The Dubai Airshow 2025 has become a key platform for advancing defence collaboration between India and the United Arab Emirates (UAE). High-level talks between Sanjay Seth, India’s Minister of State for Defence, and Mohammed Mubarak Al Mazrouei, the UAE’s Minister of State for Defence Affairs, highlighted a growing partnership in defence technology, training, and industrial cooperation.

The leaders agreed to institutionalise regular interactions and joint participation in defence exhibitions and exercises, establishing a continuous dialogue to ensure practical implementation of collaborative defence initiatives. This ongoing engagement will streamline coordination on technology sharing, logistical support, and operational training exchanges.

A key area of discussion was the potential for joint research, co-development, and co-production of military systems. India urged the UAE to collaborate on developing next-generation technologies, particularly in areas like unmanned platforms, precision-guided munitions, and electronic warfare—sectors in which both nations are heavily investing.

Such collaboration supports India’s "Make in India" and "Aatmanirbhar Bharat" initiatives, while aligning with the UAE’s “Operation 300bn” strategy aimed at fostering industrial self-reliance. Joint manufacturing ventures could position both countries as hubs for defence innovation and export-oriented production.

India’s participation at the airshow was showcased through the India Pavilion, which was inaugurated by Sanjay Seth. The pavilion highlighted India’s advancements in defence manufacturing and aerospace technology, featuring indigenous fighter jets, advanced avionics, unmanned aerial vehicles, and next-generation platform designs. The pavilion also spotlighted India’s cutting-edge BRAHMOS missile system, a joint development with Russia, which generated significant interest from international delegations. The missile’s versatility across air, land, and sea platforms underscored India’s growing capabilities in precision strike technologies, which are of interest to Middle Eastern partners.

Seth’s visit to the Vista Startup Zone also highlighted the role of Indian startups in the defence sector. Through the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) program, 15 Indian startups presented technologies in areas such as advanced avionics, AI-powered surveillance, and composite aerospace materials. These innovations reflect India’s push to integrate private sector expertise with national defence objectives. This also opens doors for Emirati investors and industries to collaborate with Indian startups, particularly in areas like autonomous systems and next-gen propulsion technologies, creating commercial benefits for both nations and boosting their defence industrial capacities.

India and the UAE's defence relations have expanded beyond traditional trade to include cooperation in maritime security, counter-terrorism, and intelligence sharing. The discussions at the Dubai Airshow 2025 signal a step forward in blending these strategic areas with technological collaboration. By leveraging India’s defence R&D capabilities and the UAE’s industrial and investment strengths, both countries are set to create a new model for South-South defence cooperation. This partnership also reinforces their roles as regional security pillars in the Indo-Pacific and West Asia.

The Indian delegation, consisting of senior officials from the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of External Affairs, and the Department of Defence Production, underscores New Delhi’s commitment to strengthening bilateral ties. The event has also set the stage for further policy-level dialogues on expanding operational cooperation, including joint exercises and technology transfer. India’s active participation at the Airshow highlights its growing influence in the global defence and aerospace sectors, while deepening its partnership with the UAE in pursuit of regional stability and technology-driven modernization.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.

Karnataka is taking a significant step to bridge its digital divide with the launch of KEO, a low-cost, AI-ready personal computer developed locally by the state’s Electronics and IT Department in collaboration with KEONICS. With computer ownership in India below 10 percent—and just 15 percent in Karnataka—the compact RISC-V–based device is designed to provide students and households with affordable access to full computing capabilities and on-device AI. The initiative aims to address the gaps that have kept millions from participating in online learning and modern digital work. State IT Minister Priyank Kharge emphasized that “KEO is Karnataka’s practical answer to the digital divide. It is not a luxury device; it is an inclusion device. Affordable mass computing will allow every student, small business, and household to participate fully in the digital economy.”

Over 60 percent of Indian students have reported being unable to access online learning due to a lack of devices, contributing to higher dropout rates. KEO—short for Knowledge-driven, Economical, Open-source—represents Karnataka’s effort to expand computer access. Built on an open-source RISC-V chip and Linux OS, the device offers a complete PC experience at an affordable price. It supports 4G, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, USB-A and USB-C ports, HDMI, audio, and comes preloaded with educational, coding, and productivity tools.

KEO also includes an on-device AI core, allowing AI functions to run without an internet connection. It comes preloaded with BUDDH, an AI agent trained on the Karnataka DSERT syllabus, to assist students even in low-connectivity regions. Sharath Kumar Bache Gowda, Chairman of KEONICS, highlighted that by adopting an open-source RISC-V stack, KEO strengthens Karnataka’s commitment to accessible, locally adaptable, home-grown computing solutions.

The device will be deployed across schools, universities, small businesses, government offices, and homes, providing direct pathways for digital learning, skill development, and entrepreneurship. It forms a core part of Karnataka’s mission to foster decentralized tech growth and ensure equal digital opportunities for all citizens. KEO will be officially unveiled by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah during the Bengaluru Tech Summit this week. Following the launch, the device will be showcased throughout the Summit, allowing students, startups, industry leaders, and visitors to experience its capabilities firsthand and understand its role in making AI-ready, affordable computing accessible across the state.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Business Standard.

On Tuesday, A Munich court ruled in favor of Germany’s music rights organization, GEMA, in a significant copyright case against the U.S.-based AI company OpenAI. The court determined that OpenAI cannot use song lyrics without obtaining a proper license and ordered the company to pay damages for using copyrighted material without authorization.

GEMA argued that OpenAI’s chatbot, ChatGPT, reproduces lyrics from copyrighted German songs without permission. The organization also claimed that ChatGPT was trained on protected works from GEMA’s repertoire, which includes approximately 100,000 members such as best-selling musician Herbert Groenemeyer. According to GEMA, this use of copyrighted content constitutes a violation of authors’ rights, as the AI reproduces lyrics without securing proper authorization from the rights holders.

OpenAI responded by stating that GEMA’s arguments reflect a misunderstanding of how ChatGPT operates. The company maintained that the AI does not directly copy content but generates responses based on patterns learned during training. Despite this defense, the Munich court sided with GEMA, reinforcing the importance of copyright compliance in the development and deployment of generative AI technologies.

The ruling is seen as a potentially landmark decision for the regulation of generative AI in Europe. GEMA is advocating for a licensing framework that would require AI developers to pay for the use of musical works both during AI training and in the output generated by the system. The decision can still be appealed, and both OpenAI and GEMA said they plan to release statements regarding the verdict later on Tuesday. This case highlights ongoing tensions between AI innovation and copyright protection, raising questions about how creative works can be used in AI training while respecting intellectual property rights.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated on Friday that there are currently "no active discussions" regarding the sale of the company’s advanced Blackwell AI chips to China. Blackwell, Nvidia’s flagship AI chip, has been restricted from sale to China by the Trump administration over concerns it could bolster China’s military and domestic AI industry.

Although there had been speculation that talks between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea might allow a limited version of Blackwell to be sold in China, no agreement has emerged. Huang, speaking during his fourth public visit to Taiwan this year, said, "Currently, we are not planning to ship anything to China." He added that it is up to China to change its policy if it wants Nvidia products to return to its market.

The U.S. has permitted Nvidia to sell its H20 chip in China, but Huang noted that China has shown little interest in Nvidia products, leaving the company with virtually no market share for advanced AI chips there. During his Taiwan visit, Huang met with long-time partner TSMC and attended the company’s sports day, describing business as “very strong” and saying he wanted to encourage TSMC employees. When asked about Tesla CEO Elon Musk’s semiconductor plans, Huang emphasized that building advanced fabs like TSMC’s is extremely challenging, though he acknowledged the high demand for such technology.

Huang also clarified remarks previously reported by the Financial Times regarding China leading the AI race. He explained that he had meant China possesses strong AI capabilities and a large pool of researchers—about 50% of the world’s AI researchers are in China, and many popular open-source AI models originate there. Huang stressed that while China is advancing rapidly, the U.S. must continue moving quickly to stay competitive in the global AI landscape.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

Authorities are alerting the public to a new scam that uses fake digital identity cards. Could our tendency to casually share NRIC or passport scans via messages or email be making it easier for scammers? Daniel Martin discusses this with Matthias Yeo, CEO of CyberXCenter, a company dedicated to strengthening cybersecurity in Singapore.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

OpenAI, the artificial intelligence company, is reportedly gearing up for an initial public offering (IPO) that could value it at as much as US$1 trillion, potentially ranking among the largest in history. The firm is expected to file with regulators by the second half of 2026, with a possible market debut in 2027. Hairianto Diman and Syahida Othman explore whether this trillion-dollar valuation is rooted in real fundamentals or driven by the growing hype surrounding AI’s future, alongside insights from Kyle Rodda, Senior Financial Market Analyst at Capital.com.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

As cyber threats become increasingly sophisticated and widespread, it is essential for businesses, government agencies, and individuals to stay informed about the latest trends, tactics, and strategies used by threat actors. Hairianto Diman and Syahida Othman explore how the private sector and government can enhance collaboration in cybersecurity with insights from Emil Tan, Director and Co-Founder of SINCON.

Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.

Recent revelations from current and former Meta employees claim that the company has concealed internal research highlighting significant risks to children on its virtual reality (VR) platforms. Meta rejects these claims, stating that it has conducted research on youth safety, implemented parental controls, set default privacy protections for teenagers, and that its legal actions were intended to ensure compliance with privacy regulations rather than to hide issues. Andrea Heng and Hairianto Diman examine the difficulties of addressing crimes in the VR environment with Nasya Bahfen, Senior Lecturer in the Department of Politics, Media, and Philosophy at La Trobe University.
Disclaimer: This Podcast is taken from CNA.