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Friday, January 9, 2026
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Tech

AI and the dire need for a new ‘human-ness’

Careless use of AI risks brand sameness; algorithms are made for immediate needs, not for creating brand love. As a result, demands increase for creativity and human qualities.

Rolls-Royce revs up custom cars for super rich as EV demand drops

Two years on, enthusiasm has waned for the Spectre, and sales have slumped, suggesting even billionaires are hesitant about buying EVs.

Grok makes sexual images of children as users test AI guardrails

XAI has positioned Grok as more permissive than other mainstream AI models, and had introduced a feature called ‘Spicy Mode’ that permits partial adult nudity.

From eating meat to animal testing in labs, technology can help us lead more moral lives—if we let it

When my now-wife and I were on our first date, she asked me what part of our everyday lives our grandkids would find morally shocking. We agreed, immediately, on what it was: exploiting animals.

My favourite car of the year is a $200,000 Mercedes-Benz hybrid

The 805-horsepower, four-seat AMG GT has natural wood-grain trim elements on the doors and Burmester surround sound. It has ergonomic seats that are heated and cooled, and give good massages.

AI relationships: Chatbots have a social cost

Artificial intelligence tools subtly manipulate people and displace their need to ask others for advice. That had a detrimental impact on real relationships.

Tata plans to add five EVs in India by 2030

The push underscores an attempt to dig in its heels as competition intensifies in the domestic market. Maruti Suzuki will soon start selling its first EV.

India’s AI Moment in Agriculture Lies in a Unified Ecosystem

AI can help Indian agriculture manage risk, boost productivity, and improve incomes—but only if technology, markets, and institutions work together to serve the needs of smallholder farmers at scale.

Pax Silica: Multi-nation semiconductor & AI supply chain ecosystem is born, but India is kept out

US sets up new technology order, inducts Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Netherlands, UK, Israel, UAE, Australia. Comes at time when India-US trade talks have not delivered conclusive results.

Amazon to invest over $35 billion in India on AI expansion and exports

Major US tech firms have poured billions of dollars into India this year, underscoring the country's emergence as a strategic hub for cloud, AI and deep‑tech growth.

On Camera

Global economic growth to slow in 2026 as Trump’s tariffs bite, UN says

The global economy is forecast to expand 2.7% this year, down from an estimated 2.8% in 2025. Growth is expected to go back up to 2.9% by 2027.

2025: Pakistan’s deadliest year in over a decade

Islamabad-based think-tank PICSS's new report says Pakistan saw 'pronounced escalation' in violence last year, with 3,413 conflict-related deaths compared to 1,950 in previous year.

A year-end Mea Culpa in National Interest—The Army-Islam combo doesn’t kill democracy

Many of you might think I got something so wrong in National Interest pieces written this year. I might disagree! But some deserve a Mea Culpa. I’d deal with the most recent this week.