Digital Technology

Australia introduces world-first social media ban for children under 16

Australia's policy sets the highest age restriction on social media globally, surpassing France's recent ban on under-15s, which allowed exceptions with parental consent

Think out of the box, adapt to changing tech landscape: CAG tells officers

Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) Girish Chandra Murmu on Saturday urged officers to think out of the box, experiment with new techniques, and adapt to the changing technological and governance environment. With the increasing use of AI and emerging technologies to provide services, he said there are numerous risks, ranging from privacy breaches and algorithmic biases to social exclusion. "...as an organisation, we are deeply cognisant of these developments and are engaging closely with emerging technological trends for enhancing the effectiveness of auditing and accounting practices in such a landscape," he said at the 4th Audit Diwas celebrations here. Murmu emphasised that in the quest for strengthening auditing and accounting practices, "all offices of the CAG's organisation are encouraged to think out-of-the-box and adapt to changing technological and governance environment" by experimenting with new techniques, which help in nurturing creativity in methodologies,

ITU secretary-general echoes PM's call for framework on digital tech

Points to the need for telecom standards setting the tone for ethical use of AI globally

AI-led firms report higher growth, outpace peers in revenue, productivity

Companies embracing AI-led processes globally are experiencing remarkable growth, surpassing their peers with higher revenue growth and greater productivity, according to a report by Accenture. In India, the percentage of organisations fully modernised with AI has surged from 8 per cent in 2023 to an impressive 25 per cent in 2024, marking a significant leap in operational efficiency and revenue generation, the report said. The findings are based on a survey of 2,000 executives across 12 countries and 15 industries, including insights from 200 senior executives based in India. The report, titled "Reinventing Enterprise Operations with Gen AI," highlighted that globally, organisations that have adopted intelligent operations are achieving 2.5 times higher revenue growth and 2.4 times greater productivity than their peers. This trend underscores the transformative power of Generative AI, which has become a catalyst for innovation across various sectors. Notably, 79 per cent of Indian

US, India share vision to connect, protect people using tech: Eric Garcetti

US Ambassador to India Eric Garcetti on Thursday said that the two largest democracies in the world share a vision of using technology to connect and protect their people, and as a force for good. Speaking at the US-India Science and Technology Endowment Fund 2024 Awards Reception, he said the two countries have been investing in the next generation of "magicians who will conjure up the solutions this world so badly needs". "India and the US have a vision of technology that can connect and protect their people and be used as a force for good. The endowment fund is bringing together innovators because, as I often say, the Indian dream is the flip side of the American dream, and vice versa, and we really like each other," Garcetti said. He said that the US and India are setting new records in student partnerships, military sales, and joint exercises. "Last year, India became the number one source of students to institutions in the United States. We announced a new quad fellowship tha

OpenAI fires back at Elon Musk over 'altruism versus greed' lawsuit

Not quite two months after he abandoned his first suit against OpenAI, Musk filed a complaint in August claiming that co-founders Sam Altman and Greg Brockman manipulated him

Magicpin records 15-times order growth on ONDC network in 15 months

Hyperlocal e-commerce firm magicpin on Tuesday said it has crossed the 1.5 lakh-mark for daily order of food and logistics services on the government-backed ONDC platform, registering a 15-times growth over 15 months. magicpin joined the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) network in March last year with 22,000 restaurant partners, which the company has scaled to 70,000, the company said in a statement. The company saw 100 daily orders in early May 2023, which increased to 10,000 in four weeks, the company said. "In about 1.5 years, we have double-digit market share in major cities, with more than 10 per cent market share in key markets like Delhi or Bengaluru in terms of overall food delivery. We are thrilled with magicpin's success on ONDC, where we have reached 1.5 lakh daily orders for food delivery and logistics on the network," magicpin CEO and Co-Founder Anshoo Sharma said. He said 90 per cent of food orders from prominent buyer apps such as Paytm, Tata Neu, and Ola are

Quad summit to make announcements on maritime security, technologies

The Quad summit in Delaware will feature ambitious announcements in multiple areas such as maritime security, high-quality infrastructure and critical and emerging technologies to demonstrate the group's endurance, a top White House official has said. US President Joe Biden will host Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese of Australia and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio of Japan for the fourth in-person Quad Leaders' Summit on Saturday, September 21. This year's Quad Summit will feature ambitious announcements in the areas in which the Quad has grown and is used to working and where Indo-Pacific partners prioritise the Quad's delivery. These include health security, humanitarian and disaster response, maritime security, high-quality infrastructure, critical and emerging technologies, climate and clean energy, and cyber security, Mira Rapp-Hooper, White House National Security Council Senior Director for East Asia and Oceania, told reporters at a news conference ..

iBUS Network and Infrastructure receives Rs 280 crore investment from IFC

This investment will bolster iBUS's plans for both domestic and international growth

Apollo Funds to buy IGT's gaming, digital business, Everi in $6.3 bn deal

The deal, subject to regulatory approvals and approval by Everi stockholders, is expected to be completed by the end of the third quarter of 2025

India's fintech industry projected to reach $420 bn by 2029 at CAGR of 31%

The Indian fintech industry is estimated to be around USD 110 billion in 2024 and its projected to reach about USD 420 billion by 2029, Ajay Kumar Choudhary, Non-Executive Chairman and Independent Director, National Payments Corporation of India, said. The sector, he said, is expected to continue to grow due to factors like favourable policies of the government. The government's push towards a digital economy, coupled with a young and tech-savvy population, is likely to propel the fintech sector to new heights, he added. "As of 2024, Indian FinTech Industry is estimated to be around USD 110 billion and by 2029, it is projected to reach an impressive number of around 420 billion at a cumulative annual growth rate of 31 per cent," industry chamber Assocham said in a statement, quoting Choudhary. It said the advent of the fintech ecosystem, driven by technology-linked innovation, has revolutionised traditional financial services and led to improvement in the efficiency of delivery of

OIa founder calls to create India's own AI stack, use DPI to build datasets

To be leaders on the AI front, Aggarwal elucidated that the country needs the government and the industry to adopt AI applications

India pushes for plug-and-play DPI models to keep sovereignty: Report

DPI of countries should be universally applicable, says India's G20 task force report

Tech platform ACESO plans to add 60 more channel partners in FY 2024-25

ACESO, a tech platform in insurance assignment business, is planning to add 60 more channel partners in the ongoing financial year. The company currently has 40 channel partners. "Currently, we have 40 channel partners and we want to add another about 60 more channel partner during this year," ACESO Founder Director Ketan B Mehta said. With this, the total number of partners would cross 100, he said, adding that they will help company grow business by connecting with policy holders and insurance agents. ACESO helps to monetise the endowment policies held by a life assured of LIC, to ensure financial benefits, along with continuation of risk cover till maturity, in cases where the policies are sought to be surrendered or lapsed. The company endeavours to achieve this objective through the assignment of endowment insurance policies of LIC to a registered Trust managed by SEBI registered Trustee viz. Beacon Trusteeship Ltd, Mehta said. He further said the company has recently launch

Microsoft informs its customers that Russian hackers spied on emails

The Russian government has never responded to the Microsoft hacking allegations

Apple, Meta platforms likely to face charges for violating EU digital law

The European Commission, which began investigating Apple, Meta, and Alphabet's Google in March under the Digital Markets Act (DMA), considers Apple and Meta to be priority cases

LG MyView review: Productivity-focused monitor with TV capability built-in

The LG MyView 27-inch is a well-rounded monitor that integrates essential connectivity options, a modest display, and smart features to cater to both professional and entertainment needs

Microsoft's UAE deal could transfer key US chips, AI technology abroad

US officials have said that AI systems could pose national security risks, for example by making it easier to engineer chemical, biological and nuclear weapons

India to showcase Ayushman Bharat digital mission at World Health Assembly

India will highlight its universal coverage through Ayushman Bharat, public health emergency preparedness and digital health transformations in the country at the World Health Assembly to be held in Geneva from May 27, official sources said on Wednesday. It will also showcase the Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube -- an indigenous portable hospital -- equipped with several innovative tools designed to enhance disaster response and medical support at the annual event organized by the World Health Organisation (WHO). The 77th session of the World Health Assembly (WHA) will be held in Geneva from May 27 to June 1. Indian delegation from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is being led by Union Health Secretary Apurva Chandra. Representatives from 194 countries will participate in the event to structure the global health ecosystem. The theme for this year's WHA is "All for Health, Health for All". The WHA comprises sessions in three main committees -- Plenary, Committee A and

Digital services firm UST to train over 25,000 employees in GenAI skills

Programme will 'upskill' more than 80 per cent of company's employees, it says