Wow, this year sure went by quickly. As 2024 fast approaches, it’s time to name my Product of the Year.

Only one product stands so far above the rest in terms of impact that the choice was unusually easy. I could say I doubt this will happen again, but given how quickly things are moving, this may be true several times this decade.

Let’s start with the contenders that did not make it to the top of my list, and I’ll conclude with the one product that did.

Tesla Cybertruck

The Tesla Cybertruck is incredibly disruptive. It combines the best electric vehicle technology currently available in the U.S. with what is likely the hottest design to hit the market since the Pontiac Aztek.

This pickup truck can outperform sports cars and even most street cars set up for drag racing. But it is immensely impractical as a pickup truck and unacceptable to most drivers who have previously been wedded to the Ford F-150.

I was tempted to order the Cybertruck just to experience the amazing technology but ended up going with the far more practical and better-looking Fisker Ocean.

Fisker Ocean

The Fisker Ocean is, in my opinion, the best SUV-based electric vehicle in the U.S. Market. It isn’t as fast as the Cybertruck, but as mentioned, it is much more practical and better looking.

With an impressive 360-mile range, this truck should be ideal for most electric vehicle buyers. It has several unique features like California Mode, where you can open up the top and all the windows with one button.

It has little dog windows in the back that open, a table for the driver, and solar panels all over the roof so the vehicle can charge itself in the sun, potentially giving you more power when you get back to the airport after a plane trip than you had when you first arrived.

Rokid Max AR Glasses

The Rokid Max AR smart glasses were the first head-mounted display that I’ve been able to use on plane trips that didn’t leave me wanting something better or different.

At an affordable price, I’d have bought this as a gift for several people this year if Amazon had a wrapping option for it. Still, after a long business trip, I can put these on, blank my notebook screen, and isolate on the plane so the ride seems to go by in minutes. Plus, I can see around the glasses so that people sitting next to me or the airplane staff can easily get my attention when they need it.

These glasses improve my enjoyment and represent an interesting path to the future of personal technology and a potential route for smartphones to displace PCs eventually. I mostly use my pair with my laptop, but they also work on my smartphone.

ChatGPT-4

While this product went vertical largely thanks to Microsoft, ChatGPT-4 set the market on fire when Microsoft announced that it was going to put it into Office and Windows as its Copilot feature.

ChatGPT-4 blindsided Google, along with the rest of us who didn’t believe AI had advanced as fast as it had. Until it gained success, expectations were that we wouldn’t get to artificial general intelligence (AGI) — a form of AI that surpasses human intellect across all fields — until after 2040. Now, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says AGI might be achieved toward the end of the current decade.

Windows 12, previously expected toward the end of the current decade, is predicted for next year, largely created with ChatGPT and massively accelerating the refresh rate of Windows.

This has set off a massive AI race that will include malware, unfortunately, and increase the need for tools like this to ramp up as defensive weapons. HP’s Wolf Security unit is predicting technologies like this will be incredibly effective next year in terms of malware, and they are ramping up security measures to combat that wave, but most will be woefully unprepared.

On the other hand, the capabilities in offerings like this will transform the workplace by allowing a few to do the work of many and likely dramatically reduce the number of people most companies need. For those groups currently understaffed, this technology will be a godsend by closing the work gap so they can finally get a bit ahead of their workload.

Some of the more significant impacts will be on digital assistants, which will suddenly seem to get far smarter and be able to operate autonomously to complete tasks, provide advice, and help folks make better decisions.

While much of the focus of this technology will be on improving sales performance and customer interactions, hopefully, it will evolve to help kids better plan for their future, pick better career paths, and become better adults.

While born in controversy because of its potential to do great harm, ChatGPT will also do incredible good, and I hope it will be known more for the latter in the future.

In any case, OpenAI’s ChatGPT-4 is my Product of the Year. If you think AI is nuts now, wait until next year.

Here’s hoping you have a wonderful happy New Year full of opportunities! Remember, position yourself strategically for those opportunities.

Leading cybersecurity company Infoprive recently rebranded as Cybervergent during the Nigeria Fintech Week. This strategic move aims to expand its security solutions by leveraging AI and machine learning amid rising cybercrime.

As internet access grows in Africa, so do cyber threats. Recent incidents have cost an estimated $3.5-$4 billion, with banks, fintechs, and telecoms like MTN impacted.

With risks evolving, cybersecurity must innovate. Infoprive has rebranded as Cybervergent to revolutionise the landscape with automated, integrated protection.

Formerly focused on consulting and assessments, Cybervergent is now a pioneering tech company dedicated to transforming African cybersecurity using AI/ML. This empowers businesses to protect networks, data, and apps from threats proactively.

At the fintech event, CEO Adetokunbo Omotosho stressed the importance of securing client data to maintain trust. This allows fintechs to keep innovating and scaling securely amid rising dangers. He said the rebrand will help prevent massive losses as IoT and e-commerce growth continues.

Cybervergent converges data privacy, security, and compliance into one automated platform. Omotosho stated, “It represents the convergence of technology, leadership, and commitment to safeguarding African businesses digitally, starting in Nigeria.”

“With our refreshed identity, Cybervergent will evolve cybersecurity by offering comprehensive, integrated solutions to combat threats and enhance resilience,” he added.

The strategic rebrand positions Cybervergent as an all-in-one cybersecurity company set to transform the landscape. With its experts, it will provide tailored, automated protection for critical assets and data.

This aligns with the company’s commitment to pioneering Africa’s cybersecurity future through innovation, automation, and scaled solutions. Simplified, integrated platforms can make robust security achievable for businesses, especially smaller ones with limited resources.

As connectivity spreads across Africa, proactive efforts like Cybervergent’s will be crucial to building digital trust and preventing breaches before they occur. However, success requires awareness and training alongside technology. Holistic cybersecurity combines vigilant human elements with AI-enabled tools.

Cybervergent represents the next generation of African cybersecurity. By evolving to meet new challenges, it can spearhead automated protection for the continent’s growth sectors. With strategic partnerships, it can make comprehensive security a reality for organisations of all sizes.

The National Transport and Safety Authority (NTSA) of Kenya has officially renewed the ride-hailing platform Bolt Kenya’s operating licence. This comes after Bolt proactively suspended its controversial 5% booking fee yesterday, demonstrating a willingness to resolve concerns around commission charges.

The NTSA had previously declined to renew Bolt’s licence, citing issues with the booking fee exceeding the legal 18% commission limit. However, Bolt clarified the fee was charged to riders, not drivers.

With the renewal, Bolt can now continue offering services while ensuring compliance. Country Manager Linda Ndungu expressed excitement, stating, “We are happy to receive the renewal after collaborative dialogue. This reflects our commitment to drivers’ earnings and customers’ affordable, reliable service.”

“It reaffirms our focus on a secure platform and meeting regulatory requirements. This renewal attests we remain a trusted, compliant player in ride-hailing,” she added.

Notably, Bolt isn’t the only platform with a booking fee structure, as competitor Uber also charges riders. Uber’s licence renewal status remains pending as well.

The renewal is a blow to Little, another major rival, which complained Bolt was operating without a valid licence and expressed dissatisfaction when the deadline passed, but Bolt continued services.

Previously, NTSA declined to renew Bolt’s licence over booking fee and commission concerns. In response, Bolt emphasised adhering to the 18% commission cap and pledged close collaboration with regulators for resolution.

“We remain committed to aligning fully with the legal framework and working closely with the regulator for a successful outcome,” the company stated.

By reversing the booking fee, Bolt displayed a readiness to adapt its model to address regulatory concerns. Combined with its statement affirming law-abiding operations, this action likely convinced the NTSA to renew its licence.

However, the saga highlights the complexities surrounding regulating fast-evolving ride-hailing services. More transparency and communication will be key for the NTSA to ensure fair enforcement and a level playing field.

As ride-hailing continues growing rapidly in Kenya, the NTSA must balance allowing innovation and protecting consumers. Renewing Bolt’s licence enables continuity of its services, but tighter compliance monitoring is still essential going forward.

The rapid spread of misinformation and disinformation, commonly known as “fake news,” has become a mounting concern worldwide. This issue is particularly pronounced in Nigeria, where false claims have impacted election integrity, public health, and security. To address this problem, the Brain Builders Youth Development Initiative (BBYDI) has developed an AI-powered fact-checking tool called
FactCheck Africa.

BBYDI is a Nigerian civic society organisation aiming to tackle fake news around governance, climate, and sustainable development through technology. As Alamin Musa, BBYDI’s product lead, explained, “FactCheck Africa uses AI and credible news sources to verify claims.”

The solution centers on an accessible web application. Users simply enter a claim, and FactCheck Africa’s artificial intelligence engine analyses the statement’s validity. It searches the internet and scans top media outlets to scrutinise the claim, providing a clear “true” or “false” result. If uncertain, it acknowledges this openly to maintain transparency.

BBYDI demonstrated the tool for TechCabal using a popular fake story about a former president’s death. Within seconds, FactCheck Africa returned the verdict as false, along with primary and secondary sources and sentiment analysis. This rapid process leverages the power of AI to expedite fact-checking.

Supplementing the AI, FactCheck Africa also incorporates insights from trustworthy journalistic sources. This hybrid approach aims for optimal accuracy and credibility. During elections, BBYDI shared fact-checks via radio broadcasts, reaching over 10 million Nigerians. For accessibility, the tool includes English, Hausa, Yoruba, Igbo and French translations.

BBYDI has undertaken initiatives against misinformation since 2020, including KnowCovid19Ng and FactcheckElectionsNG. FactCheck Africa consolidates these efforts into one far-reaching solution. It aligns with BBYDI’s commitment to universal access by meeting users where they are, online or offline.

In September 2022, FactCheck Africa was a finalist in the US West African Tech Challenge, securing vital funding to expand regionally. Planned improvements include media literacy partnerships, USSD code access, and an AI gaming platform to engage youth.

However, scaling FactCheck Africa faces hurdles like driving adoption and overcoming limited digital access, especially in rural areas. Regardless, BBYDI is confident its civic engagement expertise will enable it to reach marginalised communities. Partnering with journalists also broadens their fact-checking network significantly.

The organisation aims to make FactCheck Africa the go-to platform for authenticating claims and stemming misinformation across West Africa. With tailored localisation and multilingual capability, it has strong potential to achieve this goal and equip citizens against falsehoods.

Enhancing Collaboration: How Good Designers Can Work Together More Effectively

In today’s fast-paced and dynamic design industry, collaboration is not just a valuable skill but a necessity for success. Good designers possess individual creativity and expertise, but the magic truly happens when they come together to create something greater than the sum of their parts. Effective collaboration can lead to innovative solutions, better designs, and ultimately happier clients. Let us explore strategies that can help good designers collaborate better, whether they’re working within a design team or across disciplines.

Clear Communication: Effective collaboration starts with clear and open communication. It’s essential to establish a common language and a shared understanding of project goals and objectives. To foster this, consider the following practices: Define roles and responsibilities to clarify who is responsible for what tasks to avoid confusion and duplication of effort, set clear goals that everyone can work towards and ensure regular check-ins by scheduling regular meetings or stand-ups to update team members on progress, discuss challenges, and provide feedback.

Create a Collaborative Environment: A positive and collaborative work environment is crucial for effective teamwork. To create such an atmosphere, designers can encourage open feedback to make it safe for team members to voice their ideas, opinions, and concerns without fear of judgment. Designers can additionally foster a culture of respect that ensure all team members treat each other with respect and value each other’s contributions, and finally, need to promote diversity which is a booster for teams to generate more innovative solutions.

Share Knowledge and Skills: Collaboration is an opportunity to learn from one another and share knowledge and skills. Designers can host knowledge-sharing sessions, encourage cross-training and and organize mentorship programs where more experienced designers can guide and support junior team members.

Utilize Collaborative Tools: Collaboration tools have become indispensable in this digital age. To make proper use of these tools, designers can harness the power of technology to streamline their workflows and enhance communication. Some useful collaborative tools available include project management software such as Trello, Asana, or Monday.com that can help manage tasks, deadlines, and project progress; cloud-based design platforms like Figma or Adobe Creative Cloud for Teams that enable real-time collaboration on design projects and communication platforms like Slack or Microsoft Teams to facilitate team communication and document sharing.

Good designers can become great designers when they embrace collaboration as an integral part of their process. Clear communication, a collaborative environment, knowledge sharing and collaborative tools. By implementing these strategies, designers can create more innovative, efficient, and aesthetically pleasing designs, leading to satisfied clients and a thriving design practice.

“The roots of all goodness lie in the soil of appreciation for goodness.” – Dalai Lama

We’ve all been there, haven’t we? Pouring our heart and soul into a project or task, burning the midnight oil, and going the extra mile to ensure it’s a success. Yet, sometimes it feels like your hard work goes unnoticed. While recognition and appreciation may not always come naturally, there are steps you can take to ensure that your efforts are acknowledged and valued. Below are some strategies (or tricks) for being appreciated for your hard work.

Communicate Your Achievements

One of the first steps in gaining recognition for your hard work is to ensure that people are aware of what you’ve accomplished. Don’t be shy about sharing your achievements, but do so in a humble and informative manner. Be ready to talk about the specific tasks you’ve completed and the results they’ve yielded. Regularly update your supervisors, team members, or clients on your progress and the positive impact your work has had on the project or organization.

Seek Constructive Feedback

Constructive feedback is a valuable tool for self-improvement. By actively seeking feedback from colleagues or supervisors, you not only demonstrate your commitment to growth but also open doors for recognition. When you ask for feedback, you show that you value others’ opinions and are open to making improvements. When you act on the feedback you receive, it’s a clear sign of your dedication to your work and the team.

Be a Team Player

Teamwork is often the cornerstone of success in most organizations. Show that you’re a team player by offering your help to colleagues, collaborating effectively, and contributing to the overall success of the group. When your team accomplishes a goal, don’t hesitate to share credit and praise your co-workers for their hard work. Your willingness to support and acknowledge others will earn you respect and appreciation in return.

Take Initiative

Don’t wait for opportunities to come to you; instead, actively seek them out. Identify problems that need solving or improvements that can be made, and take the initiative to address them. By proactively suggesting and implementing solutions, you position yourself as a motivated and forward-thinking employee, which is sure to be appreciated.

Showcase Your Skills

Ensure that your skills and expertise are evident in your work. This may involve taking additional courses, certifications, or training to stay up-to-date in your field. When you consistently deliver high-quality work and display your skills, it becomes clear that your contributions are valuable.

Express Gratitude

Appreciation often begets appreciation. When others take notice of your hard work, be sure to express your gratitude for their recognition. This can be as simple as a heartfelt thank-you note or a sincere verbal acknowledgment of their support. Cultivating a culture of appreciation within your workplace will foster a supportive environment for everyone.

Stay Consistent

Consistency is key in earning recognition for your hard work. It’s not enough to put in a great effort sporadically; you should strive for consistent performance and dedication. Over time, this unwavering commitment will make you an indispensable asset to your organization.

Being appreciated for your hard work is not just about seeking praise; it’s about creating a positive and mutually supportive work environment. By consistently delivering high-quality work, actively seeking feedback, and being a team player, you can foster an atmosphere where recognition and appreciation naturally flow. Remember, the journey to recognition may take time, but the effort is well worth it, both for personal growth and for the success of your team and organization.