DCA Digital Digest: OpenAI wants to take over your browser
January 30, 2025
OpenAI wants to take over your browser
OpenAI launched a research preview of Operator, a general-purpose AI agent that can independently perform certain actions like book travel accommodations, make restaurant reservations, and shop online. When users activate Operator, a small window will pop up showing a dedicated web browser that the agent uses to complete tasks, along with text explaining what the agent is doing. The feature will first roll out to U.S. users on ChatGPT’s $200 per month Pro subscription plan.
Nigeria, South Africa, Egypt to drive Africa’s economic growth in 2025
The United Nations (UN) is optimistic that Africa’s economic growth will accelerate in 2025, with regional Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expected to expand to 3.7% from an estimated 3.4% in 2024. This growth will be driven by economic recovery in Nigeria, South Africa, and Egypt.
According to a recent report by the UN, the continent’s positive outlook will extend to 2026 with a regional GDP growth projection of 4.0%.
Nigeria’s economic pressures, arising from major policy reforms in energy subsidies and foreign exchange management, are expected to ease as the economy nears the end of a challenging transition phase, with consumer prices and exchange rates beginning to stabilize.
Ditching Meta? Open source alternatives.
Ditching Meta? Open source alternatives.The trio is part of the growing open social web, also known as the fediverse, powered by the same ActivityPub protocol used by X alternative Mastodon. The latter saw increased signups and use after the company formerly known as Twitter sold to Elon Musk in October 2022 and during the X exodus that followed the U.S. presidential election.
Funding to fintechs continues to decline, but at a slower pace
Funding to fintechs continues to decline, but at a slower paceGlobal funding to fintech startups continues to decline. According to CB Insights’ State of Fintech 2024 Report, fintech startups globally raised a combined $33.7 billion in funding last year — down 20% from the year before. Deal volume also dropped — by 17% to 3,580. But there are at least a couple of bright spots: The annual decline in funding was fintech’s smallest in three years. Plus, funding rebounded to close the year strong, reaching $8.5 billion in the fourth quarter of 2024 — up 11% compared to the 2024 third quarter. CB Insights also reported a 33% annual increase in median fintech deal size — to $4 million.
Microsoft Enables New Administrator Protection Feature in Windows Security Settings
Microsoft Enables New Administrator Protection Feature in Windows Security SettingsMicrosoft has unveiled a groundbreaking security feature called Administrator Protection, now available to Windows Insiders in the Canary Channel with the release of Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 27774.
This feature, designed to strengthen system security, introduces a new approach to managing administrative privileges, addressing long-standing vulnerabilities in Windows systems.
Recent Comments