Current Affairs - Technology

Amazon has officially entered the satellite internet race by launching the first 27 satellites under its Project Kuiper. The initiative is a $10 billion plan to deploy a total of 3,236 satellites in low-Earth orbit by 2026, targeting the delivery of high-speed broadband internet, especially in underserved and rural areas around the world. This move positions Amazon as a direct competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink, which already has a significant number of satellites in orbit. Despite earlier delays, Amazon has confirmed contact with the launched satellites and aims to begin services later this year, signalling a major expansion into space-based internet infrastructure.

IIT Kanpur is playing a pivotal role in the development and launch of Direct-to-Mobile (D2M) phones in India, in partnership with HMD Global and Tejas Networks. This innovative technology enables multimedia content, including OTT and television broadcasts, to be delivered directly to mobile devices without relying on Wi-Fi or mobile data. The initiative is aimed at expanding access to digital content across diverse population segments and aligns with the 'Make in India' vision by promoting indigenous technological solutions. IIT Kanpur’s involvement brings strong research capabilities and technical expertise to the project, reinforcing its reputation as a leader in applied innovation.

The initiative called AI Kiran was launched by the PSA Office, Verix, and INK Women with the goal of fostering inclusive leadership in the rapidly expanding Indian AI sector, valued at $17 billion. It specifically targets the underrepresentation of women in senior roles within the Generative AI space, where they currently make up only 19% despite their majority in STEM education. AI Kiran is designed to bridge this leadership gap by supporting and nurturing women professionals in AI, ultimately contributing to a more equitable and innovative technological future.

India’s astronomers, from the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), made a significant breakthrough by identifying the cause behind the strange lack of dark matter in the galaxy NGC 1052-DF2. This galaxy is unique because it contradicts the standard understanding that dark matter is essential for galaxy formation. The Indian researchers built detailed models to study this phenomenon and discovered that the galaxy’s mass is mostly from stars, not dark matter. Their findings not only question the traditional models of galaxy formation but also open up new areas of research into the very nature of dark matter itself.

India achieved a significant milestone in its National Quantum Mission with the launch of its first full-stack quantum computer, QpiAI-Indus, by Bengaluru-based QpiAI on World Quantum Day (14th April). QpiAI-Indus is fully designed and built in India, covering both hardware and AI-driven software for running quantum applications. It features 25 qubits, which are essential for high-performance quantum computing with greater stability and minimal errors. This system promises revolutionary advancements across sectors like life sciences, materials science, and logistics. The launch marks a new chapter in India's quantum capabilities and aligns with global movements like the UN’s International Year of Quantum Science in 2025.