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Microsoft Edge Enhances Browsing with AI-Powered History Search
Microsoft is testing an AI-powered "enhanced search" feature in its Edge browser, allowing users to find previously visited websites using phrases, synonyms, or even typos. This on-device AI model ensures user privacy by not transferring data to Microsoft. Additionally, a new media control center is being introduced for better management of media sources and picture-in-picture mode.
IIT Indore Develops DNA Watermarking Technology for Hardware IP Protection
Researchers at IIT Indore have developed a DNA fingerprint watermarking technology aimed at safeguarding hardware Intellectual Property (IP) designs. This system embeds a unique DNA-like fingerprint within hardware designs, providing undeniable proof of ownership and protection against piracy and fraudulent claims. The technology targets sectors such as multimedia, medical devices, digital signal processing, and machine learning, enhancing security for applications like JPEG-CODECs and cardiac pacemakers.
Sarvam AI Selected to Develop India's First Indigenous Large Language Model
Sarvam AI, an Indian artificial intelligence startup, has been chosen by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to develop India's first indigenous large language model under the IndiaAI Mission. The project aims to create a foundational model tailored for Indian languages and contexts, addressing the country's linguistic diversity. Sarvam AI will receive support in terms of compute resources, including access to 4,000 GPUs, to develop and train the model domestically.
New Things in Tech You Should Know
STORM: AI-Powered Research Assistant
Developed by Stanford University's Open Virtual Assistant Lab (OVAL), STORM (Synthesis of Topic Outlines through Retrieval and Multi-perspective Question Asking) is an open-source AI tool designed to assist in creating structured, well-researched
Key Features:
Structured Article Generation: Automatically generates long-form, cited articles resembling Wikipedia entries.
Multi-perspective Questioning: Utilizes large language models (LLMs) and web-based information retrieval to gather diverse viewpoints.
Transparent Research Process: Offers a "BrainSTORMing" feature that documents the AI's information-gathering.
Access:
STORM is publicly accessible through Stanford's platform, requiring a user account.
PolyLM: Multilingual Open-Source Language Model
PolyLM is an open-source large language model trained on 640 billion tokens, designed to enhance multilingual capabilities in AI.
Key Features:
Multilingual Instruction Following: Trained to follow instructions in multiple languages, improving accessibility and inclusivity.
Curriculum Learning Strategy: Employs a curriculum learning approach to gradually increase the proportion of non-English data during pre-training.
High-Performance Benchmarks: Surpasses other open-source models like LLaMA and BLOOM on multilingual tasks while maintaining strong performance.
Access:
PolyLM is available for use and further development at Modelscope.
Deep Dive: OpenAlex – Open Scholarly Database
Overview:
OpenAlex is an open catalog of scholarly papers, authors, institutions, venues, and concepts. It serves as a comprehensive resource for academic research, offering access to a vast array of scholarly
Key Features:
Extensive Database: Includes over 200 million publications across various disciplines, including science, social science, arts, and humanities.
Advanced Search Capabilities: Allows for detailed searches by author, topic, title, subject keywords, abstract, and more.
Open Access: Provides free access to a wide range of scholarly materials, promoting open research.
Why It's Useful for Students:
OpenAlex is an invaluable tool for students conducting literature reviews, exploring academic topics, and staying updated with recent research
Access:
OpenAlex is freely accessible at openalex.org. No subscription or institutional access is required.
Myth Buster: “Using AI Tools Is Cheating”
The myth: If students use AI for assignments or studying, it’s dishonest or considered cheating.
The truth: Using AI is not cheating — it depends on how you use it. AI can be a learning assistant, not a shortcut. When used ethically, it helps you learn faster, understand deeper, and stay organized.
🔍 What the research and educators say:
AI tools like Elicit, Perplexity, and Notion AI help with brainstorming, summarizing readings, and managing research — not replacing critical thinking.
Universities are beginning to teach responsible AI use rather than ban it, just like they teach how to use search engines or citation tools.
AI can help students with language barriers, time management, and learning disabilities, making education more inclusive.
💡 Bottom line: AI is a tool — not a cheat code. When you use it to support your work (not replace it), it’s smart learning, not shortcut learning.
Fun Corner! :)
