Tech

African students use TikTok to challenge racial stereotypes

Published

1 year ago

March 21, 2024

Ahron Young

Young African students are using TikTok to challenge racial stereotypes in Australian schools, shedding light on the discrimination they face on a daily basis.

Developed in collaboration with the University of South Australia, these TikTok videos expose instances of racial prejudice and misconceptions encountered by Black African youth in educational settings.

As the world observes the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, now rebadged as Harmony Day in Australia, the focus shifts to addressing racial prejudices.

The theme, ‘A Decade of Recognition, Justice, and Development: Implementation of the International Decade for People of African Descent’, underscores the urgency of combating racial discrimination in all its forms.

Dr. Melanie Baak, the lead researcher at UniSA, said the importance of fostering a sense of belonging in schools to combat racial discrimination.

She highlights the challenges faced by Black African students in integrating into predominantly white Australian schools, where stereotypes and misconceptions often hinder their sense of belonging and inclusion.

Racism remains a significant issue in Australia, with surveys revealing alarming levels of anti-African sentiment.

Broader attitudes

The 2023 Scanlon Mapping Social Cohesion report found that only 51% of Australians harbor positive feelings towards immigrants from Sudan, reflecting broader attitudes towards African diaspora communities.

Political and media discourses further exacerbate these prejudices, perpetuating negative stereotypes and marginalising African diaspora youth.

The TikTok videos are part of a broader research project funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) aimed at countering racial stereotypes and promoting belonging among African teens and children in Australian schools.

Dr. Baak said the importance of authentic collaboration with those affected by racism in changing public perceptions and fostering a more inclusive environment in schools.

The research team plans to continue working closely with youth co-researchers to influence school policies and practices, ultimately shaping the experiences of belonging for African diaspora youth in educational settings for years to come.

Tech

Nvidia to build AI supercomputers in the U.S. for first time

Nvidia invests $500 billion in U.S. AI supercomputers, shifting production to Texas to strengthen supply chains and boost domestic growth amid rising tariffs and national tech pressures.

Published

15 hours ago

April 18, 2025

Veronica Dudo

Nvidia invests $500 billion in U.S. AI supercomputers, shifting production to Texas to strengthen supply chains and boost domestic growth amid rising tariffs and national tech pressures.

Nvidia to build AI supercomputers in the U.S. for the first time — a $500 billion move that could redefine the global tech industry.

With new tariffs on imports from China and Taiwan, the chip giant is shifting production to Texas, partnering with Foxconn and Wistron.

Nvidia says the decision will strengthen its supply chain and boost domestic economic growth.

The announcement comes amid growing pressure to secure national tech infrastructure and reduce reliance on Asia. How will this impact jobs, prices, and America’s AI ambitions?

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Tech

‘Stuck in the past’: Has Apple lost its edge?

Apple, once an innovator, faces criticism for stale updates and designs, prompting comparisons to 1980s IBM and calls for Tim Cook’s departure.

Published

3 days ago

April 16, 2025

Ahron Young

Apple, once an innovator, faces criticism for stale updates and designs, prompting comparisons to 1980s IBM and calls for Tim Cook’s departure.

Apple, once a symbol of innovation, is now under fire for uninspiring product updates.

The headline “Has Apple lost its edge? Critics say it’s stuck in the past” captures growing frustration over recycled designs and underwhelming features.

From the original iPhone to the lacklustre Apple Intelligence, critics now compare the company to IBM in the 1980s. Is it time for Tim Cook to step aside?

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Tech

OpenAI explores social network to rival Elon Musk

OpenAI is considering a social network to rival Musk’s X, spurred by the success of its new image-generation feature.

Published

3 days ago

April 16, 2025

Ahron Young

OpenAI is considering a social network to rival Musk’s X, spurred by the success of its new image-generation feature.

In Short

OpenAI is considering creating a social network to compete with Elon Musk’s X and Meta’s Instagram, following high demand for its new image-generation tool.

The company has raised $40 billion in funding and is facing increased server demands, prompting efforts to temporarily limit the tool’s usage.

OpenAI is contemplating the development of a social network to rival Elon Musk’s X and Meta’s Instagram, according to an informed source.

This initiative is reportedly in the early stages and has emerged following the success of OpenAI’s latest image-generation tool, which has stressed the company’s servers.

The announcement was first reported by The Verge, while OpenAI has chosen not to comment on the matter.

Image-generation

In March, OpenAI launched its new image-generation feature designed to create various visual content, including diagrams, infographics, and logos. This tool also enables users to produce artistic renditions from their uploaded images.

Recently, images generated by this feature have gained significant traction on social media, with OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman recently using one for his profile photo on X. Altman noted the overwhelming popularity has led to increased server demands.

He mentioned that the company is currently looking to limit the feature’s usage temporarily while they enhance its efficiency.

The generative AI sector is highly competitive, particularly with the involvement of Musk’s xAI, which recently acquired X. The relationship between Altman and Musk has become contentious, particularly surrounding OpenAI’s move to become a for-profit entity.