Current Affairs - Technology

HCLTech has joined the European Commission’s AI Pact, reinforcing its commitment to ethical and responsible AI development. This voluntary initiative is designed to align companies with the forthcoming EU AI Act, the world’s first comprehensive legal framework for AI regulation. By signing the pact, HCLTech has pledged to implement strong AI governance strategies, identify and mitigate high-risk AI applications, and train its workforce in ethical AI use. The company has also established an Office of Responsible AI and Governance to drive fairness, transparency, and accountability in AI across its operations. This step positions HCLTech as a global leader in responsible AI innovation.

The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), under the Department of Telecommunications, has entered into a partnership with Synergy Quantum India Private Limited to develop drone-based Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) technology. This initiative aims to achieve a Technology Readiness Level (TRL) of 6 or higher, using the decoy-based BB84 protocol with polarization encoding—a key method for secure quantum communication. This collaboration is expected to pave the way for highly secure data transmission systems in India's future telecom and defence networks by leveraging emerging quantum technologies.

IBM and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) have collaborated with the Andhra Pradesh government to launch the Quantum Valley Tech Park in Amaravati. This project is a pivotal development under India’s National Quantum Mission and features the deployment of IBM’s 156-qubit Heron processor—India’s most powerful quantum computer. The partnership aims to establish a robust quantum ecosystem, supporting advanced research in cryptography, materials science, and governance. It will also create jobs, foster global investments, and bridge the gap between academia and industry through quantum computing infrastructure and cloud-based access. IBM contributes the hardware and expertise, while TCS focuses on applications and hybrid models.

The Delhi government has partnered with IIT-Kanpur to carry out five cloud-seeding trials intended to tackle the region's severe air pollution. With a sanctioned budget of ₹3.21 crore, the project is designed to generate artificial rainfall that can help clear airborne pollutants. IIT-Kanpur is the implementing agency responsible for technical execution, including aircraft calibration and chemical deployment. Covering 100 sq km of the NCR, this pilot program will utilize AI-based monitoring systems to assess effectiveness. This initiative represents a proactive strategy by the Delhi government to incorporate science-led interventions as emergency responses during high pollution periods.

India has launched chip-based e-passports as part of its efforts to modernize and secure travel documentation. These passports, embedded with RFID chips and biometric data, aim to enhance the safety and efficiency of international travel for Indian citizens. The initiative aligns India with countries such as the USA, UK, and Germany, which already use similar technology. This rollout under the Passport Seva Programme Version 2.0 marks a significant step toward improving passport security, reducing fraud, and ensuring global compatibility with advanced e-passport systems.