In a boost to the United Kingdom's quest to attract foreign investment, US tech giant Google has announced that it will invest $1 billion to build a data centre, just outside of London.

Google to invest $1 billion for building data centre in UK

Google Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sundar Pichai told the employees to expect more job cuts at the Alphabet-owned company this year, The Verge reported on Wednesday (Jan 17). The news comes after a recent round of layoffs that impacted 1,000 staff.&nbsp;

The report mentioned that Pichai released a memo, telling the employees that "some roles may be impacted". he also mentioned that the company's divisions were undergoing changes.&nbsp;

As per the memo, Pichai said that the job cuts this year were focused on removing layers to simplify execution and drive velocity in some areas.&nbsp;

Also&nbsp;read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/apple-watch-patent-row-as-us-upholds-ban-on-sale-tech-giant-might-disable-oxygen-display-in-some-devices-681142">Apple watch patent row: As US upholds ban on sale, tech giant might disable oxygen display in some devices</a>&nbsp;

The tech giant continues to drive towards extending its artificial intelligence capabilities and automation to lighten workloads. These layoffs are clear indications that more jobs might get impacted this year.&nbsp;

Pichai informed all employees that "these role eliminations are not at the scale of last year's reductions, and will not touch every team".&nbsp;

"We have ambitious goals, and will be investing in our big priorities this year," Pichai added.&nbsp;

A Google representative confirmed to Reuters that an email was sent to all employees, but refused to disclose further contents of the memo.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/science/us-university-uses-ai-to-prove-our-fingerprints-are-not-unique-report-679377">US university uses AI to prove our fingerprints are not unique: Report</a>&nbsp;

Google announced last week that it would lay off a number of individuals from its Voice Assistant groups, hardware teams responsible for Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit, advertising sales team, and augmented reality team.&nbsp;

"Throughout second-half of 2023, a number of our teams made changes to become more efficient and work better, and to align their resources to their biggest product priorities," the Google statement read. &nbsp;

"Some teams are continuing to make these kinds of organizational changes, which include some role eliminations globally," it added.&nbsp;

In January 2023, Alphabet announced plans to cut 12,000 jobs, or 6 per cent, of its global workforce. As of September 2023, the company had 182,381 employees globally.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Google, Meta, Amazon set to cut jobs this year

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<h2>People show anger&nbsp;</h2>

Ever since the news came out, Google employees have started reacting on social media forums. In one of the posts, an employee wrote, "Thank you, our corporate overlords, for our new annual tradition."&nbsp;

A post on X (formerly known as Twitter), mentioned, "As callous as Google's and other big tech layoffs have been by sending you an email saying you're unemployed, the viral Cloudflare layoff video is proof that it would be even worse optics for companies to do more. Best to realize we're all just numbers on a spreadsheet to them."&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Google Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sundar Pichai told the employees to expect more job cuts at the Alphabet-owned company this year, The Verge reported on Wednesday (Jan 17).

Google Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Sundar Pichai told the employees to expect more job cuts at the Alphabet-owned company this year, The Verge reported on Wednesday (Jan 17). The news comes after a recent round of layoffs that impacted 1,000 staff. The report mentioned that Pichai released a memo, telling the employees that "some roles may be impacted". he also mentioned that the company's divisions were undergoing changes. As per the memo, Pichai said that the job cuts this year were focused on removing layers to simplify execution and drive velocity in some areas. Also read: Apple watch patent row: As US upholds ban on sale, tech giant might disable oxygen display in some devices The tech giant continues to drive towards extending its artificial intelligence capabilities and automation to lighten workloads. These layoffs are clear indications that more jobs might get impacted this year. Pichai informed all employees that "these role eliminations are not at the scale of last year's reductions, and will not touch every team". "We have ambitious goals, and will be investing in our big priorities this year," Pichai added. A Google representative confirmed to Reuters that an email was sent to all employees, but refused to disclose further contents of the memo. Also read: US university uses AI to prove our fingerprints are not unique: Report Google announced last week that it would lay off a number of individuals from its Voice Assistant groups, hardware teams responsible for Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit, advertising sales team, and augmented reality team. "Throughout second-half of 2023, a number of our teams made changes to become more efficient and work better, and to align their resources to their biggest product priorities," the Google statement read. "Some teams are continuing to make these kinds of organizational changes, which include some role eliminations globally," it added. In January 2023, Alphabet announced plans to cut 12,000 jobs, or 6 per cent, of its global workforce. As of September 2023, the company had 182,381 employees globally. Watch: Google, Meta, Amazon set to cut jobs this year × People show anger Ever since the news came out, Google employees have started reacting on social media forums. In one of the posts, an employee wrote, "Thank you, our corporate overlords, for our new annual tradition." A post on X (formerly known as Twitter), mentioned, "As callous as Google's and other big tech layoffs have been by sending you an email saying you're unemployed, the viral Cloudflare layoff video is proof that it would be even worse optics for companies to do more. Best to realize we're all just numbers on a spreadsheet to them." (With inputs from agencies)

Google CEO Sundar Pichai tells employees to expect more job cuts in 2024: Report

Google announced on Tuesday that the company would be&nbsp;laying off hundreds of employees within its advertising sales team.<o:p></o:p>

This is based on a Reuters report.<o:p></o:p>

This comes on the heels of recent job cuts at Google, including in its Voice Assistant units, hardware teams for Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit, as well as the augmented reality team.<o:p></o:p>

Google is reshaping its structure, with a focus on the customer solutions unit, serving medium-level advertiser clients, as the core team for future growth.<o:p></o:p>

The decision to reduce the workforce aligns with the broader industry trend as companies seek to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) software and automation to enhance efficiency. <o:p></o:p>

Google, once considered a pioneer in AI research, recently unveiled its long-awaited AI model, Gemini, in a move to catch up with its competitors, particularly Microsoft, in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.<o:p></o:p>

While specific details about the number of employees affected remain undisclosed, the move is in line with Google's strategic shift in organisational focus. <o:p></o:p>

The restructuring aims to position the customer solutions unit as the primary driver for growth, signalling a targeted approach in serving medium-level advertisers.<o:p></o:p>

The job cuts at Google are not isolated, as similar measures have been observed across the tech industry. <o:p></o:p>

Amazon, a major player in the tech landscape, recently announced layoffs in its streaming and studio operations, along with workforce reductions at its video streaming platform, Twitch. <o:p></o:p>

(With inputs from Reuters)<o:p></o:p>

Google announced on Tuesday that the company would be laying off hundreds of employees within its advertising sales team. This is based on a Reuters report. This comes on the heels of recent job cuts at Google, including in its Voice Assistant units, hardware teams for Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit, as well as the augmented reality team.

Google announced on Tuesday that the company would be laying off hundreds of employees within its advertising sales team. This is based on a Reuters report. This comes on the heels of recent job cuts at Google, including in its Voice Assistant units, hardware teams for Pixel, Nest, and Fitbit, as well as the augmented reality team. Google is reshaping its structure, with a focus on the customer solutions unit, serving medium-level advertiser clients, as the core team for future growth. The decision to reduce the workforce aligns with the broader industry trend as companies seek to integrate Artificial Intelligence (AI) software and automation to enhance efficiency. Google, once considered a pioneer in AI research, recently unveiled its long-awaited AI model, Gemini, in a move to catch up with its competitors, particularly Microsoft, in the rapidly evolving AI landscape. While specific details about the number of employees affected remain undisclosed, the move is in line with Google's strategic shift in organisational focus. The restructuring aims to position the customer solutions unit as the primary driver for growth, signalling a targeted approach in serving medium-level advertisers. The job cuts at Google are not isolated, as similar measures have been observed across the tech industry. Amazon, a major player in the tech landscape, recently announced layoffs in its streaming and studio operations, along with workforce reductions at its video streaming platform, Twitch. (With inputs from Reuters)

Google implements significant job cuts in advertising sales team amid AI adoption

YouTube is cracking down on ad blockers. The Google-owned streaming service is warning users to disable ad blockers. YouTube says that ads on its platform support creators globally.

YouTube starts global crack down on ad blockers, slows down site to fight ad blockers

Google announced that websites made with business profiles will be shut down by this March. Starting this March 1st, 2024, all the websites that are created with a business profile will be shut down.

Google is shutting down websites made with business profile

Websites made with Google Business Profiles will be turned off in March. Watch the video to know more.

Google business profiles websites to shut down in March 2024

In January 2023, Google laid off 12,000 employees, which is 6% of its workforce. This was the largest layoff in the company's history. The layoffs were part of an effort to reduce costs and streamline operations. Most of the employees let go were working on voice-based Google Assistant and the augmented reality hardware team.

Google lays off hundreds of workers across division

2024 is going to be a bleak year for job-seekers. A number of tech companies like Amazon, Google & Meta are laying off scores of employees. Molly Gambhir brings you a report.

Gravitas: Tech companies are laying off employees: Here's Why

In 2021, a tragedy unfolded when a 43-year-old British woman, Chloe Macdermott, took her own life after making a suicide pact with two individuals she met on an online forum. Now, the coroner investigating the case has called on tech giants Google and Amazon to take action.

The coroner, Paul Rogers, ruled her death as suicide and issued a prevention of future deaths report to tech giants Google and Amazon.

<h2>Power to prevent tragedies</h2>

In the conclusion of the suicide report, coroner Rogers said that he believed Google and Amazon have the power to prevent tragedies like this.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ukraine-has-become-stronger-zelensky-vows-to-unleash-wrath-against-russia-in-2024-675416">'Ukraine has become stronger': Zelensky vows to unleash 'wrath' against Russia in 2024</a>

The report has also been sent to the home, health, and culture secretaries and the national lead for suicide prevention at the National Police Chiefs' Council, reports The Guardian.

He said that it was a matter of concern that the forum used by Macdermott, and other forums like it" encourage suicide, assist it by provision of information about suicide methods, counsel suicide by providing information about it and thereby potentially facilitate the commission of a criminal offence in the United Kingdom".

The forum "permits material to be exchanged and viewed within its open chatrooms whereby suicide is encouraged, assisted, counselled and procured through the provision and exchange of information and methods," he added.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-border-officials-process-a-record-of-around-300000-migrants-in-december-report-675392">US border officials to process a record 300,000 migrants in December: Report</a>

"No age or other restrictions are in place to prevent access to children, vulnerable teenagers and vulnerable adults. No prominent signposting is in place to organisations from whom help is available to prevent suicide. Posts are made by users containing details of methods of suicide without any effective administration to remove such harmful content," the coroner further

The organisations now have 56 days to respond with an outline of how they will attempt to prevent future deaths and a timetable for doing so. Furthermore, if no action is taken, they must explain the reasoning behind that.

<h2>What happened to Chloe Macdermott?</h2>

On May 23, 2021, Chloe Macdermott who had been struggling with mental health issues for a few years, made a suicide pact with two people she had met online.

While searching for ways to end her life, the 43-year-old stumbled upon an online forum where she planned suicide. Using the poison&nbsp;bought on Amazon, she killed herself.

(With inputs from agencies)

If you or someone you know wants help for mental well being, don't hesitate to talk to a professional. Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, 98204 66726, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata), Parivarthan (Bangalore) +91 76766 02602

WION is not associated with any of these organisations and does not make any recommendations

In 2021, a tragedy unfolded when a 43-year-old British woman, Chloe Macdermott, took her own life after making a suicide pact with two individuals she met on an online forum.

In 2021, a tragedy unfolded when a 43-year-old British woman, Chloe Macdermott, took her own life after making a suicide pact with two individuals she met on an online forum. Now, the coroner investigating the case has called on tech giants Google and Amazon to take action. The coroner, Paul Rogers, ruled her death as suicide and issued a prevention of future deaths report to tech giants Google and Amazon. Power to prevent tragedies In the conclusion of the suicide report, coroner Rogers said that he believed Google and Amazon have the power to prevent tragedies like this. Also read | 'Ukraine has become stronger': Zelensky vows to unleash 'wrath' against Russia in 2024 The report has also been sent to the home, health, and culture secretaries and the national lead for suicide prevention at the National Police Chiefs' Council, reports The Guardian. He said that it was a matter of concern that the forum used by Macdermott, and other forums like it" encourage suicide, assist it by provision of information about suicide methods, counsel suicide by providing information about it and thereby potentially facilitate the commission of a criminal offence in the United Kingdom". The forum "permits material to be exchanged and viewed within its open chatrooms whereby suicide is encouraged, assisted, counselled and procured through the provision and exchange of information and methods," he added. Also read | US border officials to process a record 300,000 migrants in December: Report "No age or other restrictions are in place to prevent access to children, vulnerable teenagers and vulnerable adults. No prominent signposting is in place to organisations from whom help is available to prevent suicide. Posts are made by users containing details of methods of suicide without any effective administration to remove such harmful content," the coroner further The organisations now have 56 days to respond with an outline of how they will attempt to prevent future deaths and a timetable for doing so. Furthermore, if no action is taken, they must explain the reasoning behind that. What happened to Chloe Macdermott? On May 23, 2021, Chloe Macdermott who had been struggling with mental health issues for a few years, made a suicide pact with two people she had met online. While searching for ways to end her life, the 43-year-old stumbled upon an online forum where she planned suicide. Using the poison bought on Amazon, she killed herself. (With inputs from agencies) If you or someone you know wants help for mental well being, don't hesitate to talk to a professional. Aasra (Mumbai) 022-27546669, 98204 66726, Sneha (Chennai) 044-24640050, Sumaitri (Delhi) 011-23389090, Cooj (Goa) 0832- 2252525, Jeevan (Jamshedpur) 065-76453841, Pratheeksha (Kochi) 048-42448830, Maithri (Kochi) 0484-2540530, Roshni (Hyderabad) 040-66202000, Lifeline 033-64643267 (Kolkata), Parivarthan (Bangalore) +91 76766 02602 WION is not associated with any of these organisations and does not make any recommendations

Chloe Macdermott suicide pact: 'Google, Amazon can prevent such tragedies', says Coroner investigating case

The New York Times has filed a lawsuit against Openai and Microsoft, alleging unauthorised use of millions of its articles to train powerful AI models. The newspaper claims these tech companies are capitalising on their journalistic investments without permission.

The New York times takes legal action against OpenAI & Microsoft

A seismic shift is underway in the tech industry as two giants, Google and Paytm, grapple with the transformative power of Artificial Intelligence. Both companies are in the midst of significant layoffs, with over a thousand employees impacted, shedding light on the evolving landscape where technology meets the workforce.

Google & Paytm navigate layoffs in the AI era | World Business Watch

Google is undergoing a major transformation in its ad sales unit, driven by recent advancements in artificial intelligence. The company's introduction of AI-based tools, particularly performance max, has rendered many jobs redundant as it can automatically suggest and create high-performing ads with minimal human intervention. This restructuring follows google's historic job cut of 12,000 employees earlier this year.

Google's shift to AI automation sparks ad sales reorganisation | World Business Watch

Google will restrict election-related queries from Bard and AI-based searches. The announcement from the Alphabet company comes ahead of the pivotal 2024 US Presidential election. It indicates a shift towards more responsible AI usage in political contexts.

Google to restrict election queries of Bard & AI-based search engine

Google parent Alphabet has agreed to pay $700 million as part of an antitrust settlement made public on Monday, with the funds going to US customers of its Android app store and state governments.

Google to pay USD 700 million to US consumers, states in antitrust settlement

Google agrees to a monumental $700 million antitrust settlement, reshaping the landscape of its play app store. The deal involves substantial changes to foster competition, with $630 million allocated to a consumer settlement fund. States, including california and new york, stand to benefit from a $70 million fund.

Google agrees to $700 mn settlement

2023 was a year of blockbuster films and shows, the search giant Google under its year 2023 in search - it has released a list of the top 10 most searched movies. Three Indian movies are also on the list. Watch the video to know more.

Most Googled movies: Three Indian movies including Pathaan, Jawan & Gadar make it to Google Trends

In a recent all-hands meeting, google and alphabet ceo sundar pichai faced tough questions as he addressed the company's massive 2022 layoffs. Defending the decision to cut 6% of alphabet's workforce, pichai acknowledged the impact on morale while emphasising the necessity of adapting to economic shifts for future growth.

CEO Sundar Pichai addresses layoffs at google's all-hands meeting | World Business Watch

Alphabet just got a reminder of how crucial it is for investors to believe the company has a successful ai strategy. This past week, the owner of Google saw a $87 billion rise in market worth in a single day following the demonstration of its Gemini big language model. The company says Gemini can compete with OpenAI's ChatGPT. Alphabet must demonstrate to investors how its technological expertise will increase sales if it hopes to maintain those gains.

Alphabet’s AI model ‘Gemini’ sparks $87 bn surge | World Business Watch

Google's parent company, Alphabet Inc. has witnessed a staggering surge in market value, gaining an impressive $87 billion in just one day. <o:p></o:p>

This surge followed a compelling demonstration of Alphabet's Gemini large language model, a breakthrough in artificial intelligence (AI) that has drawn comparisons to OpenAI's ChatGPT. The demonstration underscored the pivotal role of a robust AI strategy in boosting investor confidence and shaping the future of technology.<o:p></o:p>

While Alphabet revels in its newfound market gains, it faces the challenge of translating its AI prowess into tangible sales growth, as reported by Bloomberg. <o:p></o:p>

Gene Munster, Managing Partner at Deepwater Asset Management, emphasised the integral role of AI in Alphabet's business model, particularly in enhancing Google's functionality and safeguarding its core search business.<o:p></o:p>

Throughout the year, Alphabet encountered hurdles, with concerns of lagging behind Microsoft Corp in the AI race. Microsoft's active integration of OpenAI's ChatGPT into its products, notably contributing to Azure's growth, posed a formidable competition. <o:p></o:p>

In contrast, Google Cloud's results appeared less stellar. However, Alphabet aims to regain its competitive edge with the recent introduction of Gemini Pro for businesses, enabling the development of applications using the advanced AI model. This strategic move has instilled confidence among investors, recognising Alphabet's substantial long-term investments and extensive data resources in AI.<o:p></o:p>

Acknowledging that Microsoft may experience slightly faster revenue growth in the coming years, Alphabet's stock trades at lower earnings, indicating untapped growth potential. <o:p></o:p>

Chris Mack, a global equity portfolio manager, observed that Microsoft's current advantage lies in superior communication and product execution. Nevertheless, Alphabet's strategic emphasis on AI, particularly with the launch of Gemini, signals a determined effort to secure and strengthen its position in the fiercely competitive technology sector.<o:p></o:p>

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Google's parent company, Alphabet Inc. has witnessed a staggering surge in market value, gaining an impressive $87 billion in just one day. This surge followed a compelling demonstration of Alphabet's Gemini large language model, a breakthrough in artificial intelligence (AI) that has drawn comparisons to OpenAI's ChatGPT.

Google's parent company, Alphabet Inc. has witnessed a staggering surge in market value, gaining an impressive $87 billion in just one day. This surge followed a compelling demonstration of Alphabet's Gemini large language model, a breakthrough in artificial intelligence (AI) that has drawn comparisons to OpenAI's ChatGPT. The demonstration underscored the pivotal role of a robust AI strategy in boosting investor confidence and shaping the future of technology. While Alphabet revels in its newfound market gains, it faces the challenge of translating its AI prowess into tangible sales growth, as reported by Bloomberg. Gene Munster, Managing Partner at Deepwater Asset Management, emphasised the integral role of AI in Alphabet's business model, particularly in enhancing Google's functionality and safeguarding its core search business. Throughout the year, Alphabet encountered hurdles, with concerns of lagging behind Microsoft Corp in the AI race. Microsoft's active integration of OpenAI's ChatGPT into its products, notably contributing to Azure's growth, posed a formidable competition. In contrast, Google Cloud's results appeared less stellar. However, Alphabet aims to regain its competitive edge with the recent introduction of Gemini Pro for businesses, enabling the development of applications using the advanced AI model. This strategic move has instilled confidence among investors, recognising Alphabet's substantial long-term investments and extensive data resources in AI. Acknowledging that Microsoft may experience slightly faster revenue growth in the coming years, Alphabet's stock trades at lower earnings, indicating untapped growth potential. Chris Mack, a global equity portfolio manager, observed that Microsoft's current advantage lies in superior communication and product execution. Nevertheless, Alphabet's strategic emphasis on AI, particularly with the launch of Gemini, signals a determined effort to secure and strengthen its position in the fiercely competitive technology sector. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Alphabet's Gemini AI sparks market surge, paving the way for Google's technological leap

The EU demanded on Thursday that Apple and Google provide more details on how they identified risks concerning their respective software hubs, the App Store and Google Play.

EU probes Apple's App Store, Google Play

Epic Games has won a major US court case against search engine giant Google, where it accused it of wielding illegal monopoly power through its Android app store.

Epic Games wins major court battle against Google

Alphabet recorded a 5.3 per cent surge in its shares on Thursday as Wall Street celebrated the debut of Google's Gemini AI, marking a significant leap in the tech giant's quest to regain dominance in the artificial intelligence sector, Reuters reported.

Gemini is poised to close the gap with Microsoft-backed OpenAI, according to analysts. Alphabet's renewed focus on AI innovation comes after it temporarily lost ground to OpenAI's ChatGPT last year, allowing Microsoft to seize the initiative in deploying AI-powered software to businesses.

The Gemini AI model has garnered attention for its potential to outpace OpenAI's latest offering. Alphabet emphasised Gemini's speed and its capability to process various media formats, including video, audio, and text.

&nbsp;J.P. Morgan analysts noted that the launch of Gemini addresses investor concerns about the high costs associated with running generative AI models, showcasing Google's commitment to innovation in the AI landscape. The company's market value surged by over $80 billion, signalling a positive market response to Gemini's capabilities.

In response to Gemini's release, Google's parent company intends to alleviate concerns raised by OpenAI users who have expressed dissatisfaction with recent updates affecting the quality of GPT model output. Macquarie analysts see the potential for Gemini to surpass the capabilities of GPT-4, providing Google with a competitive edge and attracting users and developers. &nbsp;

Additionally, some of Gemini's technology has been integrated into Alphabet's Bard chatbot, with plans to unveil the most advanced Gemini version through Bard early next year.

A six-minute video showcasing Gemini's capabilities highlighted its proficiency in recognising sleight-of-hand magic tricks and assisting users in creating art by suggesting ideas based on materials and colours. This demonstration highlights Gemini's versatility in handling diverse tasks, from entertainment to creative work. &nbsp;

Despite Alphabet's leadership in AI research, Microsoft has maintained a lead in the race for AI-driven cloud revenue. Google Cloud's growth slowed in the September quarter, prompting Alphabet to refocus its efforts on reclaiming market share. Microsoft's strategy of targeting established businesses contrasts with Google's approach of engaging startups, which have limited spending capacity in an uncertain economic environment. Both companies have experienced significant stock rallies this year, driven by the broader surge in big technology stocks fuelled by AI advancements.

Reuters cited Ken Mahoney, the CEO of Mahoney Asset Management in New Jersey, who acknowledged that some criticism might label Google as late to the AI party. However, he emphasised that Google's commitment to getting it right and seizing its opportunity in the AI space, positions Gemini as a crucial driver for the company's growth.

(With inputs from Reuters)

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Alphabet recorded a 5.3 per cent surge in its shares on Thursday as Wall Street celebrated the debut of Google's Gemini AI, marking a significant leap in the tech giant's quest to regain dominance in the artificial intelligence sector, Reuters reported.

Alphabet recorded a 5.3 per cent surge in its shares on Thursday as Wall Street celebrated the debut of Google's Gemini AI, marking a significant leap in the tech giant's quest to regain dominance in the artificial intelligence sector, Reuters reported. Gemini is poised to close the gap with Microsoft-backed OpenAI, according to analysts. Alphabet's renewed focus on AI innovation comes after it temporarily lost ground to OpenAI's ChatGPT last year, allowing Microsoft to seize the initiative in deploying AI-powered software to businesses. The Gemini AI model has garnered attention for its potential to outpace OpenAI's latest offering. Alphabet emphasised Gemini's speed and its capability to process various media formats, including video, audio, and text. J.P. Morgan analysts noted that the launch of Gemini addresses investor concerns about the high costs associated with running generative AI models, showcasing Google's commitment to innovation in the AI landscape. The company's market value surged by over $80 billion, signalling a positive market response to Gemini's capabilities. In response to Gemini's release, Google's parent company intends to alleviate concerns raised by OpenAI users who have expressed dissatisfaction with recent updates affecting the quality of GPT model output. Macquarie analysts see the potential for Gemini to surpass the capabilities of GPT-4, providing Google with a competitive edge and attracting users and developers. Additionally, some of Gemini's technology has been integrated into Alphabet's Bard chatbot, with plans to unveil the most advanced Gemini version through Bard early next year. A six-minute video showcasing Gemini's capabilities highlighted its proficiency in recognising sleight-of-hand magic tricks and assisting users in creating art by suggesting ideas based on materials and colours. This demonstration highlights Gemini's versatility in handling diverse tasks, from entertainment to creative work. Despite Alphabet's leadership in AI research, Microsoft has maintained a lead in the race for AI-driven cloud revenue. Google Cloud's growth slowed in the September quarter, prompting Alphabet to refocus its efforts on reclaiming market share. Microsoft's strategy of targeting established businesses contrasts with Google's approach of engaging startups, which have limited spending capacity in an uncertain economic environment. Both companies have experienced significant stock rallies this year, driven by the broader surge in big technology stocks fuelled by AI advancements. Reuters cited Ken Mahoney, the CEO of Mahoney Asset Management in New Jersey, who acknowledged that some criticism might label Google as late to the AI party. However, he emphasised that Google's commitment to getting it right and seizing its opportunity in the AI space, positions Gemini as a crucial driver for the company's growth. (With inputs from Reuters) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Gemini AI boosts Alphabet's stock as Google seeks to regain AI leadership from Microsoft

Google has deleted 17 SpyLoan apps from the Play Store with millions of downloads. According to a report by Slovak software company ESET on Tuesday (Dec 5), since the beginning of this year, the company observed an alarming growth of deceptive Android loan apps, which present themselves as legitimate personal loan services, promising quick and easy access to funds.

Google removes 17 'SpyLoan' apps. Delete these right away

Google has deleted 17 SpyLoan apps from the Play Store with millions of downloads. According to a report by Slovak software company ESET on Tuesday (Dec 5), since the beginning of this year, the company observed an alarming growth of deceptive Android loan apps, which present themselves as legitimate personal loan services, promising quick and easy access to funds. "Despite their attractive appearance, these services are in fact designed to defraud users by offering them high-interest-rate loans endorsed with deceitful descriptions, all while collecting their victims’ personal and financial information to blackmail them, and in the end gain their funds," the report said. ESET, therefore, recognised these apps using the detection name SpyLoan, which directly refers to their spyware functionality combined with loan claims. What are SpyLoan apps? SpyLoan apps falsely represent themselves as a legitimate financial service for personal loans, promising easy access to funds, a report by Dark Reading said. This is done only to trick users into signing up for high-interest payments. During the signing-up process, the threat actors also collect the personal and financial details of the victims to blackmail them. Victims of these apps have said that the annual cost of loans offered (on these apps) is much higher than stated, and the loan tenure is shorter. These loans are marketed through SMS messages and social media. Which apps have been deleted? Google has deleted 17 apps from the Play Store. These are AA Kredit, Amor Cash, GuayabaCash, EasyCredit, Cashwow, CrediBus, FlashLoan, PréstamosCrédito, Préstamos De Crédito-YumiCash, Go Crédito, Instantáneo Préstamo, Cartera grande, Rápido Crédito, Finupp Lending, 4S Cash, TrueNaira, and EasyCash. ESET said these apps targeted users living in Southeast Asia, Africa, and Latin America. "As an ADA (App Defense Alliance) member, ESET identified 18 SpyLoan apps and reported them to Google, who subsequently removed 17 of these apps from their platform. These apps had a total of more than 12 million downloads from Google Play before their removal. The final app listed changed its behaviour; ESET therefore no longer detects it as a SpyLoan app," the company said in its report.

Google removes 17 'SpyLoan' apps. Delete these right away!

Did you know that the constant alerts that you're getting on your phones might be leading to a bit of a privacy nightmare? The notifications you receive from Tech platforms are helping governments keep an eye on what you've been doing on your apps.

Big privacy concern for Google and Apple users

Governments can access records related to push notifications from mobile apps by requesting that data from Apple and Google, according to details in court records and a US senator. If you have push notifications turned on for sensitive apps, you may want to reconsider your settings.

US governments snooping on users via app alerts, check push notifications of users

The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), joined by Google Cloud India, Antler in India, Paytm, Protean and Startup India, on Monday officially launched the 'Build for Bharat' initiative. This nationwide program aims to tackle pressing challenges in digital commerce, fostering innovation and practical solutions across various sectors.

With over 200,000 people scheduled to participate in the program, representing a varied mix of startups, enterprises, and educational institutions, the 'Build for Bharat' project is expecting a huge turnout.

This project takes an ecosystem-driven, participatory approach and is implemented in more than 50 cities with the active participation of leaders, specialists, venture capitalists, and incubators.

The 'Build for Bharat' initiative encompasses three key categories. In Category 1, 'NextGen Ventures', the focus is on propelling venture creation on ONDC, offering a pathway for aspiring founders and early-stage teams to raise capital, launch, scale companies, and incubate new businesses. Category 2, 'Scalable Solutions', welcomes participation from organisations and individuals, with a specific focus on addressing friction points faced by Network Participants. In Category 3, 'Foundation Solutions', exclusively designed for college students over 18 years of age, the aim is to identify proof of concept for the friction points faced by NPs.

Winners across these categories are set to receive a range of prizes and collaborations. Category 1 winners in 'NextGen Ventures' stand to gain exclusive opportunities from Antler in India, mentorship from established personas in the industry, and equity-free grants of up to 5 crore rupees ($600,000). Category 2 and 3 winners will receive Cloud credits from Google Cloud India, fostering further innovation in their projects.

What top industry leaders said

Speaking at the launch, Bikram Singh Bedi, the Vice President and Managing Director of Google Cloud India, said that the digital ecosystem in India faces three major issues, namely about onboarding, cataloguing and language. &nbsp;

Bedi noted that small businesses and sellers need to be onboarded onto the ONDC platform, which in turn shall accelerate the business. Problems surrounding cataloguing, according to him need to be addressed by the generation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to enhance the ecosystem through a “seller app” for sellers to list themselves and foster discoverability.

On the issue of language, Bedi said users prefer to use platforms in their regional language and emphasised that platforms should enable users to set their language preferences to facilitate smooth usage.

Suresh Sethi, CEO of Protean eGov Technologies, spoke of the necessity of bringing centralised resources and building a network.

He also highlighted that Tech teams have a lot to build on like “teaching people how to talk to machines”. “A lot of barriers are removed when that happens," he added.&nbsp;

Commenting on leadership in the digital landscape, Dr. Pramod Varma, the Former Chief Architect at Aadhaar &amp; India Stack said, “Governance has to be done with optimism, (bearing in mind) regulators and innovators have different mindsets.”

About ONDC

Founded on December 31, 2021, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry oversees the ONDC as a Section 8 business. Its goal is to democratise and decentralise e-eommerce, giving customers more options and autonomy while guaranteeing accessibility and inclusion for sellers—especially small and local enterprises. "Build for Bharat" is a big step towards transforming digital commerce in India and fits in perfectly with ONDC's mission

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The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), joined by Google Cloud India, Antler in India, Paytm, Protean and Startup India, on Monday officially launched the 'Build for Bharat' initiative.

The Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC), joined by Google Cloud India, Antler in India, Paytm, Protean and Startup India, on Monday officially launched the 'Build for Bharat' initiative. This nationwide program aims to tackle pressing challenges in digital commerce, fostering innovation and practical solutions across various sectors. With over 200,000 people scheduled to participate in the program, representing a varied mix of startups, enterprises, and educational institutions, the 'Build for Bharat' project is expecting a huge turnout. This project takes an ecosystem-driven, participatory approach and is implemented in more than 50 cities with the active participation of leaders, specialists, venture capitalists, and incubators. The 'Build for Bharat' initiative encompasses three key categories. In Category 1, 'NextGen Ventures', the focus is on propelling venture creation on ONDC, offering a pathway for aspiring founders and early-stage teams to raise capital, launch, scale companies, and incubate new businesses. Category 2, 'Scalable Solutions', welcomes participation from organisations and individuals, with a specific focus on addressing friction points faced by Network Participants. In Category 3, 'Foundation Solutions', exclusively designed for college students over 18 years of age, the aim is to identify proof of concept for the friction points faced by NPs. Winners across these categories are set to receive a range of prizes and collaborations. Category 1 winners in 'NextGen Ventures' stand to gain exclusive opportunities from Antler in India, mentorship from established personas in the industry, and equity-free grants of up to 5 crore rupees ($600,000). Category 2 and 3 winners will receive Cloud credits from Google Cloud India, fostering further innovation in their projects. What top industry leaders said Speaking at the launch, Bikram Singh Bedi, the Vice President and Managing Director of Google Cloud India, said that the digital ecosystem in India faces three major issues, namely about onboarding, cataloguing and language. Bedi noted that small businesses and sellers need to be onboarded onto the ONDC platform, which in turn shall accelerate the business. Problems surrounding cataloguing, according to him need to be addressed by the generation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools to enhance the ecosystem through a “seller app” for sellers to list themselves and foster discoverability. On the issue of language, Bedi said users prefer to use platforms in their regional language and emphasised that platforms should enable users to set their language preferences to facilitate smooth usage. Suresh Sethi, CEO of Protean eGov Technologies, spoke of the necessity of bringing centralised resources and building a network. He also highlighted that Tech teams have a lot to build on like “teaching people how to talk to machines”. “A lot of barriers are removed when that happens," he added. Commenting on leadership in the digital landscape, Dr. Pramod Varma, the Former Chief Architect at Aadhaar & India Stack said, “Governance has to be done with optimism, (bearing in mind) regulators and innovators have different mindsets.” About ONDC Founded on December 31, 2021, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry oversees the ONDC as a Section 8 business. Its goal is to democratise and decentralise e-eommerce, giving customers more options and autonomy while guaranteeing accessibility and inclusion for sellers—especially small and local enterprises. "Build for Bharat" is a big step towards transforming digital commerce in India and fits in perfectly with ONDC's mission WATCH WION LIVE HERE

ONDC unveils 'Build for Bharat', seeks transformative e-commerce solutions

It is time to act if you want to keep your Google account that you haven't logged into for a long time because Google plans to delete inactive accounts. This report gives you more details.

Google deleting inactive accounts | Tech It Out

Google has reached a&nbsp;deal with Canada to keep news stories in search results and to pay news publishers $74 million (C$100 million) annually. Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge made the announcement on Wednesday (Nov 29) which brings an end to a bitter fight between the two parties that ensued at the start of the year.&nbsp;

The search engine giant had previously vowed to remove links to news in Canada in response to the Online News Act,&nbsp;introduced by Justin Trudeau's Liberal government and due to come into effect on December 19.&nbsp;

"Following weeks of productive discussions, I am happy to announce that we have found a path forward with Google for the implementation of the Online News Act," said St-Onge.&nbsp;

The minister added that funding would be used&nbsp;for a "wide range of news businesses across the country, including independent news businesses and those from Indigenous and official-language minority communities".

As for how the money would be distributed, the government said Google would pay a "single collective" which would distribute the funds to news agencies based on the number of full-time journalists engaged by those businesses.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-suing-google-for-anti-trust-violations-us-state-allies-not-seeking-monetary-penalty-wion-635324">Watch |&nbsp;US suing Google for anti-trust violations; US &amp; state allies not seeking monetary penalty</a>

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<h2>What did the law&nbsp;say?</h2>

Notably, the law, aimed at Google and Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram - required the tech behemoths to negotiate deals with news publishers for their content.&nbsp;

After the announcement of the legislation, Google termed it "link tax" and began testing blocking some Canadian users' access to news on the platform.&nbsp;

"This unprecedented decision to put a price on links breaks the way the web and search engines work," Google argued in a blog post.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/google-carrying-out-tests-thatll-block-news-content-for-some-users-in-canada-565029">Also read |&nbsp;Google carrying out tests that'll block news content for some users in Canada</a>

However, Trudeau hit back saying:&nbsp;"It really surprises me that Google has decided that they'd rather prevent Canadians from accessing news than actually pay journalists for the work they do. I think that's a terrible mistake and I know Canadians expect journalists to be paid for the work they do."

Google lamented that the Canadian legislation was more stringent and rigid than the ones in Australia and Europe. It raises concerns about the multi-billion-dollar company being exposed to potentially uncapped liability.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp;

Google has reached a deal with Canada to keep news stories in search results and to pay news publishers $74 million (C$100 million) annually. Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge made the announcement on Wednesday (Nov 29) which brings an end to a bitter fight between the two parties that ensued at the start of the year.

Google has reached a deal with Canada to keep news stories in search results and to pay news publishers $74 million (C$100 million) annually. Canadian Heritage Minister Pascale St-Onge made the announcement on Wednesday (Nov 29) which brings an end to a bitter fight between the two parties that ensued at the start of the year. The search engine giant had previously vowed to remove links to news in Canada in response to the Online News Act, introduced by Justin Trudeau's Liberal government and due to come into effect on December 19. "Following weeks of productive discussions, I am happy to announce that we have found a path forward with Google for the implementation of the Online News Act," said St-Onge. The minister added that funding would be used for a "wide range of news businesses across the country, including independent news businesses and those from Indigenous and official-language minority communities". As for how the money would be distributed, the government said Google would pay a "single collective" which would distribute the funds to news agencies based on the number of full-time journalists engaged by those businesses. Watch | US suing Google for anti-trust violations; US & state allies not seeking monetary penalty × What did the law say? Notably, the law, aimed at Google and Meta, the owner of Facebook and Instagram - required the tech behemoths to negotiate deals with news publishers for their content. After the announcement of the legislation, Google termed it "link tax" and began testing blocking some Canadian users' access to news on the platform. "This unprecedented decision to put a price on links breaks the way the web and search engines work," Google argued in a blog post. Also read | Google carrying out tests that'll block news content for some users in Canada However, Trudeau hit back saying: "It really surprises me that Google has decided that they'd rather prevent Canadians from accessing news than actually pay journalists for the work they do. I think that's a terrible mistake and I know Canadians expect journalists to be paid for the work they do." Google lamented that the Canadian legislation was more stringent and rigid than the ones in Australia and Europe. It raises concerns about the multi-billion-dollar company being exposed to potentially uncapped liability. (With inputs from agencies)

Google forced to cough up $74mn annually after reaching deal with Canada to keep news in search results

Microsoft finds itself in the crosshairs of European antitrust regulators. This move followed an investigation by the European Commission into the bundling of offices and teams, triggered by a 2020 complaint from Slack, a rival workspace messaging app. Antitrust regulators are now taking a closer look, utilizing a questionnaire to gather insights from Microsoft's competitors. The questionnaire seeks feedback on various aspects, including how competitors' services could operate alongside Microsoft's, pricing comparisons with and without teams and eligibility criteria.

Microsoft faces EU grilling over office & teams integration

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