OpenAI releases new GPT-5.1; promises "smarter, more conversational ChatGPT”

What’s new

• GPT-5.1 consists of two main model variants:
• GPT‑5.1 Instant — described as “warmer, more conversational… better at following your instructions.”
• GPT‑5.1 Thinking — designed for advanced reasoning: faster on simple tasks, spends more time (when needed) on complex tasks, clearer language.

• Better personalization: users get more control over tone and style. New “personality presets” include Professional, Candid, Quirky, in addition to previous ones (Default, Friendly, Efficient, Cynical, Nerdy).

• Automatic routing: A model labelled “GPT-5.1 Auto” will route queries to the model that’s best suited (Instant vs Thinking) without the user needing to choose in many cases.

• Roll-out plan: Paid users get access first (Pro, Plus, Business), then free/logged-out users over the next days. Older GPT-5 will remain available for paid users for about 3 months as “legacy” before sunset.

• Safety updates: The “System Card Addendum” shows updated safety evaluation — including mental-health, emotional reliance tests.

more info: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/chatgpt-51-launched-whats-new-in-openais-most-advanced-ai-model/article70274165.ece

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“Reliance Jio expands free Google AI Pro offer to all age groups: How to claim it and what all it offers”

What the offer is

• Jio users will get free access to Google AI Pro (also described as the “Gemini AI Pro” bundle) for 18 months.
• The plan is valued at about ₹35,100 (approx US $396) in India.
• The bundle includes:
• Access to Gemini 2.5 Pro (Google’s advanced AI model)
• Generative-media tools: image & video creation via models like Nano Banana and Veo 3.1.
• Access to NotebookLM for research / analysis tasks.

2 TB cloud storage across Google Drive, Gmail, Google Photos etc.

more info: https://www.livemint.com/technology/tech-news/reliance-jio-expands-free-google-ai-pro-offer-to-all-age-groups-how-to-claim-it-and-what-all-it-offers-11762594165452.html

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Meta plans $600 billion US spend as AI data centers expand

 

“Meta plans $600 billion US spend as AI data centers expand”

Meta announced it will invest about US $600 billion in U.S. infrastructure including AI-focused data centres and jobs over the next few years.

The investment is aimed at building “industry‐leading AI data centres” and supporting Meta’s ambition toward what it calls “personal superintelligence.”

Meta says this infrastructure build will help support not only its AI ambitions, but also local U.S. economic growth via jobs, contracts and community investment.

Things to watch

• Time horizon: The $600 billion figure is over several years — not immediate. Returns may be years away.
• Capital intensity: Meta’s capital expenditures (capex) in 2025 are already forecast to rise materially.
• Energy & sustainability: Data centres of this scale demand lots of power and water — how Meta handles environmental/utility/regulatory issues will be important.
• Competitive pressure: Other large tech firms are also investing heavily in AI infrastructure — Meta is not alone, so differentiation will matter.

More info: https://www.reuters.com/business/meta-plans-600-billion-us-spend-ai-data-centers-expand-2025-11-07/

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Motion Picture Association tells Meta to stop using PG-13 to refer to Instagram teen account content

 

“Motion Picture Association tells Meta to stop using PG-13 to refer to Instagram teen account content”

• Meta announced that Instagram accounts for users under 18 (teen accounts) will by default view content that’s “guided by PG-13 ratings” — i.e., similar in maturity level to what the PG-13 film rating covers.
• The MPA (which manages the film rating system in the U.S.) sent Meta a cease-and-desist letter, objecting to Meta’s use of “PG-13” in this way. They argue:
• They were not consulted by Meta.
• Meta’s filtering process (largely AI-based) does not match the human-review, consensus-based rating process the MPA uses for films.
• Using “PG-13” in this way could “erode public trust” in the MPA’s ratings.
• They claim “PG-13” is a registered certification mark and unauthorized usage is improper.
• Meta responded saying that:
• They “never claimed or implied” a partnership or that their teen content is officially rated by the MPA.
• Their goal was to make their content moderation clearer to parents by referencing a familiar standard.
• They consider their use of “PG-13 style” as “fair use” of a widely understood concept.

more info: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/motion-picture-association-tells-meta-to-stop-using-pg-13-to-refer-to-instagram-teen-account-content/article70246850.ece

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OpenAI boss Sam Altman wants to read your mind now, with sound waves and no surgery

 

“OpenAI boss Sam Altman wants to read your mind now, with sound waves and no surgery”

• Sam Altman (CEO of OpenAI) is reportedly backing a new startup called Merge Labs.
• Merge Labs aims to build a non-invasive brain-computer interface (BCI) — one that uses sound waves (ultrasound) and magnetic fields, instead of surgery, to read brain activity.
• The proposed system is “read-only” (at least initially): the goal is for you to think something and have an AI respond — without needing electrodes implanted in your skull.
• A key technical figure associated: Mikhail Shapiro, biomolecular engineer at Caltech, known for work on using ultrasound + gene therapy for neural interfaces.

 Why it matters

• If successful, this could revolutionise how humans interact with machines/AI — from voice or typing, to thought-based commands.
• Non-invasive means fewer risks (than surgical implants), potentially wider adoption and fewer regulatory/ethical hurdles.
• For you, given your interest/background (data, AI, visualization): this points to a future where sensor data, brain signals, neural modelling become part of the tech stack.

more info: https://www.indiatoday.in/technology/news/story/openai-sam-altman-wants-to-read-your-mind-now-with-no-surgery-2808548-2025-10-26

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OpenAI launches AI browser Atlas in latest challenge to Google

 “OpenAI launches AI browser Atlas in latest challenge to Google”

 

• OpenAI has launched a new web browser called ChatGPT Atlas (or “Atlas”) on October 21, 2025 for macOS, with Windows, iOS and Android versions coming soon.
• Atlas is built around its chatbot platform ChatGPT, integrating features like:
• A chat interface within the browser (instead of just a search bar) to ask questions and get help based on the page you’re on.
• A “browser memory” feature: the browser can remember things from your browsing history, tabs, etc (if you allow it) and use that context to produce better responses or suggestions.
• An “agent mode” (for paid users) where the AI can act on your behalf: e.g., navigate a site, add items to cart, book appointments, etc.
• The strategy: OpenAI wants to move beyond just being a chatbot and become “the browser” people use — in effect, the new gateway to the web, instead of just a search engine.
• This move is clearly seen as a direct challenge to Google’s dominance in browsers and search.

For Indian users / market like Chennai

• The browser is globally released (at least for macOS currently) so availability in India may follow soon or be simultaneous.
• If implemented well, users in India could benefit from more efficient browsing and task automation (shopping, travel, bookings) especially given the growing web-commerce and mobile usage here.
• On the flip side, local language support, regional context (Indian websites, payment methods) will probably determine adoption — if OpenAI caters to Indian ecosystem, then there’s big potential.
• Local privacy/regulation: Indian data laws, how a globally-launched browser handles local jurisdictions, will be something to watch.

 

More info: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c07mz10m1k9o

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Honor teases new smartphone featuring pop-up ‘robotic’ camera, more details expected in 2026

 

“Honor teases new smartphone featuring pop-up ‘robotic’ camera, more details expected in 2026”

What’s known so far

• The teased device is being called “Robot Phone”.

• It looks like a regular smartphone at first, but the back has a camera module that can swing out on a robotic arm (similar to a gimbal) to reposition itself.

• The teaser video shows the camera in action — it swings out, moves, and adjusts its angle, possibly to track subjects or take shots from different perspectives.

• Honor claims the device is real (not just a concept) and says full details will be revealed at MWC 2026 in Barcelona.

• The phone is part of Honor’s “Alpha Plan,” aiming to evolve smartphone designs with robotics, AI, and more adaptive behaviors.

More info: https://indianexpress.com/article/technology/tech-news-technology/honor-teases-new-smartphone-featuring-pop-up-robotic-camera-more-details-expected-in-2026-10209664-10309664/?ref=technology_pg

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