iCog Labs Articles

Beyond the Hype: The Urgent Need for Education and Oversight in the Age of Super AI

Posted on by in Artificial General Intelligence(AGI) | Leave a comment

By: Hruy Tsegaye

Human history becomes more and more a race between education and catastrophe.

-H. G. Wells

The quest to create Artificial Superintelligence (ASI) is more than just a technological ambition: it is a profound philosophical endeavor that poses existential questions about humanity’s future. As we stand on the precipice of this transformation, we need a comprehensive system of checks and balances around the development of Super AI. Without it, we risk consequences that could reshape—or potentially endanger—the world as we know it. Exploring the current agents, their motivations, and their influences in detail is a task we can no longer ignore; however, examining these elements in a balanced way requires true courage. In this article, we will highlight the diverse motivations driving the creation of Super AI, the inherent dangers associated with these motivations, and the critical need for a regulated approach that balances innovation with ethical oversight.

Read More

The Pen is No Longer Mightier: Freedom Eluding Freedom of Speech

Posted on by in Freedom of Speech | Leave a comment

By: Hruy Tsegaye

In Defense of the Undefendable: What is the Price of Freedom of Speech?

Is freedom of speech a human right? Is it an inalienable right? As someone from Ethiopia, I deeply understand the value of freedom of speech. A simple critique of my government, religious groups, or of certain rich people in my country can lead to a knock at my door in the dead of night. The chilling thought that my words could provoke an arrest – or worse, a violent end – haunts me as I pen this. In a world where dissent is silenced, I tread carefully, even though I know the truth must be communicated. I often remain silent cowering just to see tomorrow. This has been true for my grandfather, my father, and perhaps for my children. Unfortunately, speech has rarely been truly free throughout the history of humankind, at least from the advent of written language onwards.

For me, freedom of speech is the ultimate human right, and I believe there should be no restrictions on it.

Read More

Take the Notepad, Take the Pencil, and Take the Keyboard, Just Don’t Touch My Coffee: The Future of Writing and Creative Contents in the Age of AIs

Posted on by in Artificial Intelligence, Generative AI | Leave a comment

By: Hruy Tsegaye

When did the world enter the age of AI? Was it in 1956: through the gates of Dartmouth College? Was it in 1996: when IBM’s Deep Blue beat Garry Kasparov? Or was it in March 2023: when the world got scared of GPT-4 and started to pause or ban AI developments? We might even be in it since the beginning of time; despite its lack of falsifiability, the Simulation Hypothesis gives a 50% chance to the fancy idea that we live in an AI-simulated world.

What matters is not the ‘when’ but the ‘how’: how to live in the new age? A new age means lots of changes. Unfortunately, despite our claim to be a species that builds complex systems, handling changes is not our strong suit. Handling the truth isn’t either.

Read More

10 Years in the Future

Posted on by in Opinion | Leave a comment

By: PR, iCog Labs

One night. One room. Great minds in attendance. It was a celebration of ten years of innovation, tenacity, and accomplishments. Hosted at the Sheraton Addis, iCog Labs celebrated its ten-year anniversary on May 10, 2023. The black-tie event was hosted by the company to celebrate and thank the incredible team of intellectuals that made iCog Labs the powerhouse it is today.

Read More

A Sceptical Approach to the Future of AI and Emerging Technologies in Today’s Africa

Posted on by in Africa, Artificial Intelligence, Economy, Inequality, Privacy, The Future | 1 Comment

By: Hruy Tsegaye

Nota bene:This is a chapter from an unpublished book written 2 years ago.

 

Probably, in the continent of Africa, the question of poverty is the supreme question in need of an immediate answer. The discussion of hi-tech within the continent seems extravagance; a great many of outsiders might share this view even though they are silent about it. Risking the snare of stating the obvious, yes, Africa has countless problems and the focus should be on the priorities.

Read More

The Solve IT Experience

Posted on by in African Youth, Business and Investment, Ethiopia, Incubation and Acceleration, Innovation, Opinion, Tech Startups | Leave a comment

By Heldana Michael

For an outsider, Solve IT is just work for the iCog team and another tech competition for the participants. Yet, Solve IT is a lot more. I want you to imagine a place where you meet new people, spend days and nights with these people, visit mind-blowing sites, and create a tech-savvy network. An environment where you improve on who you are as a person and help others improve as well. A place where laughter and memories are never-ending. Now imagine all of this coming together into one place: that is Solve IT.

Read More

Futbol: The Beautiful Game

Posted on by in Artificial Intelligence, Computer Science, Education, Ethiopia, iCog Makers, Robotics | 1 Comment

By Heldana Michael

Futbol! The prince of sports! A brain sport in this case. Where students sweat their brains to enable robots to play this great game.

The fourth RoboSoccer Cup was held between the days of August 16th and 17th at Kana Studio alongside Solve IT 2019. Although only three of the expected four teams showed up to the tournament, each of these teams was phenomenal in their respective games and gave the other team a run for their money. Our newest addition to the team was Bahir Dar University and the team proved to be an equally tough team to beat. Moreover, the members of this team were high school students coming from the university’s (Bahir Dar) STEM center.
Read More

Problem Solving? You mean Solve IT?

Posted on by in Development, Ethiopia, Incubation and Acceleration, Innovation, Youth in Tech | Leave a comment

By Heldana Michael

Several projects. One competition. Multiple winners. These three phrases describe exactly what Solve IT 2019 is. Solve IT goes above and beyond than being another competition for start-ups. It is a chance for the youthful competitors to work on their personal growth, make new friendships, and improve their community.

Read More

Extra, extra! Solve IT 2019 is Here

Posted on by in African Youth, Ethiopia, Incubation and Acceleration, Innovation, Opinion, Tech Startups | Leave a comment

By Heldana Michael

Solve IT 2019 is coming to its end, and the Grand Finale is approaching. The Solve IT 2019 team along with its partners– the U.S. Embassy and JICA– is super busy with last-minute preparations for the August 17, 2019 closing. Everyone is looking forward to the finale, yet everyone is shunning it anxiously.

Read More

Ethiopia’s tech startups are ready to run the world, but the internet keeps getting blocked

Posted on by in Africa, Artificial Intelligence, Business and Investment, Economy, Ethiopia | Leave a comment

By Abdi Latif Dahir

Getnet Assefa shuffled uneasily in his office seat and wondered aloud why he couldn’t connect to the internet on his laptop.

It was mid-morning on Tuesday (June 11), and even though he didn’t know it yet, it was the beginning of the latest days-long internet cutoff. Authorities in Ethiopia disrupted connectivity nationwide to prevent students from cheating in national exams. Social media platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram were restricted, SMS text messaging disabled, leaving banks, businesses and tech startups left in a quandary.

Read More

← Older posts