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The Future of Dating: How Artificial Intelligence is Shaping Modern Dating

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Looking for romance today can feel like shouting into the void and hoping someone cute shouts back. We’ve all been there, swiping until our thumbs go numb. Now, a new, nerdy wingman has entered the chat: Artificial Intelligence. Forget robots falling in love; the real story is the code in your phone playing matchmaker, armed with data and a cheeky disregard for bad pickup lines. Let’s pull back the curtain on how this ghost in the machine is quietly rearranging the whole courtship game.

The New Matchmaker: AI-Powered Pairing

Ticking boxes for age and location is ancient history in this game. The AI cupid works in sneakier, smarter ways. It’s a digital people-watcher, analyzing every swipe, message, and profile you linger on a little too long. It learns your “type” even when you don’t know it yourself, noticing you have a thing for rock climbers or people who use too many emojis. This behavioral deep dive allows it to serve up suggestions that are scarily on-point. This analytical approach goes beyond just finding a life partner; platforms focused on casual meetups, like the TenderBang hookup site, also use this tech to get people together faster. The system simply learns from what works and doubles down, making the whole process far more accurate.

Beyond the Match: The AI Makeover

A match is one thing, but starting a chat that doesn’t immediately crash and burn is another. AI is stepping in as a profile polisher and conversation coach. Some apps use it to suggest which of your photos will get the most attention or help you rephrase a bio to sound less like a tax form. When it’s time to talk, the AI can pop up with conversation starters based on things you both like, so you can skip the agonizing “hey” and get straight to arguing about pineapple on pizza. More than that, tech has been crucial for creating a more tailored online dating environment, giving different communities their own spaces to find a spark without the background noise.

Building a Safer Space: AI for Security and Authenticity

The AI has a real talent for sniffing out scammers by seeing the kind of shady patterns a human moderator would probably miss after their third cup of coffee. Its cleverest trick is photo verification, which forces someone to match their picture with a live selfie—effectively killing a “catfish” before it can swim. But it gets deeper than just spotting obvious fakes. The new wave of artificial intelligence in dating is now starting to get a read on how truthful someone is, flagging inconsistencies that suggest their story might have a few holes.

The Future is Getting Weirder

And if you think things are strange now, just wait. The future of AI in the romance department is set to get even stranger and more personal. Imagine AI planning a first date in a virtual reality café, letting you get a feel for someone’s vibe without having to put on real pants. There’s even talk of systems that could predict a relationship’s potential for success by analyzing communication styles. It sounds a bit like science fiction, but the aim is always the same: to cut through the noise faster and point you toward something that actually has a shot.

So, the bottom line is this: AI is making the messy business of finding someone a lot smoother and safer. But it’s just the opening act. It can get you both to the door, but it can’t make you laugh at their jokes or create that electric first-touch moment. For better or worse, that magic part is still your job.

[Podcast] Tesla’s Fully Autonomous Vehicle Delivery from Factory to Customer And Future of Mobility

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Tesla’s achievement of its first fully autonomous vehicle delivery from factory to customer marks a pivotal moment, signaling the imminent future of mobility. This breakthrough, though followed by initial safety scrutiny, underscores the rapid pace of innovation in the autonomous vehicle sector. It highlights that the vision of driverless cars, once futuristic, is now a tangible reality accelerating towards widespread adoption. For businesses and individuals globally, this shift necessitates a keen understanding of evolving transportation paradigms, emphasizing how technology is not just changing how we travel, but also disrupting traditional value chains and creating entirely new service models.

For regions like Nigeria and Africa, Tesla’s development presents a compelling “leapfrogging” opportunity. Instead of replicating existing complex infrastructure, these regions can directly adopt and adapt advanced autonomous solutions for logistics and public transport. This demands proactive engagement in developing local talent in AI and robotics, fostering context-specific innovations, and creating agile regulatory frameworks that encourage safe technological integration rather than stifling progress. The advent of autonomous delivery and robotaxi services means the future of mobility is here, offering Africa a chance to be a key participant in shaping, not just consuming, this transformative era.

In this podcast, I explain this evolving autonomous reality and what lies ahead for Africa. A summary of the podcast is available here.

From Monday, the videos will move to Blucera.com exclusively.

About Tekedia Daily

To read our short introduction of Tekedia Daily – podcasting revelations on business, click here.

How To Listen to Tekedia Daily

At Blucera, home of Blucera WinGPT (AI personal educator and coach), eVault Legal Custodial services (store vital personal, family and business documents securely), business tools to grow enterprises, and global archives of Tekedia courses and libraries, Ndubuisi Ekekwe podcasts every week day. Some Tekedia Institute programs offer bonus access to Tekedia Daily or one can register at Blucera for the podcast.

The Implications of Tom Lee Joining BitMine Immersion Technologies

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Tom Lee, a prominent Wall Street strategist and co-founder of Fundstrat, has been appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors at BitMine Immersion Technologies (NYSE: BMNR), effective June 30, 2025. This move coincides with BitMine’s announcement of a $250 million private placement to acquire Ethereum (ETH) as its primary treasury reserve asset, aiming to position the company as the “MicroStrategy of Ethereum.” The strategy mirrors MicroStrategy’s approach with Bitcoin, where it amassed significant BTC holdings to boost its market value.

BitMine plans to increase its ETH holdings by over 16x through this initiative, using proceeds to buy and stake ETH, leveraging Ethereum’s capabilities like smart contracts, stablecoin payments, and decentralized finance (DeFi). The company will track ETH held per share as a key performance metric, similar to MicroStrategy’s BTC Yield. The private placement, involving the sale of 55,555,556 shares at $4.50 each, was led by MOZAYYX and included major investors like Founders Fund, Pantera Capital, FalconX, Kraken, and Galaxy Digital.

The deal, expected to close around July 3, 2025, has driven BMNR’s stock price to surge, with reports of increases ranging from 220% to 694.8%, inflating its market cap from $26 million to over $150 million. Lee emphasized Ethereum’s role in stablecoin transactions, noting their rapid adoption as a key driver for ETH’s potential growth, especially with regulatory advancements like the U.S. Senate’s “Genius Act” supporting stablecoin mainstream adoption.

BitMine continues its Bitcoin mining operations but is pivoting to capitalize on Ethereum’s ecosystem, joining other firms like SharpLink Gaming in adopting ETH as a treasury asset. By adopting ETH as its primary treasury reserve asset, BitMine is diversifying from its Bitcoin mining roots. This positions the company to capitalize on Ethereum’s unique features, such as smart contracts, DeFi, and stablecoin infrastructure, potentially enhancing its growth prospects.

The $250 million private placement and high-profile investors (e.g., Founders Fund, Pantera Capital) signal strong market confidence, as evidenced by the 220%–694.8% stock price surge. This could elevate BitMine’s profile, attracting more institutional interest. Holding and staking ETH exposes BitMine to Ethereum’s price volatility, which could drive significant returns if ETH appreciates, as Tom Lee predicts (noting stablecoin adoption as a catalyst).

However, it also risks losses if ETH underperforms. While prioritizing ETH, BitMine’s ongoing Bitcoin mining operations provide a diversified revenue stream, balancing its crypto exposure. The stock’s dramatic rally suggests speculative enthusiasm, offering potential gains for early investors but also risks of volatility, especially if ETH prices fluctuate or the strategy underdelivers.

The involvement of major crypto-focused funds like Pantera and Galaxy Digital may reassure investors, signaling rigorous due diligence and long-term confidence in BitMine’s vision. Tracking ETH held per share (akin to MicroStrategy’s BTC Yield) provides investors with a clear metric to evaluate BitMine’s performance relative to Ethereum’s market dynamics.

BitMine’s move could drive further institutional adoption of ETH, reinforcing its position as a leading blockchain for DeFi and stablecoin transactions. This aligns with Tom Lee’s view of stablecoins as a growth driver for Ethereum. BitMine’s strategy may inspire other public companies to adopt ETH or other cryptocurrencies as treasury assets, following MicroStrategy’s playbook. This could increase corporate demand for ETH, potentially impacting its price.

By emphasizing Ethereum’s role in stablecoin transactions, BitMine’s pivot could amplify focus on Ethereum-based stablecoins, especially with regulatory tailwinds like the U.S. Senate’s “Genius Act.” BitMine’s focus on Ethereum’s stablecoin infrastructure could accelerate the mainstream adoption of stablecoins for payments, bridging traditional finance and crypto ecosystems.

The strategy hinges on favorable regulatory developments, such as the “Genius Act.” Success could encourage further pro-crypto legislation, while regulatory setbacks could pose risks. Tom Lee’s involvement, given his Wall Street credibility, may bolster confidence in crypto as a legitimate asset class, potentially attracting more traditional investors to the space.

Ethereum’s price swings could impact BitMine’s balance sheet and stock performance, especially if market sentiment sours. Successfully managing ETH staking and treasury operations requires technical and financial expertise, and missteps could erode investor trust. Other firms, like SharpLink Gaming, are also adopting ETH as a treasury asset, potentially diluting BitMine’s first-mover advantage.

BitMine’s pivot, backed by Tom Lee and major investors, positions it as a potential leader in corporate Ethereum adoption, with significant upside if Ethereum’s ecosystem grows as anticipated. However, the strategy carries risks tied to crypto volatility, execution, and regulatory developments. The move could catalyze broader institutional interest in Ethereum, reshape corporate treasury strategies, and strengthen crypto’s role in global finance, but its success depends on market conditions and BitMine’s ability to execute its vision.

Nigeria’s Top ISPs Lose Thousands of Customers as Economic Pressures Shift Demand to Cheaper Mobile Networks

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Some of Nigeria’s biggest Internet Service Providers (ISPs), including Starlink and Spectranet, are seeing a significant drop in customer numbers, as inflationary pressures and shifting market dynamics force Nigerians to cut back on internet spending and prioritize cheaper alternatives.

According to fresh data from the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC), total active subscribers across 127 ISPs dropped from 307,946 in Q3 2024 to 289,369 in Q1 2025—a net loss of over 18,500 customers. The decline represents a major blow for ISPs, many of which had hoped to ride the wave of digital transformation and remote work adoption triggered by the pandemic.

Starlink, Elon Musk’s satellite internet provider, which entered Nigeria last year and quickly surged to become the second-largest ISP by subscriber base, saw its first recorded drop. Its active user count fell from 65,564 in Q3 2024 to 59,509 by the end of Q1 2025—losing over 6,000 customers within six months.

Spectranet, Nigeria’s oldest surviving fixed wireless broadband provider and the largest ISP by subscribers, wasn’t spared either. Its subscriber base dropped by 2,189, from 105,441 to 103,252. FibreOne suffered the most substantial loss, shedding over 14,000 customers and seeing its base collapse from 33,010 to 19,000.

Why Nigerians Are Ditching ISPs

Analysts attribute the slump primarily to rising costs amid deepening economic hardship. With high inflation and a weakening naira, the cost of data, equipment, and power supply has become a burden for households and small businesses.

“The rising costs mean many families and small businesses have to focus strictly on essentials. Maintaining ISP subscriptions is not a priority,” said Jide Awe, an innovation policy advisor and founder of Jidaw.com.

He noted that Starlink, in particular, has been affected by its premium pricing structure. Its monthly subscription rose from N38,000 to N57,000, with the hike taking effect in April after the NCC approved a 50% tariff increase across telecom services in February.

Beyond the cost, many users are also migrating to mobile networks, which are more affordable and flexible. Unlike ISPs that mostly cater to businesses or home setups, Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) like MTN, Airtel, Globacom, and 9mobile provide more user-friendly data packages suited to individual needs.

“The recent entry of mobile networks into the Fiber to the Home (FTTH) space has put ISPs under more pressure,” said Tony Emoekpere, President of the Association of Telecommunications Companies of Nigeria (ATCON). “It’s not fair competition anymore. ISPs are now facing both regulatory and commercial threats.”

For Kelvin Ayodele, a small business owner in Lagos, the math didn’t add up anymore. “I stopped subscribing to Starlink two months ago when they increased prices. I switched to a mobile network provider—it’s cheaper and still delivers what I need,” he told Nairametrics.

ISPs Losing Ground to MNOs

The figures put the scale of the problem in perspective. While ISPs collectively served just under 290,000 customers by Q1 2025, Nigeria’s four MNOs—MTN, Airtel, Glo, and 9mobile—commanded 142 million active internet subscribers. Even after the February tariff hike, mobile internet subscriptions only dipped slightly to 141.9 million by April, a marginal 0.07% decline.

Currently, 234 companies are licensed as ISPs in Nigeria, but NCC data shows that only 127 had active customers in the first quarter of 2025. This growing discrepancy underscores a shrinking market share for fixed broadband operators and reveals the lopsided dominance of mobile broadband services.

What Next? Rethinking the ISP Business Model

To survive Nigeria’s volatile economic terrain, experts are urging ISPs to innovate beyond selling bandwidth.

“ISPs need to be more creative in data offerings, possibly through flexible, low-cost plans that fit current household and SME realities,” Jide Awe advised. He stressed the importance of bundling services, suggesting that ISPs could integrate digital tools or content tailored to education, healthcare, or real estate to create more value for customers.

He also encouraged strategic partnerships with tech-savvy startups, investments in off-grid energy sources like solar to cut operational costs, and improved customer support to build loyalty. “ISPs should also explore emerging technologies to enhance competitiveness and diversify their revenue streams,” he added.

While ISPs continue to grapple with pricing and infrastructure challenges, experts warn that their future in Nigeria’s internet economy will likely depend on how well they can pivot from traditional fixed services to more integrated, value-based offerings—especially as MNOs tighten their grip on the broadband market.

Nigeria’s Private Sector Growth Slows in June as Output Weakens, But Business Optimism Reaches Two-Year High

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Nigeria’s private sector witnessed a slight deceleration in growth in June 2025, with the Stanbic IBTC Bank Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) falling to 51.6 from 52.7 in May.

The latest figure marks the slowest expansion in seven months and continues a downward trend that began after the PMI peaked in March. Despite the loss of momentum, the business outlook has strengthened, with confidence among firms hitting its highest point since August 2022.

The June PMI reading, though above the neutral 50.0 threshold that separates expansion from contraction, highlights a cautious mood in Nigeria’s private sector as firms grapple with mixed signals in the economic environment. While demand remains solid and inflationary pressures have softened, challenges in manufacturing, logistics, and infrastructure continue to weigh on overall activity.

Manufacturing Weakness Pulls Down Output Growth

The most significant contributor to the slowdown in overall output came from a sharp drop in manufacturing activity, which contracted notably after showing signs of resilience earlier in the year. Although other sectors such as services and construction continued to grow, the pace of expansion in these areas also slowed in June.

Stanbic IBTC’s Head of Equity Research for West Africa, Muyiwa Oni, noted that “the pace of expansion has slowed for the third consecutive month after peaking in March,” reflecting increasing caution among Nigerian businesses. The June PMI score of 51.6 sits below the 2025 average of 53.1, confirming that the economy is still growing but at a reduced pace.

New Business and Orders Remain Positive but Easing

While output growth softened, new business continued to expand across sectors, albeit at a slower rate. This suggests demand remains present in the economy, though the intensity of that demand has moderated. Firms that reported higher activity pointed to customer acquisitions and successful marketing strategies, but also noted that lingering economic uncertainty has caused some clients to delay spending or scale down purchases.

Amid the cooling pace of activity, businesses are growing more optimistic about the months ahead. The report showed that the future output index—a measure of business expectations—jumped to 83.9 in June from 70.9 in May. This is the highest level of optimism recorded since August 2022.

Respondents linked their optimism to expectations of better access to financing, operational expansion, and improved consumer demand. Several firms said they were planning to ramp up investment and introduce new product lines or services in anticipation of better economic conditions.

Inflation Pressures Continue to Ease

Inflationary pressures, which had dominated economic headlines throughout 2024, showed further signs of easing. Although prices remain elevated by historical standards, June marked the second consecutive month of slower price increases.

Cost inflation for businesses, particularly in raw materials and logistics, has moderated due to more stable exchange rates and improvements in supply chains. While manufacturers still reported sharp rises in input and output prices compared to other sectors, the pace of increase was the slowest seen in over two years.

For consumers, this trend may offer some relief, especially after a year of skyrocketing prices that eroded purchasing power and triggered widespread public discontent. Firms across sectors said they were adjusting to the new cost landscape by streamlining operations and seeking cheaper suppliers to maintain margins without passing too much cost onto customers.

Employment Holds Steady, Purchasing Slows

Employment levels were largely stable in June, with companies maintaining their workforce after a slight reduction in May. Most businesses attributed the decision to stabilize hiring to a cautious outlook and a desire to manage costs while demand conditions remained uncertain.

Purchasing activity, however, mirrored the broader slowdown in output. Although businesses continued to acquire inputs and stockpile in anticipation of future growth, the pace of purchasing slowed significantly. Respondents cited concerns about subdued new orders and the need to manage inventory carefully in an environment where cash flow remains a concern.

Persistent Challenges: Backlogs, Logistics, and Supply Disruptions

Backlogs of work increased for the third month in a row in June, as companies struggled with uncompleted orders. Businesses reported that material shortages, erratic power supply, delayed customer payments, and inefficiencies in the transport network were major causes of delays in completing projects or delivering goods.

Some firms also flagged persistent logistical bottlenecks as a key impediment. Road infrastructure issues and supplier delivery delays were frequently mentioned, contributing to the slow pace of work clearance.

In contrast to earlier months where supplier delivery times had improved, June recorded no significant change in delivery efficiency. This marks a pause in the progress that had been seen since March 2023 in shortening lead times, with businesses noting that they were again grappling with unpredictability in input arrival schedules.

Outlook: Growth Still on Track but Fragile

While June’s PMI data indicates that Nigeria’s private sector is still in positive territory, the underlying fragility of that growth cannot be overlooked. A weakening manufacturing sector, persistent power issues, and uncertain demand could weigh heavily in the coming months if not addressed.

However, the marked jump in business confidence offers a promising counterbalance. If expectations of improved financing and macroeconomic stability materialize, businesses may accelerate hiring, investment, and output in the second half of 2025.

Analysts believe the economy’s ability to maintain positive momentum will hinge on how quickly structural issues—particularly around infrastructure, energy, and financing—can be resolved.