Google introduces new update on Bard to enhance creativity

Google on Thursday introduced a new update, an advanced Artificial intelligence (AI) model Gemini Pro, to enhance creativity, capabilities, productivity among others.

The Head of Communications, Google, West Africa, Mr Taiwo Kola-Ogunlade, in a statement on Thursday said that Google was bringing Bard’s latest capabilities — including Gemini Pro in Bard— to more languages and places.

According to him, they are also introducing image generation to bring more ideas to life.

The reports gathered that Google Bard is a free, experimental AI chatbot that uses natural language processing and machine learning to simulate human conversations.

Bard can generate text, translate languages, and write creative content. It can also respond to user questions and prompts with a human-like understanding.

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According to Kola-Ogunlade, Gemini Pro in Bard is available in over 40 languages and more than 230 countries and territories, so more people could collaborate with the fastest and most capable version of Bard.

“ Gemini Pro helps to double-check responses in more languages, brings ideas to life with image generation and one of the most preferred chatbix with or without cost.

“Consistent with our AI Principles, image generation was designed with responsibility in mind.

“For instance, to ensure there’s a clear distinction between visuals created with Bard and original human artwork, Bard uses SynthID to embed digitally identifiable watermarks into the pixels of generated images.

“Our technical guardrails and investments in the safety of training data, seek to limit violent, offensive or sexually explicit content.

“Additionally, we apply filters designed to avoid the generation of images of named people,’’ he said.

Kola-Ogunlade said that Google will continue investing in new techniques to improve the safety and privacy protections of its models.

According to him, these updates make Bard an even more helpful and globally accessible AI collaborator for everything from big, creative projects to smaller, everyday tasks.

“Try it out today at bard.google.com ,” he said.

Google introduces new update on Bard to enhance creativity

UNDP, Japan deliver equipment to secure power in Ukraine

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine and Japan have jointly announced the provision of three gas turbines and assistance in transporting seven autotransformers to Ukraine.

The autotransformers were previously purchased by the National Power Company, Ukrenergo, with funds from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

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“This collaborative effort, implemented in coordination with the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, aims to meet urgent needs of Ukraine’s energy sector for the winter of 2024, while also supporting long-term national goals,” the UNDP said in a statement on Monday.

It added that approximately 93 per cent of Ukrainians faced disruptions in essential services like electricity, heating, and water supplies.

“Installing the new gas turbines and the autotransformers will help to avoid disruptions this winter, maintaining critical services for over 5.5 million Ukrainians in affected areas,” said the statement.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative in Ukraine, Christophoros Politis, said: “For the second consecutive year, in collaboration with our partners, we’ve been diligently working to assist Ukraine.

“We have been working to assist Ukraine in preparing for potential energy threats, ensuring that everyone has light and warmth during the winter.”

Working with Japan, UNDP has supplied essential emergency equipment to communities across Ukraine, including 1,000 power banks and 1,200 generators.

In October 2023, two high-power autotransformers were delivered to enhance the country’s power transmission capacity.

“The challenge the country faces in the energy sector is immense,” said Politis.

According to the UNDP in Ukraine report, “Towards a Green Transition of the Energy Sector in Ukraine,” generation capacity has been reduced to nearly 50 per cent of its pre-2022 levels.

It said since the invasion of February 2022, out of nearly 37 gigawatts of production capacity, over 19 gigawatts had been destroyed, damaged, or seized by Russian forces. 

UNDP, Japan deliver equipment to secure power in Ukraine

French Minister says France will repatraite $150m Abacha loot

France on Friday said it would be returning $150 million General Sani Abacha loot back to Nigeria.

Abacha reign over Nigeria between 1993 and 1998 when his rule was terminated as a result of untimely death.

Twenty years after his reign, loot stacked abroad continued to surface with Nigerian government already recovered hundred of millions of dollars.

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The visiting France Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Ms. Catherine Colonna while addressing a press conference, said she has informed President Bola Tinubu about the planned return of the seized fund.

She noted that the stolen fund will be returned to the country in form of grant, while revealing that discussion will soon be opened with the Nigerian government on the areas to invest the fund.

She said: “I also informed President Tinubu that in response to the request submitted by the Nigerian Federal Ministry of Justice, and in agreement with the US
Administration, France will return to Nigeria the assets stolen from the Nigerian
people by General Sani Abacha and his family, that have been frozen in France
since 2021. We will start discussions with the Nigerian administration in order to allocate these 150 million US dollars to development projects benefiting the
population, according to the priorities of the Nigerian government.”

She said France has invested over €10 billion in Nigeria in the last ten years while over 100 French Companies doing business in the country, creating over 10,000 jobs.

She said: “Over the last ten years and now exceed 10 billion euros. More than 100 French companies are already working here. They do not simply sell French products: they invest in Nigeria’s economy, creating jobs (10 000 jobs as we speak), factories, farms and vocational training centers. Our goal for the coming years is to further increase these investments in Nigeria, but also the investments of Nigerian companies in France.

“The French Government also invests directly in Nigeria, through financing from
the French Development Agency (AFD, Agence française de développement).

“Since 2010, we have mobilized close to 3 billion euros to support the emergence of Nigeria. AFD is carrying out projects in 26 out of the 36 States of Nigeria. We are financing infrastructure, rural roads, marketplaces, urban transportation and water supply, but also a large number of SMEs and local start-up incubators. We are also investing more and more in vocational training for the youth.

“Our main priority for the coming years is to support even further cultural and creative industries in Nigeria.

“They are already recognized worldwide, and have a huge potential to be developed. We support creators and entrepreneurs in the fields of animation, video games, music, fashion and design, to help them tap into international markets. l signed this morning with the Minister of Finance an investment agreement for an amount of 100 million euros, for the l- Dice program, through which AFD is going to support Nigerian entrepreneurs in digital and creative industries, We provide financing, expertise, but also exposure in France and in our outstanding Cultural network in Nigeria, including the French Institute in Abuja and 10 Alliances Francaises.”

French Minister says France will repatraite $150m Abacha loot