A three-day conference, "Dharma in the Digital Age 2026," is taking place at the University of Houston, bringing together scholars and scientists to discuss how ancient Dharmic principles can address contemporary ethical, technological, and societal challenges, including AI, digital governance, and sustainability.
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for global collaboration in artificial intelligence development, emphasising a "symphony of global collaboration" over a "solo performance" by any single nation. Speaking at the World Artificial Intelligence Conference in Shanghai, Xi highlighted the need for ethical AI governance, shared prosperity, and addressing challenges like the widening digital divide. He also announced China's commitment to support developing countries with 5,000 AI research projects and training programmes. The event also saw 29 countries sign an agreement to establish the World Artificial Intelligence Cooperation Organisation (WAICO) in Shanghai.
Union Health Minister J P Nadda has emphasised the need for sound regulation, ethical oversight, and equity in the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to healthcare, speaking at the World Health Assembly in Geneva.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant highlighted the rapid integration of Artificial Intelligence into arbitration practices, expressing concerns about its accuracy, authenticity, and ethical use. He stressed the need for mandatory disclosure when generative AI is used in preparing legal documents and reports, advocating for shared standards to manage deepfakes and AI-generated material. The CJI also encouraged embracing AI for efficiency in tasks like e-discovery while preserving core arbitration principles.
Experts at a discussion in Delhi emphasised the importance of ethical governance and indigenous capability in India's pursuit of becoming a global artificial intelligence power, ensuring technology serves the public good and maintains strategic autonomy.
HDFC Bank, India's largest private sector lender, reported a reduction of 3,343 employees in FY26, bringing its total workforce to 2,11,178, even as its balance sheet expanded by 12 per cent. The bank's MD and CEO, Sashidhar Jagdishan, attributed the headcount reduction to redeploying talent from back-end functions to customer-facing roles due to technology-led efficiencies. The annual report also addressed the challenging resignation of part-time chairman Atanu Chakraborty, which raised questions about the bank's governance standards.
A central government committee has upheld the ban on the Diljit Dosanjh-starrer film Satluj, citing concerns over India's sovereignty and integrity, sparking political debate in Punjab.
Union Minister Jitendra Singh stated that human-led artificial intelligence will be the defining force in India's journey to becoming a developed nation by 2047. Speaking at the 29th National Conference on e-Governance, he emphasised that technology must strengthen governance without replacing human accountability, advocating for responsible AI deployment with citizens at the centre. The conference concluded with the adoption of the Jaipur Declaration on e-Governance 2026, outlining a roadmap for AI-enabled, data-driven, and secure digital governance.
The Karnataka government has formed a committee on responsible AI to develop a framework for the safe, ethical, and transparent adoption of AI across government systems and public services.
The Indian government is considering amending the IT Rules 2021 to introduce compulsory certification for films released on OTT platforms, following a controversy involving the film 'Satluj' which was released without clearances and later taken down due to national security concerns.
A recent survey reveals that Artificial Intelligence is becoming a central focus in human resource management, with a majority of professionals identifying it as a top priority for improving efficiency, reducing costs, and optimising workforce planning across various HR functions.
Dr Lovi Raj Gupta, pro vice-chancellor, Lovely Professional University, explains how aspiring professionals can equip themselves for a competitive AI-driven job market.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant stated that the Supreme Court views technology as an aid to human reasoning, not a replacement, and emphasised developing "Swadeshi Jurisprudence" tailored to India's unique conditions. He highlighted efforts to create an indigenous AI ecosystem for the judiciary and stressed that AI cannot substitute human judgment, empathy, or ethical discernment.
'Propaganda films that the BJP makes, whether it's The Kerala Story or others, are shown wherever elections occur as part of their propaganda. But real-time human rights violations... If such things don't come on a public platform, how will correction occur?'
India's IT Secretary S Krishnan announced that the government is considering a dedicated regulatory framework for Artificial Intelligence, moving beyond existing IT rules to address challenges like deepfakes and synthetic content. This comes as global policymakers grapple with AI's rapid emergence and its implications.
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah emphasized the importance of ethical AI usage, intellectual property protection, and fair compensation in the AVGC-XR sector, advocating for AI to enhance human creativity rather than replace artists.
The move is to strengthen oversight, improve compliance, and boost patient confidence.
UN Women has issued a stark warning that the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is placing women at a higher risk of discrimination and digital violence, citing studies that reveal significant gender bias in AI systems and large language models.
The National Medical Commission is emphasising the importance of preparing doctors and healthcare systems for the responsible and effective use of artificial intelligence, highlighting the need for ethical and equitable AI adoption in healthcare.
The US Congress has paid tribute to the late Indian-American entrepreneur Sivaramakrishnan Somasegar, known as 'Soma', for his significant contributions to Microsoft and the broader technology sector. Congresswoman Suzan DelBene highlighted his impactful career at Microsoft, his role in fostering new startups, and his community involvement, including co-founding the Seattle Orcas cricket team.
Teen cybersecurity researcher alleges unauthorised access to nearly 1.8 lakh result records and 1.87 lakh admit card PDFs; institute says data was read-only and issue is being fixed.
IIT-Roorkee, which conducted the exam this year, said that the information circulating on social media 'does not accurately reflect what happened' and alleged an attempt to spread misinformation.
"With the leverage available, I believe the scheme remains reasonably attractive," said P D Singh, India and South Asia Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank, regarding the Foreign Currency Non-Resident (Bank) or FCNR (B) deposits.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw indicates India may require a new legal framework for Artificial Intelligence, as the current IT law predates AI's rapid emergence. The government aims to balance innovation with regulation, engaging with the industry to ensure citizen safety while fostering technological growth.
The launch comes a day after a CBSE official told ANI that the portal, originally scheduled to go live on June 1, had encountered technical issues and would start soon. The delay had sparked concern among students and parents, particularly after reports of glitches during the answer-sheet access process earlier this month.
The Education Ministry will focus on training teachers in the use of Artificial Intelligence tools over the next three to four months to support classroom teaching, lesson planning and student assessment, a senior official said.
Punjab School Education Board announces integration of Artificial Intelligence as a core component of the school curriculum, with learning outcomes reflected on student certificates.
In the latest Rediff series exploring non-traditional careers, Sandeep Goel, professor and dean-research at MDI, Gurgaon lists a range of high-growth finance careers beyond CA, CS, and MBA degrees.
Brijesh Singh, Principal Secretary (Information and Publicity), Maharashtra, highlighted the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence in journalism and encouraged women journalists to embrace this technological shift to enhance their skills and drive positive change.
The Karnataka government has introduced a draft policy to address the growing concerns surrounding excessive and unsafe digital technology use among students, focusing on mental health, cyber safety, and responsible digital behaviour.
'We strongly believe that anyone with capability and a strong work ethic should have a chance at the top job.'
Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has called for the establishment of a Supreme Court bench in South India to improve accessibility to justice. Speaking at a conference on Artificial Intelligence in the judiciary, he also highlighted the need to address algorithmic bias and ensure judicial independence in the age of AI.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant has cautioned against the uncritical adoption of Artificial Intelligence in the judiciary, emphasising the need to balance technological advancements with human intellect and ethical considerations.
In part 3 of a Rediff series exploring new careers for aspiring professionals, Sanjay Salunkhe, founder of Jaro Education highlights how young professionals can adapt to the evolving AI-driven landscape in the creative industry.
Chief Justice of India Surya Kant cautioned against the uncritical adoption of AI in the judiciary, emphasising the need for human judgement and ethical considerations in judicial decision-making.
The Advertising Standards Council of India (ASCI) has released draft guidelines for responsible labelling of synthetically generated Artificial Intelligence (AI) content in advertising, proposing a risk-based framework to ensure transparency and protect consumers.
Haryana's Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini reviewed the progress of the Haryana AI Development Programme (HAIDP), a Rs 474-crore initiative developed with the World Bank, focusing on AI skilling, startup incubation, and ethical AI governance.
Recent controversies at major IT firms like TCS and Infosys have highlighted a persistent gap between workplace conduct policies and their implementation in corporate India. While companies assert zero tolerance for harassment and discrimination, employees and experts point to uneven enforcement and the need to embed ethical behaviour into organisational culture.
rediffGURU Nayagam PP, career counsellor and founder of EduJob360 explains why cracking the UPSC exam is a dream for lakhs of young Indians.
The Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) in India is actively integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into government processes to enhance efficiency, transparency, and accuracy. Initiatives include AI-enabled solutions for salary processing, grievance handling, and training content development, with a focus on data security and ethical use.
