
PlanetSpark launches Project EMMA; invites mothers on career breaks for emotional modelling of its AI Tutor
emotional intelligence
into its
AI
tutor. As PlanetSpark's AI tutor transforms how children learn critical 21st-century life skills like public speaking, collaboration, and creativity, the company is now going a step further by making empathy, encouragement, and emotional nuance core to its AI-powered learning experience.
Project EMMA
invites skilled educator-mothers on post-maternity career breaks, into a six-week fellowship designed to co-train PlanetSpark's AI systems on emotional engagement with children. This initiative reimagines mothers' return as a contribution to frontier AI innovation, which will drive the future of AI-powered learning. Fellows will help train the AI to better recognise emotional cues such as hesitation, disengagement, or enthusiasm, and co-develop response patterns that make the learning environment more compassionate, responsive, and child-centric.
PlanetSpark's AI tutor, already trained on over 0.5 million class recordings and 5 years of proprietary life skills curriculum, can dynamically adapt lesson plans based on learning pace and style.
'Teaching confidence, collaboration, and resilience requires emotional fluency—something even advanced AI struggles with. This is where the deep behavioural intelligence of mothers becomes transformational. Time spent raising young children gives rise to a rare, instinctive mastery over emotional nuance—an understanding of how children communicate confusion, disengagement, joy, or frustration even when words fall short. Their day-to-day experience in guiding children through moments of resistance, self-doubt, and emotional highs equips them with one of the most underappreciated but vital capabilities in education: emotional calibration. These are precisely the skills that our AI tutor now needs to evolve into a truly human-centric learning companion,' said Maneesh Dhooper, Co-founder, PlanetSpark, in a statement.
Through structured reviews of anonymised classes, dialogue scenario design, and live feedback loops, these mothers will train PlanetSpark's AI to navigate emotional subtleties that only lived parenting and classroom experience can teach.
Live Events
Kunal Malik, Co-founder of PlanetSpark, added, 'We're not just bringing mothers back into the workforce; we're bringing them to the forefront of AI evolution. Emotional intelligence is the invisible curriculum behind life skills, and there is no one better than mothers to help us model it. Project EMMA is our way of converting career gaps into innovation opportunities.'
By the end of the fellowship, each participant will graduate as a certified AI Co-Training Fellow, with an opportunity to transition into roles across pedagogy development, quality assurance, and AI training. Their work will feed directly into PlanetSpark's next-gen AI release, ensuring that the emotional scaffolding within the system is as strong as its technical foundation. With Project EMMA, PlanetSpark is reinforcing its belief that the most effective life skills education lies at the intersection of innovation and empathy.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Time of India
4 days ago
- Time of India
11 fascinating facts about snakes and 5 common myths you probably still believe
Snakes have captivated human imagination for centuries, often depicted as symbols of danger or evil. But much of what people believe about these reptiles is rooted in myth, not science. Despite their fearsome reputation, snakes play a vital ecological role—from controlling pests to balancing food chains. Across cultures and media, they're portrayed as mysterious or menacing, but the truth is far more fascinating. Some species can glide, others 'see' with heat-sensing pits, and most aren't venomous at all. Understanding how snakes behave and their importance in ecosystems can turn fear into appreciation. Here are 11 surprising facts about snakes—along with two popular myths that deserve to be shed, just like a snake's skin. 11 surprising facts about snakes that will change how you see them Snakes evolved from four-legged lizards Snakes didn't start out limbless. They evolved from lizard-like ancestors with legs over 100 million years ago. As they adapted to underground or aquatic environments, their limbs gradually disappeared. Fossils like Najash rionegrina show early snakes with small but functional back legs. Even today, boas and pythons still carry tiny leg spurs, a remnant of their evolutionary past. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 21st Century Skills Start with Confident Communication Planet Spark Learn More Undo They don't 'unhinge' their jaws It's a myth that snakes 'unhinge' or dislocate their jaws to eat. Instead, their skulls are built for extreme flexibility. Their lower jaws are connected by stretchy ligaments and movable bones, letting them swallow prey much larger than their heads. Thanks to this design, large pythons can devour animals as big as antelope—without ever 'unhinging' anything. Not all snakes lay eggs Around 30% of snake species give birth to live young. Boas, garter snakes, and many vipers don't lay eggs—instead, they carry developing embryos inside their bodies. Even egg-layers like pythons sometimes display maternal behaviors, such as coiling around their eggs and generating heat to incubate them. King cobras go further, building nests and guarding them until the eggs hatch. They have incredible senses Snakes are built to sense their environment in extraordinary ways. They use their forked tongues to pick up scent particles and 'taste' the air, transferring chemical data to the Jacobson's organ in their mouths. Some snakes—like vipers and pythons—also have heat-sensing pits, giving them the ability to 'see' warm-blooded prey in total darkness. In the ocean, sea snakes use pressure-sensitive organs to detect tiny water movements made by nearby fish. Snake venom is a precision tool and a medical treasure Snake venom is not just dangerous—it's highly specialized for hunting and digestion. Some species use hemotoxins that break down tissue, while others, like cobras, produce neurotoxins to paralyze prey. This biochemical weapon has also inspired life-saving medicines. ACE inhibitors used to treat high blood pressure, for example, were developed from Brazilian pit viper venom. Scientists are now exploring venom compounds for treating cancer, strokes, and chronic pain. Snakes are ancient and amazingly diverse With over 3,900 known species, snakes have colonized almost every environment on Earth—from deserts and rainforests to oceans. They survived the dinosaur extinction and have been around for more than 100 million years. But snake populations are declining due to habitat loss and human persecution. Their role as both predator and prey means losing them could cause ecological imbalance, such as rodent population booms and crop damage. Some snakes can go months (even years) without eating Snakes are masters of energy conservation. Large snakes like pythons can go for months—or even a year—without food after a large meal. They lower their metabolism dramatically and shrink their digestive organs to conserve energy. When food returns, their systems re-activate quickly, allowing them to digest large prey efficiently. This adaptation makes them well-suited to unpredictable environments. Snakes can't hear like humans Snakes don't have external ears, so they can't hear airborne sounds the way we do. Instead, they detect vibrations through their jawbones, allowing them to 'feel' movements around them—especially useful for detecting predators or prey. When you see a cobra 'dancing' to a snake charmer's flute, it's not responding to the music—it's reacting to visual cues and vibrations in the ground. They have hundreds of vertebrae Snakes may be limbless, but their skeletons are complex. Most species have 200–400 vertebrae, each paired with ribs. This design gives snakes their incredible flexibility and strength. Different movement styles—like sidewinding, concertina motion, or straight-line crawling—are made possible by this ingenious structure and the muscles that control each segment. Snakes do not chase humans One of the most common myths is that snakes will chase people. This simply isn't true. Snakes prefer avoidance over confrontation, and what looks like 'chasing' is usually the snake trying to escape along the same path you're on. Most snake bites happen when people try to kill or handle snakes, not because snakes are attacking. Knowing this can help prevent panic and promote safe, respectful encounters in nature. Snakes are essential to ecosystems Snakes play a critical role in maintaining balance in nature. They help control populations of pests—like rats and mice—that damage crops and spread disease. Just one rat snake can eat hundreds of rodents a year. They're also an important food source for owls, hawks, and other predators. And by preying on the sick or weak, snakes help reduce disease transmission within prey species. 5 myths about snakes you have probably believed until now MYTH #1: Snakes are slimy Snake skin may look slick, but it's completely dry. Their scales are made of keratin, the same material in our nails and hair. The texture feels more like soft leather than anything wet or slimy. This myth likely comes from confusing snakes with amphibians like frogs, whose skin actually is moist and slimy. MYTH #2: Most snakes are dangerous Only about 15% of snake species are venomous, and just 5% are dangerous to humans. In the U.S., fewer than five people die from snakebites annually—bee stings and lightning strikes are far more deadly. Most snakes are shy and will only bite when threatened. Understanding which species are truly dangerous—and giving them space—is smarter than fearing all snakes equally. MYTH #3: Snakes chase humans Snakes do not actively chase people. When one seems to be "chasing" you, it's likely trying to escape in the same direction or is startled and disoriented. Unlike predators, snakes have no reason to pursue humans—they lack the intelligence or intent to stalk prey that large. MYTH #4: Baby snakes are more venomous than adults While some believe young snakes are more dangerous because they "can't control their venom," this isn't backed by solid science. Adult snakes have larger venom glands and more control over venom delivery, making them potentially more dangerous. Baby snakes can still bite, but they are not "deadlier." MYTH #5: All snakes lay eggs Not all snakes are egg-layers. Many species, especially in colder climates, give birth to live young. This includes rattlesnakes, boas, and garter snakes. These live-bearing species have evolved to protect their young from environmental extremes, proving snakes are more diverse than commonly thought. Also Read | Dolphins vs Anaconda? Playful Amazon moment stuns scientists and redefining the understanding of wildlife behaviour


Time of India
09-07-2025
- Time of India
Can the copper in your diet impact memory and dementia risk?
Copper is an essential trace mineral that your body needs in small amounts, but its effect on brain health is becoming a topic of growing interest. Researchers have long known that copper supports many vital functions like producing energy, fighting cell damage, and helping the brain make neurotransmitters—chemical messengers that help with thinking and memory. A new study published in Scientific Reports has highlighted an intriguing link between dietary copper intake and cognitive function in older adults. The study involving over 10,000 older adults tracked participants for 20 years to find out how dietary copper affected their memory and overall brain performance. The results revealed something surprising: higher copper intake, particularly when combined with high saturated fat consumption, was linked to a greater risk of dementia. So while copper is a necessary nutrient, how much you consume—and what else you eat with it—matters. Understanding how copper works in your body and where it comes from in your diet is key to supporting long-term brain health without tipping the balance too far. Too much copper rich diet? Why it may contribute to memory loss Copper helps your brain in several ways. It supports the production of energy in brain cells and helps regulate oxidative stress, which, if unchecked, can harm brain tissue. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure Your Child's Future with Strong English Fluency Planet Spark Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola It also plays a role in making neurotransmitters like acetylcholine, which are essential for memory and learning. That's why copper is often considered a 'brain-friendly' mineral. However, the balance is delicate. If your diet is too high in copper—or if it comes from supplements instead of food—it might actually contribute to cognitive problems over time. In the study, researchers looked at copper intake from both food and supplements. They found that higher copper consumption, especially from supplements, was linked to greater memory decline and slower mental processing speed over 20 years. Interestingly, this effect was seen even in participants who ate relatively healthy diets—but the risks were more pronounced in those with higher saturated fat intake. This means copper's impact is not just about quantity—it's also about quality and context. Getting copper naturally from whole foods is very different from getting it in concentrated form from pills. And if it's paired with unhealthy eating habits, the brain benefits may turn into risks. The hidden danger of dementia: Copper combined with high saturated fat One of the most eye-opening findings of the research was how strongly copper's effects depended on the rest of the diet. Specifically, people who had a high intake of copper and also consumed a lot of saturated fat were much more likely to develop dementia over time. In fact, this group showed a 49% higher risk of dementia compared to those who ate less saturated fat. Saturated fat is commonly found in processed snacks, red meat, fried foods, and butter—foods that, when eaten in excess, are known to harm both heart and brain health. So what does this mean for you? It suggests that copper, while essential, can become problematic if your overall diet isn't well balanced. The mineral may interact with saturated fats in a way that triggers more inflammation or oxidative stress in the brain, leading to long-term damage. The takeaway here is not to avoid copper altogether, but to be mindful of how it fits into your diet. Focusing on whole, nutrient-dense foods while limiting processed and high-fat items can help ensure that copper plays its intended supportive role—not a harmful one. Copper supplements vs food: Why the source matters Another major point from the study was that how you get your copper matters just as much as how much you get. Participants who got their copper mainly from whole foods—like nuts, legumes, leafy greens, and whole grains—tended to have healthier overall diets. They were more likely to follow heart-healthy eating patterns like the DASH diet and had lower intake of unhealthy fats. On the other hand, those who got copper from supplements didn't show the same protective effects—in fact, some had more noticeable memory decline. This suggests that supplemental copper may behave differently in the body than copper from food. It could lead to higher blood levels of unbound copper, which has been linked to increased oxidative stress—a process that damages brain cells. Whole foods provide copper in a balanced context, along with fibre, vitamins, and other minerals that support overall health. So unless your doctor specifically tells you to take a copper supplement, it's best to rely on food sources. Therefore, rating a variety of plant-based foods and limiting ultra-processed options is a safer and more effective way to keep your copper levels and brain balanced. Brain health and copper: Why moderation is key for memory protection Copper isn't inherently bad for you; in fact, your brain needs it to function well. But like many nutrients, there's a sweet spot. Too little copper could impair brain processes, while too much, when combined with a poor diet, can do more harm than good. The key findings from this long-term research suggest that moderate copper intake from food can be part of a brain-healthy lifestyle. But relying on supplements or eating high levels of saturated fat alongside copper-rich foods may increase the risk of memory decline or dementia. If you're looking to protect your brain health as you age, focus on balance, aim for a copper intake around 0.9 to 1.3 mg per day, mostly from foods like lentils, seeds, leafy greens, and whole grains. Keep saturated fats low, avoid unnecessary mineral supplements, and eat more whole, minimally processed foods. Combine that with regular movement, mental stimulation, and social interaction, and you'll have a strong foundation for supporting your memory and cognitive health for the long term. Copper plays a role, but it's your overall lifestyle that makes the biggest difference Also Read: Cold plunges for weight loss? Why they might not work


Time of India
09-07-2025
- Time of India
PlanetSpark launches Project EMMA; invites mothers on career breaks for emotional modelling of its AI Tutor
PlanetSpark, a platform for AI-powered life skills education, has launched 'Project EMMA (Empathetic Moms Mentoring AI)', an initiative that puts experienced educator-mothers at the centre of building emotional intelligence into its AI tutor. As PlanetSpark's AI tutor transforms how children learn critical 21st-century life skills like public speaking, collaboration, and creativity, the company is now going a step further by making empathy, encouragement, and emotional nuance core to its AI-powered learning experience. Project EMMA invites skilled educator-mothers on post-maternity career breaks, into a six-week fellowship designed to co-train PlanetSpark's AI systems on emotional engagement with children. This initiative reimagines mothers' return as a contribution to frontier AI innovation, which will drive the future of AI-powered learning. Fellows will help train the AI to better recognise emotional cues such as hesitation, disengagement, or enthusiasm, and co-develop response patterns that make the learning environment more compassionate, responsive, and child-centric. PlanetSpark's AI tutor, already trained on over 0.5 million class recordings and 5 years of proprietary life skills curriculum, can dynamically adapt lesson plans based on learning pace and style. 'Teaching confidence, collaboration, and resilience requires emotional fluency—something even advanced AI struggles with. This is where the deep behavioural intelligence of mothers becomes transformational. Time spent raising young children gives rise to a rare, instinctive mastery over emotional nuance—an understanding of how children communicate confusion, disengagement, joy, or frustration even when words fall short. Their day-to-day experience in guiding children through moments of resistance, self-doubt, and emotional highs equips them with one of the most underappreciated but vital capabilities in education: emotional calibration. These are precisely the skills that our AI tutor now needs to evolve into a truly human-centric learning companion,' said Maneesh Dhooper, Co-founder, PlanetSpark, in a statement. Through structured reviews of anonymised classes, dialogue scenario design, and live feedback loops, these mothers will train PlanetSpark's AI to navigate emotional subtleties that only lived parenting and classroom experience can teach. Live Events Kunal Malik, Co-founder of PlanetSpark, added, 'We're not just bringing mothers back into the workforce; we're bringing them to the forefront of AI evolution. Emotional intelligence is the invisible curriculum behind life skills, and there is no one better than mothers to help us model it. Project EMMA is our way of converting career gaps into innovation opportunities.' By the end of the fellowship, each participant will graduate as a certified AI Co-Training Fellow, with an opportunity to transition into roles across pedagogy development, quality assurance, and AI training. Their work will feed directly into PlanetSpark's next-gen AI release, ensuring that the emotional scaffolding within the system is as strong as its technical foundation. With Project EMMA, PlanetSpark is reinforcing its belief that the most effective life skills education lies at the intersection of innovation and empathy.