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Modern Technological Innovations To Combat Increasing Food Demands And Climate Change

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Modern Technological Innovations,Increasing Food Demands,Startup Stories,Latest Technology News 2019, Innovative Technologies,Food Demands Climate Change,Technology Innovations 2019,Best Tech Innovations,Food Demands,Modern Technology

Climate change has become a serious concern for the world in recent times.  With various human activities worsening the world’s climate even more, scientists are working hard to find different solutions to combat the situation. 

At the 2016 Paris Climate Change conference, where various political parties and activists gathered to discuss climate change, an agreement was passed with an aim to prevent global temperatures from rising.  However, Microsoft founder and philanthropist Bill Gates argued there should be more effort put in than just a cut in global emissions to combat climate change. As a solution, Bill Gates, along with many other billionaires, launched a fund to invest in innovative technologies which will help combat this issue. 

Global warming due to food and agricultural practices is a major concern for researchers and activists right now as it is estimated the global population will increase by 3 million people by 2050.  This increase in population will require us to convert more forests and other ecosystems into agricultural fields to accommodate the need of the world population, resulting in the emission of 15 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. 

According to a report issued by the World Bank and the United Nations, there will be 50 % expansion of global food needs by 2050, with an increased need for meat based food products.  It will require the conversion of nearly 600 million hectares of land for agricultural use and to meet the food requirements of the global population.

With a focus on finding solutions to the food related climate change issues, scientists are working on innovations for the reduction of food loss and waste and for the conservation of peatlands which release huge amounts of carbon dioxide after being converted to farmlands.  They are also working on projects to help in decreasing the use of fertilizers in the agricultural field, which causes 20 % of the agricultural emissions in the environment.

Scientists are working on modern technologies like CRISPR Cas9, plant based meat replacements and compounds which stop fertilizers from being converted to nitrous oxide by soil microbes.  

CRISPR Cas9 is a modern genome editing tool used in the manipulation of DNA and can be used to create or delete an entire genetic trait in a species.  Scientists are working on using the technology to improve plant breeding by altering the genetic traits of various crop plants to improve their quality and increase their resistance from biotic and abiotic stresses.

World’s dependance on meat based food products is also a major concern in terms of climate change as there is no way to meet the meat requirements of 9 billion people worldwide.  The solution to this problem is to develop lab grown meat and meat alternatives, undertaken by companies like Beyond Meat. Beyond Meat, which acquired an investment from Bill Gates, produces plant based meat burgers.  These meat burgers are made entirely from vegetable protein obtained from peas and can be used as a replacement to meat.

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas which plays a major role in global warming.  Majority of the methane in our ecosystem comes from our livestock, with a single cow releasing 3 tonnes of methane into the atmosphere every year by burping.  Scientists at DSM Company developed a methane reducing feed additive which can make cows give out less methane. 

There are other innovations done by researchers such as the use of solar power to produce hydrogen in nitrogen based fertilizers, using nontoxic spray on films to increase the shelf life of food items and developing crops which can absorb nitrogen, a major contributor to global warming.

It is a major challenge to feed an increasing world population without increasing the global temperatures, but with scientists working on technologies like CRISPR Cas9 and plant based meat food, there is still hope to achieve the impossible goal of combating climate change.

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OneStack Secures $2 Million to Digitize Cooperative Banking in India

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OneStack, a Gurugram-based fintech startup, has raised $2 million in a pre-Series A funding round led by GrowX, Stride Ventures, 9Unicorns, and Venture Catalyst. The funding aims to accelerate the digitization of cooperative banks and credit societies across India, with the company setting an ambitious target of modernizing over 1,000 institutions by the end of 2025.

Driving Digital Transformation

Founded in 2019 by Amit Kapoor and Vishal Gupta, OneStack offers innovative solutions such as OneCBS (Core Banking Solution), a cloud-based platform designed to streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and enable data-driven decision-making for cooperative banks. Additionally, it is introducing SoundBox, a merchant ecosystem solution that facilitates seamless digital payment services.

Currently serving over 200 cooperative banks, OneStack plans to expand its reach into South and East India while establishing nationwide offices and growing its team. This funding will also support the deployment of advanced technologies like UPI Switch and Bharat BillPay systems to empower banks with branded digital payment services.

Impact on Financial Inclusion

OneStack’s efforts align with India’s Digital Bharat initiative, aiming to bridge the technology gap for underserved financial institutions. By digitizing cooperative banks, which serve nearly 50% of India’s bankable population, the startup is driving financial inclusion for millions. “This funding propels our growth journey at an accelerated pace,” said Amit Kapoor, Founder and CEO. “We are empowering cooperative banks to compete in this digital epoch.”

With this milestone funding, OneStack is poised to transform India’s cooperative banking landscape while fostering innovation and financial accessibility nationwide.

 

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Artificial Intelligence

Social Media Platforms Push for AI Labeling to Counter Deepfake Risks

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Social media platforms are intensifying efforts to combat the misuse of deepfake technology by advocating for mandatory AI labeling and clearer definitions of synthetic content. Deepfakes, created using advanced artificial intelligence, pose significant threats by enabling the spread of misinformation, particularly in areas like elections, politics, and personal privacy.

Meta’s New Approach

Meta has announced expanded policies to label AI-generated content across Facebook and Instagram. Starting May 2025, “Made with AI” labels will be applied to synthetic media, with additional warnings for high-risk content that could deceive the public. Meta also requires political advertisers to disclose the use of AI in ads related to elections or social issues, aiming to address concerns ahead of key elections in India, the U.S., and Europe.

Industry-Wide Efforts

Other platforms like TikTok and Google have introduced similar rules, requiring deepfake content to be labeled clearly. TikTok has banned deepfakes involving private figures and minors, while the EU has urged platforms to label AI-generated media under its Digital Services Act guidelines.

Challenges Ahead

Despite these measures, detecting all AI-generated content remains difficult due to technological limitations. Experts warn that labeling alone may not fully prevent misinformation campaigns, especially as generative AI tools become more accessible.

Election Implications

With major elections scheduled in 2025, experts fear deepfakes could exacerbate misinformation campaigns, influencing voter perceptions. Social media platforms are under pressure to refine their policies and technologies to ensure transparency while safeguarding free speech.

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Artificial Intelligence

Transforming India’s AI Landscape: OpenAI and Meta’s Collaborative Talks with Reliance Industries

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Transforming India's AI Landscape: OpenAI and Meta's Collaborative Talks with Reliance Industries

OpenAI and Meta Platforms are reportedly in discussions with India’s Reliance Industries to explore potential partnerships aimed at enhancing their artificial intelligence (AI) offerings in the country. This development underscores India’s growing significance in the global AI landscape.

Key Aspects of the Discussions

  • Partnership with Reliance Jio: One of the main focuses is a potential collaboration between Reliance Jio and OpenAI to facilitate the distribution of ChatGPT in India. This could enable wider access to advanced AI tools for businesses and consumers, leveraging Reliance’s extensive telecommunications network.
  • Subscription Price Reduction: OpenAI is considering reducing the subscription cost for ChatGPT from $20 to a more affordable price, potentially just a few dollars. While it is unclear if this has been discussed with Reliance, such a move could significantly broaden access to AI services for various user demographics, including enterprises and students.
  • Infrastructure Development: Reliance has expressed interest in hosting OpenAI’s models locally, ensuring that customer data remains within India. This aligns with data sovereignty regulations and addresses growing concerns about data privacy. A planned three-gigawatt data center in Jamnagar, Gujarat, is expected to serve as a major hub for these AI operations.

Market Implications

These potential partnerships reflect a broader trend among international tech firms aiming to democratize access to AI technologies in India. If successful, they could reshape India’s AI ecosystem and accelerate adoption across various sectors. As negotiations continue, stakeholders are closely monitoring how these alliances may impact India’s technological landscape and its position as a leader in AI innovation.

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