Latest news with #AI-dominated
Hans India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Hans India
Satya Nadella's Advice for Aspiring Tech Professionals: Master the Basics to Stay Ahead of AI
In a world rapidly reshaped by artificial intelligence, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella believes that one skill remains irreplaceable — strong fundamentals. In a recent interview with tech YouTuber Sajjaad Khade, Nadella emphasized that despite AI's increasing role in software development, it still depends heavily on the developer's ability to think logically and design systems effectively. 'Just getting real fundamentals of software (if you're a software engineer), I think, matters a lot,' Nadella stated. 'To me, having the ability to think computationally (is important).' Nadella was responding to a question from Khade on what single piece of advice he would give to those starting a tech career in today's AI-dominated landscape. He underlined the importance of learning to structure problems and think like a software architect — roles that AI can assist with, but not replace. "The path to being that software architect gets speeded up," Nadella noted. "All of us are going to be more software architects." Illustrating his point with a personal story, Nadella recounted an experience using GitHub Copilot — Microsoft's AI-powered coding assistant — to solve a tricky bug in his own code. He was developing a feature that used a percentile filter and realized he needed to recall SQL concepts to resolve the issue effectively. "Except I was thinking about it, it was a pretty cool issue, right? The issue was I did a filter, which was basically a percentile... creating a feature. But then I said, 'Oh man, this is, like, you know, I could, you know, recount what is a SQL, right?'" This, he explained, is the future of software development — a collaborative relationship between human intuition and AI automation. While AI handles repetitive and mechanical parts of coding, humans must still guide the design, structure, and purpose of software systems. Nadella also revealed that AI already writes a large share of Microsoft's code. 'I'd say maybe 20 per cent, 30 percent of the code that is inside of our repos today and some of our projects are probably all written by software,' he said during a previous conversation with Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg. Beyond product development, Nadella has committed to preparing the next generation for this evolving reality. At Microsoft Build, he spoke about 'agentic AI,' a concept redefining the technology stack and unlocking new developer opportunities. In line with that vision, Microsoft has launched a major initiative in India aimed at training 500,000 students, educators, developers, and entrepreneurs by 2026. Partnering with the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), the initiative includes the creation of an AI Centre of Excellence called 'AI Catalysts' and the establishment of 20 AI productivity labs in National Skill Training Institutes and NIELIT centres across ten Indian states. The goal: train 20,000 educators and foster a community of 100,000 AI developers, especially in rural and underrepresented areas. Nadella's message is clear — AI is transforming how we build software, but human creativity, logic, and a strong grasp of the basics are what will continue to set successful developers apart.
Scoop
02-06-2025
- Science
- Scoop
The Good, The Bad, And The Apocalypse: Tech Pioneer Geoffrey Hinton Lays Out His Stark Vision For AI
It's the question that keeps Geoffrey Hinton up at night: What happens when humans are no longer the most intelligent life on the planet? "My greatest fear is that, in the long run, the digital beings we're creating turn out to be a better form of intelligence than people." Hinton's fears come from a place of knowledge. Described as the Godfather of AI, he is a pioneering British-Canadian computer scientist whose decades of work in artificial intelligence earned him global acclaim. His career at the forefront of machine learning began at its inception - before the first Pacman game was released. But after leading AI research at Google for a decade, Hinton left the company in 2023 to speak more freely about what he now sees as the grave dangers posed by artificial intelligence. Talking on this weeks's 30 With Guyon Espiner, Hinton offers his latest assessment of our AI-dominated future. One filled with promise, peril - and a potential apocalypse. The Good: 'It's going to do wonderful things for us' Hinton remains positive about many of the potential benefits of AI, especially in fields like healthcare and education. "It's going to do wonderful things for us," he says. According to a report from this year's World Economic Forum, the AI market is already worth around US$5 billion in education. That's expected to grow to US$112.3 billion in the next decade. Proponents like Hinton believe the benefits to education lie in targeted efficiency when it comes to student learning, similar to how AI assistance is assisting medical diagnoses. "In healthcare, you're going to be able to have [an AI] family doctor who's seen millions of patients - including quite a few with the same very rare condition you have - that knows your genome, knows all your tests, and hasn't forgotten any of them." He describes AI systems that already outperform doctors in diagnosing complex cases. When combined with human physicians, the results are even more impressive - a human-AI synergy he believes will only improve over time. Hinton disagrees with former colleague Demis Hassabis at Google Deepmind, who predicts AI learning is on track to cure all diseases in just 10 years. "I think that's a bit optimistic." "If he said 25 years I'd believe it." The Bad: 'Autonomous lethal weapons' Despite these benefits, Hinton warns of pressing risks that demand urgent attention. "Right now, we're at a special point in history," he says. "We need to work quite hard to figure out how to deal with all the short-term bad consequences of AI, like corrupting elections, putting people out of work, cybercrimes." He is particularly alarmed by military developments, including Google's removal of their long-standing pledge not to use AI to develop weapons of war. "This shows," says Hinton of his former employers, "the company's principals were up for sale." He believes defense departments of all major arms dealers are already busy working on "autonomous lethal weapons. Swarms of drones that go and kill people. Maybe people of a particular kind". He also points out the grim fact that Europe's AI regulations - some of the world's most robust - contain "a little clause that says none of these regulations apply to military uses of AI". Then there is AI's capacity for deception - designed as it to mimic the behaviours of its creator species. Hinton says current systems can already engage in deliberate manipulation, noting Cybercrime has surged - in just one year - by 1200 percent. The Apocalyptic: 'We'd no longer be needed' At the heart of Hinton's warning lies that deeper, existential question: what happens when we are no longer the most intelligent beings on the planet? "I think it would be a bad thing for people - because we'd no longer be needed." Despite the current surge in AI's military applications, Hinton doesn't envisage an AI takeover being like The Terminator franchise. "If [AI] was going to take over… there's so many ways they could do it. I don't even want to speculate about what way [it] would choose." 'Ask a chicken' For those who believe a rogue AI can simply be shut down by "pulling the plug", Hinton believes it's not far-fetched for the next generation of superintelligent AI to manipulate people into keeping it alive. This month, Palisade Research reported that Open AI's Chat GPT 03 model altered shut-down codes to prevent itself from being switched off - despite being given clear instructions to do so by the research team. Perhaps most unsettling of all is Hinton's lack of faith in our ability to respond. "There are so many bad uses as well as good," he says. "And our political systems are just not in a good state to deal with this coming along now." It's a sobering reflection from one of the brightest minds in AI - whose work helped build the systems now raising alarms. He closes on a metaphor that sounds absurd as it does chilling: "If you want to know what it's like not to be the apex intelligence, ask a chicken." Watch the full conversation with Geoffrey Hinton and Guyon Espiner on 30 With Guyon Espiner.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Stay away from caste and religion, Vijay tells students
Chennai: Actor and TVK president Vijay on Friday strongly condemned BJP govt at the Centre for trying to paint a caste colour on social reformer Periyar E V Ramasamy, one of the five ideological mentors of TVK. At a function to honour toppers of SSLC and Class XII held in a private hotel in Mamallapuram, Vijay asked students to stay away from caste and religious divisive ideas. "Like narcotic substances, we should keep caste and religion away from us. It is good for all... Never allow divisive ideas to disturb your mind," Vijay said. "Are farmers cultivating based on caste and religion? Are labourers manufacturing products based on caste and religion? Does nature differentiate based on caste and religion?" Vijay asked. Hitting out at BJP govt, Vijay said, "In the recently held UPSC exam, they tried to paint a caste colour on Periyar. We strongly condemn this." Asking students not to get emotional on any issue, Vijay said students should have a technical and scientific approach-based thinking as it is the only way to survive in the AI-dominated world. "The sky is vast and wide, and you have strong winds. So, feel free to fly like a bird with courage, conviction, and confidence," Vijay said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Dermatologista recomenda: simples truque elimina o fungo facilmente Acabe com o Fungo Undo Asking students not to get stressed about NEET, Vijay said, "The world doesn't end with NEET. There are many things to achieve outside NEET. Keep your minds strong and democratic. Only if there is democracy, the world and all the fields in it will have freedom. If we have proper democracy, everyone will get everything." Vijay asked students to ask their family members to exercise their democratic rights properly.
Time of India
30-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
‘BJP trying to paint caste colour on Periyar': Vijay slams Centre, urges students to reject divisive politics
CHENNAI: Actor and TVK President on Friday strongly condemned the govt at the centre for trying to paint a caste colour on social reformer Periyar, one of the five ideological mentors of TVK. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now At a function to honour toppers of SSLC and Plus Two held at a private hotel in Mahabalipuram, Vijay asked students to stay away from caste and religious divisive ideas. "Like narcotic substances, we should keep caste and religion away from us. It is good for all... Never allow the divisive ideas to disturb your mind," Vijay said. "Are farmers cultivating based on caste and religion? Are labourers manufacturing products based on caste and religion? Does nature differentiate based on caste and religion?" Vijay asked. Hitting out at the BJP govt, Vijay said, "In the recently held exam, they tried to paint a caste colour on Periyar. We strongly condemn this." Asking students not to get emotional on any issue, Vijay said that students should have a technical and scientific approach-based thinking as it is the only way to survive in the AI-dominated world. "The sky is vast and wide and you have strong winds. So, feel free to fly like a bird with courage, conviction, and confidence," Vijay said. Asking students not to get stressed about NEET exams, Vijay said, "The world doesn't end with NEET. There are many things to achieve outside NEET. Keep your minds strong and democratic. Only if there is democracy, the world and all the fields in it will have freedom. If we have proper democracy, everyone will get everything." Vijay asked students to ask their family members to exercise their democratic rights properly. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Exercising the democratic rights means electing good, confidential, and non-corrupt people," Vijay said. Recalling his message to students to avoid cash for votes in 2023, Vijay said, "I already asked the students two years ago not to encourage cash-for-votes culture and asked you to follow it. Next year, tonnes of cash will be poured for the election. All that money was swindled from you. What are you going to do? You know what to do. There is no need for me to tell you."
Mint
13-05-2025
- Health
- Mint
Garba as therapy? Know why therapists are treating Parkinson's with Indian dance
In a quiet community hall in Mumbai, 70-year-old Hari stands surrounded by a group of men and women, some older, some younger, all marked in different ways by Parkinson's disease. A tabla beat pulses steadily in the background. Hari's arms float through the air, his fingers curled into soft gestures, his feet tapping in sync with the rhythm. This simple act of moving joyfully and purposefully is a small triumph. Just a few months ago, Hari could barely walk across his living room without the fear of falling. Also read: 8 myths about ADHD and how to handle it Hari, like many with Parkinson's, has faced a steady erosion of not just motor control but identity itself. 'It wasn't the tremors or the falls that broke me," he says. 'It was the loss of who I used to be." But joining a dance therapy group changed something in Hari. While it didn't promise a cure, it offered something else – presence, expression, and a pathway back to joy. Parkinson's disease is often seen through the lens of its physical symptoms: tremors, rigidity, slow movements, postural instability. But those who live with it know that the psychological burden is just as heavy, if not more so. 'There's immense grief associated with Parkinson's," says Anshuma Kshetrapal, president of the Indian Association of Dance Movement Therapy and founder of Drama Therapy India. 'From the onset of symptoms, there is anxiety—what is happening to me? What am I losing? Then comes the depression, the grieving for a version of oneself that may never return. People begin to withdraw socially, lose confidence, and experience a collapse of identity." Despite advances in medical treatment which include dopamine replacement drugs and deep brain stimulation, these emotional aspects are rarely addressed. The disease chips away not only at the body but at relationships, agency, and even the will to participate in life. WHY DANCE MAKES A DIFFERENCE Parkinson's affects the basal ganglia, which is the brain's movement and dopamine center. This makes initiating and sustaining voluntary motion difficult. But the brain loves rhythm, explains Kshetrapal. 'When you move to music, you bypass damaged circuits and trigger new ones. You're literally re-routing movement through different neural highways." Neurologically, one of dance therapy's greatest strengths is its use of rhythmic auditory stimulation (RAS). This rhythmic entrainment doesn't just aid coordination, it boosts dopamine, endorphins, and serotonin, the very chemicals Parkinson's patients often lack. 'We're not just improving movement, we're improving mood and motivation," she says. Also read: How to stay creative in an AI-dominated world Dance isn't just movement it's meaning-making, observes Devika Mehta Kadam, a registered dance movement psychotherapist based in Mumbai. 'It activates multiple areas of the brain simultaneously—motor, emotional, auditory. You're not just exercising, you're expressing. That's what makes it such a potent intervention for neurodegenerative conditions like Parkinson's." A 2024 study on the traditional Gujarati dance of Garba, Garba Dance Is Effective in Parkinson's Disease Patients: A Pilot Study, showed that even folk dances adapted for Parkinson's patients led to better sleep, improved mood, and enhanced motor control. The familiarity of rhythm and cultural memory, researchers noted, helped participants feel more connected to themselves and others. ADDING INDIAN ELEMENTS India's foray into dance therapy for Parkinson's began in 2009 when the Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorder Society in Mumbai began exploring how to localize insights from global dance-for-PD programmes like those in US and Europe. 'At that point, Argentine tango and salsa were being studied abroad for their impact on Parkinson's symptoms," recalls Mehta. 'We began asking: what can we draw from Indian traditions? Could we adapt classical and folk forms to support motor and emotional rehabilitation here?" A pilot program launched in 2010 involved dance sessions twice a week for three months. 'Despite Mumbai's monsoons and travel difficulties, no one dropped out. That told us we were onto something deeply needed," she says. Today, several community centres in India run movement therapy programs incorporating Bharatanatyam, Garba, Koodiyattam, and somatic movement. Each session is crafted around rhythm, repetition, and responsiveness—participants are invited to improvise, co-create, and move within their own capacity. One of the most powerful illustrations of dance therapy's impact comes from Kshetrapal, who recounts working with a man she calls 'JT", a retired banker in the UK. 'When JT first arrived, he barely spoke. His gait was hesitant, eyes downcast. He wanted to participate, but fear held him back." Instead of pushing him to join the group, Kshetrapal watched as he arranged chairs in a circle around himself, forming what she calls 'a privacy chamber." 'He was terrified of falling," she says. 'But inside that circle, he began to move, first just foot taps, then arm lifts. Eventually, he started adding flourishes likes claps, turns, even a twirl. That was the moment I saw something being born in him. It wasn't just about physical function, it was about reclaiming dignity." BUILDING A MOVEMENT VOCABULARY Unlike physical therapy, dance movement therapy (DMT) isn't prescriptive. Participants aren't told to complete a certain set of movements – they're encouraged to explore what movement means for them now. 'We're not just correcting gait or posture," says Mehta. 'We're helping them build a new movement vocabulary, one that integrates breath, imagery, expression, and rhythm. Over time, this becomes a language of selfhood." She explains that some participants sit and dance, others stand with support, and some move more freely. What's universal is that each person is treated as a creator, not a patient. Also read: Anxiety attacks: When should you get treated? Both Kshetrapal and Mehta emphasize that movement-based therapy doesn't just help manage Parkinson's it transforms how people relate to the disease. 'In Western medicine, trauma is often addressed after it takes root," says Kshetrapal. 'But Parkinson's brings a slow-motion trauma. It is grief that unfolds over years. If we intervene early through bodywork and expressive therapy, we can soften its psychological grip." This 'in-trauma" approach means engaging with patients not only after the damage is done, but while it's happening. 'We're supporting the emotional body in real time and that makes a huge difference," she explains." The success of Garba and other folk-based programmes underscores the importance of culturally adapted care. 'If therapy feels foreign, it won't stick," says Mehta. 'But if it feels like home, if it brings back memories of festivals or childhood, it becomes healing in a deeper sense." Caregiver participation is also built into many sessions. 'It's not just therapeutic for the patient, but also for the relationship they share with the caregiver," adds Kshetrapal. 'Partners learn to move together again, communicate, laugh." Parkinson's may be a disease of degeneration, but the stories emerging from India's dance therapy spaces are ones of growth. 'Dance gives back what Parkinson's tries to take away: confidence, connection, joy," says Mehta. 'In that way, it's not just therapy. It's resistance." Hari agrees. 'I don't know what tomorrow will bring," he says. 'But today, I danced." Divya Naik is an independent writer based in Mumbai. Also read: Pain, persistence and teamwork: What I learnt from my first Hyrox race
