Chennai (The Hawk): Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) has partnered with two German universities - RWTH Aachen (RWTH), and TU Dresden (TUD) - to launch a new Joint Master’s Program (JMP) on ‘Water Security and Global Change’; in association with AIT, Bangkok, and UNU-FLORES, This program will enable the mobility of enrolled students among the three universities. The students will commence the academic year at IIT Madras and spend at least one semester at TUD and RWTH, with the flexibility to execute their Master’s thesis at the University of their choice. 30th April 2024 is the last date to apply for this program. The classes for the First Batch will commence on 29 July 2024. Those interested can apply through the following link - https://abcd-centre.org/master-program/ Speaking about this program, Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director, IIT Madras, said, “As we all collectively move towards meeting the objectives and milestones of Sustainable Development Goals, it is very important that we develop human capacity. Specifically, we instil knowledge in students, not about a single nation but about a global perspective on SDGs.” This program will provide students with interdisciplinary research and studies, empowering them with the skills to address water security challenges and climate adaptation realms in a global environment. Indian as well as International students with specified Engineering backgrounds are eligible to apply for this Master’s Program. Highlighting the importance of this new program, Prof. Raghunathan Rengaswamy, Dean (Global Engagement), IITM, said, “IITM has been systematically enhancing its international academic programs with partner universities. This international program with RWTH and TUD as degree-granting partners will be a first of its kind and will be a great opportunity for Indian and International students.” Internships and Master theses will be conducted closely with companies, governmental agencies, and NGOs. The program will combine the expertise of all partner institutes, serving the needs of Regional, National, and International stakeholders. It will have a modular structure that includes a mobility window for study abroad and options for specializations. In conversation with IIT Madras’ German partner institute, Prof. Holger Schüttrumpf, Head, IWW, RWTH Aachen said, “Climate adaptation starts with water. To meet this challenge, a new global JMP was launched by four well-known universities in three countries on two continents. Motivated students are invited to apply for this program to become future leaders in Climate Adaptation Science.” Prof. Jürgen Stamm, Chair Hydraulic Engineering, Dean Faculty Civil Engineering, TUD, added, “Climate change is well underway. We need appropriate strategies and adaptation measures to address the consequences of climate change now to secure our future. Study the JMP offered by us and become a future environmental leader dedicated to ensuring water security for both humanity and nature.” In this Master’s Program, IITM will offer five courses, TUD and RWTH will be offering six courses each. The Final semester is dedicated to the execution of a Master’s Thesis with advisors from one or more of the partners and/or associated universities. INTERNATIONAL INTERDISCIPLINARY MASTER’S IIT Madras, through the Office of Global Engagement, offers several programs for International Students, including International Interdisciplinary Master’s degree programs (I2MP) exclusively for foreign students. IIT Madras also offers nine interdisciplinary degrees exclusively for Foreign Students. Students from any engineering/science discipline can apply. In addition to core and elective courses in various disciplines, international students will take up courses in Indian culture and basic research skills as well. The second year of the program will be dedicated to a research-based master’s thesis. The two-year program is specially crafted for highly motivated top-tier international Science and Engineering students interested in an interdisciplinary master’s degree. Further information can be found at the following link - https://ge.iitm.ac.in/I2MP/#popular-programs International candidates who have qualified for the award of the Bachelor's degree in Engineering / Technology or Master's degree in Science are eligible to apply for admission to the I2MP program.

 Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IITM) has partnered with two German universities

IIT Madras Launches New International Master’s Program On Water Security And Global Change With German Varsities

New Delhi (The Hawk): A state-of-the-art Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation (SPACE) was inaugurated by Secretary, Department of Defence (R&amp;D) and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat at Underwater Acoustic Research Facility, Kulamavu in Idukki, Kerala on April 17, 2024. The SPACE, set up by the Naval Physical &amp; Oceanographic Laboratory of DRDO, has been designed as a premier testing and evaluation hub for sonar systems destined for Indian Navy onboard various platforms including ships, submarines and helicopters. The SPACE marks a milestone in naval technology advancement. It will consist of two distinct assemblages - a platform which floats on the water surface, and a submersible platform which can be lowered to any depth upto 100 m using winch systems. Upon completion of operations, the submersible platform can be winched up and docked with the floating platform. The SPACE will mainly be utilised for evaluation of complete sonar system, allowing for quick deployment and easy recovery of scientific packages such as sensors and transducers. It will be suitable for survey, sampling, and data collection of air, surface, mid-water, and reservoir floor parameters using modern scientific instrumentation. It will cater to the needs of data processing and sample analyses in modern, well equipped scientific laboratories heralding a new era of Anti-Submarine Warfare research capabilities.

A state-of-the-art Submersible Platform for Acoustic Characterisation and Evaluation (SPACE) was inaugurated by Secretary

SPACE, A Premier Testing & Evaluation Hub For Sonar Systems For Indian Navy, Set Up By DRDO, Inaugurated In Kerala

New Delhi (The Hawk): Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) Weapon System, indigenously designed and developed by Defence Research &amp; Development Organisation (DRDO), has been field evaluated in different flight configurations several times with the objective of proving the technology with high superiority. The system consisted of the MPATGM, Launcher, Target Acquisition System, and the Fire Control Unit. Adequate number of missile firing trials have been successfully conducted towards achieving compliance of complete operational envelop as stipulated in the General Staff Qualitative Requirements (Infantry, Indian Army). The Warhead Flight Trials were successfully conducted at the Pokhran Field Firing Range, Rajasthan on April 13, 2024. Missile performance and warhead performance were found to be remarkable. Penetration trials of the Tandem Warhead System of MPATGM have been successfully completed and it is found capable of defeating modern armour protected Main Battle Tank. The ATGM system is well-equipped with day/night and top attack capability. Dual mode seeker functionality is a great value addition to the missile capability for tank warfare. With this, technology development and successful demonstration have been concluded and the system is now ready for Final User Evaluation Trials leading towards its induction into the Indian Army. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh has complimented the DRDO and the Indian Army for the successful trials of the system, terming it as an important step towards achieving self-reliance in advanced technology-based defence system development. Secretary, Department of Defence R&amp;D and Chairman DRDO Dr Samir V Kamat also congratulated the teams associated with the trials.

Man Portable Anti-tank Guided Missile (MPATGM) Weapon System, indigenously designed and developed by DRDO

DRDO & Indian Army Conduct Successful Trials Of Indigenous Man Portable Anti-Tank Guided Missile Weapon System

Washington: Gopi Thotakura, an entrepreneur and a pilot, is set to become the first Indian to venture into space as a tourist on Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin’s NS-25 mission.
Thotakura was selected as one of the six crew members for the mission, making him the first Indian space tourist and the second Indian to venture into space after the Indian Army's Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma in 1984.  The flight date is yet to be announced, the aerospace company said.  This mission will be the seventh human flight for the New Shepard programme and the 25th in its history. To date, the programme has flown 31 humans above the Karman line, the proposed conventional boundary between Earth's atmosphere and outer space.  New Shepard is a fully reusable sub-orbital launch vehicle developed for space tourism by Blue Origin.
According to Blue Origin, "Gopi is a pilot and aviator who learned how to fly before he could drive."  He is the co-founder of Preserve Life Corp, a global centre for holistic wellness and applied health located near Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport.  In addition to flying jets commercially, he pilots bush, aerobatic, and seaplanes, as well as gliders and hot air balloons, and has served as an international medical jet pilot.  A lifelong traveller, his most recent adventure took him to the summit of Mt Kilimanjaro in Tanzania.  Andhra Pradesh-born Thotakura is a graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  Other crew members of the flight include Mason Angel, Sylvain Chiron, Kenneth L. Hess, Carol Schaller, and former Air Force Captain Ed Dwight, who was selected by President John F Kennedy in 1961 as the nation’s first Black astronaut candidate but was never granted the opportunity to fly to space.  During the flight, each astronaut will carry a postcard to space on behalf of Blue Origin’s foundation, Club for the Future.  This programme gives students access to space on Blue Origin’s rockets, including an all-digital method to create and send postcards. The Club’s mission is to inspire and mobilise future generations to pursue careers in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics) for the benefit of Earth.  From an environmental standpoint, nearly 99 per cent of New Shepard’s dry mass is reused, including the booster, capsule, engine, landing gear, and parachutes.  New Shepard’s engine is fuelled by highly efficient liquid oxygen and hydrogen. During the flight, the only byproduct is water vapour with no carbon emissions, the company said.
—PTI

Gopi Thotakura is on Blue Origin's NS-25 mission, as he becomes the first Indian space tourist.

Gopi Thotakura to become first Indian space tourist

New Delhi: iPhone maker Apple has issued a series of fresh notifications to users in 91 other countries, including India, cautioning them of 'mercenary spyware' including Pegasus malware that has stirred up significant controversy in recent times. These new alerts, also received by users in India, are part of cautionary measures warning owners about potential risks to their privacy and data security.
In October 2023, Apple had sent a similar notification to political leaders across various parties in the country, including Congress's Shashi Tharoor, Aam Aadmi Party's Raghav Chadha, and Trinamool Congress' Mahua Moitra. The alert warned of a "potential state-sponsored spyware attack" targeting their iPhones. In 2021, the Supreme Court had formed a committee of technical experts to look into allegations of unauthorised surveillance using the Pegasus software developed by Israeli firm NSO Group. In August 2022, the Supreme Court-appointed committee concluded that the spyware was not found in the 29 mobile phones examined by it, but malware was found in five mobile phones.
Apple noted that according to public reporting and research by civil society organisations, technology firms and journalists, individually targeted attacks of such exceptional cost and complexity have historically been associated with state actors, including private companies developing mercenary spyware on their behalf, such as Pegasus from the NSO Group. It said, though deployed against a very small number of individuals - often journalists, activists, politicians and diplomats - mercenary spyware attacks are ongoing and global. Since 2021, Apple said that it has sent out threat notifications multiple times a year as it has detected these attacks, and to date the company has notified users in over 150 countries in total. "The extreme cost, sophistication and worldwide nature of mercenary spyware attacks makes them some of the most advanced digital threats in existence today. As a result, Apple does not attribute the attacks or resulting threat notifications to any specific attackers or geographical regions," it said. The phone maker in its notification provides additional steps that users can take to help protect their devices, including enabling Lockdown Mode. Apple advised its users to update their devices with the latest security patches and exercise caution while interacting with suspicious links or messages.
—ANI

Apple warns users in 91 countries, including India, about mercenary spyware like Pegasus, stressing the significance of device security.

Apple warns users in 91 countries, including India, of Pegasus-like 'mercenary spyware' attacks

New Delhi: A total solar eclipse is slated to take place today when the Moon will pass between the Sun and Earth, completely blocking out the Sun's light. It will be a treat for skywatchers to witness one of the biggest celestial phenomena of 2024. 
The Sun will remain cloaked for four minutes, during which its enigmatic outer layer will be illuminated. While the solar eclipse won't be visible to people in India, a partial eclipse can be witnessed by those who live in Colombia, Spain, Venezuela, Ireland, Portal, Iceland, the United Kingdom, and some Caribbean countries. Ahead of this astronomical spectacle, Google curated a special animation. When users type the search term "solar eclipse" on Google, then they can see a graphic overlay depicting the phenomena: the moment when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, revealing just the sun's outermost layer called the corona.

<div style="text-align:left;"><img src="https://thehawk.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/Solar%20Eclips.webp" alt="Solar Eclips google" style="height: auto;width: auto"/></div>

One can experience the total solar eclipse with NASA. The space agency will start its live stream on April 8 at 5:00 pm GMT (10:30 pm IST) and continue until 8:00 pm GMT (1:30 am IST). The whole event will take about two and a half hours, but totality will only last about four minutes.
—ANI

Experience the 2024 Total Solar Eclipse! Join NASA's live stream for a celestial spectacle unseen in many parts of the world. Don't miss out!

Total Solar Eclipse 2024: Google marks Surya Grahan with special animation

Moscow: A Russian descent vehicle landed safely in Kazakhstan on Saturday, returning from the International Space station with astronauts from Russia, Belarus and the United States, live footage broadcast by Russia's Roscosmos space agency showed.
Russian Oleg Novitsky and Belarusian Marina Vasilevskaya departed for the ISS last month on a Soyuz spacecraft. They returned to Earth on Saturday along with U.S. astronaut Loral O'Hara, who had been aboard the orbital station since September.  Footage showed the three astronauts being pulled from the space capsule and smiling for the cameras.
—Reuters

Successful return of ISS astronauts from Russia, Belarus, and the USA, as their descent vehicle lands in Kazakhstan.

Russian descent vehicle lands in Kazakhstan with three astronauts

Texas [US]: Tesla CEO Elon Musk has announced that Tesla will unveil a 'robotaxi' on August 8. He made the announcement in a post on social media platform X. In a post on X, Musk stated, "Tesla Robotaxi unveil on 8/8." In the past, Musk has expressed liking for self-driving vehicles, stressing that they will be one of Tesla's most important products.
In the past, Elon Musk said that Tesla will make a car that did not have human controls. He had also said that Tesla cars, which will have full self-driving capability will through software, gradually become better and better at driving, CNN reported. He said that the cars, at some point, will have the capability of operating as fully autonomous taxis and could earn money for their owners by giving taxi rides on their own. So far, Tesla has passed several of Musk's predictions for when actual self-driving would be possible. In April 2019, Tesla said it expected to start operating robotaxis by 2020. The company predicted that the autonomous car would last 11 years and drive 1 million miles, which would make the company and the car operators earn a profit of USD 30,000 each year.
However, Elon Musk has admitted that his track for predictions can be off sometimes by a mile. In an event in April 2019, he said, "The only criticism and it's a fair one, sometimes I'm not on time. But I get it done and the Tesla team gets it done," according to CNN report. Presently, people can buy full self-driving capability with a new Tesla Model 3 for an additional USD 12,000 added to the car's roughly USD 40,000 purchase price. The full self-driving capability can be bought on a subscription basis for up to USD 199 a month, based on how the car was originally equipped. In small gray type, Tesla's on-line description reads, "The currently enabled features require active driver supervision and do not make the vehicle autonomous," implying that it is not, in fact, capable of fully self-driving today. According to Musk, the system will one day make Tesla cars incredibly valuable. In the company's call for the third quarter in 2023, he noted, "You can think of every car we sell or produce that has full autonomy capability as something that in the future may be worth five times what it is today." Experts who have tested the system have said that, as of now, it is still far from being able to drive on its own without human control, CNN reported. Kelly Funkhouser, associate director of vehicle technology for Consumer Reports, recently tested the system. Funkhouser said she is less worried about its safety than she is about ordinary Tesla Autopilot, which is made to give more limited driving assistance, particularly on highways.  She said, "You're not likely to tune out and become complacent or over-reliant on it." Funkhouser added, "In fact, I would say you're potentially more alert, CNN reported. A number of companies, including Google's parent company Alphabet's subsidiary and GM subsidiary Cruise, are working on autonomous ride-sharing services. Cruise has halted testing work after one of its self-driving cars hit and dragged a pedestrian. An internal review found that representatives of Cruise did not fully open up with regulators regarding the incident. The US Department of Justice is conducting an investigation into the matter. Meanwhile, Waymo, recently, recalled its own cars after two of its cars hit the same tow truck within minutes of one another. Meanwhile, a report in the Financial Times had on April 3 said that Tesla Motors will send a team to scout locations in India this month for a proposed USD 2-3 billion electric car plant. This development comes after India lowered tariffs on higher-priced imported EVs last month for companies that commit to making them in the country within three years.
—ANI

Elon Musk announces Tesla's Robotaxi reveal on 8/8, spotlighting Tesla's journey towards autonomous vehicles.

Elon Musk announces Tesla to unveil robotaxi on August 8

New Delhi [India]: Noting that he decided not to let digital divide hamper the progress of the country and digital facilities are being extended to villages, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has said that he used Artificial Intelligence (AI) during the G20 Summit hosted by India last year and also uses it for some other tasks. In an interaction with Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the role and benefits of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) while also emphasising the need of regulations.
He said AI was used for interpretation and translation during the G20 Summit held in New Delhi. The Prime Minister also told Bill Gates how his Hindi speech was translated into Tamil during Kashi Tamil Sangamam event and the use of AI in NaMo App. "We had extensive discussions before the G20 Summit, and as you might have seen, the Summit's proceedings took a lot of turns. I believe we have now aligned with G20s core purposes and objectives, bringing them to the mainstream. I hope your first-hand experience echoes this sentiment," he said.
"Recently, I went to the Kashi Tamil Sangamam event. As I can't speak Tamil, I delivered my speech in Hindi, which was translated into Tamil in real-time using AI, allowing attendees from Tamil Nadu to understand me clearly," he added. PM Modi said during the first and second industrial revolutions, India lagged behind because it was a colony. "Now, in the midst of a fourth industrial revolution, the digital element is at its core. I am confident that India will gain a lot in this," he said
The Prime Minister said that children call their mother "aai" in some parts of the country. "AI is very important. Sometimes, I jokingly say that in our country, we call our mother 'Aai'. Now I say that when a child is born, he says 'Aai' as well as AI as children have become so advanced," he said. PM Modi referred to NaMO app and demonstrated how AI adds significant value. "I am using my NaMo app, and I use AI extensively, which proves immensely beneficial across the country. Here is my photo booth, take a selfie. You can see, every photo of you and me, from the last 20 years is available here. even if you're barely visible in a public event photo, as long as I am in it, and even if your one tenth part is visible, it recognises and retrieves it. This illustrates the day-to-day applications of technology and I believe, such innovations add significant value," he said.
"We should embrace these technologies to enhance daily life for everyone. My aim is to ensure that users feel comfortable and recognise its utility and encouraging them to innovate and contribute new features," he added. PM Modi stressed the intelligent use of AI and said that using it as a magic tool would be a great injustice. He underscored that effort should be to surpass the capabilities of AI, not to rely on them because of personal laziness.  "Labeling AI merely as a magic tool, will lead to great injustice. If I am relying on AI due to laziness,. For example, I am too lazy to draft a letter, so I use ChatGPT, which is not the right approach. Instead, we should compete with AI, challenge it, and strive to surpass its capabilities. Currently, I'm pushing AI to recognise and adapt to the myriad languages and dialects we have," he said. "During an introduction with astronauts, I was trying to understand the work progress while I am interacting with the robot. I interacted with the robots a lot in varying tones which resulted in nuanced responses. Then I called the robot with a changed name, and it led to no response at all. This prompted a conversation with AI, where, despite speaking for several minutes it failed to recognise my voice without hearing its name. I expressed the need for it to identify my voice, without a direct prompt. I consistently present new challenges to AI, fostering its growth and adaptability," PM Modi said, referring to his interaction with the AI-powered robot. He said government is using technology for ease of living of people. "I had decided that I would not let digital divide hamper the progress of my country. Digital public infrastructure is a big requirement in itself. Today, I am extending digital facilities to all our villages," he said. AI has been one of the focus areas of the government. The Cabinet had recently approved the comprehensive national-level IndiaAI mission with a budget outlay of Rs. 10,371.92 crore. The IndiaAI mission will establish a comprehensive ecosystem catalyzing AI innovation through strategic programs and partnerships across the public and private sectors.
—ANI

PM Modi champions AI and technology for India's growth, from G20 translations to village digitalization.

AI used during New Delhi G20 Summit, digital facilities reaching India's villages: PM Modi tells Bill Gates

New Delhi [India]: Elon Musk, the owner of X, (formerly Twitter), took to the platform and declared that accounts with over 2500 verified subscribers would receive Premium features for free, while those with over 5000 followers would be entitled to Premium+ features at no cost, on Thursday. The announcement, made via Musk's official X account, signifies a shift in the platform's strategy towards rewarding high-engagement users and fostering a more vibrant creator ecosystem.
Elon musk posted on X, "Going forward, all X accounts with over 2500 verified subscriber followers will get Premium features for free and accounts with over 5000 will get Premium+ for free."
<a href="https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1773147956041978257?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1773147956041978257%7Ctwgr%5Ec9b525b902d47de99ce8548160262cf680593def%7Ctwcon%5Es1_&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.aninews.in%2Fnews%2Fbusiness%2Felon-musk-announces-free-premium-features-for-x-accounts-with-over-2500-verified-subscribers20240328083133" target="_self">https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1773147956041978257?</a>
X has an extensive range of premium features available to subscribers across its Premium and Premium+ tiers. These features aim to empower creators, influencers, and users alike with tools for content creation, monetization, and enhanced interaction.  The Premium tier offers functionalities such as the Edit Post feature, enabling users to make limited changes to published content within a one-hour window. Additionally, subscribers can exceed the traditional character limit, posting up to 25,000 characters for more detailed and comprehensive content sharing. Moreover, Premium members can upload longer videos, extending up to approximately three hours in duration and 8GB in file size, enhancing the capacity for multimedia storytelling. Furthermore, Premium subscribers have the privilege to create communities on X, facilitating connections with like-minded individuals sharing similar interests. For users opting for the Premium+ tier, exclusive benefits include the coveted Blue Checkmark Verification, signifying authenticity and credibility upon meeting eligibility criteria. Premium+ subscribers are also eligible to receive a share of revenue generated from verified accounts' organic impressions of ads displayed in replies to their content, through the Ads Revenue Sharing feature. Moreover, Premium+ users can monetize their content by offering subscription-based access to their exclusive content, enabling them to earn a living on the platform.
The Premium and Premium+ tiers also offer an enhanced ad-free experience, with reduced or no ads in their "For You" and "Following" timelines, fostering uninterrupted content consumption and user experience. Additionally, verified accounts can engage with posts limited to replies from verified accounts only, fostering meaningful interactions within the verified community. Furthermore, Premium and Premium+ subscribers have the option to hide their verification checkmark for greater privacy and control over their online presence. To bolster security and authenticity, Premium and Premium+ users can verify their accounts with a government-issued ID, adding an additional layer of protection. Premium subscribers also gain access to Media Studio, allowing them to manage their uploaded images and videos effectively. Furthermore, Premium+ subscribers unlock access to X Pro, offering advanced features such as multiple configurable timelines, advanced search, and contributor management.
Premium+ subscribers can publish long-form written content through the Articles feature, enabling them to share in-depth stories and insights with their audience.
—ANI

Elon Musk rolls out free Premium upgrades for users with 2500+ followers and Premium+ for 5000+, elevating content creation and interaction.

Elon Musk announces free premium features for X Accounts with over 2500 verified subscribers

New Delhi: Microsoft has internally merged the Windows and Surface teams once again, appointing IIT Madras alumni Pavan Davuluri to lead development on both fronts. According to Windows Central- a news site that tracks developments at Microsoft, the decision comes after a brief separation, during which Windows briefly fell under Microsoft's new AI organisation.
The reunion of Windows and Surface teams marks a return to a familiar structure within Microsoft's Engineering and Devices organisation, headed by Rajesh Jha. Pavan Davuluri, previously overseeing Microsoft's hardware endeavours, will now take the helm of Windows engineering as well. The reshuffle follows the departure of ex-Windows and Surface chief Panos Panay last September, whose role was effectively split between Davuluri and Mikhail Parakhin. Parakhin took charge of Windows, alongside his existing responsibilities as CEO of Web and Advertising at Microsoft, overseeing products such as Bing, Edge, and Copilot.
However, recent developments within Microsoft, including the appointment of DeepMind co-founder Mustafa Suleyman as CEO of a new AI division, prompted a re-evaluation of team structures. With Parakhin's team absorbed into the new AI division, he has announced his intention to explore other roles, likely outside the company. As a result, Windows is now realigned under Rajesh Jha's leadership, ensuring that development is overseen by the same individual who guides Surface development. This move is welcomed by Windows enthusiasts, as it promises increased collaboration and cohesion between Microsoft's hardware and software endeavours. Over the past year, Pavan Davuluri has been instrumental in driving Microsoft's efforts to optimize Windows for Arm-based devices. On March 22, Davuluri posted on X "Today, we announced our first ever #Surface AI PCs built exclusively for business: Surface Pro 10 for Business and Surface Laptop 6 for Business! I'm incredibly proud of the team for the work they did to bring these devices and experiences to life for our customers #Copilot."
Anticipation is building for May 20, when Microsoft is expected to unveil new next-generation AI features and Arm-based Surface hardware, offering further insights into the company's vision for Windows and AI integration.
—ANI

Microsoft merges Windows & Surface teams under Pavan Davuluri, promising tighter integration and innovation in AI and Arm tech.

IIT Madras alumni Pavan Davuluri to lead Microsoft Windows and Surface teams

Brussels/Stockholm: Big Tech is facing its biggest challenge in decades as antitrust regulators on both sides of the Atlantic crack down on alleged anti-competitive practices that could result in break-up orders to Apple and Alphabet's Google, a first for the industry.
That in turn could inspire watchdogs around the world to pile on, as evidenced in the growing number of antitrust probes in various countries following the opening of EU and US cases. Since AT&amp;T was broken up exactly 40 years ago, no company has faced the possibility of a regulator-led break-up in the United States until now.  Google has said it disagreed with the EU's accusations while Apple said the US lawsuit is wrong on the facts and the law.  In 1984, AT&amp;T, also known as Ma Bell, was broken up into seven independent companies called "Baby Bells" to open up one of the most powerful monopolies of the 20th century. AT&amp;T, Verizon and Lumen are currently the only surviving entities.  Regulators now allege companies such as Apple and Google have built impenetrable ecosystems around their products, making it difficult for customers to switch to rival services, which led to the coining of the term walled gardens.
The US Department of Justice on Wednesday warned Apple, a $2.7 trillion company, that a break-up order is not excluded as a remedy to restore competition after it teamed up with 15 states to sue the iPhone maker for monopolising the smartphone market, thwarting rivals and inflating prices.  Even so, it will likely take years to decide the case, which Apple has vowed to fight.  The US actions come on the heels of other mounting threats across Europe this week.  Big Tech will face more scrutiny shortly with Apple, Meta Platforms and Alphabet likely to be investigated for potential Digital Markets Act (DMA) violations that could lead to hefty fines and even break-up orders for repeated breaches, people with direct knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Thursday, on the condition of anonymity.  EU antitrust chief Margrethe Vestager helped pave the way for drastic measures last year when she accused Google of anti-competitive practices in its money-spinning adtech business and that it may have to divest its sell-side tools.
She said that requiring Google to sell some of its assets seemed to be the only way to avoid conflicts of interest as it would prevent Google from allegedly favouring its own online digital advertising technology services versus advertisers and online publishers.  Vestager is expected to issue a final decision by the end of the year.  European Parliament lawmaker Andreas Schwab, who was heavily involved in drafting landmark EU DMA tech rules that kicked in this month, said lawmakers want bold action against Big Tech which flouts rules.  "If they don't comply with the DMA, you can imagine what Parliament will ask for. Break-ups. The ultimate goal is to make markets open, fair and allow more innovation," he said on Friday.  Breaking up is hard to do  It is far from certain that regulators will issue break-up order as they mull options and any action may just result in a fine. Legal experts also suggested the case against Apple, drawing from the 1998 case against Microsoft, could be more difficult this time.  "In the European Union, there is less of a tradition, with splitting a company seen as a last resort. It has never happened before," said a Commission official, speaking on condition of anonymity.  Apple's highly integrated system would also make a break-up difficult compared with Google, said lawyer Damien Geradin at Geradin Partners, who is advising several app developers in other cases against Apple.  "It seems to me much more complicated. You are talking about something that is integrated, for example you can't force Apple to divest its App Store. That doesn't make sense," he said. He said it would be better to impose behavioural remedies on Apple that obligates it to do certain things while in the case of Google, a break-up order could simply target acquisitions made to strengthen its key services.  "What's more likely is they (DOJ) go for remedies like opening up hardware functionality, or making sure developers aren't being discriminated against in terms of pricing," said Max von Thun, director of advocacy group Open Markets.  "I think they want to say that everything's on the table, but it doesn't necessarily mean they'll choose that path," he said.  Apple gets most of its nearly $400 billion-a-year revenue from selling hardware -- iPhones, Macs, iPads and Watches -- followed by its Services business, which will brings in roughly $100 billion a year.  Structural remedies such as break-ups will ultimately be tested in courts, said Assimakis Komninos, partner at law firm White &amp; Case.  "I would say that experiences of imposed structural measures, such as breakups, are not many, but the small past experience shows that this is very tricky, aside from the formidable legal challenges," he said.
—Reuters

Antitrust regulators target Big Tech, with potential break-up orders for Apple and Google over anti-competitive practices, marking a historic move to dismantle tech monopolies and foster market fairness.

Google, Apple breakups on the agenda as global regulators target tech

Apple is in talks to build Google's Gemini artificial intelligence engine into the iPhone, Bloomberg News reported on Monday, citing people familiar with the situation.
Apple also recently held discussions with OpenAI and has considered using its model, the report added.  Apple and Google are in active negotiations to let the iPhone maker license Gemini, Google's set of generative AI models, to power some new features coming to the phone's software this year, Bloomberg said.
The two parties have not decided the terms or branding of an AI agreement or finalised how it would be implemented, the report added.  It is unlikely that any deal would be announced until June, when Apple plans to hold its annual Worldwide Developers Conference, the report said.  Apple, Google and OpenAI did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment outside business hours.
—Reuters

Apple discusses licensing Google's Gemini AI for the iPhone, considering OpenAI's models for upcoming features.

Apple in talks to let Google's Gemini power iPhone AI features: Report

New Delhi: The Competition Commission on Friday ordered a probe against Google for alleged anti-competitive practices with respect to its Play Store pricing policy.
While passing the order, the Competition Commission of India (CCI) said the informants are primarily aggrieved with Google’s updated payment policies in relation to its proprietary app store -- Google Play Store -- which is alleged to be in violation of the competition law.  It is also alleged that the payment policies are stated to be impacting several stakeholders, including app developers, payment processors, and users alike.
The watchdog has ordered the probe after prima-facie finding that Google has violated Section 4 of the Competition Act that pertains to abuse of dominant position.  In its 21-page order, the regulator noted that Google claims that a service fee is charged for a multitude of services provided by Play Store to app developers.  If the service fee is for the services rendered to app developers, then the reasoning given by Google does not appear to be reasonable, the watchdog noted.  Further, it said the issue assumes importance in view of the fact that various physical delivery apps are very large in size and yet do not contribute towards recoupment of Google's investment in Play Store (as claimed by Google).  "Extending this further, it is not clear as to why consumption-only apps have been allowed relaxation when their content is consumed within the app. On the whole, the applicability of service fee seems to be arbitrary and discriminatory," the CCI said.
—PTI

Competition Commission initiates probe into Google's Play Store pricing policy, alleging anti-competitive practices impacting app developers and users.

Play Store pricing policy: Competition Commission orders probe against Google

Delhi (India): Today marks a historic moment as the Ministry of Heavy Industries (MHI) and the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Roorkee come together to announce the establishment of a transformative initiatives that encapsulate the spirit of Viksit Bharat, envisioned by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, under the dynamic 'Make in India' campaign.   The signing ceremony for the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) symbolizes the beginning of the establishment of the Center of Excellence (CoE) on Automotive and Allied Research and Technology Innovations (AARTI) along with establishment of an Industry Accelerator at IIT Roorkee in collaboration with International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT). This partnership aims to spearhead technological innovations in the automotive and allied research domain, providing a platform for innovators, startups and industries alike, and fostering capacity building. The event was graced by the presence of the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, who pledged full support to facilitate and nurture this partnership, envisioning propelling Uttarakhand towards technological excellence and economic prosperity.   "The automotive sector is crucial for our nation's progress, and establishing this CoE will be a monumental stride in achieving innovation, skill development, and technological advancements for the sector. Today's announcement marks a pivotal moment in our journey towards a 'Viksit Bharat'. By establishing this Center of Excellence, we affirm our commitment to nurturing innovation, fostering skill development, and propelling India towards becoming a global manufacturing powerhouse. Together, let us shape a future where our youth lead the charge in driving technological advancements and economic prosperity, all under the visionary guidance of Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi," remarked Minister of Heavy Industries, Dr.Mahendra Nath Pandey.   "As IIT Roorkee and the Ministry of Heavy Industries come together in this momentous occasion, we embark on a journey of innovation and progress," remarked Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami, witnessing this historic event. He added, "We pledge our full support to facilitate and nurture this partnership. Together, we envision propelling Uttarakhand towards technological excellence and economic prosperity, laying the foundation for a brighter future for our state and the nation."   This ground-breaking effort highlights IIT Roorkee's strong research capabilities, making it a key player in boosting India's ability to compete globally in the automotive field. Additionally, the planned Industry Accelerator along with the CoE will create an environment that supports the innovation in indigenization of technology and growth of startups, helping realize the 'Make in India' vision.   IIT Roorkee and the International Centre for Automotive Technology (ICAT) will synergize their efforts as the PIO and Co-PIO, respectively for these interventions, ensuring a seamless integration of academia and industry for transformative outcomes. Under the stewardship of IIT Roorkee, adherence to due diligence procedures during the onboarding process reaffirms the commitment to transparency and accountability. ICAT, under the National Automotive Board (NAB) has been established as one of the premier testing and R&amp;D organization under the aegis of of the Ministry of Heavy Industries, Government of India, brings robust capacity and unmatched capabilities to the table. As the Co-PIO, ICAT is poised to play a pivotal role in facilitating the validation required for technology products, aligning seamlessly with IIT Roorkee's vision for transformative research and development in the automotive sector. ICAT had launched the ICAT Auto and Mobility Acceleration Program which was a pan-India call for application to identify startups in automotive and allied domains working on products and solutions, screened through multiple stages to help identify key technologies which when commercialized shall help achieve indigenization, import reduction and develop commercialized technologies to support the vision of Atmanirbhar and Viksit Bharat. IIT Roorkee through the Industry Accelerator shall help implement this program in collaboration with ICAT along with other similar interventions in future.   As the Co-PIO, ICAT's pivotal role extends beyond merely validating technology products; it serves as a cornerstone in realizing IIT Roorkee's vision for ground-breaking research and development within the automotive sector. With a steadfast commitment to fostering innovation and safety, ICAT actively engages in policy development, collaborates with regulatory bodies, supports the innovation and capacity building interventions through actively engaging with startups, academia, industry alike. Leveraging its extensive industry engagement and past successes, ICAT is poised to drive forward the agenda of technological advancement and excellence in lockstep with IIT Roorkee.   Together, these esteemed institutions aim to lead the charge towards a future where academia and industry collaborate seamlessly, propelling India's automotive sector to unprecedented innovation and global competitiveness.   Expressing his gratitude, Prof. K. K. Pant, Director IIT Roorkee, said – "As we embark on this transformative initiative, we envision the Center of Excellence at IIT Roorkee as a beacon of innovation, fostering collaboration between academia and industry. Through cutting-edge research and comprehensive training programs, we are dedicated to empowering the next generation of leaders in the automotive and allied technologies sector. This partnership underscores our unwavering commitment to advancing Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi's vision of a technologically advanced and globally competitive India."  Mr. Saurabh Dalela, Director ICAT, said – I am thrilled to embark on this transformative collaboration with IIT Roorkee, aligning with the government's vision of Viksit Bharat. Our partnership symbolizes a convergence of cutting-edge research and industry expertise. As the Co-PIO, ICAT is poised to play a pivotal role in facilitating the validation required for technology products, helping provide technical expertise in automotive domain based on the vast experience of ICAT, aligning seamlessly with IIT Roorkee's vision for transformative research and development in the automotive sector. Also, it will play the role of an industry partner in one of the technologies in the automotive sector. Together, we are committed to fostering a culture of technological advancement and safety, laying the groundwork for a brighter future for India's automotive industry"   Indeed, as India propels towards the global stage, initiatives like the CoE on AARTI at IIT Roorkee are a testament to the nation's resolve to script its destiny as a trailblazer in innovation and industrial excellence. This endeavour, aligned with the government's vision, is the roadmap to 'Viksit Bharat,' where progress knows no bounds.

A groundbreaking collaboration between MHI, IIT Roorkee, and ICAT to establish a CoE on AARTI, accelerating India's journey towards Viksit Bharat.

IIT Roorkee Spearheads Establishment of MHI Center of Excellence & Industry Accelerator on AARTI

Alphabet Inc’s Google is curbing its generative artificial intelligence chatbot, Gemini, from responding to queries directly related to Indian general elections starting next month, conforming with similar controls in the US and other countries holding elections.
“We have begun to roll out restrictions on the types of election-related queries for which Gemini will return responses,” Google said in a blog post on Tuesday. “We take our responsibility for providing high-quality information for these types of queries seriously and are continuously working to improve our protections.”
At the same time, the company is collaborating with the Election Commission of India to enable people to easily discover critical voting information on Google Search, such as how to register and vote in both English and Hindi languages.  The Indian government has voiced concerns over misinformation and conspiracies about elections being released via AI tools and has thus taken measures to regulate them. Last week, the country told technology firms to get approval before releasing any AI tools.  The action comes as elections are scheduled to be held in over 60 countries around the world this year including the US, UK and South Africa.
—Bloomberg

Google restricts its AI, Gemini, from processing election-related queries in India, aligning with global norms to combat misinformation and enhance election integrity.

Google restricts replies to queries on Lok Sabha polls via Gemini AI

Tokyo: Japan's Space One's small, solid-fuelled Kairos rocket exploded shortly after its inaugural launch on Wednesday as the firm tried to become the first Japanese company to put a satellite in orbit.
The 18-metre (59 ft), four-stage solid-fuel rocket exploded seconds after lifting off just after 11:01 am (0201 GMT), leaving behind a large cloud of smoke, a fire, fragments of the rocket and firefighting water sprays near the launch pad, visible on local media livestreams of the launch on the tip of mountainous Kii peninsula in western Japan.  Space One said that the flight was "interrupted" after the launch and was investigating the situation. There was no immediate indication of what caused the explosion, or whether there were any injuries.  Pads typically have no people anywhere nearby during a launch. Space One has said the launch is highly automated and requires roughly a dozen staff at the ground control centre.  Kairos carried an experimental government satellite that can temporarily replace intelligence satellites in orbit if they fall offline.  Space One had planned the launch for Saturday but postponed it after a ship entered the nearby restricted sea area.
Although Japan is a relatively small player in the space race, the nation's rocket developers are scrambling to build cheaper vehicles to capture booming demand for satellite launches from its government and from global clients.  Tokyo-based Space One was established in 2018 by a consortium of Japanese companies: Canon Electronics, the aerospace engineering unit of IHI, construction firm Shimizu and the state-backed Development Bank of Japan. Two of Japan's biggest banks, Mitsubishi UFJ and Mizuho, also own minority stakes.  Shares in Canon Electronics fell more than 9 per cent after Wednesday's failed launch.  Space One wants to offer "space courier services" to domestic and international clients, aiming to launch 20 rockets a year by the late 2020s, its president Masakazu Toyoda said.  Although the company delayed Kairos' inaugural launch window four times, it said orders for its second and third planned trips have been filled, including by an overseas customer.  Space One does not disclose Kairos' launch costs, but company executive Kozo Abe said it is "competitive enough" against American rival Rocket Lab.  Rocket Lab has launched more than 40 Electron small rockets from New Zealand since 2017 at roughly $7 million per flight.  Several Japanese companies have used Electron for their missions, including radar satellite makers iQPS and Synspective, and orbital debris-removal startup Astroscale.  Last month, state-funded Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) successfully launched its new cost-efficient flagship rocket, the H3. JAXA completed a historic "pinpoint" moon landing this year, and the H3 is scheduled to carry about 20 satellites and probes to the space by 2030.  In 2019, Interstellar Technologies conducted Japan's first privately developed rocket launch with its MOMO series, although without a full-scale satellite payload.  Partnering with the United States, Japan is seeking to revitalise its domestic aerospace industry to counter technological and military rivalry from China and Russia.  The government last year promised "comprehensive" support for space startups with technology critical for national security, as it seeks to build satellite constellations to ramp up intelligence capabilities.  Japan's Defence Ministry on Friday said it had struck a deal with Space One to boost its rockets' payload by experimenting with fuel-efficient methane engines.
—Reuters

Japan's Space One's Kairos rocket exploded shortly after takeoff in a dramatic setback for the company's satellite launch ambitions.

Japan's Space One Kairos rocket explodes on inaugural flight

New Delhi: Alphabet Inc-owned Google has joined hands with Election Commission of India (ECI) to elevate authoritative information and enable people to easily discover critical voting information on Google Search and YouTube. The search engine has also put in place measures to prevent spread of false information, and label AI-generated data during the upcoming general elections, a blog post said on Tuesday. “We are collaborating with ECI to enable people to easily discover critical voting information on Google Search - such as how to register and how to vote - in both English and Hindi,” Google said.
It said that for news and information related to the election, YouTube’s recommendation system prominently surfaces content from authoritative sources on the YouTube homepage, in search results, and highlights high-quality content from authoritative news sources.  Additionally, Google said it is setting up processes to help audiences identify AI-generated content.  “As more advertisers leverage the power and opportunity of AI, we want to make sure we continue to provide people with greater transparency and the information they need to make informed decisions. Our ads policies already prohibit the use of manipulated media to mislead people, like deepfakes or doctored content,” it said.  Google has already started displaying labels for content created with YouTube generative AI features, like Dream Screen.  “Soon, YouTube will begin to require creators to disclose when they’ve created realistic altered or synthetic content, and will display a label that indicates for people when they’re watching this content,” it said.
The blog post further said the company has begun to roll out restrictions on the types of election-related queries for which Gemini will return responses.  The popular search engine said they have set policies around demonstrably false claims in areas like manipulated content, incitement to violence, hate speech, and harassment, that could undermine democratic processes.  Google has set strict policies and restrictions around who can run election-related advertising on its platforms. These include identity verification, certification and authorisation by the ECI, and financier disclosures.  “We take our responsibility for providing high-quality information for these types of queries seriously, and are continuously working to improve our protections,” the blog post said.  Google said it has recently joined the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA), and pledged to help prevent deceptive AI-generated imagery, audio or video content from interfering with this year’s global elections.  Earlier, Google had introduced the Google News Initiative Training Network and the Fact Check Explorer tool to enable newsrooms and journalists deliver reliable, fact-checked updates to debunk misinformation.  Additionally, Google is supporting Shakti, India Election Fact-Checking Collective, which is a consortium of news publishers and fact-checkers in India working together to aid the early detection of online misinformation, including deepfakes, and to create a common repository that news publishers can use to tackle the challenges of misinformation at scale.  “Google is committed to working with government, industry, and civil society and surface and connect voters to authoritative and helpful information online,” the blog post said. —PTI

Google and ECI unite to shield upcoming elections from misinformation, boosting access to credible information and marking AI-generated content for informed voter decisions.

Google ties up with ECI to elevate authoritative information

Elon Musk said on Monday that his artificial intelligence firm xAI will open-source "Grok", a chatbot rivaling OpenAI's ChatGPT, this week.
The development comes about two months after the Tesla CEO said he felt uncomfortable growing the carmaker into a leader in AI and robotics unless he had at least 25 per cent voting control of the company.
Earlier this month, Musk sued ChatGPT-maker OpenAI and its CEO Sam Altman, saying they had abandoned the startup's original mission to develop artificial intelligence for the benefit of humanity and not for profit.  In a podcast episode with computer scientist and podcaster Lex Fridman, Musk suggested in November that he liked the concept of open-source AI. The billionaire's startup launched the AI model to a small group of users that month.  In December, xAI rolled out its ChatGPT competitor Grok for Premium+ subscribers of social media platform X, aiming to create what Musk has said would be a "maximum truth-seeking AI".
—Reuters

Elon Musk's xAI to open-source "Grok," a ChatGPT rival, aiming for an AI that seeks truth and benefits humanity.

Elon Musk says his AI startup xAI will open-source its Grok chatbot

Long-form videos will soon be available on smart televisions, billionaire Elon Musk said, after Fortune magazine reported that social network X planned to launch next week a TV app for Amazon and Samsung users.
The platform rolled out an early version of video and audio calling for some users last October, after Musk had said he planned to turn it into a super app offering services from messaging to peer-to-peer payments.  "Coming soon," Musk said in a brief response on X to a user's posting that the platform's long-form videos could be watched directly on smart TVs.  Earlier, Fortune said the app could look similar to the TV app offered by Google's Youtube. It cited an unidentified source as saying Musk was set on competing with YouTube.
X did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for further details on the app.  In the push to become a "video-first platform", X has been forging partnerships with the likes of former Fox commentator Tucker Carlson and former CNN anchor Don Lemon.  The platform, which has struggled to retain advertisers amid controversies ever since Musk bought it in 2022, said last month it would enable advertisers to run video ads next to certain content creators.
—Reuters

Elon Musk reveals X's plan to launch a TV app for Amazon and Samsung, bringing long-form videos to smart TVs, as part of its transformation into a super app offering extensive services.

Musk says X's long-form videos will soon be available on smart TVs

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