Hi Ayodele here,

Africa’s AI landscape continues to evolve through initiatives that strengthen both influence and access. In South Africa, the University of Cape Town has launched a new hub dedicated to AI Safety, Peace, and Security, ensuring African voices help shape global conversations on responsible technology. Meanwhile, Google is expanding access to its Gemini AI tools for students in six African countries, giving young innovators the resources to learn, create, and compete globally.

This edition explores how Africa is building the foundations for both ethical leadership and inclusive participation in the AI era..

Let us get into it. In this edition:

• Google Extends Gemini AI Access to African University Students

• University of Capetown Launches Hub for AI Safety, Peace, and Security

Around Africa

University of Capetown Launches Hub for AI Safety, Peace, and Security

The University of Cape Town has established the African Hub on AI Safety, Peace, and Security to centre African perspectives in global AI governance and safety debates. The hub focuses on research, building capacity, and influencing policy over the next three years in areas like peace, security, and societal risk.

It is part of the AI4D–FCDO network and co-funded by the International Development Research Centre and the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office. Collaborations will include groups like Masakhane, Deep Learning Indaba, AfriClimate AI, GRIT, and CAIR. Key priorities include developing multilingual evaluation systems, policy frameworks rooted in African contexts, and public participation in governance. The launch acknowledges that many AI safety efforts today neglect local realities such as disinformation, surveillance, and the impacts on labour.

Why This Matters
This hub ensures Africa is not just a subject of AI risk but an active agent shaping global norms, embedding local values and knowledge into safety and governance work.

Google Extends Gemini AI Access to African University Students

Google is giving university students in six African countries a free 12-month subscription to its Google AI Pro Plan, including tools like Gemini 2.5 Pro, Deep Research, NotebookLM, Veo 3, and 2 TB of cloud storage. Eligible countries are Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

The initiative is aimed at those aged 18 or older to support academic work, research, and creativity between October 7 and December 9, 2025. The free access will democratize powerful AI tools typically behind subscription paywalls. Google states this is part of its push to prepare students for the demands of an AI-shaped future workforce. The rollout seeks to reduce barriers to technology access in African higher education.

Why It Matters:

By providing free access to advanced AI tools, this move helps level the playing field in education, enabling students to develop skills critical for global competitiveness.

Around the world

OpenAI Brings Apps Inside ChatGPT

OpenAI has launched a new feature that allows developers to create apps that run directly inside ChatGPT using its new Apps SDK. Users can now call apps like Canva, Spotify, Zillow, Booking.com, Figma, and Coursera within conversations for tasks like designing, browsing, and planning. ChatGPT suggests relevant apps during chats and lets users call them by name to extend the AI’s capabilities.

Google Expands AI Try-On to Shoes in Search

Google’s AI shopping tools now include a virtual try-on feature for shoes, letting users see how footwear looks on them using full-body photos. The tool combines AI perception models with the Shopping Graph to map shoes onto users’ images realistically. Previously focused on clothing, the feature now enhances browsing across categories with improved visual feedback. AI Mode also integrates Gemini’s capabilities into search to help users narrow down options more intuitively. Google says the tool will roll out in more markets soon, extending the digital fitting experience.

Google Unveils Gemini 2.5 Computer Use Model for UI Agents

Google has introduced the Gemini 2.5 Computer Use model capable of interacting with web and mobile interfaces like a human by clicking, typing, and navigating UIs. Developers can use it via the Gemini API to build agents that see screen elements and execute tasks in real time. The model outperforms previous tools in benchmarks for latency and web control tasks. It’s currently optimized for browser automation and UI-based workflows. Early access is available through Google AI Studio and Vertex AI for testing and feedback.

Around the Web - Top Picks

• The Reinforcement Gap: Why Some AI Skills Soar

  In the article The Reinforcement Gap, TechCrunch explains that AI skills tied to tasks with clear, objective feedback are improving rapidly through reinforcement learning. In contrast, skills such as writing or creative output, which lack binary success criteria, advance much more slowly. The gap arises because reinforcement learning relies on measurable rewards to drive improvement.

  Read the full article: The Reinforcement Gap: Why Some AI Skills Soar

• AI Industry at a Crossroads: Sora, ChatGPT & Strategy

  In Decoder, The Verge explores how OpenAI’s DevDay highlights and the rise of its Sora app point to a turning point in AI’s direction. The episode features guest CEO Kanjun Qiu, who debates whether AI’s future aligns with open platforms or closed ecosystems. They dig into strategy decisions made by OpenAI, the implications of video-driven AI like Sora, and the tension between control and openness.

  Read the full article: AI Industry at a Crossroads: Sora, ChatGPT & Strategy

Seen This?

Visual Capitalist published a map highlighting the top countries driving ChatGPT traffic in 2025, showing which nations lead in AI adoption and usage density.

Upcoming African AI Events

Digital African Conference and Exhibition 2025
Dates: 28-29 October, 2025
Location: Abuja, Nigeria
Theme: “Sovereign Intelligence: Africa’s Voice in the Global AI Order,” focusing on AI governance, indigenous AI solutions, and Africa’s role in shaping global AI norms.
Link: Digital African Conference and Exhibition

DatafestAfrica 2025
Date: 18 October, 2025
Location: Nigeria
Theme: A premier platform for data and AI professionals to learn, network, and share best practices, supported by organizations like Microsoft and Sterling Bank. Past editions featured speakers from Deloitte, PwC, Google, and MTN.
Link: DatafestAfrica 2025 

SingularityU South Africa Summit 2025
Dates: 22–23 October 2025
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Theme: “Igniting Africa’s Future,” exploring robotics, AI, biotech, and exponential technologies, with 40+ speakers and a hands-on tech expo.
Link: SingularityU South Africa Summit 2025

AI Expo Africa 2025
Dates: 29–31 October 2025
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa
Theme: Africa’s largest enterprise AI trade show, featuring case studies, RPA solutions, smart tech demos, and the ITU “AI for Good” Impact Africa Summit in collaboration with the UN.
Link: AI Expo Africa 2025

AI Job Opportunities

• Network Recruitment - AI / ML Engineer, South Africa

• Cerebria.ai - AI Engineer (LLM), South Africa

• Private Scientific Research Company - Python Developer and Tutor, Nigeria

• Perform - AI Engineer, Kenya

• Lumenalta - Senior Data Engineer, Nigeria

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