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Shocking Truth: South Africa’s Telecommunications Industry is on the Brink of Chaos

Nomvuyiso Batyi, CEO of the Association of Comms & Technology (ACT), drops a bombshell: South Africa’s telecoms industry is being ravaged by an alphabet soup of threats, from theft and vandalism to power outages and government overreach.

In a candid interview with TechCentral editor Duncan McLeod, Batyi pulls no punches. She reveals the dirty secrets plaguing the industry, including:

Corrupt Politicians: Her take on newly appointed Communications Minister Solly Malatsi’s plans for the industry

Criminal Activity: Why theft and vandalism are crippling ACT members and what needs to be done to stop it

Auction Shenanigans: What’s really going on behind the scenes at the upcoming spectrum auction and why operators need access to low-frequency spectrum

Taxes Galore: Why luxury taxes on 4G devices need to be scrapped and how import duties on cellphones are stifling competition

Load Shedding is the New Normal: The impact of Eskom’s power outages on the industry and what operators are doing to cope

Don’t miss this explosive episode of the TechCentral Show!

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The AI Revolution: A Recipe for Disaster or a Beacon of Hope?

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to infiltrate every aspect of our lives, the world is left wondering: who will control this powerful technology, and how will it shape our future? Professor Johan Steyn, a leading expert in AI, spoke to ITWeb about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

The AI Arms Race: A Threat to Our Environment and Society

The rapid advancement of AI has led to an unprecedented arms race, with companies and governments vying for supremacy. But at what cost? Professor Steyn warns that the environmental impact of this technological frenzy is being ignored, with the training of a single AI model consuming 1,078KWh of electricity and producing 550 tonnes of carbon. "These organisations are aiming for net zero, but how they’re going to get it right with where we are now, I don’t know," he says.

The AI arms race is also disrupting society in profound ways. From the recent strikes in Hollywood over image and voice rights to the threat of deepfakes, AI is redefining the boundaries of art, identity, and reality. "In our country, we have nothing in the way of regulatory protections on artists and art, as far as it goes with deepfakes," Professor Steyn notes.

Regulation: A Necessary Evil or a Recipe for Disaster?

As AI continues to shape our world, the need for regulation becomes increasingly pressing. But can governments and regulatory bodies keep pace with the rapid evolution of this technology? Professor Steyn is skeptical, citing the challenges of enforcing existing legislation, such as POPIA, in South Africa. "If we can’t get that right, what are we going to do with AI in our jurisdiction and across the world?"

The Future of AI: A Choice Between Progress and Chaos

As AI continues to transform our world, we are faced with a choice: will we harness its power to create a better future, or will we succumb to the dangers of unchecked technological advancement? Professor Steyn’s words of caution serve as a reminder that the future is not set in stone, and that the choices we make today will shape the world of tomorrow.

The Battle for Control: A Global Conundrum

The regulation of AI is not a local issue, but a global one. As the world grapples with the implications of this technology, we must work together to establish a framework that balances innovation with accountability. The consequences of failure are dire, but the rewards of success are immeasurable. The choice is ours: will we create a world where AI is a force for good, or a recipe for disaster?

GLOBAL CHAOS: Flights Grounded, Media and Finance Systems Crash in Mysterious Outage

A sinister force has brought the world to its knees, as major airlines, media companies, banks, and telecommunications firms around the globe report crippling outages. The chaos began when Microsoft’s cloud services went dark, causing a ripple effect that spread like wildfire across the planet.

Airlines in Free Fall

American Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, and Allegiant Air were forced to ground flights mere hours after Microsoft’s outage, leaving thousands of passengers stranded and frustrated. The timing couldn’t be more ominous, as the world teeters on the brink of economic collapse.

The Shadowy Figure Behind the Outage

CrowdStrike, a global cybersecurity firm, has been fingered as the culprit behind the chaos. But is it just a coincidence, or is something more sinister at play? The company’s recorded phone message hinted at a connection to Microsoft’s Windows operating system, but the truth remains shrouded in mystery.

The Fallout

As the world struggles to come to terms with the sheer scale of the outage, Spain’s airports have been crippled by a "computer incident," while Ryanair has warned of potential disruptions that will affect all airlines operating across the network. Amazon Web Services has also confirmed connectivity issues with Windows EC2 instances and Workspaces within AWS.

Theories Abound

Is this a coordinated attack, or a series of unrelated incidents? The truth remains elusive, leaving the world to speculate about the motivations behind the outage. One thing is certain, however: the world will never be the same again.

Stay Tuned for More Updates

For the latest on this developing story, stay tuned to TechCentral. In the meantime, buckle up and prepare for the ride of your life.

Here is the rewritten content with a provocative tone:

“EOH is playing musical chairs with its top brass again, and this time it’s appointed Ashona Kooblall as the new CFO – because why not? She’s already proven her worth by cleaning up the company’s financial mess, but who’s to say she won’t create a new one?

Let’s not forget the great Marialet Greeff, who actually managed to tame the beast that is EOH’s finance department for a brief period. She was so good, in fact, that the company has seen fit to give her a hearty ‘thank you’ for her services… before she walked out the door. We’re not sure what the future holds for Greeff, but we do know she’s probably shaking her head at the shenanigans going on behind her back.

But hey, back to Kooblall! With a résumé that includes stints at PwC and Tiger Brands, she’s got the chops to tackle whatever mess EOH has in store for her. And let’s not forget her time at Nike Africa – who knows, maybe she’s been plotting to steal their swoosh and incorporate it into EOH’s logo. Stranger things have happened, right?

And if all that wasn’t enough, the company has also seen fit to shuffle the deck again by announcing that Nosipho Molope has stepped down as an independent non-executive director. No tears, folks – after all, it’s just another game of corporate musical chairs.

But fear not, EOH investors – the board has promised to ‘welcome’ Rhys Summerton to the fold, a seasoned investment expert with a résumé that reads like a who’s who of corporate America. Because what’s a little insider trading and dodgy financial shenanigans among friends?”

Global Chaos: The Falcon Fiasco That Brought the World to a Standstill

Remember the good old days when hacking was just a nuisance? No? Well, buckle up folks, because today’s unprecedented IT crash has brought the world to its knees – literally. Reports are coming in from South Africa to Australia, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. Banks, media organizations, hospitals, transport services, shop checkouts, airports, and more have all been forced to shut down due to "bricked" computers.

What Bricked the Computers? It’s Not a Virus or Malware…

The software culprit behind this global catastrophe? None other than CrowdStrike’s advanced security technology, Falcon. Yes, folks, the very same tech solution designed to protect us from cyber-attacks has now become the Pandora’s box of doom. An unexpected update to Falcon has rendered its Windows 10 computers useless, leaving operators staring at the dreaded "Blue Screen of Death" (BSOD), unable to reboot or recover the affected systems.

Why Aren’t Home PCs Affected? Guess Who’s to Blame?

But don’t despair, home users! Your PCs and laptops are safe… for now. The reason lies in how CrowdStrike’s products are tailored primarily for large organizations, providing them with granular network monitoring and response information. Home users, on the other hand, rely on built-in antivirus software or, at best, security products by companies like Norton and McAfee to keep their digital lives secure – and so far, they are unaffected.

The Fix Ain’t Coming Anytime Soon…

CrowdStrike officials have released manual instructions for fixing affected devices, but there’s no automatic "undo" button just yet. Large organizations may need to wipe and reset their systems, while IT teams on the ground will have to revert to more manual, labour-intensive methods to restore order – one computer at a time.

The irony? Security experts have hailed technology like EDR as crucial for protecting organizations from cyber threats… and now, it’s the very tech that’s brought the world to a standstill. The takeaway? Even high-stakes security solutions can fumble when pushed to extreme limits.