Giridhar's Blog

The world of AI is rapidly evolving, and with it comes a growing debate about the data used to train these intelligent systems. A recent report has shed light on a controversial practice: Google is allegedly utilizing YouTube videos, often without the explicit knowledge or consent of the creators, to train its powerful AI models such as Gemini and Veo 3 . This revelation has ignited a firestorm of discussion about data privacy, copyright, and the ethical implications of using user-generated content for AI development. With billions of videos available on the platform, YouTube represents a vast and tempting resource for tech giants looking to enhance their AI capabilities. But is this exploitation, or simply a necessary step in the advancement of artificial intelligence? The Unseen Hand of AI Training 🤖 YouTube, with its staggering 20 billion+ videos, is a veritable goldmine for AI training data . Google, the owner o...

Texas Instruments (TI) has recently unveiled an ambitious plan to invest over $60 billion in expanding its semiconductor manufacturing operations across the United States. This monumental initiative, dubbed a 'historic' investment by the company, marks the largest single commitment to foundational chip production in US history, signaling a significant move towards bolstering domestic manufacturing capabilities and reducing reliance on overseas supply chains. The investment will span multiple sites in Texas and Utah, promising to generate approximately 60,000 jobs and fortify the nation's position in the global semiconductor landscape. 🚀 Expanding US Chipmaking Capacity The core of Texas Instruments' investment lies in the construction and expansion of seven semiconductor fabrication plants , strategically located across Texas and Utah. These facilities will primarily focus on manufacturing 300-millimeter analog...

Frustrated with finicky contactless payments? 📱 The NFC Forum has just announced NFC Release 15 , a game-changer that quadruples the contactless connection range. This upgrade promises a smoother, more reliable tap-to-pay experience, reducing those awkward moments of waving your device around. Get ready for faster and easier transactions! The current standard operates at a mere 0.5 cm (0.19 inches), often requiring precise alignment with the payment terminal. NFC Release 15 boosts this range to 2 cm (0.78 inches), making connections quicker and less sensitive to positioning. This is particularly beneficial for small-form devices like smartwatches, which can be challenging to align accurately. The increased contactless range simplifies the payment process, enhancing user satisfaction and convenience. Enhanced Contactless Range: A New Baseline The increase in contactless range to 2...

Get ready for a new experience on WhatsApp. The popular messaging app, owned by Meta, is rolling out advertisements to its users, marking a shift from its initial promise of an ad-free platform. This move aims to monetize the app's vast user base, but it also raises questions about privacy and the overall user experience. Let's dive into the details of this significant change and what it means for you. 📱 WhatsApp's New Advertising Policy 📢 WhatsApp is introducing advertisements gradually, focusing on the Updates tab , previously known for showing status updates and channel content. Users who frequently visit this section will now encounter sponsored content, including channel subscriptions and ads within the Status section. According to Meta, approximately 1.5 billion users engage with the Updates tab daily, making it a prime location for advertising. This strategy aims to help channel admins and vendors grow their businesses by rea...

In a groundbreaking move, OpenAI , the leading artificial intelligence research and deployment company, has been awarded a significant $200 million contract by the Department of Defense (DoD) . This one-year agreement tasks OpenAI with developing advanced AI tools aimed at bolstering national security , specifically addressing critical challenges in both warfighting and enterprise domains. The announcement, made on Monday, marks a pivotal moment in the integration of AI in defense and underscores the growing importance of AI technologies in safeguarding national interests. 🚀 The Scope of the OpenAI-DoD Partnership Under the terms of the contract, OpenAI will receive an initial allocation of $2 million for immediate research and development initiatives. These funds will be instrumental in testing and evaluating prototype AI models before thei...