Hunt for next AI breakouts
Google has partnered with venture capital firm Accel to identify and support India’s next generation of AI-first startups. The collaboration aims to provide early-stage founders with access to Google’s technical mentorship, cloud credits, and go-to-market guidance, while Accel brings investment expertise and a strong track record in nurturing unicorns. By jointly backing promising teams at seed and pre-seed levels, Google and Accel hope to accelerate breakthroughs in areas such as generative AI, developer tools, and AI-driven productivity solutions.
AI misuse with Nano Banana
A Bengaluru techie sparked a debate on AI misuse after demonstrating how image-editing tool Nano Banana could generate realistic fake Aadhaar and PAN cards within minutes and extraordinary accuracy. “Traditional image-based verification systems don’t stand a chance,” Harveen Singh Chadha wrote on X. Intended as a cautionary experiment, his post has amplified concerns over the misuse of generative AI tools to forge documents, raising questions about the preparedness of digital identity verification systems and regulations.
Oakley AI smart glasses with Hindi
Meta is launching its Oakley AI smart glasses in India, expanding the wearable’s global footprint with the addition of Hindi language support. The glasses integrate Meta’s multimodal AI, enabling users to ask questions, recognise objects, translate text, and capture media hands-free. The Hindi integration is designed for India’s massive multilingual user base and positions the device as more accessible for non-English speakers. With a design built for everyday use and creators, Meta hopes Oakley will drive adoption of AI-assisted wearables in India. The release also reflects the company’s broader ambition to shape the future of personal AI computing.
Fooling e-comm
A viral social media post highlighted a case where a customer allegedly used an AI-generated image of cracked eggs to claim a refund from Instamart. The image, created using generative AI tools, reportedly mimicked real product damage convincingly enough to fool the platform’s support team. The incident amplified concerns over fraud risks posed by accessible AI image generators, especially in online retail and delivery ecosystems. While the story sparked humour online, it also raised questions about the need for enhanced fraud detection systems.
Music recap with AI chat
YouTube Music has rolled out its 2025 Recap, featuring an AI-powered chat interface that breaks down users’ listening habits in a conversational, personalised way. Instead of static charts alone, listeners can now ask AI about their top genres, hidden listening patterns, mood preferences, and year-long trends. The feature turns music analytics into an interactive experience, appealing to younger audiences accustomed to chat-based interfaces. The 2025 Recap also introduces new shareable visuals and artiste interactions. YouTube says the upgrade reflects its push to integrate generative AI across consumer features while offering deeper engagement and storytelling around user data.
Robotic dosas
A street food vendor in Bihar has gone viral for using an ‘AI-powered’ robotic dosa-making machine that automates the process from batter spreading to flipping. The set-up, showcased in videos online, demonstrates how small businesses are experimenting with technology to attract customers. Though not all viewers are convinced about the level of AI involved, the innovation has sparked curiosity about the future of automated street food. The vendor says the machine helps serve more customers during rush hours while ensuring uniform quality.
Creator-first marketplace
Xley, an emerging AI platform, is developing a creator-focused marketplace that allows fans to interact with AI versions of their favourite personalities, from AP Dhillon to Diljit Dosanjh. The startup works with creators to train personalised AI models that can answer questions, send customised messages, or generate content at scale. By giving artistes control over their digital likeness, Xley aims to monetise fan engagement while preventing unauthorised deepfakes. The model taps into India’s booming creator economy, where audiences increasingly seek personalised experiences. Xley hopes its marketplace will become a new revenue stream and a shield against AI misuse.
Hangout for billionaires
AI-generated images portraying the world’s tech billionaires, such as Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg, and Bill Gates, casually hanging out as the “Trillion Dollar Club” have gone viral online. The stylised pictures show the moguls laughing, barbecuing, or posing like old friends, triggering a wave of memes and commentary. While humorous, the images also demonstrate how generative AI is reshaping internet culture by enabling hyper-realistic fiction. Many users noted how convincingly the scenes blur reality and imagination, reigniting debates about deepfake ethics.
