Author: News Desk
When OpenAI CEO Sam Altman recently turned to X, soliciting prompts from users to convert text into video using the experimental tool Sora, the response was nothing short of overwhelming, with thousands flooding in with their requests. Bengaluru’s Urban Quirk Amplified Among the respondents was “Peak Bengaluru,” a prominent X account dedicated to showcasing all things related to the startup hub of India. Known for amplifying and commenting on the eccentricities of Bengaluru, the account had a distinct request for Altman: a video visualisation of the fully completed Ejipura flyover, situated in the southern part of the city. The Legend…
The Planning and Development Department (Trakhees) recently announced the issuance of the first licence for construction using 3D printing technology in Dubai.This groundbreaking move by a prominent property developer marks a significant step towards revolutionising construction practices in the region. The licence was granted to facilitate the Al Furjan Hills project, showcasing the swift integration of 3D printing into construction operations.Sultan Ahmed bin Sulayem, Chairman of the Ports, Customs, and Free Zone Corporation, emphasised the commitment to implementing regulations governing 3D printing in construction, fostering economic growth and sustainability. Strategic Objectives and Collaborative Efforts: Aligning with Dubai’s Economic Agenda D33,…
Tech giant Meta, in collaboration with a cross-industry alliance, unveiled plans on Monday to launch a dedicated fact-checking helpline on the messaging platform WhatsApp. This joint effort aims to tackle the rising threat of artificial intelligence-generated deepfakes, which have become increasingly prevalent in disseminating misinformation. The Helpline Initiative: Meta and the Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA) are set to roll out the fact-checking helpline next month.Users will be able to flag deepfakes by engaging with a WhatsApp chatbot specifically designed for this purpose.The chatbot will provide multilingual support, catering to users in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. Industry Collaboration and Commitment:…
The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT Madras) quietly develops a substantial Center of Excellence (CoE) dedicated to advancing indigenous maritime technology and expertise. Researchers spearheading the project contribute significantly to major maritime endeavours in India, resulting in substantial financial savings by replacing foreign expertise and technology. V. Sriram, Principal Investigator of the CoE on Maritime Experiments To Maritime Experience (ME2ME), aims to establish the CoE as a global leader in the maritime sector, generating substantial cost savings for India.The CoE focuses on offshore/coastal engineering, green shipping, future ports, and offshore renewable technologies, with plans to support startups in similar domains…
Saudi Arabia’s General Entertainment Authority (GEA) has announced the launch of a major investment initiative named “Big Time,” aimed at boosting the quality and accessibility of Arabic content in the realms of production, distribution, and filmmaking. Chairman of the Board of Directors of GEA, Turki Al-Sheikh, unveiled the establishment of the fund during a visit to Egypt. This initiative underscores Saudi Arabia’s commitment to fostering cultural and artistic endeavors, particularly in the realm of entertainment. The “Big Time” investment fund, with GEA as its primary contributor, will also receive sponsorship from the Ministry of Culture, in addition to collaboration with…
Amid a noticeable shift of users towards private telecom operators like Airtel and Jio, Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) is taking proactive measures to retain its customer base. To counter the decline in subscriber numbers, BSNL has proposed a unique plan to the government: utilizing Vodafone Idea’s 4G network for its services. Given the government’s significant shareholding in Vodafone Idea (approximately 33.1%), this collaboration is feasible. BSNL argues that leveraging Vodafone Idea’s network could accelerate the rollout of 4G services across India, particularly in areas where BSNL’s network presence is limited. The absence of 4G services is cited as a…
Apple’s much-anticipated Vision Pro headset has recently faced a wave of returns, despite its initial hype. Here’s a closer look at the reasons behind this unexpected trend: Apple Fans Return Headsets Tech analyst Mark Gurman reveals that even diehard Apple fans, who were among the first to purchase the Vision Pro, are now reconsidering their investment. Gurman notes that while returns are common, the extent of returns for the Vision Pro is notable, considering its target audience of loyal Apple customers and tech enthusiasts. Anticipating Improvement Although initial reviews for the Vision Pro were generally positive, Gurman emphasises that the…
The quintessential Valentine’s Day date of roses, dinner for two, and a box of chocolates may hit lovers’ wallets harder this year due to soaring cocoa and sugar prices. Here’s how the sweet celebration is being impacted:Cocoa prices reached unprecedented heights recently, propelled by adverse weather conditions and disease outbreaks in key producing regions like Ghana and the Ivory Coast. This supply crunch marks the third consecutive year of inadequate cocoa production, with little respite in sight, according to Sergey Chetvertakov, an expert at S&P Global. El Niño’s Influence on Sweet Commodities The El Niño weather phenomenon is exacerbating the…
The Karnataka government signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Tata group of companies, paving the way for investments totaling Rs 2,300 crore. This collaboration, involving Air India and Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL), is poised to significantly bolster the state’s aerospace ecosystem, creating 1,650 direct jobs and over 25,000 indirect employment opportunities. Under the MoU, Air India will establish Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) facilities at Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, with an investment of Rs 1,200 crore. This initiative, beginning with airframe maintenance, will progress to include the development of wide-body and narrow-body hangars, fostering the growth of…
Shri. Pinarayi Vijayan, Honourable Chief Minister of Kerala, officially launches the state’s inaugural Campus Industrial Park & Zoho R&D Labs at CE-IHRD, Kottarakara.The Minister of Finance, K.N. Balagopal, and the Minister of Higher Education and Social Justice, Dr. R. Bindu, along with Shreedhar Vempu, the CEO of Zoho and CO-founder Tony G. Thomas, Dr. V. Arun Kumar, the director of IHRD, and Anoop Ambika, CEO of KSUM, participated. Zoho’s Rural Expansion: From Tenkasi to Kottarakara Back in 2011, Zoho Corporation, a leading SaaS giant, made a pioneering move by establishing its rural office in Tenkasi, Tamil Nadu, with just 10…