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Amazon to introduce a new Alexa feature to mimic anyone’s voice

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Amazon develops Alexa to mimic anyone's voice- New Tech Fears

Amazon has recently unveiled that it’s working on a new mimicry feature of its voice assistant Alexa that will be able to mimic any human’s voice, dead or alive, using less than a minute of recorded audio.

The release date is still unknown.

During the company’s Re: Mars conference Wednesday, June 22, 2022, in Las Vegas, Amazon’s senior vice president, and head scientist Rohit Prasad demonstrated the feature using a video of a child asking an Amazon device, “Alexa, can Grandma finish reading me The Wizard of Oz?”

Prasad said that the goal is to “make the memories last” after “so many of us have lost someone we love” during the pandemic. “While A.I. can’t eliminate that pain of loss, it can make the memories last,” Prasad added.

However, Amazon’s new tech seems equally problematic and raises fears; since it will be used for deepfakes, criminal scams, or other outrageous purposes.

That’s a nice thought; presenter Rohit Prasad, SVP and Head Scientist, Alexa AI, notes that “we’re living in the golden era of AI.” But the technology presents various potential issues, particularly with scammers and deep fakes. Also, there doesn’t seem to be any protection against someone using a voice without consent.

The new voice mimicry technology

Prasad’s presentation was based on Amazon’s exploratory text-to-speech (TTS) research, which the company has been exploring using recent technological advancements. “We’ve learned to produce a high-quality voice with far fewer data versus recording in a professional studio,” according to an Amazon spokesperson.

The voice mimicry feature is currently in development, and the company did not disclose when it intends to roll it out to the public.

Prasad said that the new voice speech pattern technology will need only “less than a minute of recorded audio” to produce a high-quality voice, which is possible “by framing the problem as a voice conversion task and not a speech generation path.”

The new technology might one day become ubiquitous in shoppers’ lives, and Prasad noted it could be used to build trust between users and their Amazon devices.

“One thing that surprised me the most about Alexa is the companionship relationship we have with it. In this companionship role, human attributes of empathy and effect are key for building trust,” he said.

The new voice mimicry feature conjures fears

While the new mimicry feature may be innovative, it conjures fears in some—including in companies that work in the field—that it could be used for outrageous purposes.

  • Microsoft, which also created voice mimicry technology to help people with impaired speech, restricted which segments of its business could use the technology on fears it would enable deep political fakes. Microsoft’s chief responsible A.I. officer, Natasha Crampton, told Reuters.
  • The new feature is also stoking worries online:

“Remember when we told you deepfakes would increase the mistrust, alienation, & epistemic crisis already underway in this culture? Yeah, that. That times a LOT,” said Twitter user @wolven, whose bio identifies him as Damien P. Williams, a Ph.D. researcher in algorithms, values, and bias.

  • Some fear the easy way scammers could use the technology for their benefit.
  • Mike Butcher, the editor of TechCrunch’s ClimateTech, noted, “Alexa mimicking a dead family member sounds like a recipe for serious psychological damage.”
  • Others advised people to stop buying the device altogether.

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Saudi Fintech Lendo Signs MOU with J.P. Morgan

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Saudi Startup Lendo Joins Forces with J.P. Morgan to Enhance SME Financing

Lendo, a Saudi Arabia-based Shariah-compliant crowdlending marketplace, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) today with J.P. Morgan to improve access to financing for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) across the country.

The MOU was signed during 24 Fintech, a premier fintech event that brings together industry leaders, innovators, and investors in Riyadh.

J.P. Morgan and Lendo are working together on potential opportunities to support the SME sector in Saudi Arabia in growing and sustaining the remarkable demand in this market.

“This strategic collaboration with J.P. Morgan, a pioneer in the financial industry, marks a significant milestone for Lendo,” said Osama Alraee, CEO and co-founder of Lendo. “By combining our strengths, we’ll deliver cutting-edge financial solutions to SMEs, supporting their growth and contributing directly to the realization of Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030.”

The SME financing landscape in MENA presents a substantial market opportunity as limited financial access continues to restrict the growth of the region’s businesses, with commercial banks hesitant to issue loans to SMEs at scale, resulting in a high percentage of declined financing requests annually.

The total SME financing gap in developing countries is estimated to be approximately $5.2 trillion, according to the International Finance Corporation (IFC).

Lendo’s debt crowdfunding platform aims to bridge the financing gap for SMEs, aligning with Saudi Vision 2030’s goal to significantly expand SME lending from 4% in 2018 to 20% by 2030.

According to the latest available report from the Saudi Central Bank (SAMA), the total value of debt crowdfunding in Saudi Arabia surged from SAR 1.4 million in 2019 to SAR 771 million in 2022, marking a remarkable growth.

Lendo raised SAR 132 million ($35.2 million) in total funding from leading investors, including the most recent Series B led by Sanabil Investments, a wholly-owned company by the Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Since its inception in December 2019, Saudi fintech Lendo has processed over 5,000 financing transactions on its platform, providing over SAR 2 billion ($600 million) in financing to SMEs and generating SAR 280 million ($74 million) in returns for investors.

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TA Telecom Introduces AnteThink: A New AI Decision Support Tool

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**TA Telecom Introduces AnteThink: A New AI Decision Support Tool for Enhanced Decision-Making**

TA Telecom, a prominent player in the Middle East’s tech sector, has unveiled AnteThink, an AI-driven tool designed to enhance decision-making processes for individuals and businesses alike.

With a history of influencing the tech landscape through various initiatives, including advanced mobile solutions, high-volume payment platforms, and ventures in e-commerce, fintech, and analytics, TA Telecom has carved a niche for itself. Serving a vast user base of 40 million and processing an impressive 15 billion transactions across its platforms, TA Telecom has cemented its position as a tech industry leader, with some of its ventures achieving the status of Y Combinator companies.

Established in 2000, TA Telecom has emerged as a prominent player in the technology sector. With over 40 million users and processing 15 billion transactions annually, TA Telecom has made a notable impact. Recognized for its contributions by the Financial Times and featured on Deloitte’s list of fastest-growing tech companies in EMEA, TA Telecom is known for its adaptability and forward-thinking approach in the ever-evolving global tech landscape.

Sameh Ibrahim, CEO of TA Telecom, highlights the potential of AnteThink: “AnteThink reflects our commitment to leverage technology for practical impact. It aims to provide clarity and confidence in decision-making, whether in the professional or personal sphere. AnteThink is a tool that can empower startup founders, executives, and individuals to make more informed choices, alleviating the stress and uncertainty often associated with critical decision-making.”

Mostafa Ashour, CEO of Y Combinator-backed startup NowPay, shared his perspective on AnteThink: “AnteThink transformed our strategic planning, allowing us to explore various scenarios and prepare for different outcomes. It has strengthened our decision-making process, helping us navigate the complexities of the business landscape.”

AnteThink embodies TA Telecom’s commitment to innovation, focusing on supporting the startup ecosystem. The tool is tailored to help leaders and executives navigate the complexities of business management and strategic development by providing a clear picture of potential outcomes.

Key Features of AnteThink include:

1. Second Order Mode: Offering a comprehensive analysis of broader impacts, fostering a strategic mindset for long-term success.

2. Optionality Mode: Enabling detailed evaluation and comparison of different choices to ensure decisions align with strategic objectives and values.

3. Inversion Mode: Focusing on identifying and mitigating potential risks, thereby strengthening risk management strategies.

TA Telecom Introduces AnteThink: A New AI Decision Support Tool for Enhanced Decision-Making

Credit: Antethink

AnteThink’s advanced AI technology aims to assist decision-makers with insightful analytics, offering guidance through the decision-making process.

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GoDaddy’s Global Markets VP Predicts Egypt’s E-commerce to Hit $9.88 Billion by 2028

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GoDaddy's Global Markets VP Predicts Egypt's E-commerce to Hit $9.88 Billion by 2028

Selina Bieber, the Senior Director of Global Markets at GoDaddy, has predicted a significant increase in Egypt’s e-commerce revenue. By 2028, it could reach $9.88 billion.

Godaddy is forming strategic partnerships and launching initiatives to help local entrepreneurs. These efforts align with Egypt’s digital transformation goals and its Vision 2030.

In an interview with the Arabic financial news “Amwal Al Ghad,” Bieber spoke about GoDaddy’s plans and how they match Egypt’s 2023 strategy. She highlighted the company’s aim to provide effective, easy-to-use digital tools and services. By 2024, GoDaddy wants to serve more customers in Egypt by making its digital tools more widespread.

The company is working closely with the Egyptian government, especially the Ministry of Planning. They are offering training programs to improve the digital skills of startups and existing businesses. GoDaddy’s services in Egypt include domain registration, web hosting, e-commerce solutions, and digital marketing tools.

Recent surveys support Bieber’s positive outlook for e-commerce in Egypt. They show a clear trend towards digital strategies among small businesses. Many are realizing the importance of having an online presence for their growth and success.

As GoDaddy continues its partnerships and supports government digital initiatives, its influence on Egypt’s digital landscape is growing. The company is committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint. It aims not just for business growth but also to contribute to a sustainable and thriving digital economy in Egypt.

The 2028 projection indicates a vast potential for e-commerce, with GoDaddy playing a key role in this digital evolution.

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