Weekly Tech Recap: Sarvam AI to lead India’s LLM effort, buyers line up for Chrome and more

This week's tech highlights include competitors seeking to buy Google's Chrome amid legal battles, OnePlus launching a compact phone in China, Sarvam AI leading India's LLM initiative, Google expanding Gemini to various devices, and DeepMind's CEO predicting AI's potential to eradicate diseases.

Artificial Intelligence is about skill transformation, not job loss: TCS Global AI Head

Artificial Intelligence is about skill transformation, not job loss: TCS Global AI Head

After phones, Google set to bring Gemini AI to watches, tablets and cars: What we know so far

CEO Sundar Pichai confirmed Gemini's arrival on smartwatches, tablets and cars later in the year but didn't give a fixed timeline.

Min 35% off on air coolers like desert, personal, tower, and tent from Bajaj, Symphony, Usha and more in Amazon Sale

Save a minimum of 35% off on top air coolers, including desert, personal, tower, and tent models from leading brands like Bajaj, Symphony, Usha, and more in the Amazon Sale. Choose from a variety of cooling solutions to meet your needs and enjoy great discounts during the sale.

Microsoft created an advertisement using AI – and nobody noticed for 3 months! Watch the Surface Pro video

In a blog post published on Wednesday by Microsoft Design, senior design communications manager Jay Tan revealed that earlier this year, the Visual Design team was tasked with making an ad within a tight deadline.

MeitY picks Sarvam AI to lead India's sovereign LLM effort; Vaishnaw vows global competition

The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology has chosen Sarvam AI to develop India's first sovereign large language model under the IndiaAI Mission.

Japans Nintendo fans test Switch 2 ahead of launch amid tariff worries

NINTENDO-SWITCH 2/ (PIX, TV):Japan's Nintendo fans test Switch 2 ahead of launch amid tariff worries

Big price drops alert: LG washing machines now more affordable with new offers, starting at just ₹10341

LG washing machines are now available at lower prices with added bank offers, cashback, and exchange deals. It’s a great time to upgrade your laundry game with smart, energy-efficient models.

AI Tool of the Week | How to crack research papers at breakneck speed

alphaXiv.org is an interactive platform layered on top of arXiv, built specifically to make reading research papers easier and more collaborative.

Google bets big on India's smartphone users to catch up in AI race

Google’s consumer push comes after the company fell behind the likes of OpenAI, Meta, Anthropic and even China’s DeepSeek in the race for AI supremacy among large technology firms.

Apple bets on India to counter US-China trade spat, eyes 50 mn iPhones by 2028

Reaching a target of 50 million iPhones made in India by 2028 would need Apple to significantly increase production from 20 million units per year as of 2024; Tata Electronics is expected to contribute the most to this capacity increase from Apple.

CMF Phone 2 Pro launches April 28: Check confirmed upgrades over CMF Phone 1

The CMF Phone 2 Pro launch is just a few days away, and it is going to offer several upgrades over the CMF Phone 1. Here are the details.

Gen Z and students lead Gen AI adoption in India with Gemini; 75% Indians seek growth collaborator: Google study

A Google and Kantar study reveals that while 60% of Indians are unfamiliar with AI tools, there is a strong desire for self-improvement. Gemini AI shows promise, enhancing confidence and productivity among users. However, challenges like lack of skills hinder wider adoption.

Get new smart TVs at 60% off to watch IPL in clarity and style: Top picks during Amazon sale from Sony, Samsung, more

Grab smart TVs at up to 60% off during the Amazon sale. Enjoy IPL in vivid clarity with top picks from Sony, Samsung, and more—perfect for immersive sports nights and seamless streaming without stretching your budget.

Motorola Razr 60 series launched globally: Check prices, battery, features and more

Motorola has launched the Razr 60 series, featuring the Razr 60 and Razr 60 Ultra models. The Ultra is powered by Snapdragon 8 Elite, while the standard model uses MediaTek's Dimensity 7400X. Prices start at $699, with pre-orders beginning May 7 in the US.

Poco F7 tipped to launch globally by end of May, Indian debut likely: What to expect

The Poco F7 smartphone is expected to be launched globally by the end of May, with speculation about an Indian release shortly thereafter. Recent leaks and a BIS listing indicate that the launch may be approaching.

Apple’s thinnest iPhone yet? iPhone 17 Air leaks surface online, hinting at design details

The iPhone 17 Air is expected to feature the A18 or A19 chipset, 12GB RAM, a 6.6-inch OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate, and a titanium frame. The official launch is anticipated in September, with more leaks likely before the debut.

Motorola Edge 60 Pro vs Edge 50 Pro: Upgrades, new features and more

Motorola Edge 60 Pro vs Edge 50 Pro: Know what new Motorola has announced with its latest generation Edge series models.

Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus and Sub review: Can this immersive audio setup recreate the IPL match experience at home?

We tested the Sennheiser AMBEO Soundbar Plus and Sub to see if it lives up to its premium price tag. Does it make you feel like you're sitting in a theatre watching your favourite movie or enjoying an IPL match with the same thrill as being in a cricket stadium? Here's what we found.

Apple to assemble all US-bound iPhones in India by next year, eyes 80 million units: Report

US President Trump's tariffs could significantly impact Apple's supply chain, prompting the company to prioritize India for iPhone assembly. Apple aims to double production in India to 80 million units by 2026 to meet US demand, shifting focus from China since the 2020 pandemic.

Realme 14T launched in India with MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor: Price, features, battery and more

Realme launched the 14T 5G in India, featuring a dual-camera setup, 6.67-inch Full-HD+ AMOLED display, and MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor. Priced from ₹17,999, it offers a 6,000mAh battery, 45W fast charging, and IP ratings for water resistance.

OnePlus 13T vs OnePlus 13: What's new with OnePlus' compact flagship? Check full comparison

OnePlus 13T features a 6.3-inch 1.5K AMOLED display, Snapdragon 8 Elite processor, dual 50MP cameras, and a 6,260 mAh battery. Weighing 185 grams, it offers IP65 water resistance and runs on ColorOS 15 in China, while the global version uses OxygenOS 15.

Motorola Edge 60 Pro launching in India soon: 6.67 inch pOLED display, Dimensity 8350 SoC and everything expected

Motorola unveiled the Edge 60 and Edge 60 Pro smartphones globally, teasing an Indian launch for the Pro model. It features a 6.67-inch display, MediaTek Dimensity 8350 processor, triple camera setup, and a 6,000mAh battery with fast charging capabilities.

OpenAI is bringing its Deep Research tool to free users with a ‘lightweight’ version

OpenAI is launching a new lightweight Deep Research tool, enhancing access for Plus, Team, Enterprise, and Edu users. The tool, powered by the o4-mini model, offers varying query limits: Pro users get 250, while others receive 25 or 5 queries, respectively.

'Want to understand what you’re browsing’: Aravind Srinivas reveals why Perplexity wants its own browser

Perplexity AI plans to launch a new browser to compete with Google Chrome and Safari, aiming to create personalized user profiles for potential ad placements while addressing memory and personalization challenges.

American Accents (and AI) Could Save India’s Outsourcing

While a trade war threatens large code-writing orders, artificial intelligence is giving a boost to call centers and back offices.

Apple to Strip Secret Robotics Unit From AI Chief Weeks After Moving Siri

Apple Inc. will remove its secret robotics unit from the command of its artificial intelligence chief, the latest shake-up in response to the company’s AI struggles.

OPPO A5 Pro 5G launched in India with MediaTek Dimensity 6300 processor: Price, features, battery and more

OPPO has launched the A5 Pro 5G in India, starting at ₹17,999. It features a 6.67-inch display, 5800mAh battery, dual rear camera, and MediaTek processor.

Apple may open stores in Noida and Pune, with Bengaluru and Mumbai next: Report

Apple is reportedly planning to expand its retail presence in India by opening four new stores, following the success of its existing outlets. Locations include Noida and Pune, with ongoing recruitment for retail operations as part of a broader strategy to strengthen its market position.

Oppo A5 Pro 5G vs Vivo T4 5G: Which mobile is better around ₹20000 budget?

The Oppo A5 Pro 5G and Vivo T4 5G both offer strong features for under ₹25,000. Here's a detailed comparison to help you decide which suits you better.

Oblivion Remastered becomes a massive hit after surprise launch, tops Steam charts

Oblivion Remastered, released on April 22, quickly achieved massive success, attracting over 190,000 concurrent players on Steam. Featuring enhanced visuals and gameplay, it includes the original game and expansions, earning praise while maintaining the charm of the classic.

Motorola Razr 60 vs Motorola Razr 50: Here’s everything new expected

Motorola Razr 60 is launching today with new processor and features. Know what upgrades to expect in comparison to Razr 50

OnePlus 13T launched with Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset: Price, features and more

OnePlus has launched the OnePlus 13T in China, featuring a Snapdragon 8 Elite chipset, 6.32-inch Full HD+ display, and up to 16GB RAM. It includes a dual 50MP camera setup, 6,260mAh battery, and a new Shortcut Key design. 

Amazon offers on best RO+UV water purifiers at up to 80% off from Aquaguard, Kent, Livpure, Havells, Pureit and more

Grab the Amazon offers on best RO+UV water purifiers with over 80% off from top brands like Aquaguard, Kent, Livpure and more. Get advanced purification, big savings and limited time deals with top performing water purifiers.

iPhone 17 series leaks: Say goodbye to the notch? Dummy units show significant design changes

Leaked renders of the iPhone 17 series suggest significant design changes, particularly for the Pro models with a horizontal camera bar. The iPhone 17 Air features a sleek profile and a new camera layout. Anticipated launch is set for September as excitement builds.

Building trust in Agentic AI and the future of enterprise solutions

AI's evolution to agentic capabilities is revolutionising industries, improving productivity and decision-making. Salesforce executives emphasise the significance of customer-centric design and trust while developing AI-powered products.

Love You: Kannada director makes first AI-generated feature film; check other artificial intelligence movies coming soon

Kannada director Narasimha Murthy is making ‘world’s first AI-generated feature film’, Love You. Check other artificial intelligence movies under production.

AI Tool of the Week | How to use ChatGPT’s new memory updates effectively for your work?

ChatGPT's new upgrade focusses on making your interactions more personal and context aware. 

5 ChatGPT prompts to level up your job search game: A step-by-step guide

Artificial Intelligence, particularly ChatGPT, is transforming job searches. Users can leverage prompts to receive guidance on career paths, role specifications, cover letter drafting, interview preparation, and salary negotiation strategies, enhancing their job hunting experience.

Le Chat, the cat-bot France has pinned its AI hopes on

Mistral AI’s chat assistant raises a pressing question

Azure OpenAI Service: Satya Nadella says new update ‘leap forward’ for Azure AI Foundry — All you need to know

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella on April 16 announced new updates for the Azure OpenAI Foundry, which he called a “leap forward” in AI reasoning tech. We bring you all the details…

Google Gemini launches video generator: How to make AI clips using Veo 2 — Step-by-step guide

Tech giant Google has rolled out its video generator feature on Gemini. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to create AI videos using Veo 2.

Forget DeepSeek. Large language models are getting cheaper still

A $6m LLM isn’t cool. A $6 one is

After Ghibli trend, Tom and Jerry makes AI debut: One-minute episode sparks debate, social media says ‘its shitty’

Tom and Jerry have debuted an AI-generated episode using TTT-MLP, showcasing their iconic chase in a New York office. While some praise the innovative technology, critics find the animation soul-less and express concerns over AI's impact on traditional animators.

Amul girl to Nirma: Viral AI video brings classic Indian mascots to life, users stir debate over ethics

An AI-generated video featuring hyper-realistic versions of iconic Indian brand mascots has gone viral on LinkedIn. While praised for its creativity, it sparked ethical concerns regarding personal origins and copyright issues among viewers.

Google launches Gemini 2.5 Flash—Ideal for chatbots, assistants and instant summarisation

Google has launched Gemini 2.5 Flash, a new AI model designed for speed and efficiency in real-time tasks. Available on Google AI Studio and Vertex AI, it targets applications like chatbots, allowing developers to optimise processing time for queries.

ChatGPT leaks personal info: Woman asks AI about her plant, gets SHOCKED with response, ‘Scariest thing seen’

ChatGPT's recent erroneous output generated concern after a user received someone else's personal data instead of plant care advice. The incident raises concerns about AI use and its reliability.

The Tools of Tomorrow: What Lies Ahead with the AI Revolution

The evolution of AI has led to the emergence of intelligent agents that can automate and enhance business processes. As AI continues to develop, India stands out as a leader in innovation, addressing the challenges of AI deployment and paving the way for future advancements.

Mint Primer | Resistance is futile: AI is now writing code

The future of manual coding is reportedly under threat from GenAI, automated AI agentic systems and vibe coding.

Ghibli-style images take social media by storm: Check celebrity posts sharing pictures generated by ChatGPT | See Pics

OpenAI's Ghibli-style images, inspired by Japanese artist Hayao Miyazaki, are trending on social media despite copyright concerns. Celebrities are participating in the trend, sharing their transformed images while OpenAI rolls out an image generation feature for users.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman reacts as AI turns him into a Studio Ghibli Character

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman embraced a social media trend where users created Studio Ghibli-style portraits of him. He humorously reflected on his AI journey amid the meme's popularity, which has exceeded expectations, causing delays in the rollout of OpenAI's new image generation feature for free users.

ChatGPT’s ‘Advanced Voice Mode’ update makes conversations more natural: All you need to know

OpenAI has updated its Advanced Voice Mode to enhance user interactions by reducing interruptions during pauses. Free-tier users will experience improved responsiveness, while subscribers receive an even more refined assistant. 

Intel ex-CEO Pat Gelsinger joins faith-focused tech firm Gloo, to help build AI chatbots that offer Bible-based answers

At Gloo, Pat Gelsinger will help the firm develop AI tools such as virtual assistants and chatbots.

How startups are using AI agents to scale quickly

In India's evolving startup landscape, AI is becoming a crucial partner, enabling companies to operate smarter and faster. Programs like AI Pitchfield offer support and mentorship, helping startups utilise AI to tackle significant challenges and drive innovation across various industries.

Tencent upgrades AI model to compete with DeepSeek, Alibaba

Tencent Holdings launched an upgraded AI model, Hunyuan T1, to enhance its competitive edge in China's AI market. T1 matches top models such as DeepSeek's R1 and OpenAI's o1.  

Is Dhruv Rathee anti-national? Check Grok's witty reply: ‘Evidence shows his work is part of…’

A user on social media questioned Dhruv Rathee's nationalism and asked AI chatbot Grok for a response. Check out the intelligent response Elon Musk's Grok gave.

Anthropic’s Claude AI introduces live web search: What it means for users

Anthropic's assistant, Claude, now features a web search function for real-time information, currently available to paid users in the U.S. This allows Claude to cite sources and provide summarised insights, aiding various industries. 

Big Tech struggles to sell AI as industry wary of copyright infringements

Eliot ‘Ely’ Greenfield, global chief technology officer of Adobe's ‘Digital Media’ business, told Mint that building AI with a limited dataset is like ‘innovating with handcuffs on’. But, the likes of OpenAI and Google aren't selling their AI to businesses heavily either as copyrights concern firms.

We’re still figuring out how AI will move through the economy, says OpenAI's chief economist

It's hard to give a straight answer about AI's impact on the economy and jobs because of the widely varying predictions. The challenge lies in ensuring widespread access to AI tools and upskilling workers to utilize them effectively, says Aaron ‘Ronnie’ Chatterji

Google planning tie-up with MediaTek to develop next gen AI chips: Report

Google chose MediaTek partly because the Taiwanese company has a strong relationship with Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) and charges less per chip as compared to Broadcom, the report said

Baidu rolls out Ernie 4.5 and Ernie X1 AI models, promises advanced reasoning and cost efficiency

Baidu has launched two new AI models, Ernie 4.5 and Ernie X1. The Ernie Bot is now free, with Ernie 4.5 being multimodal and outperforming GPT-4.5. Ernie X1 focuses on reasoning and will be priced lower than Ernie 4.5 upon release.

Mint Explainer: Why Elon Musk’s Grok is the internet’s latest fad

On subjects such as politics, cinema, and celebrities, Grok has left some users bedazzled by its opinionated responses. In other instances, Grok has used regional slang and abuses.

‘AI will remain incomplete without India’: PM Narendra Modi on Lex Fridman podcast

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was featured on the latest episode of the Lex Fridman podcast, in which he highlighted India's contribution to AI infrastructure development. 

China starts strict laws for AI-generated content, targets social media influencers

China enforces mandatory labelling of AI-generated content to combat misinformation and fraud. Service providers must retain records for six months, with strict penalties for violations. 

Pokémon Go is driving a $4 billion spinoff. Those game maps could be AI gold.

Pokémon Go players have generated years of location and map data. Game maker Niantic maker has big AI plans for all that info.

Shivon Zilis vs Elon Musk's Grok: A mom outsmarted by AI in her own house

Shivon Zilis shared a funny story about her son, who prefers asking AI chatbot Grok questions over accepting her lack of knowledge. This reflects how tech-savvy children engage with learning, prompting mixed reactions from parents about AI's role in education.

Elon Musk's xAI Chatbot Grok identifies Yuzvendra Chahal, RJ Mahvash as THESE celebrities—See who!

XAI chatbot Grok’s response left netizens puzzled and amused.

Ajay Devgn launches new AI company Prismix, aims to step into ‘future of storytelling’

Ajay Devgn has launched Prismix, an AI-focused company aimed at revolutionizing storytelling through generative technologies. Devgn leads as Chairman with a team of co-founders. The company plans to collaborate with various sectors to create high-quality, scalable media content.

AI profits are still a mystery to investors. A new IPO filing holds clues.

A new IPO filing from start-up CoreWeave suggests that every dollar put into the AI cloud is quickly paying off thanks to rapid growth rates in the business.