Category Archives: TECHNOLOGY

Boosting Space Startups: India’s Bold Rs 1,000 Cr Fund Redefines Skies For Private Players

Posted on by
Reply

India’s space sector is set to receive a significant boost with the government earmarking Rs 1,000 crore for a venture fund dedicated to space startups. This decision, announced by Science and Technology Minister Jitendra Singh, is a clear indication of the high priority the government gives to the space sector.

The announcement was made within the first 100 days of the Modi 3.0 government, reflecting the administration’s commitment to fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in this strategic sector.

The venture fund is part of a broader strategy to open up the space sector to private players. About four years ago, the government took a revolutionary step to allow private participation in the space sector. This led to the establishment of New India Space Limited (NISL), a new PSU, and IN-SPACe India, an interface with the private sector.

The results of these initiatives have been remarkable, with a quantum jump from just a single-digit startup to more than 200 space sector startups within a short span of time.

The government’s support for space startups is not limited to financial assistance. It has also allowed 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the space sector, a move that has proved to be a significant boost for new initiatives and entrepreneurs. This policy has contributed to the growth of startups in India, which has increased from 350 in 2014 to more than 1.5 lakh, raising the country to number three in the world ecosystem.

Government’s Broader Strategy for Space Sector

The government’s focus on the space sector is part of its broader strategy to promote innovation, startups, and the ‘Make in India’ initiative. The Union Budget 2024-25 reflects this strategy, with significant support for the manufacturing sector, particularly through its focus on MSME clusters.

The introduction of easy financing and credit guarantee schemes, along with the facilitation of collateral-free term loans for the purchase of machinery and equipment, will greatly enhance the manufacturers and suppliers network.

The budget also abolished Angel Tax for investors, a move that could indirectly benefit space startups. The government has also introduced reforms that simplify regulatory frameworks and encourage private investment in space activities, such as satellite launches and space-based services.

These measures collectively aim to create an ecosystem that nurtures space startups, encourages innovation, and positions India as a major player in the global space industry.

The Rs 1,000 crore venture fund holds significant importance in the context of India’s overall space program and its goals. It encourages innovation and entrepreneurship in the space sector by providing a financial safety net for startups to develop cutting-edge technologies and applications. This is crucial for India’s aspirations to be a leader in space technology.

Significance of the Venture Fund

By supporting private space startups, India is diversifying its space industry beyond the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), fostering a competitive and dynamic ecosystem that can lead to more rapid advancements. The fund aligns with India’s push for ‘Atmanirbharta’ (self-reliance), reducing dependence on foreign technologies and promoting indigenous development of space capabilities.

Space startups are potential engines of economic growth, creating jobs in high-tech sectors and contributing to the overall GDP through innovation and commercialization of space services. By nurturing startups, India can compete in the global space market, offering services and technologies that can be exported, thus enhancing its international standing in the space community.

The fund signals the government’s commitment to supporting the startup culture, especially in niche sectors like space, which can inspire more young minds to pursue space-related careers and entrepreneurship. It enables the development of technologies that can support ambitious projects like Gaganyaan (India’s human spaceflight program) and other scientific missions, as well as commercial ventures like satellite launches and space-based services.

Meta’s Answer to AI Media Startups: ‘Movie Gen’ Ready to Disrupt Film Making Now

Posted on by
Reply

Meta has taken a major leap in artificial intelligence by announcing its latest AI model, Movie Gen. This cutting-edge tool is designed to generate realistic video and audio clips based on user prompts, putting it in direct competition with leading media generation platforms like OpenAI and ElevenLabs.

Movie Gen’s features go beyond just video creation. The AI can also produce background music and sound effects that synchronize with the video’s content. For example, in a demo, it added pom-poms to a man running solo in a desert scene. In another clip, it transformed a dry parking lot into a splashing puddle, enhancing footage of a skateboarder.

Meta’s new tool allows videos to run up to 16 seconds long, with audio extending to 45 seconds. The company claims Movie Gen holds its own against rivals like OpenAI, ElevenLabs, Runway, and Kling, all of which are pushing the boundaries of AI-generated media.

Meta Eyes Hollywood with Movie Gen

The introduction of Movie Gen comes as Hollywood explores the potential of generative AI in video production. Earlier this year, OpenAI, backed by Microsoft, introduced Sora, an AI that can generate movie-like clips from text descriptions, sparking excitement in the entertainment sector. However, concerns about AI systems trained on copyrighted material without permission have also been raised.

There’s growing anxiety about the misuse of AI-generated videos, especially deepfakes, in political campaigns. Incidents of such misuse have been reported in the U.S., India, Pakistan, and Indonesia, drawing attention from lawmakers worldwide.

Despite its powerful capabilities, Meta is unlikely to release Movie Gen widely for developer use, as it did with its Llama language models. Instead, Meta plans to collaborate closely with the entertainment industry and other creators, integrating the tool into its own suite of products next year.

The Road Ahead for AI in Media

Movie Gen was developed using a combination of licensed and publicly available datasets, marking a different approach from OpenAI, which has been in talks with Hollywood about partnerships for its Sora tool. So far, no formal agreements have been reported.

The unveiling of Movie Gen underscores the rapid advancements in AI technology, paralleling the release of OpenAI’s Sora earlier this year. Both innovations signal a transformative shift for industries ranging from filmmaking to politics, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in media creation.

Meta Takes Down 8,000 Scam Ads to Stem “Celeb Bait” Scams with Australian Banks

Posted on by
Reply

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, has removed around 8,000 “celeb bait” scam ads as part of a new collaboration with Australian banks. These scams often use images of famous personalities, many of which are created by artificial intelligence, to deceive people into investing in fake schemes.

Meta acted after receiving 102 reports since April from the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange, an intelligence-sharing platform led by major banks. These scams are a global issue, but Australia is putting additional pressure on Meta to address the problem, as Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s government plans to introduce a new anti-scam law by the end of this year.

The proposed law could impose fines of up to A$50 million (around ₹280 crore) on social media, financial, and telecom companies that fail to control these scams. Public consultation for the law ends on October 4.

Scam reports in Australia have surged by nearly 20% in 2023, with total losses reaching A$2.7 billion (₹15,000 crore), according to the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). The ACCC previously sued Meta in 2022, accusing the company of not stopping fake cryptocurrency ads featuring celebrities like Mel Gibson, Russell Crowe, and Nicole Kidman. It estimated that 58% of cryptocurrency ads on Facebook could be scams. Meta is currently contesting the lawsuit, which has yet to go to trial.

In addition, Meta is facing another lawsuit from Australian billionaire Andrew Forrest. Forrest alleges that Meta allowed the spread of thousands of fake cryptocurrency ads on Facebook using his image. He claims Australians have continued to lose money to these scams since he first warned Meta in 2019.

David Agranovich, Meta’s Director of Threat Disruption, said that the initiative with Australian banks is still in its early stages but is showing promise. “A small amount of high-value information is helping us identify larger scam activities,” he said during a media briefing.

When asked about Australia’s proposed anti-scam law, Agranovich said Meta is still reviewing the draft and will share more details later. Rhonda Luo, the Head of Strategy at the Australian Financial Crimes Exchange, emphasized the importance of industry initiatives, saying, “It’s better to act early on scams rather than wait for regulations to take effect.”