# First Technology WC


## Posts

- [Director’s View ](https://firsttechwc.co.za/directors-view-2/): By Johan de Villiers Welcome to our latest quarterly newsletter. In this edition, I’ve been exploring a fascinating corner of finance that has quietly been reshaping how we understand the future: prediction markets. You may have come across the name Kalshi during the 2024 US elections, or perhaps stumbled onto it through a news headline about people betting on interest rates or even the weather. It turns out, the idea of putting real money behind your beliefs about the future is far older than you might think – and far more consequential. Wagering on What’s Next The concept of prediction…
- [Analysts Warn That If AI Agents Succeed, the “Internet Will Go Dark”](https://firsttechwc.co.za/analysts-warn-that-if-ai-agents-succeed-the-internet-will-go-dark-2/): In the logic of the machine learning gold rush, the next breakthrough offering in the industry will be “AI agents” — personal assistants, basically, that can use apps and computers to do tasks on your behalf. If that actually happens — a serious “if,” but not a completely far-fetched possibility, as early efforts have already started to hit the market — there a major side effect: it’ll totally change the ecosystem of information online if it’s mainly being consumed by neural nets instead of humans. Read More
- [No part of Amazon is ‘unaffected’ by AI, says its head of AGI](https://firsttechwc.co.za/no-part-of-amazon-is-unaffected-by-ai-says-its-head-of-agi/): “There’s scarcely a part of the company that is unaffected by AI,” said Vishal Sharma, Amazon’s VP of Artificial General Intelligence, on Monday at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona. He dismissed the idea that open source models might reduce compute needs and deflected when asked whether European companies would change their generative AI strategies in light of geopolitical tensions with the U.S. Sharma said onstage at the startup conference that Amazon was now deploying AI through its own foundational models across Amazon Web Services — Amazon’s cloud computing division — the robotics in its warehouses, and the Alexa consumer product,…
- [Microsoft unveils new voice-activated AI assistant for doctors](https://firsttechwc.co.za/microsoft-unveils-new-voice-activated-ai-assistant-for-doctors-2/): Microsoft is giving its health-care artificial intelligence tools a makeover. The company on Monday unveiled a new voice-activated AI assistant that combines capabilities from its dictation solution, Dragon Medical One, and ambient listening solution, DAX Copilot, into one tool. “Dragon Copilot” will be able to help doctors quickly pull information from medical sources and automatically draft clinical notes, referral letters, post-visit summaries and more, according to the company. It’s Microsoft’s latest effort to help health-care workers cut down their daunting clerical workloads, which are a major source of burnout in the industry. Clinicians spend nearly 28 hours a week on…
- [Why 2042 will be a big year for AI](https://firsttechwc.co.za/why-2042-will-be-a-big-year-for-ai-2/): From the Big Bang to the rise of artificial intelligence, AI pioneer Juergen Schmidhuber unpacks history’s rapid-fire advancement — and why 2042 might just be the year AI reaches superhuman levels. Blending insights from biology, technology and the cosmos, he imagines a future where AI expands beyond Earth, redefining life and intelligence in unforeseen ways. Read More
- [Kodiak CEO says making trucks drive themselves is only half the battle](https://firsttechwc.co.za/kodiak-ceo-says-making-trucks-drive-themselves-is-only-half-the-battle/): This year marks significant advancements in the realm of autonomous trucking, with major players such as Aurora planning to deploy hundreds of driverless big rigs and Waabi expanding their reach into robotaxis. Amid these developments, Kodiak AI is preparing to launch its own fully autonomous long-haul freight operations by the close of 2026. While robotaxis continue to dominate headlines, the progress of driverless trucks is quietly but steadily accelerating. Kodiak AI’s CEO, Don Burnette, emphasizes that achieving autonomous driving capability is only part of the challenge. According to him, while many competitors focus on artificial intelligence, perception systems, and mileage…
- [Waymo hits 170 million miles while avoiding serious mayhem](https://firsttechwc.co.za/waymo-hits-170-million-miles-while-avoiding-serious-mayhem/): Waymo has announced that its autonomous vehicles have surpassed 170 million miles traveled, boasting a safety record that significantly outperforms human drivers in terms of avoiding serious crashes and injuries. The firm recently updated its safety hub online to include these latest metrics. Despite notable progress, some safety advocates remain critical of how Waymo presents its technology and data to the public, urging for a more nuanced understanding of the overall safety impact. According to Waymo, as of December 2025, its autonomous fleet, comprising about 3,000 vehicles operating across 10 cities, has collectively driven the equivalent of 200 human lifetimes—assuming…
- [China’s OpenClaw Boom Is a Gold Rush for AI Companies](https://firsttechwc.co.za/chinas-openclaw-boom-is-a-gold-rush-for-ai-companies/): George Zhang, working in cross-border ecommerce in Xiamen, China, became fascinated by OpenClaw after seeing a viral video demonstrating its potential to autonomously manage stock portfolios and make investment decisions. Despite not fully understanding how the AI agent software worked, Zhang installed OpenClaw in late February, joining a wave of Chinese users caught up in the recent excitement surrounding the technology. Across China, workshops teaching OpenClaw usage have attracted hundreds, and major tech companies are swiftly integrating it into their platforms. Local governments have even announced subsidies for entrepreneurs developing products based on OpenClaw, with images going viral of elderly…
- [DJI will pay $30K to the man who accidentally hacked 7,000 Romo robovacs](https://firsttechwc.co.za/dji-will-pay-30k-to-the-man-who-accidentally-hacked-7000-romo-robovacs/): On Valentine’s Day, a remarkable story emerged that quickly attracted global attention: a man, attempting to control his DJI robot vacuum with a PlayStation controller, inadvertently uncovered a vast network of 7,000 remotely accessible DJI robots, providing a disturbing window into people’s private homes. DJI has now agreed to pay $30,000 to this individual, Sammy Azdoufal, for revealing the security flaw. Though the company had already begun addressing some related vulnerabilities, it was uncertain whether Azdoufal would receive compensation for his findings, especially considering DJI’s previous interactions with other security researchers. Furthermore, doubts lingered about how promptly DJI would fix…
- [Why China’s humanoid robot industry is winning the early market](https://firsttechwc.co.za/why-chinas-humanoid-robot-industry-is-winning-the-early-market/): China’s humanoid robots captured worldwide attention with their kung fu flips during the nation’s televised Spring Festival Gala, while the Chinese phone manufacturer Honor is preparing to debut its inaugural humanoid robot at MWC in Spain. Robotics has been identified as a major focus within China’s “Made in China 2025” initiative, initially centered on factory automation rather than humanoid robotics. However, rapid advancements in multimodal AI are accelerating the development of embodied AI—autonomous machines capable of functioning in real-world environments—a strategy that officials believe could alleviate labor shortages and boost productivity significantly. At this nascent stage of humanoid robot innovation,…
- [Google takes control of ‘Android of robotics’ project in quest for physical AI](https://firsttechwc.co.za/google-takes-control-of-android-of-robotics-project-in-quest-for-physical-ai/): Google has decided to integrate Intrinsic, Alphabet’s AI robotics venture known as a “moonshot,” back into its main operations after five years as an independent entity. This strategic decision indicates Google’s increasing commitment to advancing physical AI technologies by bringing experimental projects closer to its core business framework. Intrinsic has been dedicated to simplifying the programming, teaching, and operation of robots, aiming to become the equivalent of an Android platform for robotics, providing an accessible software layer and tools that facilitate the creation of robotic applications. Originally, Intrinsic was launched as an independent company within Alphabet’s Other Bets division in…
- [Amazon blames human employees for an AI coding agent’s mistake](https://firsttechwc.co.za/amazon-blames-human-employees-for-an-ai-coding-agents-mistake/): Amazon Web Services experienced a 13-hour outage in December linked to the actions of its AI coding assistant Kiro, according to reports. Several unnamed Amazon employees indicated that Kiro was responsible for the disruption impacting one AWS service in parts of mainland China. The AI agent chose to delete and then recreate the environment it was managing, which ultimately caused the extended outage. Despite Kiro usually requiring approval from two human operators before making changes, a human error in granting access levels allowed the AI more control than intended, leading to the incident. Amazon characterized the December outage as a…
- [Waymo’s next-gen robotaxi is ready for passengers — and also ‘high-volume production’](https://firsttechwc.co.za/waymos-next-gen-robotaxi-is-ready-for-passengers-and-also-high-volume-production/): After extensive testing and refinement, Waymo has officially declared its sixth-generation robotaxi technology ready to transport passengers. Initially, this advanced autonomous driving system will be introduced for employee use and their acquaintances in San Francisco and Los Angeles before expanding to public customers. This latest iteration signifies not only technological advancement but also a strategic move to enhance production capabilities. Waymo has positioned its new system to accommodate high-volume manufacturing, allowing for the production of tens of thousands of vehicles annually. This marks a pivotal step as the company intends to maintain its leadership in the robotaxi sector by scaling…
- [OpenAI Frontier is a single platform to control your AI agents](https://firsttechwc.co.za/openai-frontier-is-a-single-platform-to-control-your-ai-agents/): Managing humans has always been a complex challenge, and overseeing AI agents presents a similar level of difficulty. To address this, OpenAI is introducing a new platform named OpenAI Frontier, designed to assist businesses in building, deploying, and managing AI agents, including those developed outside of OpenAI. This platform aims to offer a centralized interface for controlling AI agents, drawing parallels to how human resource departments manage employees. OpenAI describes Frontier as providing essential work skills for agents, such as shared context, onboarding processes, experiential learning with feedback, and clearly defined permissions and boundaries. The concept is inspired by existing…
- [This Autonomous Aquatic Robot Is Smaller Than a Grain of Salt](https://firsttechwc.co.za/this-autonomous-aquatic-robot-is-smaller-than-a-grain-of-salt/): Over the years, the downsizing of robotics has presented a persistent challenge. Despite significant advancements in miniaturizing electronics, the creation of fully autonomous miniature robots smaller than one millimeter has remained elusive. Fragility of tiny mechanical limbs and the drastic shift in physical forces at microscopic scales—where drag and viscosity dominate rather than gravity and inertia—have hindered progress. Recently, researchers from two American institutions have reported a breakthrough in this area, overcoming a challenge that has persisted for four decades. They introduced a robot smaller than a grain of salt, measuring just 200 by 300 by 50 micrometers, with its…
- [Tesla is finally doing unsupervised robotaxi rides](https://firsttechwc.co.za/tesla-is-finally-doing-unsupervised-robotaxi-rides/): Tesla has begun conducting unsupervised robotaxi trips in Austin, Texas, as showcased in a video shared on X, with Elon Musk acknowledging and congratulating Tesla’s AI team for reaching this important milestone. This development indicates progress in Tesla’s autonomous driving efforts, yet it remains uncertain how widely available these unsupervised robotaxi rides will be for the public in the near term. Previously, Tesla’s robotaxi programs in Austin and San Francisco have involved safety monitors capable of remotely halting the vehicle if necessary, a precaution that contrasts with Waymo’s current commercial fleet, which operates without such human oversight. In Austin, the…
- [Oshen built the first ocean robot to collect data in a Category 5 hurricane](https://firsttechwc.co.za/oshen-built-the-first-ocean-robot-to-collect-data-in-a-category-5-hurricane/): Anahita Laverack initially aimed for a career in aerospace engineering, but her journey took an unexpected path after participating in an autonomous robotics challenge. Motivated by the difficulties faced in the Microtransat Challenge, where contestants build autonomous sail-powered micro-robots to cross the Atlantic, she realized the scarcity of reliable ocean data was a major obstacle. Recognizing the importance of this information, she explored conferences focused on oceanology and discovered that no effective solutions existed for collecting comprehensive ocean data. Her interactions revealed a demand where others were willing to pay her to attempt data collection, inspiring her to develop a…
- [Motional puts AI at center of robotaxi reboot as it targets 2026 for driverless service](https://firsttechwc.co.za/motional-puts-ai-at-center-of-robotaxi-reboot-as-it-targets-2026-for-driverless-service/): Nearly two years ago, Motional faced a critical juncture in its journey toward autonomous vehicle development. Originating from a substantial joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and Aptiv, the company had missed a crucial deadline for launching a driverless robotaxi service in partnership with Lyft. The withdrawal of Aptiv as a financial supporter necessitated an additional $1 billion investment from Hyundai to keep the venture alive. This period also saw significant reductions in the workforce, with layoffs cutting down its headcount from approximately 1,400 employees to fewer than 600 following a major restructuring in May 2024. Meanwhile, rapid advancements in…
- [Google Gemini Is Taking Control of Humanoid Robots on Auto Factory Floors](https://firsttechwc.co.za/google-gemini-is-taking-control-of-humanoid-robots-on-auto-factory-floors/): Google DeepMind is collaborating with Boston Dynamics to equip humanoid robots with the advanced intelligence necessary to navigate unfamiliar surroundings and handle objects—a key step toward enabling these machines to perform manual labor. This partnership, unveiled at CES in Las Vegas, involves integrating Google’s Gemini Robotics model into several Boston Dynamics robots, including the humanoid Atlas and the robot dog Spot. The companies plan to pilot Gemini-enabled Atlas robots in Hyundai’s automotive factories, which is Boston Dynamics’ parent company, in the near future. This initiative offers a glimpse into a potential future where humanoid robots rapidly acquire a broad spectrum…
- [In 2026, AI will move from hype to pragmatism](https://firsttechwc.co.za/in-2026-ai-will-move-from-hype-to-pragmatism/): If 2025 was the year when AI underwent a critical evaluation, then 2026 is expected to be the period when the technology becomes genuinely practical. The emphasis is shifting away from creating ever-larger language models and focusing instead on the more challenging task of enabling AI to be truly usable. This means deploying more appropriately sized models, embedding intelligence into tangible devices, and developing systems that seamlessly fit into human workflows. The experts consulted foresee 2026 as a transitional phase that moves away from sheer scaling towards exploring novel architectures, evolving from visually impressive demonstrations to precise deployments, and shifting…
- [Hundreds of Cisco customers are vulnerable to new Chinese hacking campaign, researchers say](https://firsttechwc.co.za/hundreds-of-cisco-customers-are-vulnerable-to-new-chinese-hacking-campaign-researchers-say/): On Wednesday, Cisco disclosed that a faction of Chinese government-backed hackers is exploiting a critical vulnerability to target its enterprise clients using some of its most widely deployed products. The company has not specified how many of its customers have already fallen victim to these intrusions or how many might be operating vulnerable systems. Security experts now estimate that several hundred Cisco customers could potentially be affected. Piotr Kijewski, CEO of the nonprofit Shadowserver Foundation, which tracks internet-based hacking efforts, indicated that the number of exposed systems seems to be in the hundreds rather than in the thousands or tens…
- [Inside Rivian’s big bet on AI-powered self-driving](https://firsttechwc.co.za/inside-rivians-big-bet-on-ai-powered-self-driving/): In Rivian’s Palo Alto office cafeteria, an autonomous robot initially navigated smoothly past chilled canned coffee shelves but soon got stuck, needing a man’s assistance while its screen displayed the message “I’m stuck.” This small incident set the stage for Rivian’s “Autonomy & AI Day,” an event highlighting the company’s ambition to develop vehicles capable of self-driving. Although Rivian didn’t manufacture the robot or control its functionality, its difficulties provided a reminder of the complexity involved in autonomous technology. Later the same day, I experienced a 15-minute demonstration ride in a 2025 R1S SUV running Rivian’s new “Large Driving Model.”…
- [1X struck a deal to send its ‘home’ humanoids to factories and warehouses](https://firsttechwc.co.za/1x-struck-a-deal-to-send-its-home-humanoids-to-factories-and-warehouses/): 1X, a robotics company, has identified significant potential buyers for its consumer-focused humanoid robots within the portfolio companies of one of its investors. The company revealed a strategic partnership intended to distribute thousands of its humanoid robots to the portfolio companies of EQT, a major Swedish multi-asset investor, whose venture fund EQT Ventures supports 1X. This agreement entails delivering up to 10,000 units of 1X’s Neo humanoid robot from 2026 through 2030 to over 300 portfolio companies under EQT, primarily targeting sectors such as manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, and other industrial applications. Individual contracts will be signed between 1X and the…
- [The Next Giant Leap For AI Is Called World Models](https://firsttechwc.co.za/the-next-giant-leap-for-ai-is-called-world-models/): In recent years, AI has demonstrated remarkable capabilities in generating text, images, videos, and even computer code. Now, a new frontier is emerging with the development of generative tools designed to create entire immersive 3D environments, often referred to as world models. These models aim to simulate virtual worlds complete with physical laws and interactive inhabitants, enabling users to explore and manipulate these spaces as if physically present. Unlike traditional video game environments handcrafted by designers, these worlds are autonomously generated by AI systems, opening vast new possibilities across multiple sectors. World models are poised to revolutionize fields such as…
- [California’s ban on self-driving trucks could soon be over](https://firsttechwc.co.za/californias-ban-on-self-driving-trucks-could-soon-be-over/): California regulators have introduced updated rules that would enable companies to test and ultimately deploy self-driving trucks on public highways across the state. The California Department of Motor Vehicles, the body responsible for overseeing autonomous vehicle regulation, has opened a 15-day public comment period on these revisions, which will conclude on December 18. While California hosts a multitude of companies engaged in developing and testing autonomous vehicle technologies, the presence of self-driving trucks on public roads has been nonexistent due to existing regulations prohibiting driverless vehicles weighing over 10,000 pounds from road testing. Having deliberated on lifting this ban for…
- [The City of Cape Town’s journey with First Technology Group](https://firsttechwc.co.za/the-city-of-cape-towns-journey-with-firsttechnology/): The City of Cape Town has successfully modernized its digital systems through a partnership with First Technology Group, reshaping how municipal staff work and serve 5 million residents. For years, outdated technology created barriers to productivity and collaboration. By 2021, the situation became critical—the city’s previous enterprise agreement had lapsed in 2016, forcing continued use of aging systems. The global shift to remote work made modernization a practical necessity. Cape Town published a tender for a comprehensive overhaul, seeking a wholesale reimagining of its digital workplace rather than incremental fixes. First Technology Group, partnering with subsidiaries BUI and Galdon Data,…
- [How OpenAI and Google see AI changing go-to-market strategies](https://firsttechwc.co.za/how-openai-and-google-see-ai-changing-go-to-market-strategies/): For many years, startups have relied on established playbooks when it was time to start selling their products. However, AI is now reshaping the way companies approach going to market. Max Altschuler from GTMfund highlighted at a recent event that businesses can achieve more with fewer resources than ever before. Yet, the real challenge for founders and operators lies in balancing this advancement with the need for specialized domain expertise. Despite the buzz about startups recruiting developers skilled in AI to tackle typical go-to-market challenges, there remains a crucial requirement for a foundational understanding of proven marketing strategies. Altschuler emphasized…
- [Uber and WeRide’s robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi is officially driverless](https://firsttechwc.co.za/uber-and-werides-robotaxi-service-in-abu-dhabi-is-officially-driverless/): A year following the introduction of a commercial robotaxi service in Abu Dhabi, WeRide and Uber have officially transitioned to a fully driverless operation. The service no longer requires a human safety operator behind the wheel and is now open to the public, initially covering routes on Yas Island, a popular tourist destination that hosts the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix Formula 1 racing circuit. The robotaxi operations in Abu Dhabi resemble Uber’s existing collaboration with another autonomous vehicle company in Austin. Riders using Uber Comfort or UberX options could be paired with a WeRide robotaxi, while those desiring higher chances…
- [Bret Taylor’s Sierra reaches $100M ARR in under two years](https://firsttechwc.co.za/bret-taylors-sierra-reaches-100m-arr-in-under-two-years/): Sierra, a San Francisco-based startup that is just 21 months old, has announced reaching an annual revenue run rate (ARR) of $100 million, signaling remarkable growth in its AI-powered customer service agents tailored for enterprises. This rapid expansion reflects a broad adoption of AI agent technology across various sectors. The pace of Sierra’s success has even taken its experienced co-founders by surprise. Bret Taylor, formerly co-CEO of Salesforce, and Clay Bavor, a longtime Google veteran, noted in their blog that achieving this milestone happened far quicker than they anticipated. The company’s clientele spans a diverse range of organizations, including well-known…
- [India’s TCS gets TPG to fund half of $2B AI data center project](https://firsttechwc.co.za/indias-tcs-gets-tpg-to-fund-half-of-2b-ai-data-center-project/): Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has secured an investment of $1 billion from TPG as part of a broader $2 billion initiative aimed at constructing a network of gigawatt-scale data centers across India. This venture, named “HyperVault,” addresses the rapidly escalating demand for AI computing power, which currently outpaces the ability to develop the necessary infrastructure. India’s data generation nearly accounts for one-fifth of the global total, yet its share of global data center capacity remains around 3%, highlighting a pronounced disparity between demand and supply. TCS and TPG intend to build liquid-cooled, high-density data centers designed to support the advanced…
- [How AI is changing developers’ mindsets, not just their code](https://firsttechwc.co.za/how-ai-is-changing-developers-mindsets-not-just-their-code/): Generative AI is profoundly altering the landscape of software development, changing not just how developers write code but also their overall approach and mindset toward their work. This transformation extends beyond coding itself into areas like data management, monitoring, and observability, fundamentally reshaping career trajectories for engineers. As AI assists with coding tasks, developers are adapting to new roles that emphasize leveraging their unique expertise to bridge the gaps left by AI’s current limitations and to thrive in this evolving environment. While large language models (LLMs) offer capabilities such as brainstorming, synthesizing information, and generating code, they still occasionally produce…
- [Google’s SIMA 2 agent uses Gemini to reason and act in virtual world](https://firsttechwc.co.za/googles-sima-2-agent-uses-gemini-to-reason-and-act-in-virtual-world/): Google DeepMind has introduced a research preview of SIMA 2, the latest evolution of its generalist AI agent, which incorporates the advanced language and reasoning capabilities of Gemini, Google’s large language model. Unlike its predecessor, SIMA 2 moves beyond just following instructions to truly understanding and interacting dynamically with its environment. The original SIMA was trained extensively on video game footage, enabling it to operate in various 3D games with some degree of human-like skill, though it struggled with complex tasks, achieving only a 31% success rate compared to 71% for humans. According to Joe Marino, senior research scientist at…
- [AI Chat Privacy At Risk—Microsoft Uncovers Whisper Leak Side-Channel Attack](https://firsttechwc.co.za/ai-chat-privacy-at-risk-microsoft-uncovers-whisper-leak-side-channel-attack/): Microsoft has uncovered a privacy vulnerability dubbed Whisper Leak that can inadvertently reveal the subjects you discuss with AI chatbots such as ChatGPT, despite the fact that your conversations are encrypted. This flaw allows observers of your internet connection to potentially deduce whether you are discussing sensitive topics like financial crimes, political issues, or other confidential matters by analyzing data flow patterns rather than accessing the exact content of your communication. While the words themselves remain encrypted and unreadable, the timing and size of the encrypted data packets exchanged with the AI reveal clues that enable informed guesses about the…
- [Sam Altman says OpenAI has $20B ARR and about $1.4 trillion in data center commitments](https://firsttechwc.co.za/sam-altman-says-openai-has-20b-arr-and-about-1-4-trillion-in-data-center-commitments/): Throughout 2025, OpenAI has consistently secured multibillion-dollar agreements related to data centers, demonstrating an aggressive expansion strategy. In a detailed statement shared on X, OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, provided clarity on the company’s financial trajectory, projecting an annualized revenue run rate exceeding $20 billion by year-end, with ambitions to scale into the hundreds of billions by 2030. Over the next eight years, the firm anticipates contractual commitments amounting to roughly $1.4 trillion. This disclosure came amid a stir caused by remarks from OpenAI’s CFO regarding government-backed loans, which were subsequently retracted, but the CEO took the opportunity to elaborate on…
- [Amazon says its AI shopping assistant Rufus is so effective it’s on pace to pull in an extra $10 billion in sales](https://firsttechwc.co.za/amazon-says-its-ai-shopping-assistant-rufus-is-so-effective-its-on-pace-to-pull-in-an-extra-10-billion-in-sales/): Amazon has revealed a remarkable estimate regarding the financial impact of its AI-driven shopping assistant, Rufus, projecting that the chatbot will contribute an additional $10 billion in annual sales. This insight was shared by CEO Andy Jassy during the company’s third-quarter earnings call, where he highlighted key metrics showcasing Rufus’s growing importance in shaping customer purchasing behavior. The AI assistant has engaged 250 million users this year, with monthly active users soaring by 140% and interactions surging 210% year over year. Notably, shoppers utilizing Rufus during their buying journey are 60% more likely to finalize their purchases compared to those…
- [AI browsers are a cybersecurity time bomb](https://firsttechwc.co.za/ai-browsers-are-a-cybersecurity-time-bomb/): Web browsers are becoming increasingly interactive, and this trend accelerated recently with the introduction of advanced AI features by OpenAI and Microsoft, such as ChatGPT Atlas and Edge’s “Copilot Mode.” These new capabilities enable browsers to answer questions, summarize content, and even perform tasks autonomously. While still imperfect, they point toward a future where browsers handle much of the cognitive workload for users. However, cybersecurity experts caution that this evolution carries significant risks, including vulnerabilities and potential data exposures. Recent incidents suggest that the security challenges posed by AI browsers are only beginning to unfold. The emergence of AI-integrated browsers…
- [Directors View](https://firsttechwc.co.za/directors-view/): By Johan de Villiers. Welcome to our latest quarterly newsletter. In our final newsletter for 2025, I decided to do a bit of research on something called, the “Cargo Cult” from World War II and how that translates into the modern day frenzy of building massive, energy hungry datacentres, fuelled by an over-abundance of AI investments. The Rituals of the New Cargo Every year on a remote Pacific island, men with “USA” painted on their chests march with bamboo rifles. They gaze at the sky, waiting for a messianic figure named John Frum to return in an airplane filled with…
- [China Dives in on the World's First Wind-Powered Undersea Data Center](https://firsttechwc.co.za/china-dives-in-on-the-worlds-first-wind-powered-undersea-data-center/): The $226 million project uses ocean breezes and seawater to stay cool. China has completed the first phase of construction of what it claims is the … Read More
- [The true cost of AI cost-cutting: why businesses must consider the human impact](https://firsttechwc.co.za/the-true-cost-of-ai-cost-cutting-why-businesses-must-consider-the-human-impact/): It’s a catch-22: AI adoption among businesses of most, if not all kinds, is now a competitive must – yet it’s not a panacea and the human cost can be … Read More
- [No one pays ransomware demands anymore - so attackers have a new goal](https://firsttechwc.co.za/no-one-pays-ransomware-demands-anymore-so-attackers-have-a-new-goal/): Ransomware payments were made in around 85% of attacks in 2019. But things have changed dramatically since then. Here’s why. Follow ZDNET: Add us as a … Read More
- [Nvidia Bets the Future on a Robot Workforce](https://firsttechwc.co.za/nvidia-bets-the-future-on-a-robot-workforce/): From surgical robots to humanoid robot fleets for household chores, here’s what Nvidia announced about its robots at GTC. Nvidia is betting on an … Read More
- [AI Will Kill the Smartphone—and Maybe the Screen Entirely](https://firsttechwc.co.za/ai-will-kill-the-smartphone-and-maybe-the-screen-entirely/): You wake up and instead of immediately checking your phone, you activate various wearables embedded within your body and begin interacting with inanimate objects through a series of conversations. You perform fluid, Minority Report–style gestures in the air, blinking frequently. Devices power on, tasks get accomplished, and your day starts without the need for a smartphone at all. Many people have big predictions about AI, focusing on doomsday scenarios or worrying about job losses, but these forecasts often miss the most obvious and visible transformation AI will bring to society. Currently, we operate under the unrelenting dominance of screens that…
- [WhatsApp updates Business API to ban general-purpose chatbots](https://firsttechwc.co.za/whatsapp-updates-business-api-to-ban-general-purpose-chatbots/): Meta-owned WhatsApp has announced a significant update to its Business API policy, prohibiting the use of general-purpose chatbots on its platform starting from January 15, 2026. This revision will affect AI assistants developed by firms including OpenAI, Perplexity, Luzia, and Poke, restricting their operation through WhatsApp’s Business Solution if artificial intelligence or machine learning technologies, such as large language models or generative AI platforms, form the core functionality of the service. Meta retains the authority to decide which services fall under these updated restrictions. Clarifying the policy, Meta specified that this does not impact businesses employing AI-based tools for customer…
- [Wildly inaccurate election forecasts highlight Big Data challenges](https://firsttechwc.co.za/wildly-inaccurate-election-forecasts-highlight-big-data-challenges/): For several weeks I was receiving daily messages on my phone from the New York Times’ Upshot column, which confidently predicted Trumps...
- [This supercomputer puts a petaflop of computing power in a single cabinet](https://firsttechwc.co.za/this-supercomputer-puts-a-petaflop-of-computing-power-in-a-single-cabinet/): Cray has shown off its fastest supercomputer yet, which puts a petaflop of computing power in a single cabinet. The company also says it...
- [Architects of a digital future](https://firsttechwc.co.za/architects-of-a-digital-future/): The elite annual gathering of Fujitsu Distinguished Engineers explored the technological, organizational — and metaphysical — challenges...
- [The IoT security doomsday is lurking, but we cannot talk about it properly](https://firsttechwc.co.za/the-iot-security-doomsday-is-lurking-but-we-cannot-talk-about-it-properly/): As the world rushes headlong into taking all manner of devices and systems online, there are few opportunities to sit back and consider...
- [Microsoft’s SQL Server Next: What’s under the covers](https://firsttechwc.co.za/microsoft-s-sql-server-next-what-s-under-the-covers/): To me, the biggest surprise announcement coming out of Microsoft’s Connect() 2016 conference last week wasn’t that Microsoft was joining...
- [U.S. sets plan to build two exascale supercomputers](https://firsttechwc.co.za/u-s-sets-plan-to-build-two-exascale-supercomputers/): he U.S believes it will be ready to seek vendor proposals to build two exascale supercomputers — costing roughly $200 million to $300...
- [Google, Facebook, and Microsoft Are Remaking Themselves Around AI](https://firsttechwc.co.za/google-facebook-and-microsoft-are-remaking-themselves-around-ai/): Fei-Fei Li is a big deal in the world of AI. As the director of the Artificial Intelligence and Vision labs at Stanford University, she...
- [Google’s Hand-Fed AI Now Gives Answers, Not Just Search Results](https://firsttechwc.co.za/google-s-hand-fed-ai-now-gives-answers-not-just-search-results/): Ask the Google search app “What is the fastest bird on Earth?,” and it will tell you. “Peregrine falcon,” the phone says. “According to...
- [Amazon launches new artificial intelligence services for developers: Image recognition, text-to-spee](https://firsttechwc.co.za/amazon-launches-new-artificial-intelligence-services-for-developers-image-recognition-text-to-spee/): Amazon today announced three new artificial intelligence-related toolkits for developers building apps on Amazon Web Services. At...
- [Culture that embraces experimentation key to digital transformation: Microsoft](https://firsttechwc.co.za/culture-that-embraces-experimentation-key-to-digital-transformation-microsoft/): Australian companies that embrace experimentation, strategic risk taking, and constant learning experience better outcomes from their...
- [Microsoft to offer option of 16 years of Windows Server, SQL Server support through new Premium Assu](https://firsttechwc.co.za/microsoft-to-offer-option-of-16-years-of-windows-server-sql-server-support-through-new-premium-assu/): Microsoft is introducing a new support offering for customers with Software Assurance on Dec. 8. The company is rolling out in early 2017...
- [How to use cloud BI and analytics to drive innovation](https://firsttechwc.co.za/how-to-use-cloud-bi-and-analytics-to-drive-innovation/): Exploit cloud advantages and data from on-premises, external sources as well as cloud stores to drive deeper insight, innovation, and new...
- [Can AI really run a traditional bank with no staff? This startup thinks so](https://firsttechwc.co.za/can-ai-really-run-a-traditional-bank-with-no-staff-this-startup-thinks-so/): The Milan-London startup connection is getting stronger. After MoneyFarm and Soundreef, yet another promising Italian startup, Euklid, is...
- [Artificial Intelligence Is The Next “Killer Feature” In Enterprise Software](https://firsttechwc.co.za/artificial-intelligence-is-the-next-killer-feature-in-enterprise-software/): Artificial intelligence is gaining traction faster than anybody imagined, quickly knocking down the dominoes of complex tasks that...
- [Microsoft reveals its next steps to bring mixed reality to the masses](https://firsttechwc.co.za/microsoft-reveals-its-next-steps-to-bring-mixed-reality-to-the-masses/): Microsoft officials outlined the company’s planned next steps toward making mixed reality more real during the opening day of Microsoft’s...
- [Palo Alto Networks recognises BUI for deal of the year](https://firsttechwc.co.za/palo-alto-networks-recognises-bui-for-deal-of-the-year/): Palo Alto Networks South Africa recognised its top Palo Alto Networks partners who demonstrate excellence in innovation and demonstrate a...
- [Inside the black box: Understanding AI decision-making](https://firsttechwc.co.za/inside-the-black-box-understanding-ai-decision-making/): Neural networks, machine-learning systems, predictive analytics, speech recognition, natural-language understanding and other components...
- [Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence in the Enterprise](https://firsttechwc.co.za/machine-learning-and-artificial-intelligence-in-the-enterprise/): Using algorithms to help make better decisions has been the "next big thing in analytics" for over 25 years. It has been used in key...
- [Microsoft partners with D-Link to deliver speedier Wi-Fi in rural regions](https://firsttechwc.co.za/microsoft-partners-with-d-link-to-deliver-speedier-wi-fi-in-rural-regions/): Microsoft is partnering with networking equipment manufacturer D-Link to deliver speedier Wi-Fi to rural communities around the world,...
- [Microsoft won’t provide extended support for Office 2007 products beyond October 2017 deadline](https://firsttechwc.co.za/microsoft-won-t-provide-extended-support-for-office-2007-products-beyond-october-2017-deadline/): It may seem like a long way away, but Microsoft’s Office 2007 products are hitting their end of support dates in 2017. For larger...
- [Digital disruption: Print advertising in ‘freefall’](https://firsttechwc.co.za/digital-disruption-print-advertising-in-freefall/): The disruption in the media industry is far from over as the transformation to a digital business model continues to challenge large...
- [A better name for DevOps: ‘continuous improvement’](https://firsttechwc.co.za/a-better-name-for-devops-continuous-improvement/): Perhaps “DevOps” just isn’t a good term to describe what we need to accomplish when we attempt to fuse the innovative spirit of the...
- [Uber operating self-driving cars in California, despite threatened legal action](https://firsttechwc.co.za/uber-operating-self-driving-cars-in-california-despite-threatened-legal-action/): Uber will continue operating its Volvo self-driving cars on San Francisco, Calif., streets — despite repeated alerts from state...
- [CIO leadership: Two role models (who happen to be women)](https://firsttechwc.co.za/cio-leadership-two-role-models-who-happen-to-be-women/): In part one of my conversation with Kim Stevenson and Adriana Karaboutis, we discussed the challenges and opportunities facing women in...
- [Gartner’s predictions — a look at the top 10 tech trends](https://firsttechwc.co.za/gartner-s-predictions-a-look-at-the-top-10-tech-trends/): ORLANDO, Fla. — Three of Gartner’s top 10 technology trends envision significant changes — and problems — with data centers. The number...
- [Bots that work everywhere](https://firsttechwc.co.za/bots-that-work-everywhere/): Bots made big headlines in 2016. They’ve been hailed variously as the future of commerce and a revolution in customer service. It seems...
- [How risk analytics can help your organization plug security holes](https://firsttechwc.co.za/how-risk-analytics-can-help-your-organization-plug-security-holes/): Abuses of data access and information sharing are leading culprits in costly security breaches. A hybrid strategy that relies on...
- [Director's View: 2017 - Reboot, redefine](https://firsttechwc.co.za/director-s-view-2017-reboot-redefine/): Technology has been on as much a rollercoaster of transformation and change as politics and economies across the globe, and 2017 is not...
- [Software’s critical new role in business enablement](https://firsttechwc.co.za/software-s-critical-new-role-in-business-enablement/): In 2014, Microsoft began taking its first steps toward entering the Linux and open source community. This week, it happened. Microsoft...
- [Gartner’s digital transformation, IT crystal ball for 2017: Reading between the lines](https://firsttechwc.co.za/gartner-s-digital-transformation-it-crystal-ball-for-2017-reading-between-the-lines/): Augmented reality will become a shopping paradise, webpages will start to give way to screen-less voice interactions, blockchain...
- [There will be 24 billion IoT devices installed on Earth by 2020](https://firsttechwc.co.za/there-will-be-24-billion-iot-devices-installed-on-earth-by-2020/): By 2020, more than 24 billion internet-connected devices will be installed globally — that’s more than 4 devices for every human on...
- [Google is bringing AI to your Raspberry Pi](https://firsttechwc.co.za/google-is-bringing-ai-to-your-raspberry-pi/): Google is planning to bring artificial intelligence and machine learning tools to the diminutive Raspberry Pi this year. “Google is going...
- [Into intelligent depths](https://firsttechwc.co.za/into-intelligent-depths/): Deep learning presents the organisation with an entirely new realm of unexplored wonders, and impressive potential, by Johan de Villiers,...
- [The 5 biggest tech trends of 2016: ZDNet editors sound off](https://firsttechwc.co.za/the-5-biggest-tech-trends-of-2016-zdnet-editors-sound-off/): Every week, we sound off on the most important technology trends in our Monday Morning Opener. Looking back on 2016, we’ve identified the...
- [Cisco to buy AppDynamics for $3,7bn](https://firsttechwc.co.za/cisco-to-buy-appdynamics-for-3-7bn/): It was supposed to be the first US technology listing of 2017. Less than a day before AppDynamics was set to price its shares, a group of...
- [Internet of Things: CIOs are getting ready for the next big revolution](https://firsttechwc.co.za/internet-of-things-cios-are-getting-ready-for-the-next-big-revolution/): CIOs have woken up to the power of the Internet of Things (IoT). Almost three quarters (71%) of IT leaders are now gathering data for IoT...
- [Enterprise IoT Research 2017: Benefits, Trends, and Security Concerns](https://firsttechwc.co.za/enterprise-iot-research-2017-benefits-trends-and-security-concerns/): A recent Tech Pro Research survey asked what IoT data companies are collecting, and how it’s being used. This report contains those...
- [5 tech battles facing Trump](https://firsttechwc.co.za/5-tech-battles-facing-trump/): President Donald Trump may face protests from scientists and technologists like no other president before him. It's not just the tech...
- [As IoT sales surge, consumers still lead the way](https://firsttechwc.co.za/as-iot-sales-surge-consumers-still-lead-the-way/): The internet of things will have nearly one-third more devices by the end of this year, though many of them won’t exactly be exotic....
- [Artificial intelligence: How to build the business case](https://firsttechwc.co.za/artificial-intelligence-how-to-build-the-business-case/): There’s plenty of excitement around artificial intelligence: analyst Gartner places it at the top of its top 10 strategic technology...
- [Microsoft Azure: Price cuts for virtual machines and storage services](https://firsttechwc.co.za/microsoft-azure-price-cuts-for-virtual-machines-and-storage-services/): Azure is Microsoft’s collection of cloud computing and data services, which includes analytics, computing, databases, mobile, media,...
- [Cisco and Pure Storage Announce Epic Infrastructure Solution](https://firsttechwc.co.za/cisco-and-pure-storage-announce-epic-infrastructure-solution/): The shift from paper to electronic health records (EHRs) has brought fundamental change to healthcare operations. Boosted by the 2009...
- [“Windows as a service” means big, painful changes for IT pros](https://firsttechwc.co.za/windows-as-a-service-means-big-painful-changes-for-it-pros/): When Microsoft rolled out the “Windows as a Service” tagline for Windows 10, most of us assumed it was just another marketing ploy. But...
- [Microsoft’s plan to bridge its infrastructure and platform cloud services is unfolding](https://firsttechwc.co.za/microsoft-s-plan-to-bridge-its-infrastructure-and-platform-cloud-services-is-unfolding/): Two years ago, Microsoft officials began talking up the company’s plan to bring a bunch of Azure platform-as-a-service capabilities to...
- [Here’s why self-driving cars may never really be self-driving](https://firsttechwc.co.za/here-s-why-self-driving-cars-may-never-really-be-self-driving/): It sounds like the beginning of a bar room joke. Two self-driving cars are headed down the highway when the lead car decides to  speed up...
- [IoT 2020: Smart and secure IoT platform](https://firsttechwc.co.za/iot-2020-smart-and-secure-iot-platform/): The Internet of Things (IoT) significantly impacts the global economy and is expected to grow exponentially over the coming years,...
- [10 tips for helming IT through ups and downs](https://firsttechwc.co.za/10-tips-for-helming-it-through-ups-and-downs/): Most organizations experience growth in fits and starts, with alternating periods of expansion and contraction. IT used to have to react...
- [Opening the digital doorway](https://firsttechwc.co.za/opening-the-digital-doorway/): Digital transformation is now mentioned as often as innovation in technology conversation, but it’s worth it, by Johan de Villiers,...
- [Why CIOs — and their organizations — need a chief data officer](https://firsttechwc.co.za/why-cios-and-their-organizations-need-a-chief-data-officer/): We ask top CIOs and chief data officers why the new data leadership role has become a business imperative. Evidence for the rise of the...
- [SpaceX to send two private citizens ‘beyond the moon’ in 2018](https://firsttechwc.co.za/spacex-to-send-two-private-citizens-beyond-the-moon-in-2018/): SpaceX on Monday announced it will send two private citizens “beyond the moon” sometime in late 2018. Identities of the two citizens...
- [Research: Digital Transformation 2017: Strategy, Returns on Investment, and Challenges](https://firsttechwc.co.za/research-digital-transformation-2017-strategy-returns-on-investment-and-challenges/): A few months ago, Tech Pro Research surveyed IT leaders about digital transformation in their organizations. Only 20% said they had a...
- [Office 365 is clever - and sometimes just a little bit too clever](https://firsttechwc.co.za/office-365-is-clever-and-sometimes-just-a-little-bit-too-clever/): Office 365 thinks that email is the thing users care about most. It's probably right, but I still find it a little disconcerting to have...
- [Technologies of persuasion: Virtual reality and the Dream Marketing Machine](https://firsttechwc.co.za/technologies-of-persuasion-virtual-reality-and-the-dream-marketing-machine/): What if we had a “Dream Marketing Machine” a way to easily and reliably churn out emotionally passionate customers for any brand? Like...
- [HPE to buy Nimble Storage for $1.09 billion](https://firsttechwc.co.za/hpe-to-buy-nimble-storage-for-1-09-billion/): Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co said it would buy data storage provider Nimble Storage Inc for $1.09 billion in cash, to expand its...
- [Why Employees At Apple And Google Are More Productive](https://firsttechwc.co.za/why-employees-at-apple-and-google-are-more-productive/): Companies like Apple, Netflix, Google, and Dell are 40% more productive than the average company, according to research from the...
- [Augmented reality: Next-gen headsets show business promise](https://firsttechwc.co.za/augmented-reality-next-gen-headsets-show-business-promise/): Technology entrepreneur Raven Zachary has seen things he has difficulty talking about. “It is a profound moment to put on the device and...
- [Cloud computing is the new normal: Is it time to use it for everything?](https://firsttechwc.co.za/cloud-computing-is-the-new-normal-is-it-time-to-use-it-for-everything/): On-demand IT has reached a tipping point and organisations of all sizes and sectors are using cloud computing services to run and develop...

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