Elon Musk reveals Neuralink’s third human implant as Brain-Computer Interfaces expand horizons

Neuralink continues its push in the brain-computer interface space with a third implant, while competitors and researchers accelerate advancements globally.

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and Neuralink, has disclosed that his brain-computer interface (BCI) company has implanted devices in three human subjects, with all showing promising results. Speaking at an event in Las Vegas streamed on his platform X (formerly Twitter), Musk highlighted Neuralink’s progress and ambitions to implant the devices in 20-30 more people in 2025.

“We’ve got three humans with Neuralinks, and all are working well,” Musk stated, adding that the devices have been upgraded with more electrodes, higher bandwidth, and longer battery life since the first implant.

Musk shared updates on two previous Neuralink recipients. The second patient, who has a spinal cord injury, is using the implant to play video games and learn computer-aided design software for creating 3D objects. The first recipient, also paralysed, has used the implant for gaming and playing chess.

However, details about the third implant recipient remain undisclosed.

While Neuralink garners significant attention, over 45 clinical trials involving BCIs are currently underway worldwide, focusing on applications ranging from aiding communication in ALS patients to treating brain disorders. Rajesh Rao, co-director of the Center for Neurotechnology at the University of Washington, acknowledged Neuralink’s innovation in robotic-assisted surgery and flexible electrode threads. However, he noted that other companies, such as Synchron, Blackrock Neurotech, and Onward Medical, are advancing BCI technology through less invasive or more versatile methods.

BCIs are hailed as transformative for individuals with paralysis and neurological disorders. Marco Baptista, chief scientific officer of the Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, described the technology as “very exciting” but emphasised the need for more clinical data to determine the best approach. “This is clearly high-risk, high-reward. We don’t know how safe or feasible it will be,” Baptista said.

Neuralink received regulatory clearance in 2023 to begin human trials. Dr. Rita Redberg, a cardiologist and expert on medical device regulations, highlighted the rigorous oversight required for high-risk devices like BCIs. “The FDA ensures safety at every step, from recruiting patients to testing devices,” Redberg explained, noting the involvement of institutional review boards to evaluate risks and benefits for trial participants.

Despite Neuralink’s innovations, competitors have achieved significant milestones. Synchron’s BCI, for instance, uses minimally invasive techniques, while Blackrock Neurotech combines neural recording with stimulation.

Source: https://www.businesstoday.in/technology/news/story/elon-musk-reveals-neuralinks-third-human-implant-as-brain-computer-interfaces-expand-horizons-460812-2025-01-15

Income Tax Budget 2025: Will FM Sitharaman scrap old regime as new one gains popularity? Experts weigh in

Income Tax Budget 2025: No official plans exist to abolish the old tax regime, but discussions continue. While the new tax structure offers lower rates, many taxpayers prefer the old system's deductions.

Will the old tax regime be scrapped? No official announcements indicate that the government will abolish the old tax regime. However, discussions about its future have been ongoing. The new tax regime was introduced in the 2020 Union Budget, offering lower tax rates but without the exemptions and deductions available under the old one.

Many taxpayers still like the old tax system because of its deductions and exemptions, such as those under Sections 80C, 80D, and others, even though the new tax regime has become more popular since it is more straightforward.

Section 80C of the Income Tax Act provides deductions up to ₹1.5 lakh on investments in life insurance premiums, the principal repayment of home loans, and other savings instruments like the Public Provident Fund (PPF).

Section 80D allows deductions for premiums paid on medical insurance policies for self, family, and parents, helping taxpayers reduce their taxable income.

Will Modi Govt do away with old income tax regime?

“Looking at the biased attitude of the government towards the new tax regime, the increasing number of people opting for it and the fact that the limits of various deductions available under the old regime have not been enhanced after the introduction of new tax regime, do not get shocked if the finance minister altogether scraps the old tax regime,” Mumbai-based tax and investment expert Balwant Jain said.

He noted that since the government wants you to report your actual income, which is the basis of the new tax regime, it will likely happen sooner rather than later.

However, the outright abolition of the old tax regime demands a holistic approach to how it will affect the existing investment and retirement planning patterns. “The government has to rein in simplicity and instrumentality because tax-saving instruments must work for the middle class.

Suppose the 2025 Budget were to effect a phase-out of the old regime. In that case, it should also, most critically, ensure that motivation to undertake significant financial planning is preserved through the provision of incorporating certain key deductions into the new format,” said Siddharth Maurya, Founder & Managing Director of Vibhavangal Anukulakara Private Limited.

The simpler structure of the new regime, comprising lower rates as well as minimal deductions, coincides with the government’s view of having a straightforward tax regime. On the other hand, the old regime is still of importance to the significant taxpayers who have invested in tax-saving instruments, said Gaurav Singh Parmar, Associate Director, Fincorpit Consulting.

Even though the government has not made any formal declaration regarding ending the previous tax system, continuing conversations indicate that it is not impossible, particularly given the current system's increasing popularity. According to experts, if the government decides to phase out the previous tax system, it must ensure that essential deductions are included in the new structure to keep people motivated to plan their finances, especially middle-class people.

Source: https://www.livemint.com/money/personal-finance/income-tax-budget-2025-will-fm-sitharaman-scrap-old-tax-regime-as-new-one-gains-popularity-taxpayers-experts-weigh-in-11736924156316.html

Amazon races to transplant Alexa’s ‘brain’ with generative AI

Amazon is gearing up to relaunch its Alexa voice-powered digital assistant as an artificial intelligence “agent” that can complete practical tasks, as the tech group races to resolve the challenges that have dogged the system’s AI overhaul. The $2.4tn company has for the past two years sought to redesign Alexa, its conversational system embedded within 500mn consumer devices worldwide, so the software’s “brain” is transplanted with generative AI. 

Source: https://www.ft.com/content/de4c86b8-c744-4051-9255-d34259223160

Biden admin’s cap on GPU exports may hit India's AI ambitions

The outgoing US administration’s proposed rule to curb the import of graphics processing units (GPUs) by certain countries may hit India's ambitions. GPUs power heavy artificial intelligence (AI) models and applications.


Read more at:
https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/technology/biden-admins-cap-on-gpu-exports-may-hit-indias-ai-ambitions/articleshow/117245296.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst

Amid H-1B visa debate, some Indians lose jobs

HYDERABAD: Indian professionals are facing the heat in the wake of a raging debate over H-1B visa reforms in the US. With President-elect Donald Trump's administration expected to introduce stricter immigration policies, several professionals have already been hit by job offer withdrawals, visa delays and warnings of potential layoffs.
TOI spoke to eight professionals in the US and in Hyderabad, and at least three had their job offers abruptly revoked due to "visa-related concerns". Hyderabad-based software engineer V Puvvada (name changed) is one such professional. Hired by a US tech giant in Dec, she was preparing to move to San Francisco when her offer was revoked. She had, meanwhile, quit her current job.

"I was offered the job in Dec 2024 and since I had a written confirmation, I resigned from my current job," said the 28-year-old.
The company cited "changing visa dynamics" as the reason for withdrawing the offer. "I feel cheated. Why offer a role when you're not sure about sponsoring the visa? They later said that they will issue my offer letter again when the whole discussion is settled and there is a concrete decision after Donald Trump assumes office. But how long can I wait?" Vaishnavi said.



According to US Citizenship and Immigration Services, over 72% of the 380,000 H1B visas issued in 2023 went to Indians, most of whom work in STEM fields like data science, AI, machine learning, and cybersecurity. These professionals earn an average salary of $118,000 (about Rs 1.01 crore) annually.

However, Indian professionals in the US are staring at an increasingly challenging environment as Trump's administration is expected to "reform" the H1B programme by increasing salary thresholds and costs for employers, aiming to prioritise American workers. There's also a growing backlash from MAGA supporters, who have often targeted the H1B visa, claiming it undermines American jobs and wages.

The fear of unemployment is affecting those waiting for visa renewals. Samaira Haji (name changed), a cybersecurity consultant in Los Angeles, is facing delays in her H1B visa sponsorship.
"Initially, the company promised to expedite the process (of sponsoring the H1B). But now they claim they are ‘waiting for clarity' on the potential visa reforms. The wait is agonising," she said.

Saniya, who moved from Nagpur to US in 2022 for her master's degree, is unsure of her future. "I was told they would register me for the H1B lottery in March 2025. But they haven't even initiated the preliminary stages of the process. Does it mean they are going to file for my H1B later, or are they going to just fire me if there is any major reform?" she wondered.

A woman from Telangana, who recently secured a position as a data analyst after an extended job search, now faces a new challenge as her company expresses uncertainty about sponsoring her visa.

"Now that I have finally secured a position as a data analyst, the uncertainty around the H1B visa has come to haunt me. I can't even think of facing the trauma of unemployment again," she said, preferring to remain anonymous.

Similarly, a software developer from Gujarat working in California, is feeling anxious despite holding a secure visa. His company recently announced workforce reductions, adding to his worries.

"The management hasn't stated categorically if these layoffs are linked to visa issues, but the timing is suspicious," he said, choosing to remain anonymous. "If we lose our job, we have to find another within 60 days to be able to continue staying here."

With unemployment at record levels and increasing uncertainties for Indian immigrants, he said finding a new job with H1B sponsorship within such a short period would be difficult. "It is terrifying to think that I could lose my job and my legal status in the US any moment," he said.

A senior immigration lawyer based in Georgia, speaking on condition of anonymity, elaborated on the broader implications. "Employers are hesitant to commit to international hires because the rules are in flux. They fear investing resources in sponsorships that might later face rejection or scrutiny. Unfortunately, it's the employees who have to bear the brunt of this uncertainty," the lawyer said.

Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/amid-h-1b-visa-debate-some-indians-lose-jobs/articleshowprint/117181707.cms

UGC NET December 2024 exam for January 15 postponed, new date later

NTA Postponed UGC NET December 2024 Exam: Candidates are advised to keep visiting the NTA website – nta.ac.in and ugcnet.nta.ac.in for latest updates on UGC NET December 2024 exam.

NTA Postponed UGC NET Exam Scheduled on Jan 15 2025: The National Testing Agency (NTA) has postponed the January 15 exam of the University Grants Commission National Eligibility Test (UGC NET) December 2024. The postponement comes after representations were received to postpone the exam amid Pongal, Makar Sankranti and other festivals on January 15. The new exam date will be announced later, NTA said.

UGC NET is held to award Junior Research Fellowship and appoint Assistant professor, for appointment as Assistant Professor and admission to PhD and admission to PhD only. The UGC NET December 2024 exam is conducted for 85 subjects. The UGC NET December 2024 exam which started on January 3 was supposed to continue till January 16. The exams scheduled to be held on January 16 will be conducted as per earlier schedule, NTA added.

The exams are being held online in two shifts – the first from 9 am to 12 noon and the second between 3 pm and 6 pm.

Candidates are advised to keep visiting the NTA website – nta.ac.in and ugcnet.nta.ac.in for latest updates on UGC NET December 2024 exam.

Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/education/ugc-net-december-2024-exam-january-15-postponed-new-date-ugcnet-nta-ac-in-pongal-makar-sankranti-bihu-9777647/

Why is Meta shutting down fact-checkers? | Explained

Is crowd-sourced fact-checking a better way of implementing content moderation? What role did fact-checkers play during the COVID-19 pandemic? How have fact-checking communities responded to Zuckerberg’s announcement? When are policy changes likely to be implemented?

The story so far: On January 7, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg said the company will get rid of fact-checkers and simplify content policies by removing restrictions on topics as it is “out of touch with mainstream discourse.” In a five-minute video, he said that the company will return to its roots as the fact-checkers have been “too politically biased” and “destroyed more trust than they created, especially in the U.S.”

After the 2016 U.S. presidential election results were out, Meta, then known as Facebook, faced serious backlash for amplifying political posts that helped tilt the election in favour of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. To build back its reputation, Facebook roped in content moderators globally and developed technology to filter harmful content.

Read the full story at: https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/technology/why-is-meta-shutting-down-fact-checkers-explained/article69089803.ece