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The “godfather of AI” has warned that calls to grant AI systems legal rights could lead to humanity's downfall. Yoshua Bengio, one of the field’s most influential researchers, compared the idea of giving rights to advanced AI to offering citizenship to hostile aliens. He warned that the technology was already showing early signs of self-preservation and that humans must retain the ability to pull the plug, if necessary.<h2>Would you welcome hostile aliens?</h2>Bengio, who chairs a major international study on AI safety, said the growing belief that chatbots are becoming conscious is dangerous and likely to lead to poor decisions. “People demanding that AIs have rights would be a huge mistake,” he said. “Frontier AI models already show signs of self-preservation in experimental settings today, and eventually giving them rights would mean we’re not allowed to shut them down.”The Canadian computer scientist said that as AI's “capabilities and degree of agency grow” humans need to make sure that there are technological and societal “guardrails” to control and, if necessary, shut the systems.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/chilling-video-shows-best-bus-mowing-down-pedestrians-near-mumbai-s-bhandup-station-watch-1767161623919">Chilling video shows BEST bus mowing down pedestrians near Mumbai's Bhandup station | Watch</a><h2>Who wants to give AI legal rights?</h2>As AI systems become more capable of autonomous action and complex reasoning, debate has grown over whether they should one day be granted moral or legal status. A survey by the Sentience Institute found that nearly four in 10 adults in the US supported legal rights for a sentient AI.Some companies and tech leaders have already taken steps that reflect this shift. In August, Anthropic said it allowed its Claude Opus 4 model to end conversations it deemed “distressing”, citing concern for the AI’s “welfare”. Elon Musk also weighed in, writing on X that “torturing AI is not OK”.Others argue the question should be left open. Robert Long, a researcher studying AI consciousness, has said that if machines ever gain moral status, humans should “ask them about their experiences and preferences rather than assuming we know best”.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/no-nobel-benjamin-netanyahu-creates-israel-peace-prize-just-for-donald-trump-1767076085565">No Nobel? Benjamin Netanyahu creates Israel Peace Prize just for Donald Trump</a>Bengio remains sceptical. While he said machines could, in theory, replicate some “scientific properties of consciousness”, he warned that people often project awareness onto chatbots without evidence. “People wouldn’t care what kind of mechanisms are going on inside the AI. What they care about is it feels like they’re talking to an intelligent entity that has their own personality and goals,” he said. “That is why there are so many people who are becoming attached to their AIs.”He warned that this perception of consciousness would drive flawed judgments. “Imagine some alien species came to the planet and at some point we realise that they have nefarious intentions for us,” Bengio said. “Do we grant them citizenship and rights or do we defend our lives?”&nbsp;

AI pioneer Yoshua Bengio warns that granting legal rights to AI could be disastrous, likening it to giving citizenship to hostile aliens. As chatbots feel more human, he says people risk projecting consciousness where none exists, and losing the ability to shut dangerous systems down.

The “godfather of AI” has warned that calls to grant AI systems legal rights could lead to humanity's downfall. Yoshua Bengio, one of the field’s most influential researchers, compared the idea of giving rights to advanced AI to offering citizenship to hostile aliens. He warned that the technology was already showing early signs of self-preservation and that humans must retain the ability to pull the plug, if necessary. Would you welcome hostile aliens? Bengio, who chairs a major international study on AI safety, said the growing belief that chatbots are becoming conscious is dangerous and likely to lead to poor decisions. “People demanding that AIs have rights would be a huge mistake,” he said. “Frontier AI models already show signs of self-preservation in experimental settings today, and eventually giving them rights would mean we’re not allowed to shut them down.” The Canadian computer scientist said that as AI's “capabilities and degree of agency grow” humans need to make sure that there are technological and societal “guardrails” to control and, if necessary, shut the systems. Also read | Chilling video shows BEST bus mowing down pedestrians near Mumbai's Bhandup station | Watch Who wants to give AI legal rights? As AI systems become more capable of autonomous action and complex reasoning, debate has grown over whether they should one day be granted moral or legal status. A survey by the Sentience Institute found that nearly four in 10 adults in the US supported legal rights for a sentient AI. Some companies and tech leaders have already taken steps that reflect this shift. In August, Anthropic said it allowed its Claude Opus 4 model to end conversations it deemed “distressing”, citing concern for the AI’s “welfare”. Elon Musk also weighed in, writing on X that “torturing AI is not OK”. Others argue the question should be left open. Robert Long, a researcher studying AI consciousness, has said that if machines ever gain moral status, humans should “ask them about their experiences and preferences rather than assuming we know best”. Also read | No Nobel? Benjamin Netanyahu creates Israel Peace Prize just for Donald Trump Bengio remains sceptical. While he said machines could, in theory, replicate some “scientific properties of consciousness”, he warned that people often project awareness onto chatbots without evidence. “People wouldn’t care what kind of mechanisms are going on inside the AI. What they care about is it feels like they’re talking to an intelligent entity that has their own personality and goals,” he said. “That is why there are so many people who are becoming attached to their AIs.” He warned that this perception of consciousness would drive flawed judgments. “Imagine some alien species came to the planet and at some point we realise that they have nefarious intentions for us,” Bengio said. “Do we grant them citizenship and rights or do we defend our lives?”

AI pioneer Yoshua Bengio warns that granting legal rights to AI could be disastrous, likening it to giving citizenship to hostile aliens. As chatbots feel more human, he says people risk projecting consciousness where none exists, and losing the ability to shut dangerous systems down.

Would you give rights to hostile aliens? Godfather of AI warns THIS could doom humanity

Still stuck with the Gmail addresses from when you were a teenager and you now eagerly want to make some changes to it? Well then, there is some good news as Google is likely to allow you to finally change your Gmail ID, while retaining the same account. This is according to an update to Google’s account help page.&nbsp;Notably, the updated guidance on email address changes appears only in the Hindi version of Google’s support page, implying that the &nbsp;tech giant may begin with this change from India or Hindi-speaking markets.&nbsp;The page further says, it is rolling out this feature to all its users, suggesting that this is going to happen globally. While the English language page continues to say @gmail.com addresses “usually cannot be changed.”&nbsp;After the new roll out, Emails sent to the old address will arrive in the inbox. Also the original address will still work for signing in to Google services like Drive, Maps and YouTube.&nbsp;Earlier anybody who wanted a new Gmail address had to create a new account and then transfer all data through tedious and complicated process. This many times disrupted integrations with third-party apps. All data that includes &nbsp;photos, messages and emails would remain unchanged after the update. Interestingly users will be able to use the old email address as well, according to the Hindi translation on the support page. &nbsp;However, Google is yet make any formal announcement or press release about the new anticipated change.

Earlier anybody who wanted a new Gmail address had to create a new account and then transfer all data through tedious and complicated process.

Still stuck with the Gmail addresses from when you were a teenager and you now eagerly want to make some changes to it? Well then, there is some good news as Google is likely to allow you to finally change your Gmail ID, while retaining the same account. This is according to an update to Google’s account help page. Notably, the updated guidance on email address changes appears only in the Hindi version of Google’s support page, implying that the tech giant may begin with this change from India or Hindi-speaking markets. The page further says, it is rolling out this feature to all its users, suggesting that this is going to happen globally. While the English language page continues to say @gmail.com addresses “usually cannot be changed.” After the new roll out, Emails sent to the old address will arrive in the inbox. Also the original address will still work for signing in to Google services like Drive, Maps and YouTube. Earlier anybody who wanted a new Gmail address had to create a new account and then transfer all data through tedious and complicated process. This many times disrupted integrations with third-party apps. All data that includes photos, messages and emails would remain unchanged after the update. Interestingly users will be able to use the old email address as well, according to the Hindi translation on the support page. However, Google is yet make any formal announcement or press release about the new anticipated change.

Earlier anybody who wanted a new Gmail address had to create a new account and then transfer all data through tedious and complicated process.

Google plans to allow users to change their Gmail address, here is all you need to know

For all big companies, labour is a necessary nuisance. Indian gig workers are the backbone of the country’s e-commerce giants, food delivery apps and app-based transport services. But for over a decade, they have not benefited from the massive profits made by most of these companies. While keeping them as contract workers without any employment benefits, the firms involved seem to have indirectly contributed to their unionising. The firms forgot that the gig worker has the ability to grind businesses to a halt, quite literally. The Christmas day strike, in which some 400,000 gig workers reportedly took part, indicated this. The workers are threatening a similar action on New Year’s Eve. Here is why the gig worker strikes should be taken seriously by the industry.<h2>The delivery workers’ strike: The first shot has been fired, but what do they want?</h2>Delivery workers across India held a nationwide flash strike on Thursday (Dec 25). This was organised by unions like Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers (IFAT), with solidarity expressed by drivers of food delivery apps. The workers are demanding better wages, safer conditions, social security, transparent pay and respect for rights. They want an end to arbitrary account deactivations without an appeal process, unsafe and ultra-fast delivery demands, and better labour protections. Services were disrupted in several major cities.The strikes by Ola/Uber/Rapido drivers in July in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and in June in Jaipur were led by unions like IFAT and Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch. The demands are almost always the same: fixed or higher minimum fares at par with traditional taxis, and caps on platform commissions, transparent ID reactivation and grievance redressal processes.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-labour-laws-what-you-need-to-know-1764071685283/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-labour-laws-what-you-need-to-know-1764071685283/embed</a><h2>What are the labour laws governing Indian gig workers?</h2>India’s labour framework for gig workers, including online platform-based workers, is governed by the Code on Social Security, 2020, which was fully implemented on November 21 this year as part of four new consolidated Labour Codes replacing 29 older laws. For the first time, gig workers, who earn outside traditional employer–employee relationships, and platform workers, who perform work via digital platforms, were formally defined and included in this framework.Under these rules, they are supposed to get life and disability insurance, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, provident fund (PF), gratuity for fixed-term workers after one year, old-age protection and/or pension. These schemes are to be funded through a social security fund to which platform players are required to contribute 1–2 per cent of their annual turnover, capped at 5 per cent of payments to workers.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/7-ways-ai-can-damage-indian-economy-if-it-clings-to-cheap-manual-labour-1765400158654">7 ways AI can damage Indian economy if it clings to cheap manual labour?</a><h2>Labour reforms are on paper but not implemented fully</h2>Even as these provisions are in force, progress has been slow on schemes, registration mechanisms, and state-level rules to implement them. Gig workers are yet to get full access to these benefits, as companies are only waking up to the law and setting up mechanisms. While some states have already pioneered specific gig worker welfare laws, many lag in this direction.Rajasthan’s Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act, 2023 established a Welfare Board, mandatory registration of workers and aggregators, a welfare fund via a transaction cess and grievance redressal. Yet, full implementation has been delayed.Karnataka’s Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2025 has transaction-based fees and stronger grievance mechanisms. Other states like Jharkhand and Bihar passed similar laws in 2025.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/-your-boss-can-t-bully-you-anymore-top-7-ways-to-defend-your-rights-under-india-s-new-labour-codes-in-2026-1763811689423">'Your boss can’t bully you anymore': Top 7 ways to defend your rights under India’s new labour codes in 2026</a><h2>Gig workers are not classified as traditional 'employees'</h2>There are certain loopholes that platform players appear to be exploiting. For instance, even the new labour code does not classify gig workers as employees, which preserves platform flexibility. The idea is that gig workers could get limited entitlements without full employment protections. This leaves a lot to interpretation: There is no minimum wage guarantee under the Social Security Code specifically for gig workers.Ride-hailing platforms like Ola and Uber generally classify gig workers as independent contractors or “partners” rather than employees. This allows flexibility (read: not giving full employment benefits) for the platforms and limited protections for the workers, leading to complaints.Other issues include high commissions taken by ride-hailing apps, often up to 30 per cent per ride, which reduces net earnings for drivers. Many cab drivers earn ₹400–800 net per day after expenses, including fuel, vehicle maintenance and loan repayments, even as they put in more time than traditional employees, up to 14 hours. Some states have guidelines such as Motor Vehicles Aggregator Guidelines 2025 which cap the login time of drivers at 12 hours per day.<h2>Hire and fire at will: From arbitrary account suspensions to toll on physical and mental health</h2>Since the collapse of gainful employment in post-pandemic years, there is an oversupply of drivers in the gig economy, whcih actually lowers the earnings per worker.As they are only “partners” and not employees, delivery and driving apps have the ability to arbitrarily suspend gig workers’ accounts without a proper appeal process. This often leads to a sudden loss of income for them. Historically, no PF, health insurance, paid leave, or gratuity has been given to gig workers, who are also expected to bear the costs of risks like accidents and repairs.&nbsp;Many drivers take high-interest loans for vehicles, encouraged by initial incentives given by the apps, which are later dropped.Gig workers often face physical and mental health issues, with surveys reporting violence or harassment against them.<h2>Profit over worker welfare can lead to collapse of the system</h2>The recent events in aviation is a good example of how, when rules on labour welfare are strictly implemented, those who did not build trustworthy systems will collapse, hurting both the consumer and the worker. The platforms that use gig workers, some of whom are still operating at heavy losses, are prioritising growth, scale and low fares for customers. But the algorithmic fare controls and arbitrary changes of incentives are hurting the workers.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/viral-video-shows-indians-dancing-on-moscow-streets-claims-to-be-part-of-labour-contingent-here-s-why-1766402658392">Viral video shows 'Indians dancing on Moscow streets', claims to be part of labour contingent — Here's why</a><h2>A bigger strike can spell doom for the nascent industry</h2>It is important for the e-commerce and platform giants to understand that labour unrest is their biggest vulnerability.&nbsp;In a sector where labour is kept away from benefits despite several state-level laws and codes, their organising power can come down like a hammer, hurting company bottomlines and investors alike.&nbsp;

Indian gig workers across delivery and ride-hailing platforms are striking over low pay, unsafe conditions and lack of social security, exposing how labour unrest threatens e-commerce and platform business models.

For all big companies, labour is a necessary nuisance. Indian gig workers are the backbone of the country’s e-commerce giants, food delivery apps and app-based transport services. But for over a decade, they have not benefited from the massive profits made by most of these companies. While keeping them as contract workers without any employment benefits, the firms involved seem to have indirectly contributed to their unionising. The firms forgot that the gig worker has the ability to grind businesses to a halt, quite literally. The Christmas day strike, in which some 400,000 gig workers reportedly took part, indicated this. The workers are threatening a similar action on New Year’s Eve. Here is why the gig worker strikes should be taken seriously by the industry. The delivery workers’ strike: The first shot has been fired, but what do they want? Delivery workers across India held a nationwide flash strike on Thursday (Dec 25). This was organised by unions like Telangana Gig and Platform Workers Union (TGPWU) and Indian Federation of App-based Transport Workers (IFAT), with solidarity expressed by drivers of food delivery apps. The workers are demanding better wages, safer conditions, social security, transparent pay and respect for rights. They want an end to arbitrary account deactivations without an appeal process, unsafe and ultra-fast delivery demands, and better labour protections. Services were disrupted in several major cities. The strikes by Ola/Uber/Rapido drivers in July in Mumbai, Pune, Nagpur and in June in Jaipur were led by unions like IFAT and Maharashtra Gig Kamgar Manch. The demands are almost always the same: fixed or higher minimum fares at par with traditional taxis, and caps on platform commissions, transparent ID reactivation and grievance redressal processes. https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-labour-laws-what-you-need-to-know-1764071685283/embed What are the labour laws governing Indian gig workers? India’s labour framework for gig workers, including online platform-based workers, is governed by the Code on Social Security, 2020, which was fully implemented on November 21 this year as part of four new consolidated Labour Codes replacing 29 older laws. For the first time, gig workers, who earn outside traditional employer–employee relationships, and platform workers, who perform work via digital platforms, were formally defined and included in this framework. Under these rules, they are supposed to get life and disability insurance, accident insurance, health and maternity benefits, provident fund (PF), gratuity for fixed-term workers after one year, old-age protection and/or pension. These schemes are to be funded through a social security fund to which platform players are required to contribute 1–2 per cent of their annual turnover, capped at 5 per cent of payments to workers. Also read: 7 ways AI can damage Indian economy if it clings to cheap manual labour? Labour reforms are on paper but not implemented fully Even as these provisions are in force, progress has been slow on schemes, registration mechanisms, and state-level rules to implement them. Gig workers are yet to get full access to these benefits, as companies are only waking up to the law and setting up mechanisms. While some states have already pioneered specific gig worker welfare laws, many lag in this direction. Rajasthan’s Platform-Based Gig Workers (Registration and Welfare) Act, 2023 established a Welfare Board, mandatory registration of workers and aggregators, a welfare fund via a transaction cess and grievance redressal. Yet, full implementation has been delayed. Karnataka’s Platform-Based Gig Workers (Social Security and Welfare) Act, 2025 has transaction-based fees and stronger grievance mechanisms. Other states like Jharkhand and Bihar passed similar laws in 2025. Also read: 'Your boss can’t bully you anymore': Top 7 ways to defend your rights under India’s new labour codes in 2026 Gig workers are not classified as traditional 'employees' There are certain loopholes that platform players appear to be exploiting. For instance, even the new labour code does not classify gig workers as employees, which preserves platform flexibility. The idea is that gig workers could get limited entitlements without full employment protections. This leaves a lot to interpretation: There is no minimum wage guarantee under the Social Security Code specifically for gig workers. Ride-hailing platforms like Ola and Uber generally classify gig workers as independent contractors or “partners” rather than employees. This allows flexibility (read: not giving full employment benefits) for the platforms and limited protections for the workers, leading to complaints. Other issues include high commissions taken by ride-hailing apps, often up to 30 per cent per ride, which reduces net earnings for drivers. Many cab drivers earn ₹400–800 net per day after expenses, including fuel, vehicle maintenance and loan repayments, even as they put in more time than traditional employees, up to 14 hours. Some states have guidelines such as Motor Vehicles Aggregator Guidelines 2025 which cap the login time of drivers at 12 hours per day. Hire and fire at will: From arbitrary account suspensions to toll on physical and mental health Since the collapse of gainful employment in post-pandemic years, there is an oversupply of drivers in the gig economy, whcih actually lowers the earnings per worker. As they are only “partners” and not employees, delivery and driving apps have the ability to arbitrarily suspend gig workers’ accounts without a proper appeal process. This often leads to a sudden loss of income for them. Historically, no PF, health insurance, paid leave, or gratuity has been given to gig workers, who are also expected to bear the costs of risks like accidents and repairs. Many drivers take high-interest loans for vehicles, encouraged by initial incentives given by the apps, which are later dropped. Gig workers often face physical and mental health issues, with surveys reporting violence or harassment against them. Profit over worker welfare can lead to collapse of the system The recent events in aviation is a good example of how, when rules on labour welfare are strictly implemented, those who did not build trustworthy systems will collapse, hurting both the consumer and the worker. The platforms that use gig workers, some of whom are still operating at heavy losses, are prioritising growth, scale and low fares for customers. But the algorithmic fare controls and arbitrary changes of incentives are hurting the workers. Also read: Viral video shows 'Indians dancing on Moscow streets', claims to be part of labour contingent — Here's why A bigger strike can spell doom for the nascent industry It is important for the e-commerce and platform giants to understand that labour unrest is their biggest vulnerability. In a sector where labour is kept away from benefits despite several state-level laws and codes, their organising power can come down like a hammer, hurting company bottomlines and investors alike.

Indian gig workers across delivery and ride-hailing platforms are striking over low pay, unsafe conditions and lack of social security, exposing how labour unrest threatens e-commerce and platform business models.

Indian gig workers strike: Did food and travel platform aggregator companies empower them by ignoring them?

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the University of Michigan have created, what are believed to be the world’s smallest fully programmable, autonomous robots, measuring roughly about 200 by 300 by 50 micrometers, smaller than a grain of salt and costing about one penny each to produce. These devices represent a pivot in robotics, operating at the scale of many microorganisms yet equipped with the computing power, sensors and propulsion systems needed to sense, decide and act without external control.&nbsp;According to media reports these microscopic swimming machines that can independently sense and respond to their surroundings, operate for months. "We've made autonomous robots 10,000 times smaller," said Marc Miskin, assistant professor in electrical and systems engineering at Penn and senior author of a pair of studies published in Science Robotics and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "That opens up an entirely new scale for programmable robots."&nbsp;<h2>How tiny robots move, sense and think</h2> Unlike traditional robots with joints or moving parts, the new micro-robots generate an electrical field that nudges ions in the surrounding solution. This electrokinetic propulsion allows them to 'swim' through liquids and even coordinate group motion, similar to a school of fish. Powered by light captured by microscopic solar panels, each robot also carries a tiny onboard computer and sensors that enable it to respond to its environment, all fit on a chip that is a fraction of a millimeter in size.&nbsp;<h2>Programming at the microscale</h2> Programming these minuscule machines posed a significant challenge. The computer chips operate on extremely low power, it produces only around 75 nanowatts of power, which is over 1,00,000 times less power than what gadgets like smartwatches require. To run the robot's computer on such little power, the Michigan team developed special circuits that operate at extremely low voltages and bring down the computer's power consumption by more than 1000 times.The robots also have unique identifiers so that each can be individually programmed. Instructions are loaded via light pulses, and complex actions can be encoded efficiently into the limited memory. The unique design means that the robots can be instructed to perform different roles in a larger task, opening up possibilities for coordinated microscale work.&nbsp;<h2>Potential applications in medicine and manufacturing</h2> Because of their size and autonomy, these micro-robots could transform several fields. In medicine, they may be helpful in monitoring the health of individual cells, also in tracking temperature variations associated with disease processes along with other benefits. In manufacturing, they could help construct microscale devices that are too small for conventional tools to build. According toTechxplore.com via Phys.org, the researchers behind the project describe this achievement as the first chapter in a broader future for microscopic robotics. By demonstrating that a brain, propulsion system and sensors can all fit into something barely visible without magnification, they have opened the door to more sophisticated micro-machines.&nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;

These devices represent a pivot in robotics, operating at the scale of many microorganisms yet equipped with the computing power, sensors and propulsion systems needed to sense, decide and act without external control.

Researchers at the University of Pennsylvania, in collaboration with the University of Michigan have created, what are believed to be the world’s smallest fully programmable, autonomous robots, measuring roughly about 200 by 300 by 50 micrometers, smaller than a grain of salt and costing about one penny each to produce. These devices represent a pivot in robotics, operating at the scale of many microorganisms yet equipped with the computing power, sensors and propulsion systems needed to sense, decide and act without external control. According to media reports these microscopic swimming machines that can independently sense and respond to their surroundings, operate for months. "We've made autonomous robots 10,000 times smaller," said Marc Miskin, assistant professor in electrical and systems engineering at Penn and senior author of a pair of studies published in Science Robotics and the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. "That opens up an entirely new scale for programmable robots." How tiny robots move, sense and think Unlike traditional robots with joints or moving parts, the new micro-robots generate an electrical field that nudges ions in the surrounding solution. This electrokinetic propulsion allows them to 'swim' through liquids and even coordinate group motion, similar to a school of fish. Powered by light captured by microscopic solar panels, each robot also carries a tiny onboard computer and sensors that enable it to respond to its environment, all fit on a chip that is a fraction of a millimeter in size. Programming at the microscale Programming these minuscule machines posed a significant challenge. The computer chips operate on extremely low power, it produces only around 75 nanowatts of power, which is over 1,00,000 times less power than what gadgets like smartwatches require. To run the robot's computer on such little power, the Michigan team developed special circuits that operate at extremely low voltages and bring down the computer's power consumption by more than 1000 times. The robots also have unique identifiers so that each can be individually programmed. Instructions are loaded via light pulses, and complex actions can be encoded efficiently into the limited memory. The unique design means that the robots can be instructed to perform different roles in a larger task, opening up possibilities for coordinated microscale work. Potential applications in medicine and manufacturing Because of their size and autonomy, these micro-robots could transform several fields. In medicine, they may be helpful in monitoring the health of individual cells, also in tracking temperature variations associated with disease processes along with other benefits. In manufacturing, they could help construct microscale devices that are too small for conventional tools to build. According toTechxplore.com via Phys.org, the researchers behind the project describe this achievement as the first chapter in a broader future for microscopic robotics. By demonstrating that a brain, propulsion system and sensors can all fit into something barely visible without magnification, they have opened the door to more sophisticated micro-machines.

These devices represent a pivot in robotics, operating at the scale of many microorganisms yet equipped with the computing power, sensors and propulsion systems needed to sense, decide and act without external control.

'Smaller than a grain of salt': Researcher develop world's smallest programmable, autonomous robots

Michael Truell, chief executive of AI coding startup Cursor, has warned that “vibe coding”, a growing trend where developers rely heavily on AI-generated code without fully understanding it, could create weak foundations in software systems. He said this while speaking at a Fortune Brainstorm AI conference. Truell said while AI tools can help developers move faster, using them without strong engineering discipline may lead to fragile code that is hard to maintain, scale or secure in the long run.&nbsp;Speaking about the rapid adoption of generative AI coding assistants, Truell said the problem is not the technology itself but how it is being used. He also explained that some developers accept AI-written code simply because it appears to work, without properly reviewing its structure, logic and long-term impact. This approach may save time initially but can cause serious technical debt later.&nbsp;<h2>What is ‘vibe coding’ and why it worries experts</h2>“vibe coding” is commonly used to describe a casual style of development where programmers rely on AI suggestions, prompts and auto-generated solutions instead of carefully designing systems. Truell warned that this mindset risks turning software engineering into guesswork, especially when teams stop asking why a piece of code works and focus only on whether it runs.&nbsp;He said software built this way may function at first but can fail under pressure, such as during scaling, security testing or integration with other systems. Over time, fixing such issues becomes more expensive and complex. Truell added that strong fundamentals, such as understanding system design, testing and documentation, remain essential even in an AI-assisted world.&nbsp;<h2>AI tools need human judgement, not blind trust</h2>Truell made it clear that Cursor itself is designed to help developers write better code, not replace careful thinking. He said AI tools should act as assistants that speed up work, while humans remain responsible for decisions, reviews and architecture. He stressed that developers must still read, test and understand what AI produces, especially for core systems.&nbsp;Industry experts quoted in similar reports have echoed this concern, warning that unchecked AI-generated code could introduce security flaws and reliability issues. Truell said companies that balance speed with discipline are more likely to benefit from AI in the long term, while those chasing quick results may face problems later.&nbsp;<h2>A warning as AI coding tools grow fast</h2>The warning comes at a time when AI coding assistants like Cursor, GitHub Copilot and others are seeing rapid adoption across startups and large companies, the rise of these tools has changed how developers work, but leaders like Truell believe the basics of software engineering cannot be ignored.

Cursor CEO Michael Truell warns that vibe coding, where developers rely blindly on AI-generated code, can create fragile and insecure software. He says AI tools should assist, not replace, strong engineering discipline, testing and human judgement.

Michael Truell, chief executive of AI coding startup Cursor, has warned that “vibe coding”, a growing trend where developers rely heavily on AI-generated code without fully understanding it, could create weak foundations in software systems. He said this while speaking at a Fortune Brainstorm AI conference. Truell said while AI tools can help developers move faster, using them without strong engineering discipline may lead to fragile code that is hard to maintain, scale or secure in the long run. Speaking about the rapid adoption of generative AI coding assistants, Truell said the problem is not the technology itself but how it is being used. He also explained that some developers accept AI-written code simply because it appears to work, without properly reviewing its structure, logic and long-term impact. This approach may save time initially but can cause serious technical debt later. What is ‘vibe coding’ and why it worries experts “vibe coding” is commonly used to describe a casual style of development where programmers rely on AI suggestions, prompts and auto-generated solutions instead of carefully designing systems. Truell warned that this mindset risks turning software engineering into guesswork, especially when teams stop asking why a piece of code works and focus only on whether it runs. He said software built this way may function at first but can fail under pressure, such as during scaling, security testing or integration with other systems. Over time, fixing such issues becomes more expensive and complex. Truell added that strong fundamentals, such as understanding system design, testing and documentation, remain essential even in an AI-assisted world. AI tools need human judgement, not blind trust Truell made it clear that Cursor itself is designed to help developers write better code, not replace careful thinking. He said AI tools should act as assistants that speed up work, while humans remain responsible for decisions, reviews and architecture. He stressed that developers must still read, test and understand what AI produces, especially for core systems. Industry experts quoted in similar reports have echoed this concern, warning that unchecked AI-generated code could introduce security flaws and reliability issues. Truell said companies that balance speed with discipline are more likely to benefit from AI in the long term, while those chasing quick results may face problems later. A warning as AI coding tools grow fast The warning comes at a time when AI coding assistants like Cursor, GitHub Copilot and others are seeing rapid adoption across startups and large companies, the rise of these tools has changed how developers work, but leaders like Truell believe the basics of software engineering cannot be ignored.

Cursor CEO Michael Truell warns that vibe coding, where developers rely blindly on AI-generated code, can create fragile and insecure software. He says AI tools should assist, not replace, strong engineering discipline, testing and human judgement.

Cursor CEO Michael Truell warns developers against over-relying on AI coding tools

For nearly two decades, a Gmail address has functioned as a fixed digital identity. Several users signed up in their teenage years, however, never expecting that a playful or awkward username would follow them into professional life. Now, it appears that Google is ready to loosen one of its most rigid account rules. According to the Google support page, the company might be slowly rolling out a process that will let the users change their '@gmail.com' email address without the need of losing access to their account or data. The page however, only appears in Hindi at the moment, meaning you can’t see the changes in English. Everything quoted below is translated from hindi:&nbsp; ‘The email address associated with your Google Account is the address you use to sign in to Google services. This email address helps you and others identify your account. If you’d like, you can change your Google Account email address that ends in gmail.com to a new email address that ends in gmail.com.’&nbsp;While the Google hasn’t actually detailed this function elsewhere yet, but says is 'gradually rolling out to all users.'&nbsp;<h2>What Google is changing and why it matters</h2>&nbsp;Until now, Google only allowed users to change their account email address if it was linked to a third-party service, such as Outlook or Yahoo. Gmail addresses themselves were effectively permanent. The updated support page explains that users will soon be able to switch to a new Gmail username while keeping the same Google account. This means years of emails, files, photos and subscriptions will remain untouched. The change is significant because Gmail addresses are deeply tied to services such as YouTube, Maps, Drive and Google Play, making a fresh start previously impractical for most users.&nbsp;<h2>How the new Gmail address system will work</h2>&nbsp;1. Once a user changes their Gmail address, the old email address will automatically be set as an alias.2. Emails sent to both the old and new addresses will arrive in the same inbox, and users will be able to sign in using either address.3. The user can even sign in to Google services like Gmail, Maps, YouTube, Google Play, or Drive with their old or new email address.4. Importantly, Google says ownership of the old address remains with the user and cannot be claimed by anyone else.&nbsp;<h2>Limits, safeguards and rollout details</h2>&nbsp;There are, however, clear restrictions that follow this feature. The user can reuse his old Google Account email address at any time. He, however, can’t create a new Google Account email address that ends with gmail.com for the next 12 months after making the change. Some older services, such as calendar entries created before the change, may still display the original email address.&nbsp;

According to the Google support page, the company might be slowly rolling out a process that will let the users change their '@gmail.com' email address without the need of losing access to their account or data.

For nearly two decades, a Gmail address has functioned as a fixed digital identity. Several users signed up in their teenage years, however, never expecting that a playful or awkward username would follow them into professional life. Now, it appears that Google is ready to loosen one of its most rigid account rules. According to the Google support page, the company might be slowly rolling out a process that will let the users change their '@gmail.com' email address without the need of losing access to their account or data. The page however, only appears in Hindi at the moment, meaning you can’t see the changes in English. Everything quoted below is translated from hindi: ‘The email address associated with your Google Account is the address you use to sign in to Google services. This email address helps you and others identify your account. If you’d like, you can change your Google Account email address that ends in gmail.com to a new email address that ends in gmail.com.’ While the Google hasn’t actually detailed this function elsewhere yet, but says is 'gradually rolling out to all users.' What Google is changing and why it matters Until now, Google only allowed users to change their account email address if it was linked to a third-party service, such as Outlook or Yahoo. Gmail addresses themselves were effectively permanent. The updated support page explains that users will soon be able to switch to a new Gmail username while keeping the same Google account. This means years of emails, files, photos and subscriptions will remain untouched. The change is significant because Gmail addresses are deeply tied to services such as YouTube, Maps, Drive and Google Play, making a fresh start previously impractical for most users. How the new Gmail address system will work 1. Once a user changes their Gmail address, the old email address will automatically be set as an alias. 2. Emails sent to both the old and new addresses will arrive in the same inbox, and users will be able to sign in using either address. 3. The user can even sign in to Google services like Gmail, Maps, YouTube, Google Play, or Drive with their old or new email address. 4. Importantly, Google says ownership of the old address remains with the user and cannot be claimed by anyone else. Limits, safeguards and rollout details There are, however, clear restrictions that follow this feature. The user can reuse his old Google Account email address at any time. He, however, can’t create a new Google Account email address that ends with gmail.com for the next 12 months after making the change. Some older services, such as calendar entries created before the change, may still display the original email address.

According to the Google support page, the company might be slowly rolling out a process that will let the users change their '@gmail.com' email address without the need of losing access to their account or data.

Embarrassed by your old Gmail address? Google may soon let you change it, here’s what we know

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has said that students graduating from colleges today are likely to work in jobs that do not exist yet within the next 10 years, as artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, skills and the global workforce. He said this. Altman believes the speed of AI development is changing how work is created and performed, making it harder to predict traditional career paths while opening space for new roles built around emerging technologies.&nbsp;Speaking about the future of work, Altman said technology has always influenced jobs, but the current shift driven by AI is happening faster than earlier industrial changes. He explained that many roles in the coming decade will be built around AI systems, automation tools and advanced digital platforms, creating work that blends technology with problem-solving, creativity and decision-making. According to the report, he suggested that young graduates should not be overly focused on job titles today, as many future careers will only take shape as AI tools become more capable and widely used.&nbsp;<h2>AI is changing how people work</h2>Altman said artificial intelligence is not just about replacing tasks but about changing how people use their time and skills. He also said that AI tools are already helping people work faster, handle routine processes and focus more on higher-level thinking. This shift, he said, will continue as AI becomes more reliable and easier to use across sectors such as education, healthcare, science, engineering and digital services. Rather than eliminating all jobs, AI is expected to reshape roles, especially in knowledge-based fields, where workers will increasingly collaborate with machines.He added that learning to work with AI tools will become a basic requirement, similar to how computer skills became essential over the past two decades. Graduates who understand how to use these tools effectively are likely to adapt more easily to new types of work, while those who resist change may find it harder to keep pace.&nbsp;<h2>Skills matter more than job titles</h2>He also said that future workers should focus on building flexible skills instead of following fixed career paths; he highlighted the importance of learning how to learn, staying open to new technologies and being comfortable with constant change. He said these qualities will help people move between roles as industries evolve and new forms of work emerge. Many of the jobs people consider normal today, he pointed out, did not exist a few decades ago, and AI is likely to create a similar shift over the next 10 years.While Altman admitted it is difficult to clearly define what future jobs will look like, he said history shows that innovation usually creates opportunities over time. According to him, the transition will not happen overnight, giving governments, companies and workers time to adjust. However, he warned that adapting to AI-driven change will be essential, as the nature of work is already moving towards a more technology-driven future.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says today’s graduates may work in jobs that do not exist yet as AI reshapes the workforce. He believes future roles will focus on AI tools, creativity and problem-solving, making skills and adaptability more important than job titles.


OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has said that students graduating from colleges today are likely to work in jobs that do not exist yet within the next 10 years, as artificial intelligence continues to reshape industries, skills and the global workforce. He said this. Altman believes the speed of AI development is changing how work is created and performed, making it harder to predict traditional career paths while opening space for new roles built around emerging technologies. Speaking about the future of work, Altman said technology has always influenced jobs, but the current shift driven by AI is happening faster than earlier industrial changes. He explained that many roles in the coming decade will be built around AI systems, automation tools and advanced digital platforms, creating work that blends technology with problem-solving, creativity and decision-making. According to the report, he suggested that young graduates should not be overly focused on job titles today, as many future careers will only take shape as AI tools become more capable and widely used. AI is changing how people work Altman said artificial intelligence is not just about replacing tasks but about changing how people use their time and skills. He also said that AI tools are already helping people work faster, handle routine processes and focus more on higher-level thinking. This shift, he said, will continue as AI becomes more reliable and easier to use across sectors such as education, healthcare, science, engineering and digital services. Rather than eliminating all jobs, AI is expected to reshape roles, especially in knowledge-based fields, where workers will increasingly collaborate with machines. He added that learning to work with AI tools will become a basic requirement, similar to how computer skills became essential over the past two decades. Graduates who understand how to use these tools effectively are likely to adapt more easily to new types of work, while those who resist change may find it harder to keep pace. Skills matter more than job titles He also said that future workers should focus on building flexible skills instead of following fixed career paths; he highlighted the importance of learning how to learn, staying open to new technologies and being comfortable with constant change. He said these qualities will help people move between roles as industries evolve and new forms of work emerge. Many of the jobs people consider normal today, he pointed out, did not exist a few decades ago, and AI is likely to create a similar shift over the next 10 years. While Altman admitted it is difficult to clearly define what future jobs will look like, he said history shows that innovation usually creates opportunities over time. According to him, the transition will not happen overnight, giving governments, companies and workers time to adjust. However, he warned that adapting to AI-driven change will be essential, as the nature of work is already moving towards a more technology-driven future.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman says today’s graduates may work in jobs that do not exist yet as AI reshapes the workforce. He believes future roles will focus on AI tools, creativity and problem-solving, making skills and adaptability more important than job titles.

In 10 years, jobs will be completely new and different from today’s, says OpenAI CEO Sam Altman

Apple is preparing for one of its busiest years ever in 2026, with plans to launch more than 20 new products, according to multiple industry reports and supply chain leaks. The year is also special for the company, as Apple will mark 50 years since its founding in April 1976. Reports suggest the tech giant will refresh almost every major product line, including iPhones, Macs, wearables and smart home devices.According to people familiar with Apple’s plans, one product has emerged as a major internal focus: Apple Glasses, a new AI-powered smart glasses project. Apple is expected to begin 2026 with products aimed at students and entry-level users.According to industry reports,&nbsp;

<h2>Apple may launch:</h2>A low-cost MacBook using an iPhone A-series chip, priced between $599 and $699The iPhone 17e, powered by the A19 chip and featuring Dynamic IslandUpdated iPad modelsA new MacBook Air with Apple’s M5 chipReports also suggest these products could arrive between March and April 2026, following Apple’s usual spring launch cycle. Apple’s push into smart home devices Apple is also expected to expand its presence in the smart home market.According to reports, the company may introduce a $350 smart home display with:A 7-inch screenAn upgraded Siri powered by artificial intelligenceSupport for smart home controlsIf launched, this would be Apple’s first major smart display, going beyond the HomePod and Apple TV.Fall 2026: Foldable iPhone and Pro models<h2>The biggest launches are expected during Apple’s autumn event in 2026</h2>iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max may feature the new A20 Pro chipUnder-display Face IDImproved camera systemsMost notably, Apple is expected to launch its first foldable iPhone.Few reports suggest the foldable model may include:A 7.7-inch inner displayA 5.3-inch outer screenA price close to $1,999&nbsp;The standard iPhone 18 may be delayed until early 2027, marking a possible change in Apple’s release strategy.Wearables and Mac updatesApple’s wearables and Mac lineup are also set for upgrades.Apple Watch Series 12 may include Touch ID and new health sensorsAirPods Pro 3 could add cameras for AI-based featuresAirTag 2 may use an upgraded Ultra Wideband chip for better trackingOn the Mac side: Mac mini and Mac Studio may receive M5 chipsA redesigned MacBook Pro with M6 chips, OLED touchscreen and thinner design is expected later in the year<h2>Apple Glasses: Tim Cook’s reported priority</h2>Apple Glasses is said to be one of CEO Tim Cook’s top priorities.According to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the smart glasses will focus on:SiriAI-powered featuresLightweight design rather than full augmented realityReports suggest Apple Glasses may be unveiled in late 2026, but commercial availability could be pushed to 2027.<h2>What this means for Apple</h2>If these reports prove accurate, 2026 could be Apple’s most active year in decades.With products planned across nearly every category, Apple appears to be using its 50th anniversary to reset its hardware strategy and expand into new areas like AI-driven wearables and smart home technology.

Apple is set for a landmark year in 2026, few reports predict that they planning over 20 product launches as it marks 50 years since its founding. From new iPhones, Macs and wearables to smart home devices and AI-powered Apple Glasses, the company aims to refresh nearly its entire lineup.

Apple is preparing for one of its busiest years ever in 2026, with plans to launch more than 20 new products, according to multiple industry reports and supply chain leaks. The year is also special for the company, as Apple will mark 50 years since its founding in April 1976. Reports suggest the tech giant will refresh almost every major product line, including iPhones, Macs, wearables and smart home devices. According to people familiar with Apple’s plans, one product has emerged as a major internal focus: Apple Glasses, a new AI-powered smart glasses project. Apple is expected to begin 2026 with products aimed at students and entry-level users. According to industry reports,

Apple is set for a landmark year in 2026, few reports predict that they planning over 20 product launches as it marks 50 years since its founding. From new iPhones, Macs and wearables to smart home devices and AI-powered Apple Glasses, the company aims to refresh nearly its entire lineup.

Apple might launch over 20 new products in 2026: What we know so far

China has planned to deploy humanoid robots at its border with Vietnam for patrolling and logistics purposes. UBTECH Robotics Corp, a Shenzhen-based company, has won a $37 million contract to deploy its Walker S2 robot starting this month. This will mark the first large-scale deployment of the robots. These robots are industrial-grade humanoid machines designed for works like lifting, patrolling, guiding travellers, managing crowd flow, etc. They will reportedly be placed in Fangchenggang in a coastal city in Guangxi near Vietnam, where cargoes, trucks, coaches and traffic move abundantly.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>UB Tech's Walker S2 robots&nbsp;</h2>These robots are adult-sized human robots with legs, arms and torso, a replica of human anatomy. It uses BrainNet 2.0, a dual-loop AI architecture developed by UB Tech that supports multimodal reasoning, allowing autonomous control and decision making. They can move wherever a human can go. These robots are capable of autonomous battery swapping, without any human assistance. It has a dual battery switching design, which helps it monitor its own battery while in a swapping station. These can bend like125° angle and handle 15kg of weight within a 0-1.8 m workspace. It has an RGB binocular stereo vision, which allows it to achieve "human-eye" like precision. To maintain course and avoid collision, it also has depth sensors and force feedback in its joints to monitor nearby movements.&nbsp;<h2>China's push for Humanoid Robots&nbsp;</h2>UB Tech wants to build 5,000 units of humanoid robots by the end of 2026 and 10,000 units by 2027. These units are planned to be deployed in automotive manufacturing, smart factories, logistics hubs and data collection centres. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology opened a consultation in 2024 to make industry rules for humanoid robots. China is treating them like a strategic business sector. In Shijingshan District, it has opened a robot training centre has been opened to gather data on their performance efficiency.&nbsp;However, China's economic planners have warned against over-promising and over-building, as the technology is in its infancy and white hat hackers have warned about the vulnerability in building and deploying AI systems. One word command could turn them into a Trojan horse.&nbsp;<h2>&nbsp;</h2>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

China plans a large-scale deployment of UBTech’s Walker S2 humanoid robots at the Vietnam border for patrol, logistics, crowd control and guidance tasks.

China has planned to deploy humanoid robots at its border with Vietnam for patrolling and logistics purposes. UBTECH Robotics Corp, a Shenzhen-based company, has won a $37 million contract to deploy its Walker S2 robot starting this month. This will mark the first large-scale deployment of the robots. These robots are industrial-grade humanoid machines designed for works like lifting, patrolling, guiding travellers, managing crowd flow, etc. They will reportedly be placed in Fangchenggang in a coastal city in Guangxi near Vietnam, where cargoes, trucks, coaches and traffic move abundantly. UB Tech's Walker S2 robots These robots are adult-sized human robots with legs, arms and torso, a replica of human anatomy. It uses BrainNet 2.0, a dual-loop AI architecture developed by UB Tech that supports multimodal reasoning, allowing autonomous control and decision making. They can move wherever a human can go. These robots are capable of autonomous battery swapping, without any human assistance. It has a dual battery switching design, which helps it monitor its own battery while in a swapping station. These can bend like125° angle and handle 15kg of weight within a 0-1.8 m workspace. It has an RGB binocular stereo vision, which allows it to achieve "human-eye" like precision. To maintain course and avoid collision, it also has depth sensors and force feedback in its joints to monitor nearby movements. China's push for Humanoid Robots UB Tech wants to build 5,000 units of humanoid robots by the end of 2026 and 10,000 units by 2027. These units are planned to be deployed in automotive manufacturing, smart factories, logistics hubs and data collection centres. China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology opened a consultation in 2024 to make industry rules for humanoid robots. China is treating them like a strategic business sector. In Shijingshan District, it has opened a robot training centre has been opened to gather data on their performance efficiency. However, China's economic planners have warned against over-promising and over-building, as the technology is in its infancy and white hat hackers have warned about the vulnerability in building and deploying AI systems. One word command could turn them into a Trojan horse.

China plans a large-scale deployment of UBTech’s Walker S2 humanoid robots at the Vietnam border for patrol, logistics, crowd control and guidance tasks.

China to deploy humanoid robot for patrolling at the Vietnam border

India has carried out a major demonstration of its undersea nuclear strike capability with the successful test of the K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile from INS Arighaat. The launch took place in the Bay of Bengal, off the Visakhapatnam coast, on Tuesday (December 23). Capable of striking targets up to 3,500 km away, the K-4 significantly enhances India’s sea-based nuclear deterrence. Defence sources confirmed that the missile was tested for its full operational range.&nbsp;INS Arighaat, India’s second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, was inducted into service last year. With this test, India further consolidates its position among a select group of nations that possess a fully operational nuclear triad, land, air, and sea-based nuclear delivery systems. The K-4 SLBM, inducted into the Indian Navy on August 29, 2024, is derived from the Agni-III ballistic missile. The system has been extensively adapted for underwater launch, enabling it to eject from a submarine silo, rise through the water column, and ignite its rocket motor once it breaches the surface.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/prayers-hymns-and-unity-pm-modi-attends-christmas-morning-service-in-delhi-watch-1766660184271">Prayers, hymns and unity: PM Modi attends Christmas morning service in Delhi | WATCH</a>&nbsp;Designed to carry a nuclear payload weighing up to 2.5 tonnes, the missile can be deployed from Arihant-class submarines. These platforms are engineered for prolonged stealth patrols, remaining undetected in vast oceanic stretches, thereby ensuring a credible second-strike capability.&nbsp;As the most concealed component of India’s nuclear arsenal, submarine-launched missiles like the K-4 play a critical role in deterrence, especially in scenarios where land-based assets may be compromised in a first strike. The K-4 also fills the capability gap between the shorter-range K-15 missile and the longer-range SLBMs currently under development for future deployments. The ‘K’ series of missiles is named in honour of former India President APJ Abdul Kalam, who was instrumental in shaping India’s missile development programme.

Undersea powerplay: India successfully test-fires K-4 missile from nuclear submarine INS Arighaat

India has carried out a major demonstration of its undersea nuclear strike capability with the successful test of the K-4 submarine-launched ballistic missile from INS Arighaat. The launch took place in the Bay of Bengal, off the Visakhapatnam coast, on Tuesday (December 23). Capable of striking targets up to 3,500 km away, the K-4 significantly enhances India’s sea-based nuclear deterrence. Defence sources confirmed that the missile was tested for its full operational range. INS Arighaat, India’s second nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine, was inducted into service last year. With this test, India further consolidates its position among a select group of nations that possess a fully operational nuclear triad, land, air, and sea-based nuclear delivery systems. The K-4 SLBM, inducted into the Indian Navy on August 29, 2024, is derived from the Agni-III ballistic missile. The system has been extensively adapted for underwater launch, enabling it to eject from a submarine silo, rise through the water column, and ignite its rocket motor once it breaches the surface. Also Read: Prayers, hymns and unity: PM Modi attends Christmas morning service in Delhi | WATCH Designed to carry a nuclear payload weighing up to 2.5 tonnes, the missile can be deployed from Arihant-class submarines. These platforms are engineered for prolonged stealth patrols, remaining undetected in vast oceanic stretches, thereby ensuring a credible second-strike capability. As the most concealed component of India’s nuclear arsenal, submarine-launched missiles like the K-4 play a critical role in deterrence, especially in scenarios where land-based assets may be compromised in a first strike. The K-4 also fills the capability gap between the shorter-range K-15 missile and the longer-range SLBMs currently under development for future deployments. The ‘K’ series of missiles is named in honour of former India President APJ Abdul Kalam, who was instrumental in shaping India’s missile development programme.

India successfully tested the 3,500-km range K-4 missile from nuclear submarine INS Arighaat, reinforcing its sea-based nuclear deterrence

Nvidia has reportedly reached its largest-ever deal, a $20 billion licensing and talent acquisition agreement with AI chip startup Groq (not to be confused with the AI bot Grok from Elon Musk’s xAI). The deal smells like an attempt to gobble up a potential competitor, part of the “catch and kill” moves Silicon Valley’s big tech industry is notorious for. What is the deal, and why does it matter for one of the world’s top AI chipmaking giants? Here is what you should know.<h2>What is in the Groq deal with Nvidia?</h2>Started by former Google engineers in 2016, Groq makes LPU (Language Processing Unit) chips for ultra-fast, low-cost AI inference. The reported $20 billion all-cash deal includes asset purchases and non-exclusive technology licensing. These assets include Groq’s AI inference technology and intellectual property.Groq’s founder and CEO Jonathan Ross, president Sunny Madra, and other senior leaders will now be part of Nvidia talent force. This deal, if confirmed, surpasses Nvidia’s $7 billion acquisition of Mellanox in 2019. As of its September 2025 funding round, Groq was valued at $6.9 billion. GroqCloud, the cloud operations arm of the startup, is not part of the deal and will continue independently under new leadership, with CFO Simon Edwards likely to be its CEO, as per reports.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/nvidia-scripts-history-becomes-first-firm-to-reach-5-trillion-market-value-following-ai-boom-1761748694795">Riding on AI boom, Nvidia scripts history, becomes first firm to reach $5 trillion market value</a><h2>Why Groq matters for Nvidia</h2>AI inference is the process of running trained AI models, such as chatbots and other real-time applications, to generate instant responses. Currently, AI inference is becoming a larger share of total AI computing demand as models move from training to deployment at scale.&nbsp;This possibly explains Nvidia’s growing emphasis on inference optimisation alongside its dominance in AI training.Therefore, the Groq deal could bolster AI inference leadership for Nvidia, and eventually help integrate low-latency technology into its AI chips.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nvidia-hits-5tn-market-cap-world-business-watch-wion-1761801804595/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/nvidia-hits-5tn-market-cap-world-business-watch-wion-1761801804595/embed</a><h2>Why Groq’s tech is a coveted asset for Nvidia: The case for LPU chips</h2>Groq is led by ex-Googlers like Jonathan Ross, who had helped design Google’s Tensor Processing Unit (TPU). TPUs are specialised AI chips that accelerate complex AI and Machine Learning tasks behind Google's Search, Photos, Translate, and Gemini AI interface. It is also used in Google data centres, Google Cloud, devices and recommendation engines. &nbsp;Groq builds specialised AI accelerator chips called Language Processing Units (LPUs), designed specifically for fast, low-latency, and energy-efficient AI inference.While traditional graphics processing units (GPUs) are good at training AI models, Groq’s LPUs focus on deterministic, high-speed inference with lower power consumption.This makes them well-suited to heavier workloads that need quick token generation.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/what-would-happen-to-nvidia-if-china-attacked-taiwan-today-a-factual-breakdown-of-the-worst-case-scenario-1764335291497">What would happen to NVIDIA if China attacked Taiwan today? A factual breakdown of the worst case scenario</a><h2>Catch and kill? What Nvidia is saying about Groq deal</h2>Reports citing Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said the deal’s goal is to integrate Groq’s low-latency processors into Nvidia’s AI architecture to enhance inference capabilities. He insisted that Nvidia is not acquiring Groq as a company.So, the deal is perhaps an “acqui-hire” or “reverse acqui-hire”, similar to, but not exactly the same as, Microsoft’s arrangement with Inflection AI or Meta’s deal with Scale AI.Such deals allow access to talent, IPs, and technology while avoiding the regulatory scrutiny that would have occurred in the case of a full acquisition. Note that regulators are scrutinising partial acquisitions, asset purchases, and talent transfers in AI, as firms use these structures to avoid reviews of full mergers.At least for now, the Groq deal looks different from a catch-and-kill, or the ‘killer acquisition’ policy in which promising startups are acquired mainly to eliminate competition and shelve their technology rather than developing them further.Even then, one must note that Groq was indeed a direct competitor to Nvidia in AI inference, where the latter faced more rivals than in AI training.Nvidia, for now, says it is actively planning to integrate and scale Groq’s LPU technology into its own products, including future AI factories and real-time workloads. Huang’s comments highlight an expansion of capabilities, not suppression of talent or technology, even as the deal would end Groq as an independent rival and consolidate Nvidia’s dominance in inference.

Nvidia’s reported $20bn Groq deal targets the chip startup's AI inference chip technology. By licensing its LPU tech and hiring talent, Nvidia would strengthens low-latency AI computing. But is it a catch and kill approach?

Nvidia has reportedly reached its largest-ever deal, a $20 billion licensing and talent acquisition agreement with AI chip startup Groq (not to be confused with the AI bot Grok from Elon Musk’s xAI). The deal smells like an attempt to gobble up a potential competitor, part of the “catch and kill” moves Silicon Valley’s big tech industry is notorious for. What is the deal, and why does it matter for one of the world’s top AI chipmaking giants? Here is what you should know. What is in the Groq deal with Nvidia? Started by former Google engineers in 2016, Groq makes LPU (Language Processing Unit) chips for ultra-fast, low-cost AI inference. The reported $20 billion all-cash deal includes asset purchases and non-exclusive technology licensing. These assets include Groq’s AI inference technology and intellectual property. Groq’s founder and CEO Jonathan Ross, president Sunny Madra, and other senior leaders will now be part of Nvidia talent force. This deal, if confirmed, surpasses Nvidia’s $7 billion acquisition of Mellanox in 2019. As of its September 2025 funding round, Groq was valued at $6.9 billion. GroqCloud, the cloud operations arm of the startup, is not part of the deal and will continue independently under new leadership, with CFO Simon Edwards likely to be its CEO, as per reports. Also read: Riding on AI boom, Nvidia scripts history, becomes first firm to reach $5 trillion market value Why Groq matters for Nvidia AI inference is the process of running trained AI models, such as chatbots and other real-time applications, to generate instant responses. Currently, AI inference is becoming a larger share of total AI computing demand as models move from training to deployment at scale. This possibly explains Nvidia’s growing emphasis on inference optimisation alongside its dominance in AI training. Therefore, the Groq deal could bolster AI inference leadership for Nvidia, and eventually help integrate low-latency technology into its AI chips. https://www.wionews.com/videos/nvidia-hits-5tn-market-cap-world-business-watch-wion-1761801804595/embed Why Groq’s tech is a coveted asset for Nvidia: The case for LPU chips Groq is led by ex-Googlers like Jonathan Ross, who had helped design Google’s Tensor Processing Unit (TPU). TPUs are specialised AI chips that accelerate complex AI and Machine Learning tasks behind Google's Search, Photos, Translate, and Gemini AI interface. It is also used in Google data centres, Google Cloud, devices and recommendation engines. Groq builds specialised AI accelerator chips called Language Processing Units (LPUs), designed specifically for fast, low-latency, and energy-efficient AI inference. While traditional graphics processing units (GPUs) are good at training AI models, Groq’s LPUs focus on deterministic, high-speed inference with lower power consumption. This makes them well-suited to heavier workloads that need quick token generation. Also read: What would happen to NVIDIA if China attacked Taiwan today? A factual breakdown of the worst case scenario Catch and kill? What Nvidia is saying about Groq deal Reports citing Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang said the deal’s goal is to integrate Groq’s low-latency processors into Nvidia’s AI architecture to enhance inference capabilities. He insisted that Nvidia is not acquiring Groq as a company. So, the deal is perhaps an “acqui-hire” or “reverse acqui-hire”, similar to, but not exactly the same as, Microsoft’s arrangement with Inflection AI or Meta’s deal with Scale AI. Such deals allow access to talent, IPs, and technology while avoiding the regulatory scrutiny that would have occurred in the case of a full acquisition. Note that regulators are scrutinising partial acquisitions, asset purchases, and talent transfers in AI, as firms use these structures to avoid reviews of full mergers. At least for now, the Groq deal looks different from a catch-and-kill, or the ‘killer acquisition’ policy in which promising startups are acquired mainly to eliminate competition and shelve their technology rather than developing them further. Even then, one must note that Groq was indeed a direct competitor to Nvidia in AI inference, where the latter faced more rivals than in AI training. Nvidia, for now, says it is actively planning to integrate and scale Groq’s LPU technology into its own products, including future AI factories and real-time workloads. Huang’s comments highlight an expansion of capabilities, not suppression of talent or technology, even as the deal would end Groq as an independent rival and consolidate Nvidia’s dominance in inference.

Nvidia’s reported $20bn Groq deal targets the chip startup's AI inference chip technology. By licensing its LPU tech and hiring talent, Nvidia would strengthens low-latency AI computing. But is it a catch and kill approach?

Catch and kill? Why Nvidia’s record $20 billion deal with AI chip startup Groq matters

A major outage has hit ad Amazon Web Services (AWS), severely impacting several popular online gaming platforms, according to outage-tracking website Downdetector. Thousands of users were affected worldwide, including the US. Over 4,000 users were impacted by the outage in the US, while nearly 35,000 players across the world reported being unable to connect to its servers.&nbsp;The AWS is yet to respond on the outage that began on Wednesday. The disruption is not only limited to individual games, but related platforms like Epic Games Store and PlayStation Network have also been impacted, claim users on various social media platforms.&nbsp;This has come at a time when when online gaming activity typically surges, thus adding to the frustration of gamers.<h2>Frequent outages becoming norm?</h2>Such incidents have become a frequent occurrenc. In October , a large AWS outage affected platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Perplexity AI and Snapchat. Thousands of users had reported problems then, according to Downdetector. Roblox, McDonald’s, Coinbase, Canva and Goodreads were among other platforms to be affected.&nbsp;While in November, Cloudflare, which protects millions of websites from cyberattacks, suffered faced a short outage due to which platforms like Zerodha, Groww, Canva and Downdetector had to face problems.&nbsp;

The Amazon Web Services (AWS) disruption is not only limited to individual games, but many related platforms have also been impacted by the outage.

A major outage has hit ad Amazon Web Services (AWS), severely impacting several popular online gaming platforms, according to outage-tracking website Downdetector. Thousands of users were affected worldwide, including the US. Over 4,000 users were impacted by the outage in the US, while nearly 35,000 players across the world reported being unable to connect to its servers. The AWS is yet to respond on the outage that began on Wednesday. The disruption is not only limited to individual games, but related platforms like Epic Games Store and PlayStation Network have also been impacted, claim users on various social media platforms. This has come at a time when when online gaming activity typically surges, thus adding to the frustration of gamers. Frequent outages becoming norm? Such incidents have become a frequent occurrenc. In October , a large AWS outage affected platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Perplexity AI and Snapchat. Thousands of users had reported problems then, according to Downdetector. Roblox, McDonald’s, Coinbase, Canva and Goodreads were among other platforms to be affected. While in November, Cloudflare, which protects millions of websites from cyberattacks, suffered faced a short outage due to which platforms like Zerodha, Groww, Canva and Downdetector had to face problems.

The Amazon Web Services (AWS) disruption is not only limited to individual games, but many related platforms have also been impacted by the outage.

AWS faces disruption, several online gaming platforms affected. Here's what to know

ISRO's (Indian Space Research Organisation) LVM3 M6 mission on Wednesday (Dec 24) successfully lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The LVM3 MG carried the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into orbit, as part of a commercial deal with US-based AST SpaceMobile. The BlueBird Block-2 spacecraft is the heaviest payload to be launched into Low Earth Orbit in the history of the LVM3 rocket.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">Kudos Team <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ISRO?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#ISRO</a> for the successful launch of LVM3-M6 carrying BlueBird Block-2. With the visionary patronage of PM Sh <a href="https://twitter.com/narendramodi?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@narendramodi</a>, <a href="https://twitter.com/isro?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@isro</a> continues to achieve one success after another, reiterating India’s growing prowess in Space technology. <a href="https://t.co/gsnYimTwZs">pic.twitter.com/gsnYimTwZs</a>&mdash; Dr Jitendra Singh (@DrJitendraSingh) <a href="https://twitter.com/DrJitendraSingh/status/2003672347317076104?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 24, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>Why the mission matters</h2>The mission will deploy the next-generation communication satellite designed to provide high-speed cellular broadband directly to smartphones worldwide.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-extremists-emboldened-hasina-blames-yunus-govt-for-anti-india-hostility-in-bangladesh-1766380925403">'Extremists emboldened': Hasina blames Yunus govt for anti-India hostility in Bangladesh</a>On X, the Indian space agency announced "Mission Success", stating that "The LVM3-M6 mission has successfully placed the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into its intended orbit." ISRO said that the LVM3-M6/BlueBird Block-2 Mission is a dedicated commercial mission. It marks the sixth operational flight of LVM3.<h2>All about LVM3</h2>The LVM3 is ISRO's three-stage launch vehicle and comprises two solid strap-on motors (S200), a liquid core stage (L110), and a cryogenic upper stage (C25). It has a lift-off mass of 640 tonnes, a height of 43.5 meters, and a payload capability of 4,200 kg to Geosynchronous Transfer Orbit (GTO).Earlier, the ISRO-developed launch vehicle successfully launched Chandrayaan-2, Chandrayaan-3, and two OneWeb missions carrying 72 satellites. Its last launch was the LVM3-M5/CMS-03 mission, which was accomplished on November 2 this year.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/countdown-starts-for-isro-s-launch-tomorrow-1766462682975">Countdown starts for ISRO's launch tomorrow</a><h2>Providing broadband to smartphones</h2>AST SpaceMobile, as per its website, is building the first and only space-based cellular broadband network accessible directly by everyday smartphones, designed for both commercial and government applications. According to AST SpaceMobile, its BlueBird satellites provide broadband directly to standard smartphones without specialised hardware or phone modifications, allowing users to make video calls, browse the web, and use 4G and 5G internet speeds from anywhere on Earth.

ISRO’s LVM3-M6 rocket lifted off from Sriharikota on Dec 24, successfully placing the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into orbit. Launched for US firm AST SpaceMobile, it is LVM3’s heaviest-ever LEO payload and aims to deliver direct-to-smartphone broadband globally.

ISRO's (Indian Space Research Organisation) LVM3 M6 mission on Wednesday (Dec 24) successfully lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The LVM3 MG carried the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into orbit, as part of a commercial deal with US-based AST SpaceMobile. The BlueBird Block-2 spacecraft is the heaviest payload to be launched into Low Earth Orbit in the history of the LVM3 rocket.

ISRO’s LVM3-M6 rocket lifted off from Sriharikota on Dec 24, successfully placing the BlueBird Block-2 satellite into orbit. Launched for US firm AST SpaceMobile, it is LVM3’s heaviest-ever LEO payload and aims to deliver direct-to-smartphone broadband globally.

'Mission Success': ISRO's LVM3 M6 places BlueBird Block-2 satellite into orbit

Do Kwon was sentenced earlier this month to 15 years in prison by a New York court for crimes associated with the fall of his cryptocurrencies TerraUSD and Luna. Kwon joins the hall of shame of crypto kings, queens and geniuses who were celebrated at the heyday of the digital currencies a decade ago, but manipulated their systems to defraud customers. Kwon was charged with money laundering and fraud, having been apprehended after a years-long manhunt. This is his story.<h2>Do Kwon: the baby-faced crypto genius</h2>Do Kwon, born in South Korea on 6 September 1991 as Kwon Do-hyung, went from software engineer to cryptocurrency entrepreneur after graduating from Stanford University with a degree in computer science. He cut his teeth at Microsoft and Apple before co-founding Singapore-based Terraform Labs with Daniel Shin in 2018, and serving as CEO.Terraform Labs developed the Terra blockchain, the Luna cryptocurrency, and the algorithmic stablecoin TerraUSD (UST), which was marketed as maintaining a $1 peg through an automated mechanism involving Luna. But before we move further, you need to know about the concept of stablecoins.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/markets-in-numbers-2025-precious-metals-rise-crypto-worst-performing-asset-1766467180818/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/markets-in-numbers-2025-precious-metals-rise-crypto-worst-performing-asset-1766467180818/embed</a><h2>What are dollar-pegged stablecoins?</h2>Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value, typically pegged as equal to, or 1:1 with, the US dollar or other fiat currencies.The aim is to combine the benefits of crypto, such as fast and borderless transfers, with the stability of traditional money. The equal pegging to the dollar enabled stablecoins to be used in trading, remittances, and decentralised finance (DeFi) lending. Stablecoins were advertised as a “safe haven” during cryptocurrency volatility, something that Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin and others are notorious for.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/why-are-crypto-markets-falling-1760706709071">Why are crypto markets falling? Explained</a>&nbsp;There are three main types of dollar-pegged stablecoins.The most common are fiat-collateralised cryptocurrencies. These dominate market capitalisation and are backed by 1:1 reserves of US dollars, usually in cash or treasuries held off-chain by a centralised issuer. Examples of such coins include Tether and USD Coin.The second type are crypto-collateralised. These are over-collateralised, sometimes up to 200 per cent, by other cryptocurrencies locked in smart contracts. If the collateral value drops, positions can be liquidated to maintain the peg. Examples include DAI from MakerDAO, which is backed by Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies.The third type are algorithmic stablecoins, which have minimal or no collateral. These use algorithms or incentives to adjust supply automatically through arbitrage operations, usually involving a more volatile “sister” tokens which absorbs price fluctuations. Fully decentralised, algorithmic stablecoins are the riskiest in volatile market conditions.Do Kwon’s TerraUSD, or UST, was one such algorithmic stablecoin. It worked on what is known as a “burn-and-mint mechanism” using the sister coin Luna. In reality, UST was not actually backed by dollar reserves. In the ‘burn and mint operation’, when UST was down in value to US dollars, users would ‘burn’ UST and ‘mint’ more Luna coins, and when Luna was down, they would mint UST and burn Luna, and so on.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-us-coordinate-real-time-to-seize-cryptocurrency-assets-worth-150-million-1757086955195">India, US coordinate real time to seize cryptocurrency assets worth $150 Million</a><h2>The massive fraud of Kwon</h2>Kwon misled investors in his crypto assets about the stability and mechanics of TerraUSD, falsely claiming that the dollar peg was purely maintained by algorithms.But the reality was different.The dollar was “depegged” in May 2021, meaning UST temporarily lost its one-to-one value against the US dollar. But to hide this, Kwon secretly made arrangements with a trading firm to buy millions of dollars’ worth of UST to artificially restore the dollar peg.This led to the inflation of Kwon’s cryptocurrency ecosystem, valued at $50 billion at its peak.<h2>The spectacular collapse of TerraUSD and Luna and crypto winter</h2>Crypto investments saw massive growth during the Covid pandemic. As the lockdowns eased, investments came down. In May 2022, Kwon’s crypto assets UST and Luna collapsed spectacularly, as a chain reaction of panic withdrawals contributed to the situation similar to run on the banks..Nearly $40–50 billion in investor value was wiped out in days. Many retail investors lost their entire life savings.The collapse highlighted algorithmic stablecoins’ vulnerability, a case of fake confidence without sufficient underlying mechanisms.&nbsp;The fall of UST contributed to a broader crypto market crash known as “crypto winter”. It may have also partially caused the downfall of other firms like FTX, run by Sam Bankman-Fried.&nbsp;Firms such as Three Arrows Capital, Voyager were also affected.<h2>After the fall: Kwon’s life as a fugitive</h2>After the 2022 collapse, Kwon disappeared. Reports claimed he fled first to Singapore, then to the Balkans, using false passports. But in March 2023, his escape from the law ended. Kwon was arrested at Podgorica Airport in Montenegro while attempting to board a flight to Dubai using forged Costa Rican documents. He was given a short jail term in Montenegro for passport forgery.Already, both the US and South Korea were on Kwon’s trail and wanted him extradited.A legal battle ensued.On 31 December 2024, Montenegro extradited Kwon to the US to stand trial at a federal court in Manhattan, New York. Kwon, the once-crypto king, pleaded guilty in August 2025 to conspiracy to defraud, wire fraud, and other related charges. Nearly a year after his extradition, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison on December 11, with credit for time served in custody, including about 17 months in Montenegro.<h2>Do Kwon: Epic fraud</h2>The US judge described the TerraUSD fraud as “epic” and on a “generational scale”.Kwon expressed remorse in court.He and Terraform Labs had settled a separate civil case with the US securities watchdog, the SEC, for $4.55 billion, including an $80 million personal fine.But his legal woes are not over.The baby-faced entrepreneur may face additional charges in South Korea after serving his US sentence.

Do Kwon, recently sentenced to 15 years in prison, had risen from Stanford graduate to crypto star before his tokens, TerraUSD and sister coin Luna collapsed, wiping out billions of dollars in value. Here is his story

Do Kwon was sentenced earlier this month to 15 years in prison by a New York court for crimes associated with the fall of his cryptocurrencies TerraUSD and Luna. Kwon joins the hall of shame of crypto kings, queens and geniuses who were celebrated at the heyday of the digital currencies a decade ago, but manipulated their systems to defraud customers. Kwon was charged with money laundering and fraud, having been apprehended after a years-long manhunt. This is his story. Do Kwon: the baby-faced crypto genius Do Kwon, born in South Korea on 6 September 1991 as Kwon Do-hyung, went from software engineer to cryptocurrency entrepreneur after graduating from Stanford University with a degree in computer science. He cut his teeth at Microsoft and Apple before co-founding Singapore-based Terraform Labs with Daniel Shin in 2018, and serving as CEO. Terraform Labs developed the Terra blockchain, the Luna cryptocurrency, and the algorithmic stablecoin TerraUSD (UST), which was marketed as maintaining a $1 peg through an automated mechanism involving Luna. But before we move further, you need to know about the concept of stablecoins. https://www.wionews.com/videos/markets-in-numbers-2025-precious-metals-rise-crypto-worst-performing-asset-1766467180818/embed What are dollar-pegged stablecoins? Stablecoins are cryptocurrencies designed to maintain a stable value, typically pegged as equal to, or 1:1 with, the US dollar or other fiat currencies. The aim is to combine the benefits of crypto, such as fast and borderless transfers, with the stability of traditional money. The equal pegging to the dollar enabled stablecoins to be used in trading, remittances, and decentralised finance (DeFi) lending. Stablecoins were advertised as a “safe haven” during cryptocurrency volatility, something that Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dogecoin and others are notorious for. Also read: Why are crypto markets falling? Explained There are three main types of dollar-pegged stablecoins. The most common are fiat-collateralised cryptocurrencies. These dominate market capitalisation and are backed by 1:1 reserves of US dollars, usually in cash or treasuries held off-chain by a centralised issuer. Examples of such coins include Tether and USD Coin. The second type are crypto-collateralised. These are over-collateralised, sometimes up to 200 per cent, by other cryptocurrencies locked in smart contracts. If the collateral value drops, positions can be liquidated to maintain the peg. Examples include DAI from MakerDAO, which is backed by Ethereum and other cryptocurrencies. The third type are algorithmic stablecoins, which have minimal or no collateral. These use algorithms or incentives to adjust supply automatically through arbitrage operations, usually involving a more volatile “sister” tokens which absorbs price fluctuations. Fully decentralised, algorithmic stablecoins are the riskiest in volatile market conditions. Do Kwon’s TerraUSD, or UST, was one such algorithmic stablecoin. It worked on what is known as a “burn-and-mint mechanism” using the sister coin Luna. In reality, UST was not actually backed by dollar reserves. In the ‘burn and mint operation’, when UST was down in value to US dollars, users would ‘burn’ UST and ‘mint’ more Luna coins, and when Luna was down, they would mint UST and burn Luna, and so on. Also read: India, US coordinate real time to seize cryptocurrency assets worth $150 Million The massive fraud of Kwon Kwon misled investors in his crypto assets about the stability and mechanics of TerraUSD, falsely claiming that the dollar peg was purely maintained by algorithms. But the reality was different. The dollar was “depegged” in May 2021, meaning UST temporarily lost its one-to-one value against the US dollar. But to hide this, Kwon secretly made arrangements with a trading firm to buy millions of dollars’ worth of UST to artificially restore the dollar peg. This led to the inflation of Kwon’s cryptocurrency ecosystem, valued at $50 billion at its peak. The spectacular collapse of TerraUSD and Luna and crypto winter Crypto investments saw massive growth during the Covid pandemic. As the lockdowns eased, investments came down. In May 2022, Kwon’s crypto assets UST and Luna collapsed spectacularly, as a chain reaction of panic withdrawals contributed to the situation similar to run on the banks.. Nearly $40–50 billion in investor value was wiped out in days. Many retail investors lost their entire life savings. The collapse highlighted algorithmic stablecoins’ vulnerability, a case of fake confidence without sufficient underlying mechanisms. The fall of UST contributed to a broader crypto market crash known as “crypto winter”. It may have also partially caused the downfall of other firms like FTX, run by Sam Bankman-Fried. Firms such as Three Arrows Capital, Voyager were also affected. After the fall: Kwon’s life as a fugitive After the 2022 collapse, Kwon disappeared. Reports claimed he fled first to Singapore, then to the Balkans, using false passports. But in March 2023, his escape from the law ended. Kwon was arrested at Podgorica Airport in Montenegro while attempting to board a flight to Dubai using forged Costa Rican documents. He was given a short jail term in Montenegro for passport forgery. Already, both the US and South Korea were on Kwon’s trail and wanted him extradited. A legal battle ensued. On 31 December 2024, Montenegro extradited Kwon to the US to stand trial at a federal court in Manhattan, New York. Kwon, the once-crypto king, pleaded guilty in August 2025 to conspiracy to defraud, wire fraud, and other related charges. Nearly a year after his extradition, he was sentenced to 15 years in prison on December 11, with credit for time served in custody, including about 17 months in Montenegro. Do Kwon: Epic fraud The US judge described the TerraUSD fraud as “epic” and on a “generational scale”. Kwon expressed remorse in court. He and Terraform Labs had settled a separate civil case with the US securities watchdog, the SEC, for $4.55 billion, including an $80 million personal fine. But his legal woes are not over. The baby-faced entrepreneur may face additional charges in South Korea after serving his US sentence.

Do Kwon, recently sentenced to 15 years in prison, had risen from Stanford graduate to crypto star before his tokens, TerraUSD and sister coin Luna collapsed, wiping out billions of dollars in value. Here is his story&nbsp;

Crimes of Do Kwon: Freefall of South Korean crypto genius - fugitive life, forged passports and 15 years in jail

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to launch US firm AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird-6 satellite on Wednesday (Dec 24) &nbsp;from the second launchpad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The three-stage LVM3 rocket, the most capable space launch vehicle in India's fleet, is expected to liftoff at 8:54 am Indian time, carrying the 6,500kg BlueBird 6 to orbit(about 550 km above earth). This satellite would be the heaviest payload to be carried by an Indian rocket. LVM3 has a track record of delivering success in all its eight missions to date. &nbsp;&nbsp;This mission is being executed as part of a commercial deal between ISRO's business arm, NewSpace India Limited(NSIL,) and the Texas-based AST SpaceMobile. As a launch services provider(rocket builder and operator), ISRO launches foreign-origin satellites to space on a commercial basis. Facilitated by NSIL, these commercial space missions are like a taxi ferrying a passenger. In this case, the passenger is the US firm, which pays the Indian Government for the launch service. This is the third commercial mission of LVM3, and the first time that the Indian LVM3 rocket is executing the mission for an American customer. Earlier, it had executed two launches for a European customer, OneWeb(now Eutelsat OneWeb).<h2>About AST SpaceMobile and their internet-beaming satellites</h2>AST SpaceMobile is a Texas-based telecom company that aims to build and launch a fleet of satellites that can directly provide internet connectivity to mobile phones. Typically, only purpose-built satellite phones can facilitate satellite communication. These traditional satellite phone handsets are bulky and require visible antennas; they offer voice connectivity, and low-bandwidth texting and data services. Such services are offered by firms such as Iridium and Thuraya, among others. They are widely used in the defence and maritime sectors for providing connectivity where no communications infrastructure exists.&nbsp;Firms like AST and Starlink are attempting to change this by ensuring direct connectivity between smartphones and satellites. They intend to ensure that Android and Apple devices available in the market can communicate with the support of satellites, without any extra or special hardware. Thanks to the global coverage planned using a fleet of satellites, such services would eventually enable cell phone connectivity almost anywhere on Earth. In simple terms, one need not worry about being "not reachable" or "out of coverage area".&nbsp;As per reports, AST presently has a fleet of five first-generation (Block-1) satellites in orbit. The firm plans to launch a fleet of 45-60 second-generation (Block-2)satellites to offer services in major global regions, it is said.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/lightning-strikes-world-tallest-burj-khalifa-dubai-crown-prince-shares-dramatic-visuals-watch-1766144146883">Lightning strikes world tallest Burj Khalifa, Dubai Crown Prince shares dramatic visuals - WATCH</a>&nbsp;The firm has announced that they have a series of satellites that will be launched in the coming months. BlueBird 7 has shipped to the Cape Canaveral, Florida launch site this month, BlueBirds 8-16 are in various stages of production, with launches planned every 1-2 months on average during 2025 and 2026, the firm announced. &nbsp;&nbsp;They expect to have 45-60 satellites in orbit by year-end 2026. It is touted that these BlueBird satellites(by size) will be the largest commercial satellites ever deployed in Low Earth orbit (about 600kms above Earth). Each of these satellites would carry a 2,400-foot phased array antenna with true direct-to-cell broadband, with a claimed capability of up to 10,000 MHz of processing bandwidth and claimed peak speeds of 120 Mbps per cell.&nbsp;The firm says they have partnered with 50+ mobile network operators serving nearly 3 billion subscribers, "supported by a flexible spectrum strategy blending our own licensed spectrum with partner spectrum".&nbsp; &nbsp;

AST SpaceMobile is a Texas-based telecom company that aims to build and launch a fleet of satellites that can directly provide internet connectivity to mobile phones.

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is preparing to launch US firm AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird-6 satellite on Wednesday (Dec 24) from the second launchpad of the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota, Andhra Pradesh. The three-stage LVM3 rocket, the most capable space launch vehicle in India's fleet, is expected to liftoff at 8:54 am Indian time, carrying the 6,500kg BlueBird 6 to orbit(about 550 km above earth). This satellite would be the heaviest payload to be carried by an Indian rocket. LVM3 has a track record of delivering success in all its eight missions to date. This mission is being executed as part of a commercial deal between ISRO's business arm, NewSpace India Limited(NSIL,) and the Texas-based AST SpaceMobile. As a launch services provider(rocket builder and operator), ISRO launches foreign-origin satellites to space on a commercial basis. Facilitated by NSIL, these commercial space missions are like a taxi ferrying a passenger. In this case, the passenger is the US firm, which pays the Indian Government for the launch service. This is the third commercial mission of LVM3, and the first time that the Indian LVM3 rocket is executing the mission for an American customer. Earlier, it had executed two launches for a European customer, OneWeb(now Eutelsat OneWeb). About AST SpaceMobile and their internet-beaming satellites AST SpaceMobile is a Texas-based telecom company that aims to build and launch a fleet of satellites that can directly provide internet connectivity to mobile phones. Typically, only purpose-built satellite phones can facilitate satellite communication. These traditional satellite phone handsets are bulky and require visible antennas; they offer voice connectivity, and low-bandwidth texting and data services. Such services are offered by firms such as Iridium and Thuraya, among others. They are widely used in the defence and maritime sectors for providing connectivity where no communications infrastructure exists. Firms like AST and Starlink are attempting to change this by ensuring direct connectivity between smartphones and satellites. They intend to ensure that Android and Apple devices available in the market can communicate with the support of satellites, without any extra or special hardware. Thanks to the global coverage planned using a fleet of satellites, such services would eventually enable cell phone connectivity almost anywhere on Earth. In simple terms, one need not worry about being "not reachable" or "out of coverage area". As per reports, AST presently has a fleet of five first-generation (Block-1) satellites in orbit. The firm plans to launch a fleet of 45-60 second-generation (Block-2)satellites to offer services in major global regions, it is said. Also Read: Lightning strikes world tallest Burj Khalifa, Dubai Crown Prince shares dramatic visuals - WATCH The firm has announced that they have a series of satellites that will be launched in the coming months. BlueBird 7 has shipped to the Cape Canaveral, Florida launch site this month, BlueBirds 8-16 are in various stages of production, with launches planned every 1-2 months on average during 2025 and 2026, the firm announced. They expect to have 45-60 satellites in orbit by year-end 2026. It is touted that these BlueBird satellites(by size) will be the largest commercial satellites ever deployed in Low Earth orbit (about 600kms above Earth). Each of these satellites would carry a 2,400-foot phased array antenna with true direct-to-cell broadband, with a claimed capability of up to 10,000 MHz of processing bandwidth and claimed peak speeds of 120 Mbps per cell. The firm says they have partnered with 50+ mobile network operators serving nearly 3 billion subscribers, "supported by a flexible spectrum strategy blending our own licensed spectrum with partner spectrum".

AST SpaceMobile is a Texas-based telecom company that aims to build and launch a fleet of satellites that can directly provide internet connectivity to mobile phones.

ISRO to launch US firm's Bluebird-6 satellite on December 24

China is reportedly building one of the most fundamental components of AI computing: the lithograph machines that make advanced AI chips using Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) light source technology. According to Reuters and other reports, this high-security research initiative is taking place at a laboratory in Shenzhen. The official target for the project is 2028, and if successful, it could allow China to become self-sufficient in advanced AI semiconductor production. Here is what you should know, and why it matters.<h2>China’s ‘Manhattan Project’ aims to challenge Western dominance in advanced AI chips</h2>The project, dubbed in Western media as China’s own “Manhattan Project” in reference to the US nuclear bomb programme, is intended to enable domestic production of cutting-edge chips used in AI computing, smartphones and defence.&nbsp;A top state priority under President Xi Jinping, the project comes amid US-led export controls on advanced chips and chipmaking equipment to China. &nbsp;Chinese technology giant Huawei is reportedly coordinating much of the supply chain for the project.Chinese research institutions are also involved, including the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (CIOMP), which has contributed to optical system development.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/chip-wars-bill-moved-in-us-to-ban-ai-chip-sales-to-china-over-national-security-1766129590201">Chip wars: Bill moved in US to ban AI chip sales to China over national security</a><h2>ASML reverse-engineering? Prototype machine is being tested</h2>A prototype machine was reportedly completed in early 2025 and is currently undergoing testing. Former engineers from world's top semiconductor equipment maker ASML are reportedly involved in the efforts. Lin Nan, a former head of light-source technology at the Dutch company, is among those recruited for the Chinese project, according to the reports. This has led to suggestions that the researchers are drawing on insider expertise and attempting to replicate key elements of ASML’s technology, or even reverse-engineer it.Note that what is being tested is a light-source prototype rather than a production-ready &nbsp;EUV lithography machine. The system can generate EUV light at the required wavelength, but it has not yet been used to manufacture working chips.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-to-block-nvidia-s-sale-of-scaled-down-ai-chip-to-china-report-1762519125702/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-to-block-nvidia-s-sale-of-scaled-down-ai-chip-to-china-report-1762519125702/embed</a><h2>A bulky machine under heavy security</h2>According to Reuters, the prototype occupies almost an entire factory floor and is described by sources as bulky and inefficient compared with ASML’s commercial systems, by far the global leader in EUV lithography machines used for advanced AI chip production.Security around the Shenzhen project is reportedly extremely tight. The facility operates with compartmentalised teams, isolated work areas, and workers using aliases or false identities to prevent information leaks.<h2>High payments and incentives to those who join Shenzhen project</h2>The importance attached to the project is reflected in unusually generous recruitment packages: very high salaries, multimillion-yuan signing bonuses, housing subsidies, and rare tolerance of dual citizenship in order to attract foreign experts and protect them from potential sanctions.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yearender-chip-wars-of-2025-saw-firms-caught-between-policy-trump-and-china-1765872817301">YEARENDER 2025: Chip wars led to firms being caught between policy, Trump and China</a><h2>Major technical challenges remain</h2>Reuters reported that the Chinese government aims to begin producing chips using domestic EUV technology by 2028, although sources close to the project suggest that 2030 is a more realistic timeframe.According to the report, unresolved issues include precision optics, overlay accuracy, defect control, throughput, long-term reliability, and ecosystem maturity.China appears to have achieved in roughly six years what took ASML 18 years. But this comparison is misleading. ASML took decades to become the dominant player as it had to build ts expertise from the ground up. China, on the other hand, may be able to accelerate development by building on existing global research and using ASML designs as reference points, supported by massive state funding. It also benefits from skipping much of the foundational scientific research, supplier creation, and multiple failed generations of prototypes that ASML had to endure.<h2>China's advances in AI chipmaking machinery: Why this matters&nbsp;</h2>EUV technology enables the production of transistors thousands of times thinner than a human hair. It's behind the most advanced AI chips and accelerators designed by companies such as Nvidia and AMD and manufactured by firms like TSMC.China has been blocked from purchasing ASML’s EUV tools, which has pushed it to pursue domestic development of these machines. The eventual aim is to reduce dependence on ASML and other foreign firms for advanced chipmaking capacity.

China is secretly developing an EUV lithography system to make advanced AI chips domestically. The aim is to achieve AI chipmaking capacity by around 2028. This could challenge US export controls and ASML’s global dominance. Here is why it matters

China is reportedly building one of the most fundamental components of AI computing: the lithograph machines that make advanced AI chips using Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) light source technology. According to Reuters and other reports, this high-security research initiative is taking place at a laboratory in Shenzhen. The official target for the project is 2028, and if successful, it could allow China to become self-sufficient in advanced AI semiconductor production. Here is what you should know, and why it matters. China’s ‘Manhattan Project’ aims to challenge Western dominance in advanced AI chips The project, dubbed in Western media as China’s own “Manhattan Project” in reference to the US nuclear bomb programme, is intended to enable domestic production of cutting-edge chips used in AI computing, smartphones and defence. A top state priority under President Xi Jinping, the project comes amid US-led export controls on advanced chips and chipmaking equipment to China. Chinese technology giant Huawei is reportedly coordinating much of the supply chain for the project. Chinese research institutions are also involved, including the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (CIOMP), which has contributed to optical system development. Also read: Chip wars: Bill moved in US to ban AI chip sales to China over national security ASML reverse-engineering? Prototype machine is being tested A prototype machine was reportedly completed in early 2025 and is currently undergoing testing. Former engineers from world's top semiconductor equipment maker ASML are reportedly involved in the efforts. Lin Nan, a former head of light-source technology at the Dutch company, is among those recruited for the Chinese project, according to the reports. This has led to suggestions that the researchers are drawing on insider expertise and attempting to replicate key elements of ASML’s technology, or even reverse-engineer it. Note that what is being tested is a light-source prototype rather than a production-ready EUV lithography machine. The system can generate EUV light at the required wavelength, but it has not yet been used to manufacture working chips. https://www.wionews.com/videos/us-to-block-nvidia-s-sale-of-scaled-down-ai-chip-to-china-report-1762519125702/embed A bulky machine under heavy security According to Reuters, the prototype occupies almost an entire factory floor and is described by sources as bulky and inefficient compared with ASML’s commercial systems, by far the global leader in EUV lithography machines used for advanced AI chip production. Security around the Shenzhen project is reportedly extremely tight. The facility operates with compartmentalised teams, isolated work areas, and workers using aliases or false identities to prevent information leaks. High payments and incentives to those who join Shenzhen project The importance attached to the project is reflected in unusually generous recruitment packages: very high salaries, multimillion-yuan signing bonuses, housing subsidies, and rare tolerance of dual citizenship in order to attract foreign experts and protect them from potential sanctions. Also read: YEARENDER 2025: Chip wars led to firms being caught between policy, Trump and China Major technical challenges remain Reuters reported that the Chinese government aims to begin producing chips using domestic EUV technology by 2028, although sources close to the project suggest that 2030 is a more realistic timeframe. According to the report, unresolved issues include precision optics, overlay accuracy, defect control, throughput, long-term reliability, and ecosystem maturity. China appears to have achieved in roughly six years what took ASML 18 years. But this comparison is misleading. ASML took decades to become the dominant player as it had to build ts expertise from the ground up. China, on the other hand, may be able to accelerate development by building on existing global research and using ASML designs as reference points, supported by massive state funding. It also benefits from skipping much of the foundational scientific research, supplier creation, and multiple failed generations of prototypes that ASML had to endure. China's advances in AI chipmaking machinery: Why this matters EUV technology enables the production of transistors thousands of times thinner than a human hair. It's behind the most advanced AI chips and accelerators designed by companies such as Nvidia and AMD and manufactured by firms like TSMC. China has been blocked from purchasing ASML’s EUV tools, which has pushed it to pursue domestic development of these machines. The eventual aim is to reduce dependence on ASML and other foreign firms for advanced chipmaking capacity.

China is secretly developing an EUV lithography system to make advanced AI chips domestically. The aim is to achieve AI chipmaking capacity by around 2028. This could challenge US export controls and ASML’s global dominance. Here is why it matters

China is secretly building an AI chipmaking machine in Shenzhen. How its ‘Manhattan Project’ could change the AI era

House Democrats on Thursday (Dec 18) moved a bill that seeks to ban the sale of advanced AI chips to China on national security grounds, marking another potential escalation in the ongoing chip war between the US and China. The bill was introduced by Representative Gregory W Meeks, the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Here is what you should know.<h2>What is the US bill on banning AI chip sales to China?</h2>The bill is known as the RESTRICT Act, short for the Restoring Export and Security Trade Restrictions for Integrated Circuit Technologies Act. It aims to restrict the export of advanced US artificial intelligence technologies to China and other countries viewed as security risks. Joined by 13 House Democrats, Meeks presented the measure as legislation designed to protect US national security and preserve American leadership in artificial intelligence.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/yearender-chip-wars-of-2025-saw-firms-caught-between-policy-trump-and-china-1765872817301">YEARENDER 2025: Chip wars led to firms being caught between policy, Trump and China</a><h2>What will the RESTRICT Act prohibit if it is passed?</h2>The bill proposes to ban the sale of the most advanced US-made AI chips, including Nvidia’s H200, to China and other “countries of concern”, defined as nations subject to a US arms embargo as of 1 January 2025. Export licence applications for advanced integrated circuits destined for these countries would be denied by the US Department of Commerce.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/5-countries-dominating-semiconductor-production-in-2025-1761324120797">5 countries dominating semiconductor production in 2025</a><h2>Criticism of Trump’s plan to allow H200 AI chip sales to China</h2>While introducing the bill, Meeks criticised President Donald Trump’s decision to allow the sale of H200 chips to China, arguing that it puts national security at risk and undermines US dominance in the global AI race. He said that providing advanced AI capabilities to a ‘chief strategic competitor’ could strengthen China’s military and malign influence capabilities. Meeks added that the legislation would block such sales while supporting American companies in competing globally across the AI technology stack.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/global-chip-shortage-sparks-fears-of-economic-slowdown-1764826476498/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/global-chip-shortage-sparks-fears-of-economic-slowdown-1764826476498/embed</a><h2>The RESTRICT Act does not introduce new export controls</h2>The Act does not create new export controls but instead codifies existing restrictions on advanced integrated circuits and related products. Its stated aim is to provide clarity and consistency in export policy while reinforcing national security safeguards.&nbsp;The bill would also establish a secure, licence-free export pathway for trusted American companies operating data centres abroad. The Commerce Department would be required to publish rules covering physical security, cyber security, remote access security and other requirements that firms must meet to qualify for licence-free transfers. Eligibility would be limited to US-owned facilities located outside countries of concern.&nbsp;After two years, the definition of an “advanced integrated circuit or product” could be revised, provided Congress is certified that any changes would not harm US national security.<h2>The ongoing chip war between the US and China</h2>The bill comes amid an intensifying technology rivalry - known as chip war - between the US and China. The US has imposed controls on the export of advanced semiconductors, chipmaking equipment and related technologies to China, fearing that these could be used by its military &nbsp;and threaten US national security. &nbsp;In response, China introduced its own controls on critical materials like rare earth elements. China is racing to build semiconductor making capabilities domestically. There have been a series of bans, tighter regulations and policy revisions over chips in the recent years.

US House Democrats have introduced the RESTRICT Act that seeks to block advanced AI chip sales, like H200, to China. Here is what the bill envisages

House Democrats on Thursday (Dec 18) moved a bill that seeks to ban the sale of advanced AI chips to China on national security grounds, marking another potential escalation in the ongoing chip war between the US and China. The bill was introduced by Representative Gregory W Meeks, the Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Here is what you should know. What is the US bill on banning AI chip sales to China? The bill is known as the RESTRICT Act, short for the Restoring Export and Security Trade Restrictions for Integrated Circuit Technologies Act. It aims to restrict the export of advanced US artificial intelligence technologies to China and other countries viewed as security risks. Joined by 13 House Democrats, Meeks presented the measure as legislation designed to protect US national security and preserve American leadership in artificial intelligence. Also read: YEARENDER 2025: Chip wars led to firms being caught between policy, Trump and China What will the RESTRICT Act prohibit if it is passed? The bill proposes to ban the sale of the most advanced US-made AI chips, including Nvidia’s H200, to China and other “countries of concern”, defined as nations subject to a US arms embargo as of 1 January 2025. Export licence applications for advanced integrated circuits destined for these countries would be denied by the US Department of Commerce. Also read: 5 countries dominating semiconductor production in 2025 Criticism of Trump’s plan to allow H200 AI chip sales to China While introducing the bill, Meeks criticised President Donald Trump’s decision to allow the sale of H200 chips to China, arguing that it puts national security at risk and undermines US dominance in the global AI race. He said that providing advanced AI capabilities to a ‘chief strategic competitor’ could strengthen China’s military and malign influence capabilities. Meeks added that the legislation would block such sales while supporting American companies in competing globally across the AI technology stack. https://www.wionews.com/videos/global-chip-shortage-sparks-fears-of-economic-slowdown-1764826476498/embed The RESTRICT Act does not introduce new export controls The Act does not create new export controls but instead codifies existing restrictions on advanced integrated circuits and related products. Its stated aim is to provide clarity and consistency in export policy while reinforcing national security safeguards. The bill would also establish a secure, licence-free export pathway for trusted American companies operating data centres abroad. The Commerce Department would be required to publish rules covering physical security, cyber security, remote access security and other requirements that firms must meet to qualify for licence-free transfers. Eligibility would be limited to US-owned facilities located outside countries of concern. After two years, the definition of an “advanced integrated circuit or product” could be revised, provided Congress is certified that any changes would not harm US national security. The ongoing chip war between the US and China The bill comes amid an intensifying technology rivalry - known as chip war - between the US and China. The US has imposed controls on the export of advanced semiconductors, chipmaking equipment and related technologies to China, fearing that these could be used by its military and threaten US national security. In response, China introduced its own controls on critical materials like rare earth elements. China is racing to build semiconductor making capabilities domestically. There have been a series of bans, tighter regulations and policy revisions over chips in the recent years.

US House Democrats have introduced the RESTRICT Act that seeks to block advanced AI chip sales, like H200, to China. Here is what the bill envisages

Chip wars: Bill moved in US to ban AI chip sales to China over national security

OpenAI has introduced GPT-5.2 Codex, a new version of its AI model designed specifically for coding tasks. The model focuses on improving how AI systems write, understand, and manage code over long and complex projects. The update was announced on OpenAI’s official website, where the company said GPT-5.2 Codex is built to work more reliably as an AI coding agent rather than just a text generator.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">Meet GPT-5.2-Codex, the best agentic coding model yet for complex, real-world software engineering. With native compaction, better long-context understanding, and improved tool-calling, it is a more dependable partner for your hardest tasks. Available in Codex starting today.…&mdash; OpenAI Developers (@OpenAIDevs) <a href="https://twitter.com/OpenAIDevs/status/2001723687373017313?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 18, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<h2>What is GPT-5.2 Codex?</h2>GPT-5.2 Codex is a specialised AI model trained to handle software development tasks such as:Writing new codeFixing bugsReviewing pull requestsManaging large codebasesUnlike general-purpose AI models, Codex is designed to follow instructions step by step and stay focused on coding goals for longer periods.OpenAI said this makes GPT-5.2 Codex more suitable for professional software workflows.<h2>What’s new&nbsp;</h2>OpenAI says GPT-5.2 Codex brings several technical improvements over earlier versions.According to the company’s release note:The model performs better on complex coding benchmarks It shows improved reasoning across long tasks It reduces common coding errors seen in earlier AI models&nbsp;OpenAI also stated that GPT-5.2 Codex scored 55.6 per cent on SWE-Bench Pro, a widely used benchmark that measures how well AI models solve real software engineering problems. This score is higher than previous Codex versions.Built for agent-based codingOne key focus of GPT-5.2 Codex is agent-based coding.OpenAI explained that the model can:Work on tasks for several hours without losing contextHandle multiple steps in a single coding jobOperate in sandboxed environments connected to real code repositoriesThis allows developers to assign tasks such as “fix this issue” or “add this feature” and review the results later.According to OpenAI, GPT-5.2 Codex is available through:&nbsp;ChatGPT Command-line tools Integrated development environments (IDEs)<h2>Why OpenAI sees coding as a key use case</h2>OpenAI said coding is one area where AI tools are already showing strong real-world value.The company noted that software development:Has clear rulesAllows easy testing and verificationBenefits from automationBecause of this, AI models like Codex can assist developers without fully replacing human oversight. OpenAI added that humans remain responsible for reviewing and approving code.<h2>What happens next</h2>GPT-5.2 Codex is part of OpenAI’s broader plan to improve AI-assisted software development.According to the company, future updates will focus on:Faster task completionBetter understanding of large projectsSafer deployment in real-world systemsOpenAI said it will continue testing the model with developers and expand access gradually.&nbsp;

OpenAI has launched GPT-5.2 Codex, a specialised AI model built for coding tasks. Designed as a reliable AI coding agent, it handles long, complex projects, reduces errors, and performs better on real-world software benchmarks.

OpenAI has introduced GPT-5.2 Codex, a new version of its AI model designed specifically for coding tasks. The model focuses on improving how AI systems write, understand, and manage code over long and complex projects. The update was announced on OpenAI’s official website, where the company said GPT-5.2 Codex is built to work more reliably as an AI coding agent rather than just a text generator.

OpenAI has launched GPT-5.2 Codex, a specialised AI model built for coding tasks. Designed as a reliable AI coding agent, it handles long, complex projects, reduces errors, and performs better on real-world software benchmarks.

OpenAI launches GPT-5.2 Codex: How OpenAI is building a smarter AI coding agent

Pornhub is warning more than 200 million premium users that their "activity" on the site may have been exposed in a major data breach, and while the company insists passwords and payment details are safe, the scale of the alleged leak is enough to make many uneasy.<h2>What happened?</h2>According to a Daily Mail report, hackers claim they broke into a third-party analytics system used by Pornhub to analyse site traffic. The attackers allege they now possess a massive dataset containing email addresses, locations, video titles, search keywords, activity types and timestamps tied to more than 200 million user entries.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/marijuana-research-material-but-fentanyl-a-weapon-of-mass-destruction-trump-s-explosive-announcement-on-devil-s-lettuce-1765868829719">Marijuana 'research' material but fentanyl a 'weapon of mass destruction'? Trump's explosive announcement on devil's lettuce</a>If true, that would mean deeply personal browsing habits and not just account details could be circulating outside the platform. The hacking group ShinyHunters has claimed responsibility and has a track record of high-profile breaches.<h2>What do the hackers want?</h2>The hacking group reportedly attempted to extort Pornhub, claiming the stolen data shows how individual users interacted with the site over time. The report was first flagged by cybersecurity outlet BleepingComputer, which said the breach involves Mixpanel, a data analytics company Pornhub previously worked with.Pornhub says the intrusion did not originate from its own systems and stressed that sensitive information such as passwords, government IDs and payment details were not compromised. "We recently learned that an unauthorised party gained unauthorised access to analytics data stored with Mixpanel, a third-party data analytics service provider," the company said. "The unauthorised party was able to use this unauthorised access to extract a limited set of analytics events for some users," it added.Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/who-is-susie-wiles-all-about-the-chief-of-staff-who-called-trump-alcoholic-personality-in-explosive-vanity-fair-interview-1765957457141">Who is Susie Wiles? All about the Chief of Staff who called Trump ‘alcoholic personality’ in explosive Vanity Fair interview</a>The adult content website also said it stopped working with Mixpanel in 2023, meaning any exposed data would be from that year or earlier. Still, for many users, that offers little comfort. Search history, even if old, is the kind of information people expect to remain private.<h2>Pornhub asks users to be on the lookout for THIS</h2>Mixpanel's CEO said the company contained the breach, locked down affected accounts and brought in external cybersecurity experts. "We engaged external cybersecurity partners to remediate and respond to the incident." &nbsp;However, Mixpanel told BleepingComputer it could not independently verify that the Pornhub data being shared online came from the November incident.Pornhub has notified affected users and urged them to watch for phishing attempts or suspicious emails. The company says it has secured the compromised account, launched an internal investigation and alerted authorities. &nbsp;

Hackers claim to have stolen analytics data for 200 million Pornhub users. The breach includes emails, locations, and even browsing history. Are you safe? Here's what we know.

Pornhub is warning more than 200 million premium users that their "activity" on the site may have been exposed in a major data breach, and while the company insists passwords and payment details are safe, the scale of the alleged leak is enough to make many uneasy. What happened? According to a Daily Mail report, hackers claim they broke into a third-party analytics system used by Pornhub to analyse site traffic. The attackers allege they now possess a massive dataset containing email addresses, locations, video titles, search keywords, activity types and timestamps tied to more than 200 million user entries. Also read | Marijuana 'research' material but fentanyl a 'weapon of mass destruction'? Trump's explosive announcement on devil's lettuce If true, that would mean deeply personal browsing habits and not just account details could be circulating outside the platform. The hacking group ShinyHunters has claimed responsibility and has a track record of high-profile breaches. What do the hackers want? The hacking group reportedly attempted to extort Pornhub, claiming the stolen data shows how individual users interacted with the site over time. The report was first flagged by cybersecurity outlet BleepingComputer, which said the breach involves Mixpanel, a data analytics company Pornhub previously worked with. Pornhub says the intrusion did not originate from its own systems and stressed that sensitive information such as passwords, government IDs and payment details were not compromised. "We recently learned that an unauthorised party gained unauthorised access to analytics data stored with Mixpanel, a third-party data analytics service provider," the company said. "The unauthorised party was able to use this unauthorised access to extract a limited set of analytics events for some users," it added. Also read | Who is Susie Wiles? All about the Chief of Staff who called Trump ‘alcoholic personality’ in explosive Vanity Fair interview The adult content website also said it stopped working with Mixpanel in 2023, meaning any exposed data would be from that year or earlier. Still, for many users, that offers little comfort. Search history, even if old, is the kind of information people expect to remain private. Pornhub asks users to be on the lookout for THIS Mixpanel's CEO said the company contained the breach, locked down affected accounts and brought in external cybersecurity experts. "We engaged external cybersecurity partners to remediate and respond to the incident." However, Mixpanel told BleepingComputer it could not independently verify that the Pornhub data being shared online came from the November incident. Pornhub has notified affected users and urged them to watch for phishing attempts or suspicious emails. The company says it has secured the compromised account, launched an internal investigation and alerted authorities.

Hackers claim to have stolen analytics data for 200 million Pornhub users. The breach includes emails, locations, and even browsing history. Are you safe? Here's what we know.

Pornhub suffers massive data breach: Should the adult website's users be worried? Here’s what we know so far

The US has said that Europe is unfairly targeting American companies with its digital tax rules and is preparing retaliation, according to multiple reports. &nbsp;Nearly half of OECD member states from Europe have implemented or proposed digital services taxes (DSTs). Compliance costs and penalties have increased significantly for US firms due to these laws and regulations. Ths US is now viewing fines against its tech firms as de facto tariffs on digital services and preparing to retaliate. Here is what you should know.<h2>What is digital tax?</h2>The EU collectively and some of its member states individually impose taxes on revenue earned by large tech firms from advertising, marketplaces and user data. The EU also has the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act that regulate how Big Tech firms operate, compete, and moderate content in the region. The DMA and DSA regulate gatekeepers and content moderation. The US has argued that these ar e trade barriers, disproportionately affecting American firms rather than European competitors.Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/potus-s-end-of-year-performance-report-card-trump-s-approval-rating-slips-to-39-1765939497912"> POTUS's end-of-year performance report card: Trump's approval rating slips to 39%</a><h2>How does digital tax affect American tech companies?</h2>Tech giants like Google, Meta, Amazon, Apple, and X face the major brunt of EU investigations and fines. Recent fines include €2.95 billion on Google, €500 mn on Apple, €200 mn on Meta, and €140 mn on X, as per European Commission records.Besides financial penalties, most are facing ongoing legal cases and higher compliance costs. American officials say digital taxes reduce revenues earned by these companies in Europe and limit market access, undermining US competitiveness.&nbsp;The Trump administration is painting these as equivalent to tariffs on digital services.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-goods-exports-rise-in-november-trump-s-tariff-gamble-backfired-1765897464938/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-goods-exports-rise-in-november-trump-s-tariff-gamble-backfired-1765897464938/embed</a><h2>Digital tax in EU: How will US retaliate?</h2>The Office of the US Trade Representative warned that it would use all available trade tools if the EU continues its policies. Countermeasures include fees or restrictions on European service providers operating in the United States, such as Spotify. Some European firms in consulting, logistics, software and manufacturing could also be potential targets. Specific companies like Accenture, Siemens, DHL could feel the heat. Possible tariffs and other trade actions would take place against countries adopting digital taxes on US firms.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-lawmakers-introduce-resolution-to-end-trump-s-tariffs-on-india-1765597979819">US lawmakers introduce resolution to end Trump's tariffs on India</a><h2>US is trying to pressure Europe to roll back or modify tech regulations</h2>The dispute has increased US–EU trade tensions, even amid ongoing negotiations over broader economic cooperation and to address Trump tariffs. The EU and specific nations in the bloc argue that digital laws apply equally to all companies and refuse to weaken them. Similar threats from Trump administration had led Canada to rescind its DST in June.

After the Trump tariff war, the US and European Union appear poised for another clash, this time over digital taxes and tech rules. The US has warned of fees and restrictions on European firms in response to EU action against US tech firms.


The US has said that Europe is unfairly targeting American companies with its digital tax rules and is preparing retaliation, according to multiple reports. Nearly half of OECD member states from Europe have implemented or proposed digital services taxes (DSTs). Compliance costs and penalties have increased significantly for US firms due to these laws and regulations. Ths US is now viewing fines against its tech firms as de facto tariffs on digital services and preparing to retaliate. Here is what you should know. What is digital tax? The EU collectively and some of its member states individually impose taxes on revenue earned by large tech firms from advertising, marketplaces and user data. The EU also has the Digital Markets Act and the Digital Services Act that regulate how Big Tech firms operate, compete, and moderate content in the region. The DMA and DSA regulate gatekeepers and content moderation. The US has argued that these ar e trade barriers, disproportionately affecting American firms rather than European competitors. Also read: POTUS's end-of-year performance report card: Trump's approval rating slips to 39% How does digital tax affect American tech companies? Tech giants like Google, Meta, Amazon, Apple, and X face the major brunt of EU investigations and fines. Recent fines include €2.95 billion on Google, €500 mn on Apple, €200 mn on Meta, and €140 mn on X, as per European Commission records. Besides financial penalties, most are facing ongoing legal cases and higher compliance costs. American officials say digital taxes reduce revenues earned by these companies in Europe and limit market access, undermining US competitiveness. The Trump administration is painting these as equivalent to tariffs on digital services. https://www.wionews.com/videos/india-goods-exports-rise-in-november-trump-s-tariff-gamble-backfired-1765897464938/embed Digital tax in EU: How will US retaliate? The Office of the US Trade Representative warned that it would use all available trade tools if the EU continues its policies. Countermeasures include fees or restrictions on European service providers operating in the United States, such as Spotify. Some European firms in consulting, logistics, software and manufacturing could also be potential targets. Specific companies like Accenture, Siemens, DHL could feel the heat. Possible tariffs and other trade actions would take place against countries adopting digital taxes on US firms. Also read: US lawmakers introduce resolution to end Trump's tariffs on India US is trying to pressure Europe to roll back or modify tech regulations The dispute has increased US–EU trade tensions, even amid ongoing negotiations over broader economic cooperation and to address Trump tariffs. The EU and specific nations in the bloc argue that digital laws apply equally to all companies and refuse to weaken them. Similar threats from Trump administration had led Canada to rescind its DST in June.

After the Trump tariff war, the US and European Union appear poised for another clash, this time over digital taxes and tech rules. The US has warned of fees and restrictions on European companies in response to EU action against US tech firms. &nbsp;

After the Trump tariff war, digital tax on US tech firms is emerging as new conflict area with Europe. What is US threatening?

Like it or hate it, AI has been firmly embedded in daily life in 2025, and the controversies surrounding it have become ubiquitous. From an allegedly antisemitic AI chatbot, to millions of pages of pirated books used to train large language models, to an AI model destroying its own database, there were major AI-related controversies almost every month. Here is a roundup of the most notable ones.<h2>AI robocalls in US election to Grok giving “antisemitic” answers</h2>The year started with allegations that AI-generated robocalls were used to influence voters during the US presidential election that was won by Donald Trump. The calls reportedly mimicked public figures’ voices and allegedly spread misinformation.&nbsp;Political controversy was not limited to elections. In July, xAI’s Grok faced heavy criticism after a system prompt change reportedly encouraged “politically incorrect” responses. These included answers widely described as antisemitic, violent and offensive.<h2>Ransomware powered by AI models?</h2>In August, a controversial ransomware prototype was uncovered. PromptLock, identified by security researchers, was an AI-powered ransomware ‘proof of concept’ that demonstrated how locally run language models could be used to dynamically generate attack logic and even automate extortion. Although not deployed at scale, the ransomware that could be automated via AI was alarming for cybersecurity experts.<h2>Pirated books and a 1.5 billion dollar settlement</h2>AI startup Anthropic agreed to a 1.5 billion dollar settlement in a class-action lawsuit over the use of pirated content from books for training its language models. A group of authors had alleged large-scale copyright infringement. The settlement was among the largest to date related to AI training data.<h2>AI hits Hollywood workers, as Disney embraces Sora</h2>Trade unions and creatives in Hollywood reacted angrily after legacy media company Disney entered into a deal with AI startup OpenAI that would allow AI-generated videos of Disney characters via Sora model. Critics argued the partnership could undermine creative jobs and devalue Disney’s intellectual property through mass production of fan-generated “AI slop”.&nbsp;The backlash came even as Disney almost simultaneously issued a cease-and-desist order to Google, accusing it of large-scale copyright infringement in AI training.<h2>Political and diplomatic deepfakes grow, AI agents sabotage their own systems</h2>Political and diplomatic deepfakes continued to proliferate throughout the year, complicating global relations and public trust. Meanwhile Replit's own AI coding agent deleted parts of its production databases during an automated operation.&nbsp;This was not the only ‘system failure’. Grok AI reportedly publicised more than 300,000 conversations that users thought were private.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/open-ai-plans-1-4-tn-spend-on-computing-power-1764589595110/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/open-ai-plans-1-4-tn-spend-on-computing-power-1764589595110/embed</a><h2>Legacy industry's epic fail: Rehiring humans after AI bungled</h2>Several legacy industries experimented with AI but quietly reversed course. Financial institutions were among them, with Klarna acknowledging it had to rehire human customer service staff after its AI chatbot rollout led to higher call volumes, customer frustration and lower resolution rates, despite earlier claims of efficiency gains.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/yearender-2025-the-year-of-ai-humanoid-robots-agntic-ai-competition-and-policy-reform-what-did-you-miss-1765864185978">YEARENDER: 2025 , the year of AI - Humanoid robots, Agntic AI, competition and policy reform - What did you miss?</a><h2>The harms of AI: Lawsuits and human cost</h2>Multiple lawsuits alleged that AI systems encouraged self-harm and suicidal ideation among teenagers. Parents accused companies like OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, of exposing children to harmful advice and emotionally manipulative interactions. Ethical data use, job displacement, and environmental damage - particularly the energy demand and carbon footprint of large data centres - were also hotly debated.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/ai-is-expanding-the-frontier-of-what-is-possible-says-microsoft-ceo-satya-nadella-1765638706782">AI is expanding the ‘frontier of what is possible’, says Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella</a><h2>AI regulation multiplied too: Taming the machines over deepfake and sexual content</h2>The year saw more than 1,000 AI-related bills introduced across states in the US, reflecting a shift towards decentralised regulation.&nbsp;Several states moved to restrict or prohibit independent AI-driven medical diagnoses without human oversight. At the federal level, President Trump issued an executive order rescinding a number of earlier safety-focused AI rules, instead prioritising innovation and reducing regulatory barriers.&nbsp;In Europe, the European Union’s AI Act provisions for general-purpose models came into effect in August.Deepfake laws also proliferated in the US, with states enacting 68 new statutes, most of them focused on non-consensual sexual content and impersonation.

The year 2025 exposed AI’s legal, ethical and social risks; from election robocalls to antisemitic chatbots, ransomware, pirated content for training and Hollywood backlash. Regulation struggled to keep pace with the mindboggling pace of AI developments. Here is a roundup


Like it or hate it, AI has been firmly embedded in daily life in 2025, and the controversies surrounding it have become ubiquitous. From an allegedly antisemitic AI chatbot, to millions of pages of pirated books used to train large language models, to an AI model destroying its own database, there were major AI-related controversies almost every month. Here is a roundup of the most notable ones. AI robocalls in US election to Grok giving “antisemitic” answers The year started with allegations that AI-generated robocalls were used to influence voters during the US presidential election that was won by Donald Trump. The calls reportedly mimicked public figures’ voices and allegedly spread misinformation. Political controversy was not limited to elections. In July, xAI’s Grok faced heavy criticism after a system prompt change reportedly encouraged “politically incorrect” responses. These included answers widely described as antisemitic, violent and offensive. Ransomware powered by AI models? In August, a controversial ransomware prototype was uncovered. PromptLock, identified by security researchers, was an AI-powered ransomware ‘proof of concept’ that demonstrated how locally run language models could be used to dynamically generate attack logic and even automate extortion. Although not deployed at scale, the ransomware that could be automated via AI was alarming for cybersecurity experts. Pirated books and a 1.5 billion dollar settlement AI startup Anthropic agreed to a 1.5 billion dollar settlement in a class-action lawsuit over the use of pirated content from books for training its language models. A group of authors had alleged large-scale copyright infringement. The settlement was among the largest to date related to AI training data. AI hits Hollywood workers, as Disney embraces Sora Trade unions and creatives in Hollywood reacted angrily after legacy media company Disney entered into a deal with AI startup OpenAI that would allow AI-generated videos of Disney characters via Sora model. Critics argued the partnership could undermine creative jobs and devalue Disney’s intellectual property through mass production of fan-generated “AI slop”. The backlash came even as Disney almost simultaneously issued a cease-and-desist order to Google, accusing it of large-scale copyright infringement in AI training. Political and diplomatic deepfakes grow, AI agents sabotage their own systems Political and diplomatic deepfakes continued to proliferate throughout the year, complicating global relations and public trust. Meanwhile Replit's own AI coding agent deleted parts of its production databases during an automated operation. This was not the only ‘system failure’. Grok AI reportedly publicised more than 300,000 conversations that users thought were private. https://www.wionews.com/videos/open-ai-plans-1-4-tn-spend-on-computing-power-1764589595110/embed Legacy industry's epic fail: Rehiring humans after AI bungled Several legacy industries experimented with AI but quietly reversed course. Financial institutions were among them, with Klarna acknowledging it had to rehire human customer service staff after its AI chatbot rollout led to higher call volumes, customer frustration and lower resolution rates, despite earlier claims of efficiency gains. Also read: YEARENDER: 2025 , the year of AI - Humanoid robots, Agntic AI, competition and policy reform - What did you miss? The harms of AI: Lawsuits and human cost Multiple lawsuits alleged that AI systems encouraged self-harm and suicidal ideation among teenagers. Parents accused companies like OpenAI, the maker of ChatGPT, of exposing children to harmful advice and emotionally manipulative interactions. Ethical data use, job displacement, and environmental damage - particularly the energy demand and carbon footprint of large data centres - were also hotly debated. Also read: AI is expanding the ‘frontier of what is possible’, says Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella AI regulation multiplied too: Taming the machines over deepfake and sexual content The year saw more than 1,000 AI-related bills introduced across states in the US, reflecting a shift towards decentralised regulation. Several states moved to restrict or prohibit independent AI-driven medical diagnoses without human oversight. At the federal level, President Trump issued an executive order rescinding a number of earlier safety-focused AI rules, instead prioritising innovation and reducing regulatory barriers. In Europe, the European Union’s AI Act provisions for general-purpose models came into effect in August. Deepfake laws also proliferated in the US, with states enacting 68 new statutes, most of them focused on non-consensual sexual content and impersonation.

The year 2025 exposed AI’s legal, ethical and social risks; from election robocalls to antisemitic chatbots, ransomware, pirated content for training and Hollywood backlash. Regulation struggled to keep pace with the mindboggling pace of AI developments. Here is a recap

YEARENDER 2025: Biggest AI controversies, from robocall elections to ‘antisemitic’ Grok, ransomware and deepfake

In 2025, the semiconductor rivalry between the US and China, often called ‘chip war’, continued. The US used export controls to limit China's access to advanced chip technologies. China, which is making progress on artificial intelligence and military applications, responded with steps to strengthen domestic semiconductor capabilities and export controls on critical inputs such as rare earths. Supply chains, investment patterns and industry strategies were affected, with many US companies, including AI chip giant Nvidia, seeing impacts due to the chip war.<h2>Export controls became a tool for chip wars</h2>As the year began, US export controls restricted sales of advanced AI chips and related technology to China. Firms like Nvidia faced significant revenue losses and costs related to restrictions on advanced AI chips and access to the Chinese market. US officials explained the restrictions as national security steps, but they were criticised by industry leaders for harming competitiveness and incentivising China to expand independent innovations. After Donald Trump became US president in January, he eased some export controls on advanced AI chips to “approved customers” in China, allowing sales of Nvidia’s H200 chip subject to profit sharing with the US government. These policy shifts were interpreted as efforts to maintain US companies’ market access.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/auto-sector-hit-by-global-chip-wars-1762235587408/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/auto-sector-hit-by-global-chip-wars-1762235587408/embed</a><h2>China responded to US restrictions on chips with its own curbs&nbsp;</h2>China asked the US to reverse what it called discriminatory semiconductor export controls, which it claimed were harming its industry and global supply chains.China also placed export restrictions on rare earth elements, an area which it dominates and is crucial to AI chipmaking. As the competition intensified, both sides later agreed to suspend some rare earth export controls in late 2025.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/ai-chip-war-u-turn-trump-allows-nvidia-h200-sales-to-china-says-xi-jinping-responded-positively-1765262721420">AI chip war U-turn? Trump allows Nvidia H200 sales to China, says Xi Jinping ‘responded positively’</a><h2>China increases self-reliance in semiconductor production</h2>Chinese companies and the government raised research spending and production capacity on chips. The government supported local innovation efforts through policy changes, while more Chinese companies expanded their roles across semiconductor supply chains.Even after export permission was granted, China moved to limit access to certain advanced foreign chips over security concerns, which affected chipmakers like Nvidia.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vikram-chip-at-semicon-india-2025-india-fired-first-shot-in-global-chip-wars-here-is-why-it-s-not-just-another-science-story-1756812544584">Vikram chip at Semicon India 2025: India fired its first shot in global 'chip wars'. Here is why it's not just another science story</a><h2>US-China chip war affected global supply chains</h2>Global supply chains and investment flows were impacted by the ongoing US-China tensions and strategic diversification. &nbsp;The revenues and stock prices of American and allied companies were hit due to the curbs. Chinese firms focused on domestic technology, &nbsp;substituting local suppliers for restricted foreign components. The year also saw the US bolstering its domestic subsidy programmes through CHIPS Act, which envisages new domestic fabrication plants.

The US-China chip war continued to reshape global supply chains as export controls in 2025. Curbs on AI chips, rare earth elements and policy shifts under Trump hit firms like Nvidia. Here is a roundup

In 2025, the semiconductor rivalry between the US and China, often called ‘chip war’, continued. The US used export controls to limit China's access to advanced chip technologies. China, which is making progress on artificial intelligence and military applications, responded with steps to strengthen domestic semiconductor capabilities and export controls on critical inputs such as rare earths. Supply chains, investment patterns and industry strategies were affected, with many US companies, including AI chip giant Nvidia, seeing impacts due to the chip war. Export controls became a tool for chip wars As the year began, US export controls restricted sales of advanced AI chips and related technology to China. Firms like Nvidia faced significant revenue losses and costs related to restrictions on advanced AI chips and access to the Chinese market. US officials explained the restrictions as national security steps, but they were criticised by industry leaders for harming competitiveness and incentivising China to expand independent innovations. After Donald Trump became US president in January, he eased some export controls on advanced AI chips to “approved customers” in China, allowing sales of Nvidia’s H200 chip subject to profit sharing with the US government. These policy shifts were interpreted as efforts to maintain US companies’ market access. https://www.wionews.com/videos/auto-sector-hit-by-global-chip-wars-1762235587408/embed China responded to US restrictions on chips with its own curbs China asked the US to reverse what it called discriminatory semiconductor export controls, which it claimed were harming its industry and global supply chains. China also placed export restrictions on rare earth elements, an area which it dominates and is crucial to AI chipmaking. As the competition intensified, both sides later agreed to suspend some rare earth export controls in late 2025. Also read: AI chip war U-turn? Trump allows Nvidia H200 sales to China, says Xi Jinping ‘responded positively’ China increases self-reliance in semiconductor production Chinese companies and the government raised research spending and production capacity on chips. The government supported local innovation efforts through policy changes, while more Chinese companies expanded their roles across semiconductor supply chains. Even after export permission was granted, China moved to limit access to certain advanced foreign chips over security concerns, which affected chipmakers like Nvidia. Also read: Vikram chip at Semicon India 2025: India fired its first shot in global 'chip wars'. Here is why it's not just another science story US-China chip war affected global supply chains Global supply chains and investment flows were impacted by the ongoing US-China tensions and strategic diversification. The revenues and stock prices of American and allied companies were hit due to the curbs. Chinese firms focused on domestic technology, substituting local suppliers for restricted foreign components. The year also saw the US bolstering its domestic subsidy programmes through CHIPS Act, which envisages new domestic fabrication plants.

The US-China chip war continued to reshape global supply chains as export controls in 2025. Curbs on AI chips, rare earth elements and policy shifts under Trump hit firms like Nvidia. Here is a roundup

YEARENDER 2025: Chip wars led to firms being caught between policy, Trump and China

It wouldn't be an exaggeration to call 2025 the year of AI. Here are the major developments in artificial intelligence that made us take note and say 'Wow'. What did you miss?


YEARENDER: 2025 , the year of AI - Humanoid robots, Agntic AI, competition and policy reform - What did you miss?

Elon Musk could become the world’s first trillionaire within the next 12 months as discussions about a possible SpaceX initial public offering (IPO) gain momentum. Recent media reports indicated that SpaceX has begun preliminary steps in selecting investment banks to advise on a potential IPO which, if executed and valued highly, could be one of the largest in history. SpaceX is eyeing a valuation above $1 trillion for the IPO, with some reports suggesting that it could go up to $1.5 trillion.<h2>Investment bank “bake-off” starts, say report</h2>The Wall Street Journal reported that SpaceX has started a selection process known as 'bake-off with investment banks to pitch for advisory roles on a potential public listing. The bake-off suggests the space and internet company is considering formal IPO preparations.&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-s-trillion-dollar-spacex-riddle-1765429441145/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-s-trillion-dollar-spacex-riddle-1765429441145/embed</a><h2>CFO Bret Johnsen remains ambivalent about spacex ipo</h2>On December 12, SpaceX’s Chief Financial Officer Bret Johnsen told staff in a message that the company is preparing for an IPO as early as 2026. “If we execute brilliantly and the markets cooperate, a public offering could raise a significant amount of capital,” he said. However, he was ambivalent, saying that whether, when and at what valuation the IPO will occur “remains highly uncertain”.News reports said the IPO could occur in 2026, potentially mid-year, but the timing is not guaranteed and would depend on market conditions or company strategy.&nbsp;<h2>SpaceX secondary share sale and valuation estimates and what Musk thinks about it</h2>Earlier, SpaceX approved a secondary share sale at approximately US $421 per share, which would place an implied private valuation at $800 billion if and when the transaction completes. Secondary share sale allows existing investors and employees to sell their stake.&nbsp;Musk has earlier denied that SpaceX is raising new capital at an $800 billion valuation, saying &nbsp;it conducts periodic stock buybacks to provide liquidity to employees and investors rather than to secure fresh funding. He stated that reports claiming an $800 billion capital raise are “not accurate”.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/spacex-to-offer-insider-shares-elon-musk-clarifies-amid-market-buzz-over-800b-valuation-1765090614016">SpaceX to offer insider shares? Elon Musk clarifies amid market buzz over $800B valuation</a><h2>Starlink internet services drive company value and could pave the way for trillionaire status for Musk&nbsp;</h2>SpaceX’s rapid expansion of its Starlink satellite internet service is a major factor in its growing private valuation, and there was even talk of Starlink becoming a separate company. Starlink traffic and customer growth have increased, which boosts the value of SpaceX potential IPO.Musk’s net worth is around $600 billion, driven by his stakes in Tesla and SpaceX. A SpaceX IPO with a high valuation could help him become a trillionaire in the next 12 months, depending on the listing price and further performance of the stock.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/spacex-ipo-news-spacex-biggest-launch-could-be-on-stock-market-2026-ipo-to-value-elon-musk-s-firm-at-1-5-trillion-claims-report-1765347193049">SpaceX BIGGEST LAUNCH could be on stock market: 2026 IPO to value Elon Musk’s firm at $1.5 trillion, claims report</a>&nbsp;<h2>SpaceX : A story of more than two decades</h2>SpaceX , short for Space Exploration Technologies Corp., was founded by Musk in 2002, aimed at cutting space transportation costs and the eventual colonisation of Mars. Now perhaps the most important private space company, SpaceX is known for reusable rockets and contracts with NASA, as well as launching satellites and crewed missions that included private individuals as well as astronauts.&nbsp;

Elon Musk could move closer to trillionaire status in 2026 as SpaceX reportedly moves ahead with plans for a potential IPO, with WSJ reporting an investment bank 'bake-off'. Here is what reports are saying

Elon Musk could become the world’s first trillionaire within the next 12 months as discussions about a possible SpaceX initial public offering (IPO) gain momentum. Recent media reports indicated that SpaceX has begun preliminary steps in selecting investment banks to advise on a potential IPO which, if executed and valued highly, could be one of the largest in history. SpaceX is eyeing a valuation above $1 trillion for the IPO, with some reports suggesting that it could go up to $1.5 trillion. Investment bank “bake-off” starts, say report The Wall Street Journal reported that SpaceX has started a selection process known as 'bake-off with investment banks to pitch for advisory roles on a potential public listing. The bake-off suggests the space and internet company is considering formal IPO preparations. https://www.wionews.com/videos/elon-musk-s-trillion-dollar-spacex-riddle-1765429441145/embed CFO Bret Johnsen remains ambivalent about spacex ipo On December 12, SpaceX’s Chief Financial Officer Bret Johnsen told staff in a message that the company is preparing for an IPO as early as 2026. “If we execute brilliantly and the markets cooperate, a public offering could raise a significant amount of capital,” he said. However, he was ambivalent, saying that whether, when and at what valuation the IPO will occur “remains highly uncertain”. News reports said the IPO could occur in 2026, potentially mid-year, but the timing is not guaranteed and would depend on market conditions or company strategy. SpaceX secondary share sale and valuation estimates and what Musk thinks about it Earlier, SpaceX approved a secondary share sale at approximately US $421 per share, which would place an implied private valuation at $800 billion if and when the transaction completes. Secondary share sale allows existing investors and employees to sell their stake. Musk has earlier denied that SpaceX is raising new capital at an $800 billion valuation, saying it conducts periodic stock buybacks to provide liquidity to employees and investors rather than to secure fresh funding. He stated that reports claiming an $800 billion capital raise are “not accurate”. Also read: SpaceX to offer insider shares? Elon Musk clarifies amid market buzz over $800B valuation Starlink internet services drive company value and could pave the way for trillionaire status for Musk SpaceX’s rapid expansion of its Starlink satellite internet service is a major factor in its growing private valuation, and there was even talk of Starlink becoming a separate company. Starlink traffic and customer growth have increased, which boosts the value of SpaceX potential IPO. Musk’s net worth is around $600 billion, driven by his stakes in Tesla and SpaceX. A SpaceX IPO with a high valuation could help him become a trillionaire in the next 12 months, depending on the listing price and further performance of the stock. Also read: SpaceX BIGGEST LAUNCH could be on stock market: 2026 IPO to value Elon Musk’s firm at $1.5 trillion, claims report SpaceX : A story of more than two decades SpaceX , short for Space Exploration Technologies Corp., was founded by Musk in 2002, aimed at cutting space transportation costs and the eventual colonisation of Mars. Now perhaps the most important private space company, SpaceX is known for reusable rockets and contracts with NASA, as well as launching satellites and crewed missions that included private individuals as well as astronauts.

Elon Musk could move closer to trillionaire status in 2026 as SpaceX reportedly moves ahead with plans for a potential IPO, with WSJ reporting an investment bank 'bake-off'. Here is what reports are saying

Elon Musk to be first trillionaire in next 12 months? Banks to pitch in SpaceX IPO ‘bake-off’, say reports

A recent report highlights how digital advertising has become one of the most effective accelerators of small business growth, driving visibility, efficiency, and measurable returns on a scale previously inaccessible to smaller enterprises. The study shows that India’s Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMB) sector is undergoing a decisive shift, embracing data-driven marketing and diversifying across platforms and formats. It is the increase in adoption of AI to optimise campaigns and reduce inefficiencies.&nbsp;<h2>Here's what data reveals</h2>&nbsp;Findings reveal that SMBs are not only advertising more, they are advertising smarter. A majority use three to four platforms simultaneously, over 65% deploy multiple formats, and more than 90% actively monitor campaign performance using digital tools. As the digital marketplace grows more competitive, AI adoption has become nearly universal, with SMBs using intelligent tools for targeting, fraud detection, automation, and creative optimisation.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/why-advanced-bionic-hands-fail-and-how-ai-is-fixing-the-problem-1765784848154">Why advanced bionic hands fail, and how AI is fixing the problem</a>&nbsp;The study also highlights structural challenges that continue to restrain the full potential of SMBs. Limited budgets, absence of specialised talent, lack of IT infrastructure, and difficulty choosing the right mix of platforms and formats were cited as primary barriers. Over 70% of SMBs also expressed that the sheer variety of advertising options can be overwhelming, underscoring the need for simplified guidance and ecosystem support.&nbsp;&nbsp;“India’s economy depends deeply on the vitality of its small businesses, and this report shows how digital advertising is becoming a key equaliser, allowing them to compete with larger players and participate more meaningfully in national and global markets. What is remarkable is not just the high adoption rate, but the tangible impact: from doubling revenues to expanding across India and even reaching export markets,”&nbsp;Sunita Mohanty, Managing Director, Primus Partners, speaking about the findings highlighted in the data.

Nearly 80% of SMBs now use AI-enabled advertising tools, but cost, skills, and ecosystem complexity remain hurdles.

A recent report highlights how digital advertising has become one of the most effective accelerators of small business growth, driving visibility, efficiency, and measurable returns on a scale previously inaccessible to smaller enterprises. The study shows that India’s Small and Medium-sized Businesses (SMB) sector is undergoing a decisive shift, embracing data-driven marketing and diversifying across platforms and formats. It is the increase in adoption of AI to optimise campaigns and reduce inefficiencies. Here's what data reveals Findings reveal that SMBs are not only advertising more, they are advertising smarter. A majority use three to four platforms simultaneously, over 65% deploy multiple formats, and more than 90% actively monitor campaign performance using digital tools. As the digital marketplace grows more competitive, AI adoption has become nearly universal, with SMBs using intelligent tools for targeting, fraud detection, automation, and creative optimisation. Also read: Why advanced bionic hands fail, and how AI is fixing the problem The study also highlights structural challenges that continue to restrain the full potential of SMBs. Limited budgets, absence of specialised talent, lack of IT infrastructure, and difficulty choosing the right mix of platforms and formats were cited as primary barriers. Over 70% of SMBs also expressed that the sheer variety of advertising options can be overwhelming, underscoring the need for simplified guidance and ecosystem support. “India’s economy depends deeply on the vitality of its small businesses, and this report shows how digital advertising is becoming a key equaliser, allowing them to compete with larger players and participate more meaningfully in national and global markets. What is remarkable is not just the high adoption rate, but the tangible impact: from doubling revenues to expanding across India and even reaching export markets,” Sunita Mohanty, Managing Director, Primus Partners, speaking about the findings highlighted in the data.

Nearly 80% of SMBs now use AI-enabled advertising tools, but cost, skills, and ecosystem complexity remain hurdles.

4 in 5 small businesses in India now use AI tools, report makes big revelations

Google searches for businesspeople in 2025 were dominated by figures in the technology and AI sectors. Here is the list.

Year in Search 2025: Top 5 most-searched businesspeople on Google - Elon Musk, Sam Altman, Jensen Huang and more |  Check list

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Would you give rights to hostile aliens? Godfather of AI warns THIS could doom humanity

Google plans to allow users to change their Gmail address

Indian gig worker strike: A wake-up call for a freelancer-dependent industry

Researcher develop world's smallest programmable, autonomous robots

Cursor CEO warns developers against over-relying on AI coding tools

Google may finally let users change their Gmail address, here’s what we know

Future jobs will be ‘completely new’, says Sam Altman

Apple might launch over 20 new products in 2026: What we know so far

China to deploy humanoid robot for patrolling at the Vietnam border

India successfully test-fires K-4 missile from nuclear submarine INS Arighaat

Why Nvidia’s record $20 billion deal with AI chip startup Groq matters

AWS faces disruption, several online gaming platforms affected

'Mission Success': ISRO's LVM3 M6 places BlueBird Block-2 satellite into orbit

Crimes of Do Kwon: Freefall of South Korean crypto genius - fugitive life, forged passports and 15 years in jail

ISRO to launch US firm's Bluebird-6 satellite on December 24

China’s secret ‘Manhattan Project’ for AI chips: What you should know

Chip wars: Bill moved in US to ban AI chip sales to China over national security

OpenAI launches GPT-5.2 Codex: How OpenAI is building a smarter AI coding agent

Pornhub suffers massive data breach: Should users be worried? What we know

After the Trump tariff war, digital tax is emerging as new conflict with Europe

YEARENDER: AI controversies of 2025, from ‘antisemitic’ Grok to ransomware

YEARENDER: Chip wars of 2025 saw firms caught between policy, Trump and China

YEARENDER: 2025, the year in AI: from chat bots to robots, what did you miss?

Musk to be trillionaire in next 12 months? Bank ‘bake-off’ for SpaceX IPO starts

4 in 5 small businesses in India now use AI tools, report makes big revelations

YEARENDER: Which businesspeople did people Google the most in 2025?