San Francisco: Advait Paliwal, a 21-year-old Indian-origin techie based in San Francisco, has introduced an innovative wearable AI device named 'Iris,' which aims to provide users with what he describes as "infinite memory." The device automatically captures a photograph every minute, storing these images either locally or in the cloud, allowing users to document everyday moments that might otherwise be forgotten.

Iris's design is inspired by the traditional evil eye symbol, a concept Paliwal shared on social media. The device was developed during a two-month AI and hardware accelerator program at the Augmentation Lab in Cambridge. Paliwal later showcased Iris at the MIT Media Lab, where it received positive feedback, with many attendees expressing interest in acquiring the product.

In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Paliwal detailed how Iris not only organizes these photos into a coherent timeline but also uses artificial intelligence to generate captions, assisting users in recalling specific details. One standout feature is the "focus mode," which detects when the wearer becomes distracted and provides gentle prompts to help them regain focus.

Paliwal emphasized the broad potential of Iris in various industries. He suggested the device could be useful for healthcare professionals, helping them monitor patients' daily routines, or in workplaces to ensure safety compliance. In elderly care, Iris could provide caregivers with unobtrusive ways to track patients’ well-being.

Despite its positive reception, the device has stirred online debate, particularly over privacy concerns. While some users were excited about the concept, others expressed discomfort. One individual commented, "It’s an interesting idea, but I wouldn’t want to interact with someone wearing this, taking a photo every minute." In response, Paliwal pointed out that people already "constantly take mental photos."

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Guwahati (PTI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Sunday alleged that the Congress, during its previous 15 years of rule in Assam, "pocketed" Rs 150 crore per annum from the state healthcare budget.

Inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for healthcare projects worth Rs 2,092 crore in Assam, Shah said the BJP works for affordable healthcare for all sections of society and lauded Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for bringing the state's medical facilities at par with states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka.

"Assam's healthcare was in shambles 10 years ago as Congress worked only for the financial health of its leaders' families," he said.

Attacking Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, he said that no Indian supports his acts of "defaming" the country in his bid to oppose the BJP and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

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He lambasted the Congress for its "shirtless" protest at the recent AI summit in New Delhi and Gandhi for having 'chai-pakora' on the stairs of Parliament House.

"We were also in the opposition and staged protests against the government, but there is a right platform for it," he said.

"Parliament is a sacred seat of democracy. Its stairs should not be used for even dharnas. And Rahul Gandhi was having 'chai-pakora' there. Doesn't he know where to have his breakfast?" asked the Union minister.

Shah inaugurated the Rs 675-crore Pragjyotishpur Medical College and Hospital in Guwahati, at a programme held on its premises.

He also virtually inaugurated two cancer centres at Golaghat and Tinsukia, both under Assam Cancer Care Foundation (ACCF), constructed at a cost of Rs 135 crore each.

Shah virtually laid the foundation stone for super-speciality hospitals at Diphu Medical College and Hospital (Rs 220 crore), Jorhat Medical College and Hospital (Rs 310 crore), and Barpeta Medical College and Hospital (Rs 284 crore).

The foundation stone for a Rs 218-crore Swasthya Bhawan in Guwahati, and the Abhayapuri District Hospital (Rs 115 crore) were also laid by the Union home minister.

Shah arrived here on Saturday evening on a two-day visit to Assam, his fourth visit to the northeastern state in four months.