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AI is here, where are you? Learn these 10 essential AI terms like Uncanny Valley, LLM, hallucination, and AGI to better understand artificial intelligence’s impact on technology and everyday life.



From Uncanny Valley to LLM, Hallucination and prompt engineering: 10 AI terms you should know about, now

The large mining and heavy industry sector is increasingly automating, or using data science to oversee complex footprints of operations, regulatory requirements, etc., stemming from aging data-of-a-system. An unreasonable amount of legacy documentation, metadata inconsistencies, and an audit-ready infrastructure in place-for-audit are the main features that organizations in this space invest heavily in; they require a scalable tool oriented toward modernizing workflows that would not adversely affect mission-critical processes. If one could state automation and analytics constitute the core of assuring efficiency, it is in regulatory compliance, environmental control, document governance, and the long-term digital transformation.&nbsp;In this background, Pramath Parashar was involved in creating innovations and technical automation projects in his data transformation to bring exceptional results. He has built Python-based reporting engines, big-scale SharePoint automation, and metadata governance frameworks that aim at the bigger goal of a resilient, cost-efficient infrastructure, dependent on the future. He joined as a Data Science Specialist and undertook many digital transformation projects within his first year, showing upfront value gained from deep domain alignment.Some of his major contributions include building an automated financial reporting engine that generates formatted tables with visuals in enterprise-level financial publications. This one solution created recurring annual savings of over $50,000 and significantly decreased turnaround time and human error by automating over 85 percent of formatting and validation effort in petroleum reporting."&nbsp;Another worthy mention is his SharePoint Metadata Sync Automation that handles legacy documentation with over 4,800 individual instances, extracting file-level information and uploading them with structured metadata through an elegant mix of Power Automate and Python. Its release allowed accuracy in metadata to go up to more than 98 percent; it deepened the governance of archaeological heritage mining documentation and audit readiness across functioning departments.&nbsp;This system implements intelligent batching and duplicate detection strategies to ensure that performance and user experience are optimized, thus reducing downtime.&nbsp;Pramath is also behind the Water Quality Monitoring Power BI dashboard for the Globe-Miami mining facility in Arizona. This dashboard visualizes long-term trends for chemical contaminants across groundwater wells integrating over 30 years of laboratory sampling data and features the ability to dynamically filter by chemical name, sampling date, location ID, fraction type, and geologic unit, including:&nbsp;● Azure Maps for mapping well locations;● Line charts and box plots to show contaminant trends (e.g., Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic);● Tables of action level exceedances to flag regulatory breaches;● Linked to SharePoint PDFs of well construction diagrams.&nbsp;The system helps avert early detection of exceedances/emergencies, cuts down manual review and quality assurance in Excel, strong compliance reporting, and well-supported decision-making with environmental and closure planning teams. Built in Power BI with a SharePoint band integration and advanced DAX modeling, the dashboard is exemplary of Pramath' commitment towards scalable, user-focused tools that narrowly balance technical depth with regulatory needs.&nbsp;Beyond these high-impact tools, Pramath developed many applications designed at enhancing field operability. CTD Processor App, built with PyQt, enables environmental data engineers to calibrate and clean field sensor data with an intuitive GUI, bridging the disconnect between technical capabilities and accessibility for non-coding professionals. These efforts solidify his advantage to push beyond automation on an organizational level and down to functional-user levels."&nbsp;Some very deeply entrenched problems needed resolution in the course of his proclaimed successful interventions. One was handling large-scale document integration into automation systems where automating tools would quite often crash because of volume; he solved this with a batch-based process logic that allowed safe, reliable throughput. Resolving metadata inconsistency issues by assigning a fresh-induced unique ID with file-size delta detection as a repeatable solution to avoid corruption in sync cycles was another."&nbsp;His technological leadership is founded on a sound research base. He has written five papers published by the IEEE, with four more currently under submission, on subjects ranging from probabilistic image segmentation and communication optimization in deep learning systems to natural language interfaces for Prolog databases. This duality-the operational pragmatism and the visionary research-in fact positioning him as a practitioner who not only solves today s problems but anticipates tomorrow's complexities.&nbsp;From an industry perspective, his vision of the future is hybrid automation systems with Python-based intelligence sitting in-between low-code platforms like Power Automate. He is pushing for AI-enabled document governance, especially in industries with volumes of legacy content. According to him, "the best automation is the one that disappears" is an ethos that drives his commitment to making systems simpler for users while more sophisticated behind the scenes.&nbsp;His view of metadata integrity, audit traceability, and scalable automation frameworks is poised more and more toward the future of digital infrastructure strategy in asset-heavy industries. As operations grow into actively bringing data forward, professionals like Pramath Parashar are setting new benchmarks in what a scalable, intelligent, secure data workflow is.

From an industry perspective, his vision of the future is hybrid automation systems with Python-based intelligence sitting in-between low-code platforms like Power Automate.

The large mining and heavy industry sector is increasingly automating, or using data science to oversee complex footprints of operations, regulatory requirements, etc., stemming from aging data-of-a-system. An unreasonable amount of legacy documentation, metadata inconsistencies, and an audit-ready infrastructure in place-for-audit are the main features that organizations in this space invest heavily in; they require a scalable tool oriented toward modernizing workflows that would not adversely affect mission-critical processes. If one could state automation and analytics constitute the core of assuring efficiency, it is in regulatory compliance, environmental control, document governance, and the long-term digital transformation. In this background, Pramath Parashar was involved in creating innovations and technical automation projects in his data transformation to bring exceptional results. He has built Python-based reporting engines, big-scale SharePoint automation, and metadata governance frameworks that aim at the bigger goal of a resilient, cost-efficient infrastructure, dependent on the future. He joined as a Data Science Specialist and undertook many digital transformation projects within his first year, showing upfront value gained from deep domain alignment. Some of his major contributions include building an automated financial reporting engine that generates formatted tables with visuals in enterprise-level financial publications. This one solution created recurring annual savings of over $50,000 and significantly decreased turnaround time and human error by automating over 85 percent of formatting and validation effort in petroleum reporting." Another worthy mention is his SharePoint Metadata Sync Automation that handles legacy documentation with over 4,800 individual instances, extracting file-level information and uploading them with structured metadata through an elegant mix of Power Automate and Python. Its release allowed accuracy in metadata to go up to more than 98 percent; it deepened the governance of archaeological heritage mining documentation and audit readiness across functioning departments. This system implements intelligent batching and duplicate detection strategies to ensure that performance and user experience are optimized, thus reducing downtime. Pramath is also behind the Water Quality Monitoring Power BI dashboard for the Globe-Miami mining facility in Arizona. This dashboard visualizes long-term trends for chemical contaminants across groundwater wells integrating over 30 years of laboratory sampling data and features the ability to dynamically filter by chemical name, sampling date, location ID, fraction type, and geologic unit, including: ● Azure Maps for mapping well locations; ● Line charts and box plots to show contaminant trends (e.g., Aluminum, Antimony, Arsenic); ● Tables of action level exceedances to flag regulatory breaches; ● Linked to SharePoint PDFs of well construction diagrams. The system helps avert early detection of exceedances/emergencies, cuts down manual review and quality assurance in Excel, strong compliance reporting, and well-supported decision-making with environmental and closure planning teams. Built in Power BI with a SharePoint band integration and advanced DAX modeling, the dashboard is exemplary of Pramath' commitment towards scalable, user-focused tools that narrowly balance technical depth with regulatory needs. Beyond these high-impact tools, Pramath developed many applications designed at enhancing field operability. CTD Processor App, built with PyQt, enables environmental data engineers to calibrate and clean field sensor data with an intuitive GUI, bridging the disconnect between technical capabilities and accessibility for non-coding professionals. These efforts solidify his advantage to push beyond automation on an organizational level and down to functional-user levels." Some very deeply entrenched problems needed resolution in the course of his proclaimed successful interventions. One was handling large-scale document integration into automation systems where automating tools would quite often crash because of volume; he solved this with a batch-based process logic that allowed safe, reliable throughput. Resolving metadata inconsistency issues by assigning a fresh-induced unique ID with file-size delta detection as a repeatable solution to avoid corruption in sync cycles was another." His technological leadership is founded on a sound research base. He has written five papers published by the IEEE, with four more currently under submission, on subjects ranging from probabilistic image segmentation and communication optimization in deep learning systems to natural language interfaces for Prolog databases. This duality-the operational pragmatism and the visionary research-in fact positioning him as a practitioner who not only solves today s problems but anticipates tomorrow's complexities. From an industry perspective, his vision of the future is hybrid automation systems with Python-based intelligence sitting in-between low-code platforms like Power Automate. He is pushing for AI-enabled document governance, especially in industries with volumes of legacy content. According to him, "the best automation is the one that disappears" is an ethos that drives his commitment to making systems simpler for users while more sophisticated behind the scenes. His view of metadata integrity, audit traceability, and scalable automation frameworks is poised more and more toward the future of digital infrastructure strategy in asset-heavy industries. As operations grow into actively bringing data forward, professionals like Pramath Parashar are setting new benchmarks in what a scalable, intelligent, secure data workflow is.

From an industry perspective, his vision of the future is hybrid automation systems with Python-based intelligence sitting in-between low-code platforms like Power Automate.

How a new hire tackled 5 giant problems in a global mining company

India's tax e-filing portal was reportedly exposed to a serious security gap for a brief period that allowed logged-in users to view the private data of others. What was described by TechCrunch as a "glaring hole" was discovered by independent security researchers when they were trying to file their own tax returns on the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal. The security lapse allowed them, while logged in, to view the private data of other taxpayers, including Aadhaar numbers and financial details.<h2>Tax e-filing portal security vulnerability : What happened?</h2>Independent security researchers discovered that the flaw in the portal’s web code permitted the manipulation of a request parameter, such as switching one PAN number for another, to retrieve personal and financial records without any authorisation check. The flaw, technically known as an Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR), is a well-known but sometimes overlooked vulnerability, TechCrunch reported.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/gst-2-0-what-experts-and-industry-leaders-said-on-the-impact-of-healthcare-1758536240819">GST 2.0: What experts and industry leaders said on the impact of healthcare</a>&nbsp;IDOR occurs when an application exposes internal object identifiers (such as database IDs or PANs) without proper access controls, allowing attackers or users to access data simply by modifying inputs in the request URL. This flaw did not require advanced technical skills and could be exploited using basic browser developer tools or software.<h2>What information was accessible?</h2>The information that could be accessed included full names, home addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, bank account details, Aadhaar numbers, and tax-related data of individuals, even if they had not yet filed their returns. The researchers also found that corporate taxpayer data was vulnerable, including registered business profiles and financial summaries.<h2>What was done to resolve the issue?</h2>The vulnerability was reported to CERT-In, India’s Computer Emergency Response Team under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. CERT-In coordinated with the Income Tax Department and a patch to fix the vulnerability was reportedly implemented by October 2, before the issue was publicly disclosed in the media.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions/why-gst-2-0-is-a-global-signal-that-india-means-business-explained-1757062869769">Why GST 2.0 is a global signal that India means business, EXPLAINED</a>TechCrunch and other outlets delayed publishing the vulnerability until the issue was resolved. The public response from the government has been minimal so far. The Income Tax Department acknowledged media queries but has not issued an official statement or user notification about the incident at the time of writing this. Experts have recommended a comprehensive audit to determine whether any taxpayer data was accessed or exfiltrated during the window of exposure.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gst-2-0-new-gst-2-0-takes-effect-food-cars-tvs-become-cheaper-1758617450689/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/gst-2-0-new-gst-2-0-takes-effect-food-cars-tvs-become-cheaper-1758617450689/embed</a>The tax department’s standard digital safeguards include two-factor authentication via One Time Password (OTP) sent to registered mobile numbers or email addresses, secure login messages, and optional multi-factor authentication through the “e-Filing Vault” feature. However, these front-end protections do not defend against vulnerabilities like IDOR that occur due to poor access control in backend systems.<h2>Taxpayers, do not assume safety: Here is how to protect yourself</h2>If you are an Indian taxpayer, do not assume security purely on the basis of the e-filing portal’s assurances. You can take the following steps to reduce your risk of fraud or identity theft.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/gst-2-0-centre-pulls-up-e-commerce-companies-for-not-reducing-prices-says-report-1759232839602">GST 2.0: Centre pulls up e-commerce companies for not reducing prices, says report</a>1. Always use strong and unique passwords for your tax portal account. Change your password regularly and avoid reusing it across other services.2. Never share your login credentials, OTPs, or security questions with anyone, including self-proclaimed government officials.3. If not already done, enable two-factor authentication for both login and password reset processes via the “e-Filing Vault” section of your account profile.4. Monitor your e-filing portal account regularly for any unauthorised changes, especially to your email address, mobile number, or linked bank account.5. Be alert to phishing emails or SMS messages that claim to be from the tax department. Always verify the email domain and website address before clicking on any links or entering login details. The official site is http://www.incometax.gov.in.6. Use secure devices and trusted networks when accessing the e-filing portal. Avoid filing your taxes on public Wi-Fi networks and ensure your browser and antivirus software are up to date.7. If you notice any unusual activity on your profile or suspect your data may have been leaked, report it immediately. You can contact cybercrime authorities via http://www.cybercrime.gov.in or call the income tax helpline at 1800-103-4215. You may also file a grievance directly through the e-filing portal.

A recently discovered security flaw in India's tax e-filing portal allowed some users access others' private data. Taxpayers should stay vigilant and follow steps mentioned here to secure their accounts from misuse.



India's tax e-filing portal was reportedly exposed to a serious security gap for a brief period that allowed logged-in users to view the private data of others. What was described by TechCrunch as a "glaring hole" was discovered by independent security researchers when they were trying to file their own tax returns on the Income Tax Department’s e-filing portal. The security lapse allowed them, while logged in, to view the private data of other taxpayers, including Aadhaar numbers and financial details. Tax e-filing portal security vulnerability : What happened? Independent security researchers discovered that the flaw in the portal’s web code permitted the manipulation of a request parameter, such as switching one PAN number for another, to retrieve personal and financial records without any authorisation check. The flaw, technically known as an Insecure Direct Object Reference (IDOR), is a well-known but sometimes overlooked vulnerability, TechCrunch reported. Also read: GST 2.0: What experts and industry leaders said on the impact of healthcare IDOR occurs when an application exposes internal object identifiers (such as database IDs or PANs) without proper access controls, allowing attackers or users to access data simply by modifying inputs in the request URL. This flaw did not require advanced technical skills and could be exploited using basic browser developer tools or software. What information was accessible? The information that could be accessed included full names, home addresses, email addresses, phone numbers, dates of birth, bank account details, Aadhaar numbers, and tax-related data of individuals, even if they had not yet filed their returns. The researchers also found that corporate taxpayer data was vulnerable, including registered business profiles and financial summaries. What was done to resolve the issue? The vulnerability was reported to CERT-In, India’s Computer Emergency Response Team under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology. CERT-In coordinated with the Income Tax Department and a patch to fix the vulnerability was reportedly implemented by October 2, before the issue was publicly disclosed in the media. Also read: Why GST 2.0 is a global signal that India means business, EXPLAINED TechCrunch and other outlets delayed publishing the vulnerability until the issue was resolved. The public response from the government has been minimal so far. The Income Tax Department acknowledged media queries but has not issued an official statement or user notification about the incident at the time of writing this. Experts have recommended a comprehensive audit to determine whether any taxpayer data was accessed or exfiltrated during the window of exposure. https://www.wionews.com/videos/gst-2-0-new-gst-2-0-takes-effect-food-cars-tvs-become-cheaper-1758617450689/embed The tax department’s standard digital safeguards include two-factor authentication via One Time Password (OTP) sent to registered mobile numbers or email addresses, secure login messages, and optional multi-factor authentication through the “e-Filing Vault” feature. However, these front-end protections do not defend against vulnerabilities like IDOR that occur due to poor access control in backend systems. Taxpayers, do not assume safety: Here is how to protect yourself If you are an Indian taxpayer, do not assume security purely on the basis of the e-filing portal’s assurances. You can take the following steps to reduce your risk of fraud or identity theft. Also read: GST 2.0: Centre pulls up e-commerce companies for not reducing prices, says report 1. Always use strong and unique passwords for your tax portal account. Change your password regularly and avoid reusing it across other services. 2. Never share your login credentials, OTPs, or security questions with anyone, including self-proclaimed government officials. 3. If not already done, enable two-factor authentication for both login and password reset processes via the “e-Filing Vault” section of your account profile. 4. Monitor your e-filing portal account regularly for any unauthorised changes, especially to your email address, mobile number, or linked bank account. 5. Be alert to phishing emails or SMS messages that claim to be from the tax department. Always verify the email domain and website address before clicking on any links or entering login details. The official site is http://www.incometax.gov.in. 6. Use secure devices and trusted networks when accessing the e-filing portal. Avoid filing your taxes on public Wi-Fi networks and ensure your browser and antivirus software are up to date. 7. If you notice any unusual activity on your profile or suspect your data may have been leaked, report it immediately. You can contact cybercrime authorities via http://www.cybercrime.gov.in or call the income tax helpline at 1800-103-4215. You may also file a grievance directly through the e-filing portal.

A recently discovered security flaw in India's tax e-filing portal allowed some users access others' private data. Taxpayers should stay vigilant and follow steps mentioned here to secure their accounts from misuse.&nbsp;

'Glaring hole' in India's tax e-filing portal allowed some users to access other taxpayers' details. Here is how to stay safe

North Korea–linked hacking groups have reportedly stolen more than $2 billion in cryptocurrency assets so far in 2025, making this perhaps the most lucrative year yet in cybercrime for the regime of Kim Jong Un. Most of the money was taken in a single breach in February involving the Dubai-based exchange Bybit, where approximately $1.46 billion worth of Ethereum was drained from a cold wallet. According to blockchain analytics firm Elliptic and reports in outlets including Reuters and Bloomberg, this marks one of the largest crypto hacks ever recorded. The FBI officially attributed the attack to North Korea, in an operation it dubbed “TraderTraitor”.<h2>North Korea has now stolen more than $6 billion in crypto since 2017</h2>Elliptic said in a blog post that North Korea‑linked hackers have stolen over $2 billion in 2025 alone, based on more than 30 attributed hacks. Cumulatively, North Korea’s cryptocurrency thefts since 2017 now exceed $6 billion. In 2024 alone, North Korean-linked hackers were documented to have extracted around $659 million in a series of high-profile breaches.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/north-korea-s-kim-jong-un-celebrates-soldiers-who-fought-for-russia-calls-them-heroes-1755853724398">North Korea's Kim Jong-Un celebrates soldiers who fought for Russia, calls them 'heroes'</a><h2>2025: A record-setting year for North Korean crypto hacks</h2>The 2025 thefts already amount to three times the value stolen in 2024. In the Bybit hack, about 401,000 ETH coins were transferred out of the exchange. The FBI warned that the stolen funds would likely be laundered and converted to fiat currency.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/can-you-guess-asia-s-6-most-dangerous-nations-and-where-india-ranks-1759740343817">Can you guess Asia’s 6 most dangerous nations and where India ranks?</a>So far in 2025, more than 30 separate hacks attributed to North Korea-linked entities have taken place. Many of these attacks have targeted cryptocurrency exchanges and decentralised finance (DeFi) platforms. While centralised exchanges remain key targets, analysts note a tactical shift toward social engineering techniques. CoinDesk reported that these include phishing, impersonation, and insider coercion — methods that exploit human vulnerabilities rather than technical weaknesses to access funds.If the current total holds — or rises further, as Elliptic has cautioned it may — 2025 could far surpass the previous record of approximately $1.35 billion stolen in 2022.<h2>How North Korea benefits from crypto hacking</h2>According to various reports, stolen cryptocurrency funds may account for up to 13 per cent of North Korea’s GDP. Some estimates suggest that over half of the regime’s missile development budget is funded through cybercrime. However, these figures are not independently verified due to the extreme secrecy surrounding North Korea’s internal finances.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/north-korea-unveils-new-hypersonic-missile-1759860309991/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/north-korea-unveils-new-hypersonic-missile-1759860309991/embed</a>These hacks are widely believed to be carried out by groups under the control of North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau — the country’s main military intelligence agency. Lazarus Group, the most notorious among them, has been linked to multiple high-value attacks.These operations demonstrate just how central cybercrime — especially crypto theft — has become to North Korea’s strategy for evading sanctions and financing its weapons programmes.<h2>Has Kim Jong Un acknowledged this?</h2>No. Kim Jong Un and the North Korean state have never publicly admitted to involvement in cryptocurrency theft or cybercrime. The regime, in fact, consistently denies responsibility for all cyberattacks attributed to it, including those confirmed by the FBI, the United Nations, and independent cybersecurity firms.

 It has been reported that stolen crypto funds may account for up to 13 per cent of North Korea’s GDP. More than half of the regime’s missile development budget is reportedly funded through cybercrime. 

North Korea–linked hacking groups have reportedly stolen more than $2 billion in cryptocurrency assets so far in 2025, making this perhaps the most lucrative year yet in cybercrime for the regime of Kim Jong Un. Most of the money was taken in a single breach in February involving the Dubai-based exchange Bybit, where approximately $1.46 billion worth of Ethereum was drained from a cold wallet. According to blockchain analytics firm Elliptic and reports in outlets including Reuters and Bloomberg, this marks one of the largest crypto hacks ever recorded. The FBI officially attributed the attack to North Korea, in an operation it dubbed “TraderTraitor”. North Korea has now stolen more than $6 billion in crypto since 2017 Elliptic said in a blog post that North Korea‑linked hackers have stolen over $2 billion in 2025 alone, based on more than 30 attributed hacks. Cumulatively, North Korea’s cryptocurrency thefts since 2017 now exceed $6 billion. In 2024 alone, North Korean-linked hackers were documented to have extracted around $659 million in a series of high-profile breaches. Also read: North Korea's Kim Jong-Un celebrates soldiers who fought for Russia, calls them 'heroes' 2025: A record-setting year for North Korean crypto hacks The 2025 thefts already amount to three times the value stolen in 2024. In the Bybit hack, about 401,000 ETH coins were transferred out of the exchange. The FBI warned that the stolen funds would likely be laundered and converted to fiat currency. Also read: Can you guess Asia’s 6 most dangerous nations and where India ranks? So far in 2025, more than 30 separate hacks attributed to North Korea-linked entities have taken place. Many of these attacks have targeted cryptocurrency exchanges and decentralised finance (DeFi) platforms. While centralised exchanges remain key targets, analysts note a tactical shift toward social engineering techniques. CoinDesk reported that these include phishing, impersonation, and insider coercion — methods that exploit human vulnerabilities rather than technical weaknesses to access funds. If the current total holds — or rises further, as Elliptic has cautioned it may — 2025 could far surpass the previous record of approximately $1.35 billion stolen in 2022. How North Korea benefits from crypto hacking According to various reports, stolen cryptocurrency funds may account for up to 13 per cent of North Korea’s GDP. Some estimates suggest that over half of the regime’s missile development budget is funded through cybercrime. However, these figures are not independently verified due to the extreme secrecy surrounding North Korea’s internal finances. https://www.wionews.com/videos/north-korea-unveils-new-hypersonic-missile-1759860309991/embed These hacks are widely believed to be carried out by groups under the control of North Korea’s Reconnaissance General Bureau — the country’s main military intelligence agency. Lazarus Group, the most notorious among them, has been linked to multiple high-value attacks. These operations demonstrate just how central cybercrime — especially crypto theft — has become to North Korea’s strategy for evading sanctions and financing its weapons programmes. Has Kim Jong Un acknowledged this? No. Kim Jong Un and the North Korean state have never publicly admitted to involvement in cryptocurrency theft or cybercrime. The regime, in fact, consistently denies responsibility for all cyberattacks attributed to it, including those confirmed by the FBI, the United Nations, and independent cybersecurity firms.

&nbsp;It has been reported that stolen crypto funds may account for up to 13 per cent of North Korea’s GDP. More than half of the regime’s missile development budget is reportedly funded through cybercrime.&nbsp;

North Korea cryptocurrency thefts in 2025 soar past $2 billion, led by massive Bybit heist in possibly record year: Reports

Isn't it ironic that MrBeast – the man who inspires many youth to become YouTubers through his success story as the most-subscribed channel– worries that artificial intelligence flooding the American video-sharing platform could kill small creators? What many don’t tell you is that 94 per cent of YouTube channels are never monetised. The hype around the so-called "creator economy" is almost essential for platforms like YouTube, which survive and thrive on other people’s content, running billions of dollars’ worth of ads on videos made by small creators – while giving many of them nothing in return. Here’s why MrBeast’s recent statement should be a cautionary tale for anyone hoping to make money on YouTube.<h2>What did MrBeast say?</h2>MrBeast, real name Jimmy Donaldson, is currently the most-subscribed YouTuber in the world. In a recent X post, he said: "When AI videos are just as good as normal videos, I wonder what that will do to YouTube and how it will impact the millions of creators currently making content for a living… scary times."His post, viewed more than 6.3 million times, came as new tools like OpenAI’s Sora 2 are now capable of generating cinematic-quality video from simple text prompts.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-admits-to-censorship-under-biden-administration-agrees-to-restore-banned-youtube-accounts-1758794113113">'Unacceptable and wrong': Google admits to censorship under Biden administration, agrees to restore banned YouTube accounts</a>&nbsp;MrBeast’s concern is also partially hypocritical. Earlier this year, he faced backlash for launching an AI-powered thumbnail generator via his analytics platform, Viewstats. After creators criticised the move for displacing human artists, MrBeast pulled the tool and instead added a directory for hiring real thumbnail designers. In a follow-up, he stated: “I care more than any of you could ever imagine about the YouTube community… I missed the mark.”Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/youtube-premium-lite-which-services-you-will-receive-for-rs-89-per-month-1759141360174">YouTube Premium Lite: Which services you will receive&nbsp;for Rs 89 per month?</a><h2>The sad reality of the creator economy on YouTube: You've been warned</h2>YouTube’s creator economy is already deeply unequal. AI-generated video – heavily promoted by YouTube’s parent companies Google and Alphabet – has added another layer of disruption. Mass-produced, algorithm-friendly videos (sometimes derided as “AI slop”) are increasingly crowding the platform, making it harder than ever for small creators to gain visibility, let alone earn money.Many of these videos are now being produced by Google-backed systems like Veo and NanoBanana, which can churn out synthetic content at scale. This arms race in content production is eroding the space that was once available to human creators.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/youtube-updates-monetization-rules-ai-made-content-may-lose-ad-revenue-1752689638111/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/youtube-updates-monetization-rules-ai-made-content-may-lose-ad-revenue-1752689638111/embed</a>Gone are the days when amateur-looking videos filmed on smartphones could reliably generate income. Video production – from hardware to editing software – has become so sophisticated that many uploads now rival Netflix-quality. Smaller creators are left scrambling to keep up, while AI-generated shorts and clickbait content rack up millions of views with minimal effort or cost.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/tanmay-bhatt-reacts-as-he-is-named-the-richest-youtuber-in-india-beats-bhuvam-bam-dhruv-rathee-samay-raina-1759807613878">Tanmay Bhat reacts as he is named the richest YouTuber in India, beats Bhuvam Bam, Dhruv Rathee, Samay Raina</a><h2>How many channels are really monetised on YouTube? Only 6 per cent</h2>As of March 2025, YouTube had an estimated 114 million active channels. Only around 6 per cent of these are accepted into the YouTube Partner Programme (YPP), which allows monetisation. That leaves 94 per cent – over 100 million channels – unmonetised, either because they fail to meet eligibility thresholds or are inactive.Given MrBeast’s position at the top of the platform (No. 1 on Forbes’ 2025 Top Creators list, with $85 million in earnings), his warnings carry weight. They reflect a broader anxiety: that the future of YouTube – and content creation more generally – may belong not to passionate individuals, but to cheap, fast, AI-generated noise.

Gone are the days when amateurish videos could be monetised on YouTube. Production hardware and software are so sophisticated that many uploads can now rival Netflix-quality. Smaller creators, already left scrambling, have now been hit harder by AI slop. Is the 'creative economy a sham?

Isn't it ironic that MrBeast – the man who inspires many youth to become YouTubers through his success story as the most-subscribed channel– worries that artificial intelligence flooding the American video-sharing platform could kill small creators? What many don’t tell you is that 94 per cent of YouTube channels are never monetised. The hype around the so-called "creator economy" is almost essential for platforms like YouTube, which survive and thrive on other people’s content, running billions of dollars’ worth of ads on videos made by small creators – while giving many of them nothing in return. Here’s why MrBeast’s recent statement should be a cautionary tale for anyone hoping to make money on YouTube. What did MrBeast say? MrBeast, real name Jimmy Donaldson, is currently the most-subscribed YouTuber in the world. In a recent X post, he said: "When AI videos are just as good as normal videos, I wonder what that will do to YouTube and how it will impact the millions of creators currently making content for a living… scary times." His post, viewed more than 6.3 million times, came as new tools like OpenAI’s Sora 2 are now capable of generating cinematic-quality video from simple text prompts. Also read: 'Unacceptable and wrong': Google admits to censorship under Biden administration, agrees to restore banned YouTube accounts MrBeast’s concern is also partially hypocritical. Earlier this year, he faced backlash for launching an AI-powered thumbnail generator via his analytics platform, Viewstats. After creators criticised the move for displacing human artists, MrBeast pulled the tool and instead added a directory for hiring real thumbnail designers. In a follow-up, he stated: “I care more than any of you could ever imagine about the YouTube community… I missed the mark.” Also read: YouTube Premium Lite: Which services you will receive for Rs 89 per month? The sad reality of the creator economy on YouTube: You've been warned YouTube’s creator economy is already deeply unequal. AI-generated video – heavily promoted by YouTube’s parent companies Google and Alphabet – has added another layer of disruption. Mass-produced, algorithm-friendly videos (sometimes derided as “AI slop”) are increasingly crowding the platform, making it harder than ever for small creators to gain visibility, let alone earn money. Many of these videos are now being produced by Google-backed systems like Veo and NanoBanana, which can churn out synthetic content at scale. This arms race in content production is eroding the space that was once available to human creators. https://www.wionews.com/videos/youtube-updates-monetization-rules-ai-made-content-may-lose-ad-revenue-1752689638111/embed Gone are the days when amateur-looking videos filmed on smartphones could reliably generate income. Video production – from hardware to editing software – has become so sophisticated that many uploads now rival Netflix-quality. Smaller creators are left scrambling to keep up, while AI-generated shorts and clickbait content rack up millions of views with minimal effort or cost. Also read: Tanmay Bhat reacts as he is named the richest YouTuber in India, beats Bhuvam Bam, Dhruv Rathee, Samay Raina How many channels are really monetised on YouTube? Only 6 per cent As of March 2025, YouTube had an estimated 114 million active channels. Only around 6 per cent of these are accepted into the YouTube Partner Programme (YPP), which allows monetisation. That leaves 94 per cent – over 100 million channels – unmonetised, either because they fail to meet eligibility thresholds or are inactive. Given MrBeast’s position at the top of the platform (No. 1 on Forbes’ 2025 Top Creators list, with $85 million in earnings), his warnings carry weight. They reflect a broader anxiety: that the future of YouTube – and content creation more generally – may belong not to passionate individuals, but to cheap, fast, AI-generated noise.

Gone are the days when amateurish videos could be monetised on YouTube. Production hardware and software are so sophisticated that many uploads can now rival Netflix-quality. Smaller creators, already left scrambling, have now been hit harder by AI slop. Is the 'creative economy a sham?

Creator economy sham: MrBeast feels AI slop will kill small creators on YouTube. Truth is, 94 per cent of channels are not monetised

The European Space Agency (ESA) has inaugurated its most advanced deep-space antenna in the remote town of New Norcia, Western Australia, marking a major milestone in Europe’s space communication capabilities.&nbsp;The ceremony, held on October 4, 2025, was attended by ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and Australian Space Agency chief Enrico Palermo. The project, costing $110 million, adds a new dimension to ESA’s ability to communicate with spacecraft exploring the far reaches of our solar system.&nbsp;The antenna, known as New Norcia 3 (NNO-3), is 35 metres in diameter and becomes the fourth deep space antenna in ESA’s global Estrack network and the second installed at the New Norcia site.&nbsp;<h2>AI to power space communication</h2>What makes this antenna unique is its integration of artificial intelligence a first for ESA’s ground network. The AI system will help fine-tune signal detection, filter out background noise, and automatically adjust the antenna’s position for precise communication with distant spacecraft.&nbsp;Speaking to The Sunday Times, Aschbacher said, “This is one of our major antennas that helps us look deep into the universe and receive data from our telescopes and missions.”&nbsp;To ensure maximum sensitivity, parts of the antenna’s receiver system are cryogenically cooled to -263°C, close to absolute zero. This enables it to capture extremely weak signals travelling billions of kilometres from spacecraft across the solar system.&nbsp;<h2>Supporting Jupiter and Mercury missions</h2>The NNO-3 antenna will play a crucial role in two of ESA’s most ambitious missions the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) and BepiColombo mission to Mercury.&nbsp;The JUICE mission aims to explore Jupiter’s icy moons Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa, searching for subsurface oceans that might hold conditions for life. Scientists believe these moons contain more water beneath their icy crusts than all of Earth’s oceans combined.&nbsp;The BepiColombo mission, jointly run with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), will study Mercury’s surface and magnetic field under extreme heat and radiation. Data from these missions will be relayed through the New Norcia antenna, ensuring reliable communication despite vast distances.&nbsp;<h2>Expanding Europe’s space network</h2>When fully operational in 2026, NNO-3 will also support other flagship missions, including Solar Orbiter, Mars Express, Hera, and future explorations such as Plato, Envision, Ariel, Ramses, and Vigil.&nbsp;The facility strengthens Europe’s independent capacity to track and communicate with deep space missions, reducing reliance on international partners.&nbsp;Director General Aschbacher called the project a “significant step forward” for Europe’s role in global space exploration, adding that the partnership with Australia highlights the value of international collaboration in advancing science and technology.&nbsp;&nbsp;

ESA has launched its most advanced deep space antenna in New Norcia, Australia. Powered by AI, it will support missions like JUICE and BepiColombo, improving communication with spacecraft deep in the solar system a major leap in Europe's space exploration.

The European Space Agency (ESA) has inaugurated its most advanced deep-space antenna in the remote town of New Norcia, Western Australia, marking a major milestone in Europe’s space communication capabilities. The ceremony, held on October 4, 2025, was attended by ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher and Australian Space Agency chief Enrico Palermo. The project, costing $110 million, adds a new dimension to ESA’s ability to communicate with spacecraft exploring the far reaches of our solar system. The antenna, known as New Norcia 3 (NNO-3), is 35 metres in diameter and becomes the fourth deep space antenna in ESA’s global Estrack network and the second installed at the New Norcia site. AI to power space communication What makes this antenna unique is its integration of artificial intelligence a first for ESA’s ground network. The AI system will help fine-tune signal detection, filter out background noise, and automatically adjust the antenna’s position for precise communication with distant spacecraft. Speaking to The Sunday Times, Aschbacher said, “This is one of our major antennas that helps us look deep into the universe and receive data from our telescopes and missions.” To ensure maximum sensitivity, parts of the antenna’s receiver system are cryogenically cooled to -263°C, close to absolute zero. This enables it to capture extremely weak signals travelling billions of kilometres from spacecraft across the solar system. Supporting Jupiter and Mercury missions The NNO-3 antenna will play a crucial role in two of ESA’s most ambitious missions the Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE) and BepiColombo mission to Mercury. The JUICE mission aims to explore Jupiter’s icy moons Ganymede, Callisto, and Europa, searching for subsurface oceans that might hold conditions for life. Scientists believe these moons contain more water beneath their icy crusts than all of Earth’s oceans combined. The BepiColombo mission, jointly run with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), will study Mercury’s surface and magnetic field under extreme heat and radiation. Data from these missions will be relayed through the New Norcia antenna, ensuring reliable communication despite vast distances. Expanding Europe’s space network When fully operational in 2026, NNO-3 will also support other flagship missions, including Solar Orbiter, Mars Express, Hera, and future explorations such as Plato, Envision, Ariel, Ramses, and Vigil. The facility strengthens Europe’s independent capacity to track and communicate with deep space missions, reducing reliance on international partners. Director General Aschbacher called the project a “significant step forward” for Europe’s role in global space exploration, adding that the partnership with Australia highlights the value of international collaboration in advancing science and technology.

ESA has launched its most advanced deep space antenna in New Norcia, Australia. Powered by AI, it will support missions like JUICE and BepiColombo, improving communication with spacecraft deep in the solar system a major leap in Europe's space exploration.

AI in space: How ESA’s new antenna will track missions across the solar system

In spite of its end-to-end encryption and other security features, WhatsApp accounts can be hacked. Cybercriminals employ a variety of methods like social engineering, telecom fraud, and malware to target individual users rather than the app itself. They find loopholes in phone carrier systems and device vulnerabilities to hijack accounts. Compromised accounts are used to access private messages, impersonate users to scam contacts and extort money, and even to spread malware. Users in India are particularly vulnerable due to the enormous user base of more than 500 million and the prevalent use of mobile phone numbers for banking and UPI transactions.Here is what you should know to keep your WhatsApp account safe:<h2>SIM Swapping or Port-Out Fraud</h2>One of the most common methods worldwide, SIM swapping involves attackers impersonating victims to telecom providers, tricking or bribing staff, or using forged documents to transfer the victim’s phone number to a new SIM card. This gives them control over the number. The attackers receive all SMS and voice verification codes for WhatsApp and other services.This is highly prevalent in India, particularly in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Pune, and Mumbai. This method has been used for large-scale banking and UPI fraud. This form of attack has also been reported in the US and UK, often linked to crypto theft and financial scams.How to stay safe: Set a SIM card PIN or port-out password with your carrier. Monitor for unexpected service loss. Where available, request a “port freeze” protection.<h2>Verification Code Phishing Through Social Engineering</h2>Attackers trick users into sharing the SMS verification codes sent by WhatsApp during login attempts. They impersonate friends, family, WhatsApp support, or banks using urgent or emotional appeals.This fraud is common in India. Once attackers gain access to users' contact lists, they launch chain scams that often demand money from the users’ contacts. In the UK and Europe, a so-called “Hi Mum” scam led to over £1.5 million in losses, where attackers posed as family members in distress.How to stay safe: Never share verification codes with anyone. Enable WhatsApp two-step verification by following this path: Settings &gt; Account &gt; Two-step verification.<h2>Call Forwarding Exploitation</h2>In this fraud, scammers trick victims into dialling codes like `21` followed by the attacker’s number under false pretences, such as delivery verification. This enables call forwarding, including WhatsApp voice verification calls, to the attacker.In India, such cases have been reported in Pune, Mumbai, and Delhi-NCR. Similar schemes were reported in the US and EU.How to stay safe: Check your call forwarding status using `*#21#` and disable forwarding with `##21#`. Avoid dialling unsolicited codes.<h2>QR Code Phishing or 'Quishing' for WhatsApp Web</h2>Hackers send fake QR links leading to malicious websites. Once the victim scans them, the attacker can access the user’s WhatsApp Web session.This fraud has been reported in Indian tech hubs like Bengaluru, and has been linked to job scams. In the US and Europe, users have been tricked with meeting invites or fake links.How to stay safe: Only scan QR codes from the official WhatsApp Web site (web.whatsapp.com). Regularly check and log out from unknown devices under Linked Devices in Settings.<h2>Malware and Spyware Infection</h2>Malicious apps, trojans, or advanced spyware like Pegasus and Paragon installed on the victim’s phone can steal WhatsApp messages, verification codes, or control the device remotely.There were more than 90 reported spyware infection cases in 2025, targeting journalists and activists. Globally, such spyware campaigns and ransomware attacks have been reported in Europe and the US.How to stay safe: Avoid installing apps from unknown sources. Keep your operating system and WhatsApp updated, and use reputable antivirus software.<h2>Voicemail Hacking</h2>When WhatsApp verification calls are missed, the code might be left in voicemail. Attackers who hack voicemail systems with default or weak PINs can retrieve these codes.This crime has been reported in rural areas of India like Banda district in Uttar Pradesh, as well as in countries like the UK and Switzerland.How to stay safe: Set strong voicemail PINs. Regularly check for unauthorised access to voicemail.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/science-tech/meta-to-allow-whatsapp-users-to-share-status-updates-on-instagram-facebook-8643224">Meta to allow WhatsApp users to share status updates on Instagram, Facebook</a><h2>Linked Platform Exploits Such as Facebook Impersonation</h2>Hackers have compromised linked accounts from Meta (which owns WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram) to phish WhatsApp codes or send malicious group invites. This is often used for crypto extortion.In India, Kolkata has reported such scams. Similar impersonation was reported from Singapore.How to stay safe: Secure your linked accounts in the Meta ecosystem with strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Avoid suspicious invites.<h2>Physical Access or Device Cloning</h2>Fraudsters can use stolen or lost phones to restore backups or clone SIM cards, gaining access to WhatsApp data.This is common in urban thefts in India’s Mumbai and Delhi. Travel scams have been reported across the world using such device cloning techniques.How to stay safe: Use biometric locks such as fingerprints, and strong PINs. Enable remote logout from WhatsApp Web sessions.<h2>Account Takeover via Cloud Backups</h2>Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in cloud backups on Google Drive or iCloud. They can restore chats if backup encryption (which is optional and must be manually enabled) is not turned on.How to stay safe: Enable end-to-end encrypted backups in WhatsApp settings. Secure your cloud accounts with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA).Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/user-report-whatsapp-web-s-scrolling-bug-1757417688375">WhatsApp Web's 'scrolling bug', users report chats not loading properly</a><h2>Fake or Modified WhatsApp Apps</h2>Using unofficial WhatsApp clients or downloading APKs can lead to leaked credentials through backdoors.&nbsp;How to stay safe: Download WhatsApp only from official sources like Google Play, Apple App Store, or via web.whatsapp.com.<h2>What are the signs that your WhatsApp account may be compromised?</h2>Check for the following: You are unexpectedly logged out or receive a “registered on a new device” alert. You receive unsolicited verification codes. Unknown messages are sent from your account, or you are added to groups you didn’t join. Friends report receiving strange messages or money requests from your number. You see unrecognised logins in the Linked Devices section. Messages appear as read (blue ticks), even though you didn’t open them.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/is-arattai-app-by-zoho-india-s-answer-to-whatsapp-app-surges-past-whatsapp-in-india-1759150223475/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/is-arattai-app-by-zoho-india-s-answer-to-whatsapp-app-surges-past-whatsapp-in-india-1759150223475/embed</a><h2>What to do if your account is hacked</h2>1. Immediately re-register WhatsApp on your phone using your number to log the attacker out. 2. Notify your contacts via another platform that your account was compromised. 3. Report the incident to WhatsApp through in-app support. 4. Contact your mobile operator if you suspect SIM swap or port-out fraud. 5. Change passwords and enable MFA on your associated email and cloud accounts. 6. File a cybercrime complaint with local authorities. (In India, visit: cybercrime.gov.in)

You are unexpectedly logged out or receive a “registered on a new device” alert. You receive unsolicited verification codes. Unknown messages are sent from your account, or you are added to groups you didn’t join. Friends report receiving strange messages or money requests from your number. You see unrecognised logins in the Linked Devices section. Messages appear as read (blue ticks), even though you didn’t open them.Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/can-cia-read-your-whatapp-messages-this-is-what-mark-zuckerberg-has-to-say-8612166"> Can CIA read your WhatsApp messages? This is what Mark Zuckerberg has to say...</a><h2>What to do if your WhatsApp account is hacked?</h2>1. Immediately re-register WhatsApp on your phone using your number to log the attacker out. 2. Notify your contacts via another platform that your account was compromised. 3. Report the incident to WhatsApp through in-app support. 4. Contact your mobile operator if you suspect SIM swap or port-out fraud. 5. Change passwords and enable MFA on your associated email and cloud accounts. 6. File a cybercrime complaint with local authorities. (In India, visit: cybercrime.gov.in)

Learn how WhatsApp accounts get hacked through SIM swapping, phishing, malware, and other methods. Here are  tips to protect your account, avoid scams, and secure your WhatsApp account

In spite of its end-to-end encryption and other security features, WhatsApp accounts can be hacked. Cybercriminals employ a variety of methods like social engineering, telecom fraud, and malware to target individual users rather than the app itself. They find loopholes in phone carrier systems and device vulnerabilities to hijack accounts. Compromised accounts are used to access private messages, impersonate users to scam contacts and extort money, and even to spread malware. Users in India are particularly vulnerable due to the enormous user base of more than 500 million and the prevalent use of mobile phone numbers for banking and UPI transactions. Here is what you should know to keep your WhatsApp account safe: SIM Swapping or Port-Out Fraud One of the most common methods worldwide, SIM swapping involves attackers impersonating victims to telecom providers, tricking or bribing staff, or using forged documents to transfer the victim’s phone number to a new SIM card. This gives them control over the number. The attackers receive all SMS and voice verification codes for WhatsApp and other services. This is highly prevalent in India, particularly in Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Pune, and Mumbai. This method has been used for large-scale banking and UPI fraud. This form of attack has also been reported in the US and UK, often linked to crypto theft and financial scams. How to stay safe: Set a SIM card PIN or port-out password with your carrier. Monitor for unexpected service loss. Where available, request a “port freeze” protection. Verification Code Phishing Through Social Engineering Attackers trick users into sharing the SMS verification codes sent by WhatsApp during login attempts. They impersonate friends, family, WhatsApp support, or banks using urgent or emotional appeals. This fraud is common in India. Once attackers gain access to users' contact lists, they launch chain scams that often demand money from the users’ contacts. In the UK and Europe, a so-called “Hi Mum” scam led to over £1.5 million in losses, where attackers posed as family members in distress. How to stay safe: Never share verification codes with anyone. Enable WhatsApp two-step verification by following this path: Settings > Account > Two-step verification. Call Forwarding Exploitation In this fraud, scammers trick victims into dialling codes like `21` followed by the attacker’s number under false pretences, such as delivery verification. This enables call forwarding, including WhatsApp voice verification calls, to the attacker. In India, such cases have been reported in Pune, Mumbai, and Delhi-NCR. Similar schemes were reported in the US and EU. How to stay safe: Check your call forwarding status using `*#21#` and disable forwarding with `##21#`. Avoid dialling unsolicited codes. QR Code Phishing or 'Quishing' for WhatsApp Web Hackers send fake QR links leading to malicious websites. Once the victim scans them, the attacker can access the user’s WhatsApp Web session. This fraud has been reported in Indian tech hubs like Bengaluru, and has been linked to job scams. In the US and Europe, users have been tricked with meeting invites or fake links. How to stay safe: Only scan QR codes from the official WhatsApp Web site (web.whatsapp.com). Regularly check and log out from unknown devices under Linked Devices in Settings. Malware and Spyware Infection Malicious apps, trojans, or advanced spyware like Pegasus and Paragon installed on the victim’s phone can steal WhatsApp messages, verification codes, or control the device remotely. There were more than 90 reported spyware infection cases in 2025, targeting journalists and activists. Globally, such spyware campaigns and ransomware attacks have been reported in Europe and the US. How to stay safe: Avoid installing apps from unknown sources. Keep your operating system and WhatsApp updated, and use reputable antivirus software. Voicemail Hacking When WhatsApp verification calls are missed, the code might be left in voicemail. Attackers who hack voicemail systems with default or weak PINs can retrieve these codes. This crime has been reported in rural areas of India like Banda district in Uttar Pradesh, as well as in countries like the UK and Switzerland. How to stay safe: Set strong voicemail PINs. Regularly check for unauthorised access to voicemail. Also read: Meta to allow WhatsApp users to share status updates on Instagram, Facebook Linked Platform Exploits Such as Facebook Impersonation Hackers have compromised linked accounts from Meta (which owns WhatsApp, Facebook, and Instagram) to phish WhatsApp codes or send malicious group invites. This is often used for crypto extortion. In India, Kolkata has reported such scams. Similar impersonation was reported from Singapore. How to stay safe: Secure your linked accounts in the Meta ecosystem with strong passwords and two-factor authentication. Avoid suspicious invites. Physical Access or Device Cloning Fraudsters can use stolen or lost phones to restore backups or clone SIM cards, gaining access to WhatsApp data. This is common in urban thefts in India’s Mumbai and Delhi. Travel scams have been reported across the world using such device cloning techniques. How to stay safe: Use biometric locks such as fingerprints, and strong PINs. Enable remote logout from WhatsApp Web sessions. Account Takeover via Cloud Backups Attackers can exploit vulnerabilities in cloud backups on Google Drive or iCloud. They can restore chats if backup encryption (which is optional and must be manually enabled) is not turned on. How to stay safe: Enable end-to-end encrypted backups in WhatsApp settings. Secure your cloud accounts with strong passwords and multi-factor authentication (MFA). Also read: WhatsApp Web's 'scrolling bug', users report chats not loading properly Fake or Modified WhatsApp Apps Using unofficial WhatsApp clients or downloading APKs can lead to leaked credentials through backdoors. How to stay safe: Download WhatsApp only from official sources like Google Play, Apple App Store, or via web.whatsapp.com. What are the signs that your WhatsApp account may be compromised? Check for the following: You are unexpectedly logged out or receive a “registered on a new device” alert. You receive unsolicited verification codes. Unknown messages are sent from your account, or you are added to groups you didn’t join. Friends report receiving strange messages or money requests from your number. You see unrecognised logins in the Linked Devices section. Messages appear as read (blue ticks), even though you didn’t open them. https://www.wionews.com/videos/is-arattai-app-by-zoho-india-s-answer-to-whatsapp-app-surges-past-whatsapp-in-india-1759150223475/embed What to do if your account is hacked 1. Immediately re-register WhatsApp on your phone using your number to log the attacker out. 2. Notify your contacts via another platform that your account was compromised. 3. Report the incident to WhatsApp through in-app support. 4. Contact your mobile operator if you suspect SIM swap or port-out fraud. 5. Change passwords and enable MFA on your associated email and cloud accounts. 6. File a cybercrime complaint with local authorities. (In India, visit: cybercrime.gov.in)

Learn how WhatsApp accounts get hacked through SIM swapping, phishing, malware, and other methods. Here are &nbsp;tips to protect your account, avoid scams, and secure your WhatsApp account

Is your WhatsApp account safe? These are the ways cybercriminals hack It – and what you should do

As wireless technology continues to grow at a fast pace, private 4G and 5G networks are quietly rewriting the rules of industrial connectivity. Built for uncompromising reliability, fortified security, and lightning-fast responsiveness, these purpose-built systems are powering the digital backbones of factories, airports, ports, smart cities, and mission-critical operations where failure is not an option. Yet, deploying them has never been straightforward.&nbsp;&nbsp;The absence of clear frameworks for spectrum allocation in many countries has meant that early adopters have had to navigate uncharted regulatory waters. As a result, innovative deployment strategies have emerged, shaped by industry experts who can bridge technical expertise with regulatory insight. Among these leaders is Rahul Bangera, whose work has helped redefine how private wireless networks are planned and delivered amid uncertainty.&nbsp;Rahul’s career reflects steady progression paired with bold innovation. From starting as an RF Engineer, he advanced to senior leadership roles, eventually becoming Director of 5G Solution Architecture and Product Management at NTT DATA. Notably, one of his defining contributions has been the creation of hybrid spectrum models that combine direct licensing, shared spectrum (such as CBRS in the U.S., Ofcom in the UK, and ISED in Canada), and carrier partnerships. This approach allowed organisations to secure reliable spectrum access, lower risk, and speed up deployment timelines. At the same time, the strategist introduced a flexible Network-as-a-Service model. This model enables companies to move from large capital investments to manageable operational costs while still supporting unlimited device scaling.&nbsp;&nbsp;Building on his global deployment experience, the specialist’s edge in private wireless innovation comes from smart spectrum partnerships. In a maze of unclear rules, he helps clients cut through fast, working with carriers and spectrum holders to skip long licensing delays, cut costs, and deploy quickly. His hybrid mix of direct licenses, shared bands like CBRS, and regional deals delivers reliable, scalable connectivity without huge up-front spend.&nbsp;The expert contributed to automating a global automobile manufacturing plant in the US, built Las Vegas’s smart city network that cut wrong-way driving by 90% and saved $1 million a year, and helped turn Brownsville into a wireless hub, avoiding major infrastructure costs. Beyond American borders, the engineer has led industrial connectivity rollouts for manufacturing giants, petrochemical plants, and healthcare facilities in Europe, tailoring advanced mobile solutions to high-performance and low-latency needs. Equally important, spectrum partnerships have expanded to Canada, the UK, Germany, Belgium, Italy, China, India, Mexico, Chile, Australia and Malaysia. Across these projects, his approach has consistently blended technical precision, regulatory adaptability, and a focus on business value.&nbsp;Security and resilience have been key areas of his work. The strategist has supported on-premises network cores, end-to-end encryption, and network slicing capabilities essential for industrial communications. In the future, the private wireless ecosystem will merge with AI and IoT, enabling more agile and adaptive operational models across sectors.&nbsp;According to the expert, “Spectrum is not just a resource; it’s a strategic asset that demands integrated planning to unlock its full potential.” Industry forecasts point toward wider adoption of hybrid spectrum strategies, greater cross-border regulatory harmonisation, and the expansion of managed enterprise-grade networks, developments aligned with the direction set by early innovators in the field.&nbsp;Ultimately, the evolution of private connectivity in the face of regulatory ambiguity has shown that progress in this space relies on a careful balance of technical expertise, regulatory agility, and business planning. Across industries, these systems are moving from experimental pilots to mission-critical infrastructure, enabling secure, scalable, and intelligent communications. The lessons from early deployments will continue to shape how technology, policy, and enterprise needs intersect to create the connected ecosystems of the future.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Absence of clear frameworks for spectrum allocation has meant that early adopters have had to navigate uncharted regulatory waters. As a result, innovative deployment strategies have emerged, shaped by industry experts who can bridge technical expertise with regulatory insight. 

As wireless technology continues to grow at a fast pace, private 4G and 5G networks are quietly rewriting the rules of industrial connectivity. Built for uncompromising reliability, fortified security, and lightning-fast responsiveness, these purpose-built systems are powering the digital backbones of factories, airports, ports, smart cities, and mission-critical operations where failure is not an option. Yet, deploying them has never been straightforward. The absence of clear frameworks for spectrum allocation in many countries has meant that early adopters have had to navigate uncharted regulatory waters. As a result, innovative deployment strategies have emerged, shaped by industry experts who can bridge technical expertise with regulatory insight. Among these leaders is Rahul Bangera, whose work has helped redefine how private wireless networks are planned and delivered amid uncertainty. Rahul’s career reflects steady progression paired with bold innovation. From starting as an RF Engineer, he advanced to senior leadership roles, eventually becoming Director of 5G Solution Architecture and Product Management at NTT DATA. Notably, one of his defining contributions has been the creation of hybrid spectrum models that combine direct licensing, shared spectrum (such as CBRS in the U.S., Ofcom in the UK, and ISED in Canada), and carrier partnerships. This approach allowed organisations to secure reliable spectrum access, lower risk, and speed up deployment timelines. At the same time, the strategist introduced a flexible Network-as-a-Service model. This model enables companies to move from large capital investments to manageable operational costs while still supporting unlimited device scaling. Building on his global deployment experience, the specialist’s edge in private wireless innovation comes from smart spectrum partnerships. In a maze of unclear rules, he helps clients cut through fast, working with carriers and spectrum holders to skip long licensing delays, cut costs, and deploy quickly. His hybrid mix of direct licenses, shared bands like CBRS, and regional deals delivers reliable, scalable connectivity without huge up-front spend. The expert contributed to automating a global automobile manufacturing plant in the US, built Las Vegas’s smart city network that cut wrong-way driving by 90% and saved $1 million a year, and helped turn Brownsville into a wireless hub, avoiding major infrastructure costs. Beyond American borders, the engineer has led industrial connectivity rollouts for manufacturing giants, petrochemical plants, and healthcare facilities in Europe, tailoring advanced mobile solutions to high-performance and low-latency needs. Equally important, spectrum partnerships have expanded to Canada, the UK, Germany, Belgium, Italy, China, India, Mexico, Chile, Australia and Malaysia. Across these projects, his approach has consistently blended technical precision, regulatory adaptability, and a focus on business value. Security and resilience have been key areas of his work. The strategist has supported on-premises network cores, end-to-end encryption, and network slicing capabilities essential for industrial communications. In the future, the private wireless ecosystem will merge with AI and IoT, enabling more agile and adaptive operational models across sectors. According to the expert, “Spectrum is not just a resource; it’s a strategic asset that demands integrated planning to unlock its full potential.” Industry forecasts point toward wider adoption of hybrid spectrum strategies, greater cross-border regulatory harmonisation, and the expansion of managed enterprise-grade networks, developments aligned with the direction set by early innovators in the field. Ultimately, the evolution of private connectivity in the face of regulatory ambiguity has shown that progress in this space relies on a careful balance of technical expertise, regulatory agility, and business planning. Across industries, these systems are moving from experimental pilots to mission-critical infrastructure, enabling secure, scalable, and intelligent communications. The lessons from early deployments will continue to shape how technology, policy, and enterprise needs intersect to create the connected ecosystems of the future.

Absence of clear frameworks for spectrum allocation has meant that early adopters have had to navigate uncharted regulatory waters. As a result, innovative deployment strategies have emerged, shaped by industry experts who can bridge technical expertise with regulatory insight.&nbsp;

The blueprint for ambiguity: Navigating the spectrum maze with private 5G

India’s national cybersecurity agency, CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team - India), has issued a high-severity warning for users of Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, urging them to update their browsers immediately.&nbsp;The alerts, is to warn of multiple security vulnerabilities that could allow hackers to steal personal data, execute remote code, or install malware on affected devices. The vulnerabilities impact users across Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms.&nbsp;<h2>Critical flaws found in Google Chrome</h2>According to CERT-In advisory CIVN-2025-0236, Chrome versions earlier than 141.0.7390.54 for Linux and 141.0.7390.54/55 for Windows and macOS contain several critical flaws.&nbsp;The vulnerabilities, identified as CVE-2025-11205 and CVE-2025-11206, relate to heap buffer overflow bugs in Chrome’s WebGPU and Video components. These issues could allow attackers to run malicious code or crash the browser remotely.&nbsp;Google confirmed that security researcher Atte Kettunen discovered the WebGPU flaw and was awarded a $25,000 bug bounty under its vulnerability rewards programme.&nbsp;Other bugs include side-channel information leaks and memory management errors across Chrome’s Media, Storage, and Tab components.&nbsp;<h2>Firefox users face sandbox and JavaScript engine flaws</h2>CERT-In also released advisory CIVN-2025-0237, warning of critical flaws in Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 143.0.3.&nbsp;The most severe vulnerability, CVE-2025-11152, involves a sandbox escape caused by an integer overflow in Firefox’s Canvas2D graphics engine. This allows attackers to break out of Firefox’s security sandbox and execute code with elevated privileges.&nbsp;Another high-severity issue, CVE-2025-11153, affects Firefox’s JavaScript JIT compiler, potentially enabling remote code execution when users visit malicious websites.&nbsp;Mozilla has since released the Firefox 143.0.3 update, which includes fixes for these vulnerabilities.&nbsp;<h2>CERT-In urges users to update immediately</h2>Both advisories are marked “high severity,” meaning they pose a significant risk to systems if left unpatched.&nbsp;“A remote attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by persuading a victim to visit a specially crafted web page,” CERT-In stated in its advisory.&nbsp;Users are advised to update their browsers immediately to stay protected.&nbsp;Chrome users can go to Settings - Help - About Google Chrome to trigger the update.&nbsp;Firefox users should head to Menu - Help - About Firefox to install the latest version.&nbsp;<h2>Security patches already released</h2>Both Google and Mozilla have issued patches addressing these security threats. Chrome’s latest release, version 141, includes fixes for 21 security issues in total. Mozilla’s Firefox 143.0.3 focuses on resolving the newly identified high-risk vulnerabilities.&nbsp;Cybersecurity experts have emphasised the urgency of updating browsers, warning that unpatched vulnerabilities could serve as gateways for large-scale cyberattacks.&nbsp;According to multiple reports, such browser-based exploits are increasingly being used by attackers to gain access to personal data, financial details, and corporate networks.&nbsp;

India’s cybersecurity agency CERT-In warns users to update Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox immediately. Critical vulnerabilities could allow hackers to steal data or install malware. Patches are out, but delay in updating may expose your device to serious risks. Here how to update.

India’s national cybersecurity agency, CERT-In (Computer Emergency Response Team - India), has issued a high-severity warning for users of Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox, urging them to update their browsers immediately. The alerts, is to warn of multiple security vulnerabilities that could allow hackers to steal personal data, execute remote code, or install malware on affected devices. The vulnerabilities impact users across Windows, macOS, and Linux platforms. Critical flaws found in Google Chrome According to CERT-In advisory CIVN-2025-0236, Chrome versions earlier than 141.0.7390.54 for Linux and 141.0.7390.54/55 for Windows and macOS contain several critical flaws. The vulnerabilities, identified as CVE-2025-11205 and CVE-2025-11206, relate to heap buffer overflow bugs in Chrome’s WebGPU and Video components. These issues could allow attackers to run malicious code or crash the browser remotely. Google confirmed that security researcher Atte Kettunen discovered the WebGPU flaw and was awarded a $25,000 bug bounty under its vulnerability rewards programme. Other bugs include side-channel information leaks and memory management errors across Chrome’s Media, Storage, and Tab components. Firefox users face sandbox and JavaScript engine flaws CERT-In also released advisory CIVN-2025-0237, warning of critical flaws in Mozilla Firefox versions prior to 143.0.3. The most severe vulnerability, CVE-2025-11152, involves a sandbox escape caused by an integer overflow in Firefox’s Canvas2D graphics engine. This allows attackers to break out of Firefox’s security sandbox and execute code with elevated privileges. Another high-severity issue, CVE-2025-11153, affects Firefox’s JavaScript JIT compiler, potentially enabling remote code execution when users visit malicious websites. Mozilla has since released the Firefox 143.0.3 update, which includes fixes for these vulnerabilities. CERT-In urges users to update immediately Both advisories are marked “high severity,” meaning they pose a significant risk to systems if left unpatched. “A remote attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by persuading a victim to visit a specially crafted web page,” CERT-In stated in its advisory. Users are advised to update their browsers immediately to stay protected. Chrome users can go to Settings - Help - About Google Chrome to trigger the update. Firefox users should head to Menu - Help - About Firefox to install the latest version. Security patches already released Both Google and Mozilla have issued patches addressing these security threats. Chrome’s latest release, version 141, includes fixes for 21 security issues in total. Mozilla’s Firefox 143.0.3 focuses on resolving the newly identified high-risk vulnerabilities. Cybersecurity experts have emphasised the urgency of updating browsers, warning that unpatched vulnerabilities could serve as gateways for large-scale cyberattacks. According to multiple reports, such browser-based exploits are increasingly being used by attackers to gain access to personal data, financial details, and corporate networks.

India’s cybersecurity agency CERT-In warns users to update Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox immediately. Critical vulnerabilities could allow hackers to steal data or install malware. Patches are out, but delay in updating may expose your device to serious risks. Here how to update.

CERT-In warns of flaws in Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox: Update your browser to avoid serious security risks

Maharashtra has begun large-scale preparations for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027, set to take place in Nashik, with a strong focus on technology-driven crowd management and infrastructure upgrades. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired a high-level review meeting in Mumbai, and directed departments to speed up the pending work, including the Nashik Ring Road and land acquisition for the Sadhu Gram tent city.&nbsp;CM called the Kumbh Mela a symbol of India’s faith and tradition, assuring that the Godavari River will remain clean throughout the event. He also instructed that sewage, sanitation, and transport facilities must be completed before the gathering begins.<h2>AI and digital tools to manage massive crowds</h2>For the first time, Maharashtra will introduce an advanced “Digital Kumbh” initiative. This includes the use of artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) for crowd management, surveillance, and real-time coordination.&nbsp;According to the Chief Minister’s Office, a seven-member technical committee has been formed to design and oversee these solutions. AI-based systems will help monitor crowds, predict congestion points, and it will provide real-time updates to police and emergency teams.&nbsp;The state will also work with telecom operators to ensure strong mobile connectivity during the 21-month-long event, which is expected to draw millions of devotees. Lessons from Prayagraj’s 2025 Kumbh have guided this more data-driven approach, aiming to prevent overcrowding and improve visitor safety.&nbsp;<h2>Rs 6,000 crore investment for infrastructure</h2>The Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 will involve one of the largest-ever public infrastructure pushes in Maharashtra. According to officials, tenders worth Rs 4,000 crore have already been issued for roads, water supply, and sanitation works, while another Rs 2,000 crore is being planned.&nbsp;A total of Rs 1,000 crore has been set aside for land acquisition in Tapovan, covering 268 hectares to build the Sadhu Gram, where religious sects will stay during the event. The Nashik Municipal Corporation has proposed a 50:50 compensation model for landowners half in cash and half through transfer of development rights (TDRs).&nbsp;Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, along with ministers Chhagan Bhujbal, Dada Bhuse, and Girish Mahajan, attended the review meeting, signalling the scale and priority of the project.&nbsp;<h2>A 21-month spiritual and cultural spectacle</h2>The upcoming Kumbh Mela will begin on 31 October 2026 with a flag-hoisting ceremony and continue until 24 July 2028 making it one of the longest Kumbh Melas in history.&nbsp;Three major Amrit Snans (holy baths) will take place in August and September 2027, drawing millions of pilgrims, ascetics, and tourists from across India and abroad.&nbsp;Officials say the 2027 event will be a blend of faith and technology, combining traditional rituals with modern systems designed to ensure safety, cleanliness, and smooth movement across Nashik city.

Maharashtra is preparing for kumbh mela 2027 in nashik with big investments, digital crowd control using ai, and upgraded infrastructure. 

Maharashtra has begun large-scale preparations for the Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027, set to take place in Nashik, with a strong focus on technology-driven crowd management and infrastructure upgrades. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired a high-level review meeting in Mumbai, and directed departments to speed up the pending work, including the Nashik Ring Road and land acquisition for the Sadhu Gram tent city. CM called the Kumbh Mela a symbol of India’s faith and tradition, assuring that the Godavari River will remain clean throughout the event. He also instructed that sewage, sanitation, and transport facilities must be completed before the gathering begins. AI and digital tools to manage massive crowds For the first time, Maharashtra will introduce an advanced “Digital Kumbh” initiative. This includes the use of artificial intelligence (AI), augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) for crowd management, surveillance, and real-time coordination. According to the Chief Minister’s Office, a seven-member technical committee has been formed to design and oversee these solutions. AI-based systems will help monitor crowds, predict congestion points, and it will provide real-time updates to police and emergency teams. The state will also work with telecom operators to ensure strong mobile connectivity during the 21-month-long event, which is expected to draw millions of devotees. Lessons from Prayagraj’s 2025 Kumbh have guided this more data-driven approach, aiming to prevent overcrowding and improve visitor safety. Rs 6,000 crore investment for infrastructure The Simhastha Kumbh Mela 2027 will involve one of the largest-ever public infrastructure pushes in Maharashtra. According to officials, tenders worth Rs 4,000 crore have already been issued for roads, water supply, and sanitation works, while another Rs 2,000 crore is being planned. A total of Rs 1,000 crore has been set aside for land acquisition in Tapovan, covering 268 hectares to build the Sadhu Gram, where religious sects will stay during the event. The Nashik Municipal Corporation has proposed a 50:50 compensation model for landowners half in cash and half through transfer of development rights (TDRs). Deputy Chief Ministers Eknath Shinde and Ajit Pawar, along with ministers Chhagan Bhujbal, Dada Bhuse, and Girish Mahajan, attended the review meeting, signalling the scale and priority of the project. A 21-month spiritual and cultural spectacle The upcoming Kumbh Mela will begin on 31 October 2026 with a flag-hoisting ceremony and continue until 24 July 2028 making it one of the longest Kumbh Melas in history. Three major Amrit Snans (holy baths) will take place in August and September 2027, drawing millions of pilgrims, ascetics, and tourists from across India and abroad. Officials say the 2027 event will be a blend of faith and technology, combining traditional rituals with modern systems designed to ensure safety, cleanliness, and smooth movement across Nashik city.

Maharashtra is preparing for Kumbh Mela 2027 in Nashik with big investments, digital crowd control using AI, and upgraded infrastructure.&nbsp;

AI-powered crowd control and surveillance planned for 21-month Kumbh Mela in Maharashtra

American firm AST SpaceMobile has announced that its BlueBird 6 Internet-beaming satellite has completed its final assembly and testing, and is ready for flight. If all goes well, the firm is expected to load the satellite onto an Antonov cargo plane on October 12th and fly it to Chennai in Southern India, from where it would be trucked to the ISRO Spaceport Satish Dhawan Space Centre, about 85kms north of Chennai. ISRO's largest rocket, the LVM3, is meant to carry the 6,500kg BlueBird 6 to orbit (about 550km above Earth). The 6,500kg satellite would be the heaviest satellite to be carried by an Indian rocket.Once the satellite reaches the Indian spaceport in mid-October, it would be safe to assume that the launch would be carried out in 30-45 days, which means the BlueBird 6 could take to the skies by December. In the intervening 30-45 days, the assembly activities of the rocket, the testing, and fuelling of the satellite, and other pre-launch preparations are carried out.Notably, ISRO is gearing up for the launch of the Indian communications satellite CMS-02 by the end of October. Like the BlueBird 6, CMS-02 would also fly on an LVM3 rocket. As it stands, the CMS-02 would be launched on a rocket designated as LVM-M5, and the BlueBird would fly on LVM3-M6. Therefore, it would be safe to assume that ISRO would be executing two LVM3 launches in 3 months, something that has not been done before.As a launch services provider (rocket builder and operator), the Indian Space Agency launches foreign-origin satellites into space commercially. These commercial space missions (like a taxi ferrying a passenger) are handled by ISRO's commercial arm NSIL, which earns revenue for the Indian government.<h2>AST SpaceMobile and its 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. As per reports, the firm 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.The firm has announced that they have a series of satellites that will be launched in the coming months. "BlueBird 7 is expected to ship to the Cape Canaveral launch site in October, 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;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 sq feet 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 their own licensed spectrum with partner spectrum.<h2>Repeated delays in BlueBird 6 launch</h2>As per the January 2025 announcement by the Indian government, the American satellite was to be launched by India's LVM3-M5 rocket in March 2025. In April, the Indian Government said that the BlueBird launch would take place aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket in July 2025.In July 2025, following the successful launch of the Indo-US NISAR satellite, ISRO Chief Dr V. Narayanan said that ISRO would be launching a CMS-02 satellite aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket. This meant that the rocket originally allocated for BlueBird was being reallocated to a different satellite, known as CMS-02. The reasons for this reallocation were not revealed.In August, in the run-up to the National Space Day celebrations, ISRO Chief Dr V. Narayanan shared an ISRO launch schedule which said that the BlueBird mission would be launched by the LVM3-M6 rocket between January and March 2026.Unconfirmed reports say that the US firm has been facing delays at its end, which has been delaying its planned Block-2 satellite launches from India and abroad.

AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 6 satellite, designed to beam internet directly to mobile phones, has completed assembly and testing and is set for transport to ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India by October 12.

American firm AST SpaceMobile has announced that its BlueBird 6 Internet-beaming satellite has completed its final assembly and testing, and is ready for flight. If all goes well, the firm is expected to load the satellite onto an Antonov cargo plane on October 12th and fly it to Chennai in Southern India, from where it would be trucked to the ISRO Spaceport Satish Dhawan Space Centre, about 85kms north of Chennai. ISRO's largest rocket, the LVM3, is meant to carry the 6,500kg BlueBird 6 to orbit (about 550km above Earth). The 6,500kg satellite would be the heaviest satellite to be carried by an Indian rocket. Once the satellite reaches the Indian spaceport in mid-October, it would be safe to assume that the launch would be carried out in 30-45 days, which means the BlueBird 6 could take to the skies by December. In the intervening 30-45 days, the assembly activities of the rocket, the testing, and fuelling of the satellite, and other pre-launch preparations are carried out. Notably, ISRO is gearing up for the launch of the Indian communications satellite CMS-02 by the end of October. Like the BlueBird 6, CMS-02 would also fly on an LVM3 rocket. As it stands, the CMS-02 would be launched on a rocket designated as LVM-M5, and the BlueBird would fly on LVM3-M6. Therefore, it would be safe to assume that ISRO would be executing two LVM3 launches in 3 months, something that has not been done before. As a launch services provider (rocket builder and operator), the Indian Space Agency launches foreign-origin satellites into space commercially. These commercial space missions (like a taxi ferrying a passenger) are handled by ISRO's commercial arm NSIL, which earns revenue for the Indian government. AST SpaceMobile and its 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. As per reports, the firm 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. The firm has announced that they have a series of satellites that will be launched in the coming months. "BlueBird 7 is expected to ship to the Cape Canaveral launch site in October, 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 sq feet 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 their own licensed spectrum with partner spectrum. Repeated delays in BlueBird 6 launch As per the January 2025 announcement by the Indian government, the American satellite was to be launched by India's LVM3-M5 rocket in March 2025. In April, the Indian Government said that the BlueBird launch would take place aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket in July 2025. In July 2025, following the successful launch of the Indo-US NISAR satellite, ISRO Chief Dr V. Narayanan said that ISRO would be launching a CMS-02 satellite aboard the LVM3-M5 rocket. This meant that the rocket originally allocated for BlueBird was being reallocated to a different satellite, known as CMS-02. The reasons for this reallocation were not revealed. In August, in the run-up to the National Space Day celebrations, ISRO Chief Dr V. Narayanan shared an ISRO launch schedule which said that the BlueBird mission would be launched by the LVM3-M6 rocket between January and March 2026. Unconfirmed reports say that the US firm has been facing delays at its end, which has been delaying its planned Block-2 satellite launches from India and abroad.

AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 6 satellite, designed to beam internet directly to mobile phones, has completed assembly and testing and is set for transport to ISRO’s Satish Dhawan Space Centre in India by October 12.

US firm's BlueBird satellite to reach India in mid-Oct; Launch could take place by December

Snapchat has announced that it will start charging users for storing their photos and videos in its memories feature, which has been available since 2016. The feature allows users to save photos and videos that were initially posted for a limited time. However, now, those who exceed 5GB of saved memories will need to pay to keep them accessible.&nbsp;While Snapchat has not disclosed specific prices for users in the UK, it revealed that the change would be implemented globally, with a gradual rollout. The company emphasised that the move was necessary to continue improving the memories feature for all users. A significant portion of users on social media have expressed frustration, accusing Snapchat of being ‘greedy’ for introducing the fee. Many are upset, as they have stored large amounts of content over the years, which now puts them at risk of losing it unless they pay.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pok-protests-clashes-muzaffarabad-october-2025-1759317047550">PoK protests escalate: Clashes, 2 deaths, and massive marches across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir</a>&nbsp;The platform will offer users who surpass the 5GB limit a 12-month grace period to download their content or upgrade to a 100GB storage plan. The initial cost of this storage will be $1.99 per month for 100GB, while those subscribed to Snapchat+ or Premium will have access to higher storage options, including 250GB for $3.99 a month.&nbsp;Snapchat claims that most users have less than 5GB stored, so they won't be affected by the change. However, many long-term users find the sudden imposition of fees unfair, especially given that the service was free for so long. Industry experts, such as Drew Benvie, founder of Battenhall, argue that charging for storage is an inevitable step for social media platforms, as the trend shifts toward saving more content and posting less.&nbsp;Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israel-to-strike-iran-again-idf-member-reveals-netanyahu-s-latest-plan-1759321301263">'We will change our red lines, and...': Israel to strike Iran again? IDF member reveals Netanyahu's latest plan</a>

Your Snapchat memories could cost you – Here’s why

Snapchat has announced that it will start charging users for storing their photos and videos in its memories feature, which has been available since 2016. The feature allows users to save photos and videos that were initially posted for a limited time. However, now, those who exceed 5GB of saved memories will need to pay to keep them accessible. While Snapchat has not disclosed specific prices for users in the UK, it revealed that the change would be implemented globally, with a gradual rollout. The company emphasised that the move was necessary to continue improving the memories feature for all users. A significant portion of users on social media have expressed frustration, accusing Snapchat of being ‘greedy’ for introducing the fee. Many are upset, as they have stored large amounts of content over the years, which now puts them at risk of losing it unless they pay. Also Read: PoK protests escalate: Clashes, 2 deaths, and massive marches across Pakistan-occupied Kashmir The platform will offer users who surpass the 5GB limit a 12-month grace period to download their content or upgrade to a 100GB storage plan. The initial cost of this storage will be $1.99 per month for 100GB, while those subscribed to Snapchat+ or Premium will have access to higher storage options, including 250GB for $3.99 a month. Snapchat claims that most users have less than 5GB stored, so they won't be affected by the change. However, many long-term users find the sudden imposition of fees unfair, especially given that the service was free for so long. Industry experts, such as Drew Benvie, founder of Battenhall, argue that charging for storage is an inevitable step for social media platforms, as the trend shifts toward saving more content and posting less. Also Read: 'We will change our red lines, and...': Israel to strike Iran again? IDF member reveals Netanyahu's latest plan

Snapchat will charge users for storing memories beyond 5GB, sparking backlash from long-time users who face potential costs for accessing old content

US tech giant Microsoft have reduced access to Microsoft's certain services like Azure to the IDF's intelligence unit, after reports of it being used as a tool to spy on the Palestinians.&nbsp;“I want to let you know that Microsoft has ceased and disabled a set of services to a unit within the Israel Ministry of Defence (IMOD),” &nbsp;said Brad Smith, Vice Chairman and President of the company. This was in response to an investigation by The Guardian, +972 magazine, and Local call, which revealed that Israel's Unit 8200 have used Azure for storing data they obtained after spying on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.<h2>Role of Microsoft in the Genocide</h2>The investigation revealed that in 2021, following a meeting between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and the Unit 8200’s leader, Yossi Sariel, an AI-powered surveillance system was created. Since 2022, the system has recorded ‘one million calls an hour’.&nbsp;The process used a cloud computing platform of Azure to record, compile, playback, translate and analyse millions of phone calls, which contributed to and aided the airstrikes and other operations in the Gaza Strip.&nbsp;Read Also: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-disturbing-case-of-sderot-cinema-1753794317516">Watching war as entertainment: The disturbing case of Sderot Cinema</a><h2>Consequences of the report</h2>Following the report, Brad Smith, Vice Chairman and President of Microsoft, released an external investigation which supported the probes of the journalists.&nbsp;“First, we do not provide technology to facilitate mass surveillance of civilians. We have applied this principle in every country around the world, and we have insisted on it repeatedly for more than two decades,” read a statement from the company.“At no point has Microsoft accessed IMOD’s (Israeli Defence Ministry) customer content,” read the statement.&nbsp;However, the services were stopped only for Israel's Unit 8200 and the specific services. It continued for other commercial products of Microsoft and other wings of IDF. This has drawn criticism from Palestinian activists, with protests like "No Azure for Apartheid," implying that Microsoft still aids in the military operations of Israel.Just after the publication of the report, the IDF's Unit 8200 reportedly took off the large trove of data from Microsoft's server in the Netherlands, Ireland, and according to reports, it plans to use Amazon Web Services now.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Microsoft suspends Azure services to Israel’s Unit 8200 after reports revealed AI-powered mass surveillance of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

US tech giant Microsoft have reduced access to Microsoft's certain services like Azure to the IDF's intelligence unit, after reports of it being used as a tool to spy on the Palestinians. “I want to let you know that Microsoft has ceased and disabled a set of services to a unit within the Israel Ministry of Defence (IMOD),” said Brad Smith, Vice Chairman and President of the company. This was in response to an investigation by The Guardian, +972 magazine, and Local call, which revealed that Israel's Unit 8200 have used Azure for storing data they obtained after spying on Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. Role of Microsoft in the Genocide The investigation revealed that in 2021, following a meeting between Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and the Unit 8200’s leader, Yossi Sariel, an AI-powered surveillance system was created. Since 2022, the system has recorded ‘one million calls an hour’. The process used a cloud computing platform of Azure to record, compile, playback, translate and analyse millions of phone calls, which contributed to and aided the airstrikes and other operations in the Gaza Strip. Read Also: Watching war as entertainment: The disturbing case of Sderot Cinema Consequences of the report Following the report, Brad Smith, Vice Chairman and President of Microsoft, released an external investigation which supported the probes of the journalists. “First, we do not provide technology to facilitate mass surveillance of civilians. We have applied this principle in every country around the world, and we have insisted on it repeatedly for more than two decades,” read a statement from the company. “At no point has Microsoft accessed IMOD’s (Israeli Defence Ministry) customer content,” read the statement. However, the services were stopped only for Israel's Unit 8200 and the specific services. It continued for other commercial products of Microsoft and other wings of IDF. This has drawn criticism from Palestinian activists, with protests like "No Azure for Apartheid," implying that Microsoft still aids in the military operations of Israel. Just after the publication of the report, the IDF's Unit 8200 reportedly took off the large trove of data from Microsoft's server in the Netherlands, Ireland, and according to reports, it plans to use Amazon Web Services now.

Microsoft suspends Azure's cloud and advanced AI services to Israel’s Unit 8200 after reports revealed AI-powered mass surveillance of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank.

Microsoft blocks its cloud and AI services to IDF's Unit 8200, after reports of aiding in genocide

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Thursday (Sep 25) that India will soon start the production of AK-203 rifles in Uttar Pradesh in partnership with Russia. He also highlighted that India is accelerating its march toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing as it is undergoing a transformative shift.&nbsp;"Our defence forces want 'swadeshi', they want to decrease the dependence on other countries. We are developing a vibrant defence sector in India. We are building such ecosystem where every part of our weapons has 'Made in India' inscribed on them. Uttar Pradesh is playing a big role in this," PM Modi said after inaugurating the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show 2025 in Greater Noida on September 25.&nbsp;"Soon, production of AK-203 rifle will begin from a factory set up with Russia's help. A defence corridor is also being set up in Uttar Pradesh. Production of several weapons, including BrahMos missiles, has already started," the Prime Minister added.<h3>What is the AK-203 rifle?</h3>The AK-203 is a made-in-India modern and upgraded version of the famous Kalashnikov rifle, which is designed to replace the INSAS rifle and enhance the Indian armed forces' firepower. It is also known as the 'Sher' in India, which is an Indo-Russian joint project featuring improved ergonomics, accuracy, and the ability to mount modern optics.&nbsp;The rifle is chambered for the 7.62x39mm cartridge and features the legendary durability of the AK platform with advanced upgrades to dominate modern combat environments. The rifle has versatile firing modes and switches between automatic fire (700 rounds per minute) for sustained engagements and single-shot precision for controlled targeting.&nbsp;It can target up to 800 metres, with a battle sight range of 350 metres and boasts a 30-round high-capacity magazine for sustained firepower and a lightweight design, weighing just 3.6 kg. It is useful in both anti-terror operations and high-altitude warfare.<h3>Specifications:</h3>Fire rate: 700 rounds per minuteRange: Up to 800 meters<h3>Indo-Russian deal in AK-203 rifle</h3>India signed a big assault rifle deal with Russia in July 2021 to produce over six lakh AK-203 rifles for Rs 5,000 crore. The manufacturing unit of this rifle has been sped up due to rising tensions at the China border and continuous security concerns from the Pakistan side. Several countries in Africa and the Middle East have also shown interest in buying the AK-203 rifles.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/indian-army-to-get-100-indeginised-ak-203-rifle-called-sher-here-s-all-about-it-1752919410555">Indian Army to get 100% indeginised AK-203 rifle called 'Sher'. Here's all about it</a>

AK-203 rifles can target up to 800 metres, with a battle sight range of 350 metres and boast a 30-round high-capacity magazine for sustained firepower and a lightweight design, weighing just 3.6 kg. It is useful in both anti-terror operations and high-altitude warfare.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on Thursday (Sep 25) that India will soon start the production of AK-203 rifles in Uttar Pradesh in partnership with Russia. He also highlighted that India is accelerating its march toward self-reliance in defence manufacturing as it is undergoing a transformative shift. "Our defence forces want 'swadeshi', they want to decrease the dependence on other countries. We are developing a vibrant defence sector in India. We are building such ecosystem where every part of our weapons has 'Made in India' inscribed on them. Uttar Pradesh is playing a big role in this," PM Modi said after inaugurating the Uttar Pradesh International Trade Show 2025 in Greater Noida on September 25. "Soon, production of AK-203 rifle will begin from a factory set up with Russia's help. A defence corridor is also being set up in Uttar Pradesh. Production of several weapons, including BrahMos missiles, has already started," the Prime Minister added. What is the AK-203 rifle? The AK-203 is a made-in-India modern and upgraded version of the famous Kalashnikov rifle, which is designed to replace the INSAS rifle and enhance the Indian armed forces' firepower. It is also known as the 'Sher' in India, which is an Indo-Russian joint project featuring improved ergonomics, accuracy, and the ability to mount modern optics. The rifle is chambered for the 7.62x39mm cartridge and features the legendary durability of the AK platform with advanced upgrades to dominate modern combat environments. The rifle has versatile firing modes and switches between automatic fire (700 rounds per minute) for sustained engagements and single-shot precision for controlled targeting. It can target up to 800 metres, with a battle sight range of 350 metres and boasts a 30-round high-capacity magazine for sustained firepower and a lightweight design, weighing just 3.6 kg. It is useful in both anti-terror operations and high-altitude warfare. Specifications: Fire rate: 700 rounds per minute Range: Up to 800 meters Indo-Russian deal in AK-203 rifle India signed a big assault rifle deal with Russia in July 2021 to produce over six lakh AK-203 rifles for Rs 5,000 crore. The manufacturing unit of this rifle has been sped up due to rising tensions at the China border and continuous security concerns from the Pakistan side. Several countries in Africa and the Middle East have also shown interest in buying the AK-203 rifles. Also read: Indian Army to get 100% indeginised AK-203 rifle called 'Sher'. Here's all about it

AK-203 rifles can target up to 800 metres, with a battle sight range of 350 metres and boast a 30-round high-capacity magazine for sustained firepower and a lightweight design, weighing just 3.6 kg. It is useful in both anti-terror operations and high-altitude warfare.

What is the AK-203 rifle? India set to manufacture it with Russian collaboration

Current policies by the Trump administration—such as the H-1B visa fee hike and new trade tariffs—are being seen in some quarters as attempts to undermine sectors critical to India's economy, particularly information technology. These moves evoke memories of how another Republican administration tried to stall India's technological progress in the late 1980s. That attempt came not through open confrontation but a quiet act of denial: the refusal to sell India a high-performance supercomputer. What was seen then as a betrayal by a trusted partner ended up becoming one of the most important catalysts in India’s journey towards technological self-reliance. This is the story of how a rejection led to a revolution.<h2>The supercomputer India wanted—and was denied</h2>In 1987, India sought to purchase the Cray X-MP/24 supercomputer from the United States. The stated goal was to use it for advanced meteorological modelling, including monsoon forecasting—critical for Indian agriculture. Accurate predictions could enable timely sowing and help safeguard food security. But despite growing Indo-US cooperation, the United States blocked the sale. Under the Export Administration Act and the COCOM regime, the US classified supercomputers as dual-use technologies, citing the risk that they could aid military or nuclear programmes.As a compromise, the US offered India the less powerful single-processor Cray X-MP/14, under strict conditions: it was to be used only for civilian purposes, with no technology transfer or re-export, and a US-appointed official was to monitor its usage. India reluctantly accepted the downgraded offer.The decision was viewed in India as an unjust and short-sighted restriction—especially since the stated use was purely scientific and non-military.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/h-1b-visa-fee-hike-to-100-000-a-knockout-punch-for-us-tech-sector-to-sue-adapt-lay-off-or-wait-it-out-is-the-question-1758785623726">H-1B visa fee hike to $100,000 a knockout punch for US tech sector? To sue, adapt, lay off, or wait it out is the question. What are their options?</a><h2>A denial that ignited innovation: How India built its own supercomputers</h2>Rather than accept technological dependence, India responded with ambition. In 1988, the government established the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), with the goal of developing an indigenous supercomputer. By 1991, C-DAC launched PARAM 8000, India’s first domestically built supercomputer. Parallel efforts were also underway: the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre developed the ANUPAM series, while the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its Advanced Numerical Research and Analysis Group, built the PACE series.These supercomputers became foundational tools across sectors—weather modelling, seismic studies, defence simulation, nuclear research, and space technology. More than technical milestones, they symbolised a growing national confidence in homegrown innovation.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/elon-musk-sundar-pichai-and-satya-nadella-how-h-1b-visa-holders-shaped-the-us-tech-revolution-1758531026454">Elon Musk, Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella: How H-1B visa holders shaped the US tech revolution</a><h2>Supercomputers and India’s 1998 nuclear tests</h2>India's capabilities in computational modelling matured by the late 1990s. When India conducted its Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, supercomputers like PARAM and ANUPAM played a supporting role in design simulations and data analysis. These simulations enhanced test precision and reduced the need for multiple detonations. Following the tests, as international sanctions—led by the United States, again—curtailed further physical testing, India's advanced computing infrastructure allowed it to continue improving its arsenal through virtual modelling.While it would be an overstatement to credit supercomputers alone for India’s nuclear capabilities, they significantly strengthened the country’s strategic preparedness and autonomy.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bharat-os-bharat-tube-hindustani-flow-swadeshi-network-you-must-read-this-entrepreneur-s-post-amid-us-h-1b-visa-backstabbing-and-trump-tariffs-1758702845969">Bharat OS, Bharat Tube, Hindustani Flow, Swadeshi network: You MUST READ this entrepreneur's post amid US H-1B visa backstabbing and Trump tariffs</a><h2>Why the US denial of technology to India backfired</h2>The United States denied India access to the Cray X-MP/24 based on Cold War-era non-proliferation policies. But in this case, the denial failed to achieve its intended purpose. Instead of slowing India down, it spurred domestic innovation. Within a few years, India had matched—and in some respects surpassed—the computing power it had originally sought to import.This episode is now frequently cited by historians as a textbook case of how excessive technological controls can accelerate indigenous development. The long-term effect was a strengthening of India's scientific capacity, and a weakening of US influence over India’s technological choices.<h2>Laying the groundwork for India’s IT boom</h2>While the Cray episode did not directly cause India’s software boom, it formed part of a broader shift towards self-reliance in technology. Following economic liberalisation in the early 1990s, India rapidly developed into a global hub for software services and engineering talent.The early supercomputing efforts helped build technical expertise, inspired a generation of engineers, and established institutions that would go on to lead future technological initiatives.PARAM was more than a machine—it was a message that India would not be held back.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/colossal-trump-visa-blunder-likely-to-boomerang-boost-tech-in-india-1758565334027/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/colossal-trump-visa-blunder-likely-to-boomerang-boost-tech-in-india-1758565334027/embed</a><h2>Echoes in 2025: Attempts at stifling India's IT sector&nbsp;</h2>Today, India again finds itself navigating an increasingly complex global tech landscape. Even as it collaborates with the US in fields like defence, space, and telecommunications, friction points remain—particularly around export controls, access to semiconductor technologies, and artificial intelligence systems.The parallels with 1987 are striking. Then, as now, the message from Washington is mixed. Yet history shows that India has consistently responded to such obstacles by doubling down on domestic innovation.<h2>From rejection to resurgence: Time for India to reopen the playbook</h2>The denial of the Cray supercomputer was a pivotal moment in India’s technological history. It exposed the vulnerabilities of dependence, but also revealed the strength of resolve.India’s supercomputing revolution should serve as a reminder: strategic capability cannot be outsourced. It must be built, protected, and owned. What was meant to be a roadblock turned out to be the launchpad. In an era where tech sovereignty is once again in the spotlight, the lessons from 1987 are more relevant now than ever.

The US denial of a supercomputer to India in the 1990s sparked a tech revolution, leading to PARAM 8000 and other supercomputers being developed domestically. India turned rejection and humiliation into a milestone for scientific and strategic rise. The cycle repeats

Current policies by the Trump administration—such as the H-1B visa fee hike and new trade tariffs—are being seen in some quarters as attempts to undermine sectors critical to India's economy, particularly information technology. These moves evoke memories of how another Republican administration tried to stall India's technological progress in the late 1980s. That attempt came not through open confrontation but a quiet act of denial: the refusal to sell India a high-performance supercomputer. What was seen then as a betrayal by a trusted partner ended up becoming one of the most important catalysts in India’s journey towards technological self-reliance. This is the story of how a rejection led to a revolution. The supercomputer India wanted—and was denied In 1987, India sought to purchase the Cray X-MP/24 supercomputer from the United States. The stated goal was to use it for advanced meteorological modelling, including monsoon forecasting—critical for Indian agriculture. Accurate predictions could enable timely sowing and help safeguard food security. But despite growing Indo-US cooperation, the United States blocked the sale. Under the Export Administration Act and the COCOM regime, the US classified supercomputers as dual-use technologies, citing the risk that they could aid military or nuclear programmes. As a compromise, the US offered India the less powerful single-processor Cray X-MP/14, under strict conditions: it was to be used only for civilian purposes, with no technology transfer or re-export, and a US-appointed official was to monitor its usage. India reluctantly accepted the downgraded offer. The decision was viewed in India as an unjust and short-sighted restriction—especially since the stated use was purely scientific and non-military. Also read: H-1B visa fee hike to $100,000 a knockout punch for US tech sector? To sue, adapt, lay off, or wait it out is the question. What are their options? A denial that ignited innovation: How India built its own supercomputers Rather than accept technological dependence, India responded with ambition. In 1988, the government established the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), with the goal of developing an indigenous supercomputer. By 1991, C-DAC launched PARAM 8000, India’s first domestically built supercomputer. Parallel efforts were also underway: the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre developed the ANUPAM series, while the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), through its Advanced Numerical Research and Analysis Group, built the PACE series. These supercomputers became foundational tools across sectors—weather modelling, seismic studies, defence simulation, nuclear research, and space technology. More than technical milestones, they symbolised a growing national confidence in homegrown innovation. Also read: Elon Musk, Sundar Pichai and Satya Nadella: How H-1B visa holders shaped the US tech revolution Supercomputers and India’s 1998 nuclear tests India's capabilities in computational modelling matured by the late 1990s. When India conducted its Pokhran-II nuclear tests in 1998, supercomputers like PARAM and ANUPAM played a supporting role in design simulations and data analysis. These simulations enhanced test precision and reduced the need for multiple detonations. Following the tests, as international sanctions—led by the United States, again—curtailed further physical testing, India's advanced computing infrastructure allowed it to continue improving its arsenal through virtual modelling. While it would be an overstatement to credit supercomputers alone for India’s nuclear capabilities, they significantly strengthened the country’s strategic preparedness and autonomy. Also read: Bharat OS, Bharat Tube, Hindustani Flow, Swadeshi network: You MUST READ this entrepreneur's post amid US H-1B visa backstabbing and Trump tariffs Why the US denial of technology to India backfired The United States denied India access to the Cray X-MP/24 based on Cold War-era non-proliferation policies. But in this case, the denial failed to achieve its intended purpose. Instead of slowing India down, it spurred domestic innovation. Within a few years, India had matched—and in some respects surpassed—the computing power it had originally sought to import. This episode is now frequently cited by historians as a textbook case of how excessive technological controls can accelerate indigenous development. The long-term effect was a strengthening of India's scientific capacity, and a weakening of US influence over India’s technological choices. Laying the groundwork for India’s IT boom While the Cray episode did not directly cause India’s software boom, it formed part of a broader shift towards self-reliance in technology. Following economic liberalisation in the early 1990s, India rapidly developed into a global hub for software services and engineering talent. The early supercomputing efforts helped build technical expertise, inspired a generation of engineers, and established institutions that would go on to lead future technological initiatives. PARAM was more than a machine—it was a message that India would not be held back. https://www.wionews.com/videos/colossal-trump-visa-blunder-likely-to-boomerang-boost-tech-in-india-1758565334027/embed Echoes in 2025: Attempts at stifling India's IT sector Today, India again finds itself navigating an increasingly complex global tech landscape. Even as it collaborates with the US in fields like defence, space, and telecommunications, friction points remain—particularly around export controls, access to semiconductor technologies, and artificial intelligence systems. The parallels with 1987 are striking. Then, as now, the message from Washington is mixed. Yet history shows that India has consistently responded to such obstacles by doubling down on domestic innovation. From rejection to resurgence: Time for India to reopen the playbook The denial of the Cray supercomputer was a pivotal moment in India’s technological history. It exposed the vulnerabilities of dependence, but also revealed the strength of resolve. India’s supercomputing revolution should serve as a reminder: strategic capability cannot be outsourced. It must be built, protected, and owned. What was meant to be a roadblock turned out to be the launchpad. In an era where tech sovereignty is once again in the spotlight, the lessons from 1987 are more relevant now than ever.

The US denial of a supercomputer to India in the 1990s sparked a tech revolution, leading to PARAM 8000 and other supercomputers being developed domestically. India turned rejection and humiliation into a milestone for scientific and strategic rise. The cycle repeats

The Great American Betrayal: When the US denied India a supercomputer (and why that was a good thing)

The US tech industry, heavily dependent on foreign high-skilled talent on visas, is scrambling to respond to the Trump administration's $100,000 fee hike for new H‑1B visa applications. Firms are urgently plotting their next moves, as the policy hits at the core of their business models. Options include legal challenges, adapting to the new reality by moving more jobs offshore, or simply waiting it out. Despite its longstanding lobbying clout, the US tech sector was caught off guard by the sudden visa fee hike announcement. Here is a situation report.<h2>Silicon Valley's knee-jerk reaction to the H-1B visa fee shockwave</h2>Within hours of the announcement, American tech firms, their legal teams and HR departments—from San Francisco to Boston—scrambled to assess the damage and control the fallout. The White House later clarified that the hiked fee would apply only to new H‑1B petitions, not to renewals or existing visa holders, but by then, the damage had already been done. The writing on the wall was clear: the cost of employing skilled foreign workers in the US is about to skyrocket.<h2>H-1B visa was a pillar of US tech sector</h2>Capped at 85,000 new entrants per year, H‑1B visas have long been a cornerstone of the US technology workforce, with nearly 70 per cent historically going to Indian nationals. American companies have relied on the programme to hire highly specialised engineers, data scientists, AI researchers, and cybersecurity experts—often at lower costs compared to local talent. But with the new policy shift, US firms will now be forced to rethink both their hiring strategies and geographic footprint.<h2>Legal pushback is already underway against US H-1B visa fee hike</h2>California’s Attorney General is actively exploring a lawsuit against the federal government, questioning whether the executive branch has the authority to unilaterally impose such a significant surcharge without congressional approval. Legal scholars cited in US media say the move may be in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act and the Constitution’s separation of powers doctrine.Meanwhile, immigration attorneys across the country are preparing injunctions and test cases, arguing that the policy is not only economically damaging but also legally unsound. Many expect legal filings to begin within weeks, with emergency relief motions likely timed to stop the new fees before the 2026 H‑1B visa filing cycle starts.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/india-us-flight-fares-soar-after-trump-s-sudden-h-1b-visa-fee-hike-airports-witness-chaos-1758371175372">India-US flight fares soar after Trump’s sudden H-1B visa fee hike; airports witness chaos</a><h2>Tech industry scrambles to mobilise its Washington lobbying muscle</h2>According to multiple reports, several tech majors—including leaders in AI, enterprise software, and cloud computing—are urgently seeking exemptions, especially for roles deemed vital to national interest. Many are requesting a phased rollout or the “grandfathering” of petitions already in progress. Even while some executives offer tepid support for limited reforms aimed at curbing abuse of the visa system, few endorse the sweeping approach taken by the Trump administration.Lobbyists are also pushing for carve-outs for early-stage startups, university-affiliated researchers, and specialists working on federally funded innovation projects. But it remains unclear how much political will exists to soften the measure in an election cycle charged with immigration rhetoric.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uae-visa-update-work-and-tourist-visas-suspended-for-these-9-countries-from-2026-what-you-should-know-1758622203017">UAE visa update: Work and tourist visas suspended for THESE 9 countries under 2026 ban. What you should know</a><h2>The irony: some companies are already thinking of moving work abroad or dodging the H-1B system entirely</h2>While the policy may bring an end to the practice of co-locating engineering teams in the US, companies are determined not to give up on cost efficiency. Several are already turning to global delivery models—hiring remote teams or expanding satellite offices in Europe and Canada. This is offshoring by other means, a strategy designed to offset the financial impact of the new visa policy.Despite the “hire American” rhetoric, many US tech firms see no financial upside to hiring domestically for high-cost, specialised roles. Instead, they are looking to alternative visa categories such as the L‑1—used for intracompany transfers—which may allow them to bypass the H‑1B system entirely.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-proposes-to-scrap-h-1b-lottery-system-proposes-visa-process-favoring-better-paid-workers-1758651587890">Trump proposes to scrap H-1B lottery system, proposes visa process favouring better-paid workers</a><h2>Smaller firms and startups are scaling back on hiring</h2>Many reports suggest that smaller firms—especially those without deep financial reserves—are quietly scaling back their hiring plans. Strategies include delaying international recruitment, hiring green card holders who may not be US citizens, or restructuring teams to reduce dependency on H‑1B talent. But hiring based on availability rather than skill match comes with long-term risks to competitiveness and product quality.For larger firms, the concern is less about immediate cost and more about innovation bottlenecks. If they’re blocked from hiring global talent, development timelines will slow, product roadmaps could be derailed. The US may eventually lose its edge in high-stakes fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and next-generation biotech.<h2>Enormous economic stakes await US tech industry</h2>JPMorgan analysts estimated that the new fee could reduce H‑1B petition filings by up to 5,500 cases per month. This would affect not only software developers, but also researchers, educators, and healthcare professionals who rely on H‑1B visas in critical and often underserved areas. While the Trump administration has hinted at possible exceptions for healthcare, the broader tech industry remains the hardest hit—caught between legal opposition and operational paralysis.Universities and hospitals—particularly those in rural states—have already begun lobbying for relief, arguing that the sudden cost spike will create workforce shortages in essential services. But unlike academia and healthcare, the tech industry must also navigate investor pressure, global competition, and product delivery cycles—all of which magnify the impact of talent disruption.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/global-work-visa-options-top-countries-opening-work-visas-for-indians-1758778533092/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/global-work-visa-options-top-countries-opening-work-visas-for-indians-1758778533092/embed</a><h2>Seeking a way out: will courts or government exemptions save the day for US tech?</h2>Some industry observers are hopeful that courts will intervene to delay, modify, or strike down the surcharge. Others believe the real battle will be fought through behind-the-scenes negotiations, regulatory tweaks, or last-minute compromises introduced during the 2026 budget cycle. However, several firms are already restructuring their operating models to prepare for a future where foreign labour is either too costly—or simply too politically fraught—to rely on.<h2>Will the Trump administration step back from the visa fee hike?</h2>The White House has said the surcharge is a temporary measure, subject to a 12-month review clause, but few in Silicon Valley believe that a quiet reversal is likely. Companies are building contingency plans, reworking budgets, and preparing for a prolonged fight. Even if the fee is softened later, the uncertainty it has already created is affecting recruitment, retention, and planning.One thing is clear: the Trump administration’s unexpected and sweeping H‑1B surcharge has triggered a defining moment for the US tech industry. American firms now face a set of imperfect options: to sue, to seek exemptions, to move operations abroad, or to wait out the storm and hope for policy change.In 2025, in an industry built on agility, the H‑1B visa fee has become a new kind of test—not of code, but of strategy, resilience, and political calculus. &nbsp;

If you think H-1B visa fee hike is going to affect only Indian tech firms and skilled professionals, read this. From Big Tech firms to startups, American IT industry is staring at massive disruptions and weighing their options for a fightback. What can they do to offset the visa fee impact?

The US tech industry, heavily dependent on foreign high-skilled talent on visas, is scrambling to respond to the Trump administration's $100,000 fee hike for new H‑1B visa applications. Firms are urgently plotting their next moves, as the policy hits at the core of their business models. Options include legal challenges, adapting to the new reality by moving more jobs offshore, or simply waiting it out. Despite its longstanding lobbying clout, the US tech sector was caught off guard by the sudden visa fee hike announcement. Here is a situation report. Silicon Valley's knee-jerk reaction to the H-1B visa fee shockwave Within hours of the announcement, American tech firms, their legal teams and HR departments—from San Francisco to Boston—scrambled to assess the damage and control the fallout. The White House later clarified that the hiked fee would apply only to new H‑1B petitions, not to renewals or existing visa holders, but by then, the damage had already been done. The writing on the wall was clear: the cost of employing skilled foreign workers in the US is about to skyrocket. H-1B visa was a pillar of US tech sector Capped at 85,000 new entrants per year, H‑1B visas have long been a cornerstone of the US technology workforce, with nearly 70 per cent historically going to Indian nationals. American companies have relied on the programme to hire highly specialised engineers, data scientists, AI researchers, and cybersecurity experts—often at lower costs compared to local talent. But with the new policy shift, US firms will now be forced to rethink both their hiring strategies and geographic footprint. Legal pushback is already underway against US H-1B visa fee hike California’s Attorney General is actively exploring a lawsuit against the federal government, questioning whether the executive branch has the authority to unilaterally impose such a significant surcharge without congressional approval. Legal scholars cited in US media say the move may be in violation of the Administrative Procedure Act and the Constitution’s separation of powers doctrine. Meanwhile, immigration attorneys across the country are preparing injunctions and test cases, arguing that the policy is not only economically damaging but also legally unsound. Many expect legal filings to begin within weeks, with emergency relief motions likely timed to stop the new fees before the 2026 H‑1B visa filing cycle starts. Also read: India-US flight fares soar after Trump’s sudden H-1B visa fee hike; airports witness chaos Tech industry scrambles to mobilise its Washington lobbying muscle According to multiple reports, several tech majors—including leaders in AI, enterprise software, and cloud computing—are urgently seeking exemptions, especially for roles deemed vital to national interest. Many are requesting a phased rollout or the “grandfathering” of petitions already in progress. Even while some executives offer tepid support for limited reforms aimed at curbing abuse of the visa system, few endorse the sweeping approach taken by the Trump administration. Lobbyists are also pushing for carve-outs for early-stage startups, university-affiliated researchers, and specialists working on federally funded innovation projects. But it remains unclear how much political will exists to soften the measure in an election cycle charged with immigration rhetoric. Also read: UAE visa update: Work and tourist visas suspended for THESE 9 countries under 2026 ban. What you should know The irony: some companies are already thinking of moving work abroad or dodging the H-1B system entirely While the policy may bring an end to the practice of co-locating engineering teams in the US, companies are determined not to give up on cost efficiency. Several are already turning to global delivery models—hiring remote teams or expanding satellite offices in Europe and Canada. This is offshoring by other means, a strategy designed to offset the financial impact of the new visa policy. Despite the “hire American” rhetoric, many US tech firms see no financial upside to hiring domestically for high-cost, specialised roles. Instead, they are looking to alternative visa categories such as the L‑1—used for intracompany transfers—which may allow them to bypass the H‑1B system entirely. Also read: Trump proposes to scrap H-1B lottery system, proposes visa process favouring better-paid workers Smaller firms and startups are scaling back on hiring Many reports suggest that smaller firms—especially those without deep financial reserves—are quietly scaling back their hiring plans. Strategies include delaying international recruitment, hiring green card holders who may not be US citizens, or restructuring teams to reduce dependency on H‑1B talent. But hiring based on availability rather than skill match comes with long-term risks to competitiveness and product quality. For larger firms, the concern is less about immediate cost and more about innovation bottlenecks. If they’re blocked from hiring global talent, development timelines will slow, product roadmaps could be derailed. The US may eventually lose its edge in high-stakes fields like artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and next-generation biotech. Enormous economic stakes await US tech industry JPMorgan analysts estimated that the new fee could reduce H‑1B petition filings by up to 5,500 cases per month. This would affect not only software developers, but also researchers, educators, and healthcare professionals who rely on H‑1B visas in critical and often underserved areas. While the Trump administration has hinted at possible exceptions for healthcare, the broader tech industry remains the hardest hit—caught between legal opposition and operational paralysis. Universities and hospitals—particularly those in rural states—have already begun lobbying for relief, arguing that the sudden cost spike will create workforce shortages in essential services. But unlike academia and healthcare, the tech industry must also navigate investor pressure, global competition, and product delivery cycles—all of which magnify the impact of talent disruption. https://www.wionews.com/videos/global-work-visa-options-top-countries-opening-work-visas-for-indians-1758778533092/embed Seeking a way out: will courts or government exemptions save the day for US tech? Some industry observers are hopeful that courts will intervene to delay, modify, or strike down the surcharge. Others believe the real battle will be fought through behind-the-scenes negotiations, regulatory tweaks, or last-minute compromises introduced during the 2026 budget cycle. However, several firms are already restructuring their operating models to prepare for a future where foreign labour is either too costly—or simply too politically fraught—to rely on. Will the Trump administration step back from the visa fee hike? The White House has said the surcharge is a temporary measure, subject to a 12-month review clause, but few in Silicon Valley believe that a quiet reversal is likely. Companies are building contingency plans, reworking budgets, and preparing for a prolonged fight. Even if the fee is softened later, the uncertainty it has already created is affecting recruitment, retention, and planning. One thing is clear: the Trump administration’s unexpected and sweeping H‑1B surcharge has triggered a defining moment for the US tech industry. American firms now face a set of imperfect options: to sue, to seek exemptions, to move operations abroad, or to wait out the storm and hope for policy change. In 2025, in an industry built on agility, the H‑1B visa fee has become a new kind of test—not of code, but of strategy, resilience, and political calculus.

If you think H-1B visa fee hike is going to affect only Indian tech firms and skilled professionals, read this. From Big Tech firms to startups, American IT industry is staring at massive disruptions and weighing their options for a fightback. What can they do to offset the visa fee impact?

H-1B visa fee hike a knockout punch for US tech sector? To sue, adapt, lay off, or wait it out is the question. What are their options?

The moment of reckoning is approaching for Google for its monopoly across several of its tech businesses. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) this week formally requested that Alphabet Inc’s Google break up key parts of its digital advertising business. Meanwhile, Google has filed a petition with the US Supreme Court seeking to pause an injunction related to the Epic Games lawsuit, which poses a potential threat to its control over the Play Store and Android ecosystem. One piece of good news for Google came from an unlikely corner, as China quietly dropped its antitrust investigation into the tech giant. Here is a roundup of key recent developments.<h2>DOJ pushes for 'structural remedies' in Google's ad tech monopoly</h2>The US Department of Justice has launched a multi-week trial in the Eastern District of Virginia focused on Google’s alleged monopoly in the open-web digital advertising market. The case stems from an April 2025 liability ruling that found Google guilty of monopolising critical components of the online ad ecosystem, including its Ad Exchange (AdX) and Google Ad Manager platforms.The DOJ is seeking a structural breakup of Google’s ad tech stack. Specifically, it wants Google to divest certain advertising products to restore competition among publisher tools and digital ad auctions. If implemented, such a remedy could lead to a 10–20 per cent reduction in digital advertising costs, benefiting both consumers and advertisers.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/what-is-zoho-ashwini-vaishnaw-is-moving-from-microsoft-google-to-this-indian-platform-for-office-work-1758686698238">What is Zoho? Ashwini Vaishnaw is moving from Microsoft/Google to THIS Indian platform for Office Work</a>Google is strongly opposing this move, arguing that divesting core ad assets would harm innovation and market efficiency. The company warned that such “extreme” measures could destabilise the rapidly evolving AI and digital technology landscape. The trial is expected to conclude in October, with a final ruling likely before the end of 2025.<h2>Google’s search case appeal and legal manoeuvres continue</h2>In the related search monopoly case, Google already faces ‘behavioural remedies’ imposed by a court ruling on 2 September. These include a 10-year ban on exclusive search deals with partners and mandates to share key data with rival platforms.However, the court did not order a breakup of Google’s Chrome browser or its Android operating system, as was widely expected. The court's decision was viewed as lenient, labelled a “slap on the wrist” by critics. Google has signalled its intention to appeal the ruling, which could extend the litigation through to 2027.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/amid-beijing-washington-talks-over-tiktok-china-to-discontinue-probe-against-google-report-1758199420980">Amid Beijing-Washington talks over TikTok, China to discontinue probe against Google: Report</a><h2>Google moves Supreme Court in Epic Games case that could disrupt its Play Store and Android app distribution dominance</h2>Google has also been entangled in a legal battle with Epic Games, which challenged the tech giant’s control over app distribution on Android. Epic alleged that Google’s policies around the Play Store, including its mandatory in-app billing system and restrictions on alternative app stores, violated antitrust laws.On Thursday (Sep 25) Google filed a request with the US Supreme Court to stay an injunction issued in the Epic case, which could force it to allow greater competition in Android app distribution. The outcome could have far-reaching consequences for Google’s mobile software dominance.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/google-adds-gemini-to-chrome-browser-after-avoiding-antitrust-breakup-1758293439110/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/google-adds-gemini-to-chrome-browser-after-avoiding-antitrust-breakup-1758293439110/embed</a><h2>A sigh of relief for Google in China antitrust case</h2>Though Google exited mainland China’s consumer search market in 2010, it continues to operate parts of its Android ecosystem through partnerships with local phone makers. In this context, Chinese regulators had launched an antitrust probe examining Google’s influence over Android devices and related services.But this week, &nbsp;China quietly ended that investigation, likely reflecting its shifting regulatory priorities. The move is seen as part of broader US-China trade diplomacy, with China reportedly turning its focus to other American tech firms such as Nvidia.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/ai-talent-poaching-google-ceo-sundar-pichai-responds-to-global-ai-talent-war-1758102311889">AI talent poaching: Google CEO Sundar Pichai responds to global AI talent war</a><h2>What is the prognosis for Google?</h2>The US Justice Department is aggressively pursuing the breakup of Google’s ad tech business at a time when artificial intelligence and digital advertising are increasingly converging. A forced divestment of Google's advertising assets would mark one of the most significant antitrust structural remedies imposed on a major tech company in decades.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/google-fined-3-5-billion-by-eu-but-will-it-lead-to-breakup-of-the-advertising-monopoly-of-tech-giant-1757315687776">Google fined $3.5 billion by EU, but will it lead to breakup of the advertising monopoly of tech giant?</a>&nbsp;Google’s simultaneous legal strategies—including appealing the search case ruling and challenging the Epic Games injunction—highlight its multi-front defence of its core platforms. The company is fighting to avoid structural damage that could reshape its business model and reduce its dominance in search, advertising, and mobile ecosystems. &nbsp;

Google monopoly news: DOJ seeks breakup of Google’s ad tech business, while Google appeals Epic Games injunction over Play Store. The only relief came from China, which ended an antitrust probe against Google, which still has major legal battles ahead



The moment of reckoning is approaching for Google for its monopoly across several of its tech businesses. The US Department of Justice (DOJ) this week formally requested that Alphabet Inc’s Google break up key parts of its digital advertising business. Meanwhile, Google has filed a petition with the US Supreme Court seeking to pause an injunction related to the Epic Games lawsuit, which poses a potential threat to its control over the Play Store and Android ecosystem. One piece of good news for Google came from an unlikely corner, as China quietly dropped its antitrust investigation into the tech giant. Here is a roundup of key recent developments. DOJ pushes for 'structural remedies' in Google's ad tech monopoly The US Department of Justice has launched a multi-week trial in the Eastern District of Virginia focused on Google’s alleged monopoly in the open-web digital advertising market. The case stems from an April 2025 liability ruling that found Google guilty of monopolising critical components of the online ad ecosystem, including its Ad Exchange (AdX) and Google Ad Manager platforms. The DOJ is seeking a structural breakup of Google’s ad tech stack. Specifically, it wants Google to divest certain advertising products to restore competition among publisher tools and digital ad auctions. If implemented, such a remedy could lead to a 10–20 per cent reduction in digital advertising costs, benefiting both consumers and advertisers. Also read: What is Zoho? Ashwini Vaishnaw is moving from Microsoft/Google to THIS Indian platform for Office Work Google is strongly opposing this move, arguing that divesting core ad assets would harm innovation and market efficiency. The company warned that such “extreme” measures could destabilise the rapidly evolving AI and digital technology landscape. The trial is expected to conclude in October, with a final ruling likely before the end of 2025. Google’s search case appeal and legal manoeuvres continue In the related search monopoly case, Google already faces ‘behavioural remedies’ imposed by a court ruling on 2 September. These include a 10-year ban on exclusive search deals with partners and mandates to share key data with rival platforms. However, the court did not order a breakup of Google’s Chrome browser or its Android operating system, as was widely expected. The court's decision was viewed as lenient, labelled a “slap on the wrist” by critics. Google has signalled its intention to appeal the ruling, which could extend the litigation through to 2027. Also read: Amid Beijing-Washington talks over TikTok, China to discontinue probe against Google: Report Google moves Supreme Court in Epic Games case that could disrupt its Play Store and Android app distribution dominance Google has also been entangled in a legal battle with Epic Games, which challenged the tech giant’s control over app distribution on Android. Epic alleged that Google’s policies around the Play Store, including its mandatory in-app billing system and restrictions on alternative app stores, violated antitrust laws. On Thursday (Sep 25) Google filed a request with the US Supreme Court to stay an injunction issued in the Epic case, which could force it to allow greater competition in Android app distribution. The outcome could have far-reaching consequences for Google’s mobile software dominance. https://www.wionews.com/videos/google-adds-gemini-to-chrome-browser-after-avoiding-antitrust-breakup-1758293439110/embed A sigh of relief for Google in China antitrust case Though Google exited mainland China’s consumer search market in 2010, it continues to operate parts of its Android ecosystem through partnerships with local phone makers. In this context, Chinese regulators had launched an antitrust probe examining Google’s influence over Android devices and related services. But this week, China quietly ended that investigation, likely reflecting its shifting regulatory priorities. The move is seen as part of broader US-China trade diplomacy, with China reportedly turning its focus to other American tech firms such as Nvidia. Also read: AI talent poaching: Google CEO Sundar Pichai responds to global AI talent war What is the prognosis for Google? The US Justice Department is aggressively pursuing the breakup of Google’s ad tech business at a time when artificial intelligence and digital advertising are increasingly converging. A forced divestment of Google's advertising assets would mark one of the most significant antitrust structural remedies imposed on a major tech company in decades. Also read: Google fined $3.5 billion by EU, but will it lead to breakup of the advertising monopoly of tech giant? Google’s simultaneous legal strategies—including appealing the search case ruling and challenging the Epic Games injunction—highlight its multi-front defence of its core platforms. The company is fighting to avoid structural damage that could reshape its business model and reduce its dominance in search, advertising, and mobile ecosystems.

Google monopoly news: DOJ seeks breakup of Google’s ad tech business, while Google appeals Epic Games injunction over Play Store. The only relief came from China, which ended an antitrust probe against Google, which still has major legal battles ahead&nbsp;

Google monopoly news: DOJ seeks to split its ad business; firm moves SC to avert Epic Games injunction that can hurt Play Store and Android dominance

Sometimes, it takes an insult to spark innovation. India and its tech workforce are at such an inflexion point, with the unjustified H-1B visa fee hike proposal and Trump tariffs meant to break the back of key sectors of the Indian economy. A US-based entrepreneur made a social media post that should make every policymaker in India sit up and take note. Balaji Vishwanathan's bold proposals are not yet in existence, but are uniquely innovative. What can be done by India, for India, to emerge as a global technology hub? Based on Vishwanathan’s post, here is an expanded vision document that includes what he calls BharatOS mandate, SSRI and swadeshi social networks.<h2>Can the Reserve Bank of India help the nation build tech sovereignty?</h2>The LinkedIn post said it’s time for the Indian tech sector to reinvent itself to utilise the returning expats “in a GI Joe kind of programme” as well as build its long-term tech sovereignty.It suggested that India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India, send ‘₹12 trillion surplus’ to build India’s full tech stack from the ground up. While this amount is not rooted in reality, the RBI does transfer a surplus, or “dividend,” to the central government. For instance, in FY 2023-24, the RBI approved a transfer of ₹2.1 trillion to the Union Government, and in FY 2024-25, a record surplus transfer of ₹2.69 trillion was approved. The post raises a key question: Can this surplus transfer of RBI be used to help India’s tech sovereignty?Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-afraid-of-our-talent-says-piyush-goyal-after-us-h-1b-visa-fee-hike-urges-indians-to-return-innovate-in-india-1758458036830"> ‘Afraid of our talent,’ says Piyush Goyal after US H-1B visa fee hike, urges Indians to return, innovate in India</a><h2>BharatOS: Can India ‘fork’ Android (AOSP) and make it the default for all devices sold in India?</h2>A key suggestion made in the post is the forking of AOSP, or the Android Open Source Project. AOSP is the publicly available and modifiable source code for the Android operating system, developed and maintained by Google. Developers and device manufacturers can customise the code — also known as forking — to create their own Android-based products, such as custom mobile devices.The post raises a crucial question: Can India develop an AOSP-based operating system for all devices, like TVs, phones and laptops?Vishwanathan wants such an OS to be made a public good like UPI — India’s ubiquitous digital payments architecture. He urged using the HarmonyOS playbook, referring to the proprietary operating system developed by Chinese tech giant Huawei from the ground up.Vishwanathan suggested that local device manufacturers using BharatOS should get subsidies, while those clinging to Android/iOS should pay heavy duties. “Let the iPhone 17 crowd pay luxury prices,” he added in the post.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-administration-s-new-h-1b-visa-process-lottery-system-to-be-scrapped-1758696631993/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-administration-s-new-h-1b-visa-process-lottery-system-to-be-scrapped-1758696631993/embed</a><h2>A ₹100 billion fund for developers and a Desi code depository,to get away from Google Play Store and GitHub</h2>The post suggested an architecture backed by a ₹100 billion fund for developers, to help migrate out of the Google Play Store, with built-in UPI/Aadhaar integration. The post also mooted the idea of a Sovereign Source Repository of India, or SSRI, to replace dependency on the software development hosting platform GitHub.It calls for building a “massive Open Source foundation” that supports Indian languages and problems better, operating under Indian law with no DMCA takedowns or Western IP restrictions. (DMCA is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and IP stands for Intellectual Property.)The post suggested that government contracts should mandate SSRI usage, and that startups should get tax breaks for hosting critical code in SSRI.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-s-100-000-h-1-b-visa-fee-what-it-means-and-what-it-doesn-t-explained-1758415588544">Trump administration’s $100,000 H-1 B visa fee: What it means and what it doesn’t</a><h2>Hindustani Flow and Swadeshi Network: Time for ‘Desi’ Artificial Intelligence models&nbsp;</h2>The post also suggested what Vishwanathan called ‘Hindustani Flow.’ The idea is to make AI “Indian,” to address the content shortage in Indian languages.The Swadeshi Network, mentioned in the post, envisions social media, video, and streaming platforms that Vishwanathan termed ‘BharatConnect, BharatVideo, and BharatTube.’It also asked for a creator fund of ₹1.5 billion to make top influencers to migrate to Indian platforms.&nbsp;Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-proposes-to-scrap-h-1b-lottery-system-proposes-visa-process-favoring-better-paid-workers-1758651587890">Trump proposes to scrap H-1B lottery system, proposes visa process favouring better-paid workers</a>&nbsp;“Start it like AIR/Doordarshan kind of model with public-funded top-notch content [like we did in the 1980s–90s],” said the post. “Eventually, the private sector can take it and fly it.” &nbsp;AIR, or All India Radio, and Doordarshan are India’s public broadcasters for radio and TV.&nbsp;The post highlighted that India has the capital, labour that includes returning high-tech talent, and a market of 1.4 billion users.“Time to stop weak-minded responses and completely rebuild our tech foundation. This isn’t about fighting America — it’s about building an India that doesn’t need anyone’s permission to innovate,” it concluded.

In a social media post, an Indian entrepreneur proposed a bold vision for India's tech sovereignty, which includes BharatOS, SSRI, Desi Artificial Intelligence, and digital platforms. Could this be the blueprint for India to reduce dependency on foreign tech giants?



Sometimes, it takes an insult to spark innovation. India and its tech workforce are at such an inflexion point, with the unjustified H-1B visa fee hike proposal and Trump tariffs meant to break the back of key sectors of the Indian economy. A US-based entrepreneur made a social media post that should make every policymaker in India sit up and take note. Balaji Vishwanathan's bold proposals are not yet in existence, but are uniquely innovative. What can be done by India, for India, to emerge as a global technology hub? Based on Vishwanathan’s post, here is an expanded vision document that includes what he calls BharatOS mandate, SSRI and swadeshi social networks. Can the Reserve Bank of India help the nation build tech sovereignty? The LinkedIn post said it’s time for the Indian tech sector to reinvent itself to utilise the returning expats “in a GI Joe kind of programme” as well as build its long-term tech sovereignty. It suggested that India’s central bank, the Reserve Bank of India, send ‘₹12 trillion surplus’ to build India’s full tech stack from the ground up. While this amount is not rooted in reality, the RBI does transfer a surplus, or “dividend,” to the central government. For instance, in FY 2023-24, the RBI approved a transfer of ₹2.1 trillion to the Union Government, and in FY 2024-25, a record surplus transfer of ₹2.69 trillion was approved. The post raises a key question: Can this surplus transfer of RBI be used to help India’s tech sovereignty? Also read: ‘Afraid of our talent,’ says Piyush Goyal after US H-1B visa fee hike, urges Indians to return, innovate in India BharatOS: Can India ‘fork’ Android (AOSP) and make it the default for all devices sold in India? A key suggestion made in the post is the forking of AOSP, or the Android Open Source Project. AOSP is the publicly available and modifiable source code for the Android operating system, developed and maintained by Google. Developers and device manufacturers can customise the code — also known as forking — to create their own Android-based products, such as custom mobile devices. The post raises a crucial question: Can India develop an AOSP-based operating system for all devices, like TVs, phones and laptops? Vishwanathan wants such an OS to be made a public good like UPI — India’s ubiquitous digital payments architecture. He urged using the HarmonyOS playbook, referring to the proprietary operating system developed by Chinese tech giant Huawei from the ground up. Vishwanathan suggested that local device manufacturers using BharatOS should get subsidies, while those clinging to Android/iOS should pay heavy duties. “Let the iPhone 17 crowd pay luxury prices,” he added in the post. https://www.wionews.com/videos/trump-administration-s-new-h-1b-visa-process-lottery-system-to-be-scrapped-1758696631993/embed A ₹100 billion fund for developers and a Desi code depository,to get away from Google Play Store and GitHub The post suggested an architecture backed by a ₹100 billion fund for developers, to help migrate out of the Google Play Store, with built-in UPI/Aadhaar integration. The post also mooted the idea of a Sovereign Source Repository of India, or SSRI, to replace dependency on the software development hosting platform GitHub. It calls for building a “massive Open Source foundation” that supports Indian languages and problems better, operating under Indian law with no DMCA takedowns or Western IP restrictions. (DMCA is the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and IP stands for Intellectual Property.) The post suggested that government contracts should mandate SSRI usage, and that startups should get tax breaks for hosting critical code in SSRI. Also read: Trump administration’s $100,000 H-1 B visa fee: What it means and what it doesn’t Hindustani Flow and Swadeshi Network: Time for ‘Desi’ Artificial Intelligence models The post also suggested what Vishwanathan called ‘Hindustani Flow.’ The idea is to make AI “Indian,” to address the content shortage in Indian languages. The Swadeshi Network, mentioned in the post, envisions social media, video, and streaming platforms that Vishwanathan termed ‘BharatConnect, BharatVideo, and BharatTube.’ It also asked for a creator fund of ₹1.5 billion to make top influencers to migrate to Indian platforms. Also read: Trump proposes to scrap H-1B lottery system, proposes visa process favouring better-paid workers “Start it like AIR/Doordarshan kind of model with public-funded top-notch content [like we did in the 1980s–90s],” said the post. “Eventually, the private sector can take it and fly it.” AIR, or All India Radio, and Doordarshan are India’s public broadcasters for radio and TV. The post highlighted that India has the capital, labour that includes returning high-tech talent, and a market of 1.4 billion users. “Time to stop weak-minded responses and completely rebuild our tech foundation. This isn’t about fighting America — it’s about building an India that doesn’t need anyone’s permission to innovate,” it concluded.

In a social media post, an Indian entrepreneur proposed a bold vision for India's tech sovereignty, which includes BharatOS, SSRI, Desi Artificial Intelligence, and digital platforms. Could this be the blueprint for India to reduce dependency on foreign tech giants?&nbsp;

Bharat OS, Bharat Tube, Hindustani Flow, Swadeshi network: You MUST READ this entrepreneur's post amid US H-1B visa backstabbing and Trump tariffs

India’s main nuclear research centre, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai, is building a new reactor. This reactor is expected to produce 200 MWe (megawatt electric) and will be used in the next generation of Navy submarines. With this, submarines will be able to stay longer at sea without needing to return to base.According to a Times of India report (September 21), a BARC scientist confirmed this “top-secret” project. The new reactor will be fitted on India’s upcoming S5 Nuclear Submarine and the six planned Nuclear Attack Submarines (Project 77).<h2>Nuclear Submarines Explained</h2>A nuclear submarine uses a nuclear reactor for power, which lets it stay underwater for months without refuelling. It is mainly about long endurance and silent movement. Such submarines may or may not carry nuclear weapons—some only carry torpedoes or conventional missiles for defence.<h2>How the New Reactor Works</h2>The new reactor is a pressurised light-water type that uses enriched uranium as fuel. Here, ordinary water is used to cool the reactor and control the heat, but it is kept under very high pressure so it does not boil, even at high temperatures. This matters because liquid water is much better than steam at carrying away heat. Using enriched uranium makes the reactor produce more energy than normal uranium, which helps the submarine remain powerful, efficient, safe, and stable while operating underwater for long periods.&nbsp;Enriched uranium means uranium that has been specially treated to increase the amount of a substance called U-235. Normal uranium found in nature has only a small amount of U-235, which is the part that gives energy in a reactor. By increasing (enriching) the U-235 level, the fuel becomes much more powerful and efficient, making it suitable for nuclear submarines and power plants.<h2>Reactor Design Ready for Production</h2>The reactor’s design and computer testing are finished, and now it is ready for production, according to a report by Defence.in.The new reactor is highly fuel-efficient and can run for up to ten years before it needs refuelling. Here, the nuclear fuel is enriched uranium. So, refuelling means taking out the used enriched uranium from the reactor and putting in fresh enriched uranium to keep producing power. This process is rare because enriched uranium lasts for many years before it runs out.This technological upgrade is a strategic step to strengthen India’s defences as China’s nuclear naval power continues to grow. India’s submarines INS Arihant and INS Arighaat use a small 83 MWe nuclear reactor. This limits how long they can stay underwater and also reduces mission duration. The 83 MWe nuclear reactors on INS Arihant and INS Arighaat were built by BARC.&nbsp;The first design came with Russian help, and then BARC developed the small reactor under India’s Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project for nuclear submarines. The third submarine, INS Aridhaman, is now undergoing trials, and it also uses the same reactor type.The new reactor will produce 200 MWe, making it almost twice as powerful and expected to double the submarine’s capabilities. This upgrade will let India’s next-generation submarines stay in the deep oceans for longer, with better operational strength and the ability to take on long, sustained missions.The S5-class submarine is India’s next-generation ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) with a huge size of 13,000 tons. An SSBN is a nuclear-powered submarine that carries ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads. The letters mean: Ship, Submersible, Ballistic, Nuclear. These submarines can stay hidden deep underwater for long periods and are mainly used to give a country a strong second-strike ability in case of a nuclear attack. These powerful submarines will carry 12 to 16 K-5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), each with a range of 5,000 km (3,106 miles), reports online publication Interesting Engineering.India wants to protect its interests in the highly contested Indo-Pacific region. This development is a big step for India to match and counter China’s growing submarine fleet, which now has more advanced technologies. China’s submarine force is expected to become the largest in the world by 2030, even surpassing the United States in numbers.The Indian government focuses on nuclear submarines because they are part of the nuclear triad. The nuclear triad means three ways to launch nuclear weapons — from the land (missiles), from the air (bombers), and from the sea (submarines). These submarines provide a survivable and mobile platform to launch a retaliatory or second-strike attack, which is a key part of nuclear deterrence. This sea-based part of the triad works along with the land-based missiles of the Army and the air-based weapons of the Air Force. It ensures a nuclear response can still be made even if one or two parts of the triad are destroyed in a first strike.According to Atomic Energy Commission Chairman A. K. Mohanty at the 69th IAEA conference in Vienna, BARC is designing several other reactors, according to reports. This includes a larger 555 MWe nuclear reactor and a High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor that can make clean hydrogen when linked to a thermochemical plant.The Indian Navy plans to buy four large Landing Platform Dock (LPD) warships. These ships can launch fixed-wing naval drones and act as command-and-control centres for long offshore operations.

India's Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is developing a new nuclear reactor that will be used in the country's next-generation submarines, significantly boosting the Indian Navy's capabilities.

India’s main nuclear research centre, the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai, is building a new reactor. This reactor is expected to produce 200 MWe (megawatt electric) and will be used in the next generation of Navy submarines. With this, submarines will be able to stay longer at sea without needing to return to base. According to a Times of India report (September 21), a BARC scientist confirmed this “top-secret” project. The new reactor will be fitted on India’s upcoming S5 Nuclear Submarine and the six planned Nuclear Attack Submarines (Project 77). Nuclear Submarines Explained A nuclear submarine uses a nuclear reactor for power, which lets it stay underwater for months without refuelling. It is mainly about long endurance and silent movement. Such submarines may or may not carry nuclear weapons—some only carry torpedoes or conventional missiles for defence. How the New Reactor Works The new reactor is a pressurised light-water type that uses enriched uranium as fuel. Here, ordinary water is used to cool the reactor and control the heat, but it is kept under very high pressure so it does not boil, even at high temperatures. This matters because liquid water is much better than steam at carrying away heat. Using enriched uranium makes the reactor produce more energy than normal uranium, which helps the submarine remain powerful, efficient, safe, and stable while operating underwater for long periods. Enriched uranium means uranium that has been specially treated to increase the amount of a substance called U-235. Normal uranium found in nature has only a small amount of U-235, which is the part that gives energy in a reactor. By increasing (enriching) the U-235 level, the fuel becomes much more powerful and efficient, making it suitable for nuclear submarines and power plants. Reactor Design Ready for Production The reactor’s design and computer testing are finished, and now it is ready for production, according to a report by Defence.in. The new reactor is highly fuel-efficient and can run for up to ten years before it needs refuelling. Here, the nuclear fuel is enriched uranium. So, refuelling means taking out the used enriched uranium from the reactor and putting in fresh enriched uranium to keep producing power. This process is rare because enriched uranium lasts for many years before it runs out. This technological upgrade is a strategic step to strengthen India’s defences as China’s nuclear naval power continues to grow. India’s submarines INS Arihant and INS Arighaat use a small 83 MWe nuclear reactor. This limits how long they can stay underwater and also reduces mission duration. The 83 MWe nuclear reactors on INS Arihant and INS Arighaat were built by BARC. The first design came with Russian help, and then BARC developed the small reactor under India’s Advanced Technology Vessel (ATV) project for nuclear submarines. The third submarine, INS Aridhaman, is now undergoing trials, and it also uses the same reactor type. The new reactor will produce 200 MWe, making it almost twice as powerful and expected to double the submarine’s capabilities. This upgrade will let India’s next-generation submarines stay in the deep oceans for longer, with better operational strength and the ability to take on long, sustained missions. The S5-class submarine is India’s next-generation ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) with a huge size of 13,000 tons. An SSBN is a nuclear-powered submarine that carries ballistic missiles with nuclear warheads. The letters mean: Ship, Submersible, Ballistic, Nuclear. These submarines can stay hidden deep underwater for long periods and are mainly used to give a country a strong second-strike ability in case of a nuclear attack. These powerful submarines will carry 12 to 16 K-5 submarine-launched ballistic missiles (SLBMs), each with a range of 5,000 km (3,106 miles), reports online publication Interesting Engineering. India wants to protect its interests in the highly contested Indo-Pacific region. This development is a big step for India to match and counter China’s growing submarine fleet, which now has more advanced technologies. China’s submarine force is expected to become the largest in the world by 2030, even surpassing the United States in numbers. The Indian government focuses on nuclear submarines because they are part of the nuclear triad. The nuclear triad means three ways to launch nuclear weapons — from the land (missiles), from the air (bombers), and from the sea (submarines). These submarines provide a survivable and mobile platform to launch a retaliatory or second-strike attack, which is a key part of nuclear deterrence. This sea-based part of the triad works along with the land-based missiles of the Army and the air-based weapons of the Air Force. It ensures a nuclear response can still be made even if one or two parts of the triad are destroyed in a first strike. According to Atomic Energy Commission Chairman A. K. Mohanty at the 69th IAEA conference in Vienna, BARC is designing several other reactors, according to reports. This includes a larger 555 MWe nuclear reactor and a High Temperature Gas Cooled Reactor that can make clean hydrogen when linked to a thermochemical plant. The Indian Navy plans to buy four large Landing Platform Dock (LPD) warships. These ships can launch fixed-wing naval drones and act as command-and-control centres for long offshore operations.

India's Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) is developing a new nuclear reactor that will be used in the country's next-generation submarines, significantly boosting the Indian Navy's capabilities.

Powering the deep: India's next-gen submarines to get a massive 200 MWe boost

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw sparked a discussion online after revealing his decision to switch to Zoho for handling documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. The move is being seen as an effort to encourage wider adoption of Made in India digital tools.&nbsp;For years, Microsoft Office has remained the leading paid software for productivity tasks, while Google’s online alternatives have also gained massive popularity. However, Vaishnaw is now highlighting the importance of choosing Indian alternatives, urging users to consider Zoho as a reliable domestic option.&nbsp;In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Electronics and IT minister wrote, “I am moving to Zoho — our own Swadeshi platform for documents, spreadsheets &amp; presentations. I urge all to join PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s call for Swadeshi by adopting indigenous products &amp; services.”<h3>What is Zoho?</h3>Zoho Corporation was co-founded in 1996 by Sridhar Vembu and Tony Thomas. It is a Chennai-headquartered SaaS (software-as-a-service) firm that has evolved into a global technology player. Over the years, the company has provided more than 80 cloud-based applications for businesses, covering areas such as email, customer relationship management, HR, accounting, project management and more.&nbsp;Although legally incorporated in the US, Zoho has consistently championed its ‘Made in India’ philosophy, with much of its core operations and operations carried out from Tenkasi in rural Tamil Nadu.&nbsp;In the current period, the firm generates over $1 billion in annual revenue and has established a footprint in multiple countries, including the US. Its suite of products serves more than 100 million users across 150+ nations, ranging from emerging startups to Fortune 500 enterprises.&nbsp;On the productivity front, Zoho packages its collaboration and office tools under platforms such as Zoho Workplace and Zoho Office Suite, while also making them available individually. These offerings position the company in direct competition with global giants like Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace.

Over the years, Zoho has provided more than 80 cloud-based applications for businesses, covering areas such as email, customer relationship management, HR, accounting, project management and more.

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw sparked a discussion online after revealing his decision to switch to Zoho for handling documents, spreadsheets, and presentations. The move is being seen as an effort to encourage wider adoption of Made in India digital tools. For years, Microsoft Office has remained the leading paid software for productivity tasks, while Google’s online alternatives have also gained massive popularity. However, Vaishnaw is now highlighting the importance of choosing Indian alternatives, urging users to consider Zoho as a reliable domestic option. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the Electronics and IT minister wrote, “I am moving to Zoho — our own Swadeshi platform for documents, spreadsheets & presentations. I urge all to join PM Shri @narendramodi Ji’s call for Swadeshi by adopting indigenous products & services.” What is Zoho? Zoho Corporation was co-founded in 1996 by Sridhar Vembu and Tony Thomas. It is a Chennai-headquartered SaaS (software-as-a-service) firm that has evolved into a global technology player. Over the years, the company has provided more than 80 cloud-based applications for businesses, covering areas such as email, customer relationship management, HR, accounting, project management and more. Although legally incorporated in the US, Zoho has consistently championed its ‘Made in India’ philosophy, with much of its core operations and operations carried out from Tenkasi in rural Tamil Nadu. In the current period, the firm generates over $1 billion in annual revenue and has established a footprint in multiple countries, including the US. Its suite of products serves more than 100 million users across 150+ nations, ranging from emerging startups to Fortune 500 enterprises. On the productivity front, Zoho packages its collaboration and office tools under platforms such as Zoho Workplace and Zoho Office Suite, while also making them available individually. These offerings position the company in direct competition with global giants like Microsoft Office 365 and Google Workspace.

Over the years, Zoho has provided more than 80 cloud-based applications for businesses, covering areas such as email, customer relationship management, HR, accounting, project management and more.

What is Zoho? Ashwini Vaishnaw is moving from Microsoft/Google to THIS Indian platform for Office Work

Rockstar Games has announced that Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI) will launch on 26 May 2026, bringing an end to years of speculation and leaks. The upcoming title is one of the most anticipated video games of the decade, following the massive success of GTA V, which sold over 195 million copies worldwide.&nbsp;Two official trailers have been released, giving fans a glimpse into the storyline, characters and setting. The game promises a larger, more dynamic world with deeper storytelling and advanced gameplay features.<h2>Story with two new protagonists</h2>GTA VI will introduce two main characters, Jason and Lucia, whose lives take a dangerous turn after a seemingly simple job goes wrong.&nbsp;According to Rockstar’s description, the duo will be drawn into a criminal conspiracy that spreads across the fictional state of Leonida. Players will experience the game through both characters, switching between them during missions, similar to how GTA V used multiple protagonists.&nbsp;The story will focus on survival, trust and betrayal, with cinematic cut-scenes and complex heists at the heart of the gameplay.<h2>A bigger and more detailed Vice City</h2>The game will return to Vice City, a fan-favourite location first introduced in GTA: Vice City (2002). Rockstar has described the setting as “the neon-soaked streets of Vice City and beyond,” suggesting that players will not only explore the city but also its surrounding areas.&nbsp;Leaked reports indicate that the map could be the largest ever in a GTA game, featuring urban areas, highways, rural towns, beaches and swamps. The world will reportedly evolve over time, with new locations and missions added after launch, making the game a constantly expanding experience.&nbsp;New characters and dynamic gameplay&nbsp;In addition to Jason and Lucia, GTA VI will feature a diverse cast of characters, including names mentioned in leaks such as Cal Hampton, Boobie Ike, Raul Batista, and Real Dimez. These characters are expected to play key roles in the story, either as allies or rivals.&nbsp;Gameplay will combine classic GTA elements like open-world exploration, high-speed chases and large-scale heists, with new features designed to make the world more interactive.<h2>Price and availability</h2>While Rockstar has not confirmed the exact pricing, reports suggest that GTA VI could be priced around $70 (Rs 5,800) for standard editions, similar to other recent AAA games. Pre-orders are expected to open in early 2026.&nbsp;The game will first launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a PC version expected to arrive later.&nbsp;GTA VI&nbsp;&nbsp;GTA V is one of the most successful games ever made, generating over $8 billion in revenue since its release in 2013. Rockstar Games, with its new GTA VI, aims to push boundaries once again by delivering a bigger, more realistic and constantly evolving game world.&nbsp;As the release date draws closer, more official details will be revealed, but for now, fans have a clear date to mark on their calendars: 26 May 2026.

Rockstar confirms GTA VI launches on 26 May 2026 with two new characters, a massive Vice City map, and evolving gameplay. Fans can expect deeper stories, bigger heists, and more surprises. Pre-orders open early 2026.

Rockstar Games has announced that Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI) will launch on 26 May 2026, bringing an end to years of speculation and leaks. The upcoming title is one of the most anticipated video games of the decade, following the massive success of GTA V, which sold over 195 million copies worldwide. Two official trailers have been released, giving fans a glimpse into the storyline, characters and setting. The game promises a larger, more dynamic world with deeper storytelling and advanced gameplay features. Story with two new protagonists GTA VI will introduce two main characters, Jason and Lucia, whose lives take a dangerous turn after a seemingly simple job goes wrong. According to Rockstar’s description, the duo will be drawn into a criminal conspiracy that spreads across the fictional state of Leonida. Players will experience the game through both characters, switching between them during missions, similar to how GTA V used multiple protagonists. The story will focus on survival, trust and betrayal, with cinematic cut-scenes and complex heists at the heart of the gameplay. A bigger and more detailed Vice City The game will return to Vice City, a fan-favourite location first introduced in GTA: Vice City (2002). Rockstar has described the setting as “the neon-soaked streets of Vice City and beyond,” suggesting that players will not only explore the city but also its surrounding areas. Leaked reports indicate that the map could be the largest ever in a GTA game, featuring urban areas, highways, rural towns, beaches and swamps. The world will reportedly evolve over time, with new locations and missions added after launch, making the game a constantly expanding experience. New characters and dynamic gameplay In addition to Jason and Lucia, GTA VI will feature a diverse cast of characters, including names mentioned in leaks such as Cal Hampton, Boobie Ike, Raul Batista, and Real Dimez. These characters are expected to play key roles in the story, either as allies or rivals. Gameplay will combine classic GTA elements like open-world exploration, high-speed chases and large-scale heists, with new features designed to make the world more interactive. Price and availability While Rockstar has not confirmed the exact pricing, reports suggest that GTA VI could be priced around $70 (Rs 5,800) for standard editions, similar to other recent AAA games. Pre-orders are expected to open in early 2026. The game will first launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a PC version expected to arrive later. GTA VI GTA V is one of the most successful games ever made, generating over $8 billion in revenue since its release in 2013. Rockstar Games, with its new GTA VI, aims to push boundaries once again by delivering a bigger, more realistic and constantly evolving game world. As the release date draws closer, more official details will be revealed, but for now, fans have a clear date to mark on their calendars: 26 May 2026.

Rockstar confirms GTA VI launches on 26 May 2026 with two new characters, a massive Vice City map, and evolving gameplay. Fans can expect deeper stories, bigger heists, and more surprises. Pre-orders open early 2026.

GTA VI announced for May 2026 release: Here’s what we know so far

The Trump administration has acted on its threat to target high-skill visas as part of recent punishments of India in the ongoing trade war, with a decision to impose a staggering $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications. While it disproportionately hits Indian professionals, who constitute over 70 per cent of H-1B visa holders, this unjustifiable hike would be a financial burden on both the Indian tech firms that pay for these visas, and roil the lives of thousands who went chasing the “American Dream”. But it's time to stop this exploitation, to turn this setback into a &nbsp;historic opportunity for Indian talent abroad to reclaim dignity, pride, and purpose by returning home. If Indians return in large numbers, it could usher in the dawn of a reverse brain drain era. Indian leaders have already made a clarion call, inviting Indians on H-1B visas to return and lead the next wave of innovation from India.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/from-america-strong-because-of-h1b-to-broken-program-musk-s-flip-flop-on-us-visa-program-resurfaces-on-x-1758452671777">From ‘America strong because of H1B’ to ‘broken program’: Musk’s flip-flop on US visas resurfaces</a><h2>H-1B visa fee hike: Turn this challenge into opportunity, say industry leaders and experts</h2>For decades, Indian IT professionals have powered the American tech ecosystem, often navigating uncertainty, cultural alienation, racism and an exploitative visa system. It is time to stop living in fear, &nbsp;but to embrace the chance to build world-class companies in India.Sridhar Vembu, founder of Zoho Corporation, is among tech leaders calling this a time to “not live in fear”. He encouraged Indian skilled professionals in the US to view the fee hike move as a chance to contribute to India’s growth without compromising dignity. Radhika Gupta, CEO of Edelweiss Asset Management, said that when one door closes abroad, it opens new pathways to meaningful work and pride in India’s booming economy.Dilip Kumar from Rainmatter said: “America just put a $100,000 price tag on the Indian dream. Never been a better time than now for Indian engineers to build at home… Come back home. Time to build for India and from India.”&nbsp;Returning home might be a reboot to a new life, one without uncertainty clouding one’s best work, and filled with dignity rather than outsider status.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-administration-s-100-000-h-1-b-visa-fee-what-it-means-and-what-it-doesn-t-explained-1758415588544">Trump administration’s $100,000 H-1 B visa fee: What it means and what it doesn’t</a><h2>H-1B visa fee hike: Assessing the economic impact amid industry shifts</h2>The fee hike is more than an individual hurdle, but it would impact entire industries. India’s IT sector, which clocked in some $250 billion in exports, is facing an added immigration cost estimated between $150 million and $550 million due to the fee increase. This financial strain is pushing companies to explore alternative visa strategies, like the L-1 visa (that applies to transfers), or to entirely rethink offshore talent deployment.Recent surveys revealed that nearly half of Indian H-1B holders are considering returning to India amid growing job market uncertainties and deportation fears in the US. The Indian government recognises the humanitarian consequences of the policy, including family disruptions, and is actively encouraging professionals to return and contribute to nation-building.Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/-afraid-of-our-talent-says-piyush-goyal-after-us-h-1b-visa-fee-hike-urges-indians-to-return-innovate-in-india-1758458036830">‘Afraid of our talent,’ says Piyush Goyal after US H-1B visa fee hike, urges Indians to return, innovate in India</a><h2>Indians on H1-B can help India's emergence as a global innovation hub</h2>Outsourcing of IT work was what once built India's robust tech industry. But today, India is far from the outsourcing hub it was decades ago. Amid Indian government initiatives like ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India), robust digital infrastructure, and a youthful entrepreneurial spirit, cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune have become global tech hubs.Narayan Kulkarni, a digital transformation leader, called this moment a “Reverse Brain Drain”. He asked: “Is this the end of the Indian dream abroad—or the start of India’s greatest tech era at home?”&nbsp;The X handle, Crypto Fundamentalist, echoed this sentiment: “This isn’t 'brain drain'… it’s reverse… Time to build at home.”There is already hope that the influx of returning talent is projected to boost India’s startups, Artificial Intelligence labs, and technology ecosystems. Together, these could potentially generate $50 billion in economic gains by fueling local innovation, job creation, and wealth generation.<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasscom-on-h1b-visa-fee-hike-us-will-feel-a-ripple-effect-1758368126063/embed">https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasscom-on-h1b-visa-fee-hike-us-will-feel-a-ripple-effect-1758368126063/embed</a><h2>Indians on H1-B visas should return: A call for dignity, pride and progress</h2>This moment is a collective call to action — not in anger but through purposeful choice. By returning, Indian professionals can turn a policy designed to exclude them into a catalyst for national empowerment.&nbsp;CA Hrishikesh Naik said that building in India is “the smarter move,” leveraging a maturing ecosystem over costly and uncertain US pathways.Echoing this sentiment, marketing professional Tee said: “The US just made the Indian dream $100k more expensive… India is the smarter launchpad—cheaper, faster, and full of opportunity.”Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/-do-not-live-in-fear-make-the-bold-move-zoho-founder-urges-indians-on-h1b-visas-to-return-home-1758464534936">‘Do not live in fear. Make the bold move’: Zoho founder urges Indians on H1B visas to return home</a><h2>Indians on H1-B visas, the time to return is NOW</h2>This is not to dismiss the disruptions in personal, professional and family lives of Indians who would be weighing their options. Many of them started families in the US, hoping to stay there and transition into permanent residents and citizens there. But the tide is shifting.&nbsp;Indians on H-1B visas, this is your moment to turn uncertainty into opportunity. The visa fee hike starkly revealed the limits of dependence on foreign systems and underscores the value of self-reliance. As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi put it, the greatest enemy is our dependence on foreign countries.Returning to India is more than a relocation; it is a profound assertion of dignity, pride, and national commitment. It’s a chance to build companies that reflect Indian values, solve local and global problems, and lead the world’s next wave of innovation, from India, for the world.Come back home.&nbsp;Not as a retreat, but as a march forward toward making India greater than ever before. &nbsp;

The $100,000 H-1B visa fee hike by the US is a pivotal moment for Indian skilled professionals. The choice is between staying in US under humiliation, or return home with pride, fueling India’s innovation, startups, and economy through a historic reverse brain drain.



The Trump administration has acted on its threat to target high-skill visas as part of recent punishments of India in the ongoing trade war, with a decision to impose a staggering $100,000 fee on H-1B visa applications. While it disproportionately hits Indian professionals, who constitute over 70 per cent of H-1B visa holders, this unjustifiable hike would be a financial burden on both the Indian tech firms that pay for these visas, and roil the lives of thousands who went chasing the “American Dream”. But it's time to stop this exploitation, to turn this setback into a historic opportunity for Indian talent abroad to reclaim dignity, pride, and purpose by returning home. If Indians return in large numbers, it could usher in the dawn of a reverse brain drain era. Indian leaders have already made a clarion call, inviting Indians on H-1B visas to return and lead the next wave of innovation from India. Also read: From ‘America strong because of H1B’ to ‘broken program’: Musk’s flip-flop on US visas resurfaces H-1B visa fee hike: Turn this challenge into opportunity, say industry leaders and experts For decades, Indian IT professionals have powered the American tech ecosystem, often navigating uncertainty, cultural alienation, racism and an exploitative visa system. It is time to stop living in fear, but to embrace the chance to build world-class companies in India. Sridhar Vembu, founder of Zoho Corporation, is among tech leaders calling this a time to “not live in fear”. He encouraged Indian skilled professionals in the US to view the fee hike move as a chance to contribute to India’s growth without compromising dignity. Radhika Gupta, CEO of Edelweiss Asset Management, said that when one door closes abroad, it opens new pathways to meaningful work and pride in India’s booming economy. Dilip Kumar from Rainmatter said: “America just put a $100,000 price tag on the Indian dream. Never been a better time than now for Indian engineers to build at home… Come back home. Time to build for India and from India.” Returning home might be a reboot to a new life, one without uncertainty clouding one’s best work, and filled with dignity rather than outsider status. Also read: Trump administration’s $100,000 H-1 B visa fee: What it means and what it doesn’t H-1B visa fee hike: Assessing the economic impact amid industry shifts The fee hike is more than an individual hurdle, but it would impact entire industries. India’s IT sector, which clocked in some $250 billion in exports, is facing an added immigration cost estimated between $150 million and $550 million due to the fee increase. This financial strain is pushing companies to explore alternative visa strategies, like the L-1 visa (that applies to transfers), or to entirely rethink offshore talent deployment. Recent surveys revealed that nearly half of Indian H-1B holders are considering returning to India amid growing job market uncertainties and deportation fears in the US. The Indian government recognises the humanitarian consequences of the policy, including family disruptions, and is actively encouraging professionals to return and contribute to nation-building. Also read: ‘Afraid of our talent,’ says Piyush Goyal after US H-1B visa fee hike, urges Indians to return, innovate in India Indians on H1-B can help India's emergence as a global innovation hub Outsourcing of IT work was what once built India's robust tech industry. But today, India is far from the outsourcing hub it was decades ago. Amid Indian government initiatives like ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India), robust digital infrastructure, and a youthful entrepreneurial spirit, cities like Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Pune have become global tech hubs. Narayan Kulkarni, a digital transformation leader, called this moment a “Reverse Brain Drain”. He asked: “Is this the end of the Indian dream abroad—or the start of India’s greatest tech era at home?” The X handle, Crypto Fundamentalist, echoed this sentiment: “This isn’t 'brain drain'… it’s reverse… Time to build at home.” There is already hope that the influx of returning talent is projected to boost India’s startups, Artificial Intelligence labs, and technology ecosystems. Together, these could potentially generate $50 billion in economic gains by fueling local innovation, job creation, and wealth generation. https://www.wionews.com/videos/nasscom-on-h1b-visa-fee-hike-us-will-feel-a-ripple-effect-1758368126063/embed Indians on H1-B visas should return: A call for dignity, pride and progress This moment is a collective call to action — not in anger but through purposeful choice. By returning, Indian professionals can turn a policy designed to exclude them into a catalyst for national empowerment. CA Hrishikesh Naik said that building in India is “the smarter move,” leveraging a maturing ecosystem over costly and uncertain US pathways. Echoing this sentiment, marketing professional Tee said: “The US just made the Indian dream $100k more expensive… India is the smarter launchpad—cheaper, faster, and full of opportunity.” Also read: ‘Do not live in fear. Make the bold move’: Zoho founder urges Indians on H1B visas to return home Indians on H1-B visas, the time to return is NOW This is not to dismiss the disruptions in personal, professional and family lives of Indians who would be weighing their options. Many of them started families in the US, hoping to stay there and transition into permanent residents and citizens there. But the tide is shifting. Indians on H-1B visas, this is your moment to turn uncertainty into opportunity. The visa fee hike starkly revealed the limits of dependence on foreign systems and underscores the value of self-reliance. As Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi put it, the greatest enemy is our dependence on foreign countries. Returning to India is more than a relocation; it is a profound assertion of dignity, pride, and national commitment. It’s a chance to build companies that reflect Indian values, solve local and global problems, and lead the world’s next wave of innovation, from India, for the world. Come back home. Not as a retreat, but as a march forward toward making India greater than ever before.

The $100,000 H-1B visa fee hike by the US is a pivotal moment for Indian skilled professionals. The choice is between staying in US under humiliation, or return home with pride, fueling India’s innovation, startups, and economy through a historic reverse brain drain.&nbsp;

Indians on H-1B visas, COME BACK HOME, as a mark of protest, and a matter of pride. Time to Make India Greater

Italy’s parliament on Wednesday (September 17) passed a new law on artificial intelligence and became the first country in the European Union to bring in AI rules that match the EU’s AI Act. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government led this move and said that the law focuses on human-centric, transparent, and people's safe use of AI. The law also supports the innovation, cybersecurity, and privacy protection. The law introduces cross-sector rules and covers sectors like healthcare, jobs, public services, justice, schools and sports. It requires that AI decisions can be traced and always checked by humans. Children under 14 can only use AI with parental approval.&nbsp;&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/ai-revolution-how-generative-ai-is-shaping-the-future-of-content-creation-1758184727046">AI revolution: How generative AI is shaping the future of content creation</a>&nbsp;"The (law) brings innovation back within the perimeter of the public interest, steering AI toward growth, rights and full protection of citizens," said Alessio Butti, the undersecretary for digital transformation. The Agency for Digital Italy and the National Cybersecurity Agency will act as the main national authorities for AI, while regulators (watchdogs) like the Bank of Italy and Consob will keep their powers.&nbsp;This law also makes it a crime to spread harmful AI content such as deepfakes and issued punishments of one to five years in prison. Using AI illegally will also bring &nbsp;penalties for crimes like fraud and identity theft. On copyright, AI-created works are protected and safe if they involve human efforts. AI can be used for text and data mining only on non-copyrighted content or in research work by authorised groups.&nbsp;Also Read - <a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/meta-launches-2-variants-of-ai-enabled-smart-glasses-price-features-revealed-1758186792998">Meta launches 2 variants of AI-enabled smart glasses: Price, features&nbsp;revealed</a>&nbsp;The government also approved up to €1 billion ($1,18,21,75,000) from a state-backed fund to support AI, cybersecurity, telecoms and quantum technology firms. In healthcare, AI may help doctors with diagnosis and treatment, but doctors will have the final say and patients must be kept informed, about the use of AI. In workplaces, employers must tell their staff members when AI is being used.

The Italy's government also approved up to €1 billion ($1,18,21,75,000) from a state-backed fund to support AI, cybersecurity, telecoms and quantum technology firms. 

Italy’s parliament on Wednesday (September 17) passed a new law on artificial intelligence and became the first country in the European Union to bring in AI rules that match the EU’s AI Act. Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government led this move and said that the law focuses on human-centric, transparent, and people's safe use of AI. The law also supports the innovation, cybersecurity, and privacy protection. The law introduces cross-sector rules and covers sectors like healthcare, jobs, public services, justice, schools and sports. It requires that AI decisions can be traced and always checked by humans. Children under 14 can only use AI with parental approval. Also Read - AI revolution: How generative AI is shaping the future of content creation "The (law) brings innovation back within the perimeter of the public interest, steering AI toward growth, rights and full protection of citizens," said Alessio Butti, the undersecretary for digital transformation. The Agency for Digital Italy and the National Cybersecurity Agency will act as the main national authorities for AI, while regulators (watchdogs) like the Bank of Italy and Consob will keep their powers. This law also makes it a crime to spread harmful AI content such as deepfakes and issued punishments of one to five years in prison. Using AI illegally will also bring penalties for crimes like fraud and identity theft. On copyright, AI-created works are protected and safe if they involve human efforts. AI can be used for text and data mining only on non-copyrighted content or in research work by authorised groups. Also Read - Meta launches 2 variants of AI-enabled smart glasses: Price, features revealed The government also approved up to €1 billion ($1,18,21,75,000) from a state-backed fund to support AI, cybersecurity, telecoms and quantum technology firms. In healthcare, AI may help doctors with diagnosis and treatment, but doctors will have the final say and patients must be kept informed, about the use of AI. In workplaces, employers must tell their staff members when AI is being used.

The Italian government also approved up to €1billion ($1,18,21,75,000) from a state-backed fund to support AI, cybersecurity, telecoms and quantum technology firms

What does Italy’s new AI law really say? Here’s everything you should know about it

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way businesses interact with customers, making service faster, smarter, and more personalized. From chatbots that answer questions in seconds to AI assistants that remember your preferences, the shift to AI-driven customer support is reshaping industries across the globe. Companies using AI are seeing significant benefits, such as faster problem resolution and improved customer satisfaction.&nbsp;<h2>Chatbots that never sleep</h2>From chatbots that never sleep to AI assistants that understand context better than ever before, artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming how businesses interact with their customers. According to McKinsey Global Institute, organizations implementing AI-driven customer service solutions have seen resolution times decrease by up to 40 per cent, and customer satisfaction scores improve by an average of 15 per cent.The shift isn't just about efficiency. It's about reimagining the entire customer experience ecosystem. Where traditional call centers once struggled with long wait times and inconsistent service quality, AI-powered systems now provide 24/7 availability, instant responses, and personalized interactions that adapt to individual customer preferences and histories.<h2>Real-World Examples Across Industries</h2>In the banking sector, JPMorgan Chase's virtual assistant handles over 5 million customer interactions monthly, resolving 78 per cent of inquiries without human intervention, according to IBM's 2024 AI in Finance Report. The system processes everything from account balance queries to complex loan applications, reducing average response time from 15 minutes to under 30 seconds.E-commerce giant Amazon has revolutionized online shopping through its AI-powered recommendation engine and customer service chatbots. Zendesk's 2024 Customer Experience Report reveals that AI-driven support systems in e-commerce have improved first-contact resolution rates by 35 per cent, with 89 per cent of customers reporting satisfaction with automated responses for basic inquiries.Healthcare presents perhaps the most compelling transformation. Kaiser Permanente's AI-powered appointment scheduling and symptom checker system now handles 2.3 million patient interactions annually, according to Reuters Health. The system triages patients efficiently, scheduling appropriate care levels and reducing emergency room visits for non-urgent cases by 22 per cent.<h2>Impact on Customer Satisfaction</h2>The numbers speak volumes about AI's impact on customer experience. Pew Research Center's survey noted that 73 per cent of consumers now prefer AI-assisted customer service for routine inquiries, citing faster resolution times and consistent service quality as primary advantages.&nbsp;Customer satisfaction metrics have improved dramatically across AI-implemented organizations. According to Zendesk's analysis of over 50,000 customer service interactions, AI-powered support systems achieve:- 91 per cent accuracy rate in issue classification - 65 per cent reduction in average handling time - 28 per cent improvement in customer satisfaction scores - 24/7 availability with zero wait times for initial responseMoreover, BBC's technology division reported that businesses using AI customer service solutions experience 40 per cent lower operational costs while maintaining higher service quality standards. The cost savings stem from reduced staffing needs for routine inquiries and improved efficiency in complex problem resolution.<h2>The Future: Human Agents &amp; AI Working Together</h2>Contrary to fears about AI replacing human workers entirely, the most successful implementations focus on augmentation rather than replacement.&nbsp;IBM's Future of Work study indicates that the most effective customer service operations combine AI efficiency with human emotional intelligence and complex problem-solving capabilities.&nbsp;Human agents remain crucial for handling sensitive situations, complex technical issues, and cases requiring empathy and creative problem-solving. McKinsey projects that by 2026, optimal customer service operations will feature AI handling 70 per cent of routine inquiries while human agents focus on high-value, complex customer relationships.The future model positions AI as the first line of support, capable of resolving straightforward issues instantly while seamlessly escalating complex problems to human specialists with complete context and suggested solutions. This hybrid approach maximizes both efficiency and customer satisfaction.Training programs are evolving to prepare customer service professionals for this AI-augmented future. Rather than competing with AI, human agents are learning to leverage these tools to provide more meaningful, strategic customer interactions that drive long-term business relationships.As AI technology continues advancing, we can expect even more sophisticated natural language processing, emotional intelligence capabilities, and predictive analytics that anticipate customer needs before problems arise. The transformation of customer service through AI represents not just technological progress, but a fundamental shift toward more responsive, personalized, and effective customer experiences across all industries.

From chatbots that never sleep to AI assistants that understand context better than ever before, artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming how businesses interact with their customers. According to McKinsey Global Institute, organizations implementing AI-driven customer service solutions have seen resolution times decrease by up to 40 per cent while customer satisfaction scores improve by an average of 15 per cent.&nbsp;The shift isn't just about efficiency. It's about reimagining the entire customer experience ecosystem. Where traditional call centers once struggled with long wait times and inconsistent service quality, AI-powered systems now provide 24/7 availability, instant responses, and personalized interactions that adapt to individual customer preferences and histories.

AI-powered chatbots, assistants, and automated systems are revolutionising customer service, enhancing efficiency and satisfaction. From answering queries instantly to AI assistants personalising experiences, businesses are embracing this shift. 

Artificial intelligence (AI) is changing the way businesses interact with customers, making service faster, smarter, and more personalized. From chatbots that answer questions in seconds to AI assistants that remember your preferences, the shift to AI-driven customer support is reshaping industries across the globe. Companies using AI are seeing significant benefits, such as faster problem resolution and improved customer satisfaction. Chatbots that never sleep From chatbots that never sleep to AI assistants that understand context better than ever before, artificial intelligence is fundamentally transforming how businesses interact with their customers. According to McKinsey Global Institute, organizations implementing AI-driven customer service solutions have seen resolution times decrease by up to 40 per cent, and customer satisfaction scores improve by an average of 15 per cent. The shift isn't just about efficiency. It's about reimagining the entire customer experience ecosystem. Where traditional call centers once struggled with long wait times and inconsistent service quality, AI-powered systems now provide 24/7 availability, instant responses, and personalized interactions that adapt to individual customer preferences and histories. Real-World Examples Across Industries In the banking sector, JPMorgan Chase's virtual assistant handles over 5 million customer interactions monthly, resolving 78 per cent of inquiries without human intervention, according to IBM's 2024 AI in Finance Report. The system processes everything from account balance queries to complex loan applications, reducing average response time from 15 minutes to under 30 seconds. E-commerce giant Amazon has revolutionized online shopping through its AI-powered recommendation engine and customer service chatbots. Zendesk's 2024 Customer Experience Report reveals that AI-driven support systems in e-commerce have improved first-contact resolution rates by 35 per cent, with 89 per cent of customers reporting satisfaction with automated responses for basic inquiries. Healthcare presents perhaps the most compelling transformation. Kaiser Permanente's AI-powered appointment scheduling and symptom checker system now handles 2.3 million patient interactions annually, according to Reuters Health. The system triages patients efficiently, scheduling appropriate care levels and reducing emergency room visits for non-urgent cases by 22 per cent. Impact on Customer Satisfaction The numbers speak volumes about AI's impact on customer experience. Pew Research Center's survey noted that 73 per cent of consumers now prefer AI-assisted customer service for routine inquiries, citing faster resolution times and consistent service quality as primary advantages. Customer satisfaction metrics have improved dramatically across AI-implemented organizations. According to Zendesk's analysis of over 50,000 customer service interactions, AI-powered support systems achieve: - 91 per cent accuracy rate in issue classification - 65 per cent reduction in average handling time - 28 per cent improvement in customer satisfaction scores - 24/7 availability with zero wait times for initial response Moreover, BBC's technology division reported that businesses using AI customer service solutions experience 40 per cent lower operational costs while maintaining higher service quality standards. The cost savings stem from reduced staffing needs for routine inquiries and improved efficiency in complex problem resolution. The Future: Human Agents & AI Working Together Contrary to fears about AI replacing human workers entirely, the most successful implementations focus on augmentation rather than replacement. IBM's Future of Work study indicates that the most effective customer service operations combine AI efficiency with human emotional intelligence and complex problem-solving capabilities. Human agents remain crucial for handling sensitive situations, complex technical issues, and cases requiring empathy and creative problem-solving. McKinsey projects that by 2026, optimal customer service operations will feature AI handling 70 per cent of routine inquiries while human agents focus on high-value, complex customer relationships. The future model positions AI as the first line of support, capable of resolving straightforward issues instantly while seamlessly escalating complex problems to human specialists with complete context and suggested solutions. This hybrid approach maximizes both efficiency and customer satisfaction. Training programs are evolving to prepare customer service professionals for this AI-augmented future. Rather than competing with AI, human agents are learning to leverage these tools to provide more meaningful, strategic customer interactions that drive long-term business relationships. As AI technology continues advancing, we can expect even more sophisticated natural language processing, emotional intelligence capabilities, and predictive analytics that anticipate customer needs before problems arise. The transformation of customer service through AI represents not just technological progress, but a fundamental shift toward more responsive, personalized, and effective customer experiences across all industries.

AI-powered chatbots, assistants, and automated systems are revolutionising customer service, enhancing efficiency and satisfaction. From answering queries instantly to AI assistants personalising experiences, businesses are embracing this shift.&nbsp;

How artificial intelligence is redefining customer service across industries

The Internet of Things (IoT) has evolved from a futuristic concept into the backbone of modern connectivity. By the end of 2025, billions of devices worldwide will be communicating seamlessly, transforming everything from household appliances to entire urban infrastructures.This technological revolution isn't just about connectivity and convenience. It's reshaping how businesses operate, how cities function, and how we live our daily lives. From smart thermostats that learn our preferences to industrial sensors that prevent costly breakdowns, IoT is creating a more intelligent, responsive world.<h2>Growth of IoT Devices</h2>The numbers surrounding IoT (Internet of Things) adoption are growing rapidly. According to Statista, the global IoT market is projected to reach $1.39 trillion by 2025, with over 75 billion connected devices expected worldwide. This represents a massive increase from just 15 billion devices in 2020.IoT Analytics reports that enterprise IoT connections alone grew by 18 per cent in 2024, with industrial IoT leading the charge. Manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics sectors are driving much of this expansion, seeking efficiency gains through real-time monitoring and automation.The GSMA's latest intelligence report highlights that cellular IoT connections surpassed 2.4 billion globally in 2024, demonstrating the technology's reliability for mission-critical applications. This growth spans multiple sectors, from smart agriculture monitoring soil conditions to connected vehicles improving road safety.&nbsp;<h2>Privacy and Security in a Connected World</h2>As IoT devices proliferate, security concerns have become paramount. The BBC's recent investigation revealed that many consumer IoT devices lack basic security protocols, making them vulnerable to cyber attacks and data breaches.Industry experts emphasise that security must be built into IoT devices from the ground up, not added as an afterthought. The European Union's Cyber Resilience Act, coming into effect in 2025, mandates stricter security standards for IoT manufacturers.Privacy concerns also loom large as these devices collect vast amounts of personal data. From smart speakers recording conversations to fitness trackers monitoring health metrics, users must carefully consider what information they're willing to share for convenience.Data encryption, regular software updates, and transparent privacy policies are becoming essential requirements rather than optional features in the IoT ecosystem.<h2>The Future: Smarter Cities</h2>Smart city initiatives represent perhaps the most ambitious application of IoT technology. Cities worldwide are deploying interconnected systems to manage traffic, reduce energy consumption, and improve public services.&nbsp;

IoT sensors monitoring consumption in Barcelona's smart city

Barcelona's smart city project has reduced water usage by 25 per cent through IoT sensors monitoring consumption patterns, whilst Singapore's smart traffic management system has cut travel times by up to 15 per cent using real-time data analytics.The integration of 5G networks is accelerating smart city development is providing the high-speed, low-latency connections necessary for real-time urban management. From autonomous public transport to predictive maintenance of infrastructure, cities are becoming living, breathing digital ecosystems.Looking ahead, the combination of IoT, artificial intelligence, and edge computing promises even more sophisticated urban solutions.&nbsp;Cities will anticipate problems before they occur, optimise resource usage automatically, and provide personalised services to residents.The IoT revolution is far from complete. As IoT devices become more intelligent and interconnected, we're moving towards a world where technology seamlessly integrates into every aspect of our lives.

Discover how IoT is revolutionising our world in 2025. From smart homes to connected cities, explore the growth, security challenges, and future of the Internet of Things with 75 billion devices reshaping daily life.

The Internet of Things (IoT) has evolved from a futuristic concept into the backbone of modern connectivity. By the end of 2025, billions of devices worldwide will be communicating seamlessly, transforming everything from household appliances to entire urban infrastructures. This technological revolution isn't just about connectivity and convenience. It's reshaping how businesses operate, how cities function, and how we live our daily lives. From smart thermostats that learn our preferences to industrial sensors that prevent costly breakdowns, IoT is creating a more intelligent, responsive world. Growth of IoT Devices The numbers surrounding IoT (Internet of Things) adoption are growing rapidly. According to Statista, the global IoT market is projected to reach $1.39 trillion by 2025, with over 75 billion connected devices expected worldwide. This represents a massive increase from just 15 billion devices in 2020. IoT Analytics reports that enterprise IoT connections alone grew by 18 per cent in 2024, with industrial IoT leading the charge. Manufacturing, healthcare, and logistics sectors are driving much of this expansion, seeking efficiency gains through real-time monitoring and automation. The GSMA's latest intelligence report highlights that cellular IoT connections surpassed 2.4 billion globally in 2024, demonstrating the technology's reliability for mission-critical applications. This growth spans multiple sectors, from smart agriculture monitoring soil conditions to connected vehicles improving road safety. Privacy and Security in a Connected World As IoT devices proliferate, security concerns have become paramount. The BBC's recent investigation revealed that many consumer IoT devices lack basic security protocols, making them vulnerable to cyber attacks and data breaches. Industry experts emphasise that security must be built into IoT devices from the ground up, not added as an afterthought. The European Union's Cyber Resilience Act, coming into effect in 2025, mandates stricter security standards for IoT manufacturers. Privacy concerns also loom large as these devices collect vast amounts of personal data. From smart speakers recording conversations to fitness trackers monitoring health metrics, users must carefully consider what information they're willing to share for convenience. Data encryption, regular software updates, and transparent privacy policies are becoming essential requirements rather than optional features in the IoT ecosystem. The Future: Smarter Cities Smart city initiatives represent perhaps the most ambitious application of IoT technology. Cities worldwide are deploying interconnected systems to manage traffic, reduce energy consumption, and improve public services.

From smart homes to connected cities, the Internet of Things is revolutionising how we interact with technology. With over 75 billion IoT devices expected by 2025, this network is reshaping industries and daily life through seamless connectivity.

The Internet of Things (IoT): Why everything is getting smarter

The world of content creation is changing fast because of new technology called generative artificial intelligence (AI). From writing articles to creating artwork, AI is helping people do things faster and smarter. Imagine a world where anyone, even without special skills, can produce high-quality content like a professional. This is happening right now! But with this amazing new technology comes big questions about creativity, fairness, and the future of jobs. Will AI replace human creators, or can we work together to make something even better?&nbsp;&nbsp;Let's try to understand how AI is transforming the way we create, share, and enjoy content, and why it’s both an exciting opportunity and a challenge we must all think carefully about. The digital landscape is experiencing a seismic shift as generative artificial intelligence transforms how we create, edit and consume content. From writing assistants to image generators, this technology is reshaping entire industries whilst raising profound questions about creativity, authenticity and the future of human expression.The transformation is happening at breakneck speed. A recent McKinsey Global Institute report reveals that generative AI could boost productivity by up to 40 per cent in content creation roles, fundamentally altering how businesses approach marketing, journalism and creative work. Yet this revolution brings both unprecedented opportunities and complex challenges that society must carefully navigate.<h2>Key Players Driving the AI Content Revolution</h2>Technology giants are trying to dominate this emerging market.&nbsp;"We're witnessing the most significant shift in content creation since the invention of the printing press," says Dr Sarah Chen, AI researcher at Stanford's Human-Centred AI Institute. "The democratisation of sophisticated content tools means anyone can now produce professional-quality materials."The creative industries are experiencing particularly dramatic changes. Adobe's 2025 Creative Trends Report indicates that 73 per cent of designers now use AI-powered tools regularly, whilst platforms like Midjourney and DALL-E have generated millions of unique artworks. Meanwhile, content marketing teams report average time savings of 60 per cent when using AI writing assistants, according to Salesforce's State of Marketing report.<h2>Impact on Creators and Designers</h2>For content creators, the technology presents a double-edged sword. Whilst productivity gains are undeniable, many professionals worry about job displacement and the devaluation of human creativity. A Pew Research Centre survey from early 2025 found that 68 per cent of creative professionals view AI as both an opportunity and a threat."I've embraced AI as my creative partner rather than replacement," explains Maria Rodriguez, a freelance graphic designer from Manchester. "It handles the routine tasks, freeing me to focus on strategy and original concepts that require human insight."However, the transition hasn't been smooth for everyone. Junior roles in copywriting and basic design work have seen significant disruption, with entry-level positions declining by 35 per cent in major advertising agencies, according to the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising's 2025 workforce study.<h2>Ethical Concerns and Industry Response</h2>As AI-generated content becomes mainstream, questions of authenticity and attribution have moved centre stage. The BBC's recent investigation revealed that many news websites now publish AI-written articles without clear disclosure, raising concerns about transparency in journalism.Intellectual property disputes are mounting. Several high-profile lawsuits challenge AI companies' use of copyrighted material for training data, whilst the EU's AI Act now requires clear labelling of AI-generated content in commercial applications."We're entering uncharted ethical territory," warns Professor James Mitchell from Oxford University's Internet Institute. "Society needs robust frameworks to ensure AI enhances rather than undermines human creativity and truthfulness."The industry is responding with new standards and guidelines. Major publishing houses have introduced AI disclosure policies, whilst creative platforms are developing verification systems to distinguish human-created from AI-generated content.<h2>The Future of Human-AI Collaboration</h2>Rather than replacement, experts increasingly predict a collaborative future where humans and AI work together. MIT's recent study suggests that the most successful content creators will be those who master AI tools whilst maintaining distinctly human perspectives and emotional intelligence."The future belongs to those who can harness AI's computational power whilst preserving the uniquely human elements of storytelling and authentic connection," predicts Dr Emma Thompson, author of 'The Creative Singularity' and professor at Cambridge University.As we advance into 2025 and beyond, the AI revolution in content creation appears unstoppable. Success will likely depend on adaptation, ethical consideration, and maintaining the irreplaceable human touch that technology cannot replicate. The question isn't whether AI will change content creation. It's how we'll shape that change to benefit creators and consumers alike.

Discover how generative AI is revolutionizing content creation across industries. From 40% productivity gains to ethical challenges, explore the future of human-AI collaboration in creative work and what it means for creators, designers, and businesses in 2025.

The world of content creation is changing fast because of new technology called generative artificial intelligence (AI). From writing articles to creating artwork, AI is helping people do things faster and smarter. Imagine a world where anyone, even without special skills, can produce high-quality content like a professional. This is happening right now! But with this amazing new technology comes big questions about creativity, fairness, and the future of jobs. Will AI replace human creators, or can we work together to make something even better? Let's try to understand how AI is transforming the way we create, share, and enjoy content, and why it’s both an exciting opportunity and a challenge we must all think carefully about. The digital landscape is experiencing a seismic shift as generative artificial intelligence transforms how we create, edit and consume content. From writing assistants to image generators, this technology is reshaping entire industries whilst raising profound questions about creativity, authenticity and the future of human expression. The transformation is happening at breakneck speed. A recent McKinsey Global Institute report reveals that generative AI could boost productivity by up to 40 per cent in content creation roles, fundamentally altering how businesses approach marketing, journalism and creative work. Yet this revolution brings both unprecedented opportunities and complex challenges that society must carefully navigate. Key Players Driving the AI Content Revolution Technology giants are trying to dominate this emerging market. "We're witnessing the most significant shift in content creation since the invention of the printing press," says Dr Sarah Chen, AI researcher at Stanford's Human-Centred AI Institute. "The democratisation of sophisticated content tools means anyone can now produce professional-quality materials." The creative industries are experiencing particularly dramatic changes. Adobe's 2025 Creative Trends Report indicates that 73 per cent of designers now use AI-powered tools regularly, whilst platforms like Midjourney and DALL-E have generated millions of unique artworks. Meanwhile, content marketing teams report average time savings of 60 per cent when using AI writing assistants, according to Salesforce's State of Marketing report. Impact on Creators and Designers For content creators, the technology presents a double-edged sword. Whilst productivity gains are undeniable, many professionals worry about job displacement and the devaluation of human creativity. A Pew Research Centre survey from early 2025 found that 68 per cent of creative professionals view AI as both an opportunity and a threat. "I've embraced AI as my creative partner rather than replacement," explains Maria Rodriguez, a freelance graphic designer from Manchester. "It handles the routine tasks, freeing me to focus on strategy and original concepts that require human insight." However, the transition hasn't been smooth for everyone. Junior roles in copywriting and basic design work have seen significant disruption, with entry-level positions declining by 35 per cent in major advertising agencies, according to the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising's 2025 workforce study. Ethical Concerns and Industry Response As AI-generated content becomes mainstream, questions of authenticity and attribution have moved centre stage. The BBC's recent investigation revealed that many news websites now publish AI-written articles without clear disclosure, raising concerns about transparency in journalism. Intellectual property disputes are mounting. Several high-profile lawsuits challenge AI companies' use of copyrighted material for training data, whilst the EU's AI Act now requires clear labelling of AI-generated content in commercial applications. "We're entering uncharted ethical territory," warns Professor James Mitchell from Oxford University's Internet Institute. "Society needs robust frameworks to ensure AI enhances rather than undermines human creativity and truthfulness." The industry is responding with new standards and guidelines. Major publishing houses have introduced AI disclosure policies, whilst creative platforms are developing verification systems to distinguish human-created from AI-generated content. The Future of Human-AI Collaboration Rather than replacement, experts increasingly predict a collaborative future where humans and AI work together. MIT's recent study suggests that the most successful content creators will be those who master AI tools whilst maintaining distinctly human perspectives and emotional intelligence. "The future belongs to those who can harness AI's computational power whilst preserving the uniquely human elements of storytelling and authentic connection," predicts Dr Emma Thompson, author of 'The Creative Singularity' and professor at Cambridge University. As we advance into 2025 and beyond, the AI revolution in content creation appears unstoppable. Success will likely depend on adaptation, ethical consideration, and maintaining the irreplaceable human touch that technology cannot replicate. The question isn't whether AI will change content creation. It's how we'll shape that change to benefit creators and consumers alike.

Generative AI is transforming content creation, from writing to design. Major tech firms report 40 per cent increase in productivity, while creators grapple with ethical concerns. Experts predict humans and AI will collaborate rather than compete by 2030.

AI revolution: How generative AI is shaping the future of content creation

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AI revolution: How generative AI is shaping the future of content creation