Karnataka govt. laying greater emphasis on Nanotechnology research, says Minister N S Boseraju
Bengaluru (PTI): Minister of Science and Technology N S Boseraju on Tuesday said significant steps are being taken to position Karnataka as a leading state in nanotechnology research and this will be achieved through the Karnataka State Research Foundation (KSRF) and Karnataka R&D Innovation Platform (e-KRDIP).
Speaking at the "Bengaluru India Nano 2024" curtain raiser press meet here, he highlighted Bengaluru's status as one of the world's leading cities for innovation, and Karnataka's reputation as an industrially-friendly state.
He emphasised the state government's robust support for startups and the establishment of new enterprises, and said that "revolutionary'' state schemes have attracted leading global companies to Karnataka. The state boasts a conducive environment for research and ample human resources.
The 13th edition of Bengaluru India Nano, a three-day event which is set to take place from August 1 and 3, is being organised by the Department of Science and Technology of Government of Karnataka, Karnataka Science and Technology Promotion Society and Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research.
The KSRF has been established to foster a supportive environment for startups and enterprises to conduct research and manufacture new products, according to officials. This initiative is a pivotal step towards transforming Karnataka into a research hub, they said. Additionally, the e-KRDIP is being established to disseminate the results of new research to the general public, startups, and enterprises. Nanotechnology research will be given high priority through these two institutions.
Bengaluru India Nano 2024 will focus on the theme "Nanotechnology for Sustainable Climate, Energy, and Healthcare."
The summit will witness participation of more than 700 registered delegates and 75 expert speakers in over 25 conference sessions. Pre-conference tutorials, which will also be organised as part of the summit, will offer in-depth knowledge and hands-on experience in various aspects of nanotechnology, catering to both beginners and seasoned professionals, it was stated.
The pre-conference tutorial will delve into key topics including Nano-Fabrication, Nano Characterisation and Nano Biology. The event will also feature a poster showcase which will give an opportunity to more than 175 young researchers from academia and research institutions to display their innovative research posters.
Boseraju said necessary grants for research are already being provided by the department, and additional programmes are being developed at the government level to further advance research in this field.
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Bill to regulate deepfakes tabled in Lok Sabha
New Delhi (PTI): A Private Member's Bill seeking a clear legal framework for regulation of deepfakes has been introduced in the Lok Sabha.
The Regulation of Deepfake Bill, introduced by Shiv Sena leader Shrikant Shinde in the House on Friday, aims to protect citizens by mandating prior consent from individuals depicted in deepfake content.
"Misuse of deepfakes for harassment, deception and misinformation has escalated, creating an urgent need for regulatory safeguards," Shinde said.
The Bill also lists penalties for offenders creating or disseminating deepfake content with malicious intent.
"With advancements in artificial intelligence and deep learning, deepfake technology has emerged as a significant tool for media manipulation. While the technology has potential applications in education, entertainment and creative fields, it also poses severe risks when misused, threatening individual privacy, national security and public trust," Shinde said in the statement of objects and reasons in the Bill.
The proposed Bill seeks to establish a clear legal framework to govern the creation, distribution and application of deepfakes in India, said Shinde, a three-term Lok Sabha member from Kalyan.
The Bill also seeks to establish the Deepfake Task Force, a dedicated body to combat national security implications and evaluate the influence of deepfakes on privacy, civic participation, and potential election interference.
The task force will collaborate with academic and private sector institutions to develop technologies that detect manipulated content, thereby promoting credibility in digital media.
The Bill also proposes to establish a fund to support public and private sector initiatives in the detection and deterrence of advanced image manipulation.
A Private Member's Bill is a procedure of Parliament that enables lawmakers, who are not ministers, to draw attention to issues that might not be represented in Government Bills or to highlight the issues and gaps in the existing legal framework that require legislative intervention.
