Ekta Kapoor Clarifies She Has No Ties to ALTT Following Government Ban on OTT Platforms

Television producer Ekta Kapoor has officially clarified that neither she nor her mother, Shobha Kapoor, have any association with the OTT platform ALTT. This statement comes amid recent reports and a government crackdown that led to the banning of ALTT along with 24 other online streaming services accused of hosting obscene, vulgar, and pornographic content. Ekta Kapoor emphasized that she and her mother severed all ties with ALTT in 2021, well before the platform faced allegations or government actions. The issue escalated when the Indian government took steps to disable multiple OTT platforms, including ALTT, which sparked rumors and speculation about Ekta Kapoor’s involvement. These rumors prompted her to release a formal statement, distancing herself and Shobha Kapoor from ALTT to prevent any confusion or misattribution of responsibility related to the ban. Ekta Kapoor’s clarification highlights that despite ALTT’s current controversy, she and her family have no connection with the platform’s operations, content, or management. This move is significant as Ekta Kapoor is a prominent figure in Indian television and digital content production, known primarily for her work with ALTBalaji, another OTT service with which she remains associated. The clarification helps to maintain her professional reputation by explicitly disassociating from ALTT during a sensitive time when online content regulation is under strict scrutiny by regulatory authorities. Her statement underlines a clear separation from ALTT, ensuring that she is not linked with the banned platform in any capacity, thus safeguarding her name and legacy in the entertainment industry. <br /> <br /> The clarifications by Ekta Kapoor reflect the broader crackdown by Indian authorities on digital streaming services accused of violating content guidelines, underscoring the challenges faced by OTT platforms in navigating regulatory frameworks and public expectations.

MoD Approves Rs 723 Crore to Develop Kaveri Derivative Engine for India’s Indigenous Unmanned Combat Aircraft

The Central government has approved Rs 723.59 crore for two key projects under the Kaveri Derivative Engine (KDE) programme, aimed at powering India’s next-generation unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), the Parliament was informed on July 25. These funds will be allocated towards developing and flight-testing a "dry" version of the Kaveri engine, which is a non-afterburning variant specifically designed for unmanned applications. The first project, with an outlay of Rs 251.17 crore, focuses on the technology demonstration phase. It seeks to validate the core technologies and basic engine configuration required for the UCAV’s propulsion system. The second project, sanctioned Rs 472.42 crore, involves transforming the demonstrated engine into a flightworthy model ready for integration and testing with the Indigenous UCAV platform. This initiative signifies a major stride in boosting India’s indigenous aerospace capabilities and aligns with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) vision. The KDE is being developed by the Gas Turbine Research Establishment (GTRE) under DRDO and is expected to power the 13-ton Ghatak UCAV — a stealthy, multi-role unmanned platform capable of precision strikes and air combat. The engine is nearing the end of its certification process after undergoing extensive inflight tests in Russia throughout 2025, with full certification anticipated by 2026. This certification will unlock further development funds for the larger Ghatak programme, estimated to cost about Rs 5,000 crore. Successfully developing and certifying the KDE marks a major breakthrough in making India self-reliant in advanced aero engine technology for combat unmanned systems, paving the way for enhanced strategic and defense capabilities.<br /> <br /> Overall, the sanctioned funds symbolize a critical investment toward operationalizing India’s indigenous UCAV propulsion system, reducing dependence on foreign engines, and enhancing the country’s aerospace defense industry on a global scale.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman cautions that ChatGPT therapy conversations lack legal privacy protections and may be accessible in lawsuits

In a recent podcast episode with comedian Theo Von, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman addressed a critical and often overlooked aspect of using ChatGPT for mental health, emotional advice, or companionship: **the lack of legal confidentiality** for these conversations. Altman explained that unlike discussions with therapists, doctors, or lawyers—which are protected by strict legal privileges such as doctor-patient confidentiality—conversations with ChatGPT currently do not have any such protections. This means that if a user shares sensitive or personal information with ChatGPT, those conversations **could potentially be subpoenaed and disclosed in legal proceedings, such as lawsuits**. Altman described this gap as a major problem since more people, especially younger users, rely on AI platforms like ChatGPT as a source of support for personal struggles, relationship issues, or emotional guidance. He emphasized that this situation is troubling because users might assume their chats with AI are private, but legally, the protections are not in place. He advocated that society needs to develop a **legal or policy framework granting the same confidentiality protections to AI conversations as those given to human professionals**. This topic highlights a growing concern as AI becomes more embedded in sensitive aspects of life. Altman admitted the issue has rapidly evolved over the past year, and policymakers agree that establishing clear guidelines on AI privacy and data protection is urgent. He also revealed that this uncertainty causes hesitation, even for himself, in how much personal information to share with AI tools. Ultimately, he called for quick attention and action to address these privacy challenges as AI usage continues to expand in deeply personal contexts. <br /> <br /> This clarification from Altman is a crucial reminder for users that while AI chatbots like ChatGPT may feel like safe spaces for private dialogue, legally they currently do not offer the same confidentiality guarantees as traditional therapeutic or legal relationships. It underscores the importance of being cautious about the information shared with AI until appropriate privacy laws are established.

Tech leaders’ god complex blinds them to the human impact of AI driven job displacement

The ongoing wave of tech industry layoffs in 2025 reveals a stark contrast between the soaring profits of major tech companies and the significant human cost borne by their employees. Despite record earnings posted by giants like Microsoft and Meta, these firms have slashed tens of thousands of jobs globally, with around 90,000 layoffs recorded this year alone. U.S.-based companies dominate this trend, accounting for more than 70% of job losses, with Intel leading by announcing cuts that could affect up to 20% of its workforce. Other notable firms such as Panasonic and Meta have also contributed substantial job cuts. This trend highlights a puzzling, almost tone-deaf corporate stance—a relentless chase for market dominance and shareholder value amid rapid technological advancements like AI and automation, often disregarding the workforce's stability. While automation and AI are touted as drivers of innovation and efficiency, their adoption ironically accelerates job losses in traditional coding, data analysis, and even roles related to AI prompt engineering itself. The layoffs reflect not just financial pressures but strategic shifts where firms balance cutting costs with investing heavily in AI and cloud computing talent. The indifferent response from tech leadership underscores a broader industry paradox: thriving financially while dismantling substantial segments of their workforce. This underscores a cold, profit-driven calculus prioritizing a trillion-dollar competition for AI supremacy over employee welfare. It is a reality too stark for AI-generated narratives, reflecting a severity and emotional detachment that even advanced algorithms would struggle to simulate. <br /><br /> Ultimately, the tech sector's current trajectory exposes deep fissures between wealth concentration among top executives and the precarious existence of thousands of laid-off workers, challenging the industry's image as an innovator and a responsible employer.

Trump’s executive order targets ‘woke’ AI in government, prompting tech giants to restrict chatbot content

President Donald Trump's recent AI Action Plan centers on countering China's growing dominance in artificial intelligence by fostering rapid innovation, expanding U.S. AI infrastructure, and strengthening America's international leadership in AI technology. A key element of this strategy involves an executive order to prevent the adoption of "woke AI" within the federal government, which Trump describes as AI technology infused with partisan bias or ideological agendas. This move aims to ensure that federal AI systems remain free from political influence, particularly of a progressive nature, positioning the government as a neutral user of AI[1][3]. The plan is ambitious, comprising over 90 federal actions that focus on deregulating AI development to accelerate private-sector innovation and expedite infrastructure projects, including fast-tracking federal permits for AI initiatives. It also encourages expanded American exports of AI hardware and software to maintain the United States’ competitive edge globally, especially against China[2]. Trump's plan delegates significant responsibility to federal agencies, such as limiting AI funding to states with restrictive AI regulations, and directs the Federal Communications Commission to evaluate how state-level AI laws might impede federal activities[1]. While promoting AI leadership, the plan shifts away from the Biden administration’s more cautious, safety-first framework. Critics express concern that deregulation and close collaboration with tech industry leaders prioritize corporate interests and innovation speed over public safety and accountability. Nonetheless, the Trump administration underscores that winning the AI race is vital to securing broad economic and national security benefits, heralding a new industrial and informational revolution driven by American AI advancements[2][3][4]. <br /> <br /> This comprehensive approach integrates innovation encouragement, infrastructure development, and ideological neutrality in federal AI use, reflecting an assertive strategy to assert U.S. technological leadership over China. However, it has sparked debate over balancing deregulation with necessary oversight and ethical considerations in AI deployment.

Intel announces plans to cut 25,000 jobs as CEO Lip Bu Tan refocuses strategy to address manufacturing challenges and reshape the company’s future.

Intel’s recent job cuts have involved a “surgical” strategy focused on removing layers of middle management, as explained by finance chief David Zinsner. This approach aims to streamline the company by flattening its organizational structure, reducing bureaucracy, and removing redundant management tiers rather than indiscriminately cutting staff at all levels. The goal is to create a leaner, faster-moving, and more agile company, in line with Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan’s broader restructuring plan. Intel is engaged in one of its most significant workforce reductions, planning to shed almost a third of its employees by the end of 2025. This reduction involves layoffs and attrition, cutting the global workforce from around 108,900 employees to roughly 75,000. The cuts affect multiple regions and departments, including the U.S., Israel, and Europe. Middle management layers, finance, manufacturing roles, and non-core business units such as the automotive division—which Intel is exiting completely—are particularly targeted. The layoffs extend across technicians, engineers, supervisors, and team leaders. The company is also automating many roles, especially in fab monitoring, further reducing the need for manual oversight. Individual departments are empowered to meet financial goals independently, resulting in decentralized but ongoing reductions. This strategy is part of Intel’s response to intense industry competition, financial challenges, and the need to refocus on innovation and operational efficiency in the so-called "chip war." Despite the cuts, Intel’s leadership sees these moves as necessary to improve competitiveness, profitability, and shareholder value over the long term.