ARAN ROCKS

Google Creates a Digital Fruit Fly That Thinks, Moves, and Sees Like the Real Thing In a stunning leap forward for both artificial intelligence and biology, Google has developed a fully digital fruit fly—a virtual insect that lives inside a computer and behaves just like its real-world counterpart. This digital creation walks, flies, sees, and responds to its environment with lifelike precision. The journey began with a meticulous reconstruction of a fruit fly’s body using Mojo, a powerful physics simulator. The result was a highly detailed 3D model that could mimic the fly's physical movements. But a body alone doesn’t make a fly—it needed a brain. To create one, Google's team collected massive volumes of video footage of real fruit flies in motion. They used this data to train a specialized AI model that learned to replicate the complex behaviors of a fly—walking across surfaces, making sudden mid-air turns, and adjusting flight speed with astonishing realism. Once this AI br...

In 2016, Amazon proudly unveiled its “Just Walk Out” technology, marketed as a groundbreaking artificial intelligence (AI) system that could detect and charge customers for items they picked up without human intervention. The reality, however, was far less high-tech than advertised. Behind the scenes, over a thousand overseas workers—primarily based in India—were manually monitoring and supporting the system. This revelation exposed a broader truth: the remarkable rise of AI is built not just on algorithms and computing power, but on the backs of an invisible human workforce. The Human Side of AI Contrary to popular belief, the engines that power virtual assistants, recommendation systems, and machine translation are not entirely autonomous. They require extensive human input to function effectively. This input often comes from data workers responsible for labeling images, transcribing audio, and categorizing content. While Silicon Valley giants present AI as a product of sophisticat...

What Are We Really Feeding Our Minds? A Wake-Up Call for Indian Youth In the age of social media, trends rule our screens and, slowly, our minds. Scroll through any platform and you’ll see what truly captures the attention of the Indian youth: food reels, cinema gossip, sports banter, and, not to forget, the ever-growing obsession with glamour and sex appeal. Let’s face a hard truth: If a celebrity removes her chappal at the airport, it grabs millions of views in minutes. But a high-quality video explaining a powerful scientific concept or a motivational lecture from a renowned educator? Struggles to get even a few hundred likes. Why does this matter? Because what we consume shapes who we become. And while there’s nothing wrong with enjoying entertainment, food, or sports — it becomes dangerous when that’s all we focus on. Constant consumption of surface-level content trains our minds to seek instant gratification, leaving little room for deep thinking, curiosity, or personal growth...

  Google Is Paying AI Experts to Do Nothing – And Here’s Why Imagine it’s a Monday morning. You’re not heading to meetings, checking Slack, or writing code. Instead, you're sleeping in, sipping your latte, and essentially doing… absolutely nothing. For many, this sounds like a fantasy. But for a select few in the AI industry, it’s a real job — and it comes with a full salary. Reports have emerged that Google is paying some of its top AI talent to do nothing for an entire year. Yes, you read that right. But there’s a twist — while they do nothing, they must also not work for anyone else, especially not a rival like OpenAI. This strategic move is part of a broader corporate maneuver driven by the intensifying race in artificial intelligence. A Lucrative Timeout This practice is rooted in what’s known as a non-compete agreement . While common in the tech industry, Google’s version seems particularly extreme — effectively becoming the world’s most profitable “timeout.” These expe...

  China's New Free AI Agent: A Game-Changer in the AI Arms Race The artificial intelligence landscape is evolving at a breakneck pace, with new breakthroughs emerging almost daily. The latest disruption comes from China, where AI companies are fiercely competing to dominate the market. Among the most talked-about developments is a free AI agent that is reportedly eight times faster than DeepSeek R1, shaking up the entire AI industry. China’s AI Boom and the DeepSeek Effect China’s AI industry has been undergoing a rapid transformation, driven in part by DeepSeek, which released a cost-efficient model earlier this year. This move forced the entire Chinese AI ecosystem into a frenzy, with companies scrambling to launch new products, attract government funding, and establish themselves as leaders in the space. One name that stands out in this race is Zepu AI , an emerging force that has been making waves with its innovative models. Originating from Tsinghua University in 2019, Zep...

  Bengaluru’s Tech Layoff Crisis: AI Hits IT Jobs Hard Bengaluru, known as the Silicon Valley of India, is facing one of its worst job crises as artificial intelligence (AI) continues to reshape the IT industry. The wave of mass layoffs, which began in 2022, shows no signs of slowing down, leaving thousands of tech professionals in uncertain waters. Mass Layoffs Driven by AI Recent reports indicate that Bengaluru’s IT sector is undergoing large-scale job cuts, primarily affecting entry-level programmers and software testers. In 2024 alone, more than 150,000 jobs were lost across 549 companies . The trend has continued into 2025, with over 22,000 job losses recorded so far, including 1,684 layoffs in February alone. AI-driven automation is at the heart of this disruption. Low-end technical jobs, such as Level 1 and Level 2 tech support, are increasingly being replaced by AI-based software and bots. Companies are leveraging AI to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs...

  How to Use AI Without Losing Your Creativity  Artificial intelligence (AI) has become a transformative force, influencing every aspect of life — from business and research to education and personal productivity. While AI tools like ChatGPT have made creative work more accessible and efficient, their impact on human creativity raises important questions. Can relying on AI enhance creativity, or does it dilute originality and individuality? The Power of Generative AI Generative AI has introduced a new era of creative possibilities. Unlike traditional tools, AI allows users to input natural language and receive human-like responses, making it easy for anyone to generate ideas, content, and solutions without needing technical expertise. This has opened doors to innovation in fields such as science, business, and the arts. However, while AI can enhance creative output, it also raises concerns about the authenticity and uniqueness of the work produced. Research on AI and Creat...

  AI WAR Artificial intelligence is evolving at a breakneck pace, and February has been one of the most groundbreaking months in recent AI history. From OpenAI’s rumored GPT-4.5 to DeepSeek’s upcoming R2 model, the AI arms race is heating up. Meanwhile, advancements in robotics are making humanoid machines more lifelike, with Tesla’s Optimus, Figure AI’s humanoid, and China’s latest robotic marvels pushing the boundaries of technology. Let’s break down the biggest AI developments this month. OpenAI vs. DeepSeek: The Language Model Battle Intensifies OpenAI is reportedly working on GPT-4.5, but China’s DeepSeek R2 is expected to be a serious competitor. DeepSeek R2 promises improved efficiency, potentially surpassing OpenAI’s models in cost-effectiveness and performance. This intensifying competition has sparked concerns about AI dominance, with China aggressively pushing its own AI models to global prominence. Meanwhile, xAI, Elon Musk’s AI venture, has unveiled Grok 3 , which...

  Amazon Alexa Plus: The Future of Smart Assistants or Just Another Subscription? Amazon has taken a major leap forward in the AI-driven smart assistant market with the introduction of Alexa Plus . This new version of Alexa is designed to be a highly intelligent, context-aware personal assistant , capable of remembering preferences, planning daily activities, and even monitoring security cameras. However, this advanced AI-powered experience comes at a cost, sparking debates about whether it's a game-changer or just another way for Amazon to monetize its massive user base. Pricing and Availability One of the biggest surprises about Alexa Plus is its pricing structure . For non-Prime members, it costs $19.99 per month . Prime members, however, get free access to Alexa Plus, making it a valuable addition to their existing membership. Initially, Amazon considered lower price points, like $5 or $10 per month , but ultimately settled on the $19.99 price tag for non-Prime users. ...

  Fatty Liver: The Silent Epidemic Among Working Professionals and Students Introduction India's IT industry is booming, but a hidden health crisis is growing alongside it. A recent study reveals that 84% of IT employees in India suffer from fatty liver disease , a condition where excess fat accumulates in the liver, leading to organ damage. However, this issue is not confined to one industry or one country—it is part of a global silent epidemic of lifestyle-related diseases. Understanding Fatty Liver Disease The liver , the body's largest internal organ, plays a crucial role in detoxifying blood, storing energy, and aiding digestion . However, excess fat accumulation can impair its functions, leading to fatty liver disease . Contrary to common belief, this disease is not just caused by alcohol consumption. It is increasingly linked to sedentary lifestyles, poor diet, and stress . Globally, 30% of the population suffers from fatty liver disease. In India, the number is ...

  Meta's AI Can Now Read Your Mind Meta has recently published two groundbreaking research papers demonstrating their AI's ability to convert human thoughts into text with an impressive 80% accuracy in real time. This breakthrough was achieved using special brain activity sensors—Magnetoencephalography (MEG) and Electroencephalography (EEG)—which capture tiny magnetic fields generated by neural activity. How the Technology Works The study involved 35 participants who were asked to type sentences while their brain activity was recorded. Meta’s researchers then trained a deep-learning model, named Brain-to-Text , to predict sentences based solely on these brain signals. The AI architecture behind this system achieved a 32% character error rate , meaning it correctly identified 68 out of every 100 characters. Remarkably, for some individuals, the model even generated entire sentences perfectly, demonstrating an average accuracy of 80% for unseen text . Tracking Thought-to-Word...

  Cyber News Recap: Info Stealers, AI Controversies, and a Cyber Attack Drama Cyber Crime: The Growing Threat of Info Stealers A recent study by Hudson Rock has shed light on a growing cybersecurity threat— info stealers . These small malware programs infiltrate systems through infected PDFs, game mods, or pirated software. Once inside, they collect browsing history, autofill data, internal documents, and session cookies —all of which can be sold to cybercriminals for as little as $10 . One alarming example is Honeywell , where a single infected employee unknowingly exposed 56 corporate credentials along with 45 third-party access keys . The U.S. Navy was also affected, leading to potential security breaches in military systems. While a total system cleanout might seem like the best solution, such a move could paralyze organizations for weeks . The cybersecurity community is still searching for a more feasible fix to this ever-growing problem. Massive Data Leak: Vivifi and t...

  The Love Story of Neo GMA: A Humanoid Companion in the Making It begins like any other love story—two people, a cozy home, and a silent companion who quietly ensures everything runs smoothly. But this isn't your typical romantic tale. The protagonist here isn't human; it's Neo GMA, a 5'5" humanoid robot wrapped in a soft, knitted nylon suit instead of cold metal. Unlike its metallic, blinking-lights predecessors, Neo GMA is designed to blend seamlessly into a home, moving with grace and understanding the nuances of human life. 1X Technologies, the company behind Neo GMA, recently showcased its latest robotic innovation in a short video. The scene is almost poetic: a happy couple, dressed in warm earthy tones, enjoying a quiet moment together while Neo GMA prepares coffee for them. They chat, laugh, and live their lives, oblivious to the robot that tirelessly serves them. As the clip draws to a close, we see Neo GMA sitting alone on a couch, looking almost... forl...

  The Student Who Dreamed of Intelligent Robots Raj, a bright and ambitious student, always dreamed of building robots that could think and act like humans. As a child, he would dismantle toy cars, fascinated by how machines moved. During his college years, he immersed himself in artificial intelligence and robotics, eager to push the boundaries of what machines could do. He often imagined a world where robots seamlessly integrated into daily life, making human lives easier and more efficient. One day, while researching cutting-edge advancements in robotics, Raj stumbled upon a groundbreaking innovation—Figure’s Helix AI. This revolutionary system was touted as a major leap in home robotics, with the ability to understand human commands, perceive environments, and handle objects it had never encountered before. It was not just another pre-programmed machine; it was an intelligent system capable of adapting and learning on the go. The Birth of Helix AI Figure’s Helix AI was a br...

  Protecting Data and Privacy in the Era of Young Hackers and AI Advancements The digital landscape is evolving at an unprecedented pace. With children as young as seven learning to hack, and the rise of AI-driven supercomputers, the need for robust cybersecurity has never been greater. This generation is quick to adapt to new technologies, making both hacking skills and cybersecurity measures more sophisticated. To safeguard personal and organizational data, individuals must adopt strong security practices. Steps to Protect Your Data and Privacy 1. Strengthen Password Security Use complex passwords with a mix of uppercase, lowercase, numbers, and symbols. Enable two-factor authentication (2FA) for added security. Use password managers to store and generate strong passwords. 2. Secure Your Devices and Networks Keep all software, including operating systems and applications, up to date. Install reliable antivirus and anti-malware software. Use firewalls to block unautho...

  The Dawn of the Quantum Age: Microsoft’s Breakthrough in Quantum Computing For decades, quantum computing has been heralded as the future of computational power, promising to solve problems that even the most advanced classical computers could never tackle. However, the field has been plagued by limitations—chief among them, the instability of qubits, the fundamental units of quantum computation. Now, after years of dedicated research, Microsoft has unveiled a revolutionary advancement that could redefine the trajectory of quantum computing. A New Frontier: Observing and Controlling Majorana Particles One of the longest-running research projects at Microsoft has culminated in a breakthrough: the successful observation and control of a subatomic particle theorized but never seen before—the Majorana particle. This discovery has enabled the creation of an entirely new material and a novel quantum computing architecture. The significance of this achievement lies in its ability to ...

  Grok 3: XAI’s Next-Generation AI Model XAI has just unveiled its latest AI model, Grok 3, and according to Elon Musk and three of XAI’s engineers, it is an order of magnitude better than its predecessor, Grok 2. This essentially means that Grok 3 is about ten times more powerful. The model was trained in a massive data center in Memphis, Tennessee, featuring approximately 200,000 graphics processing units (GPUs). This high-powered facility, sometimes referred to as the “Colossus supercomputer,” is believed to be the driving force behind Grok 3’s impressive capabilities. How Does Grok 3 Compare to Other AI Models? According to XAI’s internal benchmarks, Grok 3 outperforms leading competitors such as OpenAI’s GPT-4, Google’s Gemini, and DeepSeek’s models in several key areas, including mathematics, science, coding, and problem-solving. The company highlights Grok 3’s strong performance in benchmarks like AIM, a mathematics competition test, and GPQA, which assesses PhD-level phy...

  GOKU AI China's AI industry has taken another massive leap forward with the introduction of Goku, a new model developed by ByteDance. Goku is designed to push the boundaries of AI-generated content by combining image and video generation into a single, powerful system. This breakthrough comes as Chinese AI technology continues to advance rapidly, potentially challenging OpenAI's leading models like Sora. Goku’s Innovative Approach to AI Generation Goku utilizes rectified flow Transformers , a departure from traditional diffusion-based models. These rectified flow methods enable smooth, linear interpolation of data, resulting in more stable content generation. Unlike diffusion models, which progressively denoise an image, Goku predicts velocities that transition from noise to real data in a more efficient manner. ByteDance has reported that Goku supports text-to-image, image-to-video, and text-to-video generation , with the ability to create highly realistic human interact...