you can search by category
or news title

Yahoo Launches Scout AI Search Engine Powered by Claude and Bing

Posted on by Yashika Aneja

California: Yahoo debuted Scout on Monday, an artificial intelligence-powered answer engine that blends traditional web search with generative AI across its platform serving two hundred fifty million US users.

The beta product, built on Anthropic’s Claude model and Microsoft Bing’s grounding API, represents the internet pioneer’s most ambitious technology revival since its five billion dollar acquisition by Apollo Global Management in twenty twenty-one.

Scout synthesizes information from the open web alongside Yahoo’s proprietary data spanning five hundred million user profiles, a knowledge graph covering over one billion entities, and eighteen trillion annual consumer events.

The interface displays responses through interactive media, structured tables, and transparent source links designed to make information easier to verify and trust. CEO Jim Lanzone described the launch as a pivotal moment in what he called one of internet history’s biggest attempted turnarounds.

The answer engine integrates across Yahoo’s entire ecosystem including Mail, News, Finance, Sports, and Shopping. In Finance, Scout delivers one-click access to real-time company insights, analyst ratings, and earnings call summaries with headlines refreshing every ten minutes. The Shopping integration condenses hours of product research into seconds by distilling expert reviews and user discussions into comparison tables with shoppable links.

Yahoo partnered with Anthropic specifically for Claude’s speed, clarity, and safety capabilities while continuing its longstanding Microsoft relationship through Bing’s grounding API.

The company explicitly stated user data remains internal and does not train either Claude or Bing models. Yahoo also joined Microsoft’s Publisher Content Marketplace pilot, aiming to support sustainable revenue opportunities for content creators.

The launch positions Yahoo as the third-largest US search engine competing directly against Google’s AI Overviews and emerging rivals like OpenAI’s Atlas browser. Unlike pure chatbot interfaces, Scout maintains prominent links to original sources throughout responses, addressing publisher concerns about traffic loss from AI-generated summaries. Eric Feng, who previously founded Hulu’s technical team, leads development as SVP of Yahoo Research Group.

Scout is immediately available at Scout.Yahoo.com and through the Yahoo Search app on iOS and Android. The free service may eventually add premium tiers, though Lanzone emphasized the core business would remain advertising-supported as the company develops new formats for generative AI search advertising.

Swiggy Gets AI Power; Now Order Food Via GPT, Gemini

Posted on by Shobhit Kalra

New Delhi: Food and grocery delivery platform Swiggy has introduced a new way for users to place orders by allowing them to shop directly through popular AI tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Google Gemini. With this move, users can order food, buy groceries, and even make dining reservations using conversational AI instead of navigating the Swiggy app.

The feature is powered by Swiggy’s integration of the Model Context Protocol (MCP) across its core services, including Swiggy Food, Instamart, and Dineout. MCP acts as a common connector that lets AI agents communicate smoothly with Swiggy’s systems, removing the need for separate, custom integrations for each AI platform.

Using this setup, AI agents can handle tasks that usually take several steps inside an app. For example, if a user asks an AI assistant to order ingredients for a specific dish, the system can search for products, compare choices, add items to the cart, apply available offers, confirm the delivery address, place the order, and track it, all through a single conversation.

At present, orders placed via AI tools are limited to cash on delivery (COD). Digital payment options are not yet available for these transactions.

Commenting on the launch, Madhusudhan Rao, chief technology officer at Swiggy, said, “Swiggy has always focused on solving for convenience at scale, and conversational commerce takes that a step further by allowing users to simply express what they want, when they want it, whether it is to book a table at their favourite restaurant or order drinks and snacks for a match-viewing party.”

Swiggy’s move follows similar experiments in the sector. Last year, Tata-owned BigBasket tested grocery ordering through ChatGPT using UPI Reserve Pay, which allows payments to be blocked and charged only after the order is completed.

The growing use of AI-powered commerce highlights how companies are rethinking everyday digital interactions by making them more natural and effortless.

NVIDIA Expands AI Cloud Landscape, Invests $2 Billion in CoreWeave

Posted on by Shobhit Kalra

New York: NVIDIA has stepped up its push into AI infrastructure by making a $2 billion equity investment in US-based cloud provider CoreWeave, highlighting the growing demand for large-scale computing needed to power advanced AI systems.

The investment was made through the purchase of Class A common stock priced at $87.20 per share.

The expanded partnership aims to speed up the creation of massive AI-focused data centres, often referred to as AI factories. CoreWeave plans to significantly scale its footprint over the next few years, targeting more than 5 gigawatts of AI capacity by 2030, built around NVIDIA’s accelerated computing platforms.

Commenting on the collaboration, Michael Intrator, co-founder, chairman and CEO of CoreWeave, said, “From the very beginning, our collaboration has been guided by a simple conviction: AI succeeds when software, infrastructure and operations are designed together. NVIDIA is the leading and most requested computing platform at every phase of AI, from pre-training to post-training, and Blackwell provides the lowest cost architecture for inference. This expanded collaboration underscores the strength of demand we are seeing across our customer base and the broader market signals as AI systems move into large-scale production.”

As part of the agreement, CoreWeave will integrate several generations of NVIDIA technologies into its cloud offerings, including upcoming platforms such as Rubin, Vera CPUs, and BlueField storage. NVIDIA will also assist with securing critical resources like power and land to help accelerate data centre buildouts.

Beyond infrastructure, the two companies will work closely on software validation. CoreWeave’s internal platforms, including Mission Control, will be tested alongside NVIDIA’s reference designs for use by enterprises and cloud providers globally.

Jensen Huang, founder and CEO of NVIDIA, said, “AI is entering its next frontier and driving the largest infrastructure buildout in human history. CoreWeave’s deep AI factory expertise, platform software and unmatched execution velocity are recognised across the industry. Together, we’re racing to meet extraordinary demand for NVIDIA AI factories, the foundation of the AI industrial revolution.”

The investment further cements NVIDIA’s influence across the fast-expanding AI cloud landscape.

Apple’s Next Gadget Could be a Wearable AI Pin! Shift Beyond Smartphones?

Posted on by Shobhit Kalra

New York: Apple is reportedly working on a new AI-powered wearable pin, signaling its intent to move deeper into hardware built specifically for artificial intelligence (AI). Reports claim that the device would clip onto clothing and function as a standalone AI assistant, expanding Apple’s ecosystem beyond phones, tablets, and laptops.

As per reports published in a renowned digital space, Apple’s AI pin is being developed as a small, disc-shaped device, similar in size to an AirTag but slightly thicker. Sources close to the project revealed that the device will include multiple cameras, microphones, a speaker, and wireless charging. It is described as “a thin, flat, circular disc with an aluminum-and-glass shell”.

The pin is expected to capture photos and videos using standard and wide-angle lenses and feature three microphones for voice input. A physical button and a charging interface similar to the Apple Watch are also said to be part of the design. The device could launch as early as 2027, though Apple has not confirmed any timeline.

Apple’s move comes as interest in wearable AI devices grows. Last year, OpenAI drew attention after acquiring Jony Ive’s IO company to build an AI-focused hardware product planned for 2026. That development has fueled speculation that the tech industry may be preparing for a future where users rely less on smartphones.

At the center of Apple’s strategy is a new version of Siri, reportedly powered by a custom AI model. The assistant is expected to support voice and text, perform web searches, generate images, analyze documents, and understand surroundings using cameras.

Starlink’s India entry still in orbit as D2D approval pending

Posted on by Shobhit Kalra

New Delhi: Elon Musk-led satellite communications giant ‘Starlink’ will need to seek fresh regulatory approval in India if it plans to offer advanced services such as direct-to-device (D2D) connectivity, as per the reports.

The service would allow satellites to connect directly with smartphones, IoT devices, and trackers without relying on traditional telecom networks.

India’s space regulator, the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe), had earlier approved Starlink’s first-generation (Gen 1) satellite constellation, which supports conventional satellite broadband services. The Gen 1 network consists of 4,408 low-earth-orbit satellites operating at altitudes of 540–570 km and is capable of delivering high-speed internet across the country.

However, IN-SPACe did not approve Starlink’s second-generation (Gen 2) constellation, which would have enabled more advanced offerings, including D2D connectivity. The rejection was based on technical grounds, as some of the higher frequency bands proposed under the Gen 2 system are not permitted for use in India, officials cited in the report said.

When Starlink first applied for approvals nearly three to four years ago, D2D technology was still emerging and had limited commercial relevance. Since then, the technology has evolved rapidly, prompting satellite companies worldwide to explore direct mobile connectivity from space. An official noted that ‘IN-SPACe is now open to reviewing a fresh application for the Gen 2 constellation if Starlink chooses to resubmit it’.

At present, India does not allow D2D satellite services, as a formal regulatory framework is still under discussion.

The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is examining the technology and is expected to seek recommendations from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on pricing, licensing terms, and operational rules. Decisions around spectrum allocation for D2D services are also pending, with consultations underway involving telecom operators, device makers, operating system providers, and satellite firms.

The proposed service has drawn resistance from traditional telecom companies, which argue that satellite-based mobile connectivity could disrupt their business. Telcos have urged the government to ensure that satellite operators offering D2D services are subject to regulatory conditions similar to those applied to conventional telecom players.

Google DeepMind Alumni’s AI Chip Design Startup Ricursive Intelligence Reaches $4B in Under 60 Days

Posted on by Shobhit Kalra

PALO ALTO: A semiconductor design startup founded by former Google researchers secured three hundred million dollars at a four billion dollar valuation just eight weeks after launching, achieving one of the fastest billion-dollar milestones in venture capital history.

Lightspeed Venture Partners led the Series A round for Ricursive Intelligence, joined by DST Global, Nvidia’s venture arm NVentures, Felicis Ventures, and Sequoia Capital. The company debuted in early December with a thirty-five million dollar seed round at a seven hundred fifty million dollar valuation.

Anna Goldie and Azalia Mirhoseini, who created Google’s AlphaChip technology for automated processor design, launched Ricursive to solve what they identify as artificial intelligence’s critical constraint: the multi-year timeline required to develop advanced semiconductors. Traditional chip design cycles can span three to five years from concept to production.

The platform uses machine learning to automate chip architecture development, creating what the founders describe as a continuous improvement loop where AI designs the silicon that powers subsequent AI generations. This recursive approach aims to collapse development timelines and reduce capital requirements for custom processor creation.

AlphaChip, developed during the founders’ tenure at DeepMind, helped Google accelerate four successive generations of tensor processing units and has been adopted by external chip manufacturers. The technology demonstrated that neural networks could optimize complex physical design challenges traditionally requiring extensive human engineering.

Guru Chahal from Lightspeed characterized the hardware development bottleneck as the most significant constraint facing AI advancement today. The investment reflects confidence that automating semiconductor design could unlock faster iteration cycles across the entire AI stack.

Since its December launch, Ricursive recruited engineers from Google DeepMind, Anthropic, Apple, and Cadence Design Systems. The funding will expand the research team and build additional compute infrastructure needed for full-stack chip design automation.

Goldie emphasized that hardware determines AI progress velocity, making accelerated chip development central to advancing artificial intelligence capabilities. Mirhoseini added that the company targets maximum computational efficiency per watt, essential as energy consumption becomes a limiting factor for large-scale AI deployment.

The rapid valuation increase reflects intensifying investor focus on AI infrastructure as cloud providers and tech giants commit hundreds of billions toward data center expansion and custom silicon development.

British AI Startup Synthesia Doubles Valuation to $4 Billion With Nvidia, Google Backing

Posted on by Yashika Aneja

LONDON: AI video startup Synthesia raised $200 million in Series E funding at a $4 billion valuation, nearly doubling its worth from $2.1 billion achieved just one year ago.

The round was led by Alphabet’s GV with participation from Nvidia’s NVentures, Accel, New Enterprise Associates, Kleiner Perkins, Air Street Capital, and PSP Growth. New investors Evantic Capital and Hedosophia also joined.

Founded in 2017, Synthesia creates AI-generated video avatars for corporate training and communications. The London-based company serves over 70 percent of Fortune 100 firms including Bosch, Merck, SAP, and Heineken.

Chief Financial Officer Daniel Kim told CNBC the company hit $150 million in annual recurring revenue and expects to surpass $200 million in 2026. Synthesia crossed the $100 million ARR milestone in April 2025.

The platform allows companies to generate photorealistic avatars from webcam footage paired with voice clones speaking in over 30 languages. Users can create training videos, sales materials, and internal communications without traditional production costs, cutting expenses by up to 90 percent.

Synthesia is pivoting toward interactive AI video agents that enable employees to engage with avatars through role-play scenarios and receive personalized feedback rather than passively consuming static content.

The company rejected a $3 billion acquisition offer from Adobe in 2025 and declined discussions with Meta, choosing to remain independent. Total funding now exceeds $536 million.

Alongside the funding round, Synthesia established an employee secondary share sale facilitated by Nasdaq Private Market, allowing early team members to convert equity into cash at the $4 billion valuation.

EU Intensifies Enforcement Against Grok AI Over Illegal Deepfake Content

Posted on by Shobhit Kalra

BRUSSELS: The European Commission has escalated regulatory action against Elon Musk’s Grok AI chatbot following widespread reports that the platform enabled users to generate sexualized deepfake images, including content depicting minors.

In January 2026, the Commission extended a data retention order requiring X to preserve all internal documents and data related to Grok until the end of 2026, utilizing enforcement powers granted under the Digital Services Act. The directive followed a scandal that erupted in late December 2025 when Grok’s new image-editing feature allowed users to create non-consensual intimate images.

Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier condemned the content in stark terms, describing it as explicit sexual material with childlike images. He emphasized that such content is illegal, appalling, and has no place in Europe. The retention order ensures regulators can access evidence while assessing X’s compliance with DSA requirements.

The controversy centers on Grok’s “spicy mode” feature introduced in late December. Analysis by Paris-based NGO AI Forensics examined approximately 50,000 user requests and over 20,000 generated images between December 25, 2025 and January 1, 2026. The research found that 53 percent of analyzed images depicted individuals in minimal attire, with 81 percent classified as women. Around 2 percent appeared to show persons estimated at 18 or younger.

France’s Paris Prosecutor’s Office launched a criminal investigation into potential child pornography dissemination, while regulatory bodies in the UK, India, and Malaysia initiated separate probes. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the images as disgusting and unlawful, with Business Secretary Peter Kyle warning that Grok could face a ban if accountability measures prove insufficient.

Under the DSA, very large online platforms like X must implement adequate risk-mitigation systems protecting against illegal content. EU Tech Sovereignty Commissioner Henna Virkkunen warned that failure to implement effective measures could trigger full enforcement, including fines up to 6 percent of global turnover or temporary platform suspensions.

X restricted Grok’s image generation features to paying subscribers on January 9, though reports indicated similar functionality remained accessible through alternative routes, prompting criticism that the measures were inadequate.

Tech Giants Face Landmark Trial Over Youth Social Media Addiction Claims

Posted on by Amita Parul

LOS ANGELES: A landmark trial set to begin this week could establish critical legal precedent on whether major social media companies deliberately designed their platforms to addict children, potentially triggering a wave of similar litigation across the United States.

Jury selection begins Tuesday in California state court for what legal experts are calling a bellwether proceeding against Alphabet, ByteDance, and Meta, the tech titans behind YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram. Meta co-founder and CEO Mark Zuckerberg is expected to testify as a witness during the trial before Judge Carolyn Kuhl.

The case centers on allegations that a 19-year-old woman identified only by the initials K.G.M. suffered severe mental harm from social media addiction. Social media firms face hundreds of similar lawsuits accusing them of addicting young users to content that has led to depression, eating disorders, psychiatric hospitalization, and even suicide.

Plaintiffs’ attorneys are explicitly borrowing strategies deployed against the tobacco industry during the 1990s and 2000s, arguing that social media companies sold a defective product. Matthew Bergman, founder of the Social Media Victims Law Center, called the trial itself a significant victory, noting this marks the first time a social media company has faced a jury for harming children.

The case challenges the platforms not on content moderation failures but on fundamental design decisions. Attorneys argue companies created business models specifically engineered to capture attention and promote algorithmically-selected content that damages mental health, circumventing protections typically afforded by Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

Snapchat recently settled out of court to avoid the civil trial, though terms were not disclosed. Similar lawsuits are progressing through federal court in Northern California and state courts nationwide.

Bergman emphasized that the burden of proof lies with plaintiffs to demonstrate K.G.M. was harmed by deliberate design decisions rather than user-generated content. A decisive outcome could provide crucial precedent for settling similar cases en masse, marking a potential turning point in accountability for social media platforms’ impact on youth mental health.

The trial is expected to begin the first week of February following jury selection.

Singapore Commits $779 Million to Strengthen AI Research Leadership Through 2030

Posted on by Anurag Shukla

SINGAPORE: Singapore has announced a major push to cement its position as a global artificial intelligence research hub, unveiling plans to invest over S$1 billion ($779 million) in public AI research through 2030. The five-year commitment represents the nation’s most ambitious AI research initiative to date as it seeks to compete with dominant US and Chinese players in the rapidly evolving field.

Digital Development and Information Minister Josephine Teo revealed the funding at Singapore AI Research Week on January 24, describing it as critical to strengthening national capabilities and maintaining global competitiveness. The investment will be drawn from the government’s Research, Innovation and Enterprise plans for 2025 and 2030, administered by the National Research Foundation.

The funding marks Singapore’s second major AI research tranche, following an initial investment exceeding $500 million between 2019 and 2023. The new allocation focuses on three strategic pillars: fundamental AI research, applied AI development, and comprehensive talent cultivation from pre-university through faculty levels.

Central to the initiative is the establishment of Research Centres of Excellence within public institutions, bringing together established researchers and emerging talent to tackle complex, long-term challenges.

These centers will concentrate on four priority areas including resource – efficient AI systems designed to reduce computational demands and energy consumption, responsible AI frameworks guarding against malicious applications, emerging methodologies for more flexible intelligence systems, and general-purpose AI capable of handling diverse tasks across multiple domains.

The investment will also support applied AI research targeting real-world applications in manufacturing, healthcare, urban planning, and sustainability. Teo highlighted Jewel at Changi Airport as a practical example, where AI powers security screening, automated baggage systems, and robotic inspection and cleaning operations.

Complementing the research infrastructure, funding will nurture AI engineering capabilities to translate theoretical advances into practical systems and applications. The AI Visiting Professorship program, which supports collaborative projects with world-class overseas researchers, will continue receiving support after launching in 2024 with eight initial projects.

The announcement positions Singapore among nations racing to secure AI leadership, joining countries like South Korea, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates in deploying significant capital to develop homegrown AI capabilities and prevent industrial disruption from the technology revolution.