ChatGPT Go Debuts in India:
OpenAI has just rolled out ChatGPT Go at ₹399/month for Indian users. This affordable plan gives access to the latest GPT-5, AI image generation, file uploads, advanced chat memory, and the convenience of UPI payments, making top-tier AI tools accessible to many more people.
WhatsApp’s Big New Features:
WhatsApp is now letting users schedule calls and react during both group and personal calls. These updates are all about boosting productivity and interaction, all while keeping chats secure with end-to-end encryption.
Claude AI Steps Up Safety:
Anthropic’s Claude AI is getting more self-aware—it’ll now cut off abusive conversations to protect its own “welfare” and safety.

Indian AI Startups Get a Funding Boost:
Indian AI startups are making waves—Cohere is now valued at $6.8B, and Darwinbox has pulled in $40M from the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan. Developer tool startups are also enjoying a surge in venture capital.
AI Transforming Transportation:
Volvo is bringing generative AI to the road for extra safety, while Alibaba’s Amap has launched a next-gen, AI-powered mobility assistant to improve navigation.
Aptiv Expands in Chennai:
The global auto supplier has opened a cutting-edge software and safety engineering hub in Chennai, giving another big push to India’s EV and self-driving vehicle sector.

U.S. Eyes Intel Stake:
There’s talk that the U.S. government may turn $10.9B in Chips Act grants into shares, potentially taking a 10% stake in Intel. If this happens, the U.S. could become Intel’s biggest shareholder, with big implications for the tech industry’s ties to government.
Amazon Hiring Spree for Festival Season:
Amazon has announced plans to hire over 150,000 seasonal workers across India as it gears up for the busy festival months, getting logistics ready for the shopping rush.
TikTok’s New Rules Go Live Soon:
TikTok’s revamped community guidelines will take effect on September 13. They’ll push for more responsible livestreaming and cut down on in-app ads to improve user experience.

Call for Self-Reliance:
Gautam Adani is urging India to become more self-reliant in key areas like semiconductors, energy, and defense, describing the battle over tech as a series of “invisible wars” between nations.
VinFast EV Plant in Tamil Nadu:
Vietnam’s VinFast is setting up a 400-acre EV facility in Tamil Nadu, making it the fourth big auto cluster in the state and further cementing India’s position in the electric vehicle race.
Bamboo-Frame Electric Cycle Coming Soon:
Jharkhand will soon see the launch of a bamboo-frame electric cycle, merging eco-friendliness and innovation, with a release planned for November 2025.

Elon Musk vs. Sam Altman:
A heated exchange erupted online between Musk and Altman over chatbot market share and alleged algorithm shenanigans.
Parag Agrawal’s Next Move:
Former Twitter CEO Parag Agrawal has launched a new AI startup called Parallel, aiming to build a “web for machines,” adding to the buzz around Indian AI startups.
EU and US Tech Trade Delays:
Ongoing digital regulation issues in the EU are holding up a key trade agreement with the US, showing just how closely tech and geopolitics are now intertwined.

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Tech News Today: August 19, 2025