DEEPFAKE TECHNOLOGY
Nvidia scandal: The AI arms race puts human spies back into the game
The Nvidia controversy involving CEO Jensen Huang and a woman suspected by US intelligence of having links to Beijing has renewed concerns over corporate espionage in the AI industry. Recent cases involving OpenAI and Google have also highlighted risks from insiders and traditional spying methods.
Surat student wins prize for tool that predicts groundwater
A Surat school student has won a national innovation challenge for developing JALAAKAR, a machine-learning project that estimates groundwater availability using borewell records, rainfall and soil data. Nine other projects were also recognised for innovations in water safety, cybersecurity, road safety, hazardous-environment protection and assistive technology.
AI a boon, but its misuse can cause serious distress: NCW chief
Vijaya Rahatkar, the Chairperson of the National Commission for Women, warns about the dangers of artificial intelligence, especially concerning the misuse of women's images and deepfakes. She advocates for increased understanding of AI to not only mitigate risks but also harness its potential. The NCW has launched the 'Yashoda AI' initiative to educate women in rural and semi-urban communities about AI and enhance their digital security skills.
AI analytics, technological upgrades to drive retail investor experience in new Samvat: NSE CEO Ashishkumar Chauhan
Highlighting the exchange's digital initiatives, Chauhan announced major technological upgrades aimed at improving the experience of the country's growing retail investor base.
Delhi HC orders removal of AI-generated videos targeting Rekha Gupta, says political satire cannot trample on dignity
Delhi High Court ruled for the removal of defamatory AI-generated videos and images aimed at Chief Minister Rekha Gupta. The court emphasized that political satire should not undermine an individual's dignity or character. Gupta filed a suit against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) for spreading content that portrayed her in a degrading manner. The impugned media allegedly depicted her engaged in inappropriate activities related to liquor.
Vaishnaw puts onus on social media platforms to curb online harm, stops short of safe-harbour clarity
Vaishnaw said social media companies could no longer remain passive intermediaries as the digital ecosystem evolved and must take responsibility for the harmful consequences of content circulated through their platforms, including cyber fraud and so-called digital arrest scams.
- Go To Page 1

L&T Finance Pitch Point 2.0: Where an AI startup’s big idea meets enterprise scale
Pitch Point, L&T Finance’s contest for AI startups, is back for a second edition. Last year’s winners, Arrowhead AI and SpoofSense, talk about what they got out of it and what they would tell this year’s new applicants.

Is India prepared to tackle 369 million cybersecurity incidents and AI challenges ahead?
India experienced a notable increase in cybersecurity incidents which has raised concerns over its infrastructure and talent shortages. The adoption of AI is rising, yet the country lags behind others in global rankings. Challenges related to AI, such as data protection and algorithmic liability, are becoming more complex. To address these issues, comprehensive regulatory frameworks and national legislation are urgently needed.

Constitution must guide judiciary where law is silent: CJI Surya Kant
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant highlighted the importance of the Constitution guiding judicial responses to modern challenges. He acknowledged questions about copyright and individual rights arising from artificial intelligence and deepfakes. The Delhi High Court has evolved significantly since its establishment, managing increasing litigation as the city expanded. CJI Kant praised the court's efforts in civil and commercial jurisprudence, including the establishment of an annexed arbitration center.

Social media norms, AI, deepfakes, chips among others on review list of parliamentary panel in 2026-27
The development comes as several incidents of age-inappropriate content, circulation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and alleged censorship on social media have been reported widely.

Disinformation videos, likely from Russia, are exploiting real people to malign Senate candidates
AI-driven disinformation campaigns are targeting Democratic Senate candidates Sherrod Brown and James Talarico during the midterm elections. These videos misuse real names and images, misleading voters and potentially impacting election outcomes. Experts believe this tactic resembles previous Russian disinformation efforts aimed at manipulating American electoral processes. Social media platform X has removed initial posts but copies are still accessible online.

Beyond ethics policies, businesses face an AI accountability test
Indian organizations are increasingly focusing on Responsible AI, emphasizing fairness, transparency, privacy, and accountability in deploying AI technologies. The Responsible AI & Ethics category at the ET AI Awards 2027 highlights the necessity for governance, ongoing monitoring, and clear procedures for addressing errors to ensure ethical AI integration in business decision-making.

AI ad blitz distorts US midterms 2026
AI-generated political advertisements are becoming more prevalent as the November elections approach, raising concerns among voters. Researchers have identified over 220 ads made partly with AI, primarily sponsored by Republican groups, costing over $137 million. Only a small percentage of these advertisements carry disclaimers stating they were created with AI technology. Many voters express their disapproval of AI-generated content in political campaigns during recent surveys.

NCERT rolls out 20-hour AI, computational thinking module for classes 9-12
The National Council of Educational Research and Training has introduced a module on computational thinking and artificial intelligence for students. This 20-hour course is designed for students in grades 9 to 12 with no prior AI knowledge. It emphasizes critical thinking, creativity, and responsible technology use while covering ethical AI applications. The module includes activity-based learning to enhance understanding of AI concepts, applications, and limitations.

Centre recognises AI needs more regulation: IT Secretary
Referring to a series of cyber incidents whereby AI agents escaping sandboxes and running rogue, Krishnan said many ways by which agents exploit systems is because someone didn't follow cyber hygiene.

PNB cautions customers of AI-led cyberattacks amid surging frauds
Punjab National Bank has alerted its customers about the escalating threat of AI-generated cyberattacks. These advanced phishing techniques employ AI voice cloning to trick individuals into hastily carrying out transactions. The bank strongly encourages customers to stay vigilant, ensuring they verify communications through reliable sources. Emphasizing the need for good digital practices, the bank reminds customers that cybersecurity is a joint effort.

Online festive sales fizzle; Snowflake CEO on AI’s impact on software
Happy Monday! Festive ecommerce sales have slowed down this year, we tell you why. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.

Deepfakes muddy protest coverage as online platforms restrict individual accounts
Several AI-generated clips have gone viral on Instagram, Facebook and X, drawing millions of views and comments. A recent viral clip of a woman criticising the protests, for instance, led users to an Instagram profile that regularly posts AI-generated political content.

When AI agents cross the line: Govt assessing whether AI labs should formally disclose autonomous agent intrusions
The government is considering formal disclosure mechanisms for global AI research organisations after autonomous AI agents accessed Indian organisations’ systems without authorisation. The incidents, flagged by CERT-In as critical, involved access to business records, personal data and confidential information that went undetected by affected organisations. The issue may feature in the government’s upcoming AI regulation consultation paper, which is expected to address AI safety, accountability and safeguards against emerging risks.

India eyes reduced critical tech dependence over next 20-25 years: Ashwini Vaishnaw
India is planning over a 20-25 year horizon to reduce critical technology dependencies and strengthen its ability to withstand global disruptions, Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said, emphasising that the country aims to become a trusted partner across global technology supply chains rather than pursue complete self-sufficiency.

Airtel Business CEO backs AI regulation, says guardrails can unlock productivity gains
Sharat Sinha highlighted the ongoing evolution of AI architecture and methodologies for safe deployment. The government's upcoming consultation paper on AI regulations aims to address issues like safety and deepfakes. Airtel is committed to compliant practices that enhance productivity through AI. Sinha emphasized the growth of cybersecurity services in response to emerging digital threats. The company aims to deliver safe experiences for both enterprise and consumer segments.

Govt fast-tracks safer AI blueprint, paper on regulation out in a month
Speaking at a World Bank group event, Vaishnaw said the paper will be released in one month, and will focus on AI safety, humanity, skilling, inclusivity, and mitigation of harms such as deepfakes from AI.

PM's vision for taking Indian to world, innovation, secure tech lays path for sectoral transformation: Telcos
Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s call for a global framework to tackle cyber fraud and deepfakes, alongside his push for India-made products and innovation, has drawn support from telecom industry leaders. At India Mobile Congress 2026, executives said the sector’s next phase must focus on secure connectivity, AI, trust and global technology leadership.

BLS International partners with Signzy to enhance fraud detection in visa processing services
BLS International has partnered with Signzy to improve its visa and consular services through advanced technology. This collaboration integrates Signzy’s capabilities for document verification and fraud detection. The technology aims to streamline verification processes and enhance accuracy in operations. BLS International emphasizes using technology to flag issues while leaving final decisions to governments. The partnership illustrates BLS's commitment to building a future-ready technology stack.

India to frame AI regulations focused on safety and deepfakes: IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw
The consultation paper will form the base for AI regulations, he said, adding that the time has come for India to have such a framework.

AI regulations coming soon in India: Govt to release consultation paper within a month, says Vaishnaw
The government is preparing to release a consultation paper on artificial intelligence regulations very soon. Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw highlighted the importance of AI safety and deepfakes in this context. The proposed framework will prioritize a human-first approach to AI governance and implementation. Officials are currently gathering views on how best to regulate these emerging technologies.

IMC 2026: PM Modi discusses digital inclusion, AI with GSMA board
Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged with Global System for Mobile Communications Association (GSMA) Board members ahead of the India Mobile Congress. Discussions focused on technology's role in inclusive development and digital public infrastructure.

Modi calls for global rules on emerging tech and AI
During a recent meeting with GSMA Board members, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stressed the significance of establishing global standards for emerging technologies. He asserted that making technology both affordable and accessible is essential in bridging the digital divide. Modi also addressed concerns surrounding digital fraud and proposed the need for tech-driven solutions, including identifying the sources of deepfakes and AI-generated materials.

Karnataka govt partners with ElevenLabs to explore voice AI for citizen services
The partnership will focus on developing a voice AI safety framework, exploring applications for government services and using AI-powered voice restoration for eligible citizens, the state government said in a statement.
Load More