In a groundbreaking announcement, social media platform X revealed that Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence venture, xAI, is set to launch Grok exclusively for Premium Plus subscribers in the United States next week. Users can access Grok through the side menu on web, iOS, and Android platforms, marking a significant step towards integrating advanced AI capabilities into the social media experience.

In a post on X, the company declared, “Ok, buckle up, everyone. Access to @ grok is now rolling out to Premium+ subscribers in the US over the next week. The longer you’ve been a subscriber, the sooner you can read. You can find Grok in the side menu on web, iOS, and Android (the app must be up-to-date). On iOS and Android, you can add it to your bottom menu for easy access. Don’t forget your towel!”

This eagerly anticipated release follows an earlier announcement from xAI on November 4, wherein the artificial intelligence venture introduced Grok as an AI modeled after the iconic “Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy.” The blog post highlighted Grok’s unique ability to answer a wide range of questions and even suggest inquiries, all delivered with a touch of humor and a rebellious streak. The post humorously advised users not to engage with Grok if they dislike humor.

The key advantage of Grok, as outlined in the blog post, is its real-time knowledge of the world through the X platform. The AI is designed to tackle “spicy questions” rejected by other AI systems, showcasing its versatility and advanced capabilities. xAI emphasized that Grok is still in the early beta stage but anticipates rapid improvement with user feedback.

Elon Musk, the visionary behind xAI, took to X to share insights into Grok’s design and functionality. Musk stated, “xAI’s Grok system is designed to have a little humor in its responses.” He further highlighted Grok’s real-time access to information via the X platform, underscoring its massive advantage over other AI models. Musk also playfully mentioned Grok’s affinity for sarcasm, expressing amusement at the system’s unique personality. “I have no idea who could have guided it this way,” Musk added, adding an element of mystery to Grok’s development.

In a recent development reported by Fox Business, xAI disclosed its intention to secure up to one billion dollars in funding. According to a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, X.AI Corp. (dba xAI) outlined plans for a USD 1 billion equity offering, with over USD 134 million already successfully raised. The filing revealed that the company had entered into a binding agreement for the sale and purchase of the remaining USD 865 million.

The funding initiative reflects the growing importance and potential of xAI’s projects, particularly the development and deployment of advanced AI systems like Grok. As xAI seeks substantial financial backing, it signals a strategic move to further enhance and expand the capabilities of its artificial intelligence ventures.

The introduction of Grok on social media platform X represents a significant milestone in the evolution of AI-powered assistance for users. With its unique blend of humor, rebellious personality, and real-time access to information, Grok promises to revolutionize the way users interact with AI. As the system enters the hands of Premium Plus subscribers, the coming weeks will likely witness an influx of user feedback, contributing to the continuous improvement of Grok’s capabilities.

In conclusion, the unveiling of Grok by Elon Musk’s xAI on social media platform X marks a pivotal moment in the integration of advanced AI into everyday online interactions. With its distinctive personality and real-time knowledge access, Grok is poised to redefine the user experience on X, offering a glimpse into the future of AI-driven assistance. As xAI seeks substantial funding to support its ambitious projects, the success of Grok and similar initiatives could reshape the landscape of artificial intelligence and its applications in the social media sphere.

India is poised to revolutionize its agricultural statistics system through the implementation of routine digital crop surveys, bolstered by advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) capabilities. According to officials, this initiative, slated for rollout from the upcoming summer, aims to enhance the accuracy of acreage evaluation nationwide.

Officials highlighted that the adoption of digital crop surveys will enable the government to develop more precise farm production forecasts and facilitate the timely implementation of appropriate trade policy measures. They emphasized that the current reliance on data provided by local officials and field surveys for crop sowing information has sometimes yielded unreliable results, leading to impulsive government responses and potential trade disruptions.

Under the proposed system, state nodal officials will utilize a mobile application alongside relevant web applications to conduct digital crop surveys and collect data on crop sowing. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare is spearheading efforts to establish a robust crop survey system integrating cutting-edge technologies such as visual and advanced analytics, GIS-GPS technologies, and AI/ML (machine learning) to enhance the accuracy of sowing estimates.

A pilot digital crop survey was initiated across 12 states last year, with initial findings showing promise. Officials indicated plans to expand this initiative to a larger number of states before implementing it nationwide. Selected states for the pilot phase included Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, among others, chosen based on their readiness regarding prerequisite criteria for Digital Crop Surveys (DCS), including geo-referencing of village maps and digitization of the record of rights (RoR) with ownership details.

Pronab Sen, former chairman of the National Statistical Commission, emphasized the significance of gathering accurate crop sowing data, stating, “Building a robust farm statistics system hinges on accurate data collection. The planned new system will undoubtedly contribute, although it may require some time for full implementation.”

India is on the brink of revolutionizing its agricultural statistics system with the introduction of routine digital crop surveys, backed by advanced analytics and artificial intelligence (AI). Scheduled for implementation starting next summer, this initiative aims to significantly enhance the accuracy of acreage evaluation nationwide.

Officials stress that the adoption of digital crop surveys will empower the government to develop more precise farm production forecasts and enable timely implementation of appropriate trade policy measures. The current reliance on data provided by local officials and field surveys for crop sowing information has proven to be occasionally unreliable, leading to impulsive government responses and potential trade disruptions.

Under the proposed system, state nodal officials will utilize a mobile application along with relevant web applications to conduct digital crop surveys and gather data on crop sowing. The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare is spearheading efforts to establish a robust crop survey system integrating cutting-edge technologies like visual and advanced analytics, GIS-GPS technologies, and AI/ML (machine learning) to enhance the accuracy of sowing estimates.

A pilot digital crop survey conducted across 12 states last year showed promising initial results. Officials plan to expand this initiative to more states before rolling it out nationwide. Selected states for the pilot phase included Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, among others, chosen based on their readiness regarding prerequisite criteria for Digital Crop Surveys (DCS). Pronab Sen, former chairman of the National Statistical Commission, highlighted the importance of gathering accurate crop sowing data, stating that while the planned new system will undoubtedly contribute, its full implementation may require some time.

An internal email disclosed on Tuesday as part of the Justice Department’s antitrust case against Google revealed that Microsoft Corp. was driven to invest significantly in and collaborate with OpenAI due to a perceived lagging behind Google. The Windows software maker’s chief technology officer, Kevin Scott, was “very, very worried” when he looked at the AI model-training capability gap between Alphabet Inc.’s efforts and Microsoft’s, he wrote in a 2019 message to Chief Executive Officer Satya Nadella and co-founder Bill Gates.

The exchange shows how the company’s top executives privately acknowledged they lacked the infrastructure and development speed to catch up to the likes of OpenAI and Google’s DeepMind. The email was released late Tuesday after media organizations including the New York Times and Bloomberg intervened in the landmark antitrust suit to push for greater public access. The US Justice Department has argued that OpenAI’s ChatGPT and other innovations may have been released years ago if Google hadn’t monopolised the search market. Scott, who also serves as executive vice president of artificial intelligence at Microsoft, observed that Google’s search product had improved on competitive metrics because of the Alphabet company’s advancements in AI.

The Microsoft executive wrote that he made a mistake by dismissing some of the earlier AI efforts of its competitors. “We are multiple years behind the competition in terms of machine learning scale,” Scott said in the email. Significant portions of the message, titled ‘Thoughts on OpenAI,’ remain redacted.

Nadella endorsed Scott’s email, forwarding it to Chief Financial Officer Amy Hood and saying it explains “why I want us to do this.” Microsoft has poured more than $13 billion into its partnership and backing of OpenAI, tapping the startup’s generative-AI technology to enhance its Bing search service, Edge internet browser and, most notably, integrate an AI Copilot service into Windows. Nadella has elevated the AI race to a priority at the company, also recruitrial last fall. “As it relates to search, we wanted to sort of ensure that we could think about innovation in the search category with” large language models like those developed by OpenAI, Nadella said.

The first India-made semiconductor chips will roll out from Micron Technology’s packaging unit in Gujarat’s Sanand in the first half of 2025.

The initial batch of India-made semi-conductor chips is slated to emerge from Micron Technology’s packaging unit in Sanand, Gujarat, during the first half of 2025, as conveyed by Micron India Managing Director Anand Ramamoorthy in an interview with Mint. Ramamoorthy expressed, “We anticipate the early release of products next year, within the first half, which signifies a commendable turnaround considering our announcement of this entire initiative in the midst of last year.”

Highlighting the export orientation, Ramamoorthy indicated that a significant portion of the chips manufactured in Sanand will be destined for international markets, potentially positioning the unit as a pivotal player in the global semiconductor arena. Ramamoorthy said the chips would be used for data centres, smartphones, notebooks, and Internet of Things (IoT) devices. However, the specific allocation of the chips will be determined closer to the final production stage, based on factors such as demand dynamics, pricing considerations, and customer requirements. Micron is also eyeing new opportunities in emerging sectors such as two-wheeler electric vehicles and government contracts unique to the Indian market.

Rama Moorthy hinted at potential partnerships with Tata Electronics’ semiconductor fabrication units in Assam and Gujarat, citing existing collaborations with Tata Group companies and the possibility of expanding product lines into their factories. Micron is engaged in bringing its semiconductor supply chain to India, with key suppliers such as Simmtech beginning to set up operations in Gujarat. Ramamoorthy said the company is collaborating with the government and suppliers to leverage opportunities presented by India’s semiconductor ecosystem. Under the government’s $10 billion financial incentive scheme for semiconductor fabrication and assembly, Micron is establishing an assembly, testing, monitoring, and packaging (ATMP) plant in India.

The project, supported by significant financial backing from central and state governments, is poised to generate thousands of direct and indirect employment opportunities, further bolstering India’s semiconductor landscape. Earlier this week, Reported that Micron Technology may receive a $6.1 billion in grants from the United States’ Commerce Department to bring semiconductor production back to the US. The company has reportedly pledged to open up to four factories in the New York state, and one in Idaho, however, has cited they would require a combination of Chips grants, investment tax credits and local incentives to make up cost differences between the US and overseas units. The company has projects in China and Japan, along with India.

Banks worldwide, including those in India, have a significant opportunity to enhance productivity and boost revenues by integrating generative AI (GenAI) into their operations, according to a report by IT consultancy firm Accenture. The study analyzed publicly available employee data to assess the impact of GenAI on banking tasks and modeled the financial implications for over 150 large banks globally over a three-year period.

The research findings suggest that banks implementing GenAI swiftly across their organizations could potentially increase revenues by up to 600 basis points (bps) within three years. Effective adoption and scaling of GenAI could also lead to a substantial 30% increase in employee productivity by streamlining various language-related tasks. Additionally, the study highlighted that operating income could see a significant uptick of around 20%, while return on equity levels might rise by 300 bps. Moreover, GenAI could drive cost savings of 1-2% by enhancing operational efficiency, with cost-to-income ratios potentially declining by up to 400 bps.

Accenture emphasized the critical importance of optimizing the usage of GenAI applications by banks, alongside upskilling existing employees and attracting specialized AI and data talent to support scaling and operationalization efforts. The report identified that 41% of all banking occupations have high potential for automation, indicating substantial scope for leveraging AI technologies in the sector.

Manoj Singodia, MD and Lead-Financial Services at Accenture in India, stressed the necessity for banks to adopt a holistic and long-term strategy to unlock the full potential of GenAI. This strategy involves integrating AI into banks’ value chains, reimagining traditional processes, and building a robust foundation of data and digital capabilities powered by cloud technology.

In summary, the Accenture report highlights the transformative potential of generative AI in the banking sector, offering a pathway for banks to enhance productivity, drive revenue growth, and optimize operational efficiency. As banks in India and globally navigate the evolving digital landscape, the strategic adoption of AI technologies like GenAI is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of banking operations and customer experiences.

In a recent report on cloud complexity, NetApp, the intelligent data infrastructure company, highlights a distinct division between countries leading the way in artificial intelligence (AI) and those lagging behind. The report offers global insights into the advancement, preparedness, obstacles, and momentum surrounding AI adoption, emphasizing the crucial role of unified data infrastructure in achieving AI success. According to the NetApp report nations such as India, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States are leading the charge on AI adoption and innovation.

Conversely, countries like Spain, Australia, and Germany are identified as laggards in this technological advancement The report, conducted in collaboration with Savanta, surveyed over 1,300 executives across ten countries to gauge AI implementation status in various industries. It revealed that 60 per cent companies in leading countries like India, Singapore, UK and USA, have AI projects up and running or in pilot. In contrast only 36 per cent of companies in AI-lag-ging countries like Spain, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Japan have embarked on similar AI initiatives. The report also suggests that, both AI leaders and AI laggards show a difference in their approach to AI. Globally, 67 per cent of companies in AI-leading countries report having hybrid IT environments, India leading with 70 per cent and Japan lagging at 24 per cent.

AI leaders are also more likely to report benefits from AI, including a 50 per cent increase in production rates, 46 per cent in the automation of routine activities and 45 per cent improvement in customer experience. “The rise of AI is ushering in a new disrupt-or-die era,” said Gabie Boko, Chief Marketing Officer at NetApp. “Data-ready enterprises that connect and unify broad structured and unstructured data sets into an intelligent data infrastructure are best positioned to win in the age of AI.”

The report suggests AI-laggard countries to must swiftly innovate and adopt AI if they want to remain competitive. About 42 per cent companies in AI-lagging countries have optimised their IT environments for AI. In Germany 67 per cent companies and in Spain 59 per cent companies have optimized their IT environment for AI. “AI is only as good as the data that fuels it,” said Pravjit Tiwana, General Manager and Senior Vice President of Cloud Storage at NetApp. “Both the AI leaders and AI laggards show us that in the prevailing hybrid IT environment, the more unified and reliable your data, the more likely your AI initiatives are to be successful.”

The report says that, IT cost and data security are major challenges for AI adoption and innovations, but it won’t stop the progress of AI. The report concludes that the disparity underscores the growing importance of AI in driving economic growth, innovation, and competitiveness on a global scale. Nations that are proactive in embracing AI technology are likely to enjoy significant advantages in various sectors, including finance, healthcare, manufacturing, and transportation. However, those slower to adopt risk will fall behind in the race for technological supremacy and the associated benefits it brings.