Author: educatekaro

IGPDA Is Here: India’s Game Makers Joining Forces

by educatekaroin News, game, IndiaLeave a Comment on IGPDA Is Here: India’s Game Makers Joining Forces

India’s gaming industry just leveled up! Several leading publishers and developers—like Nazara Technologies, Gametion (makers of Ludo King), nCore Games, Reliance Games, SuperGaming, Tara Gaming, underDOGS Studio, Aeos Games, and Dot9 Games—have come together to form the Indian Game Publishers and Developers Association (IGPDA). Here’s why this matters:

One Voice, United Vision

After the government introduced new gaming legislation, IGPDA emerged to give India’s game makers a strong, shared voice. This body aims to shine a spotlight on Made-in-India IPs, telling our stories through games and helping studios build global-quality, AAA-level titles.

Genuine Support Across the Board

IGPDA isn’t just about big studios—it’s about supporting the whole ecosystem. From developers and publishers to academia, tech partners, investors, and even indie creators—it’s a full-stack alliance. According to underDOGS Studio, this is a vital launchpad for indie heroes to create world-class franchises backed by India.

Making Mumbai the Global Game Hub

One exciting move: IGPDA is teaming up with the Maharashtra government to shape Mumbai into a global gaming hub. The plan includes policy support to draw companies into the state and attract investment.

More Than Just Games

While compliance with new laws is important, IGPDA is focusing on building for tomorrow. That includes:

  • Encouraging innovation,
  • Advocating for global standards like privacy and parental controls,
  • Helping studios with infrastructure (cloud, tools, testing), and
  • Mentoring and investment access for newcomers.

Cultural Power Play

This isn’t just about economics—it’s about culture. Industry leaders like Amish Tripathi (Tara Gaming) stress that India deserves a slice of the global gaming pie. Our own stories, crafted into games, can both bring revenue home and export our culture worldwide.

What’s Ahead?

  • IGPDA will join hands in Maharashtra’s state-backed showcase event toward the end of the year.
  • They’ll bring policy input, skill-building, and global visibility to India’s AVGC (Animation, Visual Effects, Gaming, Comics) ecosystem.
  • The goal? To move beyond struggling under regulatory burdens toward bold, creative ambition—and claim India’s place on the world gaming stage.

Read more: Moneycontrol

Perplexity’s Big Shift: How Publishers Finally Get Paid for Their Content in AI Search

by educatekaroin News, AI, Business, TechLeave a Comment on Perplexity’s Big Shift: How Publishers Finally Get Paid for Their Content in AI Search

Perplexity has launched a new, transparent revenue share program for publishers, aiming to compensate media outlets when their content is used or referenced in AI-powered search results and tasks.

How Perplexity’s Revenue Share Works

Perplexity’s initiative introduces a subscription tier called Comet Plus, priced at $5 per month, that enables publishers to earn money through three channels:

  • Users will now be directed straight to publisher websites via the Comet browser.
  • When publisher content is cited in search answers.
  • When the AI agent uses content to fulfill user tasks.
    Unlike traditional ad-supported models, this program pools subscription revenues and distributes 80% directly to publishers, with Perplexity keeping 20% for operational costs.

Funding and Payouts

The program starts with an initial $42.5 million revenue pool dedicated to publisher compensation, with plans to grow this fund as subscriptions increase. Payments will be calculated based on how frequently a publisher’s content is used in AI search results, cited in answers, or utilized by AI agents.

Industry Impact and Reception

This model is one of the first by an AI startup to transparently share revenues based on actual content usage, representing a shift from the multimillion-dollar exclusive licensing deals common with AI giants like OpenAI and Google. This move comes as a response to criticism that AI tools exploit journalism without fair return and is intended to set a more balanced compensation model in the age of AI.

Publisher Participation

Perplexity is actively seeking major publishing partners and has previously worked with outlets like TIME, Fortune, the LA Times, Blavity, and Der Spiegel. While specific new partners for Comet Plus haven’t been disclosed, the company emphasizes that the program is open to collaboration and feedback from the media industry.

The Fresh Take

With the launch of Comet Plus and this revenue-share model, Perplexity is attempting to set a precedent for sustainable media monetization in the AI-driven web. It emphasizes transparency, direct payouts based on actual usage, and an open invitation to publishers to help refine the system—moving beyond ad clicks and traffic, toward a business model designed for the modern search experience.

Read more: Bloomberg, ET

Meta Teams Up with Midjourney to Bring Stunning Visuals to AI

by educatekaroin News, AI, Apps, Business, TechLeave a Comment on Meta Teams Up with Midjourney to Bring Stunning Visuals to AI

Meta just dropped an exciting update for AI enthusiasts—it’s partnering with Midjourney to integrate their cutting-edge aesthetic technology into Meta’s future AI products. The goal? To make AI not just smart, but visually beautiful.

According to Meta, this collaboration is more than just a licensing deal. It’s a technical partnership where both research teams will work closely to push the boundaries of AI creativity. And honestly, it makes sense. Midjourney has already set the bar high in the world of AI-generated art, so combining that with Meta’s scale could be game-changing.

Meta is going all-in to deliver top-notch products—bringing together world-class talent, huge computing resources, and strategic partnerships with leading industry players. With Midjourney’s visual flair and Meta’s ambitious roadmap, this could reshape how we experience AI-generated content across social media and beyond.

The companies are keeping details under wraps for now, but they promise more updates soon. If this is just the beginning, the future of AI visuals might be a whole lot more beautiful.

xAI Open-Sources Grok 2.5: A Bold Move in AI World

by educatekaroin News, AI, TechLeave a Comment on xAI Open-Sources Grok 2.5: A Bold Move in AI World

Elon Musk is back in the spotlight, and this time it’s not about rockets or EVs. His AI company, xAI, just made a big announcement – Grok 2.5 is now open source. Yep, the same advanced language model that’s been grabbing attention is now free for developers and researchers to play with.

So Why Does This Matter?

Well, Grok 2.5 isn’t just another chatbot brain. It’s built to compete with the big guns like GPT and Google’s Gemini. By opening it up, xAI is giving everyone – from indie coders to tech giants – the chance to experiment, tweak, and build on top of a powerful model without paying hefty licensing fees.

What Makes This Different?

Here’s the interesting part: most AI companies keep their models under lock and key. But Musk is taking a different route, betting on transparency and community-driven progress. This move not only levels the playing field but also speeds up innovation in areas like chatbots, enterprise tools, and AI-driven apps.

Why Would Musk Do This?

Probably to challenge the growing dominance of closed AI ecosystems. Plus, let’s be honest, open-source projects often grow faster because thousands of brains work on them instead of just one company’s team.

What Does It Mean for Developers and Businesses?

For developers, this is honestly a big deal. Imagine building apps with serious AI power without burning through your budget – that’s what this unlocks. Businesses can finally tinker with custom AI tools without being stuck paying crazy fees to big vendors.

The Bigger Picture

And for the AI world? It feels like a push toward making this stuff way more accessible to everyone, not just big tech. It’s not just xAI making bold moves. OpenAI has also opened parts of ChatGPT to the public. Two new open-weight models—gpt-oss-20B and gpt-oss-120B—are now available under the Apache 2.0 license. The smaller one runs on laptops, while the bigger model works on desktops or cloud GPUs. This marks a clear trend: even AI giants are embracing openness, and xAI’s Grok 2.5 release shows the competition is heating up.

The Takeaway

Grok 2.5 going open source isn’t just another update in the news feed – it’s a bold move that could seriously shake up the whole AI race.

India’s Online Gaming Bill 2025: A New Era for Digital Play

by educatekaroin News, game, India, TechLeave a Comment on India’s Online Gaming Bill 2025: A New Era for Digital Play

India just witnessed a historic shift in its gaming landscape. In August 2025, the government passed the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025, a law that completely changes how online gaming will work in the country. It was cleared by both Houses at record speed, received presidential approval, and is now set to redefine digital gaming forever.

What Does the Bill Say?

1. Complete Ban on Real-Money Games

The biggest shocker? All real-money online games are banned.
This means popular platforms like Dream11, MPL, My11Circle, RummyCircle, and others can no longer operate in India. The law doesn’t stop there — even advertising these games is now a criminal offense. Financial institutions or payment gateways that process transactions for such games will also face legal action.

2. E-sports and Social Gaming Get a Boost

While real-money gaming has been axed, the Bill promotes e-sports, educational games, and socially engaging platforms. India has officially granted legal recognition to e-sports for the very first time. A new regulatory authority will oversee this sector, set standards, and encourage positive digital gaming.

Why the Ban on Money Games?

The government highlighted two big reasons:

  • Addiction and Public Health Concerns:
    Real-money gaming led to severe consequences — financial ruin, family disputes, and even suicides linked to gaming addiction. The government decided enough was enough.
  • National Security Risks:
    Investigations revealed some platforms were being misused for money laundering, tax evasion, and even terror financing. The government prioritized safety over revenue.

Penalties Under the Law

  • For Gaming Companies:
    Up to 3 years in prison and ₹1 crore fine for offering money-based games. Repeat violations can mean 5 years jail and ₹2 crore fine.
  • For Influencers and Advertisers:
    Promoting banned games could lead to a penalty of up to ₹50 lakh and imprisonment for as long as 2 years.
  • For Banks and Payment Gateways:
    Processing transactions for these games? You’re in trouble too.

The law gives authorities strong powers, including search, seizure, and arrests without warrants — even in digital spaces. This move has sparked worries regarding individual privacy and civil rights.

The Impact: Big Shockwaves Across India

Economic Fallout

The real-money gaming sector in India was worth ₹30,000 crore (about $3.7 billion) and supported over 2 lakh jobs. Overnight, this industry faces a shutdown.
Influencers, streamers, and professional gamers who earned from fantasy and skill-based games are now scrambling for alternatives.

The government will also lose ₹15,000–₹20,000 crore annually in GST revenue, but officials say social safety is more important than tax income.

Challenges Ahead

  • Rise of Illegal Markets:
    Experts warn that the ban may drive players to unregulated platforms or dark web alternatives, making things riskier.
  • Privacy Concerns:
    The enforcement powers in the Bill have sparked debates on digital rights and user data security.

The Positive Side

  • Safer Gaming for Youth:
    Supporters say this law will protect young people from gambling addiction and financial harm.
  • Boost for E-sports:
    With official recognition, e-sports in India could finally go mainstream — think tournaments, training academies, and a possible gaming career path.

What Happens Next?

  • The government will soon announce when the law comes into effect.
  • A new regulatory authority will monitor the industry, classify games, and resolve complaints.

Final Word

The Online Gaming Bill 2025 stands out as a daring yet contentious initiative. It aims to make gaming in India safer and healthier, but it also disrupts a massive industry. As the dust settles, one thing is clear: the way India plays online has changed forever.

Read more on: TOI, Firstpost, HT

GPT-5 Buzz vs Reality: Why It Didn’t Live Up to the Hype

by educatekaroin News, AI, Coding, TechLeave a Comment on GPT-5 Buzz vs Reality: Why It Didn’t Live Up to the Hype

When OpenAI announced GPT-5, the internet went wild. Threads on Reddit, endless tweets, and tech influencers all hinted at one thing: this was going to be the upgrade. People imagined an AI so advanced that it could practically run businesses, write flawless code, and maybe even predict your next thought.

The reality? GPT-5 is good, no doubt, but it’s not the earth-shattering leap that marketing made it sound like. Here’s why the buzz was so big — and why expectations didn’t quite match reality.

Why GPT-5 Created So Much Noise

OpenAI knows how to build hype. Before launch, the company teased big phrases like “PhD-level intelligence” and introduced a new feature called Agent Mode. Social media picked it up, and soon the narrative was clear: GPT-5 was going to change everything.

People started imagining an AI that would not just answer questions but act like a personal digital employee — booking meetings, managing tasks, even running your projects. Add to that the usual chatter about “the next step towards the future,” and expectations went through the roof.

The Real Improvements

Now, let’s be fair. GPT-5 is definitely better than GPT-4. It brings:

  • Stronger reasoning skills: Great for complex, multi-step tasks.
  • Better context retention: Conversations feel smoother without losing the thread.
  • Model routing: GPT-5 can choose between models for speed and accuracy.
  • Agent Mode (beta): Designed to break big tasks into steps and execute them.

For power users — developers, analysts, and advanced researchers — these upgrades matter a lot. If you need AI for logic-heavy work, GPT-5 is a solid step forward.

So, Where Did It Fall Short?

For everyday users, the change isn’t dramatic. Writing emails, summarizing docs, or brainstorming ideas? GPT-4 already handled those well, and GPT-5 doesn’t feel like a game-changer here.

The most hyped feature, Agent Mode, is still rough around the edges. It’s slow, sometimes overcomplicates tasks, and feels more experimental than production-ready. Great idea, but not yet the AI assistant that replaces half your apps.

Another challenge? Expectation management. Marketing set the bar so high that anything short of magic was going to feel disappointing.

The Verdict: A Step Forward, Not a Leap

GPT-5 is not a flop. It’s a solid, thoughtful update that improves reasoning, context, and efficiency. But it’s not the “mind-blowing” jump some hoped for. Think of it as part of a marathon, not a sprint.

If you’re into deep problem-solving, GPT-5 is worth trying. If you were expecting a miracle worker, you might want to temper your expectations. The AI race is heating up, and GPT-5 is another sign that progress is real — just not overnight.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PlP7QNPEkQARead more on: OpenAI, Fortune

Meta Just Rolled Out an AI-powered Voice Translation Feature for Reels

by educatekaroin News, AI, Apps, TechLeave a Comment on Meta Just Rolled Out an AI-powered Voice Translation Feature for Reels

Meta just rolled out an AI-powered voice translation feature for Instagram and Facebook Reels. It lets creators easily dub their videos into English or Spanish, matching their lip movements for a natural look. This means creators can reach new fans worldwide without language barriers. The tool is live for public accounts with 1,000+ followers, but not everywhere yet—some countries and U.S. states are missing out for now. Creators can preview translations and check how each language performs. Just face the camera and speak clearly for the best results. This could change how content travels across the globe.

Read more on: Cnet

Eight Sleep Raises $100M to Boost AI Sleep Tech and Go Global

by educatekaroin News, AI, Startup, TechLeave a Comment on Eight Sleep Raises $100M to Boost AI Sleep Tech and Go Global

Eight Sleep just scored $100 million to power up its smart sleep gear and step onto the world stage. This startup uses AI to create digital sleep twins that help predict and improve rest. They’re also moving into medical tech, aiming to tackle sleep apnea and menopause symptoms with smart cooling. Since 2019, they’ve sold over half a billion dollars in sleep pods and are now shipping to 30-plus countries. With this fresh cash, Eight Sleep wants to get even smarter and expand into China soon. Sleep better, dream bigger!

Read more on: Techcrunch

Grammarly Launches AI-Powered Writing Assistants to Bridge Education Gap

by educatekaroin News, AI, Apps, TechLeave a Comment on Grammarly Launches AI-Powered Writing Assistants to Bridge Education Gap

Grammarly introduced eight AI-driven writing assistants and a redesigned document interface on August 18, transforming from a grammar tool into a productivity platform. These agents help students and professionals with grading, citations, reader insights, and expert reviews while maintaining authentic authorship. The update addresses the growing AI literacy gap, as many students feel unprepared for AI in the workforce. Built on technology from Grammarly’s recent acquisition of Coda, the new block-based design includes an AI Chat assistant. The rollout begins with Free and Pro users, with Enterprise and Education access coming soon.

Read more on: Grammarly