Annyeonghaseyo,
OpenAI has released a classifier that determines if a text is generated by humans or by Artificial Intelligence.
The buzz around generative AI, particularly the text generation aspect, has grown, with critics urging creators to take precautions to help reduce the potentially negative effects of the tools.
According to OpenAI, the classifier is not “particularly accurate”, with a success rate of around 26%.
However, the company claims that if used in conjunction with other methods of determining the text source, it could prevent AI text generators from being abused.
OPenAI is using this to get feedback on whether tools like this are useful and hopes to share improved methods in the future.
This is what I have for you today:
- How Brenda Wangari is making a name for herself in Africa’s tech ecosystem
- Do you really need Starlink?
- Netflix rolls out more features for Premium subscribers
How Brenda Wangari is making a name for herself in Africa’s tech ecosystem
In January, I listened to Cal Newport’s So Good They Can’t Ignore You audiobook and learned that skill will always trump passion.
After listening and reflecting, I came to the conclusion that no one is born to be passionate about one thing in particular. Our environment, background and experiences shape our interests or passions.
Because passion rarely funds itself, you need to learn valuable skills that can patronize it or incorporate your interest into your work.
Even if you don’t have a passion, you can develop an interest in what you do, and as you progress, you’ll gain clarity about what you want out of life.
Brenda Wangari, a senior program manager at Village Capital, an early-stage startup venture capital firm, brought her passion to her job while learning valuable skills.
In the most recent episode of Expert and AfricanOluwanifemi spoke with Brenda about her transition from media to program management.
Asked if he had a plan when he started his career, he replied: “I don’t think I had a career path. I just wanted to be in roles where I could tap into what I’m really good at. That’s how I found myself in management. of projects.”
Interestingly, she started out as a writer in college. Brenda also joined Techpoint Africa as a correspondent in East Africa when Adewale Yusuf founded the company in 2015.
Furthermore, she has been honing her skills in recent years. For example, in 2021 she decided to improve her people management skills and completed a course at the THINK School of Creative Leadership. For her it was worth it because she works with people from various cultures.
When I read that, I understood why he is successful at what he does; After all, how can you try so hard and not succeed?
She also talked about other skills she’s learned and what makes her productive and exceptional, among other things.
You can read it here: From Media to Program Management: How Brenda Wangari is making a name for herself in Africa’s tech ecosystem
You can also watch it here: Building a career as a Program Manager in Africa. What I have learned in more than 5 YEARS
Do you really need Starlink?
US-based space exploration company SpaceX announced the lunch of Starlink, the company’s satellite internet service, in Nigeria on Monday.
It came months after the company signed an agreement with the Nigerian government to bring satellite internet coverage to the country.
For context, read this: Starlink is cheap, but is it affordable?
But how do you get Starlink now that it’s available in Nigeria? To help him, Bolu spoke with Bello Gbadebo, a developer and startup founder based in the ancient city of Abeokuta, Ogun State, Nigeria.
In search of super fast internet for his work, he decided to get Starlink. After using the service for about a week, she shared how she got there, including with Bolu.
According to Gbadebo, the process was very easy.
The first step is to go to the Starlink website and check its availability in your area on the map. While it is available for all continents, it only works in select locations.
Seeing that Starlink had a satellite over his Abeokuta location, Gbadebo paid a $99.99 pre-order deposit and an additional $499 to complete the order, bringing the total to $599.
A little over a week after placing the order, DHL delivered it to your doorstep. Surprising, as Starlink said customers might have to wait up to six months or even the end of 2023 to get their full kit.
Gbadebo also shares how he set up the team. You can find out here: Do you really need Starlink? This is what a Nigerian user thinks
Netflix rolls out more features for Premium subscribers
Streaming giant Netflix announced that Premium subscribers can now download video on up to six devices (previously four) and use spatial audio for more than 700 titles for free.
This also means that Premium subscribers can now have 600, up from 400, active downloads across all devices.
Why? “With people more connected than ever through multiple devices, we have learned through research that members would like the option to download Netflix shows and movies for offline viewing on more devices,” said Rishu Arora, Director of Netflix Product Management.
Spatial audio is a feature that can emulate immersive surround sound through stereo speakers or headphones on various devices, including TVs, computers, tablets, and smartphones, without specialized audio equipment.
While it’s unlikely to benefit users with multi-channel surround sound systems, it should help those without access.
It is not exclusive to Netflix. HBO Max, Disney+, Hulu, and other streaming services also support spatial audio.
In July 2022, Netflix added spatial audio to all devices for all plans, including Basic and Standard. Consequently, users of Netflix’s low-cost plans have access to a smaller selection of titles.
Premium subscribers can enjoy movie-quality sound on more than 700 of the service’s most popular titles, including “Stranger Things,” “Wednesday” and “Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery.”
The company is also introducing Dolby Atmos, a feature that provides users with captivating sounds that enhance their viewing experience on the streaming platform.
Sidebar Alert: Netflix made $7.85 billion in Q4 2022, despite slowing revenue growth. In the third quarter of 2021, it earned $7.93 billion.
In case you missed it
What I’m reading and watching
Opportunities
- Pitch Friday is next Friday, February 10, 2023. Click this link if you’d like to pitch an idea or product. You can also register to attend.
- Applications are now open for Google’s inaugural Accelerator for Startups, the African Women Founders of Africa Program. You can apply online before February 20, 2023.
- Applications are now open for the NAMIP Sustainability Challenge for Nigerian Media. Winners will receive up to $50,000 for their project and join NAMIP’s innovation and capacity building program which runs through 2024. Apply here.
- If you are a software engineer, creative designer, product manager, design researcher, or a technician looking for an internship position, please visit this website.
Have a beautiful Thursday.
victoria fakiya for Techpoint Africa.
