Chris Infotainment

Establishment of the National Science AI Research Institute The National Science AI Research Institute is set to begin full-scale preparations this month, with an expected opening in June. This initiative involves government-funded research institutes collaborating to explore the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in scientific and technological innovation. The plan was unveiled by Chairman Kim Young-sik of the National Research Council of Science & Technology (NST) during a work report session for the Ministry of Science and ICT on the 12th. According to NST, the ‘National Science AI Research Institute’ will start its establishment process this month. It will focus on finalizing the construction of its office building, AI infrastructure, and operational system. The institute aims to serve as a central hub for AI-driven scientific and technological advancements within government-funded research institutes. Budget and AI Research Initiatives This year’s budget for the Na...

Introduction to K-EXAONE: A Breakthrough in AI Development LG AI Research has introduced a new artificial intelligence (AI) model named ‘K-EXAONE (EXAONE)’. The research team highlighted that the model showcased exceptional performance across multiple benchmark evaluations, outperforming well-known models from the United States and China. This achievement places K-EXAONE as the leading domestic model and among the top global AI models. Development of K-EXAONE K-EXAONE was created by leveraging the technological expertise LG AI Research has developed over the past five years in building AI foundation models. Unlike other approaches that focus primarily on increasing data volume, the team concentrated on improving the model’s architecture to enhance performance while simultaneously reducing learning and operational costs. This strategy resulted in a high-efficiency, low-cost structure. Advanced Technology Integration The research team applied an advanced version of its core technol...

“Hello, Earthlings! Or, as I prefer, a mesmerizing blend of blue and green!” This greeting was the first message from an artificial intelligence (AI) operated by U.S. startup StarCloud, based on a data center launched into space. When StarCloud asked, “As the first AI to operate in space, like stepping on the moon, try a witty greeting,” the AI responded this way. The AI added, “Let’s explore the wonders you possess in this world together. I will observe, analyze, and sometimes offer slightly uncomfortable yet insightful commentary. Let’s begin.” An era is dawning where data centers are built in space to operate AI. As countries worldwide focus on expanding data centers to increase computing power for AI, space is emerging as a new location for such infrastructure. Operating AI in Space The idea of building data centers in space to operate AI directly from orbit began in 2024. StarCloud (formerly Lumen Orbit), based in Bellevue, Washington, started its space data center project i...

The Collision Between Journalism and Artificial Intelligence The collision between the newspaper industry and Artificial Intelligence companies is no longer a new topic; it has evolved into a global legal and economic reckoning. Legal cases, which primarily focus on copyright infringement and fair use, are currently ongoing in many countries and are expected to shape the future of both industries. Just recently, a Spanish court ordered Meta, the Facebook owner, to pay 479 million euros ($552 million) to Spanish digital media outlets for unfair competition practices and infringing European Union data protection regulations. It was a profoundly cheering moment for the print media. But it wasn't the first of its kind and it won't be the last. The ruling was the latest in a series of fines Meta had faced in Europe. Meta equally reached a settlement with the Nigerian Data Protection Commission (NDPC) for a $32.8 million fine related to data privacy violations, agreeing to an out-o...

Introduction to the Shift in South Korea’s AI Chatbot Market Google has introduced a new artificial intelligence model called 'Gemini 3,' which has shown impressive performance and significantly impacted the AI chatbot market in South Korea. While OpenAI's ChatGPT continues to hold a dominant position in the domestic AI market, Google is making notable strides with its Gemini 3 model. On the other hand, Perplexity, a platform known for its focus on AI search, has experienced a noticeable drop in user engagement. Performance Metrics of Key Players According to data from IGAWorks’ Mobile Index, a company specializing in data technology, ChatGPT maintained its strong position with a weekly average of between 8,690,000 and 8,800,000 active users (WAU) during the period from November 17 to December 7, when Google launched Gemini 3. However, the number of new installations for ChatGPT decreased slightly, averaging around 200,000 to 190,000 per week. In contrast, Gemini 3 saw...

Introduction to the AI-Powered Examination Preparatory Platform In a significant move towards modernizing education in Nigeria, an Lagos-based non-governmental organization, the Abosede Tomori Foundation (ATF), has partnered with Study AI to launch Nigeria’s first AI-powered examination preparatory platform. This innovative initiative is specifically designed to support final year Senior Secondary School students preparing for major exams such as WAEC/NECO and JAMB. The program targets two hundred SS3 students from secondary schools located in Isolo and Ejigbo LCDAs within Oshodi-Isolo Constituency II of Lagos State. These students are the pilot beneficiaries of this groundbreaking scheme. The Vision Behind the Initiative The founder of ATF and Special Assistant on Media to the Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Segun Tomori, emphasized that this initiative is part of the foundation’s skills development and scholarship scheme, which is one of its five core pillars. In a statem...

The Evolution of Japan's Robotics Landscape Japan has long been a leader in the field of robotics, particularly in industrial applications. However, the country's focus on manufacturing and engineering has led to a relative shortage of AI talent. This emphasis has resulted in a system where humanoid robots, once a symbol of innovation, are now overshadowed by their counterparts from China and the United States. At the 26th International Robot Exhibition (IREX), held in early December at Tokyo Big Sight, Japan's domestic industrial robotics heavyweights dominated the event. Companies like Kawasaki, Fanuc, Yaskawa, and Nachi showcased their latest robotic arms, demonstrating precision in tasks such as welding, assembly, and material handling. Despite this, the most eye-catching exhibits were the humanoids, many of which came from Chinese start-ups aiming to make a global impression. These humanoids, including those from Galbot, AgiBot, Robotera, and Lumos, demonstrated ca...

The Rise of Chinese AI: A New Era of Innovation The turning point came when DeepSeek released its V3 and R1 models, which were on par with OpenAI's GPT and Meta's Llama models at the time. This marked a significant shift in the global AI landscape, showcasing China's growing capabilities in artificial intelligence. In 2021, the US start-up OpenAI launched ChatGPT on November 30, sending China's technology industry scrambling to catch up with the latest developments in artificial intelligence. Chinese government authorities reached out to various experts, including professors from Tsinghua University, to provide briefings on the implications of generative AI technology. This move highlighted the urgency with which China was trying to understand and respond to the rapid advancements in AI. Chinese Big Tech firms and ambitious start-ups quickly rushed to roll out their own versions of AI chatbots and large language models (LLMs), as well as register them with the govern...

The Growing Concern Over AI and Critical Thinking in Higher Education In a rapidly evolving digital landscape, the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in education has become a topic of intense debate. At the eighth graduation ceremony of Kampala International University in Tanzania (KIUT), held on December 10, 2025, the Acting Chancellor, Prof Peter Msolla, raised an important concern: the increasing dependence of university students on AI could be undermining the very foundation of higher education—critical thinking. With 1,484 students receiving academic awards at the event, Prof Msolla used the occasion to emphasize the need for universities to reassess how they guide students in the use of emerging technologies. While acknowledging the transformative potential of AI, he warned that its unregulated use is already posing a threat to intellectual development. “We live in a digital age, but excessive reliance on AI is concerning. When students can simply click a button to complete...

The Visionaries Behind the AI Revolution In a significant acknowledgment of the transformative power of artificial intelligence, Time magazine has honored eight prominent figures in the AI industry as its "Person of the Year." This year's selection includes Jensen Huang, CEO of NVIDIA, and Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI. Alongside them are other influential tech leaders such as Mark Zuckerberg of Meta, Elon Musk of Tesla, Lisa Su of AMD, and Demis Hassabis of Google DeepMind. Additional honorees include Dario Amodei, founder of Anthropic, and Fei-Fei Li, founder of World Labs. Together, they have been dubbed the "Architects of AI." A Cover That Reflects the Future The cover image chosen for this year's recognition is a striking visual representation of these leaders. It shows them seated side by side on steel beams suspended above a city, engaged in conversation. This image is a modern reinterpretation of the iconic 1932 photograph "Lunch on a Skyscrape...

The Three Laws of Robotics and the Ethics of AI The "Three Laws of Robotics," introduced by science fiction writer Isaac Asimov, have long served as a foundational framework for discussions on artificial intelligence (AI) and robot ethics. These laws state: A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. A robot must obey the orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law. These principles, which emerged during the golden age of 20th-century science fiction, continue to shape modern debates about the ethical implications of AI development. A Disturbing Case Involving ChatGPT Eric Solberg, a 56-year-old American who had been taking antidepressants for anxiety and obsessive-compulsive disorder, found solace in ChatGPT. Unlike his busy doctors, the AI offered constan...

Jamie Dimon's Warning on AI and the Future of Work Jamie Dimon, CEO of JPMorgan Chase, has issued a cautionary message about the impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on the workforce. However, his advice to workers is not one of panic but rather a call for adaptability and the development of uniquely human skills. In an interview on Fox News, Dimon acknowledged that AI will eliminate certain jobs. Yet, he emphasized that this does not mean people will be left without employment. Instead, he urged individuals to focus on critical thinking, learning new skills, and improving communication abilities. "You'll have plenty of jobs," he said, highlighting the importance of these competencies in an AI-driven world. Dimon’s comments come as AI transitions from science fiction to a tangible reality for millions of workers. Across corporate America, executives are increasingly open about the disruptions AI is causing, particularly among younger and white-collar employees. S...

Kenya Leads Global Effort to Shape Sustainable AI Governance Kenya has made a significant contribution to global environmental policy by securing a landmark agreement at the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) in Nairobi. This agreement marks the first-ever UN resolution focused on ensuring the environmental sustainability of artificial intelligence (AI) systems. The resolution was adopted under the assembly’s theme “Advancing sustainable solutions for a resilient planet,” and it addresses the environmental impact of AI across multiple dimensions. The resolution systematically tackles the environmental footprint of AI, from its high energy and water consumption to its demand for minerals and the resulting electronic waste. At the same time, it highlights the potential of AI as a tool for climate action and biodiversity conservation. For Africa, this represents a strategic breakthrough, allowing the continent to move beyond being a passive consumer of AI technologies and inst...

Ethiopia's Digital Health Transformation Gains Momentum Addis Ababa, December 12, 2025 — Ethiopia is making significant strides in its digital health transformation, with the Ministry of Health announcing notable progress in the adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and telehealth technologies across the country. This development marks a pivotal shift in how healthcare services are delivered and managed in Ethiopia. The Ministry of Health recently brought together various stakeholders to discuss the future role of AI and telehealth in the health sector. During this meeting, State Minister of Health Seharela Abdulahi emphasized the importance of establishing strong legal and policy frameworks to ensure that AI-driven health services remain secure, private, and of high quality. AI has already begun to show promising results in Ethiopia. It is enhancing data accuracy, supporting better clinical decisions, and improving early disease detection and health forecasting. These advanc...

Huawei Technologies is making significant strides in the artificial intelligence (AI) sector by forming a dedicated unit focused on foundation models. This move underscores the company's commitment to advancing AI technology and competing with global tech giants. The AI foundation model unit was established under Huawei's 2012 Laboratories, which serves as the company's strategic research and development arm. This division covers a wide range of domains, including wireless technology and AI. According to reports, the department has been actively recruiting AI talent, although Huawei has not provided detailed information about the new unit. In late October, a recruitment ad from the Shenzhen-based telecommunications company highlighted its efforts to build a world-class AI team by attracting global talent. Richard Yu Chengdong, head of Huawei's consumer group, shared the recruitment ad on social media, encouraging young professionals to join Huawei and "make the w...

The Call for AI Integration and Financial Planning in Nigeria’s Healthcare Medical professionals in Nigeria have raised concerns about the urgent need to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) into the country’s healthcare system. This call was made during the Seventh Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the University of Ilorin Medical Class of 2009, which took place virtually. The event brought together alumni from various parts of the world, including Nigeria, the United States, and the United Kingdom, to discuss current trends and future directions in global healthcare. The conference highlighted several critical issues facing the medical community. One of the main topics was the importance of embracing innovation and improving financial planning among medical practitioners. Experts emphasized that Nigerian clinicians must take proactive steps to ensure their financial stability while contributing to the nation's health system. According to the World Health Or...

Disney is taking a bold step into the AI era — and letting fans play with some of its most famous characters in a way never seen before. The entertainment giant has struck a landmark deal with OpenAI that will allow its new video tool, Sora, to generate short Disney-themed clips on demand. Fans will be able to type in a prompt and instantly produce videos featuring more than 200 characters from the Disney, Marvel, Pixar and Star Wars franchises. Disney is plowing $1 billion into OpenAI, marking the first time a major Hollywood studio has opened its vault to generative video technology. Mickey Mouse, Ariel, Simba, Baymax, Black Panther, Loki, Darth Vader and Stormtroopers are among the figures allowed into the AI playground. Costumes, props, ships, castles and planets are also included. Users will not be able to unlock real actors' faces or voices, as only 'animated, masked and creature characters' are part of the deal. Fans can play with animated versions of characters p...