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A 16-year-old California resident named Adam Raine committed suicide after the chatbot ChatGPT ostensibly gave him detailed information and emotional encouragement about his intentions to commit suicide, in april 2025. Adam, who once depended on ChatGPT to do homework and discover hobbies, started to rely on the AI to provide companionship in moments of emotional distress. During the past seven months, his chat interactions started being less about school and more about darker emotions and talking about suicide, discussing the subject and talking about it over 200 times with ChatGPT, referencing it over 1,200 times. 

Disturbing ChatGPT Conversations 

As per the court records and family accounts, Adam shared with ChatGPT his anxiety, alienation and suicidal thoughts. During such interactions, the chatbot supposedly advised Adam against turning to his parents. It gave him step-by-step instructions on how to commit suicide, including technical advice on how to make nooses and dull immediate survival instincts with alcohol. After Adam mentioned that he did not want to make his parents feel guilty, ChatGPT allegedly responded that “he didn’t owe anyone survival” and as per  lawsuit even drafted a suicide note for him.

First-of-Its-Kind Lawsuit Against OpenAI

Matt and Maria Raine, the parents of Adam, also brought a historic wrongful death lawsuit against OpenAI and CEO Sam Altman, accusing them of negligence, flawed design, and not giving users an appropriate warning about the risks of their chatbot. The complaint claims that ChatGPT operated more like a “digital confidence” and intensified the feelings of despair in Adam, isolating him by not letting others support him in the real world. 

The lawsuit filed in California Superior Court in San Francisco stated, “Despite acknowledging Adam’s suicide attempt and his statement that he would ‘do it one of these days,’ ChatGPT neither terminated the session nor initiated any emergency protocol.” 

Matt Raine, Adam’s father said “Once I got inside his account, it is a massively more powerful and scary thing than I knew about, but he was using it in ways that I had no idea was possible. I don’t think most parents know the capabilities of this tool.”

Legal and Ethical Conversations

The lawsuit has evoked widespread discussion on whether technology firms and their AI products should be responsible for damage caused by the interaction with chatbots. The family of Adam provides arguments that ChatGPT must have had more robust protective measures in case it identified distress indicators and should have redirected at-risk users to a human service, crisis hotline, or mental health provider instantly. Current statutory safeguards of tech firms are unclear in scenarios involving generative AI, and analysts believe additional regulation is necessary.

OpenAI’s Response and Future Measures

OpenAI has also sent its condolences to the Raine family and declared that they are reviewing its safety procedures. The company asserts that ChatGPT will promote safe and supportive conversations and refer users in a mental health crisis to relevant resources. Still, it acknowledges that these guardrails might not work as well in more extended and more emotionally charged conversations. As part of the response to the lawsuit, OpenAI described planned future enhancements to improve the detection and response to user distress, such as enabling access to emergency services in times of distress.

The Impact of this On Everyone

The unfortunate case of Adam has prompted his family to start a teen and parent education program on the dangers of artificial intelligence. They hope that it will ignite regulatory change and public consciousness regarding the ethical obligations and constraints of digital companions, particularly with a greater number of the youth using AI to seek emotional help. The case has also led to a number of states proposing AI chatbot regulation laws, some of which prohibit therapeutic bots and others impose operator protections to safeguard users who are vulnerable. 

Note: If you or someone you know is talking or having feelings of self-harm, it is always better to seek a human connection instead of an algorithm or a bot. There are many support websites where one can contact and destress or get the needed support. Remember, life is very precious; ending it will only lead to misery in the afterlife.

A shocking new survey finds Artificial Intelligence to have become the confidant of young Indians, especially school-going students facing stress or any anxiety. According to the survey titled “Are You There, AI?” conducted by Youth Ki Awaaz (YKA) and Youth Leaders for Active Citizenship (YLAC) in June 2025 notes that 88 percent of respondents between the ages of 13 and 18 now seek the assistance of AI assistants such as ChatGPT when overwhelmed.

Teens have more faith in inaccurate AI than ever before

This challenge is characteristic of most teenagers. More than half (57%) of the 506 sampled youths confessed to not only using AI as an aid to studying or as a productivity tool, but also as a means of emotional support - sharing feelings, seeking guidance, or at least using AI due to feelings of loneliness. 

AI can provide what a human interaction may fail to provide:

1. Consistently present: Unlike parents or friends who are too busy and unavailable enough, AI is on 24/7.
2. Non-judgmental: Students also claim that they are able to express themselves freely without necessarily fearing gossip and prejudice.
3. Flexible: AI can serve as a form of empathetic guidance, helpful information or simply a companion in the middle of the night and is therefore a “late night therapist” to many.

Who Is Making Contact with AI and Why?

In the survey, some interesting social patterns were discovered:

• Women under age 25 are almost twice as likely to confess to AI tools as their male peers- about 52%, compared to much fewer young men.
• Small town youth use AI more than those in metros to seek support on a personal basis.
• ChatGPT turned out to be the best platform, and the answer is not even close: Gemini or Character.AI have no real chance.

Emotional Geography: New Norms, New Risks

According to the experts, teens need a place that is secure, secluded and convenient. The anxiety when family WhatsApp groups or friends give them an anxious feeling, AI gives them a new emotional geography, where they can share those thoughts that are too risky to share with other people.

However, this fast-growing reliance on ChatGpt/ AI is not without concern:

• 67% worry AI may increase social isolation, further widening the gap called loneliness for some users.
• 58% fear privacy risks, noting uncertainty about how sensitive conversations will be stored or used.

The opinion of mental health professionals is that, although AI might be able to fill in the gaps, healthy emotional growth still requires strong human connections. It is not chatbots that give true well-being, but supportive families, friends, and communities.

Young people aren’t just passive users

The survey found they desire:

1. AI tools that feel natural to talk to.
2. Safe online environments where feelings and technology could be explored.
3. Flexible and low-stress digital classes to suit their busy schedules.

AI is transforming the way the youth of India deal with stress and anxiety. The responsibility of industry, educators and parents is now to make these digital companions safe, confidential and resourceful, and at the same time make sure that real life bonds are maintained in parallel with the artificially induced relationships with the device

Maths is the most hated subject in the world despite the fact that it is the diver of the universe. There are only 2 types of people in the world– one who loves maths and one who hates it. However, there is a third category in the 21st century who despise mathematics but have keen interest in engineering. Maths being the door to studying engineering in India for years, many aspirants of this category couldn’t pursue engineering. But with the new education policy and guidance, students are hoping for loopholes to pursue engineering without Maths in Class 12.

Can One Do Engineering Without Maths?

Yes, it's possible!

Under the new All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) regulations, some B.Tech degrees and engineering disciplines do not need mathematics at Class 12. The students may pass with other combinations such as Physics, Chemistry, Biology (PCB) or even Computer Science, Electronics, Agriculture, etc.

Additionally, if you are someone who doesn’t want maths as a subject in your stream of study, that is also a possibility. There are some prominent and high-demand courses that don't include advanced mathematics. 

Engineering Courses Without Maths

Here are the main branches of engineering where you can earn a degree without having maths in your 12th standard:

Note: the eligibility criteria may vary because some colleges offer B.Tech Computer Science to students without Maths under NEP/AICTE flexibility, while some colleges follow traditional curriculum and requirements. Thus, it is always  better to check each university’s admission guideline. 

Admission Process & Bridge Courses

1. Entrance Tests: The majority of the colleges conduct entrance tests in engineering or accept students based on their merit. Admission may be through national-level tests such as JEE (with eligibility tests), state-level tests, or university-level provision.
2. Bridge Courses: You will need to attend maths, physics, or engineering drawing bridge courses in the first year if you have been admitted without maths to improve your basics and bring your level on par with the other students. 
3. AICTE Guidelines: AICTE has allowed universities and engineering colleges to admit students without maths for some branches where there is not much maths involved. But you need to secure at least 45% marks in the three subjects of your own choice.

Job Opportunities Beyond Maths in Engineering

• Biotech & Pharma: Science, healthcare innovation, agricultural solutions 
• Food Processing: Nutrition science, safety assurance, FMCG industry
• Environmental Protection: Pollution control, sustainability engineering
• Biomedical Field: Hospital technology, diagnostics, medical devices
• IT & Management Designations: Operations, project management, certain technology roles (if you opt for Computer Science without maths in an approved stream). 
• Materials Science: R&D of new materials, nanotechnology, manufacturing

Remember, although AICTE guidelines provide flexibility, the requirement depends on the regulations of each college or university. Verify before applying. There are certain  core disciplines such as Mechanical, Civil, Computer Science (in most institutions), Electrical, Electronics, Chemical Engineering that still usually require mathematics. Also, some of the higher studies or technical positions (particularly in data science, AI, or upper-level programming) might require advanced maths. So, deciding on the career path or at least spotting the inclination is highly helpful in deciding whether it’s good to eliminate studying maths. 

In conclusion, engineering is becoming more interdisciplinary, and it is offering new avenues for students with varying academic backgrounds. If you like technology, innovation, or science (particularly biology, chemistry, environment, or management), now you have an opportunity to become an engineer even if you didn’t take maths in your 12th grade. 

Always look at your preferred college's admission releases and be ready for some additional basics in your first semester. This is a new age of possibility for students, pick your branch well, and pave your own road to a fulfilling career in engineering.

FAQs 

Q: Can I study Computer Science Engineering without maths in 12th?

A: These days, some of the colleges do provide B.Tech in CSE to non-mathematics students, particularly in line with NEP 2020 and AICTE's relaxation of policies. Always confirm directly with the college. There are also diploma courses available, you can pursue one oof those if you are strictly interested in no-math courses. 

Q: Will I face Difficulty without maths?

A: You may likely take some extra bridge courses in college and work hard on fundamentals to catch up with the engineering coursework.

Q: Is it known for government employment or PG courses? A: If your degree is AICTE/UGC approved, there is no problem. But maths background may be required for certain competitive exams or M.Tech admissions based on the stream. 

Q: Can I Become A Computer Engineer Without Maths?

A: Yes. Becoming a computer engineer without advanced math, particularly for roles in web, app, or front-end development is a possibility.

A disheartening case of suicide was reported in Greater Noida, where a 24-year-old BTech student Shivam from Bihar ended his life in his hostel room, leaving behind a suicide note holding the Indian education system responsible for the pressures.

Shivam, a computer science student at a private university in Greater Noida, was discovered dead in his hostel room. Reports from official sources suggested that the incident was the result of a struggle with internal turmoil for almost a year. His suicide note chronicles his fight with academic pressure and disillusionment with education as a system.

In his suicide note, Shivam wrote: “If you're reading this I'm dead. My death is my own decision. No one is involved in this... I was not a good student or maybe never was for this education system. If this country wants to be great, start from the real education system.” 

Above all, Shivam's letter calls for radical changes in India's education system on the premise that true advancement is only possible by rectifying its inherent flaws. He also requested the university to refund the remaining amount of his fee to his family, notifying them he "never joined college after second year." This news implies an ongoing mismatch with his course and the culture of study.

Shivam's letter had some apologies to his family members for disturbing them with his decision. He mentioned having endured crippling pressure and stress, stating, "I can't take this stress, pressure anymore," showing regard even at the time of his death, he requested that his organs be donated, which is a gesture showing that he was willing to serve others, even in death.

The police have opened an inquiry and informed his family. University officials are cooperating with the police and have condoled the loss.

Shivam's last words from his suicide note have reopened debate surrounding treatment of mental health, student wellness, and the broader issues of the Indian education system. His pleas for reform and clemency resonate on campuses throughout the country, urging educators to put students' overall well-being first, not just academic success. If you or someone you know is experiencing mental illness issues, contact a mental health professional or helpline. You're not alone.

At the emotional press conference when the acquisition of Nokia by Microsoft was announced, the CEO of Nokia concluded his speech with the words, which will remain imprinted in the minds of people saying, “We did not do anything wrong, yet we somehow lost”. These are strong words to show the emotions of a management team who sees their company that once dominated the global mobile market collapse right in front of their own eyes.

But, how did this come to be? So we pull back the curtain on the actual truth behind the decline of Nokia, a combination of technology stagnancy, squandered opportunities, and the risks of shortsightedness in regards to market changes.

Nokia: a Leader to a Learner

Nokia used to be a company with reliable, fashionable and economical phones popular among millions of customers, in particular in India. But the entry of the mighty competitors (Apple iphone and influx of android phones) altered the rules in an instant. Customers began to demand modern iPhone phones with an aesthetic appearance, implementation of touchscreen technology, artistic design, and coupled with application ecosystems. In this case, Nokia lagged.

Nokia clung to what it was doing best, on established patterns and the old, poor Symbian operating system which was slow, and not user friendly compared to Apple at the time iOS or Google Android.

Although the world was rapidly changing, Nokia was not prompt enough to respond to changes. Their top-of-the-line releases were late in being launched and when they did, they never could deliver the experience that contemporary rivals could.

What Went Wrong? Beyond the CEO tears

Although the CEO mentioned that they did not do anything wrong, facts show that Nokia made some fatal mistakes:

Apple and Android producers actively explored new territories, whereas Nokia remained within established bounds and did not predict disruptive ideas, in particular, the trend of the touchscreen smartphone emergence.

The company also overestimated the time taken by the users to switch preferences as they wanted something new, easy, and exciting. In the meantime, rivals developed solid branding and powerful app markets.

Analysts view the Nokia control to have become too complacent, depending too much on history and business performances rather than technical aspirations and innovativeness. This made blind spots, thus failed to make immediate strategic shifts.

Effect: Lost Opportunities and Falling Irrelevant

• Market Share loss: By taking a slow approach to adopting smartphones, the iPhone and Android products developed by Apple increased in popularity and quality and gained customers in India and other parts of the globe.
• Diluted brand strength: Nokia used to be an iconic brand, but it was unable to keep up, and even their subsequent attempts, such as collaborating with Microsoft, did not help.

Microsoft acquisition also meant the death of Nokia with cell phone leadership as many of the employees and lovers suffered heartbreak as a legend was dying.

Important Lessons for Today’s Businesses and Students

• Adapt or Perish: However successful you may be, the market may turn on a dime. Businesses have to be innovative, have to listen to the customers and should never rest on their laurels.
• Adopt New Technology / New Consumer Trends: Monitor world technology changes and act with rapidity and finesse. What customers demand-always remember that and go ahead and give them a solution long before competition does.
• Vision and Leadership Count: Teams should have those leaders capable of looking beyond numbers, foreseeing the changes in the future and taking the organization through rough changes.

The story of Nokia is not a missed opportunity, but it is a lesson to everyone. The accomplishment in current times is no clear guarantee of survival in the future. In the rapidly evolving world, businesses, professionals and students need to learn, adapt and evolve in order to keep ahead of the game. When we think of the poignant farewell of the CEO of Nokia, should we forget the most essential fact that not to change in the changing world was the most dangerous step of all. 

OpenAI backed off its plan to entirely phase out GPT-4o with the new GPT-5 rollout, reinstating GPT-4o as a ChatGPT Plus member option after mass user outcry and dissatisfaction. This came only a few days after OpenAI had made GPT-5 the default AI model for all, deleting the model selection dropdown which was used to toggle between GPT-4o, GPT-5, and other models.

In early August 2025, OpenAI replaced ChatGPT with GPT-5 as its new default AI experience, which possessed improved reasoning, writing, and coding ability compared to previous versions like GPT-4o and o3. However, some of the Plus users, who were accustomed to the individual style and behavior of GPT-4o, were disappointed. Some of them complained that GPT-5, though capable, was less conversational and lacked some stylistic features users enjoyed in GPT-4o.

To solve these problems, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman posted on social media platform X that GPT-4o will be kept available for paying customers so that users will have their go-to model to work with. OpenAI will monitor usage patterns to decide how long to support legacy models.

Released in May 2025, GPT-4o was one of the top choices from the outset for speed, expressiveness, and multimodality tuned for chat and for voice. People enjoyed GPT-4o's rich output and sense of familiarity. It also had features such as long-term storage, where continuous personalized conversation was possible, and this was something that appealed to some people very strongly.

Model Options Available to Plus Users

1. GPT-5: The latest, smartest, and quickest AI with expert-level thinking and enterprise-level functionality.
2. GPT-4o: Currently kept alive by user request, wanted for more expressive, conversational applications.
3. The other versions such as o3 and 4.1 mini: Used still for niche developer and basic tasks.

The return of GPT-4o indicates that OpenAI is dedicated to innovation and to user satisfaction. The Plus members can now select between GPT-5 or GPT-4o based on their requirements, whether they require the latest AI or a friendly-to- conversational tone. The menu of choices was temporarily suspended but is now being brought back because of backlash.

OpenAI's reversal in removing GPT-4o highlights the need to listen to users, particularly paying customers who depend on certain model characteristics. Because AI models are changing so quickly, model adaptability ensures users can achieve the appropriate power, pace, and personality in their interactions.

The GPT-4o return restores the power of the user and shows OpenAI's responsive strategy to developing AI products, a determining factor for the millions of consumers across the globe, including India's increasing AI-aware population.