Netflix has significant cash reserves and could raise its bid for HBO Max owner Warner Bros Discovery if rival Paramount Skydance increases its offer, according to sources familiar with the matter. The two media companies are competing fiercely over Warner Bros and its prized franchises, including Harry Potter, Game of Thrones, DC Comics, and Superman.

While Warner Bros is moving ahead with a shareholder vote on March 20 regarding Netflix's proposal, it has given Paramount a week to submit a more attractive bid. Netflix has offered $27.75 per share, totaling $82.7 billion, for Warner Bros’ studio and streaming operations, whereas Paramount has proposed $30 per share, or $108.4 billion, for the entire company, including Discovery Global, which owns CNN, HGTV, and other TV networks. Netflix and Warner Bros declined to comment. Sources noted that Netflix, the company behind Stranger Things, has considerable financial flexibility, holding about $9.03 billion in cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, allowing it to potentially increase its offer.

Warner Bros rejected Paramount’s latest hostile takeover bid on Tuesday but gave the studio until the end of Monday to present a “best and final” offer. Paramount had indicated an informal $31 per share bid. “Netflix appears to be leading, but that could change quickly,” said Matt Britzman, senior equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown. He noted that price will likely determine the outcome, adding that funding and regulatory concerns become secondary at a high enough valuation. Britzman expects Netflix to counter any improved Paramount offer, though the final decision may hinge on how much the board and shareholders value the network assets that Netflix would not acquire.

Paramount stated it would continue pursuing its tender offer, oppose the “inferior” Netflix deal, and still plans to nominate directors at Warner Bros’ upcoming annual meeting. Under the merger agreement, Netflix can match any higher offer from Paramount. Warner Bros Chairman Samuel DiPiazza Jr. and CEO David Zaslav reaffirmed their commitment to Netflix in a letter to Paramount’s board.

Paren Knadjian of Eisner Advisory Group said Paramount’s persistence suggests confidence in winning, but the Warner Bros board remains concerned about Paramount’s financing, timing, and regulatory approvals, which weaken the appeal of its offer despite a higher headline price. Paramount had proposed compensating Warner Bros investors for any delay beyond this year and covering the $2.8 billion breakup fee if Warner Bros withdrew from Netflix’s deal. However, the board rejected these terms, citing unresolved issues such as responsibility for a $1.5 billion junior lien financing fee, contingencies if debt financing fails, and the certainty of equity funding led by Larry Ellison.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

Indian data center firm Yotta Data Services announced plans to build one of Asia’s largest AI computing hubs using Nvidia’s Blackwell Ultra chips, in a project exceeding $2 billion. The initiative includes a four-year collaboration worth over $1 billion, under which Nvidia will deploy one of the Asia-Pacific region’s largest DGX Cloud clusters within Yotta’s infrastructure.

The project comes as global cloud providers such as Microsoft and Amazon expand AI data center capacity in India, responding to rising demand for generative AI services and efforts to localize advanced computing infrastructure. It also coincides with U.S. export controls reshaping global supply chains for advanced AI chips, prompting companies to strengthen partnerships in strategic markets like India.

The AI supercluster is expected to go live by August and will be hosted at Yotta’s data center campus near New Delhi, with supplementary capacity at its Mumbai facility. Yotta, part of Indian billionaire Niranjan Hiranandani’s real estate group, is Nvidia’s partner in India and currently operates three campuses across Mumbai, Gujarat, and near New Delhi.

The investment is part of a broader trend in India’s cloud and AI sector, where infrastructure expansion is driven by both domestic and international demand. Yotta’s hub aims to provide scalable, high-performance computing to support AI research and enterprise applications, positioning India as a key player in the regional AI landscape. Through this partnership, Nvidia gains a strategic presence in India while supporting the deployment of cutting-edge AI hardware, and Yotta strengthens its position as a leading data center provider capable of hosting next-generation AI workloads.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Reuters.

Actor Soha Ali Khan, speaking at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 on Monday, highlighted the growing risks women face in the rapidly evolving digital world and stressed that strong ethical safeguards in artificial intelligence are now crucial. Khan, a United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) advocate, spoke during the session titled “Reimagining Gender in Technology – Designing safer digital futures and advancing ethical AI for inclusive platforms.” She discussed how technology has transformed opportunities for women across India.

“I’ve witnessed this transformation firsthand. Young women are building businesses online, and girls are sharing their entrepreneurial journeys on digital platforms,” she said, underscoring how these tools empower women to become entrepreneurs and storytellers. Khan also noted that digital literacy initiatives and online tools have opened new avenues for learning and self-expression. “AI is extraordinary. It improves healthcare access, expands education, and helps close maternal health gaps. From digital literacy programs to young girls becoming confident storytellers, these tools are truly empowering,” she said.

However, Soha warned that the digital space reflects existing social inequalities. “The digital world is not neutral; it mirrors the society that creates it. AI is now accelerating these dynamics,” she said. While AI offers numerous benefits, she pointed out its potential for misuse. “AI makes it faster, cheaper, and easier than ever to impersonate someone, create deep fakes, manipulate images, and misuse personal data. Unfortunately, many women are left without the knowledge to defend themselves,” she added.

Khan emphasized that the challenge goes beyond technology. “This is not just a tech issue—it’s a mental health issue, a public health issue, and a human rights issue. Ethical AI is not optional; it is mandatory,” she said. She further defined ethical AI as encompassing safety by design, privacy by default, clear accountability, meaningful consent, and robust reporting mechanisms.

Andrea Wojnar of UNFPA, who also spoke at the session, stressed that AI systems often lack accountability and are biased. “AI is unequal and biased,” she said, adding that it reshapes both risks and opportunities. “AI will influence safety, but trust is also an economic factor. When women and girls feel unsafe online, participation drops, limiting the potential of the digital economy,” Wojnar explained. She added that when users don’t trust AI-enabled services, adoption slows and reputational risks increase, preventing the digital economy from reaching its full potential.

The India AI Impact Summit is being held from February 16 to 20 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi, bringing together global leaders, policymakers, and technology experts. The summit marks one of the first major AI events hosted in the Global South. Top figures expected include Sundar Pichai of Google, Sam Altman of OpenAI, Dario Amodei of Anthropic, and researchers Yann LeCun and Arthur Mensch. Indian business leaders such as Mukesh Ambani, N Chandrasekaran, Salil Parekh, Nikesh Arora, and Shantanu Narayen are also slated to attend.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from X.

The two-day U.S.–India Space Business Forum concluded on 11 February in Bengaluru, marking a significant step forward in bilateral space collaboration. Organized by the U.S. Consulate General in Chennai with support from the U.S.–India Strategic Partnership Forum, the gathering brought together more than 200 representatives from government bodies and leading industry players. As the centrepiece of the first-ever U.S. Trade Mission to India focused solely on commercial space, the forum hosted 23 senior executives from 14 major American space firms. They engaged directly with Indian stakeholders to identify areas of mutual cooperation.

Bengaluru, widely recognised as India’s Silicon Valley and a key aerospace hub, provided a fitting venue. With institutions such as ISRO and emerging private players like Skyroot Aerospace and Agnikul Cosmos, the city set the stage for discussions on collaborative ventures. Deliberations covered satellite production, launch capabilities, space-based analytics, and Earth observation systems. Regulatory policies, investment avenues, and technology sharing were also examined, aligning with India’s self-reliance goals under initiatives such as Make in India.

U.S. participants highlighted advanced technologies from companies including SpaceX affiliates, Lockheed Martin, and Boeing, focusing on reusable launch systems and small satellite networks. Indian representatives showcased achievements like the PSLV program and the forthcoming Gaganyaan human spaceflight mission. Public-private partnerships were a central theme. Discussions explored U.S.–India collaboration on large-scale initiatives such as the Bharatiya Antriksha Station and commercial lunar exploration, with potential to generate substantial trade value.

The forum reflected deepening strategic convergence between the two nations. With India’s space economy expected to reach 44 billion dollars by 2033 and the U.S. seeking dependable global partners, commitments were discussed for joint development in propulsion technologies and space situational awareness. More than 150 bilateral meetings took place during networking sessions, leading to preliminary agreements. Conversations spanned advanced technologies including hypersonic re-entry systems and AI-enabled mission design, supporting broader defence-space integration.

Officials from NASA’s commercial division, ISRO, IN-SPACe, and the U.S. Commercial Service outlined efforts to simplify visa norms and streamline export regulations, building upon the 2023 bilateral agreement on space situational awareness. Sustainability featured prominently, with discussions on orbital debris management, environmentally friendly propulsion, and responsible use of low Earth orbit resources. Participants advocated creating a joint regulatory framework for commercial space operations.

Industry leaders commended the open dialogue. A U.S. executive observed that India’s agility complements American scale, while Indian voices stressed the importance of technology localisation to strengthen national security. Talent collaboration was another focus. Given Bengaluru’s strong engineering ecosystem, proposals included joint training programs and internships to address expertise gaps in orbital dynamics and quantum sensing technologies.

The forum also addressed obstacles such as spectrum allocation, insurance challenges for mega-constellations, and geopolitical uncertainties in the Indo-Pacific region, highlighting the need for resilient supply chains. As proceedings concluded, USISPF announced plans to establish a working group to monitor progress, potentially leading to a structured 2026 roadmap similar to cooperation models seen in defence sectors. The U.S.–India Space Business Forum has positioned itself as a catalyst for expanded cooperation, signalling a future in which commercial space strengthens both economic growth and strategic stability for the two democracies.
Disclaimer: This image is taken from Indian Defence News.

With decisions delegated, chatbots replacing friends, and nature sidelined, Silicon Valley is shaping a life stripped of real connection. Escape is possible—but it will require a united effort.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from The Guardian.

Google has revealed plans for a significant increase in its AI investments in Singapore, featuring the launch of Majulah AI – a collection of training and innovation initiatives aimed at developing an AI-ready workforce. Daniel Martin speaks with Ben King, Managing Director of Google Singapore, about how these efforts will help Singapore achieve its goal of becoming an AI leader and accelerate AI adoption across the nation.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly making inroads into healthcare, offering tools that can answer medical queries, forecast risks, and support personalized health choices. But a new Singapore-based startup is challenging the notion that a single global AI model can safely cater to everyone. With structured screenings and national healthcare systems already in place, is there room for another AI health platform in Singapore? Hairianto Diman and Susan Ng explore this question with Hari V Krishnan, Co-founder and CEO of Genie Health.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.

This year, Nanyang Technological University (NTU) flagged three students for academic misconduct, alleging that they relied on generative AI tools in their assignments. What boundaries should govern AI usage, at what point does it become misconduct, and is it time to rethink how assignments are structured and evaluated? Steven Chia and Otelli Edwards discuss these questions with Associate Professor Ben Leong, director of the AI Centre for Educational Technologies at NUS, and Jeremy Soo, co-founder of Nex AI.

Disclaimer: This podcast is taken from CNA.