In a push to enter the highly competitive digital search market, Meta Platforms is working on an artificial intelligence-based search engine as it looks to reduce dependence on Alphabet’s Google and Microsoft’s Bing, the Information reported on Monday.

This move signals Meta’s ambition to carve out its place in a field long dominated by Google, which commands nearly 90% of the global search engine market share. The timing is particularly notable, as the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) ramps up efforts to challenge Google’s monopolistic practices, specifically targeting its outsized influence over the search ecosystem.

Meta said it will use Reuters content to power real-time answers to user questions about news and current events on its AI chatbot.

The company’s strategy, which currently relies on data from Google and Bing to offer answers on topics like sports, stocks, and breaking news, is significant as it adds an established, credible news source to enhance the reliability and scope of its AI responses. However, Meta’s entrance into this territory is expected to not impact Google’s position, given the giant’s decades-long hold on digital search—a position secured not just by technological innovation but by strategic partnerships and sheer financial clout.

Google’s search dominance has been meticulously crafted through a series of influential partnerships, most notably with Apple. In what some have called the “golden handcuff” of the digital world, Google reportedly pays Apple around $20 billion annually to ensure its search engine remains the default on Apple’s devices, cementing Google’s role as the primary search engine for millions of users on iPhones, iPads, and MacBooks. This arrangement effectively secures Google’s position by limiting user exposure to other search options—a practice that’s drawn sharp criticism and regulatory scrutiny.

The DOJ argues that these practices are more than just savvy business moves; they amount to anti-competitive behavior that shuts out potential rivals and entrenches Google’s monopoly. The lawsuit, seen as one of the most significant antitrust cases in the digital age, seeks to dismantle elements of Google’s search business to foster fair competition and consumer choice.

The DOJ noted that Google’s dominance wasn’t built just on innovation but it’s maintained through a series of calculated decisions that edge out competition before it can even start, highlighting the agency’s determination to prevent anti-competitive practices in a field so integral to modern information access.

Meta Is Betting on Real-Time Information

However, many believe that Meta’s decision to use Reuters content for real-time responses may prove to be an astute strategy for building credibility and functionality into its search capabilities. Reuters, a globally recognized and reputable news agency, could provide the solid foundation Meta needs to convince users of its AI’s reliability, an essential factor as it seeks to compete with Google’s robust data ecosystem.

Meta has also hinted at plans to broaden its AI’s response capabilities across various content categories—an ambitious undertaking as it seeks to capitalize on the growing interest in conversational AI.

However, competing in this arena will require more than content partnerships. Google’s massive data infrastructure, advanced machine learning models, and vast user base all form a formidable advantage that Meta’s AI—new to the search market—must contend with. Meta has a long road ahead if it aims to make a dent in Google’s search traffic, which processes around 99,000 searches per second globally.

Search Rivalry and Challenges Ahead for Competitors

While Meta’s recent move positions it to take advantage of any regulatory shifts resulting from the DOJ’s lawsuit, the challenges for other competitors like Microsoft’s Bing reveal the steep road ahead. Despite Microsoft’s backing and its use of OpenAI’s ChatGPT for AI-driven responses, Bing has managed only a modest market share, struggling to draw users away from Google. Bing’s limited reach even with advanced AI illustrates the challenge of attracting search engine users who are habituated to Google’s interface, features, and comprehensive results.

Analysts widely agree that unseating Google will be nearly impossible without significant regulatory intervention. For Meta, even a strategic alliance with Reuters may only be a preliminary step in a long journey to becoming a genuine alternative for users.

Scaling the Scraping and Copyright Frontier

Meta’s announcement also reignites the longstanding debate over data scraping and content used in training AI models. As tech companies increasingly use data scraped from across the internet to train AI models, copyright concerns have surfaced, with content creators calling and suing for fair compensation. Google and OpenAI have faced similar criticism, with publishers demanding transparency and royalties for their work used in AI training datasets.

Meta’s decision to partner directly with Reuters may sidestep some copyright criticisms, as the news agency explicitly licenses its content, establishing a more transparent and equitable approach. The move could set a new precedent for how AI-powered search tools acquire and use content, especially as creators demand a more structured compensation model.

For now, Meta’s pivot into search with Reuters may be more of a strategic trial than an immediate threat to Google. But as regulatory pressures intensify, it could become a stepping stone in an industry that demands more balanced competition. Analysts suggest that while Google’s search monopoly may not be dethroned overnight, the DOJ’s intervention, coupled with Meta’s experimentation, could mark the beginning of broader changes in how search works and how AI integrates into the process.

Ghana National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has expressed interest in sourcing petroleum products from Nigeria’s Dangote Petroleum Refinery, a shift that could reduce Ghana’s dependency on more costly imports from Europe.

Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, Chairman of the NPA, made the announcement on Monday during the OTL Africa Downstream Oil Conference held in Lagos, Nigeria. Abdul-Hamid explained that the Dangote refinery, currently Africa’s largest, offers a promising alternative that could save Ghana up to $400 million monthly in freight costs and improve its fuel supply chain.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Africa’s largest refinery, with an impressive production capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd), commenced operations in early 2024. It began by producing diesel and aviation fuel and officially announced the start of crude oil refining in September.

This scale of production positions the refinery to not only meet domestic needs but also supply fuel to regional markets. For Ghana, this development presents a unique opportunity to diversify its supply sources, particularly as Europe’s exports, primarily from Rotterdam, have long been an expensive lifeline for the country.

“If the refinery reaches 650,000 bpd a day capacity, all that volume cannot be consumed by Nigeria alone, so instead of us importing as we do right now from Rotterdam, it will be much easier for us to import from Nigeria,” said Mustapha Abdul-Hamid. “I believe that will bring down our prices,” he added, noting that a closer supply would not only reduce fuel costs but could also impact the pricing of various goods and services across Ghana’s economy.

According to Abdul-Hamid, this move could help mitigate the demand for dollars as African countries work towards establishing a common currency for inter-regional trade, further reducing economic pressure on local currencies.

Abdul-Hamid emphasized the potential impact of a shared currency among African nations, which he suggested could stabilize fuel prices and reduce reliance on the dollar. If implemented, a common currency would facilitate direct trade between African countries and create economic conditions favorable for more accessible pricing on goods and services, including petroleum.

This idea aligns with a larger vision of African financial integration, which could unlock new levels of economic efficiency across multiple sectors, from energy to agriculture and beyond.

Hurdles of Price and Commitment Issues in Nigeria’s Domestic Market

However, in Nigeria, the reception among local marketers has been more cautious, as major players, including the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), continue to favor imported fuel due to ongoing pricing and distribution cost with Dangote’s products.

Despite Dangote’s promise for the local and regional market, Nigerian oil marketers, including the NNPCL, have yet to commit to purchasing from the refinery. This hesitation stems from pricing concerns, with reports indicating that products from the Dangote Refinery are currently priced higher than imported alternatives when the cost of logistics is factored.

Industry insiders have noted that while the Dangote Refinery offers the logistical advantage of proximity, this benefit has been somewhat offset by the refinery’s pricing. Nigerian oil marketers have been vocal about their challenges, arguing that the refinery’s prices make it difficult to adopt Dangote’s products competitively.

Local marketers continue to opt for imports, which are, paradoxically, cheaper than the refinery’s offerings. Dangote had alleged that the cheaper fuel is adulterated.

However, the pricing disparity has raised questions about how the Dangote Refinery’s products are costed. Analysts speculate that factors such as the cost of crude oil procurement, refining technology, and operational expenses could contribute to the higher price point.

The pricing tension was expected to ease following the implementation of crude oil sales to the refinery in naira, which commenced in October. However, incessant fuel scarcity has revealed that local marketers have not seen Dangote as a reliable option.

This situation has prompted calls for a resolution that would make the refinery’s products more accessible. Experts warn that without price adjustments or government incentives to purchase domestically refined fuel, Dangote’s vision to replace imports and bolster local supply could face significant delays.

Dangote said on Tuesday that his refinery currently holds over 500 million liters of fuel, urging retailers to buy and rid the country of fuel scarcity.

“I’m expecting either NNPC or the marketers to stop importing fuel; they should come and collect what we have,” he said.

NASA’s contributions to science and exploration are playing a significant role in driving economic growth across the United States. According to a recent economic impact report, NASA activities generated $75.6 billion in economic output in fiscal year 2023—an impressive figure that triples the agency’s annual budget of $25.4 billion.

The 400-page study outlines the far-reaching effects of NASA’s initiatives, such as the Moon to Mars program, climate change research, and technology development, highlighting how these endeavors create substantial economic and job opportunities nationwide.

NASA’s Moon to Mars program stands out as a major economic driver, generating $23.8 billion in economic output and creating 96,479 jobs. This ambitious initiative, aimed at returning humans to the Moon and eventually reaching Mars, has fostered substantial investment in advanced technologies, manufacturing, and aerospace engineering. These efforts not only propel NASA’s exploration goals but also fuel innovation and job growth in critical industries that extend beyond aerospace alone.

NASA’s investments in climate research and technology contributed an additional $7.9 billion and created 32,900 jobs in 2023. As the U.S. grapples with climate change, NASA’s work in climate monitoring, data analysis, and predictive modeling is essential. The agency’s advanced climate research initiatives foster the development of technologies that help scientists understand environmental changes and enable governments to make data-informed decisions on climate policy.

This scientific work translates into economic value through technological innovations, new job creation, and private-sector collaborations, further underscoring NASA’s importance beyond space exploration.

NASA’s Reach Across America

NASA’s economic impact is felt across the country, with the study breaking down benefits by state. In 2023, 45 states reported over $10 million in NASA-related economic impact, and eight states saw contributions exceed $1 billion. These benefits span a wide range of sectors, from manufacturing and engineering to data analysis and project management, demonstrating NASA’s pivotal role in regional economies. This wide reach of economic influence shows how NASA’s presence across various states contributes not only to local job markets but also to the development of specialized skill sets and innovation hubs.

The report reveals that NASA’s projects supported over 304,800 jobs nationwide, contributing an estimated $9.5 billion in federal, state, and local taxes in 2023 alone. This level of job creation and tax revenue generation showcases NASA’s economic footprint and highlights how government investment in space exploration and scientific research can translate into economic security and growth for the American workforce.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson noted the significance of NASA’s work when he said, “To invest in NASA is to invest in American workers, American innovation, the American economy, and American economic competitiveness.”

He emphasized that NASA’s mission goes beyond expanding our understanding of the universe; it strengthens the American economy, inspires future generations, and improves everyday quality of life.

NASA’s commitment to innovation is evident in its 2023 record of technological achievements. The agency filed 40 new patent applications and received 69 issued patents, alongside thousands of software usage agreements. Many of NASA’s technology spinoffs have found their way into household items and daily life, from memory foam mattresses to wireless headsets. These innovations stem from NASA’s dedication to tackling complex challenges, with solutions often adapted for public use, boosting industries such as consumer technology, healthcare, and environmental monitoring.

NASA’s activities in 2023 showcase the agency’s ability to generate tangible economic benefits and support American leadership on the global stage. By investing in NASA, the U.S. strengthens not only its role in scientific and space exploration but also its economic foundation, with far-reaching positive implications for workforce development, technological advancement, and industrial growth.

Good People, join me to congratulate our Tekedia Institute Faculty, Folasade Femi-Lawal (FCA,FCIT,MBA), for her ascension as the Country Manager, Area Business Head, West Africa for Mastercard, and Chairman of Mastercard Ghana. Mastercard is a global leader in digital payments and technology, powering citizens, companies and nations for “priceless” moments.

Our Faculty while in First Bank Nigeria developed a well-received course which continues to help young people as they design, develop and execute digital playbooks. We congratulate her, and wish her good luck as she wins more territories for Mastercard as “there are some things money can’t buy; for everything else, there’s Mastercard”.

Tekedia Institute >> only the best teach here.