Public Figures Unite to Urge Halt on Superintelligent AI Development A group featuring prominent US figures such as right-wing commentators Steve Bannon and Glenn Beck has endorsed a statement calling for a halt to the development of superintelligent artificial intelligence. The appeal, backed by several leading scientists and tech pioneers, urges that progress on such technology should stop until there is widespread public support and a scientifically proven path to ensure safety. Growing Calls for AI Regulation The statement was organised by the Future of Life Institute, a non-profit known for raising concerns about advanced AI systems. Since its founding…
Author: Aditya Lenka
NASA Reopens Moon Lander Contract Amid SpaceX Delays NASA has announced plans to reopen its contract for a lunar lander after delays in SpaceX’s Starship project. The decision, aimed at maintaining the timeline of the Artemis programme, creates new opportunities for rivals such as Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and Lockheed Martin to compete for the high-profile mission. Pressure Mounts on SpaceX According to acting NASA chief and US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, the space agency is inviting new proposals due to concerns over SpaceX’s progress. Speaking on Fox News, Duffy said companies like Blue Origin might soon join the bidding…
India’s AI Startups Reshape the Future of Customer Service In a bustling startup office in Bengaluru, developers are perfecting artificial intelligence chatbots designed to communicate like humans. The company behind this innovation, LimeChat, has set its sights on transforming customer service. Its goal is bold — to make human support roles nearly redundant. According to the company, its generative AI agents can reduce the workforce needed to manage 10,000 monthly customer queries by up to 80%. AI’s Expanding Role in India’s IT Sector LimeChat’s co-founder, Nikhil Gupta, confidently told Reuters, “Once you hire a LimeChat agent, you never have to…
Germany Leads Crackdown on 1,400 Fraudulent Trading Websites in Eastern Europe German authorities, working with international partners, have dismantled more than 1,400 illegal trading websites operating across Eastern Europe. The large-scale investigation, named Operation Heracles, targeted a sophisticated cyber fraud network that lured investors into fake online trading schemes, officials said on Monday. International Effort Against Online Investment Scams The joint operation was carried out by the state criminal police of Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany’s financial regulator BaFin, Europol, and Bulgarian law enforcement. Together, they coordinated efforts to trace and shut down the online infrastructure supporting these fraudulent schemes. Investigators found that…
TSMC Set for Record Profit Boost Driven by AI Chip Demand Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co (TSMC), the world’s leading contract chipmaker, is set to announce a record-breaking 28% rise in third-quarter profit. This surge comes as demand for artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure continues to grow rapidly, although new US tariffs could weigh on its future outlook. Strong Forecasts Point to Record Earnings According to LSEG SmartEstimate, which gives greater weight to analysts with strong accuracy records, TSMC’s net profit for the three months ending 30 September is expected to reach T$415.4 billion ($13.55 billion). This would surpass its previous high…
Expanding Defence Capabilities in the Arctic Denmark has announced a significant investment of 27.4 billion crowns ($4.26 billion) to strengthen its military presence in the Arctic. The move is part of the country’s effort to enhance national defence and address US concerns about Greenland’s defence capacity. The plan includes the purchase of 16 additional F-35 fighter jets, valued at around 29 billion crowns, on top of Denmark’s original order of 27 aircraft. Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said these steps are vital during a period of heightened global tension. “These are investments that are necessary in difficult times, when, unfortunately,…
Global Regulators Step Up Oversight of AI Risks in Finance Global financial regulators have outlined new plans to closely monitor the growing use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the banking and finance sectors. The move comes amid growing concern that the rapid adoption of AI could pose risks to financial stability if not properly managed. Watchdogs Warn of Overreliance on Shared AI Models The Financial Stability Board (FSB), the G20’s financial risk watchdog, warned in a report released on Friday that widespread dependence on similar AI systems and specialised hardware could lead to herd-like behaviour among institutions. “This heavy reliance…
Salamanders and Chameleons Inspire New Engineering Innovations A recent study from the University of South Florida has uncovered that salamanders and chameleons, though distantly related, share a remarkable tongue mechanism. This discovery could pave the way for new developments in engineering and robotics inspired by nature’s designs. The Science Behind Ballistic Tongue Projection The research, led by postdoctoral researcher Yu Zeng and Professor Stephen Deban, was published in Current Biology. It reveals that both species use a “ballistic” tongue-firing system capable of reaching speeds of up to 16 feet per second. “They can shoot their tongues completely out of their…
Milrem Robotics and Dutch Drone Makers Set Up Production Hub in the Netherlands Estonian defence company Milrem Robotics has joined forces with Dutch drone manufacturers to use space at a factory owned by industrial group VDL, the Netherlands Defence Ministry announced on Monday. The move marks a significant step in strengthening European defence manufacturing and cooperation. New Defence Production Site in Born The new facility, located in Born, will host hundreds of workers, according to a ministry spokesperson. The site will be used to fulfil orders for both the Dutch and Ukrainian militaries, signalling a growing demand for advanced unmanned…
French Prosecutors Open Investigation into Apple’s Siri Over Alleged Data Collection French prosecutors have launched an investigation into Apple’s voice assistant, Siri, following a complaint that accuses the company of unlawfully collecting and analysing user data. The probe, first reported by Politico, has been assigned to France’s specialised cybercrime unit, the Paris prosecutor’s office confirmed on Monday. Complaint Alleges Unauthorised Voice Data Harvesting The investigation stems from a complaint filed by the French human rights organisation Ligue des Droits de l’Homme (LDH) and tech researcher Thomas Le Bonniec, who previously worked on Apple’s Siri quality control programme. Le Bonniec told…

