Several prominent Indian media outlets, including those owned by billionaires Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani, are taking legal action against OpenAI. These outlets, such as NDTV and Network18, along with organisations like the Indian Express and Hindustan Times, have filed to join an ongoing lawsuit against OpenAI in a New Delhi court. They allege that OpenAI has been improperly scraping their copyrighted content to train its AI model, ChatGPT, without permission or payment.
The legal claim, which is being led by the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA), argues that OpenAI’s practices pose a significant threat to the copyrights of its members. The publishers claim that OpenAI’s actions amount to ‘wilful scraping’ and the use of their work for commercial gain, especially as the company generates revenue through ads linked to AI-generated content. This lawsuit highlights broader concerns in the media industry about the influence of large tech companies on content distribution and monetisation.
The legal proceedings are part of a larger global trend, with authors, musicians, and news organisations worldwide suing AI firms for using their works without compensation. In the US, the New York Times has filed a similar lawsuit against OpenAI and its major backer, Microsoft. This new case in India adds significant pressure to OpenAI, which has denied the allegations, arguing that its AI systems rely on publicly available data and that deleting such data could violate US law.
The Indian plaintiffs argue that OpenAI’s failure to strike content-sharing deals with local publishers, while it has done so with international media outlets, undermines the business of Indian news companies. The publishers warn that OpenAI’s practices could weaken the media landscape and negatively impact democracy, calling for greater protection of intellectual property in the age of AI.
Spanish oil company Repsol plans to invest 4 billion euros ($4.2 billion) in building data centres near Zaragoza, according to a report by Expansion newspaper. The planned investment marks Repsol’s significant move into the tech sector, aiming to capitalise on the growing demand for cloud computing infrastructure.
Zaragoza is becoming a key hub for cloud services, with major tech companies like Amazon and Microsoft already making large investments in the region. Repsol’s project will contribute to the area’s growing reputation as a leading destination for data centre development.
The company has not yet commented on the report, and details on the project’s timeline remain unclear. This move signals a shift for Repsol as it expands beyond its core oil business into digital services.
Universal Music Group (UMG) and Spotify have announced a new multi-year agreement covering recorded music and music publishing. The deal establishes a direct license between Spotify and UMG across the US and several other countries, aimed at enhancing the streaming experience for artists, songwriters, and consumers.
The partnership promises to introduce new offerings, including upgraded paid subscription tiers and a more expansive catalogue of music and visual content. Both companies emphasise that this collaboration will drive continuous innovation, making music subscriptions more appealing to a global audience.
As Spotify works to improve its profitability, the company has recently implemented cost-cutting measures, including layoffs and a reduced focus on podcasts. It has also raised prices for its US plans to cater to the growing demand for premium services.
Google is ramping up efforts to influence public perception and policy on AI as it faces increasing global regulatory scrutiny. Kent Walker, Alphabet’s president of global affairs, emphasised the importance of educating the workforce on AI, saying that getting more people familiar with the technology would lead to better policy and open new opportunities. Google is keen on shaping the narrative around AI, especially as it competes with rivals like Microsoft and Meta in the fast-growing sector.
The company is also working to address concerns about job displacement and the potential for AI-driven workforce changes. Google has committed $120 million to AI education programs, with initiatives like the “Grow with Google” program, which provides online and in-person training to help workers gain skills in areas such as data analysis and IT. The company has already certified one million people through these programs and is now adding AI-focused courses.
As governments draft regulations on AI’s impact on privacy, copyright, and the economy, Google is pushing for public-private partnerships to help prepare workers for AI-related changes. Walker noted that while AI could displace some jobs, it will likely be integrated into most roles, creating new opportunities. Google is also researching AI’s potential in training programs, aiming to make adult retraining more engaging and effective.
Researchers at Delft University of Technology in the Netherlands have developed a cutting-edge electric bicycle designed to improve cycling safety. Equipped with laser sensors and LiDAR technology, the ‘Delft SenseBike’ collects detailed data on moving and stationary objects, including cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles. This data aims to create a three-dimensional map of road users’ behaviour to prevent accidents.
The project addresses a significant gap in data about cycling safety, even in a country with 22 million bicycles and 37,000 kilometres of cycle paths. Holger Caesar, one of the researchers, emphasised that the technology could one day alert drivers to unpredictable cyclist movements or even contribute to the design of self-stabilising bikes.
With cycling accidents leading to 270 deaths in the Netherlands in 2023, almost half involving collisions with vehicles, researchers hope this technology will save lives. While the team does not plan to create autonomous bicycles, their work highlights the potential of technology to make roads safer for all users without diminishing the joy of cycling.
Meta’s new Ray-Ban smart glasses, featuring a Live AI assistant, promise a futuristic way to interact with the world. Users can ask questions about their surroundings, with the AI offering answers in real time. From recipe ideas to decorating advice, Live AI aims to be a virtual assistant that sees what you see and responds conversationally.
Despite its intriguing potential, Live AI struggles in everyday use. Its responses often state the obvious, like suggesting scrambled eggs when a fridge has two eggs and no milk. Users also find it challenging to remember to use the feature, with a smartphone search frequently feeling more practical and efficient. Moreover, the AI’s suggestions often lack the depth needed to be genuinely useful.
Making Live AI effective requires users to master the art of asking precise, specific questions a skill that doesn’t come naturally to everyone. This, combined with issues like misinterpreting conversations and a short battery life, makes the technology feel less magical in real-world scenarios. While the glasses point to a vision of hands-free AI, they currently struggle to provide a compelling alternative to existing devices.
A robotic puppy named ‘Jennie’ is offering a new way to provide companionship to people living with dementia, anxiety, and other mental health challenges. Developed by Tombot, Jennie is an AI-powered pet designed to mimic the comfort and emotional support of a real dog without the difficulties of pet care. Inspired by Tombot CEO Tom Stevens’ personal experience with his mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis, the robotic puppy was created to help reduce loneliness and distress.
Jennie stands out with her lifelike design, a collaboration with Jim Henson’s Creature Shop, best known for the Muppets. Equipped with advanced touch sensors and voice command technology, Jennie responds naturally to petting and verbal instructions, creating a realistic experience for users. Her sound effects, crafted from recordings of Labrador puppies, and an all-day battery life make her a practical and emotionally engaging alternative to traditional pets.
Research supports Jennie’s role in easing symptoms like agitation and hallucinations in dementia patients while also helping reduce anxiety and loneliness in broader mental health contexts. With over 7,500 preorders already received, Jennie’s impact is growing as Tombot explores registering her as a medical device, potentially expanding her reach to hospitals and care facilities worldwide.
Priced around $1,500, Jennie offers an accessible solution for those unable to care for live animals due to health or housing constraints. The US based company continues to improve Jennie’s capabilities with software updates, ensuring this robotic puppy remains a dynamic source of comfort for years to come.
Bosnia and Herzegovina-based Zira has introduced a new AI-powered platform designed to help telecom operators maximise their business support system (BSS) data. The platform uses predictive and generative AI to enhance operations, optimise pricing strategies, and adapt to shifting market trends. Wholesale operators can leverage the tool to improve route efficiency, manage traffic volumes, and boost customer experiences while safeguarding service continuity.
Research highlights the growing interest in AI within the telecoms sector. A recent survey by Arthur D. Little found that 71% of telecom executives cited enhanced customer experience as a key benefit of AI integration. Intelligent network optimisation and predictive maintenance were also identified as critical advantages, reducing downtime and operational costs by up to 30%.
Zira’s Chief Product Officer Amir Turalić emphasised the platform’s potential, stating its forecasting capabilities address capacity and pricing challenges while informing better decision-making. Turalić noted Zira is collaborating with clients on live projects to support diverse use cases and refine the platform.
The telecom industry’s adoption of AI remains largely theoretical, with limited deployment stories to date. Zira’s innovation seeks to bridge this gap, providing a tailored solution for the BSS layer and accelerating the adoption of AI-driven tools across networks.
Rivian, the US electric vehicle maker, and Volkswagen are in talks with other automakers about supplying them with software and electrical architecture through their joint venture. This collaboration, which began in November with Volkswagen’s $5.8 billion investment, aims to integrate advanced electrical infrastructure and Rivian’s software technology into both companies’ future EVs. Rivian’s streamlined vehicle architecture, which reduces weight and manufacturing complexity, also allows for over-the-air software updates, an area where traditional automakers have struggled to catch up.
Rivian‘s Chief Software Officer, Wassym Bensaid, revealed that other automakers are interested in the joint venture’s technology, though he declined to name them or provide details on the ongoing discussions. The venture is a key opportunity for established automakers to quickly access the technology they have long sought to develop themselves. For Rivian, the partnership provides higher volumes, better supplier deals, and a chance to reduce costs, especially important as EV demand slows.
Rivian focuses on launching its smaller, more affordable R2 SUV by 2027, while also expanding the integration of its technology into Volkswagen’s other brands. With increasing interest from additional OEMs, the joint venture is poised to become a significant player in the global EV market, particularly in the West, alongside Tesla. Analysts suggest the partnership helps Rivian address its capital concerns and positions it as a key player in the transition to software-defined vehicles.
LG Energy Solution, a major South Korean battery maker, has announced plans to reduce its capital expenditure by up to 30% this year, citing slowing demand for electric vehicles (EVs). The decision was made after the company reported a quarterly loss for the first time in three years. For the October-December period, LGES posted an operating loss of 226 billion won ($158 million), compared to a profit of 338 billion won during the same period in 2023.
The company, which supplies batteries to automakers like Tesla, General Motors, and Volkswagen, attributed its poor performance to a drop in demand from General Motors, one of its key clients. LGES expects demand to recover in the second quarter as GM launches new EV models. Additionally, the company highlighted that changes to US tariffs and potential reductions in EV tax credits could impact short-term growth in the US market, though it believes the long-term outlook for the battery industry remains strong.
In response to these challenges, LGES intends to prioritise using existing production capacity rather than expanding with new plants in North America. Despite the reduced spending, the company remains focused on growth, targeting a revenue increase of 5-10% this year. LGES will also launch joint battery production with Stellantis and Honda later this year. CEO Kim Dong-myung has expressed optimism about a recovery in the EV market after 2026, though he also acknowledged growing competition from Chinese rivals.
Shares of LGES remained flat following the announcement, while the broader KOSPI index saw a slight rise.
