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Category: Tech

  • Government Employees Advised to Limit AI Tool Use on Official Devices: Key Reasons Explained

    Government Employees Advised to Limit AI Tool Use on Official Devices: Key Reasons Explained



    AI Tools Ban by Indian Ministry of Finance




    The Indian Ministry of Finance has announced a ban on the usage of AI tools and applications, including ChatGPT and DeepSeek, on official government devices. This directive, dated 29th January 2025, is intended to protect sensitive government data from potential security threats.

    The notice, signed by Joint Secretary Pradeep Kumar Singh, warns that the use of AI-powered applications on workplace computers could compromise classified government information. To mitigate these risks, the ministry has instructed all employees to avoid using such tools on official devices.

    This circular has gained approval from the Finance Secretary and has been circulated to major government departments, such as Revenue, Economic Affairs, Expenditure, Public Enterprises, DIPAM, and Financial Services.

    The prohibition is part of a broader global concern regarding AI platforms managing sensitive data. Numerous AI models, like ChatGPT, process user inputs on external servers, raising alarms about data breaches or unauthorised access.

    Similar restrictions on AI have been enacted by governments and corporations across the globe. Several private companies and international organisations have already limited the use of AI tools to protect against data leaks.

    Although this directive bar AI applications on official devices, it does not clarify if employees may utilise them on personal devices for work-related tasks. This approach suggests that the government is taking a prudent stance on AI implementation, prioritising data security over ease of use.

    As AI tools gain traction in various workplaces, the future establishment of regulated AI use policies by the Indian government remains unclear. For the time being, officials within the finance ministry are required to rely on conventional methods, at least on their work computers.

    Why has the ban? The Indian Finance Ministry’s choice to prohibit AI tools on official devices arises from security and confidentiality issues. Here are some reasons why the government may be pursuing this measure:

    1. Risk of data leaks

    AI models such as ChatGPT and DeepSeek handle user inputs on external servers, meaning any delicate government information entered into these tools could potentially be saved, accessed, or misused. Given that government entities manage classified financial data, policy documents, and internal communications, even unintentional exposure could lead to significant risks.

    2. Lack of control over AI models

    In contrast to traditional software utilised in government offices, AI tools are cloud-based and controlled by private enterprises (for instance, OpenAI for ChatGPT). The government lacks direct oversight regarding how these tools store or process information, enhancing worries about foreign access or cyber threats.

    3. Compliance with data protection policies

    India is striving to enhance data privacy legislation, including the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023. Permitting AI tools on official devices without definitive regulations could result in violations of data protection policies, exposing government systems to vulnerabilities.


  • Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal’s Vision: Krutrim to Channel ₹10,000 Crore into AI Development by Next Year

    Ola CEO Bhavish Aggarwal’s Vision: Krutrim to Channel ₹10,000 Crore into AI Development by Next Year


    Krutrim: Bhavish Aggarwal’s AI Startup Revolutionising Indian Language Technology

    Krutrim, founded by Ola’s Bhavish Aggarwal, is making waves in the artificial intelligence sector with an impressive investment of ₹2,000 crore. Plans are underway to enhance this investment to ₹10,000 crore by the end of the next year. The startup has also set up an advanced AI lab and unveiled a range of innovative language models to improve AI capabilities for Indian languages.

    Innovative AI Language Models

    Among the new models launched by Krutrim are Krutrim-2 and Krutrim-1, which are large language models designed for broad AI applications. Additionally, there is Chitrarth-1, a vision-language model; Dhwani-1, which is dedicated to speech processing; and Krutrim Translate that focuses on text-to-text translation. Furthermore, Krutrim has introduced BharatBench, a platform aimed at testing and benchmarking various AI models.

    Focus on Indian-Specific AI Challenges

    In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Aggarwal highlighted that the company’s mission is to create AI solutions specifically tailored for India, tackling challenges like diverse languages, limited data, and cultural subtleties. He announced segments of Krutrim’s work will be open-sourced, enabling developers and researchers to utilise its speech-to-text translation technologies.

    Supporting India’s Linguistic Diversity

    The models developed by Krutrim are trained using multilingual datasets and support ten Indian languages, including Hindi, Bengali, Telugu, Tamil, Marathi, Gujarati, Kannada, Malayalam, Odia, and Assamese, in addition to English.

    Advancing AI Initiatives in India

    This initiative coincides with India’s rapid progress in AI, including plans to create a large language model akin to China’s DeepSeek. As part of this ambitious undertaking, Krutrim is launching India’s inaugural GB200 AI supercomputer in collaboration with Nvidia, expected to go operational by March. Additionally, the company has rolled out Krutrim Cloud, a cloud-based service offering developers and businesses access to high-performance computing resources.

    Milestones and Future Plans

    Since its inception in 2023, Krutrim has successfully raised $50 million, achieving a remarkable valuation of $1 billion, making it the first AI startup in India to reach unicorn status by 2024. The funding round was spearheaded by Matrix Partners India, who have also previously invested in Aggarwal’s other ventures, Ola Cabs and Ola Electric.

  • “Shark Tank India Season 4 Judges Hesitant to Back Nithin Kamath’s Rag Doll Venture”

    “Shark Tank India Season 4 Judges Hesitant to Back Nithin Kamath’s Rag Doll Venture”


    The Good Doll’s Journey on Shark Tank India Season 4

    A couple recently presented their indigenous doll enterprise, The Good Doll, during an episode of Shark Tank India season 4. The founders, Suhas and Sunita, made a pitch seeking an investment of ₹50 lakh in exchange for 5 per cent equity.

    During their presentation, the couple disclosed that they had previously secured ₹40 lakh from Nithin Kamath, the founder and CEO of Zerodha. They also shared their decision to leave behind their corporate jobs and capitalistic lifestyles to relocate to the mountains.

    According to the couple, they left their families, friends, and material possessions behind and constructed their new home themselves. The inspiration for their doll company emerged from their interactions with local communities.

    Ambitious Goals with Some Challenges

    Although they have set an ambitious goal to empower 20,000 rural women by creating inclusive and sustainable dolls, the couple faced concerns regarding their current performance metrics.

    Suhas and Sunita informed the ‘sharks’ that they are anticipating sales of approximately ₹1.5 crore this year. They noted that this achievement marks the first time in four years of operation that they have reached the ₹1 crore milestone.

    They further acknowledged a lack of interest from customers in dark-skinned or male dolls. Additionally, they mentioned that they have not invested in marketing or their website, which has resulted in minimal online presence.

    Shark Tank Reactions

    In response to their pitch, Emcure Pharmaceuticals’ executive director, Namita Thapar, suggested that storytelling could be utilized as a marketing strategy, although she noted that this approach requires more time.

    Thapar ultimately declined to invest, stating that the business model is not currently viable because the scale is too small, and the investment request was too high. Following her, Aman Gupta also decided to withdraw, expressing doubts about the business’s viability.

    Vineeta Singh pointed out that while grants may be available from foundations, the business lacks the potential for profitability for an investor in its current state. She further explained that the founders have taken on too much responsibility.

    Singh highlighted the challenges of achieving sustainability, inclusivity, and women’s empowerment simultaneously, suggesting that without scaling their business online, their goal to empower 20,000 women may be unfeasible due to the product’s appeal.

    Although Kunal Bahl appreciated their narrative, he chose not to invest, though he expressed openness to providing assistance. As a result, this venture, which has backing from Nithin Kamath, left Shark Tank India season 4 without securing an investment.

  • India Set to Unveil Its Indigenous AI Foundation Model in Just 10 Months, Challenging ChatGPT and DeepSeek

    India Set to Unveil Its Indigenous AI Foundation Model in Just 10 Months, Challenging ChatGPT and DeepSeek

    India is preparing to introduce its first domestically developed AI foundational model within the next 10 months, as announced by IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw. This declaration took place at a press briefing, marking a significant milestone in India’s aspirations for artificial intelligence. The initiative aims to enhance India’s role in the global AI arena, which is predominantly led by the US and China.

    Vaishnaw highlighted the government’s commitment to advancing AI through the India AI Mission, which received approval last year with a budget allocation of ₹10,000 crore. The mission’s objective is to provide researchers, startups, and academic institutions with access to AI technology and computing power, enabling them to play an active role in the industry.

    A crucial aspect of this initiative is the enhancement of computing infrastructure. Vaishnaw disclosed that India has already established a network of 18,000 high-end GPUs, with 10,000 designated for AI development. These resources will be made available to researchers, universities, and startups, aiming to reduce the financial challenges associated with AI innovation.

    Ashwini also provided a breakdown of the exact GPUs that are deployed in this project:

    • 12,896 GPUs: Nvidia H100
    • 1,480 GPUs: Nvidia H200
    • 742 AI Accelerators: AMD MI325X and MI300X

    Vaishnaw stated that the primary requirement for constructing AI models is computing power. He explained that those with substantial financial resources typically acquire it, hence the need to create a framework where access is guaranteed for all.

    By offering shared computing resources, the government aims to democratise AI development, following the principles established by the Digital India programme. This approach will allow Indian institutions to create foundational AI models, which act as the foundation for applications such as generative AI, machine learning tools, and automation technologies.

    With a completion deadline set at an “outer limit” of 10 months, India is making significant strides in a sector essential for economic advancement and technological independence.

  • Revolutionizing Event Invites: Apple Introduces the Exciting ‘Confetti’ Feature

    Revolutionizing Event Invites: Apple Introduces the Exciting ‘Confetti’ Feature

    Apple is developing a fresh event-invite feature referred to as “Confetti,” which may be introduced as early as this week. This function is anticipated to be included in the latest iOS 18.3 update and aims to simplify the process of organising and dispatching invitations for events, gatherings, and meetings. It is likely that this service will be linked to iCloud and could integrate with Apple’s Calendar or Messages applications.

    What is ‘Confetti’?

    As reported by Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, the ‘Confetti’ feature is poised to transform how invitations are sent by users. This tool will assist in managing event invites, making it easier for individuals to monitor RSVPs and engage with guests. The service is expected to enable users to generate event lists, view attendance status, and oversee invitations all within a single platform.

    Standalone App or Part of Existing Apple Apps?

    It remains uncertain whether ‘Confetti’ will function as an independent application or if it will be embedded within existing Apple applications such as Calendar or Messages. Several reports indicate it could also be available through iCloud.com, enabling users to manage their invitations across multiple Apple devices. OpenAI has introduced a new AI ‘Agent’ aimed at conducting in-depth, complex research with ChatGPT. The AI initiative is moving forward with enhanced funding. Recently, smartphones have claimed the largest portion of the PLI schemes. Additionally, the EU’s AI act has come into effect, granting regulators the authority to prohibit ‘high-risk’ AI systems.

    Integration with GroupKit

    One of the most compelling features of ‘Confetti’ is its potential to integrate with Apple’s GroupKit technology. GroupKit facilitates communication and information sharing across various apps and users. This could enable ‘Confetti’ to provide an even more cohesive interaction between event planners and attendees, offering a streamlined experience throughout Apple’s ecosystem.

    This new development aligns with Apple’s ongoing efforts to improve its event management capabilities, with speculation regarding the introduction of a new “Invites” app. Whether ‘Confetti’ will emerge as an independent feature or as part of established applications remains to be seen. The launch of this service is anticipated shortly, possibly revolutionising event planning for iPhone users.