Meta to Test Paid Subscription for AI Chatbot Amid Growing Competition Meta Platforms (META.O) is preparing to test a paid subscription service for its AI-enabled chatbot, Meta AI, in a move similar to OpenAI and Microsoft’s premium chatbot offerings. A source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Thursday that the test will begin in the second quarter of this year, though significant revenue is not expected until 2025. Meta AI Subscription and Expansion Plans Meta AI, launched in September 2023, is a virtual assistant powered by large language models designed to perform reasoning tasks. While Meta has not officially…
Author: Aditya Lenka
Aditya Lenka
A multi-faceted professional with a diverse range of skills and experiences. He currently works as a Producer, Digital Marketer, and Journalist for several well-known media outlets, namely StratNewsGlobal, BharatShakti, and Interstellar. With a passion for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, Aditya has covered a wide range of topics and events across India, bringing a unique perspective to his work.When he's not busy producing content, Aditya enjoys exploring new places and cuisines, having traveled extensively throughout India. He's also an avid writer and poet, often penning his thoughts and musings in his free time. And when he wants to unwind and relax, Aditya spends time with his two loyal companions, Zorro and Pablo, his beloved dogs.Aditya's dynamic personality and varied interests make him a unique individual, always eager to learn and experience new things.
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Amazon to Pay $39 Million in Trademark Case An Indian court has ordered Amazon to pay $39 million in damages for infringing the “Beverly Hills Polo Club” (BHPC) trademark. The ruling, delivered by the Delhi High Court on Wednesday, marks one of the highest damages awarded against a U.S. company in an Indian trademark case. The lawsuit was filed in 2020 by Lifestyle Equities, the owner of the BHPC horse trademark, which alleged that Amazon’s India website listed apparel featuring a nearly identical logo at lower prices. The infringing brand was owned by Amazon Technologies and sold on the platform,…
Hong Kong Plans Spending Cuts and AI Push Amid Rising Deficit Hong Kong is set to slash 10,000 civil service jobs in a bid to control its growing deficit while making a significant investment in artificial intelligence (AI). The move comes as the city grapples with global economic uncertainty, geopolitical tensions, and a struggling property market. Government Cuts and Fiscal Strategy Financial Secretary Paul Chan announced that 10,000 civil servant positions will be eliminated by April 2027, reducing the civil service workforce by 2% each year for the next two years. Additionally, public sector salaries will remain frozen in 2024.…
Evidence of Ancient Ocean Shorelines Discovered Beneath Mars’ Surface Ground-penetrating radar data from China’s Zhurong rover has revealed buried formations resembling sandy beaches, suggesting the presence of an ancient ocean on Mars. This discovery adds to growing evidence that a large body of water, called Deuteronilus, may have existed on the planet’s northern plains billions of years ago. Signs of an Ancient Martian Ocean The findings suggest that around 3.5 to 4 billion years ago, Mars had a thicker atmosphere and a warmer climate, potentially allowing an ocean to form. Scientists believe such a body of water could have provided…
Space Race Intensifies as Rivals Challenge Elon Musk’s Starlink Elon Musk’s dominance in satellite internet is under growing pressure as new challengers emerge. Starlink, his high-speed satellite network, faces increasing competition from China’s state-backed SpaceSail and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ Project Kuiper. These rivals are expanding their global reach, threatening Starlink’s position as the leader in low-Earth orbit (LEO) communications. China’s SpaceSail Expands Global Presence Shanghai-based SpaceSail is rapidly expanding, securing agreements in Brazil and Kazakhstan. In November, it announced plans to enter over 30 countries, signalling a major international push. Meanwhile, Brazil is in talks with Bezos’ Project Kuiper…
Shanghai’s First AI Incubation Hub Boosts Thriving Industry Shanghai’s AI incubation hub has emerged as a key driver for the city’s rapidly expanding AI sector. In 2024, Shanghai’s AI industry surpassed 450 billion yuan (approximately 62 billion U.S. dollars), highlighting its significant growth. Mosu: A Collaborative AI Ecosystem Since its launch in September 2023, the AI hub, known as Mosu (Model Speed Space), has attracted 250 companies specializing in computing power, data, and AI application development. This unique environment fosters close collaboration, with businesses in the same building often forming upstream and downstream partnerships. “We can quickly understand the needs…
Senior Officials Depart as NASA’s Direction Remains Unclear NASA is losing four key senior officials linked to its Artemis moon program, adding uncertainty to the agency’s space exploration plans. The departures come as SpaceX CEO Elon Musk and President Donald Trump shift focus toward potential Mars missions, raising questions about NASA’s long-term priorities. Jim Free, NASA’s associate administrator and a strong defender of the Artemis program, will retire on Saturday. Meanwhile, three high-ranking officials from NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama, have also stepped down. Their acting replacements were announced internally on Tuesday. No successor for Free…
Italy Plans to Develop Its Own Low-Orbit Satellites for Government Use Italy is working on the development of its own low-orbit satellite system for government communications, aiming to create an alternative to Elon Musk’s Starlink network, Industry Minister Adolfo Urso announced on Wednesday. A National Alternative to Starlink Previously, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government had considered using Musk’s Starlink satellites for encrypted communications in high-risk areas. However, the idea faced strong opposition, with critics questioning whether a foreign-owned system, particularly one linked to the US government under President Donald Trump, should handle Italy’s sensitive communications. Minister Urso, a member of…
Elon Musk’s DOGE Team Assists FAA in Airspace Modernisation Personnel from Elon Musk’s DOGE team, are expanding their involvement in efforts to modernise US airspace. The team, composed of SpaceX engineers, will visit additional Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) facilities, including the agency’s headquarters, according to acting FAA Administrator Chris Rocheleau. Musk’s DOGE Team’s Role in FAA Operations Rocheleau confirmed that the DOGE team, which previously visited air traffic control facilities in Virginia, will continue working with the FAA. In an email to employees, he stated that their contributions would help enhance aviation safety while keeping airspace operations efficient. “We are…
FDA Neuralink Overseers Fired Amid Government Layoffs The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) dismissed around 20 employees over the weekend, including staff responsible for reviewing Elon Musk’s brain implant company, Neuralink. The layoffs were part of a broader federal workforce reduction under the Trump administration, according to two sources familiar with the matter. Neuralink Reviewers Among Those Cut The affected employees worked in the FDA’s Office of Neurological and Physical Medicine Devices, which oversees clinical trial applications for brain-computer interface devices, including Neuralink’s implants. While the sources did not believe the employees were specifically targeted due to their work…