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The Wire
22-05-2025
- Business
- The Wire
Things that China Is Doing With AI That You Need to Know
Menu हिंदी తెలుగు اردو Home Politics Economy World Security Law Science Society Culture Editor's Pick Opinion Support independent journalism. Donate Now World Things that China Is Doing With AI That You Need to Know Sundeep Narwani 4 minutes ago In contrast, India's foray into synthetic data remains in its infancy. 'China's comprehensive AI policy framework, epitomised by the 2025 Next Generation AI Development Plan, ensures coordination among academia, industry, and infrastructure.' Photo: Elise Racine & The Bigger Picture / / Real journalism holds power accountable Since 2015, The Wire has done just that. But we can continue only with your support. Contribute now As artificial intelligence (AI) reshapes global economies, China has established a commanding lead, leaving India striving to bridge the gap. Despite India's notable advancements, structural challenges and execution delays suggest that China will maintain its dominance in the AI sector for the foreseeable future. The race to harness artificial intelligence (AI) is intensifying globally, with China and India emerging as significant players. However, a closer examination reveals a growing disparity between the two nations, with China establishing a formidable lead that India may find challenging to bridge in the near future. China's Synthetic Data Supremacy China's AI advancement is notably propelled by its prowess in synthetic data generation. Chinese firms have developed sophisticated generative adversarial networks (GANs) capable of producing training datasets that closely mirror real-world data. This capability is particularly beneficial in sectors like healthcare, where privacy concerns limit access to real patient data. For instance, Chinese medical AI platforms can simulate rare disease progression across thousands of synthetic patient profiles, facilitating robust diagnostic model training without compromising patient confidentiality. This technological edge is underpinned by substantial investment. In 2024, China's synthetic data market reached $1.2 billion, with a significant majority of AI startups integrating synthetic datasets into their development processes. Tools like Alibaba's SynthMaker and Baidu's DeepFabric have become instrumental, automating a large portion of synthetic data workflows for commercial applications. India's Nascent Endeavours In contrast, India's foray into synthetic data remains in its infancy. While startups such as IndikaAI are making strides, their models currently achieve lower accuracy in replicating complex data patterns compared to their Chinese counterparts. The Indian market, projected to reach $158 million by 2030, lacks indigenous platforms tailored to the country's diverse linguistic and demographic landscape. Consequently, a vast majority of Indian AI firms rely on Western tools that may not be optimized for local nuances. Challenges also persist in generating synthetic agricultural datasets essential for crop-yield prediction models. Indian efforts often fall short in capturing microclimate variations across the nation's numerous agro-ecological zones, leading to higher prediction errors relative to Chinese models. Infrastructure: A tale of two strategies China's strategic establishment of AI data hubs in tier-III cities like Guiyang and Lanzhou has proven effective. These centres benefit from lower operational costs and municipal incentives, enabling the processing of vast amounts of training data annually. Such decentralization facilitates continuous data refinement, exemplified by Wuhan's hub processing hundreds of millions of facial recognition samples monthly. India's initiatives in tier-II and III cities, while promising, face hurdles. New data centers in cities like Coimbatore and Jaipur operate below capacity due to inconsistent power supply and limited demand from major cloud service providers. Additionally, state subsidies cover a smaller fraction of infrastructure costs compared to China's support, compelling Indian startups to allocate more capital to data operations. The limited reach of edge computing networks further hampers the deployment of latency-sensitive AI applications across the country. Policy execution: divergent paths China's comprehensive AI policy framework, epitomised by the 2025 Next Generation AI Development Plan, ensures coordination among academia, industry, and infrastructure. This alignment has resulted in a significant proportion of AI patents originating from state-industry partnerships and expedited deployment of technologies like autonomous vehicles through streamlined regulatory processes. India's National AI Strategy, though ambitious, grapples with execution challenges. Initiatives such as the IndiaAI mission have yet to fully deliver on promises like subsidised GPU access for startups. State-level projects encounter delays due to bureaucratic hurdles, and patent approval times for AI innovations lag behind China's, dampening commercial incentives. Linguistic diversity: A complex challenge India's rich tapestry of languages and dialects presents unique challenges for AI training. Current natural language processing (NLP) models cover a limited portion of linguistic variations, in contrast to China's broader coverage across Mandarin dialects. Efforts like Bhashini's crowdsourcing platform face issues with data quality, and initiatives such as Karya's ethical crowdsourcing model operate on a relatively small scale. Furthermore, Indian AI startups often depend on global language models for regional language support, leading to increased costs and dependencies. The road ahead Bridging the AI divide requires India to address several critical areas in the next few months: Synthetic Data Development: Accelerating the creation of robust GAN frameworks tailored to India's diverse data needs. Infrastructure Enhancement: Expanding and optimising data centres, particularly in tier-II and III cities, to ensure consistent power supply and attract major cloud service providers. Policy Implementation: Streamlining bureaucratic processes to expedite the execution of AI strategies and reduce patent approval times. Linguistic Inclusion: Investing in NLP models that encompass the full spectrum of India's linguistic diversity, supported by large-scale, high-quality data annotation efforts. While India's AI ambitions are frequently spotlighted in policy papers and public relations campaigns, the tangible progress remains limited. Without addressing these foundational challenges, the gap between China and India in the AI domain is poised to widen further in the coming years. Make a contribution to Independent Journalism Related News Why Artificial Superintelligence Might Be Humanity's Best Hope India and China: Two Contrasting Models of Dealing With Trump's US India Rejects as China Assigns Names to Places in Arunachal Pradesh Again The China Factor Can't Be Ignored in the India-Pakistan Conflict Over Kashmir China's Latest White Paper is on National Security in the New Era How Indian Media Sabotaged its Own War Efforts As US Steps Back From Tariff War With China, What You Need to Know Trump Terms US-China Tariff Talks in Geneva a 'Very Good Meeting', Says Negotiated 'Total Reset' Chalk Dust and Algorithm: Being a Teacher in the Age of Google and AI About Us Contact Us Support Us © Copyright. All Rights Reserved.
Economic Times
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
AI vs. artists: OpenAI's Sam Altman defends technology amid intellectual property concerns, says 'I have a lot of empathy...'
When Applause Feels Like Criticism The Future of Fair Compensation A Copyright Crossroads You Might Also Like: Do you say 'Please' to ChatGPT? Sam Altman reveals how much electricity your manners cost to OpenAI The Bigger Picture In a world increasingly shaped by algorithms and digital innovation, the question of who owns creativity is no longer rhetorical—it's urgent. That urgency took center stage at a recent TED event when Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, found himself on the receiving end of a probing and emotionally charged question about the ethical grey zones of AI-generated conversation, shared by TED on Instagram with the caption 'How can artists protect their work in an AI-driven world?', dives into one of the most pressing concerns of our time: the tension between artificial intelligence and human the session, TED Head Chris Anderson gently but firmly steered the dialogue into contentious territory. He asked Altman whether using ChatGPT to generate a Charlie Brown cartoon might, in fact, be tantamount to intellectual property theft. The audience responded with a spontaneous round of applause—an awkward moment for Altman, whose body language suggested discomfort rather than delight. It's not often a tech leader faces live pushback in such a direct and visceral known for his calm demeanor, responded with a measured defense. 'Some creative people are very upset,' he admitted. 'Some creatives are like, this is the most amazing tool ever… It's definitely a change, and I have a lot of empathy for people who are like, I liked the way things were before.'His tone struck a balance between understanding and justification, reflecting the tech industry's ongoing struggle to reconcile innovation with artistic Anderson didn't let the conversation drift into vague sympathy. Instead, he challenged Altman with a forward-looking proposition: Could there be a way to calculate revenue sharing based on prompts that clearly draw from named artists or creators?'In principle, it should be possible,' Altman agreed, drawing an analogy with music. 'If you're a musician and you've spent your life listening to others, and then create something inspired by that, how do you quantify what came from where?' But inspiration, as Anderson pointed out, is not the same as explicitly invoking an artist's name in a acknowledged the distinction and noted that OpenAI currently restricts users from generating images in the style of named artists. However, he floated an idea that could turn friction into opportunity: a model where artists opt in to allow their styles to be used, and in return, receive a share of the exchange underscores a cultural flashpoint: Artificial intelligence is no longer a fringe concern for artists—it's a looming existential force. From painters and writers to animators and musicians, creatives are grappling with the fear that their life's work could be repurposed without credit or Altman's vision hints at a middle path. Could a consent-based system restore trust and bring creators into the AI loop rather than leaving them out in the cold? It's a model that not only protects originality but redefines authorship in the digital the conversation unfolds globally, the TED moment between Altman and Anderson crystallizes a key debate: Will AI be the ultimate amplifier of human imagination, or its silent usurper? The answer, it seems, depends on how willing we are to rethink the economics of the end, Altman didn't offer a perfect solution—but in acknowledging the problem, he opened the door to a new kind of collaboration between man and machine. And maybe, just maybe, that's a start worth applauding.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
AI vs. artists: OpenAI's Sam Altman defends technology amid intellectual property concerns, says 'I have a lot of empathy...'
When Applause Feels Like Criticism The Future of Fair Compensation A Copyright Crossroads You Might Also Like: Do you say 'Please' to ChatGPT? Sam Altman reveals how much electricity your manners cost to OpenAI The Bigger Picture In a world increasingly shaped by algorithms and digital innovation, the question of who owns creativity is no longer rhetorical—it's urgent. That urgency took center stage at a recent TED event when Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI, found himself on the receiving end of a probing and emotionally charged question about the ethical grey zones of AI-generated conversation, shared by TED on Instagram with the caption 'How can artists protect their work in an AI-driven world?', dives into one of the most pressing concerns of our time: the tension between artificial intelligence and human the session, TED Head Chris Anderson gently but firmly steered the dialogue into contentious territory. He asked Altman whether using ChatGPT to generate a Charlie Brown cartoon might, in fact, be tantamount to intellectual property theft. The audience responded with a spontaneous round of applause—an awkward moment for Altman, whose body language suggested discomfort rather than delight. It's not often a tech leader faces live pushback in such a direct and visceral known for his calm demeanor, responded with a measured defense. 'Some creative people are very upset,' he admitted. 'Some creatives are like, this is the most amazing tool ever… It's definitely a change, and I have a lot of empathy for people who are like, I liked the way things were before.'His tone struck a balance between understanding and justification, reflecting the tech industry's ongoing struggle to reconcile innovation with artistic Anderson didn't let the conversation drift into vague sympathy. Instead, he challenged Altman with a forward-looking proposition: Could there be a way to calculate revenue sharing based on prompts that clearly draw from named artists or creators?'In principle, it should be possible,' Altman agreed, drawing an analogy with music. 'If you're a musician and you've spent your life listening to others, and then create something inspired by that, how do you quantify what came from where?' But inspiration, as Anderson pointed out, is not the same as explicitly invoking an artist's name in a acknowledged the distinction and noted that OpenAI currently restricts users from generating images in the style of named artists. However, he floated an idea that could turn friction into opportunity: a model where artists opt in to allow their styles to be used, and in return, receive a share of the exchange underscores a cultural flashpoint: Artificial intelligence is no longer a fringe concern for artists—it's a looming existential force. From painters and writers to animators and musicians, creatives are grappling with the fear that their life's work could be repurposed without credit or Altman's vision hints at a middle path. Could a consent-based system restore trust and bring creators into the AI loop rather than leaving them out in the cold? It's a model that not only protects originality but redefines authorship in the digital the conversation unfolds globally, the TED moment between Altman and Anderson crystallizes a key debate: Will AI be the ultimate amplifier of human imagination, or its silent usurper? The answer, it seems, depends on how willing we are to rethink the economics of the end, Altman didn't offer a perfect solution—but in acknowledging the problem, he opened the door to a new kind of collaboration between man and machine. And maybe, just maybe, that's a start worth applauding.
FACT
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- FACT
Lil Baby announces WHAM World Tour – and he's coming to Dubai
The concert is scheduled to take place at the Coca-Cola Arena in October. One of the most influential names in modern rap is finally heading to the city. Grammy Award-winning artist Lil Baby will make his long-awaited Dubai debut with a headline performance at Coca-Cola Arena on Friday, 18 October 2025. Hailing from Atlanta, Lil Baby has reshaped the sound of contemporary rap. He exploded onto the global stage in 2018 with Harder Than Hard, before dominating charts with hits like the diamond-certified Drip Too Hard and the Grammy-nominated The Bigger Picture. His 2020 album My Turn became the best-selling album in the U.S. that year, surpassing even Taylor Swift, and was recently named the No. 1 rap album of the 21st century. With over 75 billion streams, 90+ RIAA certifications, and more than 150 Billboard Hot 100 entries, he recently won a Grammy for his collaboration on Hurricane with Kanye West and The Weeknd. Plus, he was named Artist of the Year at the 2020 Apple Music Awards. The upcoming tour supports Lil Baby's fourth studio album, WHAM [Who Hard As Me]. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, proving his momentum is far from slowing down. Beyond the mic, Lil Baby is a rising mogul, helming his own label, Glass Window Entertainment, and shaping the next generation of hip-hop. < Having made hits with DJ Khaled, Drake, Future, Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj and Travis Scott, revellers can expect a high-octane performance and a hit-packed setlist when Lil Baby brings his show to Dubai's biggest stage this October. If you're after cool concerts, there are big stars coming to the UAE. Other concerts include Kygo at Coca-Cola Arena on 30 May, Jennifer Lopez at Etihad Arena on 29 July, Enrique Iglesias at Etihad Arena on 1 November and Katy Perry at Etihad Park on 7 December. Presented by Live Nation Middle East, the show marks a major moment for the city's hip-hop scene. Tickets go on sale at 12pm on Friday, 2 May. GO: Visit for tickets and more information.
Time of India
30-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Papal conclave 2025: One of these cardinals could succeed Pope Francis as May 7 ceremony draws closer
All eyes have turned toward the upcoming papal conclave on May 7 where 138 cardinals from across the world will be electing the new pope. While there are no official papal candidates, speculations are rife that one of the following 'papabile' cardinals will become the next pontiff. Who are they? Read on to know. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Cardinal Pietro Parolin (Italy) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Cardinal Matteo Zuppi (Italy) Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle (Philippines) Cardinal Kevin Farrell (USA/Ireland) Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu (Congo) Cardinal Péter Erdő (Hungary) The Bigger Picture FAQs Disclaimer Statement: This content is authored by a 3rd party. The views expressed here are that of the respective authors/ entities and do not represent the views of Economic Times (ET). ET does not guarantee, vouch for or endorse any of its contents nor is responsible for them in any manner whatsoever. Please take all steps necessary to ascertain that any information and content provided is correct, updated, and verified. ET hereby disclaims any and all warranties, express or implied, relating to the report and any content therein. After Pope Francis' passing, questions about the future leadership of the Catholic Church have been dominating the news. All eyes have turned toward the upcoming papal conclave on May 7. While there are no official candidates for the papacy, speculations are rife around some of the 'papabile' cardinals. They are believed to possess the qualities necessary to become the next new pope will be charged with leading the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church through its most urgent challenges, from international conflicts to LGBTQ outreach, clerical renewal, and grounding faith in fast-moving secularising cultures, stated an Associated Press from holiness and theological acumen, cardinals will consider pastoral experience, governance ability, and cultural aptitude when electing a leader for the world's largest Christian are some of the cardinals that are being considered for the position of the new head of Catholic Church:Cardinal Parolin, aged 70, is currently the Vatican Secretary of State. He was appointed as a cardinal by Pope Francis. He is Vatican's top diplomat and a seasoned powerbroker. He has played key roles in Church's dealings with China, Vietnam, and Cuba. If elected, it will mark the return of an Italian pope after three non-Italians and could appeal to traditionalists, the AP report the diplomacy, Cardinal Parolin does not have pastoral experience, which could be an obstacle in his path. Moreover, him being indirectly linked to the Vatican's London real estate scandal could also be a deterrent. He is seen as measured and cautious—perhaps too much for a Church needing bold Matteo Zuppi, the President of the Italian Bishops Conference, is loved by the public because of his outreach to the marginalized. The 69-year-old Archbishop took several peace-making efforts, including his recent missions to Ukraine, Russia, and China. He also championed dialogue with different communities including the LGBTQIA+.However, due to clash of his progressive views with the Church's conservative bloc, he is likely to not make it. He may face resistance from those seeking a doctrinally rigid Tagle, aged 67, is a charismatic communicator with roots in the growing Asian Catholic population. The Pro-Prefect of the Dicastery of Evangelization could represent a future-focused leadership. He also has a Chinese lineage, which could help the Church to bridge the gap with by Pope Benedict XVI, the cardinal's tenure at Caritas raised questions about his management ability. He may also be considered too young to be a pope if cardinals seek a shorter, stabilising 77, Cardinal Farrell is playing a central administrative role during the sede vacante period between papacies. The head of Camerlengo of the Holy Roman Church was elevated as a cardinal by Pope Francis. His closeness to Francis and his American-Irish background gives him a unique insight into both European and Global church from his age being a significant drawback, he is also not widely viewed as papabile. His conservative views have led to diplomatic issues. His barring former Irish President Mary McAleese from a Vatican conference due to her progressive stances on women's ordination and queer rights stirred the Besungu, 65, is the Archbishop of Kinshasa. He is a powerful voice from the global south who was elevated as cardinal by Pope Francis. Ambongo blends orthodoxy with bold advocacy for social justice, which could work in his favour. Moreover, his resistance to Pope Francis' decision to bless same-sex couples reflected the African Church's strong stance on he may not make it as a pope due to his open opposition to papal directives and legal scrutiny in Congo for 'seditious behaviour'.Erdő, 72, is Archbishop of Esztergom-Budapest. Elevated by Pope John Paul II, he is a doctrinal heavyweight with deep theological knowledge. A conservative voice in European Catholicism, he appeals to those who were wary of Francis' progressive his perceived closeness with Hungary's right-wing government and silence on divisive political issues could deter him from being the next pope. His silence on matters could be interpreted as a lack of moral conclave will take the pulse of the world Church: Will cardinals opt for continuity with Francis' reforming course, or switch to a more conservative leader? Will they look to a pope from the Global South or return to Europe?Most of all, cardinals will look for someone who is holy — but in a more complicated world, holiness may not be sufficient.A papal conclave is the secret assembly of the College of Cardinals summoned to elect a new pope after the death or resignation of the current spiritual depth and theological training are of utmost importance, the cardinals will also weigh practical leadership traits—pastoral experience, a global perspective, administrative capability, and cultural sensitivity.
