Tech

‘Tell Me Something Good’ is Google’s new app to keep users feeling optimistic

Published

5 years ago

August 23, 2018

Google, in the face too many troubling news that make more people vulnerable to anxiety and a negative outlook, has launched a new app to keep a user’s day brightened.

Researchers at Yale University had coined the concept “the hope gap” -to describe when people are more focused on a problem rather than the solution thus causing even more stress.

“Good news is happening every day. We just don’t always hear about it. Right now, people are working to solve big problems in scalable ways – curing diseases, creating equal opportunities, reinventing education, making neighborhoods safer.

“And some smart folks have surfaced heaps of data showing that the world is actually getting better in lots of ways,” said Google in its demo video.

“Hearing this kind of good news can do us all some good. It helps bridge the hope gap, inspiring us to be more proactive in dealing with the threats we face. Good news sparks dialogue, not just about what’s wrong but how it could be better.

“It’s called solutions journalism and there’s a whole network of journalists dedicated to publishing it. Because research shows that hearing news focused on solutions can nudge us out of survival mode and into problem-solving mode, building more trust in each other and our communities,” it further said.

The Google Assistant helps users feel more optimistic. The feature can be activated by saying “Hey Google, tell me something good” to Google Assistant. Google responds by showing results with good news featuring solutions to real-world problems.

Examples that Google provided include how Detroit residents are creating jobs by turning abandoned lots into sustainable bee farms and how Iceland was able to curb teen drinking through the use of nightly curfews and coupons for extracurricular activities.

These news stories are curated through Google’s solutions journalism partners at the Solutions Journalism Network. And this feature is also being overseen by Google’s Creative Lab team.

Google is rolling out the “Hey Google, tell me something good” feature through Google Assistant on the Google Home and Google Home Mini in the U.S. now. And it should be integrated into the Google Assistant apps on smartphone devices soon after.

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Tech

African Development Bank partners Google to transform Africa’s digital space

Published

1 day ago

September 23, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

The African Development Bank (ADB) has teamed up with Google with the aim of advancing digital transformation in Africa.

The two parties formalized the deal with the signing of a “Letter of Intent” on Friday during the Global Africa Business Initiative at the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

The agreement, according to Dr. Akinwunmi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank, “underscores a shared commitment to harness emerging technologies, extend and improve infrastructure, and refine talent and skills in the continent.”

“Our journey from a 2% telephony penetration in 1998 to today’s era of 4G, 5G, and AI signifies immense progress. With 70% of sub-Saharan Africans under 30, our focus is on catalyzing businesses to create jobs and offer innovative solutions,” said Adesina after the signing ceremony.

He added that both ADB and Google had a long history of fostering digital evolution, enumerating that over the past decade, the Bank had invested $1.9 billion in projects emphasizing the development of broadband infrastructure, conducive policy and regulatory environments, digital skills, and innovative technology startups.

On its part, Google has become a longtime partner in Africa’s economic growth and digital transformation with huge investments in a major submarine telecommunications cable, the Seacom cable.

Dr. James Manyika, Google’s Senior Vice President of Research, Technology & Society, who also spoke at the event, said:

“With advanced technologies like AI, the most profound transformation is yet to come. Working together with African Development Bank, Google will offer technical assistance to bolster entrepreneurs and small and medium-sized enterprises in digitizing their businesses, securing financing, mastering digital marketing, and advancing private sector development.

“Collaboration will be essential if Africa is to realize this opportunity, building for everyone and ensuring no-one is left behind. We are excited to collaborate with the African Development Bank to work towards this shared commitment.”

Tech

Zambian neo-bank, Lupiya raises $8.25m to expand access to financial services

Published

2 days ago

September 22, 2023

Akanimoh Etim

Zambia’s leading neo-bank, Lupiya has announced securing $8.25 million from Alitheia IDF Fund, a private equity fund known for its gender-focused investments, in a bid to expand access to financial services for startups and small scale businesses.

The fundraising, according to Evelyn Chilomo Kaingu, co-founder and CEO of Lupiya, it would enable the outfit “bridge financial inclusion gap, as well as offer technology-driven, user-friendly financial solutions to the unbanked and underbanked populations in Zambia.”

“This Series A investment marks a significant milestone in our journey to continue serving our customers and the opportunity to further provide holistic financial solutions,” Kaingu said.

“Lupiya’s vision and dedication to financial and gender inclusion resonates deeply with our own objectives. We believe that with this funding, we will be better equipped to make financial services accessible to many more Zambians.

“The team at Lupiya has worked hard and is excited for the new phase of our growth. With the support of Alitheia IDF, INOKS Capital, Mastercard, and Kfw DEG, we are better poised to scale our operations and deepen our footprint not just in Zambia but also in the broader Southern and East African region”, Kaingu added.

According to her, the newly acquired capital will be directed towards strengthening Lupiya’s technological infrastructure, expanding its range of financial products, and extending its reach to a wider customer base.

The startup which was launched in 2016, has emerged as a leading player in Zambia’s rapidly evolving fintech landscape and boasts of an impressive roster of supporters, including industry giants like Mastercard, Google, World Bank, and the UN International Trade Centre.