Current Affairs - Technology

Hyderabad has been chosen as the location for India's first Google Safety Engineering Centre (GSEC), making it the only such facility in the Asia-Pacific region and the fifth globally. This centre focuses on advanced research, AI-driven security solutions, and addressing India's unique cybersecurity challenges. Hyderabad's thriving tech ecosystem, supported by global tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, and initiatives such as T-Hub and T Works, has positioned the city as a hub for innovation, education, and startups. The GSEC project is expected to boost employment and strengthen Hyderabad's reputation in the cybersecurity domain.

The Copernicus Sentinel-1C satellite, part of a mission to provide high-resolution radar images for monitoring Earth’s environment, was launched aboard the Vega-C rocket. The launch took place from Europe’s Spaceport in French Guiana. This satellite enhances the Sentinel-1 series' capabilities, supporting scientific research, environmental monitoring, and maritime traffic tracking. The choice of Vega-C reflects its reliability and suitability for deploying advanced Earth observation satellites.

Google has signed an agreement with the Telangana government to establish the Google Safety Engineering Centre (GSEC) in Hyderabad. This specialized international cybersecurity hub will focus on advancing cybersecurity capabilities, fostering skill development, and creating employment opportunities. The GSEC will be Google's second such centre in the Asia Pacific, after Tokyo, and fifth globally.

Amazon has launched the Nova Foundation Models, branded as "Amazon Nova," marking a major advancement in generative AI. These models are designed to handle multimodal inputs, including text, images, and videos, enabling enhanced capabilities in multimedia content creation, document analysis, and video understanding. Nova models are cost-effective and faster, with variants like Nova Micro, Lite, Pro, and an upcoming Nova Premier version. This innovation places Amazon as a competitive player in the AI space alongside industry leaders like OpenAI, Meta, and Adobe.

The eMaap portal, launched by the Department of Consumer Affairs, is designed to focus on Trade & Consumer Protection. It centralizes legal metrology processes and integrates state departments into a unified system, allowing businesses to apply for licenses, approvals, and registrations online. This initiative enhances transparency, compliance, and efficiency, facilitating ease of doing business in India.