OAKLAND, US: Elon Musk&#39;s lawsuit accusing high-profile artificial intelligence company OpenAI of betraying its non-profit mission heads for trial on Monday with the selection of jurors. The legal clash in a courtroom across the bay from San Francisco pits the world&#39;s richest person against a startup Musk once backed and now competes with in the booming AI sector. OpenAI&#39;s ChatGPT is a formidable rival to the chatbot Grok, made by Musk&#39;s xAI lab. While Musk&#39;s lawsuit is part of a feud between him and OpenAI Chief Executive Sam Altman, it spotlights a debate as to whether AI should ultimately serve to benefit a privileged few or society as a whole. Court filings lay out how Altman convinced Musk to back OpenAI in 2015, acting as a co-founder for a non-profit lab whose technology &quot;would belong to the world.&quot; Musk pumped millions of dollars into the lab, which he subsequently left. However, OpenAI established a commercial subsidiary as it needed hundreds of billions of dollars for data centers to power its technology. Microsoft has poured billions of dollars into OpenAI and its CEO Satya Nadella is among those slated to testify at the trial. Musk argues in his lawsuit that he was deceived about OpenAI&#39;s mission being altruistic. San Francisco-based OpenAI has countered in court filings that its break-up with Musk was due to his quest for absolute control rather than its nonprofit status. &quot;This case has always been about Elon generating more power and more money for what he wants,&quot; OpenAI said in a recent X post. &quot;His lawsuit remains nothing more than a harassment campaign that&#39;s driven by ego, jealousy and a desire to slow down a competitor.&quot; The startup noted that days after Musk entered the AI race in 2023 he called for a six-month moratorium on development of advanced AI. The judge presiding over the trial will decide by mid-May -- guided by an advisory jury&#39;s findings -- whether OpenAI broke a promise to Musk in a drive to lead in AI or just smartly rode the technology to glory. Along with calling for OpenAI to be forced to revert to a pure nonprofit, Musk&#39;s suit urges the ouster of Altman and co-founder Greg Brockman, who is startup president. Musk, who had sought as much as $134 billion in damages, has since renounced any personal benefit, pledging to redirect any award to the OpenAI nonprofit. Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers has reserved the right to determine any remedies herself, without the jury&rsquo;s input. OpenAI now has a hybrid governance structure giving its nonprofit foundation control over a for-profit arm. Musk, who gutted the trust and safety team at Twitter after buying the social media platform that he renamed X, faces the challenge of convincing a jury and a judge that the company behind ChatGPT was built on a lie.

Artificial Intelligence

Elon Musk’s lawsuit against OpenAI heads to trial, accusing the ChatGPT maker of abandoning its nonprofit mission, while OpenAI says Musk’s case is driven by rivalry, ego and control.

Stage set for Elon Musk's court battle with OpenAI

HANOVER: A blue-eyed humanoid robot carefully opens a box and places a tool inside as a crowd of visitors watch the demonstration of &quot;physical AI&quot; skills at a major industrial trade fair in Germany. Made by German startup Agile Robots, it was among a host of robots showing off their moves at the event, underlining hopes of a coming AI-powered boost for Germany&#39;s long-struggling factories. Embedding the technology into industrial processes, where Europe already has deep expertise, is seen as a key route for the continent to catch up in the artificial intelligence race against the United States and China. Such AI-boosted robots make it possible to &quot;actually solve industrial problems&quot;, Rory Sexton, chief executive of Agile Robots, told AFP in an interview. From next year, he added, the company plans to begin fitting out German factories, particularly those in the automotive industry, a crucial sector for Europe&#39;s biggest economy.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=eyJ0ZndfdGltZWxpbmVfbGlzdCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOltdLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X2ZvbGxvd2VyX2NvdW50X3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9iYWNrZW5kIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19yZWZzcmNfc2Vzc2lvbiI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZm9zbnJfc29mdF9pbnRlcnZlbnRpb25zX2VuYWJsZWQiOnsiYnVja2V0Ijoib24iLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X21peGVkX21lZGlhXzE1ODk3Ijp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRyZWF0bWVudCIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfZXhwZXJpbWVudHNfY29va2llX2V4cGlyYXRpb24iOnsiYnVja2V0IjoxMjA5NjAwLCJ2ZXJzaW9uIjpudWxsfSwidGZ3X3Nob3dfYmlyZHdhdGNoX3Bpdm90c19lbmFibGVkIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6Im9uIiwidmVyc2lvbiI6bnVsbH0sInRmd19kdXBsaWNhdGVfc2NyaWJlc190b19zZXR0aW5ncyI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdXNlX3Byb2ZpbGVfaW1hZ2Vfc2hhcGVfZW5hYmxlZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdmlkZW9faGxzX2R5bmFtaWNfbWFuaWZlc3RzXzE1MDgyIjp7ImJ1Y2tldCI6InRydWVfYml0cmF0ZSIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfbGVnYWN5X3RpbWVsaW5lX3N1bnNldCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOnRydWUsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9LCJ0ZndfdHdlZXRfZWRpdF9mcm9udGVuZCI6eyJidWNrZXQiOiJvbiIsInZlcnNpb24iOm51bGx9fQ%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2041953590877810784&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard%2F&sessionId=a39aa8ddb55a2e0d344043106d62509b254c011d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 921px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2041953590877810784"></iframe></div></div>Artificial intelligence used for real-world, hands-on tasks -- so-called physical AI -- was in focus this year in Hanover at the world&#39;s biggest industrial technology fair, which brings together more than 3,000 exhibitors. Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited the Agile Robots stand, where he talked to Zhaopeng Chen, the Chinese founder of the Munich-based startup. In a speech at the fair, Merz threw his support behind the drive to encourage German manufacturers, many of whom still rely on traditional techniques, to step up their use of AI. AI should be &quot;embedded in the key sectors of our industry and especially&quot; in small- and medium-sized firms, the backbone of the German economy, to create &quot;industrial added value and high-quality jobs&quot;, he said. - &#39;Dark side&#39; of AI - But, like in many other industries, German manufacturers are playing catch-up against China when it comes to making humanoid robots. Merz witnessed China&#39;s progress in the field first-hand during a visit to the country in February, when he saw displays of Chinese-made robots performing kung fu and boxing. The maker of those robots, Unitree, and other Chinese manufacturers were also out in force at the Hanover fair, as they have been in previous years. Still, Sexton of Agile Robots insisted that &quot;we&#39;ll soon be able to do what (Unitree) are doing&quot;, and shrugged off such impressive public displays.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-1" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-1&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2042912788717408509&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Fdashboard%2F&sessionId=a39aa8ddb55a2e0d344043106d62509b254c011d&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 648px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;" data-tweet-id="2042912788717408509"></iframe></div></div>Rather than dancing or martial arts, Agile Robots is focused on &quot;value-added tasks for industry&quot;, such as electronic wiring in cars or phone assembly, he said. He emphasised that Germany offers an &quot;ecosystem of suppliers&quot; and &quot;very strong expertise in mechanical engineering and automation&quot;, both crucial in the race for AI. Companies are also hopeful about the technological developments -- 58 percent of industrial firms surveyed by German digital business association Bitkom believe humanoid robots could help plug skilled labour shortages. The country also has deep pools of industrial data to draw on from its factories, according to Antonio Krueger, head of the German Research Centre for Artificial Intelligence (DFKI). &quot;This is something we have at a level of quality far superior to the United States or China,&quot; he told AFP. But, critics say, the use of this data is still often too piecemeal and isolated, with no overarching strategy to bring it together cohesively. Not everyone in Hanover was convinced that AI was the solution to the woes of Germany manufacturers, who have long been struggling with issues from high energy costs to weak demand. Jochen Heinz, an executive from German factory machinery maker SW Machines, cautioned that AI can sometimes make mistakes by, for instance, giving misleading instructions for repairs or incorrectly claiming to have detected problems.

Robots powered by physical AI drew attention at Germany’s Hanover fair, where firms promoted them as a way to modernise factories, ease labour shortages and help Europe compete with the US and China.

AI-powered robots offer new hope to German factories

Web Desk

ISLAMABAD: India will effectively block the sale of many Chinese internet-connected closed-circuit television (CCTV) cameras starting April 1, as a new government certification system is fully implemented and manufacturers without approval are excluded from the market, according to Indian media. The move is expected to hit major Chinese brands such as Hikvision, Dahua and TP-Link, and marks one of New Delhi&rsquo;s sharpest technology-security steps against imported surveillance equipment, the Economic Times reported on Tuesday. The mechanism behind the clampdown is India&rsquo;s Standardization Testing and Quality Certification (STQC) framework for CCTV cameras, introduced under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology&rsquo;s March 6, 2024, security notification.&nbsp; STQC&rsquo;s published rules say CCTV cameras submitted for certification must be tested and certified against the government&rsquo;s &ldquo;Essential Requirement(s) for Security of CCTV.&rdquo;&nbsp; Media reports said approval is being denied to several Chinese vendors and to products built around Chinese-origin chipsets or firmware, making their continued sale in India impossible once the deadline takes effect. The policy is framed in the official rules as a cybersecurity and supply-chain security measure rather than a nationality-based ban. But its commercial effect is unmistakable: companies that cannot secure certification will be excluded from one of the world&rsquo;s largest surveillance markets. According to India Today, the new rules make STQC approval mandatory for internet-connected CCTV products from April 1, effectively blocking Chinese camera giants from selling such devices in India. The Economic Times said Indian brands now control more than 80% of the domestic CCTV market as of February, with local manufacturers and non-Chinese supply chains gaining ground as Chinese firms lose access.

India

The move is expected to hit major Chinese brands and marks one of New Delhi’s sharpest steps in technology-security against imported surveillance equipment.

India’s new security rules shut Chinese CCTV brands out of market

Sam Altman said OpenAI hired OpenClaw creator Peter Steinberger, plans multi-agent “personal agents” as core products, will keep OpenClaw open-source, amid hype, security concerns, and pressure to monetize ChatGPT via ads.

OpenAI hires creator of 'OpenClaw' AI agent tool

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan&rsquo;s Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, said on Friday that the country is being transformed into a AI, technology-driven, globally competitive nation under the Uraan Pakistan vision, reports the Associated Press of Pakistan (APP). Speaking at the AI Rise Expo-2025 in Islamabad, the minister positioned digital innovation and artificial intelligence as central pillars of future economic growth.<div class="fr-embed"><div class="twitter-tweet twitter-tweet-rendered" style="display: flex; max-width: 550px; width: 100%; margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"><iframe id="twitter-widget-0" scrolling="no" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="true" title="X Post" src="https://platform.twitter.com/embed/Tweet.html?dnt=false&embedId=twitter-widget-0&features=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%3D%3D&frame=false&hideCard=false&hideThread=false&id=2004474187679936518&lang=en&origin=https%3A%2F%2Fmain.d1wrm1qseko1cp.amplifyapp.com%2Farticles%2F&sessionId=37a0b8654d0fc2d83ea355efde9db7eb46c07543&theme=light&widgetsVersion=2615f7e52b7e0%3A1702314776716&width=550px" style="position: static; visibility: visible; width: 550px; height: 672px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;">&nbsp;&nbsp;</iframe></div></div>&quot;Artificial intelligence is the new engine of Pakistan&#39;s economic power, and nations that lead in technology will ultimately lead the global economy,&quot; Iqbal stated, stressing that sustained investment in digital infrastructure and emerging technologies has become essential rather than optional. The minister outlined the E-Pakistan framework, which focuses on exports, the expansion of the digital economy, and technological innovation as interconnected drivers of sustainable development.&nbsp; The government aims to build a knowledge-based economy where technology empowers industries, creates high-value jobs, and enhances Pakistan&#39;s competitive position in international markets. Addressing industrial modernization, Iqbal highlighted the critical importance of robotics and automation for upgrading Pakistan&#39;s manufacturing sector. He warned that without embracing advanced manufacturing technologies, Pakistani industries would struggle to compete effectively in global supply chains and export markets. The planning minister also discussed the growing role of satellite technology in strengthening multiple economic sectors. He noted that satellite applications are improving food security, enhancing trade logistics, and expanding communication networks, enabling more informed decision-making across the economy. A key component of the vision involves bridging the gap between academic research and practical industry applications. Iqbal stressed the government&#39;s commitment to connecting university innovation with real-world business needs, ensuring that research translates into commercial products, export opportunities, and meaningful employment for Pakistan&#39;s youth. The minister concluded by reaffirming that Pakistan&#39;s economic future depends on embracing technology-led growth strategies. Through Uraan Pakistan and its E-Pakistan pillar, the government is establishing foundations for a resilient, digitally empowered economy capable of competing with leading nations worldwide, APP reported.

 Federal Minister Ahsan Iqbal inaugurated AI Rise Expo 2025 on Friday, Dec 26, 2025. (X/@PlanComPakistan)

Economy

Pakistan’s Federal Minister for Planning, Development, and Special Initiatives, Ahsan Iqbal, says the country is being transformed into an AI, technology-driven, globally competitive nation under the Uraan Pakistan vision.

Pakistan to build AI, tech-driven economy: Planning minister

ISLAMABAD: Ambassadors from seven ASEAN member states have agreed to strengthen trade and economic ties with Pakistan, reaffirming commitment to deeper cooperation across technology, infrastructure, and skills development, the commerce ministry said Tuesday.&nbsp;Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan hosted the envoys of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Brunei Darussalam, Vietnam, and Myanmar at the ministry in Islamabad, where both sides discussed boosting investment and expanding bilateral and regional trade.&nbsp;&ldquo;There is immense potential to go further,&rdquo; Khan said, citing opportunities in value-added agriculture, technology transfer, and skilled labor. He also highlighted Pakistan&rsquo;s strategic location as a gateway to Central Asia, with enhanced port connectivity under new transit trade agreements.&nbsp;The minister briefed diplomats on Islamabad&rsquo;s revised trade and tariff policies, vehicle import reforms, and progress on a Free Trade Agreement with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). He invited ASEAN businesses to invest in Special Economic Zones under CPEC, citing improved macroeconomic indicators and a more investment-friendly climate.&nbsp;Pakistan&rsquo;s new Trade Dispute Resolution Commission, the first of its kind, was also introduced to help international companies resolve issues more efficiently.&nbsp;The Malaysian envoy offered opportunities for Pakistani firms in Malaysia&rsquo;s chip-making sector, while other ambassadors noted ongoing ASEAN investments in Pakistan&rsquo;s construction and energy sectors.&nbsp;All envoys welcomed Pakistan&rsquo;s outreach and agreed on the need to accelerate cooperation through trade, tourism, skills exchanges, and supply-chain integration.&nbsp;Pakistan, a Sectoral Dialogue Partner of ASEAN since 1993, is actively seeking Full Dialogue Partner status, despite a current moratorium.

Foreign Affairs

Pakistan and ASEAN countries agreed to expand trade, investment, and cooperation in key sectors during a high-level meeting in Islamabad, the commerce ministry said Tuesday. Both sides pledged to chart a roadmap for deeper ties.

Articles tagged with "Technology"

Stage set for Elon Musk's court battle with OpenAI

AI-powered robots offer new hope to German factories

India’s new security rules shut Chinese CCTV brands out of market

OpenAI hires creator of 'OpenClaw' AI agent tool

Pakistan to build AI, tech-driven economy: Planning minister

Pakistan, ASEAN countries agree to deepen trade and investment ties