Google recently announced significant enhancements to Gemini, its advanced AI model, introducing Canvas and Audio Overview, designed to revolutionize how users collaborate and engage with their content.

“Gemini is evolving into an even more powerful partner for creativity and productivity,” said Dave Citron, Senior Director, Product Management, Gemini Apps. “With Canvas and Audio Overview, we’re providing users with intuitive tools to refine their work, learn more effectively, and bring their ideas to life.”

Collaborate and Create Seamlessly with Canvas

Canvas is a new interactive workspace within Gemini that simplifies document and code creation. Users can now write, edit, and refine their work in real-time, with Gemini providing intelligent feedback and editing suggestions.

• Effortless Document Refinement: Generate high-quality drafts, edit tone and style, and collaborate seamlessly. Export directly to Google Docs for further collaboration.

• Confident Coding: Transform coding ideas into working prototypes for web apps, Python scripts, and more. Preview HTML/React code and make iterative edits with Gemini’s assistance. Canvas is designed for both experienced developers and those learning to code.

• Global Availability: Canvas is rolling out today to Gemini and Gemini Advanced subscribers in all languages.

Transform Content into Engaging Audio Discussions with Audio Overview

Audio Overview converts documents, slides, and research reports into dynamic, podcast-style audio discussions.

• Enhanced Learning and Information Consumption: Gemini generates a conversation between two AI hosts who summarize, analyze, and provide unique perspectives on uploaded files.

• On-the-Go Accessibility: Ideal for summarizing class notes, research papers, and lengthy email threads. Listen while multitasking via the web or the Gemini mobile app.

• Initial English Rollout: Audio Overview is initially available in English to Gemini and Gemini Advanced subscribers, with more languages coming soon.

“We’ve seen tremendous excitement around Audio Overview in NotebookLM, and we’re thrilled to bring this innovative feature to Gemini,” added Citron. “It transforms how people engage with complex information, making learning more accessible and enjoyable.”

Key Highlights:

• Canvas: Real-time document and code collaboration with intelligent editing tools.

• Audio Overview: AI-generated podcast-style discussions for summarizing and analyzing content.

• Enhanced Productivity: Streamlined workflows for document creation, coding, and information consumption.

• Global Expansion: Canvas available in all languages, Audio Overview initially in English with more languages to follow.

By Aduragbemi Omiyale

A Nigerian payments company, Verve International, has been included in the Global Payments Power 50 list in recognition of its impact in the payments sector.

Since its launch in 2009, the subsidiary of Interswitch Group has had a spectacular trajectory against daunting odds, carving an impressive niche for itself as Africa’s first world-standard EMV chip and PIN payments card, starting from Nigeria and expanding its issuance and acceptance across over 25 African countries.

Verve Payment Cards in Nigeria, Africa’s largest consumer market and its pioneer country of issuance have, to date, surpassed 70 million issued payment cards.

Over the last few years, Verve has grown to become the payment card of choice across various tiers of banking service and particularly within the burgeoning fintech/neobank space in Nigeria.

This growth has been driven by significant strategic partnerships across commercial and microfinance banking spheres, as well as fintechs, OFIs, and the public sector supported by sustained innovation and demonstrated understanding of the requirements of its local markets.

In recognition of these feats, Power 50, established in 2018, included the Nigerian firm in its Global Payments Power 50 list.

“Each year, The Power 50 celebrates the standout talent within the fintech community, showcasing ground-breaking companies and influential leaders from across the globe.

“Earning a place on The Power 50 is a testament to the impact individuals and businesses are making in shaping the future of fintech. It also serves as a trusted benchmark for excellence in the industry,” the chief executive of Power 50, Mr Jason Williams, said.

Also commenting, the chief executive of Verve International and Payment Cards and Tokens at Interswitch, Mr Vincent Ogbunude, said, “We are thoroughly delighted at Verve International and Interswitch with this global recognition on the Payments Power 50 list for 2025, as we continue to consolidate our delivery of global-standard payment solutions essentially tailored to economic and operational realities of the markets where we play across Africa, whilst leveraging value-adding partnerships that ensure we scale our impact and turbo-charge financial inclusion on the African continent.

“We are grateful to all our customers and partners, and indeed all our colleagues at Verve and Interswitch whose passion and consistent hard work have invariably facilitated global acclaim.”

In the last three years, Verve has gained merchant acceptance with platforms such as Google, Spotify, Netflix, Showmax, Amazon Prime, Facebook, Microsoft, Uber, and Flywire, to mention a few, underscoring a strong resolve to continue to drive relevant partnerships that provide its users in Africa with convenient opportunities to access global services in local denominations.

By Dipo Olowookere

A leading provider of telecommunications and mobile money services across 14 African countries, Airtel Africa Plc, has increased its range of Value-Added Services (VAS) for customer with the introduction of a ground-breaking artificial intelligence (AI)-powered Spam Alert Service.

The Airtel AI Spam Alert Service will be available to all subscribers of the GSM provider at no cost. It gives real-time alerts for suspected spam SMS messages and malicious weblinks sent to Airtel smartphone and feature phones.

In addition, it filters all SMS through a proprietary dual-layer protection: one layer at the network level and the other at the IT systems level, processing over 1.5 billion messages in 2 milliseconds.

At the launch of this service on Thursday in Lagos, the chief executive of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), Mr Aminu Maida, commended Airtel for this innovation, saying, “The Airtel Spam Alert Service is of obvious benefit to the entire sector.”

“Security is one of the major challenges to subscribers and such an innovative service from Airtel helps us tackle this issue while boosting consumer confidence,” he declared.

The Minister for Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy, Mr Bosun Tijani, also praised Airtel for its continued investment in Nigeria’s technology ecosystem and for specifically investing in a service that is geared towards enhancing online security for millions of Nigerians.

“As we expand our digital infrastructure and prioritise digital literacy, solutions like Airtel AI Spam Alert Service will enforce the importance of leveraging artificial intelligence, not only for security but also for economy empowerment,” he stated.

On his part, the chief executive of Airtel Nigeria, Mr Dinesh Balsingh, said, “Enhancing customer experience is our foremost priority, and we are proud to launch Africa’s first AI powered spam alert solution.

“This is a gamechanger for the telecoms industry in Africa and as we move forward, we will continue to address customer challenges through proactive tech-driven solutions.

“We are proud to launch this innovative initiative in Nigeria, our largest market in Africa, while the other countries will launch in the coming months.”

Airtel explained that it came up with this service, which does not require additional application downloads, as part of its efforts to protect its customers.

The Airtel AI Spam Alert Service, which is automatically activated for all Airtel customers in Nigeria, would be subsequently rolled out across other countries where Airtel Africa operates.

According to research from Quartz, as of 2019, nine of the top 20 countries in the world with the highest spam rates are in Africa.

With Africa’s smartphone penetration on the increase, spam messages have become a widespread issue, targeting an expanding demographic of unsuspecting individuals.

Hundreds of thousands of mobile users often receive unsolicited SMS or calls claiming to be from their network provider or government and offering irresistible benefits.

In these communications, users are asked to click on links and provide personal information to claim the benefits. This action allows the scammer to gain access to users’ security information, which can then be used to commit fraud.

In response, Airtel Africa developed this innovative AI-powered solution that classifies suspicious SMS messages as Suspected SPAM.

Without reading specific SMS messages, the AI analyses in real-time over 250 parameters, including the sender’s usage patterns such as SMS frequency and geographical spread of targets.