Microsoft’s $500M AI Savings Spark Concern After Massive Layoffs
July 30, 2025
Microsoft AI layoffs are back in the spotlight after the company reported saving over $500 million last year by using AI tools to streamline call center operations and boost productivity in sales and support departments.
This revelation comes just weeks after Microsoft laid off more than 9,000 employees, despite posting a record $26 billion in quarterly profit. The timing has drawn criticism from labor advocates and tech analysts, who see a widening gap between AI-driven efficiency and the human cost of automation.
Source: TechCrunch
Cybercrime is surging across Africa, with scam attempts up nearly 3,000% in countries like Kenya, Egypt, and Zambia, according to INTERPOL’s 2025 report.
Top threats include AI-generated phishing, ransomware, romance scams, and business email compromise. Sextortion cases are also rising, driven by deepfakes and organised crime.
INTERPOL urges better laws, digital literacy, and international cooperation to counter these growing threats.
A new AI-driven mobile app is being piloted in Western Kenya, enabling farmers to forecast drought cycles and irregular rainfall using satellite data and machine learning. The app sends SMS alerts in local dialects, advising on practices like crop rotation and soil health. Backed by partnerships with the Ministry of Agriculture and a local university’s data science lab, this initiative aims to combat food insecurity fueled by climate change.
Source: TechTrends KE
Canva recently rolled out Magic Media within its Magic Studio—a set of generative AI tools that allow users to create videos, images, and graphics from text prompts. Video generation is powered by Google’s Veo‑3 model and includes cinematic visuals with synchronized audio, making content creation faster and more professional
These features are currently available to Pro and Teams subscribers, with users receiving a set number of credits per month. Canva positions Magic Media as a streamlined alternative to Adobe Firefly and Microsoft Designer
Source: Canva Newsroom
Flutterwave Expands Into Cameroon After Regulatory Win
Nigerian fintech Flutterwave has secured a payment service provider licence in Cameroon, boosting its footprint to over 30 African countries. This follows recent approvals in Ghana, Zambia, and Uganda. The Cameroonian license enables Flutterwave to offer digital payment services—such as merchant payments and remittances—across the Central African republic. The move strengthens its ambition to build the continent’s most extensive payments network.
Source: TechPoint Africa
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