Top Trending Technology News & Highlights
"AI cannot exist in a vacuum. Deep investments are being made in infrastructure development: Google executives announce the company's $15 billion commitment to an India data center powerhouse. "
Many tech companies' fortunes are directly tied to AI technology, and billions of dollars have been invested in building the AI infrastructure. However, a top Google executive has denied that artificial intelligence is in a bubble, despite growing voices in Silicon Valley and Wall Street suggesting that a bubble may be forming and could eventually burst."It cannot just be a bubble when you consider the magnitude of the money coming in from the entire ecosystem. The construction of AI infrastructure is a significant financial commitment. The process is self-fulfilling. At an event in Delhi on Tuesday, Karan Bajwa, President of Google Cloud, Asia Pacific, told IndianExpress.com, "We are developing capabilities, building infrastructure, bringing them to market, and customers are using them."Following the announcement of a $15 billion investment by the Mountain View, California-based corporation to construct data center capacity for a new AI hub in Andhra Pradesh, the CEO made these remarks. Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, Google Cloud CEO Thomas Kurian, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, and Ministers Ashwini Vaishnaw of Electronics & Information Technology, Railways, and Information & Broadcasting attended the high-profile event in Delhi.The Visakhapatnam data center will become Google's largest AI hub outside of the US after the investment is implemented over the course of the following five years.
Published 14 Oct 2025 09:14 PM
Keep music out of your ears rather than in them with SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2.
Given how many calls we have to answer, we all spend a lot of time between earphones. We also try to relax by taking walks and running while listening to music or podcasts. Since noise-cancelling devices literally create a vacuum in the canal, our ears are not really designed to handle in-ear audio.This explains why some people, at the very least, favor open-ear headphones and earbuds that allow for natural music listening without isolating you from the outside world. The alternative strategy is used by SHOKZ, a company that produces open-ear headphones that provide sound without causing any damage to the ear canals by using bone conduction technology. The SHOKZ OpenRun Pro 2 maintains your ear canals entirely open while producing high-quality audio through the use of bone conduction and air conduction technology. You can simultaneously hear music and your surroundings thanks to this "open-ear" design, which is especially helpful for safety when running and cycling.
Published 13 Oct 2025 05:31 PM
I gave the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold a try… I am now convinced that I don’t need multiple devices
After a month of work-related travel to four major US cities, I returned to India and realized that managing three phones, a laptop, a tablet, a handheld console, and over-ear headphones was no longer feasible for me. It could be overwhelming at times – flying from one city to another, undergoing numerous security checks, and constantly fearing that a device might be left behind. This journey prompted me to reconsider the limits of excess, particularly given that I was going to consecutive tech events in various locations. It seems that I have at last come to understand that juggling several devices is simply not for me. For tech journalists, it is now far more sensible to have a single device, such as the Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold. Though foldables are not yet mainstream (their high cost keeps them out of reach for most consumers), in my experience, the phone-tablet duo does provide a difference compared to carrying a separate phone and tablet; In addition, the user experience appears to have enhanced.While the Pixel 10 Pro Fold may appear similar to last year’s Pixel 9 Pro Fold that I reviewed, it boasts significant enhancements including a larger battery, a quicker Tensor G5 chip, upgraded cameras, improved displays, water resistance for folding phones, and enhanced integration with Google’s Gemini AI tools. It didn’t take me long to adapt to the folding Pixel 10 Pro Fold, which felt more polished and personal, but switching from my iPhone to the Google phone was still a challenge.
Published 09 Oct 2025 04:24 PM
OpenAI DevDay 2025: ChatGPT introduces apps, AgentKit for developers, and cost-effective GPT models
The third edition of the DevDay developer conference has been concluded by OpenAI. This year’s conference was a mixed bag, with some new and useful features alongside incremental upgrades, in contrast to last year when OpenAI did not conduct any major product launches. It appears that OpenAI may be working to develop ChatGPT into a fully realized AI-powered operating system. Additionally, the company launched two new, more affordable real-time voice models, a developer toolkit named AgentKit, and introduced apps within ChatGPT. Take a quick glance at all the announcements OpenAI made at DevDay 2025.OpenAI CEO Sam Altman unveiled AgentKit, a robust toolkit aimed at simplifying the creation and implementation of AI agents, in an exciting announcement at the recent Dev Day event. Altman explained, “AgentKit is a comprehensive set of resources on the open AI platform designed to assist developers in moving their agents from initial concept to full-scale production.” This effort forms part of OpenAI’s wider strategy to boost developer engagement by simplifying the process of building agents. With the introduction of AgentKit, OpenAI demonstrates its dedication to maintaining competitiveness in a fast-changing environment, where numerous AI platforms are working to offer integrated solutions for developing autonomous agents that can manage intricate tasks. A key highlight of the event was the introduction of a feature that allows users to build applications right within ChatGPT, which has recently reached an astonishing 800 million weekly active users.
Published 07 Oct 2025 09:09 PM
Technology
21st century is dedicated to the Technology and technology is dominating everywhere and every part of the world and almost all the industries are now a days is technology dependent or they need technology help to drive more scale and deliveries.
Amazon miniTV awards listening and digital customer support mandate to GOZOOP HAWK
"As part of the mandate, the team will be in charge of exploiting online interactions to drive stronger consumer insights and increase customer happiness. The listening and digital response management responsibilities for Amazon miniTV have been awarded to GOZOOP HAWK, a customer care and online reputation management agency under the GOZOOP Group. GOZOOP HAWK's primary duties under the mandate will be to manage digital customer support, keep an eye on online brand chatter, measure sentiments, magnify positive stories, provide prompt resolutions, and derive actionable business insights for the brand by comprehending and tracking meaningful web conversations to satisfy customers. A vast collection of well-liked web series, films, and reality shows in a variety of genres, including romance, comedy, slice-of-life, and thrillers, are available on Amazon miniTV. The content is dubbed into English. ORM is a crucial part of reputation management and brand promotion, according to Aruna Daryanani, Director and Business Head of Amazon miniTV. We may further bolster our brand visibility with the appropriate plan, brainstorming, and innovative thinking. Our collaboration with GOZOOP HAWK excites us, and we look forward to leveraging their knowledge to keep improving the consumer experience. Hawkk has consistently proven to be able to provide some of the most unusual listening and online customer support solutions, according to Premkumar Iyer, President of GOZOOP HAWK. The collaboration works because of this tendency to push boundaries and Amazon miniTV's disruptive strategy in the dynamic OTT market. We have previously completed some excellent work, such as turning the entire response management strategy around for Amazon miniTV's recent debut of K-dramas translating to Korean, leading to a change in outreach. We want to continue working with them on such unusual projects in the future. "
Social Beat bags Sukoon’s digital mandate
"Mumbai: Sukoon, the top chain of mental health hospitals in India, has awarded the digital marketing mandate to Social Beat, a digital marketing agency renowned for its creative approaches and exceptional outcomes. The mandate, which was acquired during a multi-agency pitch, will entail managing, planning, and strategizing the brand's digital initiatives overall. All digital marketing efforts will be handled by Social Beat, with an emphasis on high-quality lead generation and hospital admission in Sukoon. Using a variety of digital platforms, the agency will reimagine the brand's digital experience and strive toward digital performance goals. ""With our expertise, our primary focus will be on artfully communicating the brand's offerings and their benefits to a diverse and nuanced audience by leveraging our entire gamut of digital solutions,"" stated Vikas Chawla, co-founder of Social Beat. fulfill the objectives of increasing admission to Sukoon facilities and generating excellent leads. We are thrilled and eager to contribute to Sukoon's main aims and business objectives as well as establish the brand as one that consumers will remember easily. ""We are confident that Social Beat, with their expertise and capabilities in digital marketing and social media campaigns, will help us optimally spread our message and reach out to a wider audience across the country,"" stated Kanishk Gupta, co-founder and chief operating officer of Sukoon. We firmly think that our partnership with Social Beat would enable us to expand, establish new standards in the field of mental health treatment, and spread awareness of our brand's values throughout India."
Following Meta, Google Releases Open Models of AI
Following Meta Platforms and others, Google on Wednesday released new artificial intelligence (AI) models that third-party developers may be able to customize and brand as their own. According to the Alphabet subsidiary, anyone can create AI software for free using its new Gemma family of "open models" for individuals and companies. The business said that it is providing important technical information to the public, including what are known as model weights.The change might entice programmers to enhance Google's technology and promote the company's recently successful cloud division. According to the company, the models are "optimized" for Google Cloud, where new cloud users who use them will receive $300 in credits.Although Google did not completely make Gemma "open source," it is possible that the company will continue to have some control over ownership and use restrictions. While some experts have argued that open-source AI is vulnerable to misuse, others have supported the strategy as a means of expanding the pool of potential users and contributors. Unlike Gemma, Google did not make its larger, premium models, known as Gemini, available with the announcement. According to the article, the Gemma models have two billion or seven billion parameters, or the total number of possible values that an algorithm considers before producing an output. The size of the Llama 2 models from Meta ranges from seven to 70 billion parameters. Google has not disclosed the size of its largest Gemini models. For comparison, OpenAI's GPT-3 model announced in 2020 had 175 billion parameters.Chipmaker Nvidia said on Wednesday that it has collaborated with Google to guarantee that Gemma models function properly on its hardware. Additionally, Nvidia announced that Gemma will soon be compatible with chatbot software, which it is currently developing to run AI models on Windows PCs.
Honor MagicBook Pro 16 Teased Officially, to Launch at MWC 2024 With AI-Powered Features
Honor MagicBook Pro 16 is set to be launched with refreshed hardware later this year. The Honor MagicBook Pro with a 16.1-inch display was initially unveiled in 2020 with different CPU options. With the 2024 refresh, the laptop is expected to come with upgraded specifications including more powerful processors. The company has teased the launch of the refreshed version of the Honor MagicBook Pro model during Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2024 in Barcelona. The newer model is said to come with advanced AI-backed features. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Honor announced that a refreshed version of the Honor MagicBook Pro 16 with AI-powered features will be introduced at the MWC 2024 event that will be held from February 26 to February 29. The teaser reads, "Hey SAM & MAC, With Magic, one step connects all," taking digs at competing brands Samsung and Apple, claiming that the upcoming model is "smarter" than its market peers. It also teases the Magic-link feature that is claimed to connect smartphones, tablets and PCs to allow seamless display mirroring, file sharing, etc. The company did not reveal the design or any key elements of the Honor MagicBook Pro 16 but the hints at AI-backed advanced characteristics suggest that it may come with Intel Core Ultra CPUs. In December 2023, Intel announced the Core Ultra processors with inbuilt Neural Processing Units (NPUs) that are claimed to improve onboard AI functions. Ever since, many leading brands like Acer, Samsung, HP, Asus and more have refreshed several models with these newer CPUs. The 2020 model of Honor MagicBook Pro is available in several CPU variants - AMD Ryzen 5 4600H, AMD Ryzen 7 4800H, Intel Core i5-10210U, and Intel Core i7-10510U. It comes with 16GB of RAM and 512GB of SSD storage. The laptop features a 16.1-inch full-HD (1,920x1,080 pixels) IPS display and ships with Windows 10 Home.
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: Sparking a New AI Revolution
If you'd ask AI to come up with the best possible Android smartphone right now, chances are that it might suggest specifications similar to the Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra. While AI has been powering a set of great features in smartphones all this while, it has now taken the driver's seat to help you stay more productive, communicate easily, and do things that previously needed expert know-how. The new Galaxy S24 Ultra makes the most of Snapdragon 8 Gen 3's on-device AI capabilities, and that's not just for AI-powered features alone. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is a unique offering in the premium Android smartphone market right now. With a wallet-crashing starting price of Rs. 1,29,999, is it the best Android smartphone you can buy right now? How well do those generative AI features work? Let's find out! Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra prices in India start at Rs. 1,29,999 for the 12GB RAM, 256GB storage variant. That's about Rs. 5,000 higher than its predecessor, but Samsung is offering a bunch of exciting offers that can bring down the effective price. The 12GB RAM, 512GB storage variant is priced at Rs. 1,39,999, while the high-end 12GB RAM, 1TB storage variant is available for Rs. 1,59,999. Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra is available in Titanium Gray, Titanium Violet, and Titanium Black. The company offers Titanium Blue, Titanium Green, and Titanium Orange colour options as online exclusives.In the box, you get a SIM ejector cable and a USB Type-C cable for charging. There's no charger in the box, so you'll need to use the one you already have, or you will have to buy a new one if you want faster charging.
Ubisofts Free-to-Play RPG, Guarding the Globe, has launched on iOS and Android
A brand-new Invincible mobile game from Ubisoft is based on the well-liked comic book series by Robert Kirkman and the successful TV show that it was adapted into. On Monday, the studio released a free-to-play idle role-playing game called Invincible: Guarding the Globe. The game is currently accessible on the Amazon store and can be played on iOS and Android smartphones. The Invincible mobile game will let players take part in squad-based battles and repel invading alien forces. Characters like Invincible, Atom Eve, Omni-Man, and others will be featured in Invincible: Guarding the Globe, which is set in the same universe as the comic books and television series. Players can assemble a team of up to five superheroes to fight off waves of Flaxans, Reanimen, and Magmanites. According to Ubisoft, players will need to carefully select their squad, striking a balance between attackers, defenders, and support heroes. The mobile game has a limited storyline, but the gameplay has a narrative context: In order to protect the planet from new threats, players will assemble and deploy heroes as agents of the Global Defense Agency. The missions will be completed in chapters, with new goals, challenges, and rewards for each chapter. Heroes can equip themselves with up to four different types of gear items and one artifact to gain buffs through the game's gear system. The hero's stats can also be increased by upgrading their gear. In the background, players can engage in multiple battles at once and gradually accrue rewards through passive play. The game is free to play, but it also has in-app purchases and an in-game currency. Starter packs and bundles with prices ranging from Rs. 499 to Rs. 9,990 can be found on the Apple App Store. Invincible: Guarding the Globe takes up 225.5MB of storage on iOS; however, downloadable content might need more space.
After the failed Zee merger, what will happen to Sony? The CEO of the company discloses its India strategy.
"Overview ""India has significant long-term growth potential. This market has a lot of appeal. Consequently, in response to a question concerning the company's plans in India following the cancellation of the proposed merger, Totoki stated, ""We will attempt to seek various opportunities and see if we can find another opportunity that would replace this type of plan."" According to a senior business official, Sony will explore a number of possibilities now that the planned merger of its Indian branch with Zee has been canceled. These would include looking for an alternative plan and exploring organic development chances in India, which has enormous long-term potential. Hiroki Totoki, president, COO, and CFO of Sony, stated during an earnings call that the company will keep making investments in India since it is a very good market. ""India has significant long-term growth potential. This market has a lot of appeal. Consequently, in response to a question concerning the company's plans in India following the cancellation of the proposed merger, Totoki stated, ""We will attempt to seek various opportunities and see if we can find another opportunity that would replace this type of plan."" He commented, ""Well, that investment is not going to change a capital allocation or our behavior in our investment,"" in reference to the investment Sony had made as part of the agreement. Thus, we don't yet have any firm plans."" February 14 was the day of the earnings call. According to the terms of the merger that ZEEL and Sony agreed upon, Additionally, the Japanese behemoth was expected to contribute USD 1.5 billion to the combined company. He stated in the investor call that the company will keep pursuing organic development in line with its plan in India, where it conducts business through Culver Max Entertainment (formerly known as Sony Pictures Network India). The arrangement between Sony and ZEEL to combine its two Indian companies, Culver Max Entertainment and Bangla Entertainment Private Limited (BEPL), was terminated last month. Sony Group Corporation (SGC) claimed that ZEEL had not complied with the merger requirements and had filed for arbitration before SIAC, requesting a termination cost of USD 90 million (about Rs 748.5 crore). In a petition to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT), ZEEL requested that Sony Group be directed to...Over 700 million people watch the 26 channels that Sony Pictures Network India (SPNI), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony Group Corporation, Japan, owns and operates in Hindi and numerous other languages. In addition, it offers live sports, movies, short films, as well as its own original and archived material, on its single OTT platform, Sony LIV. There are about 33 million people who watch it."
Google Gemini App on Android, Gemini Toggle on iOS Rolling Out in India and Other Countries
Google has started rolling out its Gemini app on Android to users in India. While there's no dedicated app on iOS, iPhone owners will be able to see a toggle on the top of the Google app, allowing them to enable and utlise the features of the artificial intelligence (AI)-powered chatbot. The tech giant launched the Android app on February 8, but the rollout was limited to the US. Now, the app is being expanded to more than 150 countries and territories. According to Google's support page, the Gemini mobile app is now available in English, Korean, and Japanese languages and is being expanded to more than 150 countries and territories. The full list of countries is listed on Google's support page. The iPhone users don't have a dedicated app at the moment, but they can use Gemini's AI capabilities through the Google app, which now has a toggle button on the top-right that allows access to the chatbot. Gadgets 360 was able to confirm the availability of the Gemini toggle on the Google app on iOS 17.2.1. The Gemini app requires a smartphone with at least 4GB of RAM. It must also run Android 12 or newer versions of Google's operating system. Similarly, the Gemini toggle is available to iPhone users running iOS 16 and newer. As the AI service is only available in English, Japanese, and Korean, it will only be available on smartphones set to use these languages. Lastly, users should be signed in to a personal Google Account or a Workspace account where the administrator has enabled the feature. In case, you still cannot see the app or the toggle, it is worth noting that the global rollout started on Thursday and is expected to continue for a few more days. Jack Krawczyk, Senior Director of Product at Google, who is also handling Gemini, revealed in a post on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the Gemini app's restrictions on image uploading and image generation were being somewhat relaxed. However, he added, “We'll continue to work through responsibly aligning on refusals with both images and text.” More features and expansion to more regions are currently in progress, as per the Gemini head. Some users who added Gemini as the default assistant over Google Assistant in Android smartphones had complained that there was no clarity on which in-device features was the AI capable of performing. Krawczyk said in a post on Wednesday, “Working on making it more clear exactly which Assistant features are work in progress vs which are available now. (also working on narrowing that gap!)”
Samsung Brings Its New AI Features To These Devices
Samsung launched the Galaxy S24 series with the new Galaxy AI features and is now extending some of these AI features to the Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Galaxy Buds2 and Galaxy Buds FE.The Galaxy AI features will be rolled out to the Galaxy Buds TWS earbuds via the OTA (over-the-air) update.After the update rollout, Galaxy Buds users will be able to use several Galaxy AI features through the Galaxy S24 series like Live Translate, Interpreter and more.The Galaxy S24 series Live Translate feature allows users to experience real-time call translation on their device screens while engaged in conversations via Galaxy Buds.Furthermore, the AI-driven interpreter feature on the Galaxy S24 series facilitates seamless two-way, face-to-face interpretation through the Galaxy Buds interface. By speaking directly into the Buds’ microphone, users can have their words translated, making the translated voice accessible via the Galaxy S24 series. This enables a nearly natural conversation between two individuals, each equipped with a Galaxy S24 series smartphone and Galaxy Buds, eliminating the need to hand over the phone. Consumers purchasing Galaxy S24 Ultra and Galaxy S24+ will get benefits worth Rs 12,000, while those buying Galaxy S24 can avail benefits worth Rs 10,000. Consumers can also opt for No Cost EMI for upto 24 months on purchase of S24 Series. Consumers purchasing Galaxy Buds2 Pro, Galaxy Buds2 and Galaxy Buds FE can avail of limited period cash back or upgrade upto Rs 6,000.
TikTok beats YouTube in launching native Apple Vision Pro app
TikTok has joined the expanding library of apps on the visionOS App Store, releasing a new native experience for Apple’s Vision Pro headset. The announcement came Thursday via a post on the popular X social media platform. The platform now offers Vision Pro users an immersive way to view short-form videos on the new device, providing a spatial computing experience optimised for the headset’s capabilities. The addition of TikTok is a major coup for Apple, given the app’s immense popularity among Gen Z users. The app’s spatial computing experience could highlight the Vision Pro’s capabilities for consuming short-form video. Initially, there were concerns about limited native app experiences for the Vision Pro upon launch. Early January reports suggested only around 150 available apps. However, this number quickly grew to 600 by early February. Currently, app engagement remains relatively low. Many developers report download figures in the mere hundreds. However, as more well-known apps become available, engagement will likely improve. Native app support has been a struggle, with major players like YouTube, Spotify and Netflix initially declining Vision Pro app development. In fact, lack of proper app support was one of the most commonly cited reasons for returning the headset – aside from the weight and discomfort, of course. However, earlier this month, YouTube did confirm plans to launch a Vision Pro app. This indicates TikTok may soon face competition from YouTube’s Shorts feature.
Paytm’s UPI payments: Two contrasting trends
Digital payments major Paytm, which is run by One 97 Communications, has seen a stagnation in Unified Payments Interface payments originating from its payments bank over the last six months. Data shared by the National Payments Corporation of India shows that from August 2023, payments originating from Paytm’s own UPI address started falling. In August last year, Paytm reported 455 million UPI payments on its own handle that is @paytm. But since then it fell all the way to 410 million in December last year. From 323 million in May 2022, these transactions had grown nearly 41% to 455 million in August 2023. Paytm Payments Bank was put under an embargo by the RBI in March 2022. For understanding, UPI has two legs in a payment journey. One is on the issuance side, that is where a customer pays using the Paytm handle, which in many cases could be connected to the Paytm Payments Bank savings account. And the other is the acceptance side where the merchant or the beneficiary account is on Paytm. Analysis of industry data shows that since the middle of last year, Paytm has been fully focusing on the acquisition side. Data shows that Paytm’s acquisition numbers grew consistently to 2.8 billion transactions in December last year from 1.7 billion in December 2022. “After the bank went into an embargo, new customers were not joining the bank and on top of that the management was fully focused on acquiring more merchants for all forms of digital payments, thereby slowing down on issuance,” said a senior industry executive in the know.
Ex Twitter employee says Elon Musk fired him for a false reason, here is what he said
Randall Lin, a former engineer at Twitter (now known as X), has come forward with allegations of wrongful termination following his dismissal from the company. Here is what happened. Randall Lin, a former engineer at Twitter (now known as X), has come forward with allegations of wrongful termination following his dismissal from the company. Lin claims he was falsely accused of leaking information to the press, leading to his abrupt departure from Twitter in February 2023, shortly after Elon Musk assumed control of the platform. In an interview with Zoe Schiffer for her recently published book, "Extremely Hardcore," Lin detailed his experience, asserting that he was unjustly targeted for leaking confidential information. Schiffer, a managing editor of the tech newsletter Platformer, documented Lin's account of events, shedding light on the challenges faced by employees during Musk's tenure at Twitter. Lin joined Twitter as a machine-learning engineer in February 2020 and swiftly rose to the position of staff engineer. Dissatisfied with the company's culture under former CEO Jack Dorsey, Lin welcomed Musk's takeover in October 2022, hoping for a more dynamic environment. He welcomed Musk's expectations, demonstrating dedication by arriving early and staying late at Twitter's San Francisco headquarters. Lin's efforts to impress Musk with innovative ideas, including a proposal to develop Twitter's own GPUs, garnered recognition from the CEO. However, amidst a wave of dismissals targeting dissenting voices, leaks emerged from disgruntled employees at Twitter HQ, Business Insider reported. Lin found himself trapped in the fallout when he was accused of being the source behind two Platformer articles.
OpenAI CEO warns that societal misalignments could make AI dangerous
The CEO of ChatGPT-maker OpenAI said Tuesday that the dangers that keep him awake at night regarding artificial intelligence are the very subtle societal misalignments that could make the systems wreak havoc. Sam Altman, speaking at the World Governments Summit in Dubai via a video call, reiterated his call for a body like the International Atomic Energy Agency to be created to oversee AI that's likely advancing faster than the world expects. There's some things in there that are easy to imagine where things really go wrong. And I'm not that interested in the killer robots walking on the street direction of things going wrong," Altman said. "I'm much more interested in the very subtle societal misalignments where we just have these systems out in society and through no particular ill intention, things just go horribly wrong. However, Altman stressed that the AI industry, like OpenAI, shouldn't be in the driver's seat when it comes to making regulations governing the industry. ''We're still in the stage of a lot of discussion. So there's you know, everybody in the world is having a conference. Everyone's got an idea, a policy paper, and that's OK," Altman said. "I think we're still at a time where debate is needed and healthy, but at some point in the next few years, I think we have to move towards an action plan with real buy-in around the world. OpenAI, a San Francisco-based artificial intelligence startup, is one of the leaders in the field. Microsoft has invested some $1 billion in OpenAI. The Associated Press has signed a deal with OpenAI for it to access its news archive. Meanwhile, The New York Times has sued OpenAI and Microsoft over the use of its stories without permission to train OpenAI's chatbots. OpenAI's success has made Altman the public face for generative AI's rapid commercialisation and the fears over what may come from the new technology. The UAE, an autocratic federation of seven hereditarily ruled sheikhdoms, has signs of that risk. Speech remains tightly controlled. Those restrictions affect the flow of accurate information the same details AI programmes like ChatGPT rely on as machine-learning systems to provide their answers for users. The Emirates also has the Abu Dhabi firm G42, overseen by the country's powerful national security adviser. G42 has what experts suggest is the world's leading Arabic-language artificial intelligence model. The company has faced spying allegations for its ties to a mobile phone app identified as spyware. It has also faced claims it could have gathered genetic material secretly from Americans for the Chinese government.
Norton unveils dark web monitoring tool for protection from identity theft
Norton, a leading software security provider and part of the Nasdaq-listed Gen, on Tuesday launched its Dark Web Monitoring solutions Norton 360 Premium, aimed at protecting consumers from identity theft, a top official said. With the Dark Web Monitoring services, the software monitors and alerts consumers if their personal information has been shared on the Dark Web and allows them to take action on the issue. "This innovative addition to our security package enables customers to proactively protect their digital identities in a time when cyber dangers are always present," Gen India, Director Ritesh Chopra said. According to company officials, the Dark Web comprises of small part of the internet where anonymity comes with a price and nefarious activities are conducted including the exchange of illegal goods and information. "We keep an eye out for any hacks, compromised credentials, and illegal activity by continuously searching the shadowy corners of the internet. This way, we can make sure that your sensitive information is protected from the prying eyes of hackers," he said today. Addresses, Aadhaar numbers, and data of credit cards of individuals, if found on Dark Web can be utilized for fraud and identity theft. Citing an example, he said in 2023 Aadhaar numbers, passport information along with the names and phone numbers of 815 million Indians were found on the Dark Web. Besides, 2.9 crore details of job seekers have been leaked on the Dark Web. On the launch of the Dark Web Monitoring service, Chopra said it actively searches the Dark Web based on the email address and other personal data of a consumer and issues a notification. "With Dark Web Monitoring we are offering another tool to help protect and empower people to live their digital lives more safely," he said. Norton has launched Norton 360 Premium, 360 Deluxe, and Norton 360 for Gamers. The service is available across devices including smartphones, tablets, personal computers, and iMac, he added. Besides monitoring of the Dark Web, Chopra said Norton 360 offers real-time threat protection, password management, SafeCam, Parental Control, and Software Updater among others.
IGT Solutions Announces CEO Succession Plan
"With effect from April 1, 2024, IGT Solutions, a global provider of AI-led BPM and Digital Services & Solutions, announced today that Katie Stein will take over as CEO. Effective February 14, 2024, she will become a CEO Designate of IGT Solutions. Katie joins IGT Solutions with strong subject expertise and a disruptive business leadership style. Katie most recently held the position of global. ""I would like to thank Vipul for his more than two decades of leadership on behalf of the entire company and the Board of Directors,"" stated John Del Santo, the IGT board chair. ""Katie, who has a fantastic track record of client service, leadership, and shown achievement, is also welcomed. IGT Solutions' extensive strengths in AI-led BPM and Digital Services & Solutions may reach new heights of expansion thanks to Katie's vision and experience."" ""I am honoured to join IGT Solutions at this exciting time for our employees, clients and partners,"" stated Katie. ""IGT Solutions' deep domain expertise, innovative culture, and technological prowess in assisting clients in addressing their particular industry challenges are admirable.IGT Solutions has cultivated a stellar clientele of high-profile companies in the travel and tech sectors, at a time when having a close relationship with clients is more crucial than ever. This is a fantastic starting point for our next round of development. ""I had a goal when I joined IGT Solutions: we were going to be our clients' and workers' go-to partner. With more than 25,000 workers worldwide, IGT Solutions is currently the top service provider for our travel and high-tech clients', stated departing CEO Vipul Doshi. "I welcome Katie to the CEO role and wish her the best in her efforts to lead the company to greater milestones in the future."" Concerning IGT Solutions Global companies entrust their transforming experiences to IGT Solutions, a next-generation customer experience (CX) provider. It accomplishes this by fusing digital and human intelligence with cutting-edge technologies. For managing end-to-end customer experience journeys across sectors, IGT Solutions is the go-to partner. IGT was founded in 1998 and currently operates 31 global delivery centres across 13 countries, serving client processes with over 25,000 CX professionals and over 90 worldwide marquee customers. Digital transformation, systems integration, platform solutions, industrial and enterprise solutions driven by AI/ML and Gen AI, intelligent automation and analytics, and a comprehensive range of BPM services and solutions are among the services provided by IGT Solutions. "
Ixigo Refiles DRHP For IPO, Slashes Fresh Issue Size To INR 120 Cr
"SUMMARY The company's initial public offering (IPO) includes a fresh issue of INR 120 Cr and an equity portion of 6.66 Cr The fresh proceeds will be used to fund the startup's working capital needs, technology development and support inorganic growth through acquisitions..On Wednesday, February 14, the parent company of online travel aggregator (OTA) ixigo, Le Travenues Technology Ltd, re-filed its draft red herring prospectus (DRHP) with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI). The startup's initial public offering (IPO) will include an offer for sale (OFS) component of 6.66 Cr equity shares and a new issue of INR 120 Cr, according the DRHP. Among the investors who will sell shares via OFS are cofounders Aloke Bajpai and Rajnish Kumar, SAIF Partners India, Peak XV Partners, and Micromax Informatics. The IPO revenues of INR 45 Cr would be used by the firm to meet its working capital needs. The remaining INR 26 Cr will be used to expand investments in data science, artificial intelligence, and stacking the tech stack investments, among other things, in artificial intelligence and data science. Additionally, the money collected from the IPO will be put towards general business needs and acquisitions to support inorganic development. Ixigo is a travel technology platform that was founded in 2007 by Bajpai and Kumar. It generates income through the selling of different travel-related services, such as bus, rail, and airline tickets. By providing advertising services on its platform, it also makes money. Over the last 15 years, the firm has garnered around $88 million in capital from a variety of investors, including Peak XV Partners, Singapore's GIC, InfoEdge, Elevation Capital, and Fosun RZ. At the height of the funding boom in 2021, it last raised $53 million. Its rivals include Cleartrip, MakeMyTrip, EaseMyTrip, and Yatra. Ixigo's initial public offering (IPO) coincides with a series of cost-cutting initiatives the traveltech business has implemented over the last year to improve financial performance. Cofounder Bajpai discussed ixigo's frugal plan and mentioned that the company's zero-dollar marketing strategy had greatly benefited profitability in an interview with Inc42 last year. In the fiscal year 2022–2023 (FY23), the company surpassed the INR 500 Cr operational revenue revenue mark, up 32% year over year (YoY), thanks to post-pandemic growth and its thrifty attitude. In addition to this, the OTA recorded a net profit in FY23 of INR 23.4 Cr as opposed to a deficit in FY22 of INR 21.1 Cr. In the nine months that concluded in December 2023, Ixigo generated operational revenue of INR 491 Cr, according to the DRHP. During this time, its profit was INR 65.7 Cr, compared to INR 18.7 Cr the previous year. The company is making its second effort at going public. In 2021, it first submitted a DRHP for an INR 1,600 Cr IPO. Ixigo, however, decided against going public because of the unfavourable macroeconomic climate, which saw funding freezes and market volatility hit new-age tech firms. "
Cricket, elections to help TV AdEx grow 8% in 2024
Today in Mumbai, prominent figures from the marketing and advertising fields as well as leaders in the industry launched the Pitch Madison Advertising Report (PMAR). The study makes projections about media and advertising sector ad spending that will enable companies to completely transform their approach to marketing. The Pitch Madison Advertising Report predicts that linear TV will rise this year as big, established marketers still have faith in TV's ability to establish brands. "In 2024, we anticipate that TV will add an additional Rs 2,700 crore and grow by 8%, reaching a total of Rs 35,575 crore." TV will, however, lose 1% of the market share with this growth and end up at 32%, according to the research. The report further revealed that TV AdEx is under pressure as there is a growing perception that the very large lower middle class is under severe financial pressure and is being forced to buy and spend less. The report added that the reluctance of start-ups to finance expensive large-format shows, which are very profitable for broadcasters, is putting enormous pressure on TV ADEX. On the other hand, consumption of FMCG televisions is expected to increase year-on-year to drive volume growth. Positive factors that can drive the growth of TV AdEx are belief in the branding power of television, cricket tournaments IPL and ICC Men's T. 20 Cricket World Cup and general elections e.g.. The PMAR provides insights and forecasts for the future by analysing the amount and usage of advertising funds over the previous year. It seeks to comprehend the difficulties and possibilities that face marketers and the print, broadcast, radio, out-of-home, online, and film industries. PMAR's comprehensive data and insights allow advertisers, media planners/buyers, and brands to evaluate the previous year and make informed plans for the upcoming one. For information on current market trends and significant advancements across a range of media, media owners, marketers, and specialists in media buying and planning should consult this report.
Narendra Modi UAE Visit Highlights UPI payment to begin in UAE soon, announces PM
Highlights of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's UAE visit: At the 'Ahlan Modi' event in Abu Dhabi, Modi spoke to the Indian diaspora. Highlights of Narendra Modi's UAE visit: On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi began a two-day visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE). President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met Modi at the airport in a cordial manner. The two chiefs gave each other hugs. Later on, he received a guard of honour. The two leaders also had extensive discussions in which they went over the strategic partnership, talked about potential new areas of collaboration, and saw a number of agreements, including a bilateral investment pact, signed. The temple is located in Abu Mureikhah near Al Rahba on the Dubai-Abu Dhabi Sheikh Zayed Highway. It has reached about 27 hectares of land in Abu Dhabi and construction work is ongoing since 2019. The land for the temple was donated by the United Arab Emirates government. During Modiand#039's meeting with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the leaders witnessed the exchange of eight agreements, including a bilateral investment treaty, a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in electricity connectivity and trade, and an intergovernmental framework agreement between India and India . . . UAE in the India-Middle East Economic Corridor. Modi also congratulated the UAE President on the launch of JAYWAN, the country's domestic card based on RuPay's digital credit and debit card. Both the drivers saw the transaction that was made with JAYWAN's card. Modi will also attend the World Government Summit 2024 in Dubai as the guest of honor during his visit, where he will deliver the keynote address. Modiandi's visit to the UAE is his seventh since 2015 and the third in the last eight months, highlighting the strong ties between the Indian and UAE leadership. Here are some highlights of PM Modiand visit #039 to UAE. ."UPI payment to begin in UAE soon," said PM Narendra Modi during his live visit to the country. At the 'Ahlan Modi' event, the Prime Minister addressed the Indian diaspora and announced that UPI payments will soon start in the United Arab Emirates. "It will make seamless payments between India and UAE accounts possible," he states. UPI (Unified Payment Interface) services were launched in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates. The Indian Prime Minister is scheduled to dedicate the country's first Hindu stone temple during his two-day visit to the Gulf state. During a bilateral encounter, the president of the UAE and Modi exchanged multiple Memoranda of Understandings (MoUs). "First and first, Brother, let me sincerely thank you for your cordial welcome. It is quite uncommon for us to have met five times in the past seven months. I've also had the chance to visit this place seven times; the manner we've advanced in all areas remarkable..
