Tech

The Centre informed the Supreme Court about a multi-agency crackdown on “digital arrest” scams, including banning 9,400 WhatsApp accounts, faster SIM blocking, RBI safeguards, and biometric verification plans led by Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre to curb online fraud

Grok AI’s viral response to a hypothetical political preference question on X sparked debate, appearing to favour data-led governance under PM Narendra Modi over Congress’ dynastic politics, highlighting development metrics like infrastructure, Digital India, UPI growth, and economic rise, igniting the “data over dynasties” discussion 

A 17-year-old boy working at a livestock farm in Karachi has died after contracting the Congo virus, marking the first confirmed fatality of the disease this year. The patient was admitted with a high fever and later tested positive for Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF).

Elon Musk has withdrawn several fraud claims in his lawsuit against OpenAI, leaving two key charges ahead of trial. The case will examine allegations over OpenAI’s shift to a for-profit model, with damages sought up to $134 billion.

Google plans to invest up to $40 billion in AI firm Anthropic, strengthening their partnership as global tech companies ramp up spending on advanced AI models and infrastructure, amid rising demand for generative AI tools and intensifying competition.

AI engineering job postings in India rose 59.5 per cent year-on-year, outpacing major global markets, driven by strong demand in Bengaluru, Hyderabad and emerging cities like Vijayawada, according to a LinkedIn report highlighting rapid adoption across industries.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said Indian banks are prepared for tech risks but warned about threats from Anthropic’s Mythos AI, with Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology monitoring impacts and urging stronger safeguards

Meta Platforms and Microsoft plan major job cuts and buyouts amid rising AI investments. Workforce reductions and restructuring aim to streamline operations while expanding data centres and infrastructure to support growing artificial intelligence initiatives globally

India leads global adoption of AI in healthcare, with 85 per cent of consumers consulting AI tools before doctors, according to a BCG study. The trend is driven by youth, though most users still prefer a hybrid doctor–AI model.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai congratulated Tim Cook as Apple named John Ternus its next CEO. Cook will transition to executive chairman. Experts highlighted Cook’s role in expanding Apple’s global strategy, including manufacturing and retail growth in India.

Global IT spending is projected to reach $6.31 trillion in 2026, driven by rapid adoption of AI technologies, Gartner said. Data centre systems will lead growth, while software and IT services also expand significantly amid rising investments in AI infrastructure.

An unprecedented energy crisis, triggered by US-Israeli strikes on Iran and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, has accelerated a global shift toward renewables. Amid skyrocketing oil prices and supply disruptions, 50 nations are gathering in Colombia to negotiate a historic fossil-fuel phaseout treaty

OpenAI has launched Images 2.0, an advanced image generation model offering improved realism, multilingual support and reasoning capabilities. The update enables accurate rendering, multiple outputs and API integration, while introducing safety checks, though some complex tasks still require human review.

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket failed to place AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite in its designated low-Earth orbit, rendering it unusable. The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded the rocket and ordered a mishap investigation.

Lee Jae Myung concluded his India visit, calling ties with India “steadfast,” as PM Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu highlighted expanded cooperation in trade, technology, defence and strategic sectors

India Semiconductor Mission is set for expansion as ISM 2.0 with an outlay of up to ₹1.2 lakh crore, aiming to boost chip design, fabrication, and supply chains, reducing import dependence and strengthening India’s semiconductor ecosystem

Lee Jae Myung concluded his India visit, praising ties with India and calling it a “steadfast partnership” with “endless possibilities,” while PM Narendra Modi and President Droupadi Murmu highlighted expanded cooperation across key sectors

Kerala Police warn Vivo and iQOO users about fake OriginOS update scams spreading malware to steal banking data. Users are urged to avoid suspicious links, install updates only via settings, and report fraud via helpline 1930 or cyber portal

Droupadi Murmu will inaugurate a tribal museum, planetarium, and science centre in Odisha’s Rourkela. The visit includes multiple projects and high-level interactions, with tight security arrangements in place for the President’s day-long official programme

POSCO and JSW Steel signed a $7.3 billion joint venture to build a 6-million-ton steel plant in Odisha, strengthening industrial cooperation and global supply chains between South Korea and India

Samsung Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong took a selfie with Narendra Modi and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung during a Noida luncheon, highlighting India–Korea industrial ties, Samsung’s manufacturing base, and growing business cooperation

A study by IISER Bhopal researchers shows methane emissions over India are lower than global inventories but higher than national reports, highlighting gaps in monitoring and the urgent need for stronger satellite-based and ground-level emission tracking systems

Elon Musk was summoned in Paris over alleged misconduct on X, including deepfakes and child abuse content. French investigators are probing compliance, while tensions rise with US authorities over the ongoing investigation

IIT Gandhinagar has developed a hydrogel-based technology that simplifies colon-related surgeries by providing a stable cushion beneath tumours during endoscopic procedures. Clinical trials are the next step toward making this technology widely available for colon cancer treatment.