EduConnect

Goa Embarks on AI-Powered Education: CM Pramod Sawant Launches Initiative in Schools and Colleges


Written by Tanisha Cardozo

In a move that signals Goaโ€™s shift toward future-ready education, Chief Minister Dr. Pramod Sawant has announced the introduction of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a formal part of the curriculum in both schools and colleges across the state.

This initiative aims to equip students with 21st-century skills that are becoming increasingly crucial in todayโ€™s tech-driven world. Goa is among the first Indian states to take such a bold step.

At the heart of this initiative is the creation of a dedicated AI Council, which will:

  • Design updated syllabi tailored to evolving industry demands
  • Oversee teacher training in AI tools and practices
  • Promote student-led AI projects
  • Collaborate with industry leaders and research institutions
  • Support and incubate AI-based startups from young innovators

CM Sawant emphasized the importance of preparing youth for global digital transformation. โ€œWe want students from Goa to not just be job-seekers, but creators and innovators. AI education will empower them to lead in the future tech economy,โ€ he stated.

This move aligns with national priorities like Digital India, Atmanirbhar Bharat, and Skilling India, positioning Goa at the forefront of tech-education reforms.

Beyond the syllabus, this is a systemic shift in mindset โ€” encouraging critical thinking, problem-solving, and entrepreneurial spirit from a young age.

By integrating AI into mainstream education, Goa is setting a benchmark for innovation, inclusivity, and adaptability in Indiaโ€™s education landscape.

As the AI Council begins its work, educational institutions across Goa will see significant upgrades in digital infrastructure, teacher capabilities, and learning outcomes.

With this initiative, Goa aims not just to keep pace with global trends, but to lead Indiaโ€™s charge into a technologically empowered future.

TechPulse

OpenAI to Launch AI-Powered Web Browser, Set to Challenge Google Chrome


San Francisco | July 2025: OpenAI, the trailblazing company behind ChatGPT and other groundbreaking AI technologies, is gearing up to launch an intelligent web browser โ€” a bold move that could reshape the digital browsing landscape currently dominated by Google Chrome.

While specific details remain under wraps, insiders suggest the browser will feature deep AI integration, offering natural language interaction, contextual search, and real-time summarization of websites. Imagine asking your browser, โ€œSummarize this article,โ€ or โ€œFind me the cheapest flight to Delhi this weekend,โ€ and having it respond as conversationally and intuitively as ChatGPT.

This new tool reflects OpenAIโ€™s mission to make digital experiences more human-centric and productive. With AI at its core, the browser aims to eliminate the noise, streamline tasks, and transform passive browsing into active collaboration.

A Real Threat to Chrome?

Google Chrome, with over 3 billion users worldwide, has long held the title of the worldโ€™s most popular web browser. But with growing demand for AI-enhanced user experiences, OpenAIโ€™s entry could tap into a rising market segment that seeks personalized, efficient, and intelligent browsing.

Potential Features to Watch:

  • AI-assisted search with conversational input
  • Web summarization and translation
  • Distraction filters and focused reading mode
  • Seamless integration with OpenAI tools like ChatGPT and Codex
  • Smart bookmarks and content recommendation based on usage patterns

This isnโ€™t just a browser โ€” itโ€™s a virtual co-pilot for your online life.

When Will It Launch?

While OpenAI has yet to confirm an official release date, beta testing is expected to begin in late 2025. The browser will likely be cross-platform and privacy-conscious, aligning with OpenAI’s responsible AI guidelines.

Stay tuned with #Allycaral for exclusive updates on this developing story as the future of browsing unfolds.

EduConnect

IIT Delhi Launches Executive Online Programme on AI in Healthcare


Blending technology with medicine, the course empowers professionals to reimagine healthcare through artificial intelligence.

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

New Delhi, July 8, 2025 โ€“ The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi has announced the launch of a new Executive Programme in Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare, developed in collaboration with TeamLease Edtech. Aimed at healthcare professionals, data scientists, and technology experts, the six-month online course is scheduled to begin on November 1, 2025, with applications open until July 31.

Designed for working professionals, the course offers flexible weekend classes, project-based learning, and practical exposure to real-world healthcare data. Importantly, the programme is open to learners without any prior AI or coding background, ensuring accessibility across disciplines.

Speaking about the programme, a spokesperson from IIT Delhi said:

โ€œThis initiative is part of our broader eVIDYA platform. Weโ€™re committed to democratizing high-impact learning and enabling professionals to apply AI to solve real healthcare challenges.โ€

The curriculum includes:

  • Introduction to AI and machine learning
  • Healthcare data types and ethical use
  • Predictive analytics and diagnostics
  • Automation in hospitals and clinical workflows
  • Public health analytics and policy applications
  • Over 10 real-world case studies
  • Capstone project co-mentored by IIT Delhi and AIIMS experts

Participants will gain hands-on experience in working with Electronic Medical Records (EMRs), imaging data, genomics, and tools that follow FHIR and DICOM standards.

The total programme fee is โ‚น1,20,000 + 18% GST, payable in two installments. Interested candidates can register via IIT Delhiโ€™s Continuing Education Programme (CEP) Portal.

With AI poised to transform global healthcare, this initiative offers a timely opportunity for professionals to upgrade their skills and actively participate in shaping the future of health systems in India and beyond.

TechPulse

Google Highlights Gemini-Powered AI Search Tool with Animated Doodle


Mountain View, California โ€” July 3, 2025 : Google has taken an unusual step by using its iconic homepage Doodle space to promote its newest AI-powered search feature, known as โ€œAI Mode.โ€ Powered by the tech giantโ€™s advanced Gemini language model, this interactive search assistant is now front-and-centerโ€”literallyโ€”on the Google homepage.

Instead of celebrating a historical figure, festival, or global event, todayโ€™s animated Doodle showcases Googleโ€™s next-gen search evolution. Users are greeted by a glowing search bar with shimmering gradients and a call to โ€œTry AI Mode,โ€ designed to draw attention to the capabilities of Geminiโ€”a chatbot-like experience that blends traditional web results with AI-generated insights.

A Strategic Push for AI Adoption

This marks a strategic moment for Google. While the company is known for subtle product rollouts, this prominent Doodle indicates the urgency with which it wants to onboard users into its AI-first search experience.

โ€œAI Modeโ€ gives users access to summarized answers, step-by-step solutions, and contextual recommendationsโ€”all generated by Gemini. The tool can interpret complex questions, offer concise explanations, and suggest follow-up actions, mimicking the natural conversation style of chatbots like ChatGPT.

Google has already been quietly integrating Gemini across Gmail, Docs, and Workspace, but bringing it to the homepage via a Doodle signals its mainstream push.

What is Gemini?

Gemini is Googleโ€™s family of large language models developed by DeepMind and launched in late 2023. The model has since evolved to power tools across Android devices, Pixel smartphones, and Googleโ€™s enterprise offerings. โ€œAI Modeโ€ is its most consumer-facing iteration yet.

Why It Matters

Historically, Google Doodles are reserved for commemorative eventsโ€”be it the Olympics, birthdays of cultural icons, or international awareness days. Using that space for product promotion is virtually unheard of, underscoring the significance Google places on AIโ€™s role in its future.

This also comes amid growing competition from Microsoftโ€™s Copilot (powered by OpenAI) and other emerging AI search experiences. Googleโ€™s bold front-page promotion serves as a public statement: AI is not just a side featureโ€”itโ€™s the future of search.

Business

Microsoft to Lay Off 9,100 Employees in Strategic Workforce Reduction


In a significant workforce shakeup, Microsoft is laying off approximately 9,100 employees โ€” around 4% of its total global workforce. The decision comes as the tech giant continues to adjust its business strategy amid economic headwinds and a shift in focus toward emerging technologies like AI and cloud services.

While specific departments affected have not been disclosed, sources suggest that the layoffs span multiple divisions, including engineering, marketing, and customer support. Microsoft emphasized that the layoffs are a proactive step to streamline operations and ensure long-term competitiveness in a rapidly evolving tech landscape.

The company, which employs over 221,000 people worldwide, has been undergoing strategic shifts to align with a future increasingly driven by AI, automation, and digital infrastructure. These layoffs follow similar workforce reductions across the tech industry, with other major firms also trimming headcount to navigate slower growth and rising operational costs.

Microsoft reiterated its commitment to supporting impacted employees with severance packages, job placement services, and counseling resources.

This marks one of the largest layoffs by Microsoft in recent years and underscores the broader trend of tech companies tightening their belts while doubling down on innovation.