Category: Technology

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Alphabet beats Apple to become No. 2 company

Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google, has overtaken Apple Inc. to become the world’s second-most valuable company. The rise reflects strong investor confidence in Alphabet’s growth, especially in artificial intelligence (AI).

On January 8, 2026, Alphabet’s market value reached about $3.89 trillion, slightly above Apple’s $3.85 trillion. Alphabet’s shares continued to rise after this, while Apple’s slipped, confirming Alphabet’s new position in global rankings.

Despite Alphabet’s gain, Nvidia remains the world’s most valuable company, with a market capitalization of over $4.4 trillion, driven by its AI hardware and data center business.

Alphabet’s climb is largely due to its success in AI, including the Gemini 3 model and custom AI chips called TPUs. These technologies have helped Google expand from search and ads into cloud computing and AI services, attracting more investors. In 2025, Alphabet’s stock was one of the top performers among major tech companies.

Apple’s valuation has lagged because its AI efforts are slower, and investors are cautious about leadership changes. While Apple is adding AI features to its products, it has not yet matched Alphabet’s AI-driven growth.

AI is now a key factor in determining company value, and companies that lead in AI are attracting more investor attention. Alphabet’s new position highlights the importance of innovation in shaping the world’s biggest companies.

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UK may ban Elon Musk’s X over AI Deepfakes

The UK government is considering banning Elon Musk’s social media platform X (formerly Twitter) after its AI chatbot, Grok, was reported to produce sexualised and non-consensual images, including of minors. The issue has raised serious concerns under the UK’s Online Safety Act, which regulates illegal and harmful online content.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the deepfake images, calling them “wrong” and “unlawful,” and urged X to take stronger action to remove harmful material. Reports suggest Grok has been used to digitally undress women and children or place them in sexualised poses, some of which could be illegal child sexual abuse material.

Under the Online Safety Act, regulators like Ofcom can impose fines, demand content removal, or even block access to platforms that fail to comply. The government has instructed Ofcom to explore “all options,” including a possible ban on X if urgent corrective measures are not taken.

The controversy has also drawn attention from the Internet Watch Foundation, which highlighted that some illegal content generated by Grok appeared on dark web forums. Officials are now discussing stricter rules for AI tools that create non-consensual intimate images, with potential criminal penalties for those who produce or share them.

X has responded that users who request illegal content from Grok will face the same consequences as those who directly upload such material, including suspensions or account bans. However, critics argue that this may not be enough, given the scale of AI-generated deepfakes circulating online.

Also Read: OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health linking medical data

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OpenAI launches ChatGPT Health linking medical data

OpenAI has introduced ChatGPT Health, a new feature designed to help people better understand and manage their health. This feature is part of the ChatGPT app and provides a secure place for users to upload their medical records and connect data from popular health and fitness apps such as Apple Health, MyFitnessPal, Fitbit, and Peloton.

By linking this information, ChatGPT Health can give personalized explanations of lab results, highlight important health trends, and offer guidance for doctor visits, diet, exercise, and insurance options. The feature is intended to make it easier for users to interpret their health data without replacing professional medical advice. OpenAI emphasizes that ChatGPT Health is not a diagnostic tool and should not be relied on for medical decisions.

To ensure privacy and safety, ChatGPT Health keeps medical information separate from regular AI chats and applies extra security measures. The data users provide is not used to train OpenAI’s main AI models, giving users more control over sensitive information.

The feature is being rolled out gradually, starting with a limited number of users on iOS and web platforms. Over time, OpenAI plans to expand access to more users. The company hopes this tool will make it easier for people to track their health, understand test results, and manage wellness goals in one place.

Experts note that while AI can help organize and explain health information, it cannot replace professional medical care. Users should still consult doctors and healthcare providers for diagnoses and treatment decisions.

ChatGPT Health represents a growing trend of integrating AI with personal health management, giving people more ways to stay informed and proactive about their well-being. By combining data from multiple sources, it aims to provide a comprehensive view of health, making wellness management simpler and more personalized.

This step marks OpenAI’s first major foray into a health-focused AI application, signaling the potential for AI tools to play a larger role in day-to-day health monitoring in the future.

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Nvidia introduces Rubin Chip architecture

Nvidia has revealed its Rubin AI platform, a new chip architecture aimed at supporting the next generation of artificial intelligence systems. The announcement signals Nvidia’s continued push to stay ahead of rising AI computing demands, particularly as models become more complex and reasoning-driven.

Rubin is designed to succeed the Blackwell architecture and offers substantial gains in AI inference and training performance. Nvidia says the platform is optimised for workloads that require long-context understanding, faster response times, and more efficient processing, making it suitable for large-scale AI applications across industries.

The company said Rubin is already in production and will be deployed more widely in the second half of 2026. With strong interest from major cloud and technology firms, the Rubin platform is expected to become a key building block for future AI infrastructure.

Unlike conventional chip launches, Rubin is built as a complete computing platform. It combines GPUs, CPUs, memory, networking, and data processing technologies into a tightly integrated system. This approach reduces latency and improves data movement, which is critical for handling large and distributed AI workloads in modern data centres.

Energy efficiency and cost reduction are central to the Rubin design. Nvidia claims the new architecture can significantly lower the cost of running AI models compared with previous platforms, while also cutting power consumption. This could help cloud providers and enterprises scale AI operations without proportionate increases in infrastructure costs.

Rubin is also aligned with the industry’s shift toward reasoning-based AI, where systems are expected to analyse information, maintain long contexts, and make more complex decisions. Nvidia believes this capability will define the next phase of AI development, moving beyond simple pattern recognition.

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Apple’s made-in-India iPhones cross $50 bn in 2025

Apple’s iPhones made in India have hit a remarkable milestone, with exports reaching $50 billion (around ₹4.5 lakh crore) in 2025, the government has revealed. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw called it a “historic achievement” and a testament to India’s growing stature in global electronics manufacturing.

This surge comes as a direct result of India’s Make in India initiative and the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme, both aimed at attracting global companies to set up and expand their manufacturing operations locally. Apple joined the PLI program in 2022, and the results are already visible. In fact, in the first nine months of the current fiscal year alone, India shipped $16 billion worth of iPhones abroad.

Vaishnaw highlighted how India’s electronics industry has grown over the past decade, noting that production has increased six-fold and exports have jumped eight-fold since 2014. Today, smartphones and electronic goods are among the country’s top export categories, and Apple’s success is playing a big role in that story.

Much of this production comes from Apple’s assembly partners in India, including Foxconn and Tata Electronics. A network of around 45 component makers, including many small and medium enterprises, supports these plants. This ecosystem is not only helping Apple meet global demand but also creating local employment—currently supporting around 2.5 million jobs in electronics manufacturing.

For perspective, while Samsung’s mobile exports from India during a comparable period totaled about $17 billion, Apple’s iPhone shipments have more than doubled that, underlining India’s rising significance in the global supply chain.

For the thousands of workers on the assembly lines, and the millions in supporting industries, the $50 billion achievement represents both pride and promise for the future of “Made in India.”

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Alexa+ AI assistant now works online

Amazon has made its AI assistant, Alexa+, available on the web at Alexa.com, letting users interact directly from their browsers. Until now, Alexa was mainly tied to Echo smart speakers, Echo Show screens, or the Alexa mobile app. With this move, anyone with an Amazon account can now type or speak to Alexa+ without needing a device, making the assistant more accessible than ever.

Alexa+ can perform a wide range of tasks. It can answer questions, help plan trips, manage calendars, organize to-do lists, and even summarize documents, emails, or images. For example, it can turn a recipe into a shopping list, summarize a work email, or help plan a family event. The aim is to make everyday tasks simpler and more convenient, whether at home, at work, or on the go.

A key feature of the web version is cross-device continuity. Tasks and conversations started in a browser carry over seamlessly to the Alexa mobile app or Echo devices. Smart home controls are also integrated, allowing users to adjust lights, thermostats, door locks, and cameras directly from their browser. This ensures that Alexa+ works as a truly connected assistant across multiple devices.

Amazon has also updated the Alexa mobile app, giving it a stronger focus on AI chat and generative assistance while keeping traditional Alexa functions intact. Together, the web platform, mobile app, and voice devices create a unified experience where users can rely on Alexa+ in whichever way is most convenient.

Currently, Alexa.com is available through Early Access in the U.S. and Canada. Wider public access is expected later this year. Amazon’s web launch positions Alexa+ alongside AI competitors such as ChatGPT and Google Gemini, giving users a powerful, versatile assistant across platforms and devices.

With this expansion, Alexa+ is no longer just a voice assistant for smart homes; it is becoming a comprehensive AI companion that can help with work, learning, planning, and daily life.

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India opens first AI clinic in Greater Noida

India has launched its first government-operated Artificial Intelligence (AI) clinic at the Government Institute of Medical Sciences (GIMS), Greater Noida, marking a major step towards technology-driven public healthcare. The clinic is designed to support doctors with faster, more accurate diagnosis and early detection of serious diseases, while keeping patient care within the public health system.

The AI clinic integrates artificial intelligence with routine clinical tests, medical imaging and genetic screening. It analyses data from blood tests, X-rays, ultrasounds, CT scans and MRIs to identify early signs of illnesses such as cancer, heart disease, kidney disorders and liver conditions. Officials say this will help reduce delays in diagnosis, a common challenge in overcrowded government hospitals.

Doctors at GIMS explained that AI tools will assist radiologists and pathologists by quickly flagging abnormal findings. This allows specialists to focus on complex cases while AI handles initial screening and pattern recognition. Even small tumours, early fractures or subtle organ damage can be detected at an earlier stage, improving treatment outcomes.

The clinic will also support personalised treatment planning. By combining a patient’s medical history, lifestyle factors and genetic data, AI systems can help clinicians choose more targeted therapies and appropriate drug dosages. Early detection, particularly in cancer and chronic diseases, can significantly improve survival rates and reduce long-term healthcare costs.

Health officials said the initiative aims to bridge gaps in specialist care, especially for patients from underserved regions. Since AI can analyse data remotely, the model could later be expanded to district hospitals and linked with telemedicine services.

The government sees the AI clinic as a pilot project that could be replicated across India’s public healthcare network. Experts believe it also creates opportunities for collaboration between government hospitals, researchers and health-tech startups.

With this launch, India joins a growing list of countries using AI to strengthen public healthcare delivery, improve efficiency and ensure timely, patient-centred care.

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72 hour deadline for X to tackle AI abuse

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has issued a notice to social media platform X (formerly Twitter) over the circulation of obscene and sexually explicit content generated using its AI chatbot, Grok. The ministry flagged concerns about the misuse of AI to create inappropriate images and videos, particularly targeting women and children, calling it a serious breach of Indian laws and digital safety norms.

In its notice, MeitY directed X to take immediate action within 72 hours. The company has been asked to remove all illegal and offensive content generated through Grok, conduct a thorough review of the AI system to prevent misuse, and take strict action against users posting such material, including suspending or terminating accounts. X is also required to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) to the ministry detailing the steps it has implemented.

The ministry warned that failure to comply could lead to legal consequences, including penalties under the Information Technology Act, the Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act. It also cautioned that X could lose certain legal protections under Section 79 of the IT Act if it does not act responsibly.

This notice follows complaints from lawmakers and social media users about how easily Grok can be prompted to generate sexualised or offensive images, including content involving minors. Officials emphasized that platforms offering AI services have a duty to implement safeguards to prevent their misuse.

The notice was sent to X’s Chief Compliance Officer in India, highlighting the regulatory expectation that AI platforms must comply fully with Indian laws and ensure that their tools are not used to create harmful content. The government reiterated that AI systems should be closely monitored and that platforms remain responsible for preventing the spread of obscene or illegal material. MeitY’s action underscores India’s increasing focus on regulating AI and protecting the dignity and safety of vulnerable groups online.

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Vision Pro hits sales snag, Apple halts production

Apple’s ambitious Vision Pro headset isn’t selling as expected. Sources say the company has drastically scaled back production and marketing after poor early sales, signaling a step back for the $3,499 device. Launched as a futuristic way to merge virtual and real‑world experiences, the headset hasn’t captured widespread interest.

Reviewers and early users have pointed out the device’s bulkiness, limited battery life, and a small selection of apps, making it less appealing to casual buyers. Estimates suggest only about 45,000 units were shipped during the holiday quarter, far below the numbers Apple usually achieves with its gadgets.

The Vision Pro is currently sold in just 13 countries, and Apple’s manufacturing partner reportedly paused production in early 2025. With competitors like Meta offering more affordable VR headsets that dominate the market, Apple faces an uphill battle in this premium niche.

Industry insiders say Apple is exploring a cheaper, more accessible version of the Vision Pro while also leaning into AI-enabled wearable devices. The headset’s early performance underscores the challenge of creating a new category from scratch, even for a tech giant known for redefining consumer electronics.

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BSNL launches Wi‑Fi calling, never lose a call

Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has rolled out its Voice over Wi‑Fi (VoWiFi) service nationwide starting January 1, 2026. The service, also known as Wi‑Fi Calling, is now available to all BSNL subscribers across every telecom circle in India, aiming to enhance call quality and connectivity even in areas with weak mobile signals.

VoWiFi allows users to make and receive voice calls and SMS using a Wi‑Fi connection, bypassing traditional cellular networks. This is particularly useful in locations such as basements, offices, homes, rural areas, or other regions where network coverage is poor. The service works with any stable broadband connection, including BSNL Bharat Fiber or other internet providers, ensuring uninterrupted communication in so-called “coverage shadow” zones.

The system operates on an IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) platform, which enables smooth switching between Wi‑Fi and mobile networks without dropping calls. Users can make calls directly from their regular phone dialer, with no need for third-party apps. Most modern smartphones support VoWiFi, and subscribers may need to activate the Wi‑Fi Calling feature in device settings.

BSNL has made the service available at no additional cost. Calls made via Wi‑Fi are billed under the subscriber’s existing voice plan, meaning users can enjoy improved connectivity without extra charges. The move is part of BSNL’s efforts to enhance customer experience while managing network congestion as the operator continues expanding its infrastructure.

By launching VoWiFi nationwide, BSNL joins other telecom providers like Reliance Jio, Bharti Airtel, and Vodafone Idea that already offer Wi‑Fi calling. This rollout aligns with the company’s broader strategy to modernize its network, strengthen coverage in underserved areas, and prepare for future 4G and advanced network developments.

BSNL’s nationwide VoWiFi service is expected to significantly improve call quality and reliability, particularly in regions with limited cellular connectivity, helping the operator bridge digital gaps while providing seamless communication for its customers.

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