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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'Trend Setter': Gayle Picks MS Dhoni As Most Successful Indian Captain

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

Srinagar, Oct 6: West Indies great Chris Gayle picked legendary cricketer Mahendra Singh Dhoni as the most successful captain for India, adding that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have also done their jobs well as the Indian skippers.

Dhoni captained India in a whopping 200 ODIs and won 110 matches out of those. India lost 74 ODIs under his leadership, while 16 games ended up as a no-result. He had led India to victory in three major International Cricket Council (ICC) trophies: the ICC T20 World Cup in 2007, the ICC Cricket World Cup in 2011, and the ICC Champions Trophy in 2013.

Moreover, Dhoni has played most international matches as captain 332 across all formats. Under Him, India won 178 matches while losing 120. In the IPL, he led Chennai Super Kings (CSK) to five titles.

"Dhoni has been the most successful captain for India. The guy has actually set the trend and overall, Rohit Sharma did his job well and Virat Kohli did his job pretty much," Gayle told IANS.

Speaking about the toughest bowler he faced in his career, Gayle cheekily replied, "The toughest bowler, is he born or is he still alive? I'm not sure. So, all bowlers are tough because every bowler tries and gets a chance to pick a wicket."

"Every baller can actually just take one ball to get here, but at the same time, it's fun going up against some quality top-class fast bowlers and spinners as well. Every bowler is pretty much tough, but the 'Universe Boss' is just tougher," he added.

Gayle, who is currently playing for Gujarat Giants in the Legends League Cricket, also shared his thoughts for the tournament and expressed his joy at sharing a dressing room with former India opener Shikhar Dhawan.

"I've been around for a month now and this is my first game. I joined the tournament late, but it was actually good fun last year and a bit of rain interrupted the tournament this year as well. So, I've been a setback with a wicked as well, low scoring as well; I want to see more entertainment. Hopefully they can work on that but overall, there are some quality retired places.

"So, it's fantastic to actually be a part of this once again and to share a dressing room with the likes of Shikar Dhawan. Legends League is actually making up movements," he said.

As the LLC enters its third leg, starting Sunday at the Maulana Azad Stadium in Jammu before moving to Srinagar for the final, Gayle expressed his excitement about visiting Kashmir—a place in India he has never visited before.

"I've never been to Srinagar. It's going to be my first time so that's another tick on my list in India, one more state that I'm actually going to visit. So I'm actually looking forward to Srinagar. Is quite close to Kashmir... I think I'm looking forward to it because I've never been to that side of India. I'm really excited," said Gayle.

The West Indian, who holds the record for the most sixes in IPL history, also expressed his desire to be part of an IPL franchise as a mentor or coach to share his knowledge and experience with young players.

"That'd be cool to be in the IPL. I'd like to be among a team, you know; that'll be something cool. I've got loads of experience to share; I've been someone who has been dominant as well. I would love to be a part of it without a doubt to share my knowledge and my experience in the IPL.

(IANS)

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Seven Of Family Charred To Death In Mumbai Grocery Shop Fire

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

Mumbai, Oct 6: At least seven members of a single-family burned in their sleep when a major fire broke out in a grocery shop-cum-residence in Mumbai's Chembur suburb, the BMC Disaster Control said here Sunday.

The gruesome tragedy occurred around 5.15 am. As per reports, the locals noticed the conflagration and informed the Mumbai Fire Brigade which immediately rushed to the site.

The MFB said the fire was reported from Plot No. 16, at the Sidharth Colony, catching the family unawares in their sleep.

Two others suffered injuries and have been admitted to hospital for treatment.

Locals said that they made frantic efforts to save the Gupta family trapped there but they couldn't succeed.

A senior police official said the probe has begun with a forensic team gathering evidence from there to ascertain the causes of the blaze.

The major blaze, triggered by unknown reasons, engulfed the ground floor grocery shop and spread fast to the electrical wiring and installations, household articles and other stuff.

The flames quickly engulfed the upper floor where the family was living. At least seven members died due to asphyxiation, as per initial reports.

Four fire engines, a water tanker, and senior officials of MFB and BMC were at the site monitoring the firefighting operations.

All the victims were rushed to the BMC Rajawadi Hospital where they were declared dead on admission by the medical authorities.

The deceased include one man, three women and three minors. They are identified as Prem. C. Gupta, 30; Manju Prem Gupta, 30; Presi Prem Gupta, 07; Anita D. Gupta, 39; Narendra D. Gupta, 10; Vidhi C. Gupta, 15; and Gitadevi D. Gupta, 60.

Amid speculation that some inflammable materials may have been stored there, the exact causes of the blaze are being probed and further details are awaited.

It may be recalled that on Saturday, a massive fire burnt to ashes an entire warehouse in adjoining Thane district. The V Logistics warehouse in a village in Bhiwandi taluka, about 40 km from Mumbai, caught fire late on Friday night. A large quantity of hydraulic oil, cloth, plastic items, and chemicals was stored in the Godown. There were no casualties in the fire incident.

(IANS)

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

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