggests – BBC

People who play video games are at risk of damaging their hearing due to potentially unsafe sound levels, a study has found. The new review suggests that gamers play for long periods of time with the volume turned up, beyond safe limits. It says this could contribute to irreversible hearing loss or tinnitus, a constant ringing in the ears.

The paper, published in BMJ Public Health, reviewed 14 studies which in total involved more than 50,000 people.

The researchers urge more public health efforts to raise awareness of the issues for gamers, in the same way that has been done for live music and headphones. Of course, gamers could turn down the volume while playing to minimise the risk, but the study suggests that part of the problem is the length of time people spend being exposed to high volumes. Read More: 

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Image Credit: Alex Welsh, WIRED

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Make Money In 2024 GPT Store | Amazon Matter Casting To Smart TV | Peloton And Tiktok Fitness | Apple Vision Pro Demos | ASUS Zenbook No Compromises Laptop

How To Make Money In 2024 Using ChatGPT’s GPT Store – Forbes

In an unprecedented move marking the entrance of 2024, ChatGPT’s creator OpenAI has announced it will launch its own GPT store—the first of its kind—the week starting January 7. The launch was initially planned for late 2023 as per their announcement on OpenAI DevDay, but was delayed.

Why should this concern you? – Gen Z and Millennial professionals, in particular, have set their sights on establishing career stability and financial freedom, particularly for this new year. The threats posed by the cost of living crisis and job insecurity, and the desire to advance their careers and establish relevant thought leadership, has led the younger workforce to seek out side hustles. Additionally, AI, and particularly generative AI, is a critical skill for young professionals who desire to stand out in a competitive job market. In fact, the number of LinkedIn job postings citing generative AI or ChatGPT as a desired skill has sharply increased over 2023. Read more:

Amazon adds Matter Casting to its smart displays and TVs – TechCrunch

Amazon might never formally endorse AirPlay or Google’s media-casting tech. But the company will be the first to support Matter Casting, the video- and audio-beaming feature of the Matter smart home standard, on its smart displays and smart TVs, Amazon announced this morning at CES 2024.

Once Matter Casting comes to Amazon’s Prime Video app for Android and iOS, users will be able to cast content to supported Amazon devices — starting with the Echo Show 15 — by tapping the new dedicated Matter Casting button. Beyond the Echo Show 15, Amazon says that Matter Casting support will arrive on Fire TVs, including smart TVs from Panasonic with Fire TV built in, and — on the app side — Plex, Pluto TV, Sling TV, Starz and ZDF later this year. Read more: 

Peloton and TikTok join forces to create fitness content – CNN

Peloton is partnering with TikTok to create short-form workout classes and other content as the struggling digital fitness and equipment company attempts to rebrand.

As part of the partnership, TikTok will roll out a #TikTokFitness hub featuring a dedicated Peloton section with custom content created for the platform, the companies announced Thursday. Users will be able to watch a range of Peloton-powered content including live classes, shorter fitness clips, celebrity collaborations and videos from instructors.

“We collectively recognize the way people engage with fitness is constantly changing,” said Oli Snoddy, Peloton’s Vice President of Consumer Marketing, in the release. He said TikTok wants to expand its content “to new audiences, and in completely new ways.” Read more:

Apple is going to offer Vision Pro demos at its retail stores – The Verge

Apple’s Vision Pro will officially launch in the US on February 2nd, and starting that same day, you’ll be able sign up to try the headset out for yourself at the company’s retail stores, Apple said in an email today.

“Starting at 8:00 a.m. on Friday, February 2, we invite you to sign up for a demo of Apple Vision Pro at your local Apple Store,” Apple said in the email. “Demo times will be available Friday through the weekend on a first-come, first-served basis. We can’t wait to see you there.” Read more: 

The ASUS Zenbook Duo is a stunning dual-screen laptop with seemingly no compromises – Engadget

Between the Zenbook 17 Fold, Project Precog and previous Zenbook Duo machines, it feels like ASUS has been working towards building a true dual-screen laptop for ages. And now at CES 2024, that time has come with the arrival of the simply named Zenbook Duo.

Similar to Lenovo’s Yoga Book 9i, the Zenbook Duo features two separate screens and a detachable Bluetooth keyboard that can be stashed inside the system for traveling. The difference is that ASUS’ OLED panels look even better, as they are slightly larger at 14 inches, while also offering a 3K resolution, 120Hz refresh rate and stylus support. Plus, with a starting price of $1,500, it costs $500 less than the Yoga Book and not that much more than your average high-end ultraportable. Read More: 

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Image Credit: The Verge

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Miskay App, Connecting Fashion Enthusiasts | Edtech Crafty Workshop Raises Fund | Insuretech Curacel Partners ALAT | Digital Skills For 500,000 Pupils | App To Transform E-Commerce

Introducing Miskay App: A Revolution in Nigerian Fashion, Connecting Enthusiasts to Global Standards – TechCabal News

In the ever-evolving world of fashion, standing the test of time is no small feat. Yet, Miskay, an 11-year-old fashion brand hailing from the vibrant heart of Nigeria, has not only survived but thrived, steadily becoming a symbol of excellence in the country’s fashion landscape. With a commitment to innovation and accessibility, Miskay has proven that style knows no bounds.

For over a decade, Miskay has consistently delivered fashion-forward pieces that seamlessly blend quality and affordability. This marriage of great quality and an amazing price point has made Miskay a household name among fashion enthusiasts in Nigeria and beyond. Miskay is not just a fashion brand; it’s a fashion movement……

……….The Miskay App, often touted as “Nigeria’s most exquisite lifestyle fashion brand app,” is designed to be a personal stylist, a fashion encyclopedia, and a virtual shopping mall all in one. Its mission is to empower users to explore, express, and embrace their style with ease and grace. Read more here: 

Egyptian edtech Crafty Workshop raises $400,000 Seed fund to develop specialised products – Technext24 News

Egypt-based education technology company Crafty Workshop, has successfully secured $400,000 in a Seed funding round. The round was led by EdVentures, the first edtech-focused corporate venture capital in the Middle East.

Founded in 2019 by Hadeer Shalaby and Amgad Moustafa, Crafty Workshop is a leading e-learning platform that specialises in the creative industries. The startup offers a diverse range of creative courses and workshops. It caters to individuals interested in art, design, illustration, programming, game development, photography, animation, handicraft, and more.

The platform is focused on providing accessible and high-quality education, thus empowering learners to enhance their creative skills and pursue their passions. In addition to its role as an educational platform, Crafty Workshop also serves as a vocational skills training provider, addressing the pressing issue of youth unemployment. By offering vocational training programs, the company equips learners with the necessary knowledge and skills, while also helping them secure job placements and career opportunities. Read more here: 

Nigeria insurtech startup Curacel in “gamechanging” partnership with ALAT – Disrupt Africa

Nigerian embedded insurance startup Curacel has announced what it says is a “game-changing partnership” with ALAT by Wema, Nigeria’s foremost fully digital bank, to offer car, device, and health insurance to ALAT users.

Curacel is a leading embedded insurance company that leverages technology to provide seamless insurance solutions to partners and customers, while ALAT by Wema has long been a trailblazer in the digital banking sphere, offering a wide array of innovative financial services designed to simplify and elevate the banking experience.

The partnership between the two will see Curacel’s cutting-edge embedded insurance solutions seamlessly integrated for use by ALAT users. With the ability to easily purchase Car, Device, and Health Insurance directly through the ALAT app, customers enjoy unparalleled convenience, eliminating the need to seek insurance services elsewhere. Read more here: 

Akingate – Tech – Young Nigerian Pupils

Groups partner to train 500,000 pupils on digital skills – The Guardian.

Lagos-based non-governmental organisation, The Creative Kids Zone (TCKZone) is partnering Team Masters Limited for a 16-month digital skills fellowship project aimed at empowering and transforming the lives of 500,000 young children between seven and 17 years in Nigeria, Ghana and Kenya, by providing them with accessible and affordable digital skills training.

The partnership between two educational platforms seeks to bridge the digital divide and foster a brighter future for underserved communities. The project focuses on equipping young minds in primary and secondary school with the essential skills needed to excel. Through a meticulously crafted curriculum, participants will gain competitive digital skills, enhance their academic performance and develop their leadership abilities.

This comprehensive program strives to harness the potential of technology to uplift communities and prepare the younger generation for the challenges and opportunities of the modern world. Read more here: 

 ICT firm develops app to transform e-commerce – Punch News

Turner Innovations Limited has introduced a software application known as ‘AMORDER’ to transform e-commerce. The Director of the Company, Oyewole Alegbeleye, disclosed this during a chat with journalists on Thursday.

Alegbeleye, a United Kingdom-based Nigerian entrepreneur, further explained that the application is an innovative leap that transcends the ordinary. He said, “The application promises to revolutionise the way buying and selling are done between Nigerian product sellers and restaurants in the UK e-commerce market, with a mission to empower 5000 restaurants and stores to enhance their sales and delivery services within the first 24 months.

“The visionary solution will empower restaurants and stores to connect with customers in unprecedented ways. The new software will encourage young entrepreneurs who want to start selling products online and gain financial freedom and small-scale businesses.” Alegbeleye, therefore, advised new restaurants or whoever wanted to start businesses in those categories to start maximising the innovation that seeks to transform the landscape for restaurant and store owners while reshaping buyer behaviour in the UK and Nigeria markets. Read more here: 

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Image Credit: Punch News and The Guardian

Kenya Startup Ed Fund Private Schools | South Africa Launches Electric Taxi | Ghanaian Agri-Tech Oyster Funded | Google AI And Data Analytics Training Program | Technigerian Dating App | Tramatch, Business Solutions Startup Traction Expansion

Kenya’s Ed Partners secures $1.5m debt funding to fund affordable private schools – Disrupt Africa

Kenyan startup Ed Partners has secured US$1.5 million in debt funding from social impact investor Oikocredit to provide affordable financing to private schools.

Founded in 2018 by Lydia Koros and David FitzHerbert, and currently led by CEO Amos Mwangi, Ed Partners provides financing options for crucial elements of the education system, including infrastructure, technology, and transport. Its impact has already reached over 100,000 students across 350 schools.

The startup, which raised a US$1.9 million funding round in June 2021, provides infrastructural loans to educational institutions to support the construction of new classrooms, washrooms, laboratories and dormitories, as well as the acquisition of computers, buses, vans, and internet connectivity.

Ed Partners has now secured a further US$1.5 million capital in the form of a loan fromOikocredit, a social impact investor and worldwide cooperative that aims to enable people with low incomes in Africa, Asia, and Latin America to improve their living standards sustainably. The funds will be utilised to offer more affordable loans to Kenyan private schools. Read more here: 

Electricity Crisis, South Africa Launches Electric Taxi – Tech In Africa

Despite facing a significant load-shedding crisis, South Africa continues progressing towards green energy solutions. A team from Stellenbosch University (SU), a government-owned institution, is examining the viability of introducing the nation’s inaugural electric taxis. These taxis can potentially cover distances of up to 120 kilometres before necessitating a recharge. They are equipped with an electric motor boasting a power of 90 kWh and a battery capacity of 53.76 kWh.

The SU team has successfully transformed a minibus taxi into an electric-powered vehicle in partnership with Rham Equipment. The converted taxi is currently undergoing road testing, with performance assessments planned to follow shortly.

Stephan Lacock, a team member, described the conversion process, which involved removing the original internal combustion engine (ICE) and associated components such as the petrol tank, manual transmission, gas pipe, and radiator. Read more here: 

Ghanaian agri-tech startup Oyster Agribusiness raises $310k funding to scale – Disrupt Africa

Ghana’s Oyster Agribusiness, an agricultural enterprise that employs significant levels of tech and works closely with smallholder farmers, has raised US$310,000 in grant and debt funding to propel its mission of sustainable agriculture, gender inclusion, and talent management.

Founded in 2018, Oyster Agribusiness is dedicated to empowering smallholder farmers through the provision of sustainable inputs, improved agronomic practices, and a reliable market for their produce. It does this using tech to power its input distributions and yield, as well as utilising seeders for planting and drones for spraying.

The company, which already works with 3,000 smallholder farmers, has recently secured a total of US$310,000 in debt and grant funding, which it will use to expand its operations.

Oyster’s debt capital comes from Root Capital, a non-profit lender committed to fostering resilience and prosperity in rural communities, while the startup has also received two grants totalling a further US$10,000. Read more here: 

Google Empowers Nigerian Youth with AI and Data Analytics Training Program – Tech In Africa

Google is making a significant move to boost digital skills, employability, and business growth by revealing a plan to educate 20,000 Nigerian women and youth in digital competencies.

This program is funded by a grant from Google’s charitable division, which collaborates with Data Science Nigeria and the Creative Industry Initiative for Africa . to synchronize with the Nigerian government’s pledge to increase the involvement of young people in the digital economy.

The objective? Addressing youth unemployment in Nigeria by arming participants with the essential digital capabilities needed for the upcoming job environment. Notably, the tech giant already runs the “Grow with Google in Africa” program, partnering with numerous African governments and industry specialists to aid individuals in enhancing their digital expertise for their professions and enterprises. Read more here:

TECHNigerian-founded dating app, Tramatch, launches beta to democratize love – Ripples News

Tramatch, a Nigerian-founded dating app that connects lovers, has announced its beta launch on mobile to democratize how people connect with potential partners. The cofounder and product manager, Ani Okono, made the announcement in a press release forwarded to Ripples Nigeria on Thursday, August 17, 2023.

Founded in 2023, Tramatch.com, according to Ani, is on a mission to address “the age-old human yearning for authentic connections and enduring relationships. Its user friendly service website offers subscribers a novel spin on matchmaking that distinguishes it from traditional dating apps. Read more here: 

Nigerian business solutions startup Traction plans expansion after serving 70k customers – Disrupt Africa

Nigerian startup Traction, a comprehensive business solutions platform designed exclusively for African MSMEs, is planning continental expansion after serving 70,000 customers and banking US$6 million in funding.

Founded in 2020, Traction has developed a comprehensive one-stop platform that enables businesses to accept payments, manage finances, and access essential operational tools. Business owners can accept payments via POS terminals or virtual accounts, use point-of-sale software to record their sales, track inventory, and manage customers through CRM and loyalty solutions.

The platform also offers a range of financial services, including merchant wallets, cash advance loans, savings, and bill payments. Traction obtained a payments solution services license from the Central Bank of Nigeria last year, allowing it to operate as a payment solution provider across various payment categories. Read more here: 

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Image Credit: Image by Tech In Africa

Chatbots are computer programmes that use artificial intelligence to simulate conversation with human users. They work by analysing the context of a conversation and generating responses they believe to be relevant. They have been trained on massive data sets of human language, allowing them to generate responses to a wide range of questions.

Chatbots like ChatGPT and Bard can be used in a variety of educational settings, from primary and secondary schools to universities and adult education courses. One of their greatest strengths is in promoting individualised learning.

For example, they can support students in research and writing tasks, while also promoting the development of critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. They can generate text summaries and outlines, aiding with comprehension and organising thoughts for writing. They can also provide students with resources and information about specific topics, highlighting unexplored areas and current research topics, thus enhancing research skills and encouraging agency in learning.

Similarly, research has shown that chatbots can help to maintain students’ motivation and involvement, in part by promoting self-directed learning and autonomy. This means they they can potentially be used to help address low engagement in education that has been made worse by COVID-19 and the move to remote online learning.

Digital poverty

While chatbots have the potential to enhance learning, it’s important to acknowledge the dangers they might also pose in relation to digital poverty and the digital divide. Students who lack reliable internet access or other resources needed to participate in online classes may not have access to chatbots or other digital learning tools.

Results from the 2021 census show that in January to February 2020, 96% of households in Great Britain had internet access, up from 93% in 2019 and 57% in 2006 when comparable records began. However, these statistics do not tell the whole story.

A 2020 Ofcom Survey found that before COVID-19, 9% of UK households with children lacked a laptop, desktop or tablet, and 4% had only smartphone access. A higher percentage of children in lower-income households were affected by lack of access to digital devices. Specifically, 21% of households where the main earner held a semi-skilled or unskilled occupation had no access to a laptop, desktop or tablet for their children’s education at home.

This situation is clearly worse in countries where access to any form of internet provision is much lower than it is in the UK. Recent statistics from the US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) for example, highlight that in many African countries, less than 10% of the total population has access to the internet at any speed.

Likewise, while ChatGPT is a publicly available tool that users do not need to pay to use, there is a paid version which unlocks privileged access. Similarly BARD, also free to use, is currently only available in certain countries. Put simply, like any other technology, chatbots have the potential to worsen pre-existing inequalities if they are not implemented carefully.

Fixing the problem

To address this, educational institutions must take proactive measures to ensure that all students have equal access to chatbots and other digital resources. Another challenge is ensuring that students understand that not everyone has the same access to digital tools as they do. Educators can help to promote this understanding by incorporating lessons on digital poverty and equal access into their curriculum.

Here are five tips for educators to ensure equity in the use of chatbots in educational settings:

1. Provide equal access to chatbots
Educational institutions should ensure that all students have the same access to digital resources by providing loaner laptops, offering free or discounted internet access, or providing offline options for students with limited internet access.

2. Partner with community organisations
Universities and schools can link up with community organisations that provide internet access or lend computers to students in need.

3. Offer technology training
Some students may not be familiar with using chatbots or other technology tools, so schools and universities should offer technology training to help students develop the skills they need.

4. Provide support for students with disabilities
Students with disabilities may face unique challenges when it comes to accessing and using chatbots. For instance, visually impaired students may face difficulties reading chatbot text, while students with cognitive disabilities may require additional support to understand and use chatbots effectively. Educators should ensure support is available for students who require extra help.

5. Raise awareness of digital equity
Educators can also help ensure equity in the use of chatbots by educating students to understand that not everyone has the same access and privileges in a digital setting. By encouraging empathy and awareness of digital poverty, students can learn to be mindful of their peers who may face challenges in accessing and using chatbots. This can be done through class discussions, assignments and activities that encourage students to think critically about digital equity and social justice.

Chatbots have the potential to revolutionise learning. However, educational institutions must address the potential dangers posed by chatbots with regards to further deepening the digital divide, and instead foster a culture of empathy and understanding for those who need training and supported access to the technology.

Author: Sam Illingworth, Associate Professor, Edinburgh Napier University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Image Credit: Image by Freepik

Ten Inclusive Jobtech Platforms | 12 SA Startups For Edtech Fellowship | Top Edtech Startups Revolutionizing Learning In Nigeria | DRC’s Altech Raises Capital | Digital Payment Opportunity

Jobtech Alliance announces 1st cohort of 10 inclusive jobtech platforms – Disrupt Africa

The Jobtech Alliance has announced its first cohort of 10 companies that are creating accessible, and appropriate jobtech solutions that connect young people to jobs, which will participate in two new programmes and secure access to funding and mentorship.

Disrupt Africa reported last October on the launch of the Jobtech Alliance, an ecosystem-building initiative around inclusive jobtech in Africa steered by Mercy Corps and BFA Global, which aims to create an enabling environment for entrepreneurs to build platforms that deliver quality livelihoods, are inclusive, and enable users to engage in decent work.

The alliance has launched two programmes – the Catalyst Jobtech Accelerator and the Jobtech Innovation Lab – designed to support digital platforms that connect people to work opportunities that build livelihoods. Read more here 

12 SA startups selected for inaugural Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship – Disrupt Africa

South African ed-tech incubator Injini has announced the 12 startups selected for the first Mastercard Foundation EdTech Fellowship Programme, which offers selected companies access to funding and other types of support.

Founded in 2017, Injini, which is a member of the UVU Africa Group, is a registered non-profit company that exists for the sole purpose of improving educational outcomes in Sub-Saharan Africa. The only ed-tech specialised accelerator in Africa, its programmes and research via the Injini Think Tank contribute towards its mission to increase the quality, accessibility, and relevance of education in the region.

Disrupt Africa reported last month Injini had partnered the Mastercard Foundation to launch the fellowship programme, which will provide eligible startups with direct grant funding, product quality evaluation and certification, intensive skills development, coaching and mentorship, bespoke market research and market access through Injini’s network of stakeholders across the education innovation landscape. Read more here

TECHTop Edtech startups revolutionizing learning in Nigeria – Ripples News

Nigeria is one of the fastest-growing tech hubs in Africa, with a thriving tech industry and a growing number of startups. The country has a large and young population, a rapidly expanding economy, and a growing demand for technology-based solutions to its many challenges. Some of the most significant areas of growth in the Nigerian tech industries are e-commerce, fintech, edtech and much more.

Edtech is improving the education sector in Nigeria which has seen significant growth in recent years, thanks in part to the adoption of technology. With a population of over 200 million people, Nigeria has a huge demand for education. Read more here

DRC’s Altech Group raises $18m growth capital to expand access to energy – Disrupt Africa

The DRC-based Altech Group has raised US$18 million in debt financing and grants to continue strengthening its market position and expand access to energy across the country. Founded in 2013, Altech has created a sales and distribution network with a national footprint, counting 4,500 employees and sales agents, covering more than 140 shops across 22 out of 26 provinces in the DRC. It has positively impacted the lives of more than 1.7 million Congolese by selling over 350,000 solar energy products.

The US$18 million growth capital just announced will enable Altech to open more than 30 new sales outlets in rural areas without competition, and distribute 180,000 solar products, to extend clean, reliable energy access to 900,000 people. Read more here

Digital payment infrastructure, major opportunity for investment- Routelink GMD – Punch News

The Group Managing Director of Routelink Group, Femi Adeoti, discusses how the country’s digital payment infrastructure is not primed for a cashless economy and other issues affecting the payment landscape in this interview with TEMITAYO JAIYEOLA. In January 2023, the Nigeria Inter-Banking Settlement Systems said there was a 125 per cent increase in the volume of mobile transactions compared to the same period last year. How sustainable is this increase in mobile electronic payment usage?

The recent spike in the volume of mobile-based transactions, among other things shows that Nigeria is ready and ripe for cash-less-based transactions, though the appropriate term and realistic expectation at this time should be cash lite. However, while the populace is ready to adopt these solutions, we realised that Nigeria’s current banking and digital payment infrastructure is inadequate to cater to the expected growth in the volume of digital/electronic-based transactions. While we are right to celebrate an increase as significant as 125 per cent, the failures recorded show that we could have achieved more. Read more here

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Image Credit: Disrupt Africa

Firm Launches Dollar Payment | Edutech Loans | Nigeria Digital Postcode | Hackers Attack Whatsapp | Verve Card Expands Payment Scheme

Firm launches dollar payment option for merchants – The Times News

Kora has launched a dollar payment option on its platform to ease dollar transactions for merchants. The firm stated that the dollar card-acquiring was the latest addition to its suite of currencies that include naira bank account issuing, pay-ins, payouts, and cross-border settlement across multiple countries.

Commenting on the new product, the Head of Product at Kora, Sandra Israel-Ovirih, said, “Incorporating USD card payments has been a priority for a while now. “We understand that many businesses operate in a global marketplace and need a seamless payment system to handle cross-border transactions. This will be a game changer for African businesses selling to a global market.” Read more here 

Edutech to offer loans to students – PUNCH NEWS

Utiva has revealed plans to offer a ‘Learn Now, Pay Later’ loan scheme to 100,000 students.

According to the firm, it has partnered with six loan and credit companies to offer 100,000 students loans to enable them to acquire tech skills in areas like data science, cloud computing, and product management.

In a statement, the Chief Executive Officer, Utiva, Eyitayo Ogunmola, said, “Our commitment has always been to reduce the barriers to entry for those who want to learn tech skills, and this is an opportunity to do it in a big way.” He stated that his firm uses technology to provide a streamlined onboarding process, enabling students to start learning within five minutes of applying. Read more here 

Tech – Nigeria to launch digital postcode in June – Ripplesnigeria

The Federal Government has announced that it will introduce a digital postcode system in Nigeria by June 2023. The Postmaster General of the Federation and CEO of the Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST), Adeyemi Sunday Adepoju, made the disclosure at a recent two-day workshop and retreat on the digital postcode system.

The event, which was held in Keffi, Nasarawa State, was organized in partnership with the National Population Commission, National Space Research and Development Agency, Office of the Surveyor General of the Federation, and other stakeholders. Ripples Nigeria gathered that the introduction of digital postcodes is expected to improve the efficiency of mail delivery, enhance emergency response by security agencies, and curb criminal activities like banditry, kidnapping, and internet scams. Read more here

NCC Says WhatsApp is Now Main Targets For Hackers, Releases Safety Tips – Legit News

• The Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has warned WhatsApp users in Nigeria to be wary of hackers.
• The agency said the platform is now the primary target of hackers across the globe.
• NCC asked users in Nigeria to activate security features such as Two-Factor Authentication on the platform

The Nigerian Communications Commission’s (NCC) Computer Security Incident Response Team (CSIRT) has warned WhatsApp users in Nigeria, saying the platform has become the primary target of hackers and scammers looking for ways to gain unauthorized access to users’ accounts. The Commission disclosed this in its latest advisory to Nigerian users, asking them to be security conscious while on the platform. It recommended that users activate Two-Factor Authentication (2FA) to become hackproof. NCC provides safety tips for WhatsApp users A Nairametrics report quoted NCC as describing 2FA as an identity and access management security procedure requiring two forms of identification to access resources and data o WhatsApp. Read more here 

Verve Card Expands Payment Scheme, Integrates Contactless Payments – TechEconomy

Africa’s leading and most successful payment Scheme, Verve International, has announced a significant milestone in its continuous drive for expansion across Africa and the globe. The payment brand has onboarded 50 additional scheme members, bringing the total number of its scheme members to 250, spread across banks and other financial institutions. Verve’s position as a market leader can be attributed to its ceaseless dedication to creating innovative payment solutions as well as leveraging strategic partnerships that provide Verve cardholders with more convenient and secure payment options.

One of such options is the contactless payment solution that enables customers complete transactions in record time. The integration of contactless payment technology allows Verve to provide a seamless and secure payment experience with its over 45 million cards in circulation, for existing and newly onboarded individuals and businesses who will be able to make payments faster by simply tapping their Verve cards at payment terminals with the contactless feature, including Point of Sale (PoS) terminals at merchant and agent locations. in addition, Verve’s contactless payment card leverages the latest security technology to protect customers’ personal and financial information using the EMV technology. Read more here

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