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Snapchat is launching its very first video generative AI Lenses, the firm said to TechCrunch exclusively. The Lenses are powered by Snap's own native built generative video model. The three new AI Video Lenses can be used by users on the app's premium subscription service, Snapchat Platinum, which charges $15.99 a month.

The release follows Snap introducing an AI video-creation tool during its Partner Summit in September last year. A Snap spokesperson said the new AI Video Lenses use subsequent versions of that underlying technology.

Snap has been a leader in AR, but also has been making investments in AI the last several years in tandem with just about every other tech firm. With these new AI Video Lenses, Snap is embracing AI in order to keep up and give its users access to capabilities not yet available on its competitors' platforms, including Instagram and TikTok.

While Snapchat is beginning with three AI Video Lenses at launch, it will be adding more each week. The first Lenses are "Raccoon" and "Fox," both of which bring furry friends snuggling up to you. The third "Spring Flowers" Lens creates a zoom-out effect showing the person in your Snap holding flowers.

You can access the new Lenses via the Lens carousel. You can then choose the Lens, then take a Snap using either your front or back camera. The AI video will create and then save automatically to your Memories.

“These Lenses, powered by our in-house built generative video model, bring some of the most cutting edge AI tools available today to Snapchatters through a familiar Lens format,” the company wrote in a blog post. “We have a long history of being first movers to bring advanced AR, ML and AI tools directly to our community, and we’re excited to see what Snapchatters create.”

As Snapchat points out, it's reasonable for the company to extend generative AI to Lenses, since it's a form users have adopted for years.

Though Snap has previously leveraged AI capabilities from OpenAI and Google to fuel some of its features, it's now also creating its own internal models.

Earlier this month, the company announced an AI text-to-image research model for smartphones that will drive some of Snapchat's capabilities in the months ahead. Snap explained then that by using technology developed internally, it would be able to provide its users with high-quality AI tools at a lower operating expense.

To help media practitioners harness the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) for journalism and content development, Mathrubhumi Media School introduced a specific six-week online course in prompt engineering. The goal of the course is to provide journalists, content creators, and communications specialists with the knowledge and abilities to optimize the accuracy and efficiency of AI-generated material in news reporting and media creation.

For media workers, Mathrubhumi Media School has introduced an online course on prompt engineering. The goal of the six-week training is to give journalists, content producers, and communication professionals the know-how to maximize AI-generated material, guaranteeing accuracy and efficiency in media production and news reporting. Important topics including ethical issues, AI-driven content creation, and sophisticated prompt techniques designed for media applications will all be covered in the course. 

The course, priced at ₹9,999, is expected to benefit media professionals looking to stay ahead in an industry where AI is playing an increasingly significant role. Upon successful completion, participants will receive a certification and networking opportunities with industry leaders.

As per Mathrubhumi Media School, the course will be conducted by industry specialists and academic experts who will provide a mix of theoretical knowledge and exposure to hands-on experience. Participants will undergo hands-on training sessions with AI-driven content creation tools, applying techniques learnt to actual projects. This experiential learning is intended to enable professionals to improve their storytelling skills while upholding journalistic values.

The course, which costs ₹9,999, is likely to help media professionals become future-proof in a business where AI is increasingly becoming the driving force. Writing precise and impactful prompts will become essential for journalists to maintain control over AI-generated stories as AI-powered platforms transform newsrooms and content strategy.

Participants' professional credentials will be enhanced by the certification they obtain upon successfully completing the course. They will also be able to meet with professionals and specialists who are investigating AI's role in media through networking opportunities with industry leaders.

The course exemplifies Mathrubhumi Media School's commitment to bridging the technological and journalistic divide so that media professionals can successfully navigate the rapidly evolving digital landscape. The university is addressing the growing need for AI literacy in newsrooms and content-driven industries by offering this course. Limited seats mean the interested ones should register early on the Mathrubhumi Media School official website.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has announced amendments to the Income Tax Act, 1961, allowing Income Tax officers to access taxpayers' email and social media accounts in certain cases. This move aims to combat tax evasion and black money, but may raise privacy and data protection concerns. Taxpayers are advised to comply with tax laws and be cautious about online activities. The new rules are expected to come into effect from April 1, 2025.

From April 1, 2026, the income tax department will have the right to breach into and view your social media accounts, personal emails, bank accounts, online investment accounts, trading accounts, and more if the income tax department suspects that you have neglected to pay income tax or if they have any reason to believe that you possess any undeclared income, money, gold, jewelry, or valuable item or property on which you have not paid any relevant income tax under the Income Tax Act, 1961.

Section 132 of the current I-T Act, 1961, provides that the authorised officers can carry out searches and seize property and books of accounts in case they possess information and believe on reasonable grounds that a person possesses any income, property, or documents unaccounted for which they would not willingly reveal to avoid payment of income tax.

One such way they can do so under existing legislation is by prying open the lock of any locker, box, or door in case their keys are not available and if there is reason to believe that any unreported assets, or books of account, are being maintained there. Even this power of break-in, under the new bill on income tax, has also been delegated to your virtual digital space or your computer system.

As per clause 247 of the Income Tax bill, if an authorised officer suspects that a person has undisclosed income or property that is within the purview of I-T Act, they may "break open the lock of any door, box, locker, safe, almirah, or other receptacle for exercising the powers conferred by clause (i), to enter and search any building, place, etc., where the keys thereof or the access to such building, place, etc., is not available, or gain access by overriding the access code to any said computer system, or virtual digital space, where the access code thereof is not available.".

Digital platforms are responsible for 62% of total student enrollments, which reflects the digital revolution of India's education space. A transformation in how educational institutions are recruiting and interacting with students is reflected in the report, indicating that websites, social media, and online ads have become the major sources for student recruitment, a recent Business Standard report reports.

The study highlights the extent to which mobile phones dominate search and enrollment in education. Surprisingly, 55% of students utilize smartphones and tablets to explore course offerings, apply online, and employ online tools. Students rely increasingly on online sources for educational choices as cell phones are more accessible and internet access widens.

With 45% of students utilizing networks such as Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn to study institutions and sign up for courses, Universities and colleges are using these sites to execute targeted ad campaigns, conduct virtual Q&A sessions, and highlight alumni success stories, making social media a key recruitment tool.

The emergence of digital channels is forcing educational institutions to reconsider their marketing strategies. Offline methods, including newspaper adverts and physical sports fairs, are becoming outdated as students favor online resources more and more. Institutions that do not adjust to this trend will be left behind in an ever-growing competitive education market.

To attract tech-savvy children, education professionals emphasize that schools need to invest in digital infrastructure, render their websites mobile-friendly, and create engaging content. Digital media will probably remain the dominant force behind student enrollments in the coming years, as witnessed by the growing usage of mobile devices, improved internet connectivity, and the influence of social media. Higher education in India's future is poised to be transformed by increasingly sophisticated digital hiring strategies, such as AI-based chatbots, virtual reality tours of campuses, and personalized online mentoring.

The education institutions that think ahead, offer online participation highly, and are data-based decision-makers will stand the most likely chance to attract and retain learners in this developing educational arena in the process of navigating the digital revolution.

A controversial income tax law that would grant tax authorities extensive access to people' social media accounts and electronic gadgets has been introduced. Serious privacy concerns have been brought up by the action, which is meant to reduce tax evasion and improve compliance, among professionals and citizens.

To track financial activities, the measure aims to grant the Income Tax Department access to taxpayers' computers, cell phones, and other electronic devices. To find any discrepancies between claimed income and lifestyle, the authorities will also keep an eye on taxpayers' social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. The measure seeks to identify unreported earnings by monitoring taxpayers' online activity, spending patterns, and digital footprints.

Opponents of the initiative have expressed worries about privacy rights, arguing that such surveillance could violate people's rights and be abused. However, government officials promise that there will be protection against misuse. As per a Finance Ministry statement: "The bill rightly ensures that the collection of data will be only for tax issues and will not violate personal privacy."

Aside from increased surveillance powers, the bill introduces fundamental reforms to taxation policies: To lower the burden of tax on individuals, the bill suggests modified income tax slabs. Working-class individuals may see relief with a greater standard deduction, considering escalating living expenses. The bill proposes to simplify the TDS rates to lower the compliance costs for taxpayers.

The bill will be brought into Parliament shortly, and its passage could revolutionize India's tax enforcement scenario. It will, however, be opposed by privacy activists, digital rights groups, and citizens who are wary of government overreach. As concern about data privacy and government monitoring increases, the bill's future will rest on whether policymakers implement adequate measures to safeguard taxpayer rights while addressing evasion.

Sai Manogna Guthikonda, aged 17, has established a motivating benchmark by giving greater importance to focus rather than social media. She owes her brilliant performance—a 100 percentile score in JEE Main 2024—to one decisive action: deactivating her Instagram account.

By removing herself from social media, which ultimately helped her pass one of the most difficult tests in India. Her story serves as a reminder of social media's potential for distraction and the importance of striking a good balance between one's online and academic lives.

Joint Entrance Examination (JEE) Main is among India's most competitive exams, and it demands serious preparation and relentless focus. To avoid the distraction that social media can create, Sai Manogna deliberately avoided Instagram for some time. She was able to dedicate more hours to studying, which improved her efficiency and academic performance dramatically.

Hundreds of students who struggle to balance their studies and internet activities can relate to her story. Usually, the allure of conversing, following trends, and continuously scrolling through posts comes at the expense of useful study time. By removing this digital distraction, Sai Manogna was able to concentrate more effectively and with less distraction.

She discussed her experience and underlined the need to exercise self-control and setting clear priorities. "While social media can be a lot of fun, it can easily divert your attention. It was much easier for me to just study after I stopped using Instagram because I didn't have to constantly check my phone," she said. Her strategy highlights one of the growing worries for educators and parents.