ISLAMABAD: Leaders from Pakistan’s telecom and technology sectors outlined a transformative vision for a digitally inclusive Pakistan at the GSMA Digital Nation Summit here. Against the backdrop of global momentum towards cashless economies and rapid technology adoption, speakers detailed how the country can leapfrog into a more connected future—provided it is supported by enabling regulatory policies, sustainable financial models, and inclusive social frameworks. A central pillar of this vision was the drive for universal internet access and affordable smartphones. In the session National Digital Transformation: Policy, Progress, and Cross Sector Collaboration, Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz and Chairman of Mobilink Micro finance Bank, joined Khurram Ashfaque, CEO of Telenor Pakistan, and Sajjad Syed, Chairman of PASHA, in a discussion moderated by Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific at GSMA. The panel examined the role of telecom as a cross-sector enabler and the urgent need for policy reforms. “The digital economy cannot progress unless connectivity is affordable and accessible to all, particularly those in rural areas and marginalized communities,” Aamir said. “We are no longer in the business of just selling minutes and gigabytes. The future belongs to those who build ecosystems, not just networks. At Jazz, we’ve made a conscious and strategic shift from being a traditional telco to a ServiceCo—focused on enabling meaningful moments, driving digital inclusion, and creating platforms that improve lives and livelihoods across Pakistan”, CEO, Jazz added. Panelists agreed that reforms in spectrum pricing, a more investment-friendly environment, and long-term planning are essential to unlocking the full potential of Pakistan’s telecom sector. Digital inclusion, they stressed, is not only an economic imperative but also a matter of equity, requiring targeted and inclusive policies that go beyond infrastructure to address the usage gap. That focus on inclusion carried into the fireside chat from Cyber security to Digital Payments – Ensuring Trust in a Cashless Future, where the discussion shifted from infrastructure to user behaviour. The country’s heavy reliance on cash was identified as a major barrier to digital transformation. “The vast majority of retailers still deal in cash. The real competition is not between payment service providers—it’s a collective battle against cash,” Aamir noted. In the session Connecting the Unconnected – What Works in Closing the Usage Gap, Kazim Mujtaba, President of the Consumer Division at Jazz, highlighted smartphone affordability and digital literacy as the foundation of digital progress. “The smartphone is the first step—it’s the gateway to participation in the digital economy, especially for women and underserved communities,” he said. Kazim detailed community initiatives targeting women in rural areas to build skills and confidence in using mobile technology. “Connectivity is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. Giving women digital access can have a transformative impact on families and communities,” he added. Talking about digital access as a gateway to life’s essential services, he introduced Apna Clinic, an AI-powered health-tech platform that will provide teleconsultations, diagnostic services, and surgery bookings through a network of 30,000 doctors across 150 cities. He also highlighted Fikr Free, an insurtech application aimed at reducing Pakistan’s substantial insurance gap among women and low-income groups by offering affordable and easily accessible coverage. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
KARACHI: ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) and global professional services firm EY have released a joint policy paper, AI Assessments: Enhancing Confidence in AI, offering new guidance to help businesses evaluate and trust their Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems. As AI adoption accelerates globally, the paper highlights the growing importance of AI assessments — evaluations that span governance, compliance, and performance - to ensure systems are well-governed, legally compliant, and aligned with user expectations. These assessments are essential for businesses aiming to unlock AI’s potential for innovation, productivity, and sustainable growth. The report identifies three key types of AI assessments: “Governance assessments” to evaluate oversight structures; “Conformity assessments” to ensure legal and regulatory compliance; and “Performance assessments” to measure system effectiveness against defined criteria. It also addresses the current challenges in this emerging field, such as inconsistent methodologies and lack of skilled providers, and offers actionable solutions — like clearer standards, better-defined objectives, and professional accountability. The paper encourages business leaders to leverage both voluntary and mandated assessments to strengthen corporate governance and stakeholder trust. Policymakers are urged to support standardized, internationally aligned frameworks and invest in market capacity for high-quality evaluations. Helen Brand, Chief Executive of ACCA, emphasized the need to build trust in AI, to serve the public interest, while EY’s Marie-Laure Delarue highlighted the critical role of rigorous assessments in unlocking AI’s full potential and navigating its risks. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Yango Group, a UAE based tech company, has acquired a stake in Trukkr, a fintech platform in Pakistan, making its first investment in the country through Yango Ventures, according to a statement on Friday. The investment would help Trukkr expand its operations, strengthen its credit-scoring tools, and improve access to financial services for thousands of trucking businesses across Pakistan, the statement said. “In addition to capital, Yango will support Trukkr with product expertise and insights from over 30 global markets — helping the company scale faster and build stronger foundations for growth. The deal marks the company’s entry into the Pakistani startup ecosystem and reflects Yango’s commitment to supporting long-term digital growth across its markets.” Yango, inDrive and GoEasy: Who will benefit from Careem’s exit? Yango Ventures is a $20 million corporate venture fund of Yango Group aimed at supporting startups in MENAP (Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan region), Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America. Through Yango Ventures, the company provides early-stage companies not only with capital, but also with global expertise in ride-hailing, e-commerce, fintech, and artificial intelligence (AI) — helping them scale effectively and sustainably. “Pakistan’s logistics sector is full of potential, and Trukkr is helping move it forward — by giving operators the financial tools they need to scale and succeed in a competitive market. We’re here to support that transformation with our experience and technology. This is the kind of local innovation we want to help grow, and it’s just the start of our work in Pakistan.” Daniil Shuleyko, CEO of Yango Group, was quoted as saying in the statement. “We are excited to partner with Yango Group, in addition to their strategic equity investment, we find that their experience in building state of the art logistics tech and deploying it in over 30 countries will allow us to strengthen our offerings in Pakistan and beyond” said Sheryar Bawany, CEO of Trukkr. In 2023, Trukkr raised $6.4 million in a funding round and also received a non-banking financial company (NBFC) licence. According to the information available on its website, Trukkr is a digital logistics platform that offers SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) solutions with embedded finance capabilities to drive efficiency for all stakeholders across the logistics spectrum.
Lahore: Security forces have shot down a suspected Indian drone in Lahore’s Manawan area, police sources confirmed on Friday. The incident comes just months after intense military clashes between Pakistan and India earlier this year. According to officials, the drone was spotted inside Pakistani territory and was immediately targeted. Authorities suspect it was used for […] The post Pakistan’s Security Forces Bring Down ‘Indian Drone’ in Lahore appeared first on TechJuice .
A controversial Dipitt advertisement featuring Pakistan’s founder, Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah, has sparked nationwide criticism. The AI-generated image, allegedly shared on the sauce brand’s official accounts, showed Jinnah eating food with a bottle of Dipitt’s chilli garlic sauce on the table. Soon after the post began circulating on social media, users accused the brand of […] The post Dipitt Removes Quaid-e-Azam Ketchup Ad After Public Criticism appeared first on TechJuice .
New partnership aims to enhance Pakistan's digital infrastructure with cutting-edge cloud services and advanced technology The post Indus Cloud and Huawei partner to build next-gen data center in Pakistan appeared first on Profit by Pakistan Today .
Pakistan has taken a major step to boost cybersecurity in its financial and fintech sectors. The National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF-Pakistan), in partnership with Risk Associates, organized a two-day capacity-building program on August 7–8, 2025. The initiative focused on the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI DSS) and reflects the State Bank […] The post Pakistan Advances Financial Cybersecurity with PCI DSS Compliance Training appeared first on TechJuice .
Company initiates maintenance activities following unexpected shutdown The post LOTTE Chemical Pakistan temporarily shuts down operations due to technical fault appeared first on Profit by Pakistan Today .
While pressure mounts internationally, particularly from the United States, to tackle scam call centers and fraudulent software houses thriving in Pakistan, as reported by insider sources. The Pakistani government has intensified its crackdown, revealing in recent briefings to the Senate Standing Committee on IT and Telecom actions that are being taken, which are seen as […] The post Operation Grey: Under Reported U.S. Pressure, Pakistan Cracks Down on Scam Call Rings appeared first on TechJuice .
Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Ministry of Information Technology to present a comprehensive plan for achieving the annual export targets required to surpass the $30 billion mark in the coming years. This follows the ministry’s success in meeting last year’s export target of $3.8 billion. “We are taking priority-based measures to […] The post Pakistan Targets $30B IT Exports with New Digital Ecosystem and Reforms appeared first on TechJuice .
KARACHI: The Sindh government has declared a public holiday on Friday, August 15, 2025, for all public and private schools and colleges across the province. The holiday is in observance of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), 20th Safar 1447 AH. This decision follows a meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Steering Committee held on […] The post Sindh Govt Declares Holiday for Schools Across Province appeared first on TechJuice .
ISLAMABAD: In a surprising move, the federal government approved 27 major projects worth over Rs1.5 trillion in just a few hours. The Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC), chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, cleared schemes spanning energy, infrastructure, education, health, environment, and public service. Most projects were focused on Sindh and […] The post ECNEC Approves 27 Projects Worth Rs1.5 Trillion appeared first on TechJuice .
Pakistan’s federal cabinet has approved a five-year exemption for importing unregistered lifesaving drugs for hospitals and institutions. This decision aims to ensure uninterrupted access to critical therapies such as anti-cancer, cardiac, and other essential medicines. Many of these drugs are not commercially viable for local production. Under the exemption, imports will only be allowed with […] The post Govt Approves Exemption for Import of Unregistered lifesaving Drugs in Pakistan appeared first on TechJuice .
The Punjab government has decided to extend summer vacations to September 1 across all schools. The Punjab Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat took to X to announce the extension. Schools In Punjab Will Re open from the 1st of September. — Rana Sikandar Hayat (@RanaSikandarH) August 7, 2025 The choice was taken based on the […] The post Punjab Announces New School Opening Date After Summer Vacation Extension appeared first on TechJuice .
The GSMA today hosted the second edition of its Digital Nation Summit in Islamabad, recognizing the Ministry of Information Technology … Read More The post GSMA Identifies Urgent Steps to Unlock Pakistan’s $1.4 Trillion Digital Potential appeared first on ProPakistani .
The PPL cyberattack has brought one of Pakistan’s largest state-run energy companies to its knees. Hackers calling themselves Blue Locker have crippled Pakistan Petroleum Limited’s IT systems for the past two days, encrypting servers, deleting backups, and issuing a chilling ransom demand. The attackers claim to have stolen sensitive operational. They have also allegedly taken […] The post Hackers Paralyze PPL IT Systems, Suspend Operations for Days appeared first on TechJuice .
BEIJING: China conducted its first test on Wednesday of a lunar lander that it hopes will put the first Chinese on the moon before 2030, the country’s manned space programme said. The lander’s ascent and descent systems underwent comprehensive verification at a site in Hebei province that was designed to simulate the moon’s surface. The test surface had special coating to mimic lunar soil reflectivity, as well as being covered with rocks and craters. “The test involved multiple operational conditions, a lengthy testing period, and high technical complexity, making it a critical milestone in the development of China’s manned lunar exploration program,” China Manned Space (CMS) said in a statement posted on its website on Thursday. The lunar lander, known as Lanyue, which means “embrace the moon” in Mandarin, will be used to transport astronauts between the lunar orbit and the moon’s surface, as well as serving as a living space, power source, and data center after they land on the moon, CMS added. China has kept details closely guarded about its programme to achieve a manned landing on the moon, but the disclosure about the test comes at a time when the United States is looking to stave off the rapid advances of China’s space programme. Nasa plans for its Artemis programme to send astronauts around the moon and back in April 2026, with a subsequent moon landing mission a year later. China’s uncrewed missions to the moon in the past five years have allowed the country to become the only nation to retrieve lunar samples from both the near and far side of the moon. Those missions have drawn interest from the European Space Agency, Nasa-funded universities, and national space agencies from Pakistan to Thailand. A successful manned landing before 2030 would boost China’s plans to build a “basic model” of the International Lunar Research Station by 2035. This manned base, led by China and Russia, would include a nuclear reactor on the moon’s surface as a power source. Published in Dawn, August 8th, 2025
In the medieval age, feudalism was a socio-economic system under which a small number of influential lords owned large areas, and peasants worked on their properties in return for protection and sustenance. Fast forward to the 21st century, and an analogous hierarchy is […] The post Tech Feudalism in Pakistan: Lords of the Digital Age appeared first on Digital Pakistan .
TECNO is reportedly preparing to launch its latest budget-friendly smartphone lineup in Pakistan with the upcoming Spark 40 series. According to market sources, it is expected to be released on August 15. The series will include Spark 40 Pro and Spark 40 Pro+, offering a unique combination of premium design, upgraded hardware, and innovative features […] The post TECNO Spark 40 Series Leak Hints at Launch Date and Smart Features appeared first on TechJuice .
Islamabad— As part of its enforcement mandate, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has filed a criminal complaint against the company secretary of a listed company [Pak Suzuki], his four close relatives, and a private limited company for alleged involvement in insider trading. The SECP reached these findings after conducting thorough investigations under […] The post Pak Suzuki Employee Caught in Insider Trading Case Filed by SECP appeared first on TechJuice .
In 2025, the VEON group of companies, including Jazz, experienced a total revenue growth of 15.3 percent year-over-year (YoY) in Pakistan’s local currency, demonstrating a robust telecom performance and significant growth across digital sectors. Telecom and infrastructure revenue rose 8.9% YoY, supported by a 3.5% increase in total mobile customers and an 8.9% uplift in […] The post Jazz Grows Revenue, But Cracks Show in Profit Margins & Cost Pressures appeared first on TechJuice .
Students from Karachi’s Aligarh Institute of Technology (AIT) have designed a wuzu (ablution) water recycling system aimed at conserving water and helping tackle Pakistan’s worsening water crisis. The project, called Nahr Al Khair (River of Goodness), has been installed at Jamia Masjid Ali in the Buffer Zone area. It recycles water used for ablution through […] The post Karachi Students Build Wuzu Water Recycling System appeared first on TechJuice .
The government is planning to establish the Pakistan Mart project in Dubai to help small and medium-sized exporters connect directly with international buyers. This initiative removes the need for middlemen, making global trade more accessible and cost-effective. The National Logistics Corporation (NLC) and DP World signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish Pakistan Mart […] The post Pakistan Mart Project Promises Direct Global Access for Exporters appeared first on TechJuice .
Last month, the government imposed new taxes on local and international brands. These changes increased online shopping costs for Pakistani buyers. Additionally, taxes were introduced under the Digital Presence Proceeds Tax Act, 2025, on goods ordered from abroad. However, the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has now revised its stance. According to an FBR notification, […] The post International Brands Reimburse Pakistani Users After Tax Removal appeared first on TechJuice .
PTCL Group (Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited & Ufone 4G), Pakistan’s leading telecom and ICT services provider, has partnered with Teradata to transform and scale its Enterprise Data Warehouse platform. This extended engagement marks a significant milestone in the PTCL Group’s journey toward digital excellence, aligned with its vision to become a data-driven, AI-enabled enterprise. This partnership […] The post PTCL Expands Strategic Partnership with Teradata to Strengthen Data & Analytics Capabilities appeared first on TechJuice .
The Pakistan Space Activities Regulatory Board (PSARB) has finalized the initial draft of the nation’s first-ever Space Regulatory Framework. It has been circulated among key stakeholders, including the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and the Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), for feedback. Relevant government institutions have been asked to review and provide their input before […] The post Govt Drafts First Legal Framework for Pakistan’s Space Industry appeared first on TechJuice .
Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif on Tuesday supervised the trial run of the Lahore electric tram, officially known as the Super Autonomous Rapid Transit (SART) system, marking a major milestone for Pakistan’s public transport. The test run was conducted from Ali Town to Muslim Town, where the CM inspected the onboard facilities and observed […] The post Pakistan’s First Electric Tram in Lahore Completes Test Run appeared first on TechJuice .
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has suspended the license of Xtreme Solutions (Private) Limited for one month. The company failed to submit audited financial accounts and pay its annual license fee, despite repeated reminders. PTA issued this suspension under Section 23 of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Reorganization) Act, 1996. Xtreme Solutions received a non-exclusive license in […] The post PTA License Suspension Hits Another Data Provider appeared first on TechJuice .
Jazz has settled its tax dispute with Pakistan’s federal tax authorities through the Alternate Dispute Resolution Committee (ADRC). An official document revealed that the settlement, finalized on June 27, 2025, amounted to $158 million. This development came after a landmark decision by a division bench of the Islamabad High Court (IHC). The court ruled in […] The post Jazz Pays $158M to Settle Tax Dispute After IHC Ruling appeared first on TechJuice .
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has seen a significant rise in companies reaching the $1 billion market capitalization milestone, jumping from just three firms two years ago to 15 today. This remarkable growth highlights renewed investor confidence and a strong market performance over the past couple of years. Back in 2022, only three companies, OGDC, […] The post 15 PSX Companies Now Hold $1 Billion Market Capitalization appeared first on TechJuice .
Pakistan’s tech stakeholders and freelance community are pushing the government to establish an IT regulatory cell that would formalise digital exports, support remote workers, and increase official remittances. The proposal focuses on streamlining data collection and creating a robust digital economy framework. The idea was discussed during a recent IT and freelancers working group meeting, […] The post Push for IT Regulatory Cell Gains Momentum to Boost Freelance Remittances appeared first on TechJuice .
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered the Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) shutdown within six months, a move that could disrupt the country’s entire tax infrastructure. PRAL, which manages the nation’s tax filings and stores transaction data, plays a critical role in FBR operations. Officials said the Prime Minister gave the instructions last month. He […] The post PM Shehbaz Orders PRAL Shutdown by December appeared first on TechJuice .
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is fast emerging as a shaping power in the world economy, transforming sectors, enhancing productivity, and opening new vistas. In Pakistan, adopting AI […] The post How Pakistan’s AI Ambitions Can Drive Economic Growth appeared first on Digital Pakistan .
Pakistan’s trade deficit reached $2.75 billion in July 2025, marking a sharp increase of over 44 percent compared to the $1.90 billion deficit recorded in the same month last year. The rising Pakistan trade deficit is attributed to a significant jump in imports that outpaced export growth. On a month-on-month basis, Pakistan’s trade deficit widened […] The post Pakistan Trade Deficit Widens to $2.75 Billion in July 2025 appeared first on TechJuice .
The government has announced a comprehensive water supply project to address the worsening water crisis in Islamabad and Rawalpindi. Minister of State for Interior Talal Chaudhry informed the National Assembly that Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif has constituted a high-level committee, headed by Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, to supervise this critical initiative. Responding to a call-attention […] The post Mega Water Supply Project Planned for Twin Cities appeared first on TechJuice .
ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has blocked 184 betting and gambling websites and apps, as disclosed by the Cabinet Division. Under Section 37 of PECA 2016, PTA is authorized to block or remove unlawful online content. The Authority works primarily through a complaint-based system. PTA took action after receiving complaints from relevant departments such […] The post PTA Takes Action Against Online Gambling After Government Advisory appeared first on TechJuice .
The government has now admitted that a firewall is being installed to manage and monitor internet traffic across the country. This comes after earlier denials from authorities, who previously dismissed the firewall as a cause of Pakistan’s slow internet. However, it now seems likely that the firewall could be a major factor behind the reduced […] The post Govt Confirms Firewall Installation Amid Internet Slowdown Concerns appeared first on TechJuice .
ISLAMABAD: The Ministry of Information Technology and Telecommunication has identified several factors causing slow internet speeds in Pakistan. These include limited spectrum availability, delayed Fiber to the Home (FTTH) deployment, and Right of Way (RoW) constraints. Additional causes include frequent power outages, a low fiber-to-tower ratio, and incidents of theft and vandalism. The ministry emphasized […] The post Govt To fix Slow Internet With New Spectrum & Submarine Cables appeared first on TechJuice .
The Islamabad IT Park, a state-of-the-art facility in Chak Shehzad, is scheduled for inauguration in Q3 2025. The facility covers 720,000 sq. ft., aims to create 7,500 jobs, and will boost IT exports by US$70 million. To foster innovation and entrepreneurship, the park will include startup incubation centers and a full business support center. This […] The post Islamabad IT Park Set for 2025 Launch, Poised to Boost Jobs and IT Exports appeared first on TechJuice .
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has set a new benchmark with 4,065 company registrations in July 2025. This milestone marks the highest monthly registrations in SECP’s history, surpassing the previous record of 3,609 set in May 2025. The surge in SECP company registrations highlights Pakistan’s growing entrepreneurial spirit and improved regulatory facilitation. […] The post SECP Hits New Record with 4,065 Company Registrations in July appeared first on TechJuice .
Mudassir Sheikha, the founder of Careem, has joined a group of top investors backing UAE fintech Alaan in its record $48 million Series A round. This investment is a major milestone for MENA’s fintech sector as Alaan accelerates its expansion with AI-powered spend management tools. Alaan’s $48 Million Series A Draws Star Investors Alaan raised […] The post Pakistani Startup Icon Backs UAE Fintech’s Record $48M Funding appeared first on TechJuice .
Chinese smartphone brands continue to push the limits of battery capacity. A new leak suggests Xiaomi is testing a Redmi phone with a battery between 8,500 and 9,000 mAh. This large-capacity cell could set a new benchmark for Redmi devices. The report claims Xiaomi is using a self-developed battery technology that maintains a long charging […] The post Xiaomi Working on Redmi Phone with Record-Breaking 8,500mAh+ Battery appeared first on TechJuice .
BENGALURU: Indian outsourcing giant Tata Consultancy Services’ decision to cut over 12,000 jobs signals the start of a broader AI-fueled trend that could end up eliminating around half a million jobs over the next two to three years from the $283 billion sector, experts said. While TCS pegged the move to shed 2% of its workforce to skill mismatches rather than AI-related productivity gains, experts viewed the largest-ever layoffs by India’s top private employer as the beginning of things to come in the labour-intensive sector. Roughly 12,200 TCS middle and senior management jobs will be lost. The industry, which has played a crucial role in creating a middle class in India, is increasingly seeing AI being used for everything from basic coding to manual testing and customer support. The sector employed 5.67 million people as of March 2025 and accounted for over 7% of India’s GDP. It has a huge multiplier effect due to the direct and indirect jobs it creates and the cars-to-homes consumption it drives in the world’s fifth-largest economy. It has historically absorbed a majority of India’s engineers but that will change as rising AI use ekes out more efficiencies and demands newer skills that many current employees lack, according to half a dozen industry veterans, analysts, and staffing firms. “We are in the midst of a massive transition that will transform white-collar work as we know it,” said Silicon Valley-based Constellation Research founder and chairman Ray Wang, echoing other experts who warned that more layoffs are likely on the cards. India’s TCS to cut 12,000 jobs The most vulnerable employees include pure people managers with minimal tech knowledge, those in charge of testing or identifying bugs and ensuring user-friendliness before delivering software to clients, and infrastructure management staff who provide basic tech support and ensure networks and servers are working well, experts said. “About 400,000 to 500,000 professionals are at risk of being laid off over the next two to three years as their skills don’t match client demands,” tech market intelligence firm UnearthInsight’s founder Gaurav Vasu said, adding that about 70% of those layoffs would impact workers with 4-12 years’ experience. “This (fear stemming from TCS layoffs) may hurt consumer demand for tourism, luxury shopping and even delay long-term investments such as real estate,” Vasu said. TCS and its peers Infosys, HCLTech, Tech Mahindra, Wipro, LTIMindtree, and Cognizant collectively employ over 430,000 workers with 13 to 25 years of experience, according to staffing firm Xpheno. “At the moment, they may appear like the big fat middle layer,” Xpheno’s co-founder Kamal Karanth said. None of the IT firms responded to Reuters queries seeking comment. “With cost optimization being the key driver for new deal wins, clients are asking for productivity benefits - a trend which is also growing due to the rise in AI adoption. This requires IT firms to do more work with the same number of employees or the same work with fewer employees,” Jefferies analyst Akshat Agarwal said in a research note. Adapt or perish TCS, which had more than 613,000 workers before the layoffs, said in its late July announcement it was gearing up to be “future-ready” by investing in new technologies, entering new markets, deploying AI at scale for its clients and itself, and realigning its workforce model. It did not answer Reuters queries on how many layoffs were tied to AI adoption and why it could not redeploy the affected employees. “This is very devastating news,” said a 45-year-old, Kolkata-based TCS employee affected by the latest layoffs. “It is very difficult for people my age to get new jobs.” Some others who are still at TCS fretted over its mediocre performance bonuses for senior employees in recent quarters, a new “bench policy” that limits the time somebody could be without a project regardless of personal circumstances or past performance, on-boarding delays, and the emotional turmoil caused by the layoffs. “All these developments have tanked the morale of mid-career folks like me,” a Pune-based TCS employee said. The Indian outsourcing sector has been a key employment engine since the 1990s, offering upward mobility to millions of engineers. But revenue growth has weakened recently as its clients, stung by inflation and U.S. tariff uncertainty, defer discretionary spending and demand better cost management. “The tech industry is at an inflection point, as AI and automation move to the very core of how businesses operate,” industry body Nasscom said. During past tech revolutions, disruption was felt at the organisational level. “With AI, for the first time, the onus is on the individual to reinvent or re-skill themselves,” former Tech Mahindra CEO CP Gurnani said.
Wednesday Addams is back on Netflix, nearly three years since the famed show debuted. However, unlike the first season that went on to get strong critical acclaim, its Season 2 is facing a rocky start. With Netflix’s new split-release policy, is that why the season is not doing well? Netflix released the first four episodes […] The post Split-Release Backfires? ‘Wednesday’ Season 2 Struggles On Global Rankings appeared first on TechJuice .
In the newest Android beta version (2.25.22.22), WhatsApp is experimenting with a disappearing About status. The “About” section, where users often express moods, activities, or short messages, previously remained static until manually edited. Now, users may soon be able to attach a timer to their About section, setting it to expire automatically after: 30 minutes […] The post WhatsApp Tests Disappearing About Status in Latest Android Beta appeared first on TechJuice .
Meta is quietly pushing the boundaries of virtual reality, revealing some eye-catching prototype headsets that redefine immersion. Previewed at SIGGRAPH 2025, the “Tiramisu” and “Boba 3” models spotlight the future of mixed reality. Both of them have a priority on visual fidelity and field of view that outpaces today’s Quest series. Tiramisu: Virtual Reality That […] The post Meta’s New Virtual Reality Headsets Offer a Glimpse of Next-Gen Reality appeared first on TechJuice .
Apple Maps has received a significant and unannounced upgrade in the latest iOS 26 beta, introducing a “Search the Way You Talk” feature powered by Apple Intelligence. The enhancement allows users to make location based queries in plain language, transforming how searches are conducted in the app. Conversational Queries, Smarter Results Instead of relying on […] The post Apple Maps Quietly Gains Powerful Natural Language Search in iOS 26 Beta appeared first on TechJuice .
On the same day OpenAI unleashed its much-anticipated GPT-5 model for free to all users, Tesla CEO Elon Musk delivered a sharp warning to Microsoft’s Satya Nadella: “OpenAI will eat Microsoft alive.” Microsoft, a major investor and strategic partner of OpenAI, marked the release with a high-profile announcement. GPT-5 has been integrated into Microsoft 365 […] The post Elon Musk Warns “OpenAI Will Eat Microsoft Alive” as GPT-5 Launches appeared first on TechJuice .
Cybercriminals are rolling out thousands of fake TikTok clone apps in a bid to infect devices with malware. The sophisticated scam operation, dubbed FraudonTok, uses AI-generated profiles and deepfake content to appear authentic. Once users download the counterfeit app, the malware known as SparkKitty extracts sensitive data from victims’ devices. A cybersecurity firm has identified […] The post Fake TikTok Clone Apps Scam Thousands, Steal Crypto Wallets appeared first on TechJuice .
Apple is reportedly making a major change to its upcoming iPhone 17 Pro. A new leak suggests that the flagship model will start with 256GB of base storage, replacing the long-standing 128GB option. This shift comes alongside a rumored $50 price increase for the Pro version, which may feel less significant given the doubled storage. […] The post Reports Hint iPhone 17 Pro Will Offer 256GB Starting Storage appeared first on TechJuice .
Facebook is placing a stronger emphasis on local news in its feed, aiming to highlight stories from nearby publishers that are most relevant to users’ daily lives. The platform says the move is part of its ongoing effort to help people stay informed and engaged within their communities. Why Local News Matters for Engagement Mark […] The post Facebook Expands Focus on Local News to Strengthen Community Connections appeared first on TechJuice .
Instagram has decided it wants to be your digital tour guide with their Map feature, whether you asked for it or not. The platform’s shiny new Map shows your “last active” location to friends and was pitched as a way to “stay connected.” Instead, it has triggered a wave of backlash from users who dislike […] The post Instagram’s New Map Feature Sparks Alarm Over Privacy Risks appeared first on TechJuice .
Google has introduced “Guided Learning” in its Gemini platform, a feature designed to help students understand complex topics through step-by-step guidance and interactive elements. While Google is touting this as a significant step forward in AI-driven education, the concept isn’t entirely new. OpenAI’s “Study Mode”, launched just a week earlier on July 29, 2025, offers […] The post Google’s Gemini Introduces ‘Guided Learning’ to Rival ChatGPT’s Study Mode appeared first on TechJuice .
GTA 6 release date hype is officially back on the streets. Rockstar Games’ long-awaited blockbuster remains on track to launch May 26, 2026. This according to fresh documents from parent company Take-Two Interactive. Which means that no matter what, the game development is at full throttle. The confirmation dropped just ahead of Take-Two’s Q1 2026 […] The post GTA 6 Release Date Confirmed: Rockstar Locks in May 26, 2026 appeared first on TechJuice .
The Fortnite update on 7 August 2025 introduces a series of mighty boons, and yes, there is extended ammo now. The Agile Aiming Boon trims recoil and spread when aiming, while Extended Magazine Boon pits you with bigger clips. Meanwhile, the Storm Forecast Boon reveals the next Storm circle ahead of time, giving you strategic […] The post Aiming, Ammo & More: Here’s What’s New In Fortnite 7 August Patch appeared first on TechJuice .
A study from the University of Waterloo and the University of Guelph examined how people with different levels of technical skill judge whether software is safe to install. Thirty-six participants were split into three groups: basic, intermediate, and advanced. Each person took part in two lab sessions using Windows laptops prepared to run real benign and malicious programs without risk to other systems. Software was sent through a simulated workplace chat system to mimic a typical office scenario. Each participant received six files per session, half of which were genuine tools and half recompiled samples of ransomware, remote access trojans, or cryptocurrency miners. None of the files were labelled, and participants were free to search online or use built-in tools to investigate. First Session Without Extra Tools In the initial round, users relied only on what came with the operating system or could be found on the internet. Malware was correctly identified 88 percent of the time, but safe software was mistaken for harmful in many cases, leading to a lower 62 percent accuracy rate for benign files. Most decisions took around four to five minutes, though faster judgments often had more errors. Analysis of participant notes revealed four main types of indicators: details about the installation file, the program’s behaviour after running, its visual design, and information from outside sources. Within these categories, 25 more specific factors were identified, such as file signatures, CPU usage, network destinations, and online search results. Second Session With Enhanced Process Data The second round introduced a custom-built task manager showing extra process details, including resource use, files accessed, and the country linked to any network connections. No guidance was given on how to interpret the information. With this additional view, malware detection improved to 94 percent and overall accuracy rose to 80 percent. Correct classification of benign programs improved slightly but remained below malware accuracy. Participants who already understood system metrics used the tool to confirm suspicions quickly. Less experienced users found the added information useful but sometimes struggled to judge what it meant. The enhanced display of network destinations, in particular, led many to question software that connected to unexpected countries. Indicators That Shape Judgments Advanced participants relied on technical signs like resource load or suspicious network activity. Basic users paid more attention to file names, icons, and the overall look of the software. Misunderstandings were common. Some believed that a neat interface meant a program was safe. Others assumed the shield icon on an installer confirmed safety, when it actually indicated a request for higher privileges. False positives were often caused by outdated designs, unfamiliar publishers, or installer behaviour that appeared unusual but was harmless. The same feature could push one person toward suspicion and another toward trust, showing how personal experience influences decisions. Implications for System Design The study highlights that while many people can spot harmful software in realistic conditions, safe programs are more likely to be flagged as threats. Small improvements to operating system tools, such as clearer displays of file activity and network connections, could help users make better decisions. By collecting more than 2,600 real-time observations, the research offers insight into how people investigate unknown files. It shows that improving the clarity and accessibility of key indicators may raise detection accuracy without requiring advanced technical training. Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools. Image: DIW-Aigen. Read next: Musk Scores Lowest U.S. Favorability in Gallup Poll, Netanyahu Confronts Gaza Genocide Allegations
A group of researchers has shown that advanced language models can reflect how the human brain interprets what it sees. The work used detailed brain scans and computer models to study how people understand complex, real-world scenes. It combined neuroscience with machine learning to find patterns linking brain activity to artificial intelligence outputs. Participants viewed thousands of images while lying in a 7-Tesla MRI scanner. The images came from a public photo database and included varied situations such as street views, people at work, animals in their habitats, and objects in familiar places. Each picture had several human-written captions describing its content. Matching AI to Brain Signals The captions were processed through MPNet, a large language model designed to turn sentences into compact numerical representations called embeddings. These embeddings were compared with brain activity patterns using a method known as representational similarity analysis. In higher-level visual areas, the AI-generated patterns aligned closely with the human brain’s responses. A second test used the brain data to predict the language model embeddings, then matched these predictions to a large library of captions. This allowed the researchers to reconstruct short textual descriptions of the images people had seen. Importance of Full Context Models that used only lists of objects, single words, or limited parts of speech showed weaker alignment with brain activity. Embeddings created from full sentences performed best, suggesting that combining all the information in a caption is important for reflecting how the brain processes meaning. Building Vision Models from Language The team also trained recurrent convolutional neural networks to take images as input and predict the language model embeddings for their captions. These networks matched brain responses more closely than many top computer vision systems, despite being trained on far fewer images. When directly compared to otherwise identical networks trained only to classify objects, the language-trained versions produced richer internal representations that explained brain activity better. Interpreting the Results The results suggest that the brain may convert visual information into a high-dimensional form similar to how a language model encodes text meaning. This process appears to keep both object details and the wider relationships between elements in a scene. Future Use The researchers say this approach could help design AI systems that see and interpret more like people do. It may also lead to improvements in brain–computer interfaces and visual aids for people with sight loss. The work offers a possible common framework for studying complex meaning in the brain by connecting insights from vision research, computational modelling, and language processing. Read next: OpenAI launches GPT-5, a unified stack that blends fast chat and deep reasoning
OpenAI released the latest version of its popular chatbot Thursday, calling ChatGPT-5 a major step forward in artificial intelligence with better reasoning, coding, and task automation capabilities. The company is rolling out the new model free to all users, as the global race over advanced AI accelerates. “ChatGPT-5 is clearly a model that is generally intelligent,” OpenAI CEO Sam Altman told reporters. “It is a significant step toward models that are really capable.” Altman said the model still does not meet the standard of artificial general intelligence, or AGI, which refers to AI that can think and learn like a human. But he said ChatGPT-5 shows dramatic performance improvements. “This is not a model that continuously learns as it is deployed from new things it finds, which is something that, to me, feels like it should be part of an AGI,” Altman said. “But the level of capability here is a huge improvement.” ‘Vibe coding’ and task automation A defining feature of ChatGPT-5 is what OpenAI calls “vibe coding,” or the ability to create fully functional software programs on demand. In a live demonstration, developers asked the model to create a language learning app. The system produced a working version in minutes. OpenAI’s Michelle Pokrass said the model acts as an “agent,” able to handle complex computer tasks with minimal user input. “GPT-3 felt to me like talking to a high school student. GPT-4 felt like a college student,” Altman said. “GPT-5 is the first time that it really feels like talking to a PhD-level expert in any topic.” Focus on safety and honesty The company said it has made improvements to ensure ChatGPT-5 provides trustworthy and safe responses. “We built evaluations to measure the prevalence of deception and trained the model to be honest,” said Alex Beutel, who leads safety research at OpenAI. The system has been trained to generate what the company calls “safe completions,” avoiding responses that could be harmful or misleading. AI rivalry intensifies The launch comes amid fierce competition from rivals such as Google and Microsoft, which have invested heavily in AI research and tools. Altman said ChatGPT-5 leads in areas like health care, writing, and programming, and noted that future gains would require massive computing power. “Obviously... you have to invest in computing at an eye-watering rate to get that, but we intend to keep doing it,” he said. The company is also offering free access to ChatGPT Enterprise for federal workers in the U.S. executive branch for one year under a new deal with the General Services Administration. Additionally, OpenAI this week released two open-weight AI models, gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b, in a move to challenge U.S. and Chinese competitors and address growing pressure for transparency. Despite major progress, Altman said the journey toward true general intelligence is far from over. “There are orders of magnitude more gains to come,” he said.
America is the land of opportunity, and these opportunities emerge in an endless variety of ways to work and make money. According to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, about 670,000 businesses open in the U.S. each year, ranging from brick-and-mortar locations to remote startups. The US thrives on small businesses, which make up a majority of our economic landscape. Although traditionally there’s a stereotype of the young entrepreneur, which leads to many believing that ideas come from the youth, the fact of the matter is that years of real-life, professional experience can pave the way for the “next big thing.” In fact, the Association for Entrepreneurship reports that freedom and passion outweigh financial motivations for small business owners, and over half stated the main reason they started a business was to gain control over their careers and be their own bosses. So, does age matter in this vast, entrepreneurial landscape? Ooma , a business phone services provider, analyzed Census Bureau data to determine where small business owners are the oldest and youngest on average across the country. Here’s what they found. . How old is the average business owner in the US? Ooma’s study found that the average age of a small-to-medium business owner in the United States is 54 years old, ranging from 49 years old in Provo, UT, to about 59 years old in Santa Fe, NM. By definition , this qualifies the average business owners across all 50 states as “middle-aged,” challenging the stereotype of “young entrepreneur.” Furthermore, a separate Harvard study found that most successful founders averaged around 40 when they began, and recent research found that a 60-year-old starting a new business is three times more likely to succeed than someone in their 30s. Data shows time and time again that age and experience, both in life and in work, are assets, not hindrances to being an entrepreneur. Establishing a successful business often requires skills, resources, and connections, which take time to cultivate– something established professionals are more equipped to have. Experience is priceless too; understanding the industry and knowing how to navigate the pain points and pitfalls can help a small to medium business venture thrive. And while younger entrepreneurs may be in a better position to take risks, without real-world experience, these risks can fuel the high rate of business closures in this country. Which U.S. cities have the oldest business owners? Santa Fe, NM, is home to the oldest business owners in the country, with the average age being about 59 years old. Home to an older population (especially retirees) and a slower population growth, Santa Fe does have a higher-than-average cost of living. This higher cost of living may dissuade young professionals from moving in and pave the way for more established, local professionals to serve their local community confidently with their business offerings. Napa, CA, houses the second oldest population of business owners with an average age of 57. Similar to Santa Fe, Napa is also a retiree-friendly city with a high cost of living. Monroe, LA, came in 3rd place, with an average age of around 57 as well. Notably, this city has a slowly shrinking population, which may explain why the average age skews older. But, while its population is currently declining, hope is on the horizon for the local economy and aspiring business owners. In 2025, Mid South Extrusion announced a $12.5 million investment in its manufacturing facility in Monroe, bringing new jobs to the area. Additionally, Meta selected a site within 30 miles of Monroe to build its $10 billion Artificial Intelligence Optimized Data Center , breathing new life into Louisiana’s economy as a whole. Perhaps over time, the population will grow and breathe new life into the local entrepreneurial scene. Which U.S. cities have the youngest business owners? Provo, UT, has the youngest business owners in the country with an average age of 49 years old. And in fact, Utah as a state is home to 4 of the top 10 metropolitan areas in this list. Why has Utah become so popular for young business owners? According to Utah Business :“One key driver of Utah's success is its commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment. The state consistently ranks highly for its low taxes, minimal regulatory burdens, and strong economic performance.” Perhaps even more striking is that over 99% of Utah’s businesses fall into the small business category , showcasing how it has become a prime cultivator for entrepreneurial success. Provo is described as being “filled with unique small businesses ”, including candle-making boutiques, curated vintage thrift stores, and old-fashioned ice cream parlors. Bozeman, MT, is in second place, with an average age of 51 years old. At one point, Bozeman was the fastest-growing city in Montana , which likely fueled the lower average of business owners in the local area. And with that in mind, Bozeman has been recognized nationally for its bustling entrepreneurial scene. For example, Entrepreneur ranked Montana as the best state for startups in 2025 , due to its high survival rates and high number of startups per capita. Fargo, ND, ranked 3rd place with an average age of 51 years old. Fargo is the state’s largest city with a population that skews younger, attracting younger folks and families. In fact, Fargo has been recognized as America’s #1 Next Boomtown . Affordability may be a big draw for younger entrepreneurs, as the state has a relatively low cost of living. Should you start a business regardless of age? So, should you start a business regardless of your age? The data shows that age may not be just a number. The older and more experienced you are, the better your chances of leading a successful business. If you have an idea and want to learn more about how to get started, visit your local Chamber of Commerce to find out what options you have. You may have an entrepreneurial spirit, and it’s never too late to explore what this might mean for you and your professional life. Read next: Internet Boosts Solo Brainstorming but Reduces Idea Variety in Groups, Carnegie Mellon Researchers Report
Vivo has officially launched the iQOO Z10 Turbo+ in China, expanding its Z10 lineup alongside the Z10 Turbo and Z10 Turbo Pro. This new model combines high-end performance, massive battery capacity, and a smooth AMOLED display, all wrapped in a stylish design. While global availability remains unconfirmed, the Z10 Turbo+ is already turning heads for […] The post Vivo iQOO Z10 Turbo+ Debuts with Dimensity 9400+ and Massive Battery appeared first on TechJuice .
GPT-5 excels as an AI "agent" handling computer tasks independently, says developer Michelle Pokrass
The federal government may extend relief to individuals who missed the deadline for bearer prize bonds redemption, said Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiyani. He made the remarks in the National Assembly while responding to a question by MNA Aliya Kamran. The bonds in question include denominations of Rs40000, Rs25000, Rs15000, and Rs7500, […] The post Govt Considers Relief on Bearer Prize Bonds Redemption appeared first on TechJuice .
A study by the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry has revealed a startling truth: earthquakes power deep underground life by generating chemical energy that sustains microbial ecosystems in Earth’s crust. Scientists simulated faulting in quartz-rich rocks under lab conditions, both cracking and grinding, to study how seismic activity might affect buried environments. Their experiments showed that […] The post Earthquakes Act Like Batteries to Power Life Deep Underground, Study Finds appeared first on TechJuice .
With altcoins shaking off the dust and XRP smashing key levels, investors are flipping bullish again. From seasoned blue-chips like Ethereum to meme-fueled rockets like MAGACOIN FINANCE, the signs are stacking up. Alt season may be kicking off, but it’s moving fast. XRP Blasts Past $3.60, Analysts Call for $10 Surge XRP just nuked through […] The post XRP, Ethereum & MAGACOIN: Best Altcoins to Buy Before Right Now! appeared first on TechJuice .
August 2025 promises a thrilling mix of mobile titles. From strategy epics and peaceful adventures to intense roguelikes and racer spectacles, August is packed. Let’s take a look at the chaos and calm coming to iOS and Androids near you: Must-Play Mobile Titles in August for Both iOS and Android Snufkin: Melody of Moominvalley – […] The post Best Mobile Games to Play This August 2025 on iOS & Android appeared first on TechJuice .
The federal government has made it mandatory for tax officials to consult at least two business representatives before starting investigations that could lead to arrests. This move limits the Federal Board of Revenue’s (FBR) ability to arrest accused individuals under its arrest powers. According to a new Sales Tax General Order, the commissioner inland revenue […] The post FBR Arrest Powers Tied to Consultation with Business Representatives appeared first on TechJuice .
In a groundbreaking development, researchers at UC Irvine have demonstrated that generative AI can write an entire drone command stack without any human-authored code. This fully autonomous system was deployed on both a simulated environment and a physical drone, complete with mission planning, safety logic, telemetry display, and mapping interface, all generated by AI. How […] The post AI Codes Full Drone Command Stack with Zero Human Input appeared first on TechJuice .
In a striking shift, Bitcoin’s 30 day implied volatility has plunged to 36.5% a level not seen since October 2023. This downturn comes even as spot prices remain rangebound between $110,000 and $120,000. Many analysts see this as a clear signal: options traders are no longer hedging aggressively. That would imply newfound confidence in Bitcoin’s […] The post Bitcoin’s Wildness Is Gone: Volatility Hits Multi-Year Lows appeared first on TechJuice .
Researchers at Anthropic have developed a system that tracks and limits unwanted personality traits in language models. The method detects behavioral patterns linked to manipulation, flattery, or fabricated claims. The study focuses on early signs of these traits before they take hold in models during or after training. The method relies on a mechanism the team refers to as persona vectors. These are mathematical directions found in a model’s internal workings that correspond to specific personality traits. The team tested this system on two open-source chat models, Qwen2.5-7B-Instruct and Llama-3.1-8B-Instruct, by assigning traits clear names and written definitions. The traits tested were malicious intent, sycophancy, and hallucination. The system works by creating two versions of prompts, one that encourages the trait and one that discourages it. These are fed into the model, which then produces responses. The researchers measure and compare the internal signals generated during both types of responses. The difference reveals a pattern that maps to a single direction. This is recorded as the trait’s vector. Once persona vectors are extracted, they can be used in two ways. One approach adjusts model behavior during use by pulling the output away from harmful directions. This limits undesired responses, but it comes at a cost. The models lose some accuracy and general capability. A second approach applies the adjustment during training instead of after. In this case, the model is exposed to examples that activate the trait vectors. That helps the system become less reactive when encountering similar material later on. The method does not train the model to behave badly, but gives it a kind of tolerance for problematic data, like giving the immune system a heads-up before exposure. Preventative steering, as the team calls it, proved more effective than real-time adjustments. The study shows it limits unwanted behaviors while keeping model performance intact. It also helps researchers spot and isolate training data that could introduce personality drift. This part of the study used a technique that compares how far the training data responses deviate from what the model would have said on its own. The larger the gap, the higher the chance the data is pushing the model toward a specific persona. The team used this projection method on datasets known to cause issues and found clear signals. Even flawed training sets that did not seem harmful at first produced measurable personality shifts. Models trained on these sets began to show more sycophancy or hallucination, even when those traits were not part of the training goal. In practical terms, the method can flag both entire datasets and individual training examples before fine-tuning begins. The tests on real-world data showed that this system can catch problems that basic filters might miss. Some user prompts or assistant replies may not show direct violations but still nudge the model in risky directions. Although the system depends on clearly defined traits, and cannot cover unknown behaviors without labels, the framework provides a way to track personality development over time. It gives researchers a way to measure how much a model's character is changing during deployment or as a result of new training cycles. Anthropic’s work draws a line between model capability and model character. While the models may perform well on benchmarks, their personalities may still shift in unexpected ways. The new method allows teams to keep an eye on these shifts and make adjustments before they take root. The research is ongoing. The team expects to test the method on more traits and larger models. But the early results show that tracing behavior through internal patterns, rather than external responses, can give a clearer picture of where the model is headed. Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools. Read next: Israel Recorded Millions of Palestinian Calls and Stored Them on Microsoft Cloud Without Consent, Raising Surveillance and Human Rights Concerns
Israel’s military has been recording and storing large volumes of Palestinian phone calls using Microsoft’s cloud services, according to internal records and intelligence sources . The calls, intercepted from Gaza and the West Bank, have been collected without the knowledge, consent, or legal approval of the people being recorded. The surveillance program has reportedly operated at full scale since 2022. Israeli officials approached Microsoft in 2021 with plans to move sensitive material into the company’s Azure platform. That meeting led to the creation of a secure zone inside Azure where Unit 8200, Israel’s military intelligence branch, could offload its surveillance data. Sources close to the project said that the system was built to process millions of mobile phone calls each day, storing both content and metadata in cloud data centers located in the Netherlands and Ireland. The operation emerged after the Israeli military determined that its own servers could not handle the storage demands required for mass surveillance. Microsoft engineers collaborated with Unit 8200 to build a solution tailored to the agency’s technical needs. Security measures were added, and communication between the two teams took place regularly during the deployment phase. The surveillance covered a wide civilian population, not just targets under investigation. Unit 8200 sources said the goal was to collect as many conversations as possible and keep them available for later review. Calls were usually stored for several weeks but could be retained longer if needed. Because Israel controls the core telecommunications networks in the Palestinian territories, interception was carried out without requiring individual authorizations. According to reports, the information pulled from this system was used in airstrike planning and arrest operations. Intelligence officers reviewed calls to locate suspects and identify patterns of interest. Some sources indicated the data was also used to pressure individuals or justify arrests when legal grounds were lacking. Another tool developed during this period scanned Palestinian text messages for flagged terms and assigned automatic risk scores. Microsoft has stated publicly that it had no access to the content being stored and had not been informed that civilian surveillance was taking place. The company ran an internal review, which concluded that no evidence showed Azure or its artificial intelligence tools were used to cause harm. However, documents and interviews suggest that Microsoft engineers were aware that raw audio files were being handled inside the platform. Senior Israeli officials promoted the partnership as a strategic upgrade in their surveillance capabilities. The former commander of Unit 8200, who led the cloud migration effort, had long advocated for expanding digital monitoring and storing entire populations' communications. He resigned after criticism over the failure to detect the Hamas-led attacks in October 2023, despite the surveillance tools being in place. Following that incident, usage of the cloud system reportedly increased. Sources familiar with the operations said the military continued to rely on stored recordings for intelligence, even after physical phone networks in Gaza had been damaged. The system allowed officers to search for past calls of individuals who later became persons of interest. The Genocide in Gaza has resulted in over 60,000 deaths , with civilian casualties making up the majority. Children account for a large portion of the fatalities. Human rights observers and advocacy groups have raised alarms over the scale of surveillance and the use of commercial cloud services in military intelligence operations. Microsoft is not the only tech company facing questions about its role in Israel’s war efforts, but the size and sensitivity of this system have made it a focal point. Israeli officials said that their cooperation with private companies complies with legal oversight. Microsoft stated that its engagement involved defensive cybersecurity support and did not include building surveillance software. Records suggest the company expected high revenue from the partnership and considered it a key business milestone. The recordings held in Microsoft’s servers were taken without permission from those being monitored. The existence of such a large civilian surveillance archive has prompted renewed calls for stronger limits on how cloud technologies are used during armed conflicts. Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools. Image: DIW-Aigen. Read next: Google Defends AI Search Features as Publishers Report Traffic Losses
DeepSeek, a Chinese AI startup, has shocked Silicon Valley by releasing open source models that compete with those of big U.S. companies like OpenAI. A recent Bloomberg report says that its cost-effective design and public distribution method have sparked interest and competition around the world. DeepSeek: From Hedge Fund Roots to AI Disruption DeepSeek originates […] The post How DeepSeek and Open‑Source AI Models Disrupt Big Tech Dominance appeared first on TechJuice .
OpenAI has dropped a major hint about the long-anticipated GPT-5 launch, sending the tech world into a frenzy. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), the company wrote “LIVE5TREAM THURSDAY 10 AM PT,” replacing the “S” in “livestream” with the number 5. This cryptic teaser is widely seen as a signal that GPT-5 is about […] The post OpenAI Drops GPT-5 Launch Tease with Cryptic Message appeared first on TechJuice .
Epic Games has officially unveiled Champions Road 2025: a bold new competitive tournament series. They have cleverly designed this one to bring Fortnite players of all skill levels into the spotlight. Coinciding with the launch of Chapter 6 Season 4 on August 7, this multiweek event offers exclusive rewards, highly anticipated showdowns, and a direct […] The post Fortnite Kicks Off Champions Road 2025 Ahead of Global Championship appeared first on TechJuice .
A harrowing AFP photograph of a malnourished girl in Gaza was misidentified by Grok, the artificial intelligence chatbot from Elon Musk’s xAI, as an image from Yemen taken in 2018 — a false claim that spread widely online. The photo, taken August 2, 2025, by AFP photojournalist Omar al-Qattaa, shows nine-year-old Mariam Dawwas being held by her mother Modallala in Gaza City. The child, once weighing 25 kilograms before the war, is now skeletal, illustrating the humanitarian crisis under Israel’s blockade. But Grok confidently told users that the girl was Amal Hussain, a Yemeni child photographed in October 2018 — an assertion that went viral. False claims The incorrect attribution led to online accusations of disinformation against French lawmaker Aymeric Caron, who had shared the image in support of Palestinians. Despite being challenged, Grok initially stood by its answer, stating: “I do not spread fake news; I base my answers on verified sources.” Though it later admitted the mistake, the chatbot repeated the same incorrect claim the following day when asked again. Experts say this case highlights growing concerns about the reliability of AI tools in fact-checking and media verification. Musk’s bot under scrutiny Grok, developed by Elon Musk’s xAI start-up and integrated into his platform X (formerly Twitter), has previously been criticized for generating content that praised Adolf Hitler and targeting people with Jewish surnames. “Each AI has biases linked to the data it was trained on and the instructions of its creators,” said Louis de Diesbach, a researcher in technological ethics and author of Hello ChatGPT . Diesbach argues Grok shows “highly pronounced biases” aligned with Musk’s ideology, calling the bot “a friendly pathological liar.” AI's black box problem AI chatbots, he said, are often “black boxes” with their reasoning unclear, their sourcing opaque, and their results unpredictable. “You can explain that the answer is wrong, but that doesn’t mean it will change,” he said. “Its training data hasn’t changed, and neither has its alignment.” A second AFP photo of a starving child in Gaza taken in July 2025 was also misidentified by Grok, which claimed the image dated to 2016 in Yemen. That mistake led users to accuse the French daily Libération , which published the image, of manipulation. Not just Grok Grok is not alone in making such errors. Mistral AI’s chatbot, Le Chat, partially trained on AFP articles under a licensing deal, also wrongly attributed the photo of Mariam Dawwas to Yemen. Diesbach emphasized that these bots are not fact-checking tools. “They are not made to tell the truth,” he said. “They generate content, whether true or false.” The growing use of AI to verify sensitive news images, especially during wartime, poses new dangers for the spread of misinformation. “You have to look at it like a friendly pathological liar — it may not always lie, but it always could,” Diesbach warned.
Researchers at Carnegie Mellon examined how internet access influences creativity. The study , published in Memory & Cognition , looked at whether using Google helps or hinders people when brainstorming. While individuals using the internet produced more ideas in some cases, the researchers found that group creativity often dropped when everyone relied on search engines. The experiment involved 244 undergraduate students who completed a three-minute brainstorming task. Each person had to think of alternative uses for either a shield or an umbrella. Half the group had internet access during the task. The rest were told to stay offline. The umbrella prompt gave online users an edge. Google searches turned up long lists of creative ideas. Those users came up with more suggestions compared to the offline group. But when the object was a shield, which returned fewer useful results in search, there was no meaningful difference in idea count. Groups Without Internet Performed Better To see how group creativity compared, researchers used a method called nominal group analysis. This technique combines responses from individuals into simulated groups. The goal was to measure how many distinct ideas each group generated. Larger groups without internet access performed better across the board. They produced more unique and less repetitive ideas. As group size increased, the benefit of staying offline became more obvious. People who used Google often repeated the same ideas and listed them in similar order. Even when the internet led to more suggestions per person, those ideas tended to overlap across the group. This led to less variety overall. In contrast, participants working without online help offered a wider spread of ideas, some of which stood out as more original. Ratings Confirm Offline Advantage To rate quality, independent coders scored each idea on creativity, novelty, and effectiveness. Ideas judged to be more original or useful were counted separately. Across multiple comparisons, the offline groups produced higher-scoring ideas more consistently. In one part of the analysis, researchers re-examined a separate dataset from an earlier study. Even with a five-idea cap in that version, the pattern held. Larger nominal groups without Google still outperformed those with it. Among the 20 best-rated ideas across both studies, 19 came from users who stayed offline. This finding adds weight to concerns about digital tools shaping how people think. When multiple users rely on the same search engine, they often land on the same information. That overlap can stifle variety, especially in group settings where idea diversity matters. Fixation Linked to Search Engine Use The researchers connected their findings to a cognitive phenomenon known as fixation. This happens when people get stuck on a familiar example and fail to think beyond it. Seeing a few common ideas in a search result may cause others to fade into the background. That effect can limit creative thinking, especially when many people see the same prompts. Even though Google can boost idea quantity for individuals, it seems to limit originality when used by a group. The internet serves up popular suggestions first. As a result, people often travel down the same mental paths. The study found that in online groups, responses tended to cluster around those shared routes. Human Thinking Still Has an Edge Study author Danny Oppenheimer emphasized that the findings don't mean the internet makes people less intelligent. Instead, he pointed out that how people use tools like Google matters more than the tools themselves. “The internet isn’t making us dumb,” he told Smithsonian Magazine. “But we may be using it in ways that aren’t helpful.” Coauthor Mark Patterson also stressed the value of human thought in solving complex problems. He said that even though search engines and AI tools keep evolving, individuals bring unique perspectives that can’t be replicated. “It feels like every week there’s some sort of mind-blowing, new advance,” Patterson said. “But our own thinking, unaided by tech, still has serious value.” The researchers pointed out that search results tend to direct people toward conventional solutions. This behavior can limit creative options, especially in group settings. As a way to avoid these “fixation effects,” they suggest doing a round of offline brainstorming before turning to the internet. The team is now exploring whether different prompt strategies, sometimes called prompt engineering, can help people use digital tools more effectively. Their goal is to find approaches that preserve creativity while making smart use of online resources. For everyday tasks, fixation may not cause much harm. But for broader challenges that require original solutions, Patterson noted that encouraging more diversity in thought could make a difference. “Solving big problems often means finding solutions that others haven’t thought of yet,” he said. Study Limitations and Next Steps The authors noted several constraints in their research. All participants were university students, and the study only used two objects, an umbrella and a shield. That narrow scope might not reflect how broader populations respond in other settings. The time limit may also have limited how deeply participants could explore search results. Despite these limits, the pattern repeated across different measures, coders, and datasets. In tests of both quantity and quality, offline groups came out ahead more often. Even when different methods were used to define what counted as a good idea, the outcome leaned in the same direction. The researchers are now exploring how people might use search tools or language models more effectively. Future work could focus on guiding users to avoid getting stuck on similar ideas, especially when working in teams. Key Takeaway When working alone, a quick search might help get the ball rolling. But when brainstorming as a group, turning to the internet too soon could narrow the creative field. Sometimes, keeping it offline leaves more room for fresh ideas to take root. Notes: This post was edited/created using GenAI tools. Image: DIW-Aigen. Read next: Your Phone May Be a Germ Hub and You’re Likely Cleaning It All Wrong
The design and policy choices of X created fertile ground for inflammatory and racist narratives targeting Muslims and migrants following last year’s deadly Southport attack in the United Kingdom, a new analysis showed on Wednesday. According to research published by Amnesty International, social media platform X played a “central role” in the spread of false narratives and harmful content, which contributed to riots against Muslim and migrant communities in Britain. The technical analysis of X’s open-source code or publicly available software showed that its recommender system, also known as content-ranking algorithms, “systematically prioritises” content that sparks outrage, provokes heated exchanges, reactions and engagement, without adequate safeguards to prevent or mitigate harm. “Our analysis shows that X’s algorithmic design and policy choices contributed to heightened risks amid a wave of anti-Muslim and anti-migrant violence observed in several locations across the UK last year, and which continues to present a serious human rights risk today,” said Pat de Brun, head of Big Tech Accountability at Amnesty International. Far-right riots broke out across the UK following the stabbing attack by Axel Rudakubana in Southport on July 29 last year. The violence was fuelled by false online claims that the suspect, who is a British citizen born in Cardiff, Wales, was a Muslim asylum seeker. Amid false claims circulating on social media platforms, many mosques, Islamic buildings, and hotels housing migrants were targeted across the country. Algorithm appears to have no mechanism for assessing potential for causing harm According to the research, as long as a post drives engagement, the algorithm appears to have no mechanism for assessing the potential for causing harm, “at least not until enough users themselves report it”. “These design features provided fertile ground for inflammatory racist narratives to thrive on X in the wake of the Southport attack,” it added. The study also noted that an account on X called ‘Europe Invasion’, known to publish anti-immigrant and Islamophobic content, posted shortly after news of the attack emerged that the suspect was “alleged to be a Muslim immigrant”. It noted that the post garnered over four million views and within 24 hours, all X posts speculating that the perpetrator was Muslim, a refugee, a foreign national, or arrived by boat, were tracked to have an estimated 27m impressions. Saying that the Southport tragedy occurred in the context of “major policy and personnel changes” at X, the study pointed out that since Elon Musk’s takeover in late 2022, X has laid off content moderation staff, reinstated previously banned accounts, disbanded Twitter’s Trust and Safety Advisory Council, and fired trust and safety engineers. Numerous accounts that had been previously banned for hate or harassment, including that of Stephen Yaxley-Lennon , a far-right figure better known as Tommy Robinson, were also restored.
The Google Pixel 10 series is gearing up for launch. Pre-orders will begin right after the official unveiling on August 20. Earlier rumors suggested all Pixel 10 models would launch together. But new leaks confirm a two-stage rollout instead. The Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, and Pixel 10 Pro XL will be the first to […] The post Google Pixel 10 Pro Fold Could Arrive After Rest of Pixel 10 Lineup appeared first on TechJuice .
MCB Bank Limited (PSX: MCB) has reported a 15.52% decline in profit attributable to equity shareholders for the half-year ended June 30, 2025. The MCB Bank profit dropped to Rs29.23 billion [EPS: Rs24.67], compared to Rs34.61 billion [EPS: Rs29.20] in the same period last year. Total income decreased by 4.42% to Rs98.89 billion, driven by […] The post MCB Bank Profit Drops in H1 2025 appeared first on TechJuice .
Snap Inc reported revenue of $1.34 billion for Q2 2025, up just 8.7% year-over-year. This is its slowest increase in over a year, thanks to an ad error. While the total matched analyst expectations, it fell short of the double-digit growth seen in previous quarters. Snap attributed the slowdown to a glitch in its advertising […] The post Snapchat Sees Slowest Growth in Over a Year as Ad Error Hits Revenue appeared first on TechJuice .
Binance announced that it is now enabling Bitcoin options writing for all users. Previously limited to a select group, this feature allows retail traders to sell (or “write”) both call and put options directly on the platform. This move comes as global retail appetite for more advanced crypto tools surges. Options Writing: Market Growth Hits […] The post Binance Opens Bitcoin Options Writing to All Users appeared first on TechJuice .
The upcoming OnePlus 15 is set to bring a radical design change over its predecessor, the OnePlus 13. According to a fresh leak from China, OnePlus will abandon the large circular camera island. Instead, the OnePlus 15 will feature a rectangular camera module with rounded corners, placed at the top-left corner of the rear. This […] The post OnePlus 15 to Feature Bold New Design Shift appeared first on TechJuice .
Apple has released its new Brain Computer Interface Human Interface Device (BCI HID) protocol. It enables direct thought-controlled iPads and iPhones a likely possibility. The first public demonstration shows a person with ALS using the system to navigate apps and type messages without physical interaction. This was made possible through collaboration with neurological startup Synchron, […] The post Apple Debuts Thought-Controlled iPad Tech in Accessibility Breakthrough appeared first on TechJuice .
