India has launched several transformative initiatives to strengthen its digital infrastructure and innovation ecosystem, focusing on fostering inclusivity, research, and efficient governance. The Atal Innovation Mission 2.0 (AIM 2.0), with an investment of Rs 2,750 crore, will scale and deepen the entrepreneurial ecosystem in India.
It includes initiatives like the Language Inclusive Program of Innovation (LIPI) to support vernacular language innovation and the expansion of Atal Tinkering Labs in underserved regions such as Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, and the North East. AIM 2.0 also aims to nurture deep-tech startups through the Deeptech Reactor.
Complementing this is the One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) scheme, which will provide 1.8 crore students, researchers, and faculty across 6,300 institutions access to 13,000 global e-journals, promoting research and collaboration across disciplines. The PAN 2.0 Project, with Rs 1,435 crore in funding, aims to modernise the PAN/TAN system by creating a unified digital platform that ensures faster processing, paperless operations, and a universal identifier for digital systems. These initiatives collectively enhance India’s leadership position in digital innovation, research, and e-governance.
Why does it matter?
These initiatives reflect India’s commitment to fostering a knowledge-driven, innovation-centric ecosystem that will drive growth and inclusivity. Through AIM 2.0, ONOS, and PAN 2.0, the government is positioning the country to advance global innovation rankings, democratise access to research, and create a seamless, efficient e-governance framework for the future.
MTN South Africa, China Telecom, and Huawei collaborate strategically to advance 5G, cloud, AI, and business solutions. The partnership combines China Telecom’s global expertise in network solutions, MTN’s extensive regional reach, and Huawei’s advanced technology to drive digital infrastructure development across Africa.
The Executive Vice President of China Telecom Global emphasised that the alliance will unlock new business opportunities and enhance technological offerings in the region. The collaboration is also set to promote the growth of the Internet of Things (IoT), enabling non-computer devices like fridges to connect to the internet.
Why does it matter?
MTN South Africa anticipates that improvements in network services will provide new possibilities for business customers, especially in sectors like smart mining and industrial applications.
Nearly a quarter of children aged 8-17 in the UK lie about their age to access adult social media platforms, according to a new Ofcom report. The media regulator criticised current verification processes as insufficient and warned tech companies they face heavy fines if they fail to improve safety measures under the Online Safety Act, which takes effect in 2025.
The law will require platforms to implement ‘highly effective’ age assurance to prevent underage users from accessing adult content. Ofcom’s findings highlight the risks children face from harmful material online, sparking concerns from advocates like the Molly Rose Foundation, which warns that tech companies are not enforcing their own rules.
Some social media platforms, including TikTok, claim they are enhancing safety measures with machine learning and other innovations. However, BBC investigations and feedback from teenagers suggest that bypassing current systems remains alarmingly easy, with no ID verification required for account setup. Calls for stricter regulation continue as online safety concerns grow.
Amazon has reportedly developed a new generative AI model, code-named Olympus, capable of processing images and videos alongside text. This innovation is expected to reduce Amazon’s reliance on Anthropic’s Claude chatbot, currently a prominent feature of Amazon Web Services (AWS), according to sources cited by The Information.
The Olympus model promises enhanced functionality, such as recognising scenes in visual content. For example, users could search for specific moments, like a game-winning basketball shot, using simple text prompts. This advancement aligns with Amazon’s strategy to solidify its position in the competitive generative AI landscape, currently dominated by Google, Microsoft, and OpenAI.
Amazon’s efforts come after its recent $4 billion investment in Anthropic, echoing a similar amount injected last year. These investments bolster Amazon’s generative AI capabilities, signalling its commitment to catching up with its tech rivals. An official announcement for Olympus may be made at the upcoming AWS re:Invent conference next week, according to insiders.
Amazon declined to comment on the matter when approached by Reuters. The e-commerce giant’s push for cutting-edge AI underscores its ambition to rival industry leaders and redefine user experiences through advanced AI tools.
A Cambridge start-up is trialing a groundbreaking device to support independence for people living with dementia. Supersense Technologies’ SenS2 hub monitors movement, temperature, and humidity in the home without using cameras or microphones, providing real-time updates to family members. The company is seeking 100 participants for further testing as part of its push for the £4.4m Longitude Prize on Dementia.
The technology has already made a difference for families in Cambridge. Maggie, a 83-year-old, who is living with dementia, and her daughter Lucy Gardner, say the device provides vital insights into Maggie’s daily routine while preserving her independence. Lucy explained that the alerts allow her to check on her mother without intruding, reducing stress for both.
Supersense co-founders Dr. James Brown and Dr. Matt Ash emphasise that every person’s needs are unique, and data-driven customisation is key. With AI integration, the SenS2 hub can interpret activity and provide tailored updates. The device reflects the growing potential of assistive technology to alleviate the challenges of dementia care, benefiting individuals and families alike.
Constellation Energy has filed a complaint with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), urging PJM Interconnection, the country’s largest grid operator, to establish rules for electricity suppliers connecting to data centres near power plants. Constellation alleges that some utilities exploit the absence of guidelines to block competition from power generators.
The dispute follows FERC’s recent rejection of a capacity increase for a data centre linked to a Pennsylvania nuclear plant, citing potential grid reliability issues and higher consumer costs. Constellation, a key nuclear plant operator, supported Talen Energy in that case.
Connecting data centres directly to power plants is a growing priority for Big Tech companies, seeking rapid access to power for AI expansion. Constellation claims Exelon’s refusal to complete interconnection work at the LaSalle nuclear plant could escalate costs significantly. Analysts warn that lengthy disputes could negatively impact the power sector.
Intel has secured a $7.86 billion subsidy from the US Commerce Department to bolster its domestic semiconductor production. The revised figure is lower than the $8.5 billion initially announced in March, following Intel’s receipt of a $3 billion Pentagon award. The funding will support key projects in Arizona, New Mexico, Ohio, and Oregon, advancing the nation’s chip-making capabilities.
Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo highlighted the deal as a step towards revitalising US manufacturing. She emphasised the importance of having American-designed chips produced domestically, benefiting national security and economic growth. Intel will receive at least $1 billion of the subsidy by the year’s end, having met key project milestones.
The grant is part of a broader $52.7 billion initiative under the 2022 CHIPS Act, aimed at strengthening the US semiconductor industry. While Intel declined an $11 billion low-cost loan offered earlier, the company plans to leverage a 25% Treasury Investment Tax Credit for investments exceeding $100 billion. Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger noted bipartisan support for the sector’s growth, calling it vital for America’s future.
The award comes with strict conditions, including a five-year prohibition on stock buybacks and requirements to share excess profits. Raimondo reassured that these safeguards are designed to protect taxpayers, with additional awards expected in the coming weeks.
Orange, the French telecoms giant, has announced a partnership with OpenAI and Meta to enhance AI language models for translating regional African languages. The initiative will integrate West African languages into OpenAI’s ‘Whisper’ and Meta’s ‘Llama‘ systems, aiming to address the linguistic diversity in the region.
Set to launch in the first half of 2025, the project will foster better communication and inclusivity in communities with limited digital representation. Orange sees this as a significant step in leveraging AI to promote cultural and linguistic preservation.
The collaboration underscores the increasing focus on adapting technology for underserved regions. Both OpenAI and Meta bring advanced AI capabilities to help bridge communication gaps, with Orange spearheading the drive for multilingual accessibility.
President-elect Donald Trump is reportedly considering appointing an ‘AI czar’ to oversee federal artificial intelligence initiatives and policy coordination. The position would centralise AI strategies across government departments, potentially reflecting growing recognition of AI’s transformative impact.
According to sources cited by Axios, Tesla CEO Elon Musk, though not a candidate for the role, is expected to contribute to discussions on AI’s future use and implications in the United States.
The move could mark a significant shift in the government’s approach to advancing AI capabilities while addressing regulatory and ethical challenges.
Cybersecurity firm CrowdStrike has increased its annual revenue and profit projections, reporting a 29% rise in third-quarter revenue to $1.01 billion, surpassing analyst estimates. The company credits robust demand for its comprehensive cybersecurity services as businesses address growing online threats. Notable clients, including AT&T and Ticketmaster, have faced recent cyberattacks, driving greater investment in digital defences.
CrowdStrike now expects annual revenue between $3.92 billion and $3.93 billion, up from previous forecasts. Adjusted profit per share estimates have also been raised to $3.74–$3.76. However, its fourth-quarter revenue outlook, in line with analyst expectations, led to a slight dip in share value.
Rival Palo Alto Networks has similarly seen strong growth, reflecting increased spending in the cybersecurity sector. Despite challenges such as a July outage, CrowdStrike maintains optimism for sustained growth, bolstered by its enhanced customer engagement programmes.
