TechBiz

 Google has officially launched a free version of its AI-powered coding assistant, Gemini Code Assist, making it accessible to solo developers worldwide. This public preview aims to support students, freelancers, hobbyists, and startups by providing cutting-edge AI-driven coding assistance at no cost. Ryan J. Salva, Google’s senior director of product management, highlighted the tool’s capabilities, stating, “Users can seamlessly learn, generate code snippets, debug, and refine their applications without constantly switching between windows or relying on external sources for assistance.” Unlike many other free coding tools that impose strict usage limits—often capping at 2,000 code completions per month—Google is offering a significantly higher limit of up to 180,000 completions, making it a more generous option for developers. This move directly challenges GitHub Copilot, a major competitor that restricts free-tier users to 2,000 completions and 50 chat interactions per month. By ...

  DWP Sees Surge in Pension Credit Applications as Winter Fuel Changes Take Effect With just five weeks left in the financial year, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has received an overwhelming number of Pension Credit applications, surpassing previous records. More than 300,000 pensioners have applied for financial assistance, a significant increase compared to the 251,000 applications submitted the previous year. The rise in applications can be attributed primarily to policy changes introduced in July 2024, which made Winter Fuel Payments means-tested. Under the new regulations, pensioners must be eligible for Pension Credit to receive the additional winter support of £200 (or £300 for those aged 80 and above). This shift has driven a dramatic surge in claims, with thousands of pensioners hoping to secure both the financial top-up and the added winter allowance. A Surge in Pension Credit Applications Pension Credit serves as a crucial lifeline for many retirees, ensurin...

 A New Era for Retirees: Federal Government Clears ₦758 Billion Pension Debt, Securing a Stable Future Nigeria’s pension system is undergoing a historic transformation. In a bold and decisive move, the Federal Government has approved a ₦758 billion pension bond to clear all outstanding pension liabilities under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). This marks a new chapter for retirees, ensuring they receive their rightful benefits without delays or financial uncertainty. For years, pensioners in Nigeria have faced frustrating payment backlogs, delayed increases, and an overall lack of financial security. Now, with this new reform led by the National Pension Commission (PenCom), retirees can look forward to faster payments, higher benefits, and a future free from pension arrears. --- A Commitment to Pension Security Under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, this initiative represents a major step towards restoring confidence in Nigeria’s pension system. The government’s focus...

 Investing in Singapore's financial sector dividend stocks offers a compelling opportunity for investors seeking stable and attractive returns in 2025. The nation's robust banking institutions have demonstrated consistent profitability and a commitment to rewarding shareholders. Below is an overview of some of the top dividend-paying financial stocks in Singapore for 2025. 1. DBS Group Holdings Ltd. (SGX: D05) DBS stands as Singapore's largest bank and has showcased exceptional financial performance. In 2024, the bank reported a record net profit of S$11.4 billion, marking an 11% increase from the previous year. This robust performance enabled DBS to enhance its dividend payout by 27% to S$6.3 billion. Additionally, the bank announced a S$3 billion share buyback program, reflecting its strong capital position and dedication to shareholder value. The net interest margin rose to 2.15% in Q4 2024, underscoring effective interest income management.  2. United Overseas Bank Ltd....

 TECNO Enhances Universal Tone Technology with Advanced Skin Tone Precision TECNO, a forward-thinking brand driven by AI innovation, is taking mobile imaging technology to new heights with the latest improvements to its Universal Tone system. The company has refined its approach to skin tone representation, introducing a significantly enhanced multi-skin tone colour card that now features 372 shades. This upgrade, along with refinements to its skin tone restoration technology, ensures a more accurate and diverse portrayal of skin tones across various ethnicities and lighting conditions. These advancements will debut in the TECNO CAMON 40 Series, set to be unveiled at MWC Barcelona 2025 this March. Attendees will have the opportunity to experience these cutting-edge enhancements firsthand at TECNO’s booth, located at Hall 6 Stand 6B11, Fira Gran Via. Expanding the Skin Tone Spectrum for Greater Inclusivity TECNO has made significant strides in improving its Universal Tone technology...

The Rising Threats of Artificial Intelligence: A Call for Urgent Action The Unstoppable Growth of AI The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries and societies at an astonishing pace. While AI holds immense potential to revolutionize fields like healthcare, education, and finance, it also brings serious risks. Experts like Yoshua Bengio, a leading figure in AI research and recipient of the 2024 VinFuture Grand Prize, have raised alarms about the dangers of unregulated AI. Without proper oversight, AI could create more harm than good, making global cooperation essential in ensuring its safe and ethical development. The Promise and Peril of AI Expansion One of the most striking developments in AI is the emergence of models like DeepSeek, which has drastically altered the AI landscape in early 2025. Unlike previous AI systems that required enormous financial backing, DeepSeek has proven that cutting-edge AI can be developed at a significantly lower cost. W...

 WhatsApp to Introduce New Privacy Feature for Social Media Links WhatsApp is developing a new feature that will allow users to control who can see the social media links added to their profiles. According to a report from WaBetaInfo, this update is still in the works and is expected to enhance privacy settings by letting users decide the visibility of linked accounts like Instagram. The feature was spotted in the latest beta version of WhatsApp for Android (2.25.5.19), where a new privacy-focused section has been introduced. This section will let users customize who can view their profile links, offering four choices: “Everyone,” “My contacts,” “My contacts except,” and “Nobody.” These options function similarly to existing privacy settings for last seen, profile photos, and read receipts. The purpose of this update is to give users more control over how their social media connections are displayed. For individuals looking to expand their social reach, selecting “Everyone” will ma...

 Embracing an AI-Driven Mindset in Everyday Life Artificial intelligence has become an integral part of modern life, transforming the way we approach various tasks. However, recognizing when and how to leverage AI effectively remains a challenge for you Beyond mastering the art of crafting prompts, one of the most valuable skills in the era of generative AI is the ability to determine when AI can optimize productivity and streamline daily activities. Developing an AI-centric mindset can unlock countless opportunities for efficiency. AI as a Powerful Assistant A recent experience with a friend highlighted the immense potential of AI. He was considering hiring a research assistant to support his doctoral studies, willing to spend a substantial amount of money. Curious about his specific needs, I asked him to outline the tasks he expected the assistant to handle. After understanding his requirements, I introduced him to advanced AI-powered research tools like Google’s Gemini, Perplexi...

 Enhancing Nigeria’s Financial Transparency with Technology-Driven Compliance Nigeria’s financial sector is at a crossroads, facing both challenges and opportunities in strengthening its global credibility. The Financial Action Task Force (FATF) placed Nigeria on its grey list in February 2023, citing deficiencies in anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorist financing (CTF) frameworks. This designation has led to increased scrutiny from global financial bodies, reduced investor trust, and greater difficulty in conducting international transactions. With a goal to exit the grey list by May 2025, Nigeria must implement strategic reforms to enhance its financial oversight. A transformative approach lies in leveraging cutting-edge technology to combat illicit financial activities and streamline regulatory compliance. Global Lessons in Strengthening Financial Oversight Countries such as the United Arab Emirates and Cambodia successfully regained financial credibility by enforcin...

Alibaba Commits Over $50 Billion to AI and Cloud Innovation Chinese tech giant Alibaba has announced plans to invest more than $50 billion in artificial intelligence and cloud computing over the next three years. The move comes shortly after co-founder Jack Ma met with President Xi Jinping, sparking speculation that the Chinese government may be renewing its support for the technology sector. Alibaba’s stock has experienced a strong rebound this year, reaching its highest value in three years. The overall surge in Chinese tech stocks has been fueled by growing investor confidence, a recovery from regulatory pressures, and impressive financial results across the industry. In a company statement, Alibaba revealed that it will dedicate around 380 billion yuan ($53 billion) to advancing its AI and cloud infrastructure. While the company has not provided detailed plans, the investment underscores its commitment to cutting-edge technology and long-term growth in these fields. The announcemen...