分类： technology

In a growing battle against the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI), Bollywood celebrities are taking legal action to protect their personality rights. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Karan Johar, and Abhishek Bachchan are among the high-profile figures who have approached the Delhi High Court to safeguard their identities from unauthorized exploitation, including deepfakes, fake profiles, and unauthorized merchandising. Personality rights, also known as publicity rights, ensure individuals have control over the commercial use of their name, image, voice, and other unique attributes. While India lacks a dedicated law for these rights, courts rely on common law and other legal frameworks, such as copyright and intellectual property laws, to address violations. Recent cases, including Anil Kapoor’s lawsuit over the misuse of his catchphrase ‘jhakaas’ and Jackie Shroff’s legal victory to protect his nicknames, highlight the increasing challenges posed by technology. Legal experts argue that India’s current system, which ties personality rights to privacy rights under Article 21 of the constitution, falls short compared to countries like the US, where such rights are codified and can even be inherited. The rise of AI-generated content, such as deepfakes, has further complicated the issue, with celebrities like Scarlett Johansson also raising concerns globally. While some advocate for codifying personality rights in India to provide clearer protections and deterrence, others believe the flexibility of existing laws allows for broader interpretation. As technology continues to evolve, the need for robust legal safeguards and public awareness about personality rights has never been more critical.

In a significant development in the ongoing US-China tech rivalry, Beijing has signaled its approval for American investors to take over TikTok’s operations in the United States. This move marks a rare thaw in the tense standoff between the two global powers, following a pivotal phone conversation between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping on September 19, where the TikTok issue was reportedly a central topic.

On September 19, 2025, Apple’s latest iPhone 17 series made its debut in Beijing, drawing hundreds of eager customers to the flagship store in the bustling Sanlitun district. The launch marked a significant moment for Apple in China, the world’s second-largest economy, as analysts predict the new models could revitalize the company’s market share amid fierce competition from local brands like Xiaomi and Huawei. Shuke Wang, a 35-year-old customer, was among the early adopters, opting for the Pro Max model priced at 9,999 yuan ($1,406). He praised the series’ redesign, particularly the orange variant, though he found it slightly flashy. The Pro Max’s extended battery life also stood out as a key selling point. Apple highlighted the base model’s enhanced features, including a brighter, scratch-resistant screen and an improved front-facing camera optimized for horizontal selfies. Despite a 6% decline in shipments during the first eight weeks of Q3, analysts remain optimistic. Chiew Le Xuan of Omdia forecasts an 11% year-over-year increase in iPhone shipments in China for the second half of 2025, driven by the new series. The iPhone 17 Pro Max, with its major redesign, is expected to outperform its predecessor and become Apple’s top-performing model in the Chinese market by 2026. Meanwhile, the iPhone Air, featuring e-SIM support, is seen as a technological testbed for future innovations, though its slim design compromises battery life and camera quality, which may limit its appeal among Chinese consumers. Apple’s ability to navigate regulatory hurdles for e-SIM services with Chinese telecom operators will also play a crucial role in its success.

Panasonic Corp, a leading global supplier of electric vehicle (EV) batteries, is on the brink of a technological breakthrough that could significantly enhance the performance of EVs. The company is developing an anode-free battery technology, which it aims to commercialize within the next two years. This innovation could potentially increase the driving range of Tesla’s Model Y by up to 90 miles (approximately 145 km) without altering the battery pack size, marking a 25% boost in capacity.

By eliminating the anode during the manufacturing process, Panasonic’s new design allows for the formation of a lithium metal anode after the battery’s initial charge. This approach not only frees up space for more active cathode materials—such as nickel, cobalt, and aluminum—but also enhances energy density. The company claims this technology will achieve a ‘world-leading level’ of battery capacity by the end of 2027.

In addition to improving range, Panasonic is exploring ways to reduce the proportion of nickel in its batteries, a move that could lower costs and make EVs more affordable. However, the company has not disclosed specific details regarding potential price reductions for Tesla vehicles.

This anode-free technology is part of a broader industry trend, with multiple global battery producers pursuing similar innovations. Panasonic’s advancements come at a critical time for Tesla, which has seen its U.S. market share decline amid increasing competition from rival EV manufacturers.

The development underscores Panasonic’s commitment to driving the EV industry forward, offering solutions that balance performance, cost, and sustainability. As the race for superior battery technology intensifies, Panasonic’s anode-free design could position it as a key player in shaping the future of electric mobility.

North Korean leader Kim Jong Un personally supervised the testing of advanced unmanned drones on September 18, 2025, as reported by the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA). The tests, conducted at an undisclosed location, focused on enhancing the capabilities of these drones through artificial intelligence (AI) technology. Kim expressed satisfaction with the performance of the ‘Kumsong’ tactical unmanned attack aircraft and an unmanned strategic reconnaissance aircraft, approving plans to further strengthen their operational effectiveness. This marks a continuation of North Korea’s efforts to integrate AI into its military technology, following a similar test of suicide drones equipped with AI in March 2025. In addition to the drone tests, Kim inspected the construction of a large greenhouse farm in Sinuiju, a city bordering China, highlighting the regime’s dual focus on military and agricultural advancements. The developments underscore North Korea’s commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology to bolster its defense capabilities and self-sufficiency.

The German economy suffered staggering losses of nearly €300 billion ($354.99 billion) over the past year due to a surge in cyberattacks, according to a recent survey by industry group Bitkom. The report, unveiled on September 18, 2025, in Berlin, highlights that foreign intelligence agencies, particularly from Russia and China, are increasingly behind these attacks, overshadowing traditional cybercriminals. Ralf Wintergerst, President of Bitkom, emphasized during a press conference that nearly half of the companies able to trace the origins of attacks identified Russia and China as the primary sources, while a quarter pointed to other EU countries or the United States. The survey, which polled 1,002 companies, revealed that ransomware attacks, which lock data until a ransom is paid, were the most prevalent, affecting 34% of businesses—a significant jump from 12% in 2022. One in seven companies admitted to paying ransoms. While large corporations were generally well-prepared for the escalating cyber threats, small and medium-sized enterprises, which form the backbone of Germany’s economy, were found to be more vulnerable. The €289.2 billion in damages primarily stemmed from production losses, theft, and substantial legal and remediation costs. Sinan Selen, Deputy Head of Germany’s domestic security service BfV, noted that the lines between cybercrime and cyberespionage are increasingly blurred, with state actors often purchasing credentials from criminals on the dark web. He also identified Iran and North Korea as significant sources of cyberattacks. The findings underscore the growing complexity of cybersecurity in an era of heightened geopolitical tensions, particularly since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.

In a groundbreaking revelation, Chinese AI developer DeepSeek disclosed that it spent a mere $294,000 to train its R1 model, a figure significantly lower than the costs reported by its U.S. counterparts. This disclosure, published in a peer-reviewed article in the journal Nature on September 18, 2025, is poised to reignite discussions about China’s role in the global AI race. The Hangzhou-based company, which has largely remained out of the public eye since its January 2025 announcement of lower-cost AI systems, detailed that the R1 model was trained using 512 Nvidia H800 chips over 80 hours. The article, co-authored by DeepSeek founder Liang Wenfeng, also revealed that the company utilized Nvidia A100 GPUs in the preparatory stages of development, a fact that had not been previously disclosed. This revelation comes amidst ongoing scrutiny from U.S. companies and officials regarding DeepSeek’s access to advanced AI chips, particularly after the U.S. imposed export controls on high-performance chips to China in October 2022. Despite these challenges, DeepSeek has managed to attract top talent in China, partly due to its operation of an A100 supercomputing cluster, a rarity among domestic firms. The company’s cost-effective approach to AI development has already had a significant impact on global markets, prompting investors to reevaluate the dominance of established AI leaders like Nvidia.

In a landmark move, Nvidia has announced a $5 billion investment in Intel, solidifying its position as one of the largest shareholders in the U.S. chipmaker. This strategic partnership, unveiled on September 18 in San Francisco, comes weeks after the U.S. government acquired a 10% stake in Intel, signaling a concerted effort to bolster domestic semiconductor capabilities. The collaboration aims to enhance AI and computing technologies, posing a significant challenge to industry giants like TSMC and AMD. Nvidia’s investment, priced at $23.28 per share, reflects confidence in Intel’s potential despite its recent struggles. The deal excludes Intel’s foundry business but focuses on joint development of PC and data center chips, leveraging Nvidia’s proprietary technology for faster chip-to-chip communication. This alliance could reshape the competitive landscape, particularly in AI servers, where Nvidia and Intel’s combined offerings may outpace rivals like AMD and Broadcom. Intel’s CEO, Lip-Bu Tan, has pledged to streamline operations and align factory capacity with demand. The partnership underscores a broader trend of U.S. tech firms uniting to counter global competition, with Nvidia and Intel poised to drive innovation in the next era of computing.