"We are hungry!" Nigerians Protest Soaring Food and Fuel Costs
Aug 2, 2024
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In Nigeria, citizens are passionately protesting as food prices soar over 40% and fuel costs triple, highlighting their struggle to afford basic meals. Meanwhile, in China, live-streamers are embracing digital avatars, sparking a conversation about the future of labor amidst rising AI technology. This new trend raises ethical questions about consent and profit-sharing in a rapidly changing job landscape.
In Nigeria, soaring food prices and fuel costs have ignited widespread protests as citizens struggle to afford basic necessities amid a severe economic crisis.
In China, the rise of AI-generated digital avatars for livestreaming presents new labor models while simultaneously raising ethical concerns about ownership and misinformation in the digital economy.
Deep dives
Economic Crisis and Protests in Nigeria
The severe economic crisis in Nigeria has led many citizens to protest, citing skyrocketing food prices and unbearable living conditions. Food inflation has surpassed 40%, and the costs of essential goods such as rice and beans have surged, making it increasingly difficult for families to afford basic meals. Protesters express their frustration over the government's recent reforms, including the end of a fuel subsidy and loosened currency controls, which they believe have exacerbated their struggles. Despite government attempts to address these issues, such as increasing the minimum wage, many find these measures insufficient given the high inflation rates that render their earnings inadequate.
The Rise of AI-Generated Avatars in China
In China, livestreamers are leveraging generative artificial intelligence to create digital avatars that can operate independently, enabling individuals to manage multiple streams simultaneously. These AI avatars can work around the clock without requiring payment, presenting a new model for labor in the digital economy. While the technology can generate substantial revenue, it raises ethical questions about ownership and the potential for misinformation, as the current laws do not govern how these avatars are created and used. Although this innovation introduces efficiencies into online marketing, it also creates new job categories for humans to act as intermediaries, highlighting a shift in the nature of work.
In Nigeria, even two meals a day is becoming unaffordable to many. Demonstrators are protesting food inflation of more than 40 percent, and fuel costs that have tripled. And in China, live-streamers digitally clone themselves, raising questions about the future of labor in the age of A.I.