Tag: Artificial Intelligence

Fit & Fabulous

British Fashion Model Agents Association Petitions UK Government to Protect Models from AI Misuse

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Written by Intern Queeny George M.H, Team Allycaral

The British Fashion Model Agents Association (BFMA) and London-based agency The Milk Collective have released a petition urging the UK government to take legislative action to protect models from having their likeness exploited by artificial intelligence. The petition, which has already gathered more than 2,000 signatures, comes at a time when concerns are rising about AI-generated imagery threatening the future of real-world modelling careers.

In an era where brands can generate hyper-realistic images from scratch, many models worry that their unique appearances may soon be replicated digitally — without fair compensation, consent, or control. The BFMA, which represents over 5,000 models, stated in their petition that “clients should not be using AI to obtain, manipulate, distribute and potentially own models’ data without their consent and without following industry-agreed principles & practices.”

Historically, models have operated within clear contractual frameworks that define the terms of image usage, duration, and compensation. But AI disrupts this system, enabling content to be created and distributed without those protections. Brands like H&M have attempted a middle ground — partnering with select models to create digital twins, which they use in AI-generated campaigns. However, the larger industry lacks any universal safeguards.

Vogue recently faced criticism for running an AI-generated ad for Guess, highlighting the growing tension between creative innovation and ethical concerns. As the adoption of AI accelerates, the fear of replacement continues to grow, prompting many in the fashion industry to call for clearer guidelines and stronger legal frameworks.

The petition marks a significant moment in the dialogue around technology, image rights, and creative labour. It remains to be seen how regulators will respond, but the message from the modelling community is clear: AI must not erase the rights — or the livelihoods — of real people.

TechPulse

Goa to Launch Centre of Excellence in AI Hospitality with Pacific Link College, Canada

Tanisha Cardozo

In a landmark move that blends technology, tourism, and education, Goa is all set to launch a Centre of Excellence in AI Hospitality in partnership with Pacific Link College, Canada. This pioneering initiative will integrate artificial intelligence into the core of the state’s booming hospitality and tourism sector, enhancing guest experiences while building a skilled workforce equipped for the future.

The project was the focus of high-level meetings held in Goa, where a delegation from Pacific Link College met with Hon’ble Minister for Information Technology, Electronics & Communications, Shri Rohan Khaunte. The visiting team, led by Shri Tarun Khullar (CEO and Director-Board Member, BCIBN), included Shri Roshan Worth (Head of South Asia), Shri Rick Pasin (Head of Academics), and Shri Aaron DPenha (Campus Director). They presented a detailed proposal outlining their vision to create a world-class institution focused on AI-driven hospitality innovation.

“This collaboration is not just about imagining the future of tourism – we are building it,” said Shri Rohan Khaunte. “The Centre of Excellence will empower Goan youth with the latest in AI training, and put Goa on the map as a lighthouse state for AI-powered tourism experiences.”

The Government of Goa played a key role in coordinating discussions between the Pacific Link College team and stakeholders from the local industry and academic sectors to ensure that the Centre’s goals are aligned with regional training needs and tourism development strategies. During follow-up meetings on September 8, 2025, two potential locations were identified for the Centre’s physical campus.

The Centre of Excellence will have a multi-pronged mission: to skill youth in AI applications specific to hospitality – from automating services to designing personalized guest experiences, to support startups and entrepreneurs developing AI-based travel tech solutions, to co-develop academic curricula with Goan institutions, and to embed AI tools across tourism services in the state.

This initiative is a strategic pillar of Goa’s AI Mission 2027, an ambitious program aimed at embedding artificial intelligence across governance, industry, education, and entrepreneurship. By leveraging AI, Goa hopes to offer smarter, more seamless tourism experiences, attract longer and more meaningful visits, and create new job and investment opportunities in the process.

The Centre of Excellence in AI Hospitality is expected to be operational in the coming months, following the formalization of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and the completion of necessary infrastructure.

Business

Google to Build Asia’s Largest AI Data Center in Andhra Pradesh with $6 Billion Investment

Tanisha Cardozo

In a transformative move for India’s digital infrastructure, Google is reportedly investing $6 billion to establish its largest AI data center outside the United States in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The ambitious project includes the development of a 1-gigawatt data facility and the supporting energy and digital ecosystem to power its operations. Out of the total investment, $2 billion is expected to be directed specifically toward renewable energy capacity, reinforcing Google’s global sustainability commitments.

This landmark facility is anticipated to become the largest data center in Asia, both in terms of capacity and investment size. It is also Google’s first-of-its-kind data center investment in India, making it a strategic cornerstone in the company’s regional expansion across Asia, where it is also ramping up operations in Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand.

While Google and the Andhra Pradesh government have not officially confirmed the development, sources cited by Reuters suggest the announcement is likely to be made in October. If finalized, the data center will mark a major leap forward in India’s role in global cloud and AI infrastructure.

This project aligns with Andhra Pradesh’s aggressive digital vision. According to the state’s IT Minister, Nara Lokesh, the government has already secured agreements for data centers totaling 1.6 gigawatts, and plans are in place to scale that figure up to 6 gigawatts over the next five years. He emphasized that the initial 1.6 GW of data centers are expected to go live within the next 24 months, ushering in a new era of tech-driven economic growth for the state.

In addition to the data center buildout, Andhra Pradesh is also working to establish three international cable landing stations in Visakhapatnam. These critical infrastructures are essential for ensuring high-speed, reliable internet connections to global networks. Lokesh highlighted that the planned cable capacity would be twice the scale of what Mumbai currently handles, positioning Visakhapatnam as a future tech and connectivity hub for India.

Alphabet Inc., Google’s parent company, had previously announced in April 2025 its plan to invest up to $75 billion this year into building global data center capacity, underlining the critical role these infrastructures play in AI development, cloud computing, and digital transformation initiatives.

As India strengthens its position on the global tech map, this Visakhapatnam project stands as a milestone moment—not just for Andhra Pradesh but for the country’s broader ambitions to lead in AI, sustainability, and next-generation infrastructure.

Human Interest

Goa CM Pramod Sawant’s AI-Generated 3D Image Goes Viral with Google’s ‘Nano Banana’ Tool

Tanisha Cardozo

In the ever-evolving world of digital technology, even political communication is witnessing a transformation. The latest example of this trend comes from Goa, where Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant has taken a leap into the future by embracing artificial intelligence. A hyper-realistic 3D image of the Chief Minister, generated using Google’s popular AI tool ‘Nano Banana,’ is currently making waves across social media platforms.

The image, which has been widely shared by the official BJP Goa handles as well as numerous fan pages, presents the Chief Minister in a strikingly vivid and life-like form. From sharp facial features and expressive details to the intricate textures of his clothing and the realistic background, every element of the portrait reflects the remarkable capabilities of AI in creating detailed visual content.

What makes this trend more noteworthy is the accessibility and popularity of such tools. Nano Banana, developed by Google, has quickly become a favorite for those looking to create high-quality 3D images effortlessly. Its growing popularity isn’t limited to tech enthusiasts—it’s now being adopted by political figures and public personalities who see its value in enhancing digital presence and outreach.

The AI-generated image of Dr. Sawant has not only captured attention due to its visual appeal but also sparked conversations about the increasing role of technology in shaping public narratives. With captions calling him the ‘architect of progress’ and the ‘people’s hero,’ the photo campaign sends a strong message about visionary leadership, development, and the seamless blend of tradition and technology. The BJP has linked the visual representation to their broader agenda of shaping Goa’s future through infrastructure, education, and sustainability.

This wave of AI-generated content allows leaders like Dr. Pramod Sawant to connect with the public in new and innovative ways. By stepping into the world of AI-driven media, political figures are expanding their influence beyond traditional formats, engaging audiences who are increasingly active on digital platforms. In a world where visual impact matters more than ever, the Chief Minister’s viral AI portrait is a compelling symbol of this new era of tech-powered public engagement.

EduConnect

Workshop on AI Tools in Education Held at Goa Multi-Faculty College

Tanisha Cardozo

SPES’s Shri Gopal Gaonkar Memorial Goa Multi-Faculty College, in association with TLSC Dharbandora and the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC), organized a thought-provoking and hands-on workshop on AI Tools in Education. The event was designed to engage and educate high school and higher secondary students and teachers on the emerging role of artificial intelligence in academic settings.

The workshop was inaugurated by Hon’ble MLA Dr. Ganesh Gaonkar, Chairman of GTDC, who shared his vision of future-ready education in Goa. In his address, Dr. Gaonkar emphasized the urgent need to integrate modern technology, especially AI tools, into daily teaching and learning practices. He encouraged teachers to adopt new digital methods to improve classroom engagement and effectiveness and motivated students to explore AI as a powerful tool for self-learning and creativity.

The session included demonstrations of various AI-based tools and platforms that can assist in content creation, personalized learning, evaluation, and virtual collaboration. Experts and facilitators guided participants through interactive examples showing how AI is transforming education across the globe.

With enthusiastic participation from both teachers and students, the workshop served as an inspiring introduction to the limitless possibilities AI offers in education. It also reinforced the college’s commitment to fostering innovation, digital literacy, and forward-thinking approaches in Goa’s academic ecosystem.

The event concluded with a message of continued collaboration and learning, encouraging all attendees to stay curious and proactive in adapting to the evolving technological landscape of education.