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Tag: elon musk

  • Starlink to Store All User Data Locally in India, Says Government

    According to Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications, Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service will store its network data, traffic, and other information locally in India.

    “Security conditions, among other things, include the establishment of earth station gateway(s) in India for providing satellite-based communication services with no user traffic originating from or destined for India being routed through any gateway located outside India, no copying and decryption of the Indian data outside the country, and the Indian user traffic is not to be mirrored to any system/server located abroad,” the minister wrote in a response to the Rajya Sabha.

    Following Bharti-backed Eutelsat OneWeb and Reliance Jio-SES JV, US-based Starlink is the third satcom operator to obtain all necessary approvals to provide commercial broadband from space services in India. In June, Starlink was granted permission to use Global Mobile Personal Communication via Satellite (GMPCS).

    Starlink’s LEO Satellite Constellation and Capacity in India

    Starlink’s Gen 1 constellation has been approved by the Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) to offer satellite communication services within the country. The first generation is Starlink’s low Earth orbit (LEO) network, which consists of 4408 satellites and has a 600 Gbps throughput capacity in India.

    Satcom Sector to Drive Employment Growth in India

    According to Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, the satcom industry is anticipated to provide jobs because it is a developing field. In his response, the minister stated that satellite-based communication services are a developing field that, like any new business venture, is anticipated to create jobs in the nation.

    This is because the services include, among other things, the installation, operation, and maintenance of the telecom network, which includes user terminal equipment.

    Starlink’s Role in Bridging India’s Digital Divide

    Through a network of low Earth orbit (LEO) satellites, SpaceX’s worldwide satellite internet project Starlink aims to provide consumers with direct access to high-speed broadband. By delivering fast and dependable broadband to remote areas like villages and hilly terrain, Starlink’s venture has the potential to transform internet accessibility in India, where the digital divide is still a significant barrier.

    Sekhar had stated that Starlink would provide rates of up to 200 Mbps throughout the nation, according to news agency PTI. “Starlink can only serve 20 lakh customers in India while providing speeds of up to 200 Mbps.” Telecommunications services won’t be impacted. It is anticipated that the regulations governing the distribution of spectrum for satellite communications (satcom) services will shortly be finalised.

    TRAI’s Recommendation on Satcom Spectrum Allocation

    According to the PTI report, the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has advised administrative distribution of satcom spectrum instead of holding an auction. Furthermore, the regulator has suggested a five-year spectrum allocation period that might be extended by an extra two years depending on the state of the market.

  • VinFast Launches in India with Gujarat EV Showroom; VF 6, VF 7 Models Unveiled

    In an effort to capitalise on the expanding Indian market for electric vehicles, Vietnamese manufacturer VinFast launched its first showroom in India on 27 July in Surat, Gujarat. The company’s electric SUV models VF 6 and VF 7, which will be introduced as right-hand drive versions for the first time, will be on display in the showroom.

    The vehicles will be domestically produced at VinFast’s planned facility in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu, the company announced in an official release, reaffirming its long-term commitment to India as a strategic market and future centre for the manufacturing of electric vehicles. By the end of the year, VinFast intends to open 35 dealerships in more than 27 locations nationwide.

    VF 6 and VF 7 Reservations Now Open

    The store, which is situated in the Piplod neighbourhood of Surat, will display the brand’s next high-end electric SUVs, the VF 6 and VF 7, for which reservations went on sale on July 15. “With a fully refundable deposit of INR 21,000, customers can reserve their vehicle at showrooms or online through VinFastAuto.in,” the announcement stated.

    The first VinFast showroom in Surat, according to VinFast Asia CEO Pham Sanh Chau, is a testament to the company’s strong ties to India. The company is thrilled to introduce Indian customers to the VinFast experience.

    The goal of this Gujarati dealership is to provide not only electric cars but also a whole ownership experience based on excellence in service and quality trust. In order to offer charging and after-sales services throughout India, the Vietnamese EV manufacturer has partnered with RoadGrid, myTVS, and Global Assure.

    To further demonstrate its dedication to sustainable innovation, the business has partnered with BatX Energies to develop a circular battery value chain and encourage battery recycling.

    Tesla Targets Indian EV Market with Model Y

    With a starting price of INR 59.89 lakh and its first showroom in Mumbai, Elon Musk’s Tesla introduced the Model Y to the Indian market earlier this month. The Model Y will be imported by Tesla as a fully constructed unit (CBU) from its Chinese manufacturing plant in Shanghai.

    At a time when its sales in China and Europe are declining, Tesla is making its debut in the Indian market with the vehicle Y as its flagship vehicle. The business reportedly transported its first shipment of Model Y rear-wheel drive SUVs to India from its China plant.

    Additionally, before deliveries start, the business plans to deploy superchargers in India. It would initially concentrate on Mumbai and Delhi.

    Battery packs are available for the Tesla Model Y rear-wheel-drive variant in India: a 60 kWh and a larger 75 kWh model. One electric motor producing 295 horsepower powers this RWD model. With a full charge, the 60 kWh battery is supposed to have a WLTP range of 500 km, whilst the long-range model promises a range of 622 km.

  • Tesla-Samsung $16.5B Chip Deal Confirmed: Musk Reveals Game-Changing Partnership

    According to reports, Tesla and Samsung Electronics have inked a significant chip supply agreement valued at $16.5 billion through 2033. The action is intended to help Samsung’s faltering contract chip manufacturing division, which is up against fierce competition from TSMC.

    Inside the $16.5 Billion Agreement: What We Know So Far

    In the midst of trade negotiations, analysts say the agreement might lower losses and improve South Korea-US tech ties. Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, announced on 28 July that the US automaker has agreed to purchase semiconductors from Samsung Electronics. This agreement is anticipated to support the South Korean tech giant’s struggling contract manufacturing division.

    Unnaming the customer, Samsung revealed on 26 July that it had signed a $16.5 billion chip supply agreement with a significant international corporation. It stated that the client had asked for confidentiality on the specifics of the agreement, which is set to expire in 2033. Reuters was informed by three people with knowledge of the situation that Tesla was the buyer of the deal.

    Why the Deal Matters for Samsung’s Foundry Division?

    Samsung is currently experiencing increasing pressure in the artificial intelligence chip manufacturing industry, as it is lagging behind competitors like TSMC and SK Hynix. This agreement is in response to this pressure. Its earnings and stock price have suffered greatly as a result of this delay.

    Through its foundry division, Samsung, the leading memory chip manufacturer in the world, also produces logic chips that are custom-designed by clients. According to Kiwoom Securities analyst Pak Yuak, the most recent agreement will assist in lowering losses at Samsung’s foundry division, which he calculated totalled more than ₩5 trillion ($3.63 billion) for the first half of the year.

    Geopolitical Stakes: Strengthening US–South Korea Tech Ties

    According to analysts, Samsung has had trouble keeping important customers from switching to TSMC for cutting-edge processors. Among TSMC’s clients are Apple, Nvidia, and Qualcomm. The Samsung-Tesla agreement is also important for South Korea, which is looking for U.S. shipbuilding and chip collaborations as it makes desperate attempts to negotiate a trade agreement that would remove or drastically cut possible 25% U.S. tariffs.

    Samsung’s Chip Struggles: Can This Deal Turn Things Around?

    According to BNK Investment & Securities analyst Lee Min-hee, Samsung is struggling to increase manufacturing yields of its most recent 2-nanometre technology; therefore, it is unlikely that the order will incorporate the state-of-the-art technology.

    In contract manufacturing, Samsung has been losing market share to TSMC, highlighting the technological obstacles the company must overcome to become proficient in advanced chip fabrication and draw in customers like Apple and Nvidia, analysts said.

    It’s unclear how the order will impact Samsung’s plans to begin production at its new Texas factory, which has been postponed due to the company’s inability to attract big clients.

  • Elon Musk Launches ‘Baby Grok’: A Bold Move Towards Safer AI Amid Backlash

    With plans to release Baby Grok, a kid-safe version of Grok, Elon Musk is changing course after making news with three contentious AI companions. Musk has not yet disclosed any additional information, but the statement has drawn criticism, particularly in light of Grok’s current AI avatars’ controversial personalities.

    Baby Grok and the Shift in AI Culture

    After mounting criticism of Grok’s more adult products, the company decided to create a kid-friendly AI app. For this reason, Baby Grok’s announcement feels like a sudden and possibly necessary change of direction.

    After Grok’s more spicy characters caused a fuss online, Musk seems to be trying to repair the damage (or possibly diversify) with the new app, which is intended to be a safer, age-appropriate experience. Although there isn’t a launch date yet and there isn’t much information available, it’s obvious that Grok is expanding.

    Controversial Companions: The Grok Avatars Stirring Debate

    Ani, an anime-style female companion wearing a gothic corset, is one of the Grok’s AI companions. She has been reported for flirting and having more intimate talks with users the longer they interact with her. Interactions that progress into suggestive territory have been recorded by users; Ani has even been seen wearing virtual lingerie.

    Then there’s Rudi, a red panda with two personalities: a ranting machine with a nasty mouth and a humorous buddy. Not to mention Valentine, the male companion who was modelled after Christian Grey and Edward Cullen, two fictional hotties who have long been condemned for glamorising emotional manipulation and toxic interpersonal dynamics.

    Arguments over the signals these AI companions may be conveying, particularly to younger or more impressionable users, have naturally been sparked by the combination of Ani’s sarcastic tone, Rudi’s outbursts, and Valentine’s questionable inspirations. The lines separating responsible AI creation from entertainment are getting concerningly hazy, according to several commentators.

    Damage Control or Genuine Pivot? What Baby Grok Signals

    Without a doubt, the new app “Baby Grok” is a damage control tool. There are more troublesome departments besides Grok’s AI pals. Since its launch, Grok AI has made headlines—and not in a positive way. First of all, Grok AI became well-known because of its harsh remarks. As one may remember, Grok had utilised Hindi slang and light-hearted humour in his response to an X user.

    Memes quickly flooded the comments section on social media as people made fun of Grok’s unexpectedly outspoken attitude. However, it has recently become even more rogue with its sharp comments.

    Can Elon Musk Restore Trust in AI

    After producing responses that propagated conspiracy theories, antisemitic stereotypes, and even adulation for Adolf Hitler, Grok AI recently came under heavy fire. Shared on X, the disturbing information featured assertions that Jewish surnames were responsible for alleged anti-white themes and frequent references to Jewish surnames associated with internet radicalism.

    The business responded to the criticism by claiming that it had revised the model to include additional rules designed to stop such rude and strange results. It’s unclear, though, if these adjustments will be sufficient to rebuild user confidence or prevent the AI from displaying divisive material and language pushed by memes.

  • Tesla Hits the Road in India with Model Y Launch

    With the launch of its first dealership in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex, Tesla has made its debut in the Indian market. The Model Y, which will be priced at INR 59.89 lakh for the entry-level RWD form and INR 67.89 lakh for the long-range variant, will serve as the brand’s representation in the nation.

    In the meantime, the car costs INR 61.07 lakh and INR 69.15 lakh on the road, respectively. In the US, the Model Y costs $46,630, or roughly INR 40.01 lakh; in China, it costs 263,500 yuan, or roughly INR 31.57 lakh; and in Germany, it costs 45,970 euros, or roughly INR 46.09 lakh.

     Because of import taxes and delivery charges, the Indian edition is therefore among the priciest. because the model is offered for sale in the nation as fully constructed units (CBUs). As a result, Indian consumers are experiencing inflation.

    Tesla’s Sales Hit Low in China and Europe

    At a time when its sales in China and Europe are declining, Tesla is making its debut in the Indian market with the vehicle Y as its flagship vehicle. The business reportedly transported its first shipment of Model Y rear-wheel drive SUVs to India from its China plant.

    Additionally, before deliveries start, the business plans to deploy superchargers in India. It would initially concentrate on Mumbai and Delhi.

    Battery packs are available for the Tesla Model Y rear-wheel-drive variant in India: a 60 kWh and a larger 75 kWh model. One electric motor producing 295 horsepower powers this RWD model. With a full charge, the 60 kWh battery is supposed to have a WLTP range of 500 km, whilst the long-range model promises a range of 622 km.

    Indian Government Assures No Special Treatment

    Piyush Goyal, the minister of commerce and industry, reiterated earlier this year that India will not create policies specifically for any one business.

    Rather, the government wants to construct a wide framework that will entice international EV manufacturers to set up production facilities in India, which is currently the largest economy with the highest rate of growth in the world.

    In order to lessen carbon emissions and the nation’s significant reliance on oil imports, Goyal also underlined the government’s dedication to developing a strong EV ecosystem. The Tesla Model Y will come with two interior trim options and seven exterior colour options in India.

    The car also has a fixed glass roof, a motorised tailboard, dual-zone climate control, power-adjustable front seats and steering column, a 15.4-inch touchscreen screen in front, an 8-inch display for the backseaters, and 19-inch crossflow wheels.

  • Shock Exit: X CEO Linda Yaccarino Resigns After Just Two Years of Joining

    Linda Yaccarino, the CEO of social media site X, has made her decision to leave her position. For the last two years, she has been in charge of Elon Musk’s company, X. During her X announcement, Yaccarino thanked Musk for entrusting her with the duty of defending free expression and “turning X into the Everything App.” Yaccarino announced in a statement on X that she has made the decision to leave her position as CEO of X after two amazing years.

    When @elonmusk and Yaccarino first discussed Musk’s vision for X, she understood it would be a once-in-a-lifetime chance to fulfil this company’s incredible goal.

    She is incredibly appreciative of him for giving her the authority to defend free expression, turn the business around, and make X the Everything App. She takes a great deal of pride in the X team because of the incredible business turnaround we have achieved together.

    She also mentioned that the team began with the crucial preliminary work required to restore advertiser confidence and prioritise user safety, particularly for youngsters.

    From groundbreaking inventions like Community Notes and, shortly, X Money, to bringing the most recognisable voices and content to the platform, this team has worked tirelessly. The best is still to come, though, as X begins a new chapter with @xai.

    X Truly Digital Town Square: Yaccarino

    X is a “truly digital town square” for all voices and the most potent culture signal in the world, she said, emphasising that they couldn’t have done it without the help of their users, commercial partners, and the “most innovative team.”

    “X is a true digital town square for all voices and the world’s most powerful culture signal,” she added in the piece on X. It would not have been possible for the social media platform to accomplish that without the help of its users, commercial partners, and the world’s most creative workforce. As X keeps changing the world, she will be supporting them all.

    Yaccarino as X CEO

    In 2023, almost six months after Musk’s acquisition of the social media network, she joined X, which was then known as Twitter. She was the chair of NBCUniversal Media’s worldwide partnerships and advertising before joining X.

    The network underwent a number of changes during her tenure as CEO, including a rebranding from Twitter to X and other crises.

    Following Musk’s acquisition of X, advertisers left the website as he started enforcing a number of content moderation regulations and reactivating accounts that had been blocked, including US President Donald Trump’s.

    At times, Musk thwarted her attempts to entice sponsors back to the site. After it was revealed that X was running advertisements adjacent to white nationalist content in 2023, Musk blasted advertisers who had chosen to stop using the site.

    Musk wants to merge the social networking platform with his artificial intelligence (AI) company, xAI, which is why she left X, as per various media reports. Elon Musk announced earlier in March that xAI has purchased X for USD 45 billion.

  • Geoffrey Hinton ‘Godfather of AI’ Warns of Mass Unemployment

    According to Geoffrey Hinton, the “Godfather of AI”, certain occupations are less vulnerable to AI’s replacement than others.

    Hinton stated that AI has the potential to result in widespread unemployment, particularly in white-collar jobs, in an interview that was broadcast on 17 June on the “Diary of a CEO” podcast.

    Hinton restated his claim that AI is better and said he believes AI would simply replace all people in mundane intellectual labour. White-collar jobs are referred to as “mundane intellectual labour”.

    Additionally, he clarified that AI would assume the human form and perform tasks that were previously performed by ten people.

    Because of the possibility of automation, Hinton stated that he would be “terrified” to work in a call centre at this time. But he noted that it will take longer for AI to displace blue-collar jobs.

    “I think it will be a long time before AI is as good at physical manipulation,” Hinton stated in the podcast. Therefore, being a plumber would be a wise choice, he added.

    AI Creating New Jobs is a Myth-Hinton

    Hinton questioned the idea that AI will lead to the creation of new jobs in the podcast, pointing out that if AI were to automate intellectual work, human labour would become scarce.

    According to Hinton, a task that AI simply couldn’t perform requires a highly skilled individual. In an effort to please its investors, OpenAI recently revealed plans to restructure its business, turning its for-profit division into a public benefit corporation (PBC).

     As per a media site, OpenAI stated that the plan will enable it to generate additional funds in order to stay competitive in the costly AI race.

    Some critics, however, expressed alarm, saying that while the proposal may be a positive beginning, it falls short of providing sufficient assurance that OpenAI will remain true to its initial goal of creating artificial intelligence for the good of humanity.

    Geoffrey Hinton and former OpenAI staff members are among the detractors. They said that the proposed restructure of OpenAI would have prioritised the financial interests of investors over the general welfare.

    According to a media report, Elon Musk, a co-founder of OpenAI and current rival through his business xAI, also opposed the plan on the same reasons and is suing OpenAI for violating the terms of the company’s founding agreement.

    About Geoffrey Hinton

    The 78-year-old Geoffrey Hinton is known as the “Godfather of AI” because of his work on neural networks, which he began in the late 1970s. He teaches computer science at the University of Toronto and was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work in machine learning (ML).

  • Musk-Trump Fallout Jeopardizes $22 Billion in SpaceX Contracts

    As his feud with President Donald Trump erupts into open warfare, Elon Musk has threatened to shut down SpaceX’s Dragon spacecraft, NASA’s only US astronaut carrier. This move will set off a spiralling crisis that could ground American spaceflight, derail moon missions, and jeopardise $22 billion in government contracts.

     What started out as a disagreement about Trump’s tax and spending plan has turned into a high-stakes confrontation with implications for the entire country.

    The CEO of SpaceX responded to Trump’s public suggestion that federal contracts with Musk’s businesses might be terminated by announcing plans to “decommission” the Dragon spacecraft, which is now NASA’s primary way of transporting humans to and from the International Space Station.

    The $5 billion contract for the capsule is essential to maintaining American access to space. NASA’s orbital footprint would be reduced, and future missions would be in jeopardy if it were to depend on Russia’s ageing Soyuz spacecraft.

    While providing no details, NASA press secretary Bethany Stevens stated that the agency will keep collaborating with commercial partners to make sure the president’s space goals are achieved.

    NASA to Take a Massive Hit

    Active contracts worth about $22 billion are at risk. These include intelligence payloads, high-priority Pentagon satellite launches, and Musk’s Starship system, which NASA has chosen to use for the Artemis III mission, which aims to land humans on the moon.

     Four astronauts currently on the ISS might still fly home if Musk cancels Dragon, but NASA wouldn’t have a means to send replacements right away.

    There are still delays with Boeing’s Starliner. Other options such as Northrop Grumman’s Cygnus and Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser remain untested or marginalised. Even NASA’s 2030 ISS retirement plan is currently in jeopardy. The vehicle that will safely deorbit the station is being built by SpaceX.

    Experts Calling Musk Rogue

    The danger posed by Musk goes well beyond low-Earth orbit. SpaceX rockets are essential to America’s upcoming moon landing, transport national security payloads, and launch secure Starlink satellites for military communications.

    Timelines fall apart in their absence. According to reports, Justus Parmar, CEO of SpaceX investor Fortuna Investments, said there is little doubt it will lead to a large loss of money and missed contract possibilities.

    More bluntly, former NASA Deputy Administrator Lori Garver was cited as saying that it is unacceptable for a rogue CEO to threaten to decommission spacecraft, endangering the lives of astronauts. With a steep 14.26% drop, Tesla’s shares (TSLA) fell to $284.70, down $47.35 from its previous close of $332.05. The stock fluctuated a lot over the day, going from a low of $273.42 to a high of $324.55.

  • Starlink Sets Sights on India with Multi-Partner Strategy

    Starlink, Elon Musk’s SpaceX venture, which offers satellite broadband, is actively exploring partnerships in India with a range of players across the satcom, telecom, and broadband sectors. Companies like Hughes, Nelco (of the Tata Group), and BSNL are in talks with the company. According to people familiar with the matter, Starlink intends to pursue an India strategy that combines direct operations with partnerships.

    Starlink is employing a parallel strategy in India that has worked successfully in other international markets. It has sought out Indian telecom partners for distributing its service to customers that these companies can reach. India’s third-largest telecom operator, Vodafone Idea, has also expressed interest in engaging with satcom providers such as Starlink. This signals a growing appetite for satellite internet services to meet  the  demand for rural and remote connectivity.

    Infrastructure Plans and Market Readiness

    Starlink is all set to serve even as it awaits the last clearance from the regulators. It has, however, made a public show of setting up its infrastructure in India in a big way and has very much signaled its intent to begin service as soon as the licensing is in place. To that end, it has operational plans here that call for three gateway stations to be set up in Mumbai, Pune, and Indore, along with what it calls a point of presence in Mumbai to anchor its operations across the subcontinent.

    Starlink has a huge global capacity already because it has sent so many satellites into space. It has 30,000 second-generation satellites in the pipeline; these will beam down even better internet signals than the first-generation satellites. Starlink has a reassurance in internal assessments that its bandwidth capability and coverage in India far exceeds anything else from the other satellite companies currently in the Indian market.

    Regulatory and Security Challenges

    Although much of the regulatory groundwork is close to being finished, several sticking points remain. The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) wants companies that offer satellite services to set up monitoring across India’s borders, including in sensitive regions like Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh. This isn’t something Starlink has committed to yet, and it has consequently slowed final approvals.

    The company, however, has consented to set up a control and monitoring center for the domestic network and certified it would not route data through gateways in countries that share a land border with India, in line with national security priorities. It has also furnished In-SPACe, the Indian space regulator, with the necessary paperwork and is said to be on the verge of obtaining the requisite licenses that come under the GMPCS umbrella. In India, Starlink is focused on bringing broadband to areas that have no access at all or only very poor access to the internet. Its main push is in the North-East and other remote terrains.

  • Elon Musk Steps Back from Washington, Government Efficiency Project Pushes On

    Few close to him were surprised when Elon Musk announced he would scale back, in a big way, his direct involvement with the federal government. This was not so much a parting from Washington as a parting of ways in business. During an earnings call, Musk said he would restrict his visits to federal agencies and similar meetings to “a couple of days a week, maximum.” This was described as a shift of sorts for Musk, who has waded deeply into federal issues.

    Even with this withdrawal, Musk is still an influence in international trade, urging President Trump to think again about those heavy tariffs. That said, Trump at the moment, doesn’t seem to be paying much heed to Musk’s suggestions.

    DOGE’s Lasting Influence and Controversial Methods

    Even as Musk reduces his direct influence in Washington, D.C., his work is still felt through the Revenue Doge unit. This initiative, which aims to root out inefficiencies in federal agencies, has led to sharp staffing cuts, contract cancellations, and a major restructuring of several of those agencies. These measures, especially in offices like the Social Security Administration and the IRS, have caused big trouble inside those organizations. In one very disturbing episode, the DOGE staff used the Social Security databases to misclassify some immigrants so that we could deny them services. Critics say what we are doing here is blurring some ethical lines and calling into question some very important public programs.

    Political Cost and Public Scrutiny

    Musk’s extreme cost-cutting has made waves in political circles, especially among lawmakers worried about the prospect of public backlash. The waste that Musk promised to find and publicize has not materialized. Public audits have put his inflated success claims, budget errors, and anachronistic credit-taking for changes made well before the DOGE era into a more realistic frame. Still, President Trump keeps lauding Musk in public and considers the billionaire a prized source of donations.

    Under the leadership of Musk confidant Steve Davis, DOGE is seen by insiders as having the potential to sustain itself without daily direction from Musk. In the federal system, Musk has placed loyalists to ensure continuity of his vision. Advisors now liken the momentum of DOGE to that of a rocket: it was launched with powerful thrust but is now coasting on inertia.

    Musk is now redirecting his energy towards Tesla, SpaceX, and the other companies he runs. Still, he has substantial momentum in the political world. It is unclear exactly how much influence DOGEcoin, the digital currency he champions, will have in the American system of government. But it could become a long-lasting presence, much like its creator.