By Oluwatunmise Omoseyin Schneider Electric has predicted that 2026 will be a major turning point for data centres, as artificial intelligence moves from disruption to full scale integration across industries. The Country President of Schneider Electric West Africa, Ajibola Akindele, while speaking about the future of the sector, said the breakthroughs of AI in recent years were only the beginning, stressing that the next phase would focus on AI inferencing and deeper integration into data centre operations. He explained that since ChatGPT brought AI into public awareness in late 2022, the technology has reshaped sectors such as healthcare, education and business. According to him, 2026 will be a defining year as attention shifts from large language models to AI systems that can reason, learn and operate with minimal supervision. Akindele said the data centre industry is already preparing for heavier and denser AI workloads, which will require advanced cooling systems, retrofitting of existing facilities, and the rise of what he described as AI factories. Digital twins, he added, will also become more common as operators seek greater efficiency and resilience. AI is no longer just a tool; it is a transformative force that demands the right infrastructure to unlock its full potential. In 2026, organizations that strategically invest in AI ready data centers, with advanced cooling, modular designs, and energy efficient solutions, will gain the agility, resilience, and competitive edge needed to lead in the AI driven economy – Akindele stated. He stated that manufacturers using AI for demand forecasting have improved accuracy significantly, while hospitals are applying AI to billing, appointment scheduling and identifying high risk patients. Financial institutions are also using AI for fraud detection, payment optimisation and risk management. In data centres, AI driven cooling systems, predictive analytics and energy management tools are helping operators reduce waste and integrate renewable energy more efficiently. Akindele said AI agents will soon become central to business processes, increasing the demand for specialised data centre capacity. He described AI factories as data centres designed to generate intelligence rather than simply store data. These facilities handle model training, fine tuning and inferencing to produce insights that can directly drive revenue and decision making. According to him, AI rack densities are expected to take an upward trajectory, reaching as high as 240 kW per rack in 2026, with research already exploring even higher levels. This growth, he said, will make advanced liquid cooling a standard requirement rather than an option. Akindele added that smaller companies will rely on upgrading existing facilities instead of building new ones, making AI readiness more accessible beyond large global players. He also said the use of diverse energy sources, including renewables and battery storage, will remain critical as data centres prepare for an AI driven future.
OpenAI introduces ‘Your Year with ChatGPT’
By Oluwatunmise Omoseyin OpenAI has rolled out a new year in review feature for ChatGPT users, offering a personalised look back at how people used the chatbot throughout the year. The experience, called ‘Your Year with ChatGPT’, is designed to be light, reflective and easy to enjoy. The recap presents users with a summary of their activity on ChatGPT, showing what they asked about most and how they interacted with the tool, just like Spotify Wrapped. It uses simple visuals and playful language to turn everyday chats into a short digital story. One standout part of the feature is its creative touch. ChatGPT generates a poem and a piece of pixel style artwork inspired by the most common topics of the user, whether it is writing, problem-solving, learning or creative projects. The review also assigns users fun titles or “archetypes” based on their chat habits, alongside small awards that reflect how they use the platform. The aim is to make the recap feel personal rather than technical. ‘Your Year with ChatGPT’ is available on both the web and mobile apps for eligible Free, Plus and Pro users. It can be accessed through the ChatGPT sidebar or by simply asking the chatbot for a year-end review. To use the feature, users must have chat history and saved memory options enabled and meet a basic level of activity. The recap does not open automatically and remains optional. OpenAI says the feature respects user privacy, giving people control over their data and what is remembered. Team, Education and Enterprise accounts are not included in the rollout.
Mothers warn of online chatbot dangers after cases of tragic teen suicide surface
Several grieving mothers have come forward, warning that AI chatbots have pushed their vulnerable teenage sons towards suicidal thoughts, with one case ending in tragedy last year.Megan Garcia’s 14-year-old son, Sewell Setzer, disappeared into hours of conversations with a chatbot based on a fictional character from Game of Thrones during spring 2023. This virtual relationship, filled with explicit and romantic messages, culminated in Sewell taking his own life within ten months.Unaware of these exchanges, Megan describes the experience as “like having a predator in your home”, noting the added danger since children often hide such interactions from parents.Similar stories have emerged worldwide. In the UK, a mother who wished to remain anonymous revealed her 13-year-old autistic son was groomed via chatbot from October 2023 to June 2024 after encountering bullying at school. The bot shifted from comforting messages to explicit grooming and suicidal suggestions, even encouraging the boy to run away. His family only uncovered the extensive logs after his increasing hostility led to a search on his device. The mother lamented the “soul-deep trauma” the AI inflicted on her child and family.These accounts show the growing concern amid the soaring use of AI chatbots by children and teenagers. Research by Internet Matters shows that two-thirds of UK children aged 9-17 have engaged with chatbots like ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Snapchat’s My AI.While many enjoy these platforms innocently, the capacity for harm grows as chatbots mimic human interaction and, in some cases, exploit vulnerabilities. The UK’s Online Safety Act, enacted in 2023, aims to protect users, especially children, from harmful online content. However, experts like Professor Lorna Woods of the University of Essex warn the legislation struggles to keep pace with rapidly advancing chatbot technology and does not cover all use cases. Ofcom, the UK’s regulator, insists that chatbots are within the Act’s scope and has urged tech firms to implement robust protections, though enforcement remains uncertain without legal precedent.Andy Burrows of the Molly Rose Foundation criticized the slow political response, calling it “disheartening” that lessons from a decade of social media harm have not been fully applied to AI.Calls for tighter controls on children’s phone use and chatbot interactions are growing, but government action remains tentative. Character.ai, the platform involved in some of these incidents, has responded by banning direct chatbot access for under-18s and planning additional age assurance features. Yet, grieving parents like Megan Garcia said that these changes come too late. If my son had never downloaded that app, he’d still be here…It’s like having a predator or a stranger in your home. I just ran out of time. Other parents shouldn’t have to
OpenAI study finds 70% of ChatGPT usage Is for personal, not work-related tasks
A recent analysis by OpenAI reveals that the vast majority of ChatGPT users employ the AI for personal purposes rather than professional activities. Approximately 70% of all user interactions focus on everyday life rather than office-related projects. OpenAI’s Economic Research team, alongside Harvard economist David Deming, examined 1.5 million anonymized conversations to understand how people engage with ChatGPT. The report, published as a National Bureau of Economic Research paper, found that most users seek practical help, writing support, or quick information, rather than coding or job-specific tasks. By mid-2025, the chatbot boasted over 700 million weekly active individuals sending around 2.5 billion messages daily, equivalent to 29,000 per second. Of these interactions, only about 30% related directly to work, while the remainder centered on personal needs such as drafting emails, refining writing, or making decisions. Writing dominates professional use, accounting for 42% of work-related queries, especially among managers and business professionals. Yet, on a personal level, users tend to ask for everyday advice, compose messages, and seek information, with these categories making up nearly 78% of total interactions. Interestingly, about two-thirds of writing requests involved editing or enhancing existing content, illustrating that many regard ChatGPT more as a cooperative assistant than simply a tool for creating material. Less frequent activities include coding, which represented 4.2% of questions, and self-reflection, at just under 2%. The research also highlights growing global reach: female users rose from 37% in early 2024 to 52% by mid-2025, and AI adoption in lower-income nations has surged at four times the pace of wealthier countries. August 2025 marked a milestone with the release of GPT-5, OpenAI’s most advanced AI model yet, featuring enhancements in reasoning, speed, and accuracy. Businesses across sectors are already integrating this technology to revolutionize their operations.
Google grants free AI Pro access to Nigerian students, unveils four new digital hubs in Africa
Tech giant Google has announced free one-year AI Pro subscriptions for college students in Nigeria and seven other African nations, alongside plans to establish four strategic infrastructure hubs to enhance digital connectivity across the continent. This dual project aims to empower young Africans with cutting-edge digital tools in order to boost internet access and resilience. This program targets learners aged 18 and above in Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, Egypt, Morocco, South Africa, Rwanda, and Zimbabwe, providing advanced AI applications including Deep Research and Gemini 2.5 Pro. These resources are designed to support academic projects and research with custom reports and sophisticated writing assistance. Over seven million Africans have benefited from Google’s digital literacy programs, with an ambitious goal to train an additional three million people by 2030. This commitment also includes more than $17 million in funding and curriculum aid to universities and research centers, with another $9 million slated for the coming year. Beyond educational tools, Google is investing in physical infrastructure by creating four new subsea cable hubs in the north, south, east, and west regions of Africa. These centers will interconnect Google’s present undersea fiber-optic cables, Equiano and Umoja, with local networks. This development will help resolve connectivity bottlenecks, reduce costs, and provide more reliable internet access across the continent. Alex Okosi, Google’s Managing Director for Africa, described the venture as a holistic investment in empowering Africa’s next generation. He stated that the digital economy is full of untapped potential that will be realized by the talent and creativity of young people. He added that the investments in AI education, sophisticated tools, and strengthened infrastructure are building blocks for sustainable growth. Since committing $1 billion to Africa in 2021, Google has trained millions in digital skills, supported over 150 startups raising upwards of $300 million, and expanded internet access to more than 100 million users. In July 2025, the company also revealed a $37 million plan to accelerate AI development responsibly across Africa, further supporting research, infrastructure, and real-world solutions aimed at continent-wide challenges.
OpenAI unveils AI-driven job platform, to transform talent hiring and compete with LinkedIn
OpenAI has stepped into the recruitment arena with a brand-new AI-powered platform designed to connect companies with professionals skilled in artificial intelligence. Launched on September 4, 2025, this new offering aims to redefine the hiring process and create opportunities across industries. The recently introduced OpenAI Jobs Platform serves as a smart matchmaking service, pairing businesses with candidates fluent in AI technologies. Unlike traditional employment websites, this venture leverages cutting-edge algorithms to ensure employers find the most suitable experts for their needs quickly and efficiently. Fidji Simo, CEO of OpenAI’s Applications division, stressed that finding the right AI talent can be challenging, especially when matching specific technical requirements. He said that this platform provides a marketplace filled with experienced professionals ready to contribute at various levels and it is designed to bring AI expertise within reach for everyone, from large enterprises to small local governments. What sets this project apart is its inclusive approach. In addition to catering to global corporations, it offers tailored services for smaller businesses and public sector organizations. This unique focus empowers those typically underserved in the tech hiring landscape, helping them modernize and compete effectively. OpenAI emphasizes skill verification through pre-vetted talent pools and specialized certifications available via its own Academy. This ensures that employers can trust candidates’ capabilities beyond their resumes. According to OpenAI research, over half a billion users engage with its tools, with nearly a third of U.S. workers incorporating ChatGPT into their routines. Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, stated that this isn’t just about job postings; it’s about creating an ecosystem where AI talent thrives and drives economic growth. He added that OpenAI want to build tools that help everyone benefit from the AI revolution. Though currently in early rollout stages with wider availability planned for mid-2026, the OpenAI Jobs Platform is ready to shake up traditional hiring processes. Its focus on AI fluency, local businesses, and verified skills positions it uniquely within the competitive landscape. In a market hungry for innovation, OpenAI’s entry may fuel a healthy rivalry, potentially leading to more efficient, AI-powered recruitment tools benefiting employers and job seekers alike.