Google CEO Sundar Pichai, in a recent all-hands meeting, defended the decision to lay off 12,000 employees, stating it was crucial to navigate economic changes and position the company for future growth. While acknowledging the impact on morale, Pichai emphasized the necessity of the layoffs, noting that delaying the decision would have hindered the company's ability to adapt and invest strategically. The layoffs, representing 6% of Alphabet's workforce, were characterized as a challenging but essential move amid a shifting global landscape.

The Indian government issues a high-risk alert for Samsung Galaxy phone users, citing multiple vulnerabilities that could compromise security. The advisory from CERT-In emphasizes the urgency of updating the phone's operating system or firmware to mitigate risks. Vulnerabilities affect Samsung Mobile Android versions 11 to 14, posing threats like unauthorized access, data theft, and code execution. Users are urged to promptly install Samsung's released fix to safeguard against potential cyber threats. Neglecting updates could expose phones to security breaches, allowing hackers to exploit weaknesses.

Google Maps unveils a new feature, "eco-friendly routing," available in select countries and soon to launch in India. Users can now choose energy-efficient routes, reducing fuel usage and CO2 emissions. The feature suggests alternative routes based on a vehicle's engine type, showing estimates for fuel or energy efficiency. Two-wheelers in India will also benefit from fuel-efficient route options. To activate, users navigate to settings, tap "Prefer fuel-efficient routes," and select their engine type. Google emphasizes the AI-driven feature considers hills, traffic, and constant speeds for optimal efficiency.   [Representative image]

During his annual news conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin faced an unexpected encounter with an artificial intelligence-generated version of himself. The AI double, appearing via video link, questioned Putin about his views on artificial intelligence. Amid laughter from the audience, Putin, in his fourth hour of questioning, responded, "I see you may resemble me and speak with my voice. But I have thought about it and decided that only one person must be like me and speak with my voice, and that will be me." The incident added a surreal twist to the marathon event, leaving attendees amused.            

In a surprising turn, India's Ministry of Commerce and Industry, led by junior minister Som Parkash, announced a halt in considering tax reductions on imported electric vehicles, potentially derailing Tesla's market entry. The government, committed to its "Make-in-India" initiative, emphasized promoting domestic and foreign investment in the electric vehicle sector. This unexpected move follows recent talks between Tesla and India, where both sides were nearing an agreement involving car sales starting next year and a proposed factory within two years. The development raises uncertainties about the future of Tesla's expansion plans in India.

German Ambassador to India, Philipp Ackermann, proudly announces an improved visa service, highlighting the swift issuance of visas to Indian citizens. Ackermann notes a significant reduction in waiting times, ranging from two to five days for an appointment, a notable enhancement compared to the previous year. Expressing satisfaction with the current visa process, he anticipates further improvements in the coming year. Ackermann also reflects on the robust India-Germany relationship, citing Chancellor Olaf Scholz's two visits to India this year and the successful G20 Summit hosted by India. The envoy envisions continued growth in bilateral ties.

In the opening address at the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi declared, "AI has the potential to revolutionize India's tech landscape, but it also poses risks." He underscored the dual nature of AI, cautioning, "AI tools in the hands of terrorists is also a big threat." Expressing concern about deepfake technology, he added, "Deepfake is a challenge for the world." Modi urged international collaboration, stating, "We need to plan how to tackle this," emphasizing the necessity for a responsible global framework for ethical AI use. The warning aligns with escalating worries over AI's illicit and unethical applications.

OpenAI said it is probing user complaints about ChatGPT becoming "lazy" and refusing queries. Many Reddit threads alleged the AI now just gives basic info, asks users to fill gaps, or responds sassily that they should do the work. Speculation mounted about OpenAI tweaking the AI bot to improve efficiency and cut computing costs of detailed answers. "We've heard all your feedback about GPT4 getting lazier! We haven’t updated the model since Nov 11th, and this certainly isn’t intentional. Model behavior can be unpredictable, and we’re looking into fixing it," OpenAI tweeted. It denied intentionally changing the system, saying, "This certainly isn't intentional. Model behavior can be unpredictable".

The EU has reached a landmark deal to regulate artificial intelligence after 36 hours of intense negotiations. The new rules will curb risks from AI models like ChatGPT while supporting innovation. Hailed as "historic", it makes the EU the first region to have clear legislation governing AI use. The agreement comes after ChatGPT's release heightened concerns about misuse of generative AI. The EU Act sets obligations for high-risk AI based on impacts to rights and health. It still needs formal approval but has cleared its biggest obstacle. The rules cement the EU's leadership in guiding AI safety amid rising global worries. Biden has issued an order on AI guidelines and China passed generative AI laws in 2022.

India is set to host the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI) Summit from December 12 to December 14, bringing together 28 nations and the European Union to address the challenges and opportunities of artificial intelligence (AI). Prime Minister Narendra Modi, emphasizing a universal understanding of AI, stated that the GPAI aims to guide responsible AI development. India, currently the GPAI Chair, commits to harnessing AI for global welfare and ensuring equitable benefits. The summit will feature AI experts from companies like OpenAI, Microsoft, and Google, along with an AI Expo involving 150 startups. PM Modi highlights the dedication to a regulatory framework for Safe and Trusted AI.