PM Modi pushing us to make AI work for people: Google’s Sundar Pichai

PM Modi Pushing Us To Make AI Work For People: Google’s Sundar Pichai

by Utkalika Mohanty

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision around artificial intelligence (AI) and how he is pushing tech leaders to use it to address the most-pressing issues on the ground, Google is not only making a robust investment in AI in India but also looking forward to infusing more capital in the country, Alphabet and Google CEO, Sundar Pichai, has said.

New York, Sep 23: Inspired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision around artificial intelligence (AI) and how he is pushing tech leaders to use it to address the most-pressing issues on the ground, Google is not only making a robust investment in AI in India but also looking forward to infusing more capital in the country, Alphabet and Google CEO, Sundar Pichai, has said.

Speaking on the sidelines of the CEOs’ roundtable with PM Modi here, Pichai said he is overwhelmed at the Prime Minister's focus on transforming the country with ‘Digital India’ vision.

“PM Modi has pushed us to continue making in India and designing in India. We are proud to now manufacture our Pixel phones in India. He is really thinking about how AI can transform the country in a way that benefits the people,” said Pichai.

According to the Indian-origin tech leader, PM Modi has challenged them to think about creating applications in healthcare, education, agriculture, infrastructure, data centres, power and energy, etc, to make sure India can transition to become a developed nation.

“We are robustly investing in AI in India and we look forward to doing more. We have set several programmes in partnership with MeitY, agriculture and health ministries and the central and state governments,” said the Google CEO, adding that the tech giant intends to do more in India.

“PM Modi has always challenged all of us to do more for India. Now, he's asking us to do the same with AI. He has a clear vision, both in terms of the opportunities that AI will create and how the technology will benefit the people,” Pichai noted.

PM Modi met with the top technology and biosciences leaders after outlining his vision of making India a technology powerhouse at a rally of the diaspora. After the meeting with 15 CEOs from chip design and manufacturing, IT, and biosciences fields, he posted on X that he was “glad to see immense optimism towards India”.

Meanwhile, Pichai has just announced a $120 million ‘Global AI Opportunity Fund’ that will "make AI education and training available in communities around the world”.

Speaking at the 'UN Summit of the Future' here, Pichai said that “growing up in Chennai, India, with my family, the arrival of new technology improved our lives in meaningful ways.”

“The technology that changed my life the most was the computer. I didn’t have much access to one growing up. When I came to graduate school in the US, there were labs full of machines I could use anytime I wanted — it was mind blowing. Access to computing inspired me to pursue a career where I could bring technology to more people,” he mentioned.

--IANS

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India, Sri Lanka Strengthen Case For WTC Final After Dominant Wins

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

Dubai, Sept 23: India tightened their grip on the top spot of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 cycle with a comprehensive 280-run victory over Bangladesh in Chennai, while Sri Lanka boosted their chances of making the final by outclassing New Zealand in Galle.

Both teams secured crucial points, adding intrigue to the race for the final two spots in next year's WTC finale at Lord's.

India’s latest triumph extended their lead at the top of the table, reaching a percentage of 71.67. Ravichandran Ashwin led the charge, claiming Player of the Match honours for his all-round brilliance; a century in the first innings and a six-wicket haul in the second. His efforts helped India bowl out Bangladesh for 234, sealing the match on the fourth day.

Starting the day at 158/4 and chasing a mammoth target of 515, Bangladesh’s hopes rested on captain Najmul Hossain Shanto and all-rounder Shakib Al Hasan.

However, India’s spin duo of Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja quickly dismantled the lower order, securing 12 crucial WTC points.

Bangladesh’s defeat pushed them down to sixth in the standings, holding a percentage of 39.29%, trailing behind Sri Lanka and England.

Sri Lanka, meanwhile, capitalised on their victory over New Zealand in Galle to leapfrog into third place in the WTC standings. Dhananjaya de Silva's side now boasts a 50% win rate, putting them in a strong position to challenge the top teams for a place in the final.

Sri Lanka's 63-run victory over the BlackCaps came in a thrilling five days, with Prabath Jayasuriya emerging as the hero, finishing with match figures of 9-204 and securing the Player of the Match award.

Sri Lanka’s decision to hold off bowling New Zealand out on the fourth day proved tactical brilliance, allowing their bowlers to come back fresh on the final day. Jayasuriya struck early to remove Rachin Ravindra, who could only add one to his overnight score of 91, and the Kiwi tail folded quickly in pursuit of the 275-run target.

Sri Lanka’s win make them as strong contenders for a spot in the WTC final. With a potential maximum percentage of 69.23%, they will now need a clean sweep against South Africa, followed by a 2-0 series win over Australia at home, to secure their place in the final.

(IANS)

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Kiran Rao’s ‘Laapataa Ladies’ is India's official Entry To Oscars 2025

by Utkalika Mohanty

Mumbai, Sep 23: Filmmaker Kiran Rao’s comedy drama “Laapataa Ladies” has been chosen and submitted as India's official entry in the Best Foreign Film Category for the Oscars 2025 by the Film Federation of India.

The Oscars are set to be held in March 2025. The film was contending alongside 29 film including names such as “Animal”, “Kill”, “Kalki 2898 AD”, “Srikanth”, “Chandu Champion”, “Joram”, “Maidaan”, “Sam Bahadur”, “Article 370”, the Malayalam film “Aattam”, which was feted with the National Award for Best Feature Film this year and Payal Kapadia’s “All We Imagine As Light”, a Cannes winner.

Headed by Assamese director Jahnu Barua, a 13-member selection jury decided on “Laapataa Ladies”, starring Nitanshi Goel, Pratibha Ranta, Sparsh Shrivastava, Chhaya Kadam and Ravi Kishan.

“Laapataa Ladies” is produced by Rao, Aamir Khan, and Jyoti Deshpande.

“Laapataa Ladies” is all set to release in Japan on October 4 and the filmmaker had said that she is an admirer of Japanese cinema and this feels like a full-circle moment.

Kiran said: “I’m thrilled that ‘Laapataa Ladies’ is releasing in Japan. As an admirer of Japanese cinema, this feels like a full-circle moment. I hope the film’s emotional core will resonate with Japanese audiences just as it did with ours.”

“Laapataa Ladies” premiered in March 2024 in India and captivated audiences for over 100 days in theaters and then continued to earn love and appreciation from audiences on OTT.

The film is a slice-of-life comedy about the misadventures of two young brides who become separated on the same train but with different grooms. It is a blend of mistaken identities and laugh-out-loud escapades.

The film has been made under the banner of Aamir Khan Productions and Kindling Productions, with the script based on an award-winning story by Biplab Goswami. The screenplay & dialogues are written by Sneha Desai, with additional dialogues penned by Divyanidhi Sharma.

--IANS

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Salman Khan Returns For Bigg Boss 18: 'Time Ka Tandav' Theme Revealed

by Utkalika Mohanty

Mumbai, Sept 23: The highly anticipated 18th season of 'Bigg Boss' is set to premiere on October 6 at 9 PM, with Salman Khan returning as host.

This marks his comeback after skipping 'Bigg Boss OTT 3,' which was hosted by his 'No Entry' co-star, Anil Kapoor.
The first promo for 'Bigg Boss 18,' released last week, featured only Salman's voice introducing this season's theme: 'Time Ka Tandav' (the havoc of time).

A new promotional clip aired on Sunday night, showcasing Salman in a dark blue shirt and black suit, standing atop a massive ticking clock.

In the video, he elaborates on the theme, stating that while the Bigg Boss eye has traditionally focused on the present, it will now also explore the past and future.