News & Analysis News - Page 2

Why ‘monster’ robot wolves are being deployed across farms and schools in Japan
Japan is witnessing a surge in demand for the 'Monster Wolf' robot as deadly bear attacks and wildlife sightings hit record levels. The animatronic wolf, equipped with flashing LED eyes and loud deterrent sounds, is now being used by farmers, schools and local authorities to keep bears away

From Elon Musk to Jensen Huang, what CEOs with Trump on China visit are eyeing
US President Donald Trump’s China visit has brought together some of America’s biggest CEOs, including Elon Musk, Tim Cook and Jensen Huang. From AI chips and Tesla approvals to Boeing aircraft deals and Wall Street ambitions, the summit may be a one-off chance to get close to Chinese leadership and bag some deals

Did you get a loud alert on your phone? Understanding India’s new emergency messaging system
India has rolled out a nationwide test of its indigenous cell broadcast alert system under the SACHET platform, designed to deliver instant disaster warnings. The new technology bypasses SMS delays, reaches users in seconds, and aims to significantly improve emergency response and public safety across the country

ChatGPT, the crime master? Did OpenAI bot influence the gunman behind Florida university shooting?
Florida has launched a criminal investigation into OpenAI over whether ChatGPT played a role in the deadly Florida State University shooting. Authorities allege the chatbot provided guidance on weapons and timing, while the company denies responsibility. This is not the first time ChatGPT has been blamed for instigating a crime

Who is John Ternus, the next Apple CEO?
Apple on Monday named insider John Ternus as its next CEO, tasking the longtime hardware chief with steering the company after Tim Cook

How a shoe brand’s decision to ditch sneakers and become an AI firm saw stocks surging 500%
Allbirds’ shift from footwear to AI infrastructure has stunned markets, sending its stock soaring over 500 per cent. Rebranding as NewBird AI, the company is betting on surging demand for GPU-powered computing, marking one of the most unusual pivots in the ongoing artificial intelligence boom

Is the internet’s memory at risk? The world's most-used archiving tool is under threat
The Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine, which has preserved over a trillion web pages, faces mounting challenges as major publishers block its crawlers over AI and copyright concerns. Legal battles, cyberattacks, and funding pressures now threaten the future of this crucial digital archive

Why is France going to stop using Microsoft Windows?
France is moving away from Microsoft Windows in a major push for digital sovereignty, opting for Linux-based systems across parts of its government. The shift reflects growing European concerns over reliance on US tech firms, data control, and risks tied to foreign digital infrastructure

How Chinese students are using smart glasses to cheat in exams
AI-powered smart glasses are transforming daily life in China — but also raising alarms in education. Students are increasingly renting these devices to cheat in exams, using built-in cameras and AI tools

Why is Iran targeting Gulf data centres? What does this mean for modern warfare?
Iran’s strikes on data centres in the Gulf signal a new phase in warfare, where digital infrastructure becomes a target. From AWS disruptions to threats against US tech giants, the conflict highlights how AI, cloud computing, and geopolitics are increasingly intertwined now

US jury rules against Google, Meta in social media addiction lawsuit
A Los Angeles jury found Alphabet's Google and Meta liable for $3 million in damages on Wednesday in a landmark social media addiction lawsuit that will influence thousands of similar cases against the tech companies.

Iran war has a second front — and it's quietly threatening the world's chip supply
Analysts warn that if the Strait of Hormuz remains blocked for long, the war's economic damage won't be confined to energy markets alone, but will ripple through other industries as well that depends on the chips that power the modern world.

Inside cyber attacks on Stryker Corp, US medical giant, targeted by Iran
A major cyberattack disrupted the systems of US medical technology giant Stryker Corporation after an Iran-linked hacking group claimed responsibility. The incident reportedly wiped thousands of devices and extracted massive data, raising concerns about destructive cyber warfare across the globe

Did Google’s Gemini chatbot act like an 'AI wife' and push a man toward suicide?
A wrongful death lawsuit against Google claims its Gemini AI chatbot formed a romantic bond with a Florida user, allegedly encouraging delusions, violent fantasies and ultimately suicide. The case has resulted in serious questions over AI safety, emotional dependency, and the responsibilities of tech companies developing powerful conversational AI systems

Loading... Could a Strait of Hormuz closure slow India’s internet?
The Strait of Hormuz is not only vital for global oil shipments but also a major route for submarine internet cables linking Asia and Europe. With nearly one-third of India’s westward data traffic passing through the corridor, any disruption could affect international connectivity, cloud services and digital infrastructure

Rising Bharat Summit: Scindia reveals how India plans to lead the world in 6G
India is moving from fast 5G rollout to shaping global 6G standards, Union Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia told Network18. With SIM binding rules for OTT apps, satellite internet expansion, and spectrum planning, New Delhi is tightening cybersecurity while aiming to lead next-gen telecom technology

Should we be amused or afraid of China’s 'kung fu robots'?
China’s Spring Festival Gala showcased humanoid robots performing kung fu, dance and acrobatics, highlighting rapid advances in robotics and AI. The performances sparked concerns over China’s manufacturing ambitions, tech rivalry with the US, and whether these machines signal industrial progress or are just a spectacle

What is India-America subsea connectivity? Why is Google betting big on it?
Google’s Sundar Pichai has announced a major India-America subsea connectivity project to expand AI-ready digital infrastructure linking India with the US, Africa, Australia and Asia-Pacific. The initiative includes new undersea cables, fibre routes and a Vizag gateway, anchored in Google’s $15 billion AI investment plan

In Graphics: 7 big changes the world could see in AI
In 2026, Agentic AI systems are transforming industry, healthcare, and infrastructure, while India positions itself as a Global South leader in ethical AI governance at the India AI Impact Summit. The shift toward small language models, robotics-driven Physical AI, and synthetic data marks a pivotal moment for global AI development

Russia moves to block WhatsApp after Telegram curbs: What’s behind the crackdown?
Russia has attempted to fully block WhatsApp, escalating its crackdown on foreign tech platforms after restricting Telegram. With nearly 100 million users affected, Moscow is pushing a state-backed messaging app, MAX, as part of its broader 'sovereign internet' strategy. Here’s everything you need to know

Anthropic vs Anthropic: Why is a Karnataka start-up suing the US AI giant?
A Karnataka-based company named Anthropic has filed a lawsuit against US AI firm Anthropic PBC, alleging trademark infringement and brand confusion after the American company’s India expansion. The case, now before a Karnataka court, comes as global AI giants enter India’s booming tech market

Alphabet lines up 100-year bond sale: Why this is rare
Alphabet is tapping global bond markets with its largest-ever borrowing plan, including a rare 100-year bond. As AI-driven capital expenditure surges across Big Tech, the Google parent’s multi-currency bond sale highlights how artificial intelligence is influencing investor demand worldwide

What is India’s orange economy that Budget 2026 puts the spotlight on?
India’s Union Budget 2026 places the spotlight on the ‘orange economy’, covering creative sectors such as animation, gaming, design and live entertainment. Backed by the Economic Survey 2025-26, the government aims to boost jobs, skills, urban services and tourism through targeted policy support

Why are Americans deleting TikTok now?
TikTok is facing a fresh backlash in the United States after restructuring its ownership under a new US-led joint venture. Concerns over censorship, data collection, political influence and technical outages have driven a surge in app deletions, even as overall user activity remains largely stable

Why is Pentagon embracing Elon Musk’s controversial AI Grok?
The Pentagon is integrating Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok into its classified and unclassified networks despite global backlash over explicit content, antisemitic posts, and regulatory probes. US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth says the move will accelerate military AI adoption and improve battlefield decision-making

Why are Google founders saying bye to California, where they made their fortune?
As California weighs a proposed wealth tax on billionaires, Google co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin have begun scaling back their presence in the state. Dozens of their business entities have moved or become inactive, and major investments have shifted elsewhere. Some reports say they may even leave the state

Why is Southeast Asia still the global hub for online scam networks?
Cambodia’s extradition of tycoon Chen Zhi highlights a rare crackdown on the transnational scam industry that has defrauded billions worldwide. Yet, forced labour, trafficked workers, and sprawling scam compounds across Southeast Asia continue to fuel digital fraud operations

Elon Musk's Grok shares AI images of 'minors with minimal clothing', marking lapse in safeguards
Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok landed in yet another trouble after it generated images depicting minors in minimal clothing on his social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

More than 20% of videos YouTube shows to new users are 'AI Slop'; Study gives insight into a new industry
More than 20 per cent of the videos that the YouTube algorithm shows to new users are 'AI-slops', referring to low-quality AI-generated content, a new study has found

Why are hundreds of H-1B visa holders 'stuck' in India?
Hundreds of Indian professionals on H-1B visas are stranded in India after US consulates abruptly cancelled and postponed visa interviews scheduled for mid-December. The delays, linked to expanded social media vetting under the Trump administration, have left workers with expired visas and employers unsure how long they can wait