Weekly Tech Wrap: PM Modi Warns Against Deepfakes, Meta To Add GenAI Video Editing Tools, More Top Technology News

From OnePlus teasing a transparent speaker to Nothing supporting iMessage, here are the biggest tech news stories from the week that was.

Zuckerberg introduced two innovative generative AI tools set to enhance the user experience on Instagram and Facebook.

Source : Getty

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed deep apprehensions against AI-generated deepfakes. Meta announced the introduction of generative AI tools for editing and generating videos with simple text prompts. The world of technology news was dominated by these headlines, and more, over the past week. Here’s a deeper look. 

PM Modi Cautions Against Deepfakes

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed apprehensions regarding the inappropriate application of artificial intelligence (AI) in generating deceptive 'deepfake' content. The Prime Minister addressed these concerns during his speech at the Bharatiya Janata Party's Diwali Milan event, held at the party's New Delhi headquarters. PM Modi underscored the imperative role of the media in raising public awareness about the potential crisis associated with deepfakes.

While reiterating his commitment to the vision of transforming India into a 'Viksit Bharat' or a developed nation, the Prime Minister emphasised that this aspiration is not mere rhetoric but a tangible reality. Additionally, PM Modi highlighted the substantial backing for the 'vocal for local' initiative and emphasised that the achievements of India during the COVID-19 pandemic have instilled confidence in the nation's continued progress.

Meta To Add GenAI Video Tools

Meta, the Mark Zuckerberg-led social media giant, continues to push the boundaries of artificial intelligence (AI) and cutting-edge technologies. In an announcement made on Thursday via Facebook, Zuckerberg introduced two innovative generative AI tools set to enhance the user experience on Instagram and Facebook. These tools, namely Emu Edit and Emu Video, leverage advanced AI algorithms for image editing and video generation, respectively.

The unveiling of Emu Edit and Emu Video comes on the heels of Meta's recent introduction of the AI Personas multi-persona chatbot at the Connect 2023 event. Both of these tools are rooted in the Emu foundational model, showcasing Meta's commitment to incorporating groundbreaking AI advancements into its platforms.

As of now, Meta has not disclosed a specific rollout date for these new features. In an official blog post, the company emphasised the current status of the work as "purely fundamental research" while highlighting the evident potential use cases. The tech giant remains at the forefront of AI integration, continually exploring ways to enhance user interaction and engagement across its social media platforms.

Nothing Brings Support For iMessage

In a significant development, Carl Pei's Nothing has announced its innovative step towards enhancing communication across different mobile platforms. The company has revealed plans to launch the Nothing Chats app, designed to bring iMessage compatibility to its flagship Android device, the Nothing Phone (2). This strategic initiative, a result of collaboration with Sunbird, aims to address a longstanding challenge faced by users of both Android and iOS.

As per the official statement from Nothing, the Nothing Chats app, powered by Sunbird, stands out as the pioneer in mobile applications, enabling direct messaging between Android and iOS users with the distinctive blue bubbles of iMessage. The app not only ensures compatibility but also goes beyond iMessage features by incorporating RCS messaging, live typing indicators, voice notes, and full-resolution media sharing.

This move signifies a breakthrough in bridging the communication gap between different mobile operating systems, presenting a solution that caters to the needs of a diverse user base. The Nothing Chats app is poised to offer a seamless messaging experience, setting a new standard for cross-platform communication.

iPhones Get Support For RCS 

Apple has unveiled its intentions to integrate support for the Rich Communication Services (RCS) messaging standard into iPhones, aligning itself with the widely-used format prevalent on numerous Android devices. This implementation is slated to take place in the latter part of 2024.

Highlighting the forthcoming update, Apple underscored the potential for heightened interoperability in cross-platform messaging with the integration of RCS. A spokesperson for the tech giant shared insights, noting, "Later next year, we will be incorporating support for RCS Universal Profile, the standard currently endorsed by the GSM Association. We anticipate that RCS Universal Profile will deliver an improved interoperability experience compared to SMS or MMS."

It is crucial to note that the RCS support is strategically designed to complement Apple's existing iMessage platform. The company affirms that iMessage will persist in delivering a premier and secure messaging experience for its users.

A See-Through OnePlus Speaker?

In a recent half-page advertisement featured in the Times of India, OnePlus, the renowned handset manufacturer, appears to be venturing into a new product category. The company subtly teased a speaker with an innovative design, hinting at a potential expansion beyond their traditional smartphone offerings. Unlike Nothing, another player in the tech industry known for transparent product designs, OnePlus has chosen to keep details about the speaker under wraps, refraining from any official announcements or disclosures.

The advertisement showcases the transparent OnePlus speaker in a visually striking manner, accompanied by captions that pose intriguing questions: "Got the music in you?" and "The wonder of music meets the power of tech." This unexpected move by OnePlus has caught the attention of tech enthusiasts, as it marks a departure from the usual pattern of leaks and rumours preceding such product launches. As of now, the tech community awaits further details and an official unveiling of this mysterious speaker from OnePlus.

That’s it from the world of tech headlines this week. Stay tuned to this space for more top stories next week.

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