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South Korea unveils AI Humans

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South Korea Pulse9 has created digital humans for some of South Korea’s largest conglomerates, including Shinsegae, with research indicating the global market for such life-like creations could reach $527 billion by 2030.

In South Korea, AI humans have enrolled as students at universities, interned at major companies, and appear regularly on live television driving sellouts of products from food to luxury handbags.

Her face is a deep fake. Her body belongs to a team of similar-sized actors. But she sings, reads the news, and sells luxury clothes on TV as AI humans go mainstream in South Korea.

Meet Zaein, one of South Korea’s most active virtual humans, who was created by Pulse9, an artificial intelligence company that is working to bring corporate dreams of the perfect employee to life.

But Pulse9 says this is only the beginning. They are “working on developing the technology to broaden AI human use”, Park Ji-eun, the company’s CEO, told AFP.

“Virtual humans are basically capable of carrying out much of what real people do,” she said, adding that the current level of AI technology means humans are still needed – for now.

The demand for AI humans in South Korea was initially driven by the K-pop industry, with the idea of a virtual idol – not prone to scandals and able to work 24/7 – proving popular with the country’s notoriously hard-driving music agencies.

But now, Pulse9 is “expanding their roles in society to show that these virtual humans aren’t just fantasy idols but can coexist with humans as colleagues and friends”, Park said.

– K-pop face –

Zaein’s face was created by a deep learning analysis – an AI method that teaches computers to process complex data – of the faces of K-pop stars over the last two decades.

Doe-eyed with delicate features, fair skin and a willowy figure, she is brought to life by overlaying the deepfake on a human actor.

More than 10 human actors, each with different talents — from singing, dancing, acting, to reporting — help animate Zaein, which is what makes this particular AI creation so “special”, Park said.

On a Monday morning, AFP met with one of the actors as she was preparing to deliver a report as Zaein on a live morning news programme on South Korean broadcaster SBS.

“I think it can be a good practice for people who want to become celebrities and that’s what appealed to me,” said the actor, who could not be named due to company policy.

A representative for Pulse9 said the identities of all human actors are concealed and their real faces are not shown.

Despite the strict measures to keep their profiles hidden, the actor said playing as a virtual human opened new doors.

“Typically, a lot of people in their teens and young people become K-pop idols and I’m way past that age, but it’s nice to be able to take on that challenge,” the actor, who is in her 30s, told AFP.

“I’d love to try acting as a man if I can manage my voice well, and maybe a foreigner — something that I can’t become in real life.”

– ‘Real and fake’ –

Creating artificial humans will continue to require real people “until a really strong AI is created in the future which will be able to process everything by itself”, Park said.

The potential — and potential perils — of AI have exploded into the public consciousness in recent months since ChatGPT burst onto the scene at the end of last year.

Experts around the world, including AI pioneers, have spoken out about its dangers, and several countries are seeking regulation of the powerful but high-risk invention.

But Park is not concerned. Her company is working on new virtual idols, virtual influencers, and virtual sales agents to take over customer-facing tasks for South Korean conglomerates, which are increasingly struggling with recruitment in the low-birthrate country.

South Korea — and the world — needs better, clearer regulations on what AI can do, she said, adding that when done properly, the technology can add to “the richness of life”.

The trouble, however, is that a deepfake can “make it impossible to tell what is real and fake”, Kim Myuhng-joo, a professor of information security at Seoul Women’s University, told AFP.

“It’s an egregious tool when used to harm others or put people in trouble. That’s why it’s becoming a problem,” he added.

AFP

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Illicit Financial Flows Draining National Resources – Adedeji

He emphasized the need to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic resource mobilisation to safeguard national wealth.

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•Chairman of FIRS, Zacch Adedeji

On July 22, 2025, the Executive Chairman of FIRS, Zacch Adedeji, delivered the welcome address at the National Conference on Illicit Financial Flows in Abuja.

He emphasizied the need to strengthen Nigeria’s domestic resource mobilisation to safeguard national wealth.

He cited the recent tax reforms as a major step forward and highlighted the following as key points in his welcome address:

* Illicit Financial Flows through tax evasion, profit shifting and money laundering are draining national resources and threatening fiscal stability.

  • The recent signing of four tax reform bills marks a critical step toward transparency, system overhaul, and stronger institutions.
  • FIRS is responding with a multi-dimensional strategy: promoting voluntary compliance, embracing digital intelligence and enhancing enforcement under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
  • * A need for unified, data-driven, and globally coordinated action to close fiscal gaps and protect Nigeria’s economic future.
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Just in: CBN Retains July Interest Rate at 27.5% , Says 8 banks meet recapitalisation target

The Governor of CBN, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, disclosed this at the MPC briefing in Abuja this afternoon.

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The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has maintained the July Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) of 27.5 percent with all policy parameters.

The Governor of CBN, Mr. Olayemi Cardoso, disclosed this at the MPC briefing in Abuja this afternoon.

Mr Cardoso explained that the asymmetric corridor was retained at +500/-100 basis points around the MPR, leaving the Cash Reserve Ratio at 50 per cent for Deposit Money Banks and a general Liquidity Ratio of 30 percent. 

He said that the decision to maintain the current MPR was premised on the need to continue to ensure the ongoing inflation reduction while vigorously ensuring declining prices.

The CBN boss revealed that as of July 18, the nation’s foreign reserve stood at 40.1 billion, which could provide import cover of nine and a half months.

He also disclosed that eight banks had achieved the new recapitalisation requirements.

The governor said the monetary and fiscal authorities would continue to work together to reduce the nation’s inflation rate to a single digit.

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NCS Replacing 4% import charges with 1% CISS import levy

Adeniyi explained that the one percent CISS levy has been in place for several years and has been instrumental in facilitating trade and generating revenue for the government.

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The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has announced that it will be replacing the proposed 4 percent import levy with the existing 1 percent Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS) levy.

The Comptroller -General of Customs (CGC), Adewale Adeniyi, made the revelation at an engagement held in Lagos to sensitize stakeholders in the B’Odogwu platform.

The CGC who is also the Chairperson of the World Customs Organization (WCO) explained that, though the introduction of the 4 percent FOB had been enshrined in the constitution.

He noted that the decision to reintroduce the levy was made after careful consideration and consultation with relevant stakeholders.

Adeniyi explained that the one percent CISS levy has been in place for several years and has been instrumental in facilitating trade and generating revenue for the government.

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