TECHNOLOGY

During the India AI Impact Summit, 84 countries and 2 international organizations signed the New Delhi Declaration, a landmark agreement aimed at ensuring that artificial intelligence (AI) benefits the broader public rather than being limited to wealthy nations. The summit emphasized affordable access, safe usage, skill development, and the use of AI to improve education, healthcare, and other public services. Democratizing AI Resources Historically, AI has favored countries with vast data and expensive computing infrastructure. The New Delhi Declaration calls for democratizing AI resources, highlighting that digital infrastructure and affordable connectivity are rights for every nation. A voluntary framework, “Charter for the Democratic Diffusion of AI,” was proposed to allow countr...

Good photography is not about owning the latest or most expensive camera—it’s about skill, patience, and vision. This was exemplified by 14-year-old Indian-origin photographer Rithved Girish, who won the prestigious Young Close-Up Photographer of the Year award using a 10-year-old camera. Rithved captured a mesmerizing close-up of bees titled “Guardians of the Hive” with a decade-old Nikon D850 DSLR and a standard macro lens. The photograph highlights the intricate world of tiny creatures that often go unnoticed, demonstrating that extraordinary images can be created without cutting-edge equipment. Rather than relying on high-tech gear, Rithved spent hours patiently waiting near the hive entrance, capturing stingless bees defending their home without disturbing them. His dedication a...

Ever wondered if someone has blocked you on WhatsApp? Now, with the help of Meta AI, you can find out with just a simple “Hi” message. The process is easy: tag Meta AI in a chat and send a “Hi,” and it will indicate whether you are blocked or not. Sometimes, when someone doesn’t respond on WhatsApp, it can be unclear whether they have blocked you or are simply offline. Normally, a single tick appears for messages if the recipient’s internet is off—or if you have been blocked. This can cause confusion, especially if the person hasn’t set a profile picture. How Meta AI Helps Until now, identifying who blocked you on WhatsApp was tricky. With Meta AI, you can now easily determine your status. Simply go to the chat of the person you suspect has blocked you, tag Meta AI by typing @Meta...

In a surprising development ahead of the official launch, Samsung’s flagship Galaxy S26 Ultra has reportedly appeared for sale in Dubai. Popular YouTuber Karoul Sahil claimed to have purchased the device from Dubai’s Deira Market for approximately ₹2,96,595 (AED 12,000). In a video shared online, he showcased the phone’s new ‘Privacy Display’ feature. The Galaxy S26 Ultra, the top-end model of Samsung’s upcoming S26 Series, was reportedly available in the market ahead of the official Galaxy Unpacked event. Karoul Sahil shared multiple updates on his X account, detailing his experience of buying the device and testing its features even before the formal launch. Samsung’s official Galaxy Unpacked event is scheduled for 25 February 2026, where three smartphones from the Galaxy S26 Serie...

New Delhi: OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has described his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as “fantastic,” lauding the Indian leader’s vision for artificial intelligence (AI). Speaking on the sidelines of the India AI Impact Summit 2026, Altman highlighted India’s growing enthusiasm for AI adoption and praised PM Modi’s commitment to democratizing technology. India: OpenAI’s Second Largest Market Altman emphasized that India has already become OpenAI’s second largest market, noting a remarkable surge in the use of OpenAI’s Codex tool. “The energy here and the excitement of builders working across the AI stack in India is incredible,” he said. “It was a special opportunity to speak at IIT Delhi and see leaders from across India and the world observe the AI momentum here. India is ra...

Cupertino: Apple is reportedly working on an innovative iPhone cover equipped with an advanced antenna system that could significantly enhance satellite communication capabilities. According to a recently filed patent, this “smart case” aims to improve connectivity in challenging environments, such as dense urban areas or heavily wooded locations, where satellite signals are often weak or obstructed. Enhancing Emergency SOS Apple introduced satellite-based Emergency SOS with the iPhone 14 in 2022, allowing users to contact emergency services by pointing their device toward a low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite. However, the built-in antennas in iPhones have limited surface area and power, which can restrict data transmission and make it difficult to maintain a stable connection due to ob...

Beijing: A team of Chinese researchers has developed a new AI-powered tool named DeepRare that can rapidly and accurately diagnose rare and complex diseases, surpassing the performance of experienced doctors. According to a study published on February 18 in the journal Nature, DeepRare achieved 79% overall success in identifying diseases across 6,401 test cases, outperforming five senior doctors who correctly diagnosed only 66% of cases. How DeepRare Works DeepRare employs a large language model integrated into an agent-based framework. It leverages over 40 AI agents and tools to analyze medical notes, match symptoms to diseases, search relevant literature, and interpret genetic sequencing data. The tool generates a ranked list of potential diagnoses using verified medical references...

New Delhi: India has emerged as OpenAI’s second-largest market after the United States, with over 100 million weekly active users. A striking trend is the popularity of ChatGPT among young Indians: nearly 50% of queries come from users aged 18–24, and 80% of all queries are from users under 30. Coding and Professional Guidance Lead Usage Indian users are asking three times more coding-related questions than the global average. In addition, 35% of messages sent to ChatGPT are for professional guidance, compared to 30% worldwide. Other queries include general information (20%) and assistance with writing or content creation (20%**). Codex: India’s Favorite Coding Assistant OpenAI’s coding assistant, Codex, is particularly popular in India. The usage of Codex in India is three tim...

New Delhi: With the scorching heat arriving, it’s time to switch on your air conditioner. But many homeowners leave the service entirely in the technician’s hands, risking incomplete maintenance or unnecessary charges. By focusing on just five key aspects, you can ensure your AC performs optimally and lasts longer. 1. Clean Filters and Cooling Coils For window ACs, ensure the unit is removed and thoroughly cleaned. For split ACs, check that the air filters and indoor cooling coils have been properly cleaned. Dirt buildup can reduce cooling efficiency and may require repeated technician visits. 2. Check Gas Pressure and Leaks Technicians sometimes suggest gas refills without properly checking the pressure or leaks. Always ask for a pressure check, and if gas is low, fix the leak...

New Delhi/Bengaluru: While Galgotias University faced controversy for claiming a Chinese robot dog as its own, Bengaluru-based startup General Autonomy introduced India’s first homegrown robot dog, PARAM, at the India AI Impact Summit 2026, winning admiration for its fully indigenous design. Unlike imported robots assembled locally, PARAM was entirely designed and built by Indian engineers from scratch. The startup emphasized this in a social media post: “Enough nonsense! Presenting PARAM: India’s most powerful indigenous robot dog. Not assembled, not bought—built in India, by Indians. For our country, our century, our world.” Features That Stand Out PARAM is a four-legged autonomous robot capable of navigating complex environments. Demonstration videos shared by the company show ...