VOICE DEEPFAKES
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.
Delhi HC protects personality rights of actor Kriti Sanon
Kriti Sanon has gained interim relief from the Delhi High Court, which has ruled against the infringement of her personality rights. The court has ordered third parties to stop disseminating morphed or explicit content and impersonating her online. Additionally, online vendors must remove any merchandise that features her image or attributes. This legal action comes after her lawsuit, highlighting potential irreparable harm.
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.
Indian Army debunks manipulated video falsely claiming Chinese control over Arunachal border areas
The misleading clip, propagated across online platforms, falsely claimed that Lt Gen Kalia made a "leaked admission" stating China had taken control of Asaphila, Longjou, and Taksing Circle in Arunachal Pradesh, and that Indian Army troops deployed in the sector were denied essential supplies.
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.
Italy's Meloni passes key test as MPs approve electoral changes
Italy's parliament has approved a new electoral law reform aimed at enhancing political stability and governance. The reform allows any alliance securing over 42 percent of votes to obtain a parliamentary majority. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni emphasised the reform's potential for greater accountability and stability in government. Opposition parties, however, claim it is designed to advantage Meloni's coalition in upcoming elections.
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.
Italy's Meloni follows pop stars like Taylor Swift in seeking to trademark her voice to combat AI deepfakes
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has applied to trademark her voice in the EU, submitting a four-second recording of herself saying “I am Giorgia Meloni” as protection against AI-generated deepfakes. While approval would not automatically block voice cloning, the trademark could give Meloni an additional legal tool to challenge unauthorised AI imitations.
AI cloning opens new monetisation route for celebrities, creators
Artificial intelligence is transforming the monetization landscape for film stars, cricketers, and digital creators. Licensing AI-generated versions of their identities allows celebrities to earn revenue without physical presence. Platforms like Studio Blo and Sparkonomy enable protection and control over digital identities for creators. The growing concern over unauthorized use of identities emphasizes the need for standard licensing and verifiable consent.
ASCI issues AI labelling guidelines for ads, rules to take effect in three months
ASCI’s new AI advertising guidelines require disclosure of synthetically generated content (SGC) when hiding its AI origin could materially affect how consumers understand or act on an advertisement. The rules take effect three months after publication.
AI clones are turning celebrity likeness into a new business
Studio Blo is developing a platform for celebrities to license their digital likenesses for advertising purposes. This platform allows brands to use celebrity clones without requiring their physical presence at shoots. The company emphasises consent, ownership, and traceability in its cloning process.
How to deal with fake 'AI videos'? Salman Khan offers solution to stop such social media creators during Bigg Boss 20. ‘Until one or two...'
Salman Khan has spoken out against people who deliberately create fake AI videos and manipulated voices of actors, warning that such content can be mistaken for real footage and spread widely on social media. During Bigg Boss 20 Weekend Ka Vaar, he suggested a strict measure to stop those knowingly creating such videos and called for a law and stronger controls on social media.
US midterm elections 2026: Traditional TV ads may be over, TikTok and podcasts are changing political campaigns
Political strategists predict that by 2028, artificial intelligence will revolutionize campaign operations, allowing for hyper-targeted messaging tailored to individual voters through advanced data analytics. While AI's benefits include rapid fact-checking, it raises significant concerns, particularly regarding deep fakes and misleading political ads. The emergence of AI-driven ads in various races signals a shift in the political landscape, prompting vital discussions about the ethical ramifications of this technology.
Could a US-China 'hot line' be set up for AI risks?
With unchecked development of artificial intelligence sparking deep fear even among leaders in the sector, the United States is looking at establishing a dedicated communication channel with China on the issue. The United States and China, engaged in competition for leadership in AI development, are reluctant to impose significant restrictions on domestic companies for fear of losing an advantage.
ContentLens launches AI platform to detect celebrity likeness misuse
ContentLens launched an AI platform to detect unauthorized celebrity identity misuse. This technology tracks faces and voices across social media platforms. The system alerts celebrity teams to potential violations and provides evidence. Actress Manisha Kandkur experienced its effectiveness against fraudulent advertisements.
China's top court posts guidelines on deepfakes, AI disputes
In a significant move, China's leading court has released new guidelines aimed at mitigating risks linked to artificial intelligence. This legislation confronts issues such as unauthorized use of deepfakes and voice cloning without consent while also tackling algorithmic pricing strategies and false information generated by AI. It establishes accountability for service providers regarding infringing content, reinforcing the importance of security alongside AI advancements.
Karnataka to run voice AI pilots with ElevenLabs across skilling, healthcare, citizen services
The move comes as the state looks to identify high-impact AI applications that can improve the delivery of government and public services, the IT/BT department said in a statement. IT/BT minister Priyank M Kharge said the state is exploring the deployment of advanced voice AI to strengthen skilling and citizen access.
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