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Shadow Artificial Intelligence (AI) vs Managed AI: Kaspersky reviews the use of neural networks for work in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region

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4 months ago

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Artificial Intelligence

While AI tools, which help automate everyday tasks, are becoming ubiquitous in many organisations, they often remain part of ‘shadow IT’, when employees use them without corporate guidance

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, October 20, 2025/APO Group/ –Recent Kaspersky (www.Kaspersky.co.za) research entitled “Cybersecurity in the workplace: Employee knowledge and behaviour” has found that 81,7% of professionals surveyed in the Middle East, Turkiye and Africa (META) region say that they utilise Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools for work tasks. However, only 38% have received training on the cybersecurity aspects of using neural networks, which is one of the critical elements of protection against AI-related risks ranging from data leaks to prompt injections. The research included participants from South Africa, Kenya and Egypt, where the trends were similar to that of the META region.

The vast majority of survey respondents in the META region (94,5%) said that they understand what the term “generative artificial intelligence” means, and for many employees this knowledge is no longer just theoretical: AI tools have become part of their every workday. Overall, 81,7% of respondents use AI tools for work: most often – to write or edit texts (63,2%) and work e-mails (51,5%), to create images or videos with the help of neural networks (45,2%), and for data analytics (50,1%).

The survey uncovered a serious gap in employee preparedness for AI risks. A third (33%) of professionals reported receiving no AI-related training. Among those who had courses, 48% said the focus was on how to effectively use AI tools and create prompts; while only 38% received guidance on the cybersecurity aspect of AI use.

For successful AI implementation, companies should avoid the extremes of a total ban as well as a free-for-all

While AI tools, which help automate everyday tasks, are becoming ubiquitous in many organisations, they often remain part of ‘shadow IT’, when employees use them without corporate guidance. 72,4% of respondents said generative artificial intelligence tools are permitted at their work, 21,3% acknowledged these tools are not allowed, while 6,3% were unsure.

To make employee use of AI more clear and secure, organisations should implement a company-wide policy regarding this aspect. This policy can prohibit AI use in specific functions and for certain types of data, regulate which AI tools are provided to employees, and allow only tools from the approved list. The policy should be formally documented, and employees should receive proper training. After setting a list of hygiene measures and restrictions, companies should monitor AI usage, identify popular services, and use this information to plan future actions and refine their security measures.

“For successful AI implementation, companies should avoid the extremes of a total ban as well as a free-for-all. Instead, the most effective strategy is a tiered access model, where the level of AI use is calibrated to the data sensitivity of each department. Backed by comprehensive training on cybersecurity aspects of AI, this balanced approach fosters innovation and efficiency while rigorously upholding security standards,” says Chris Norton, General Manager for Sub-Saharan Africa at Kaspersky.

To secure corporate AI use Kaspersky recommends organisations to:

  • Train employees on responsible AI usage. Courses on AI security from Kaspersky Automated Security Awareness Platform (http://apo-opa.co/4hsPKwI) can help with adding specialised training to companies’ educational programmes.
  • Provide IT specialists with relevant knowledge on exploitation techniques and practical defence strategies. The ‘Large Language Models Security’ training (http://apo-opa.co/4hj7gDn), part of the Kaspersky Cybersecurity Training portfolio, can enhance both the professional development and the overall cybersecurity of an organisation.
  • Ensure all employees have a cybersecurity solution installed on all their work and personal devices used to access business data. Kaspersky Next products protect against a range of threats including phishing or installing a fake AI tool, particularly given the growing trend of scammers embedding infostealers in deceptive AI applications.
  • Conduct regular surveys to monitor how frequently AI is being used and for which tasks. Using this information, assess both the benefits and risks of AI use to adjust company policy.
  • Use a specialised AI proxy that cleans queries on-the-fly by removing specific types of sensitive data (such as names or customer IDs), and uses role-based access control to block inappropriate use cases.
  • Create a full-fledged policy that addresses the spectrum of relevant risks. Kaspersky’s guidelines for securely implementing AI systems (http://apo-opa.co/4qBNUhh) can be of help.

*The survey was conducted by Toluna research agency at the request of Kaspersky in 2025. The study sample included 2800 online interviews with employees and business owners using computers for work in seven countries: Türkiye, South Africa, Kenya, Pakistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Kaspersky.

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HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Series Unveils Wheelchair Mode in Activity Rings for Inclusive Fitness

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1 day ago

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February 27, 2026

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Huawei

MADRID, SPAIN – Media OutReach Newswire – 27 February 2026 – MadriHuawei is proud to announce an inclusive upgrade to the Activity rings feature of Huawei watches, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to using technology for the benefit of all. On November 29, 2025, Activity rings introduced Wheelchair mode, a feature designed exclusively for wheelchair users. Wheelchair mode empowers wheelchair users to track their daily activities by accurately monitoring their pushes. Activity rings have been meticulously redesigned with wheelchair users in mind. Enhanced icons, motivational messages, and optimized algorithms work together to provide a seamless, supportive experience—one defined by both precision and encouragement.
The Wheelchair mode is more than an isolated advancement; it is the culmination of Huawei’s long-term commitment to inclusivity and innovation in the health and fitness sector. Over the years, Huawei has steadily expanded its R&D investments in wearable technology, while consistently prioritizing accessibility and inclusive design throughout its product evolution journey. From health monitoring features like heart rate and SpO2 measurement to the development of specialized algorithms for wheelchair users, every step in the evolution of Huawei wearables reflects a dedication to transforming cutting-edge technology into meaningful health solutions. As a leader in technological innovation, we embrace our duty to empower all—not just the many, but the overlooked and the underserved—ensuring a future where every individual thrives in health, dignity, and vitality.

To further highlight the humanistic values behind this innovation, Huawei wearables has released a powerful documentary-style video titled “Rolling Ahead.” This video captures the inspiring journeys of multiple wheelchair users on the sports field. Through Huawei wearables, their efforts are translated into quantifiable health data, vividly demonstrating how technology can serve as both a witness and a companion to extraordinary lives.

From technical breakthroughs to emotional resonance, Huawei is redefining the boundaries of health and fitness. By integrating the real needs of specific groups into the core of technological evolution, Huawei wearables are evolving from a mere provider of health technology to a catalyst for equal social participation. This is more than just a product feature upgrade—it’s a tangible realization of the vision to “bring digital to every person, home, and organization for a fully connected, intelligent world.”

A new workout mode, Rolling, will be available at the end of December, with the latest HUAWEI WATCH GT 6 Series being the first to support it. This mode precisely tracks the frequency and number of wheelchair pushes, ensuring that every movement is accurately tracked.

Moving forward, Huawei remains committed to exploring the convergence of technology and humanity. By collaborating with more partners, Huawei aims to build a more inclusive and compassionate digital health future—one where technology truly serves the needs of everyone.

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Business

Liquid Intelligent Technologies Announces Debt Repayment and Agrees New Credit Facilities

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2 days ago

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February 26, 2026

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Liquid Intelligent Technologies

Strategic Financial Actions Support Growth Ambitions Across Africa

LONDON, United Kingdom, February 25, 2026/APO Group/ —

Liquid Intelligent Technologies, a business of Cassava Technologies (www.CassavaTechnologies.com), has today confirmed the full repayment of its ZAR term loan and USD revolving credit facility.

These transactions, alongside the recent sale of a minority stake in a data centre subsidiary in South Africa, are part of a significant strengthening of our capital structure

In tandem with this repayment, Liquid has agreed $410 million in new ZAR and USD credit facilities from a syndicate of commercial and development finance lenders. Cassava Technologies is further reinforcing Liquid’s financial position by injecting $195 million in fresh capital into the business.

Commenting on these developments, Hardy Pemhiwa, President and Group CEO stated: “These transactions, alongside the recent sale of a minority stake in a data centre subsidiary in South Africa, are part of a significant strengthening of our capital structure as we position the Group for accelerated growth. Through our One Cassava ecosystem, we are delivering innovative AI, cloud, data centre, payments, and low latency broadband connectivity solutions to enterprise customers across Africa.”

Africa Data Centre Holdings (“ADCH”) remains a wholly owned subsidiary of Cassava Technologies as the minority stake sale was in the ADCH South Africa business.

Looking ahead, Liquid intends to issue a new $300 million bond to replace its existing $620 million bond in advance of its maturity in September 2026. This move will reduce Liquid’s overall leverage and further strengthen the company’s balance sheet.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Cassava Technologies.

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SICPA secures major European award for United Kingdom (UK) Vaping Duty Stamps Program

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4 days ago

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February 24, 2026

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SICPA

Swiss technology company SICPA (www.SICPA.com) secured a landmark traceability contract, in partnership with Spectra Systems Corporation’s subsidiary, Cartor Security Printers (Cartor), reinforcing its global leadership in secure track and trace (T&T) technology. The program will deliver robust traceability solutions to His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) for vape products in the United Kingdom.

Building on SICPA’s proven experience in deploying secure T&T systems for excisable products and leveraging Cartor’s advanced security printing capabilities, the consortium will deliver a robust solution combining banknote‑grade security features with state‑of‑the‑art digital systems to effectively combat the illicit trade of vape products.

Cartor is proud to work alongside SICPA to deliver this important program for HMRC

The solution will enable HMRC to support excise duty collection, enhance market compliance, protect consumers, and further strengthen its fight against illicit trade.

Following a multistage procurement process launched by HMRC in July 2025, the consortium was appointed upon detailed assessment of technical and financial submissions. The project will run for an initial five-year term, with an option for a further one-year extension. The system will be implemented in phases, beginning with a transitional duty stamp from April 2026, followed by an enhanced stamp supported by a full track and trace solution from October 2026.

Cartor will be responsible for the printing of tax stamps with the provision of core security features. SICPA will complement these with additional material and digital security features that further reinforce the system’s robustness, while also managing tax stamp coding and the track and trace software solutions. Its role also includes managing stakeholder and product registration, tax stamp ordering and payments processes, as well as data collection and compliance monitoring for HMRC across the vape products supply chain. SICPA’s advanced digital market intelligence capabilities will further enable the identification of suspicious patterns and potential fraud hotspots, while audit devices for enforcement authorities and consumer verification applications will support in tackling fraud and fakes.

“We are glad to support His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs in its mission to secure the market against illicit trade, building on decades of experience in excisable products secure traceability systems and the successes of our programs throughout the world,” said Philippe Amon, chairman and CEO of SICPA.

“Cartor is proud to work alongside SICPA to deliver this important program for HMRC,” said Andrew Brigham, Cartor’s managing director. “By combining our complementary strengths, this partnership delivers a trusted solution for our customer and the UK vapes market, while supporting the UK’s efforts to protect both public revenues and consumers.”

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of SICPA HOLDING SA.

 

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