He explained that it ensures that the productive capacities of the internet are harnessed for efficiency in various aspects of national development.

Speaking on the back of a public lecture on the book “Dr Bawumia and the Modern Vice Presidency in Ghana”, authored by Prof. Etse Sikanku and held at Iowa State University, Professor Owusu said harnessing the power of digital technology, especially the Internet, is a requirement for Africa to take advantage of the next frontier of technology which is Artificial Intelligence.

He said countries with strong Internet connectivity and digital infrastructure can take advantage of AI to innovate and improve their capacities in many aspects.

He noted for instance, that strong digitalisation infrastructure is a basis for not just innovation but efficiency nationally. Externally, it also gives a nation better opportunities to engage with the outside world since technological innovation is a major mechanism around which the world functions. This would also provide more job opportunities and markets for Ghanaians.

In this regard, he said it is important to have a clear internet infrastructural and digital foundation which is what Dr Bawumia has been committed to and deserves commendation for highlighting it and making it a major issue of concern.

“It helps to move the country forward in terms of allowing internal processes to be efficient and it allows the country to engage externally. Data centres for Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence are all based on having access to Internet capabilities.”

He said with the right effort, Ghana and other African countries can become important centres of global production by taking advantage of Artificial Intelligence which is the next frontier of innovation for productive purposes.

He added that Dr Bawumia’s efforts in making sure the right foundations are in place are laudable and should be commended.

Prof. Sikanku’s book examines Dr Bawumia’s contribution to the evolutionary role of the Vice President, highlighting the fact that Dr Bawumia has contributed in a major way to making the vice presidency a more productive office through his zeal, passion, commitment and dedication to social progress through his digital advocacy and applications.

Dr Sikanku argues that, Dr. Bawumia has elevated the office of the vice presidency through his visibility, initiative, and spirited c commitment to using the office as an instrument for innovation and social advancement.

Speaking at the 5th edition of Joy FM’s Showbiz Roundtable, themed ‘Manifesto Debate On Creative Economy,’ Mr Okraku-Mantey stressed the importance of integrating AI into the operations of creative professionals, particularly in music and film production.

“If you think digital, automatically AI comes to mind, especially in the arts, particularly music,” Okraku-Mantey said.

He highlighted the increasing use of AI in music production, warning that traditional roles such as sound engineering could become obsolete if industry players do not adapt quickly.

He therefore urged creatives to be proactive rather than reactive to technological advancements.

“The digitalisation centre in Ghana must sensitise people, and our schools must ensure that the AI concept becomes part of our DNA so we don’t often become reactive,” he stated.

He criticised the tendency of the local creative sector to only adopt new technologies when they are already outdated, a practice that has hindered the industry’s growth.

Mr Okraku-Mantey also emphasised the role of creative schools in preparing students to navigate the evolving digital landscape, urging them to prioritise AI education to ensure graduates are ready to compete globally.

“AI is a global product, so if you delay, you might end up getting out of business,” he warned.

The Showbiz Roundtable, attended by industry stakeholders, focused on how policies could shape the future of Ghana’s creative economy, with AI and digitalisation taking centre stage in the discussions.

He made this call during a public lecture at the Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons in Accra, themed “AI in Medicine: Now and the Future.”

The event aimed to educate students and healthcare professionals about the current uses and future possibilities of AI in the medical field.

In an interview with Adom News, Dr Acquah emphasized the significant benefits of integrating AI into both professional and daily activities and urged Ghanaians to embrace this technology.

He said AI can greatly enhance productivity and simplify tasks across various sectors.

“The most important thing is to adopt artificial intelligence in our work, business, and daily activities, which will greatly benefit us,” he stated.

Dr. Acquah encouraged everyone to use AI wisely for their own good, noting the numerous advantages it offers.

Participants at the lecture expressed their appreciation to the organizers, acknowledging the valuable insights gained and calling for more such initiatives to be organized regularly.

They urged policymakers to continue providing platforms that enhance the understanding of AI, particularly for students.

“We thank the organizers for this amazing lecture and are grateful to be here. It’s an honor, and we urge policymakers to consistently organize forums and seminars nationwide,” a student attendee remarked.

Prominent speakers underscored the importance of combining technology with human creativity, fostering genuine communication, and employing strategic thinking for effective PR.

Held virtually on July 5th and in person at the Ghana-India Kofi Annan Center of Excellence in ICT, Accra, on July 6th, 2024, the two-day event themed “Empowering Practitioners for an AI and ESG Future,” provided a platform for professionals to enhance their skills in networking, storytelling, sustainability, reputation building, partnerships, and activism.

In her opening remarks, Joyce Sackitey-Ahiadorme, President of Women in PR Ghana, emphasized the summit’s theme as a means to help practitioners refine their craft.

The CEO of Stratcomm Africa and President of IPR Ghana, Esther Cobbah, highlighted the necessity of proactive and impactful Environment Social and Governance (ESG) initiatives within strategic communication.

She stressed the importance of understanding the environment in which communication is deployed and building robust relationships as a core component of strategic thinking.

The Acting Director of Communication at Afrobarometer, Josephine Appiah-Nyamekye Sanny, also advocated for the effective use of AI in data visualization and storytelling.

She encouraged professionals to use AI-generated content as a foundation, infusing it with their unique voice and creativity to maintain authenticity.

CEO and Founding Member of the Ghana Commodity Exchange, Tucci Goka Ivowi, reinforced the need for genuine and sustainable practices to build long-term trust.

General Counsel for Fan Milk in Ghana, Benin, Togo, and Côte d’Ivoire, Sandra Adu-Gyamfi, called for the integration of ethical considerations into PR strategies to support ESG objectives.

Founder of Women in PR Ghana, Faith Senam Ocloo, encouraged participants to apply the knowledge gained and look forward to the 9th edition of the summit in 2025.

Other notable speakers included Baaba Cofie, Dr. Paulina Kuranchie, Adwoa Wiafe, and Venan Sondo, with panel discussions featuring experts such as Richard Ahiagble and Ethel Amoako Baffoe.

The 2024 summit received support from Newmont Ghana, GCB Bank, MTN Ghana, Olam Agri, Hollard Insurance, and other prominent organizations.

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According to her, it is imperative for businesses to seek alternatives to avert risks and streamline their processes.

Speaking on the Joy Business Masterclass on Joy FM, Nina Korley, said embracing AI is a form of security for businesses and can pave the way for the derivation of innovative ideas.

“Once you have taken security at the heart of your business, you’ll be able to embark on innovations and be able to improve your operations because of AI. So, by taking those tools you will be able to streamline and it can ensure that anytime there’s a disaster, you can continue your operation”.

“Once you have a robust security in place, it’ll help you to anticipate those risks and put measures in place”, she mentioned.

Artificial intelligence is gradually helping to bridge the gap between customers and business owners as well as facilitate trade and enhance customer satisfaction.

She furthered that businesses must employ artificial intelligence to safeguard their operations from external interruptions.

Artificial intelligence has become a prominent tool in cybersecurity, offering both opportunities and challenges.

Experts share that poorly implemented AI solutions can compromise data security, leading to unauthorised access and breaches.

The elaborate scam, orchestrated using deepfake technology, involved impersonating the company’s chief financial officer in a video conference call, as revealed by Hong Kong police.

According to reports, the unsuspecting worker participated in a video call, believing it to be with several colleagues, only to realize later that all participants were deepfake recreations.

Hong Kong police described the scam as a “multi-person video conference” where every individual present was, in fact, a fraudulent creation.

The scam unfolded when the worker received a message purportedly from the company’s UK-based CFO, prompting suspicions of a phishing attempt.

Despite initial doubts, the worker was persuaded to proceed after interacting with seemingly genuine colleagues during the video call.

Subsequently, the worker authorized the transfer of $25 million, under the belief that the call participants were authentic company representatives.

This incident is part of a concerning trend wherein fraudsters leverage deepfake technology to manipulate publicly available footage and deceive unsuspecting individuals.

Hong Kong police reported making six arrests related to such scams, highlighting the increasing prevalence of sophisticated cyberattacks.

Furthermore, the British engineering company Arup has confirmed its involvement as the victim of the deepfake fraud.

Arup disclosed that it had notified authorities about the incident, emphasizing that its financial stability and business operations remained intact despite the fraudulent activity.

Rob Greig, Arup’s global chief information officer, underscored the rising threat posed by cybercriminals, noting a surge in attacks targeting businesses worldwide.

He urged organizations to remain vigilant and enhance their cybersecurity defences in response to evolving threats, including deepfakes.

Arup’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for heightened cybersecurity measures in the face of increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

As businesses navigate the digital landscape, safeguarding against deepfake fraud and other forms of cybercrime is paramount to protecting assets and preserving trust in the digital age.

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Speaking at the closing ceremony of the three-day African Media Convention in Accra, President Akufo-Addo highlighted both the benefits and potential pitfalls of AI in journalism.

President Akufo-Addo acknowledged the transformative impact of AI on the media landscape, noting that the technology serves as a valuable tool for journalists.

“AI has undeniably become a helpful assistant in the newsroom, aiding in data analysis, streamlining workflows, and even generating content, he said.

However, he emphasised the importance of human oversight to maintain the integrity of news reporting.

“While AI offers remarkable advantages, it is not infallible,” President Akufo-Addo cautioned. “An overdependence on AI without adequate controls can contribute to the spread of fake news, ultimately undermining the credibility of journalists and eroding public trust in the media.”

The President’s remarks come amid growing global concern about the role of AI in the dissemination of information. Instances of AI-generated content that spread false information have raised alarms about the potential for AI to be misused, either intentionally or inadvertently.

President Akufo-Addo’s address underscored the need for a balanced approach, where AI complements rather than replaces human judgment and ethical standards in journalism.

He called on media professionals to develop robust strategies to verify the accuracy of AI-generated content. “Journalists must remain vigilant and critical, ensuring that the use of AI enhances rather than diminishes the quality of their work,” he said.

He also urged media organizations to invest in training programs that equip journalists with the skills to effectively manage and control AI tools.

The African Media Convention, which brought together journalists, media executives, and industry experts from across the continent, focused on the theme of “Innovations in African Journalism: Opportunities and Challenges.” Throughout the event, participants engaged in discussions on the future of journalism, the ethical use of technology, and strategies to combat misinformation.

President Akufo-Addo’s closing address resonated with attendees, many of whom expressed their appreciation for his insights on the responsible use of AI. “It’s a timely reminder of our responsibility as journalists to uphold truth and integrity,” said Ama Serwaa, a journalist from Ghana Broadcasting Corporation.

As the media industry continues to evolve with advancements in AI, President Akufo-Addo’s cautionary message serves as a reminder of the critical role of journalists in safeguarding the accuracy and reliability of information.

The challenge, he noted, lies in striking the right balance between leveraging technological innovations and maintaining the core values of journalism.

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The flagbearer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) made this pledge at the ‘3rd Annual Transformational Dialogue on Small-scale Mining’ organized by the University of Energy and Natural Resources in Sunyani.

He said his government will use “AI to locate all small-scale mining and galamsey operations, track excavators, and geofence all concessions” to help coordinate and monitor activities within the small-scale mining sector to reduce environmental destruction.

However, Mr. Ahiagbah in a post on his X said it is unrealistic to expect success in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as ‘galamsey’ with Mahama as President,.

He described the NDC as proponents of illegal mining.

“H.E Mahama’s promise to use an AI-powered plan to combat galamsey is a vote-seeking gimmick.  Galamsey is an existential problem that requires inputs from all strata of society to combat. Resolving the galamsey menace is impossible with H.E John Mahama and the NDC because they are promoters and beneficiaries of galamsey,” he said.

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As Billboard was first to report, Drake has been informed by litigator Howard King that he has 24 hours to pull “Taylor Made Freestyle” or he will face legal action.

“The Estate is deeply dismayed and disappointed by your unauthorized use of Tupac’s voice and personality,” the cease-and-desist letter allegedly reads.

“Not only is the record a flagrant violation of Tupac’s publicity and the estate’s legal rights, it is also a blatant abuse of the legacy of one of the greatest hip-hop artists of all time. The Estate would never have given its approval for this use.”

At the time of writing, Drake still has the track available to stream on his Instagram page, though he’s yet to release it on streaming platforms.

The track targets Kendrick Lamar, with whom the rapper has been beefing with since K Dot came for him in his verse on Future and Metro Boomin’s “Like That.” Pac’s estate took issue with using his likeness to target Lamar.

“The unauthorized, equally dismaying use of Tupac’s voice against Kendrick Lamar, a good friend to the Estate who has given nothing but respect to Tupac and his legacy publicly and privately, compounds the insult,” the letter continues.

Additionally, the late rapper and actor’s estate argued “Taylor Made Freestyle” has caused “substantial economic and reputational harm” by giving listeners the “false impression that the estate and Tupac promote or endorse the lyrics for the sound-alike.”

King wrote that the intellectual property of Pac’s discography was potentially “scraped to creat the fake Tupac AI on the record,” and as a result, Drake has been asked to detail “how the sound-alike was created and the persons or company that created it, including all recordings and other data ‘scraped’ or used.”

Drake has yet to respond, but Pac’s estate has said it will “consider whether an informal negotiation” can resolve the matter if he meets their demands.

“If you do not comply, our client has authorized this firm to pursue all of its legal remedies including, but not limited to, an action for violation of … the estate’s copyright, publicity and personality rights and the resulting damages, injunctive relief, and punitive damages and attorneys’ fees,” the letter concludes.

“Taylor Made Freestyle” also features an AI-generated voice of Snoop Dogg, who hasn’t announced plans to take legal action but did react to the track on social media.

“They did what? When? How? Are you sure? Y’all have a good night,” Snoop said in a video. “Why everybody calling my phone, blowing me up? What the fuck? What happened? What’s going on? I’m going back to bed. Good night.”

The song utilises a form of AI technology to make it appear as though Pac and Snoop are asking for Kendrick Lamar to respond to Drake and his “Push Ups” diss, which only officially hit streaming services on Friday, April 19.

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According to him, it forms part of efforts to retain a leading global position in cutting-edge semiconductor chips.

The announcement, which also includes a separate 1.4 trillion won fund to foster AI semiconductor firms, comes as South Korea tries to keep abreast with countries like the United States, China and Japan that are also giving massive policy support to strengthen semiconductor supply chains on their own turf.

Semiconductors are a key foundation of South Korea’s export-driven economy. In March, chip exports reached their highest in 21 months at $11.7 billion, or nearly a fifth of total exports shipped by Asia’s fourth-largest economy.

“Current competition in semiconductors is an industrial war and an all-out war between nations,” Yoon told a meeting of policymakers and chip industry executives on Tuesday.

By earmarking investments and a fund, South Korea plans to significantly expand research and development in AI chips such as artificial neural processing units (NPUs) and next-generation high-bandwidth memory chips, the government said in a statement.

South Korean authorities will also promote the development of next-generation artificial general intelligence (AGI) and safety technologies that go beyond existing models.

Yoon has set a target for South Korea to become one of the top three countries in AI technology including chips, and take a 10% or more share of the global system semiconductor market by 2030.

“Just as we have dominated the world with memory chips for the past 30 years, we will write a new semiconductor myth with AI chips in the next 30 years,” Yoon said.

Yoon also noted that the impact of the recent earthquake in Taiwan, a global leader in semiconductors, on South Korean companies was limited as of now, but ordered thorough preparation in the event of uncertainties.

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The US film and TV mogul said he was in the process of adding 12 sound stages to his studio but has halted those plans indefinitely after he saw demonstrations of Sora and its “shocking” capabilities.

“All of that is currently and indefinitely on hold because of Sora and what I’m seeing,” Perry said in an interview with the Hollywood Reporter.

“I had gotten word over the last year or so that this was coming, but I had no idea until I saw recently the demonstrations of what it’s able to do. It’s shocking to me.”

The AI tool was launched on 15 February – with limited access to a few researchers and video creators – and caused widespread astonishment with its ability to produce realistic footage a minute long from simple text prompts.

Perry, whose successes include the Madea film series, said Sora’s achievements meant he would no longer have to travel to locations or build a set: “I can sit in an office and do this with a computer, which is shocking to me.”

Demonstrations released by OpenAI, the developer of the groundbreaking ChatGPT chatbot, show photorealistic scenes in response to prompts such as asking for a shot of people walking through “beautiful, snowy Tokyo city” where “gorgeous sakura petals are flying through the wind along with snowflakes”.

Perry said the breakthroughs presented by Sora would affect a range of jobs throughout the film industry, including those of actors, editors, sound specialists and transportation crew.

He said: “I am very, very concerned that in the near future, a lot of jobs are going to be lost. I really, really feel that very strongly.”

Perry said an immediate example was the construction workers and contractors who would no longer work on his planned studio expansion because “there is no need to it”. He added that he used AI in two recently shot films in which the technology was used to age his face and help him avoid hours in the makeup chair.

Concerns over the impact of AI on jobs were a feature in recent strikes by Hollywood actors and writers, with the peace deals that ended those disputes both featuring guardrails on using the technology.

However, Perry told the Hollywood Reporter that a “whole industry” approach was still needed to save jobs.

“It can’t be one union fighting every contract every two or three years. I think that it has to be everybody, all involved in how do we protect the future of our industry because it is changing rapidly, right before our eyes,” he said.

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When artificial intelligence (AI) apps started spreading in Nigeria’s music industry, Eclipse Nkasi thought his days as a producer were numbered.

He took a step back, saw there were opportunities as well as threats and used the technology to generate a whole new Afrobeats album in his studio on the outskirts of Lagos.

“It (AI) doesn’t have to replace what we have. It gives people a new experience … and that’s how I believe AI is really going to shake things,” Nkasi told Reuters.

In the past, it would have taken him thousands of dollars and up to three months to compose the tracks, recruit the musicians, record the performances, knock them into shape in a traditional studio and get them out to fans.

This one took about three days and $500.

Nkasi and three friends switched on OpenAI’s ChatGPT programme and set it to work helping them create the nine-track album “Infinite Echoes”.

They asked it to auto-generate songs lyrics and song titles – including “God Whispers”, “Love Tempo”, and “Dream Chaser”. Then they modified the words themselves to fit into their chosen theme – a struggling artist who will not give up their passion to create music.

Then they used another AI tool to generate the tunes. Nkasi recorded some vocals and fed them into yet another app – which transformed his vocals into the voice of the album’s generated singer.

That virtual “singer” is called Mya Blue who appears in front of her audience online as a computer animation.

“There are certain things that will become obsolete” due to AI, Nkasi said. But it should also create opportunities for artists to reinvent themselves and do their work better and quicker, he added.

The technology is already transforming the industry and could have a positive impact on production values and other technical sides to the recording process, said Lagos-based music critic Omotolani Alake.

But there are still lots of uncertainties and areas, including copyright, that need to be considered and developed, he added. “We are at the very beginning.”

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SentiOne is a renowned provider of AI-powered social media listening tools.

This partnership aims to deliver unprecedented social media intelligence, combining the regional expertise of Maverick Research with SentiOne’s cutting-edge AI technology.

The newly launched social listening service offers real-time monitoring of various social media platforms, enabling businesses to gain crucial insights into consumer behaviour, trends, and sentiments.

Powered by advanced AI algorithms and natural language processing, the service analyzes both social and online media data to extract valuable information.

These insights can then be utilized by businesses to shape their marketing strategies, enhance product development, and manage their brands more effectively.

“We are thrilled to partner with SentiOne to offer an advanced social listening service to businesses in Sub Sahara Africa,” said Ato, Managing Principal of Maverick Research. “Given the rapid growth of social media in the region, businesses require reliable tools to monitor and analyze social media conversations. Our collaboration with SentiOne allows us to combine our regional expertise with their state-of-the-art AI-powered tools, providing valuable insights that help businesses stay ahead of the competition.”

Bartosz Bazinski, CEO of SentiOne, expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, “We are delighted to collaborate with Maverick Research to bring our AI-powered social listening tools to businesses in Sub Sahara Africa. Our platform utilizes advanced AI algorithms to analyze social media data in real time, extracting valuable insights. Through this partnership, we can deliver these insights to businesses in the region, assisting them in making informed decisions that drive growth.”

Businesses in Sub Sahara Africa can now access the social listening service provided by Maverick Research and SentiOne.

To learn more about the service or request additional information, interested parties are encouraged to contact info@maverick-research.com.

Maverick Research is a leading insight and strategy consultancy in Sub Sahara Africa, specializing in research-based insights and strategic consulting services.

Leveraging their deep regional expertise and strategic thinking, Maverick Research provides actionable insights that drive growth for businesses across the region.

Heart On My Sleeve is no longer available on Apple Music, Spotify, Deezer and Tidal.

It is also in process of being pulled from TikTok and YouTube, but some versions remain available.

It follows stinging criticism from publishers Universal Music Group which said the song violated copyright law.

The music publisher said platforms had a “legal and ethical responsibility” to prevent the use of services harming artists.

The track simulates Drake and The Weeknd trading verses about pop star and actress Selena Gomez, who previously dated The Weeknd.

The creator, known as @ghostwriter, claims the song was created by software trained on the musicians’ voices.

Since being posted on a number of platforms on Friday, the track went viral over the weekend.

It was initially removed from Apple, Deezer and Tidal on Monday afternoon before TikTok, Spotify and YouTube were subsequently asked to remove it.

A link to an original version of the song on YouTube now says: “This video is no longer available due to a copyright claim by Universal Music Group”.

On Spotify, it was streamed 629,439 times before it was pulled. At Spotify’s lowest royalty rate of $0.003 per stream, that means it earned about $1,888 (£1,500).

Universal Music Group, which publishes both artists through Republic Records, said it has been doing its own innovation around AI for some time.

But it added: “The training of generative AI using our artists’ music (which represents both a breach of our agreements and a violation of copyright law) as well as the availability of infringing content created with generative AI on DSPs, begs the question as to which side of history all stakeholders in the music ecosystem want to be on: the side of artists, fans and human creative expression, or on the side of deep fakes, fraud and denying artists their due compensation.”

“These instances demonstrate why platforms have a fundamental legal and ethical responsibility to prevent the use of their services in ways that harm artists. We’re encouraged by the engagement of our platform partners on these issues as they recognise they need to be part of the solution.”

Neither artist has responded to the song yet, but Drake recently expressed displeasure at his voice being cloned.

“This is the final straw AI,” he posted on Instagram, after stumbling across a fan-made video in which he appeared to be rapping the Ice Spice track Munch (Feeling U).

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