OpenAI introduced its enhanced language model, GPT-4 Turbo, at the developer conference, offering tailored bots and cost reductions. CEO Sam Altman temporarily paused new sign-ups for the ChatGPT Plus service due to overwhelming demand, citing a surge in post-dev day usage. Altman assured users they can still sign up for notifications when subscriptions reopen. With 100 million weekly users since the November 2022 launch, OpenAI aims to democratize AI by allowing users to create custom ChatGPT versions. GPT-4 Turbo boasts a larger context window, offering improved understanding and more cost-effective token rates for developers.

Bill Gates, Microsoft co-founder, envisions a transformative future where everyone will possess AI-powered personal assistants, heralding a paradigm shift within the next five years. Gates anticipates these advanced agents to be proactive, exceeding current technology, and capable of providing personalized planning, from arranging trips to assisting with business ideas. Highlighting the expanding AI landscape, he foresees agents being integrated into every facet of life, offering sophisticated assistance in diverse areas. Gates emphasizes a competitive market, with various companies entering the AI domain, making these assistants widely accessible and fundamentally changing daily interactions.          

The anonymous chat platform Omegle has officially shut down after 14 years. Omegle matched random users for one-on-one conversations when it launched in 2009. Founder Leif K-Brooks cited substantial costs of managing Omegle and addressing misuse as reasons for the shutdown. Omegle faced scrutiny over enabling online abuse. K-Brooks acknowledged the platform's vulnerabilities but highlighted its positive impact in fostering connections. He thanked responsible users. Despite its unique role, operating Omegle was ultimately unsustainable. The website now displays a tombstone reading "Omegle 2009-2023." Users are reminiscing under the trending hashtag #RIPOmegle. (Image Source: Omegle)

As Diwali comes knocking on the door, Apple is offering up to Rs 6,000 cashback on iPhone 15 models and Rs 67,800 off with trade-in. Samsung has discounts like 25% off Galaxy S23 FE at Rs 49,999 and Rs 61,999 for S23. OnePlus is giving Rs 3,000 off Nord 3, Rs 2,000 off Nord CE 3 and more. Vivo has cashback up to Rs 10,000 on X90 and Rs 4,000 on V29. Realme is discounting 11 Pro 5G and 11 5G by Rs 4,000. C53 is Rs 9,999, C55 & C51 are Rs 8,999 & Rs 7,999. Xiaomi has 50% off Redmi phones, Rs 17,999 for Note 12 Pro 5G and Rs 69,999 for Xiaomi 13 Pro. Major brands are offering big savings on phones this Diwali shopping season, with instant discounts, cashback, and trade-in deals on the latest iPhone, Samsung, OnePlus, and Xiaomi devices.

Former Meta employee Arturo Béjar testified before Congress, revealing Meta's disregard for his warnings about Instagram's harm to teens. Béjar shared his daughter's distressing encounters and emphasized Meta's failure to protect young users from harassment. Despite user surveys indicating problems, Béjar highlighted Meta's reluctance to implement solutions. He urged Congress to enforce regulations ensuring transparency and metrics for tracking online harms. Béjar's testimony comes amidst mounting legal challenges, as states sue Meta over its impact on youth mental health.

After a manipulated video of Rashmika Mandanna created a stir earlier this week, a deepfake image of Katrina Kaif from 'Tiger 3' has emerged. The original picture shows the Bollywood star fighting a Hollywood stuntwoman clad in a towel. However, in the now-viral edited version, Katrina could be seen wearing a low-cut white top and a matching bottom instead of the towel. Social media users expressed outrage, condemning the misuse of AI. Amitabh Bachchan demanded legal action after the Mandanna outrage, highlighting the urgency to combat this digital deception. The Centre issued warnings to social media platforms, emphasizing the need to address AI-driven disinformation. As concerns rise, the film industry faces a growing battle against misleading content and its potentially harmful consequences.

The Centre has issued an advisory to social media platforms highlighting legal provisions after a viral Rashmika Mandanna deepfake video raised concerns over AI-enabled disinformation. It cited Section 66D of the IT Act which provides for up to 3 years jail and Rs 1 lakh fine for "cheating by personation using computer resource". The move comes after a doctored video of British-Indian influencer Zara Patel's face replaced by Mandanna's went viral. Mandanna said such deepfakes are "extremely scary". The government stated it is committed to ensuring safety and trust online under the new IT rules which make removing misinformation mandatory.

The woman featured in the original video that was used to create a deepfake of Rashmika Mandanna has now reacted to the controversy. British influencer Zara Patel was the woman in the viral clip which later had Rashmika's face morphed onto it. Amid widespread criticism of the deepfake video, Zara took to Instagram to share that she is disturbed by the incident. She stated she had no involvement with the video's creation and is worried about its implications for women being scared of putting themselves online. Zara urged people to fact check content and realize not everything on the internet is real. She hopes for accountability over the unethical AI-manipulation of her video with Rashmika's face.

Actor Rashmika Mandanna spoke out against the viral deepfake video depicting her, saying she feels extremely scared and hurt by its spread online. In a social media post, Mandanna called for urgent action as 'technology is being misused', noting her vulnerability to identity theft and the impact if it happened when she was younger. As an actor, she worries about everyone's susceptibility to harm from improperly used technology. Mandanna called for this to be addressed as a community before more are affected by the deepfake editing her face onto another woman. She drew attention to the video's dangers by tagging police cybercrime agencies.

Amitabh Bachchan demanded legal action over a viral deepfake video depicting Rashmika Mandanna, showing a woman entering a lift with the actress's face superimposed onto her own. The original video is of British-Indian woman Zara Patel. Bachchan reposted the deceptive celebrity video stating it's a strong legal case, responding to its uncontrolled spread online. Close observation reveals the woman's face changes to Mandanna's upon entering the lift. Deepfake technology enables such falsified media faster than protections arise. Mandanna hasn't reacted yet. Bachchan's call spotlights efforts to curb deepfakes as awareness increases of consent and ethical concerns. But risks remain of societal harm from advancing technology empowering the credible falsification of media.