Career Karma, best known for helping people transition into tech careers, has launched OutRival, a new AI platform designed to transform customer experience across industries. OutRival empowers customer experience teams to build AI-driven conversational agents without using a single line of code. Building on Career Karma’s Success Career Karma’s journey began in 2018 with a focus on workforce development and educational tools. After announcing its Series B funding in 2022, CEO Ruben Harris and his team saw an even bigger opportunity in AI technology. “When Career Karma announced our Series
The Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) is exploring technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning to detect and combat tax evasion. This move is part of KRA’s broader strategy to enhance revenue collection through improved efficiency and compliance. AI and Machine Learning to Transform Tax Collection “AI and machine learning will analyze vast data sets to identify tax evasion patterns, optimize resource allocation, and predict future revenue streams,” Humphrey Wattanga, the KRA Commissioner General said according to Kenyan Wall Street. “Integrating these technologies will not only boost tax collection but
Every UK Black History Month, we shine a light on Black British-owned businesses making a difference. This year’s standout is Frobelles, a UK-based dress-up game championing the beauty of afro hair. Created by mother-daughter duo Yvonne Ottley and 12-year-old Alyssa Ottley, Frobelles has over 100,000 users and recently made its debut in the US. The Birth of Frobelles The idea for Frobelles was sparked by a simple question from Alyssa, who was just six years old at the time: “Why don’t any of my game characters have Afro hair like mine?” This question
Registered non-profit organization Darkies in Tech has launched a new website designed to drive inclusion by providing a centralized platform for professionals of color within the South African tech industry. Founded by Ntsako Mgiba in February 2021, Darkies in Tech has become the largest vetted community of its kind in South Africa, with over 450 members, including founders, investors, and ecosystem builders. The community has consistently hosted educational and social events aimed at creating a more inclusive environment for Black professionals in tech. Addressing Exclusion in South Africa’s Tech Scene
Southeast Asian investment network XA Network has expanded to the African continent with the launch of XA Africa. XA Africa aims to connect local founders with international investors, offering both capital and mentorship to help scale their ventures globally. Co-founded by Nitin Gajria, former Managing Director of Google Sub-Saharan Africa, Black Angel Group Co-Founder Jason Scott, and YouTube marketing director Marek Dawidowicz, XA Africa brings a wealth of experience to the continent’s entrepreneurial landscape. Their mission is to equip African startups with the resources and expertise needed to solve critical
Venture capital firm Fearless Fund has announced a seven-figure investment in Zimi, an emerging e-commerce platform. Zimi, co-founded by Audrey Djiya and Peter Nsaka, specializes in inventory management, storage, and logistics to help businesses in emerging markets, particularly Africa, expand globally. This latest investment reaffirms Fearless Fund’s continued commitment to supporting underresourced founders, including women of color, following its year-long legal battle with the American Alliance for Equal Rights (AAER) over its grant program for Black women founders. Fearless Fund Backs Zimi Zimi launched in August with the goal of
A Black senior legal counsel at Workday, Anthony Hill, has filed a lawsuit against the tech company, claiming racial and disability discrimination after it sent police to his home for a “wellness check” during his medical leave. According to Business Insider, Hill, who was receiving treatment at a hospital at the time, felt the event was a distressing and unnecessary escalation. The lawsuit, filed in December 2023 in California’s Northern District Court, follows Hill’s claim that he informed his manager of a medical emergency on October 12, 2022. He provided
Wrk Receipts, an AI-powered mobile platform designed to offer real-time workplace advocacy, was recently launched, bringing a fresh approach to how employees navigate professional challenges. Founded by Cierra Gross, the app aims to provide employees with more transparency and control over their workplace experiences, setting a new standard for workplace empowerment. At the heart of Wrk Receipts is Jayla, an AI advocate that helps users document and address workplace issues. By offering personalized advice on employment laws and company policies, Jayla guides employees through complex scenarios, ensuring they know their
Jackson State University (JSU) has been awarded a $2 million grant from the Entergy Charitable Foundation to establish a Critical Power Grid Network Security Lab, designed to address the growing cybersecurity needs of the energy sector. This significant investment will support JSU’s commitment to training a diverse, skilled workforce capable of safeguarding critical infrastructure. The grant was formally announced during a ceremony on October 7, where JSU President Marcus Thompson, Ph.D., received the check from Entergy Mississippi President and CEO Haley Fisackerly. Advancing Cybersecurity in the Energy Sector The new
Global music icon Shakira has partnered with Amazon and Code.org, through her non-profit, Fundación Pies Descalzos, to expand computer science education for Hispanic students worldwide. The collaboration will help young people learn to code through an interactive music experience that uses Shakira’s Spanish-language hits and also provide computer science education training to teachers across Colombia. Learning to code through music Shakira has long worked to enhance educational opportunities for underserved communities in Latin America. In celebration of the partnership, Shakira has donated songs like “Amarillo” and “Chantaje” to Code.org’s Music
