GCSET

A news is going viral on social media of recent damage to critical undersea fiber optic cables in the Red Sea near Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, that  is said to have caused significant internet disruptions across Asia, the Middle East, and parts of Africa. The damaged cables, SEA-ME-WE 4 (SMW4) and IMEWE, carry approximately 17% of the global internet traffic between Asia, Europe, and Africa. Repairing undersea cables is a complex and time-consuming process that can take weeks or even months due to technical challenges and geopolitical tensions in the region. 

This incident notes a potential weakness in the digital infrastructure as a whole. Despite everything the internet offers, it relies on extremely delicate underwater cables that can be accidentally or intentionally destroyed. This damage has slowed internet speeds and interrupted cloud services such as Microsoft Azure to users in India, Pakistan, the UAE, and other neighbouring countries.

Why does internet infrastructure matter locally and globally?

The significance of internet infrastructure is that it is the structure that enables individuals and gadgets worldwide to interact and transmit data easily and swiftly. It comprises not only the physical components such as cables, routers and servers but also software that enables communication and data transfer.

On the local level, a well-developed internet infrastructure allows students, businesses, and governments to communicate and work efficiently daily. It promotes online education, banking, health, and entertainment, which make life easier and more effective.

It has led to international business, social media, and the ability to access information anywhere, as it links various countries and continents worldwide. The world would lose access to parts without good infrastructure, and most of the services we are used to would be hampered or halted.

Internet infrastructure is the roads and bridges upon which information should move. These may be damaged or weak, thus causing stagnation or breakage of the data flow. A robust, trustworthy, and secure internet infrastructure is essential in any place or in most places around the globe to ensure that the flow of information flows without any problem and that people can be connected at any time and from any point.

This insight can be used to understand why any disruption, such as the recent destruction of undersea cables in the Red Sea, has millions of users in trouble and why more sturdier and resistant systems must be developed. 

Why should Budding Computer Engineers Care?

Students of computer engineering have the duty to imagine and develop internet systems that are resilient, decentralised and less dependent on vulnerable physical infrastructure such as undersea cables, as future creators of technology.

This dependence on physical cables causes digitally constraining chokepoints that affect millions of users in the event of destruction. This appeals to developing other options that enable the internet to keep running even when cables fail.

What Can Be Done?

1. Create Decentralised Networks: Devices can be connected to one another by mesh networking that does not require central servers or cables to connect devices. This can keep local networks alive when big connections are not working.
2. Advanced Satellite Internet: Low Earth orbit (LEO) satellite networks are increasing to provide global internet access without using physical cables. Students can also optimize satellite data routing and ground station integration.
3. Develop Strong Protocols: Internet protocols that can automatically reroute traffic efficiently during a network outage must be designed to reduce service interruptions.
4. Deploy Edge Computing: The closer the computation to users, the less data will rely on remote servers, which improves performance and resilience.
5. Innovate Emergency Backup Systems: Systems that can alternate among the various internet paths and technologies during failures might save the connection in times of crisis.

A Real Life Task and a Thrilling Prospect

The recent cable damage in the Red Sea is a real-time wake-up call showing the need for innovative, reliable, and scalable internet infrastructure. The devices and systems invented by future computer engineers may change how the internet operates- making it safer, easier and stronger.

Tech weaknesses in the real world also mean that the leaders in Indian technology of tomorrow, and in particular computer engineering students, must be the first to present a solution that will make the global internet less fragile- solutions that will not rely on subsea cables but will become the backbone to a truly connected Bharat and the world.

It is time to transform challenges into breakthroughs. As future CE experts, it’s the duty of CS/CE aspirants to think beyond the prescribed parameters and initiate the revolution of the century. 

Note: Students who have the potential to transform the digital world must choose the right college where they can learn the right skills. Take GCSET and open doors to the top B.Tech universities in the country.

Google has released a photo editing AI model called Nano Banana, which is already being hailed as the most powerful and user-friendly photo editor out there today. Built into Google's Gemini app and available through a tool called AI Studio and through other third-party applications, Nano Banana came into existence to revolutionize photo editing by allowing difficult edits with a simple, natural language instruction/prompt.

What is Nano Banana?

Nano Banana also called new image generation and editing AI model, or Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, is a photo editing AI launched by Google in August 2025 that can edit, reshape, blur, change, replace and do all the advanced editing with just a prompt. 

Why the Buzz? Ranking No. 1 on LMArena  

Nano Banana soon rose to the top of the LMArena leaderboard, a popular  crowdsourced platform that is used for testing AI models, by performing well on image quality, preservation of likeness and multi-turn editing. This acknowledgment solidifies Nano Banana as a first of its kind in the 2025 AI ecosystem.

Why Is Nano Banana Revolutionary?

While traditional photo-editing programs require one to be proficient in layers, brushwork, or hand tweaks, Nano Banana edits at lightning speed and perfection. Users are able to describe what needs changing in natural speech and watch the AI correct it in a snap with no expertise needed. This photo editing AI model can easily blur background, remove objects, clear clutter in the photo, change the pose in the picture, add colours to a black and white photo, and also make a day photo into a night photo (or vice versa) with just simple, natural language prompts.

Nano Banana's best features 

• Seamless Multi-Image Blending: Merge many images into one scene that blends perfectly.
• Consistent Character Preservation: Keep the very likeness of people, pets, or objects from one or more edits and images.
• Targeted, Multi-Turn Edits: Make step-by-step edits while the model maintains a record of previous edits, enabling rich storytelling and managing creativity.
• Design and Texture Transfer: Copy styles and textures from a photo and transfer them perfectly into another one, allowing new possibilities in art.

Examples of these features are all across social media. This kind of intelligent consistency and flexibility is a monumental leap for picture editing based on computer vision. According to Google DeepMind lead, "Nano Banana makes pro-grade photo editing available for everyone and unlocks new levels of creativity like we've never seen before."

How is it Democratizing Photo Editing? 

Years ago, it took hours and expertise to learn programs such as Photoshop or Illustrator. Nano Banana slices through that wall. It enables users that are not necessarily professional creators, such as casual social-media users, to make refined, sophisticated edits to images within a few seconds.  

The implication on the creative industries, digital storytelling, e-commerce and entertainment is enormous. Brands are able to test the visuals in one day. With influencers, it is easy to make content that catches the eye. The continuity of characters across scenes can be maintained without manual touch-up by storytellers.  

Where to try Nano Banana? 

People eager to try the new Photo editing AI of google can use it on:

1. The Gemini app: Works under web, Android, and iPhone platforms, and provides a simple user interface for amateur and casual enthusiasts.
2. Google AI Studio and Vertex AI: Developers and companies can integrate Nano Banana into applications and workflows by API and it can therefore become a versatile tool for content creation and production of media.
3. Third-Party Programs: Some sites also offer Nano Banana-powered editing features, extending usability. 

In addition, API price is around $0.039 per image edit and has acted to democratize access to advanced AI editing tools in today’s era.

Assurance of Trust with SynthID Watermarks 

Each image that was edited with Nano Banana is marked with the invisible SynthID watermark and visible watermark by Google. Such a pairing can be used to find AI generated or altered images and encourage responsible AI usage.  

Reactions and Feedback

 Notably, before the launch, Google's CEO posted three bananas on X leaving people guessing. Soon after the launch of Nano Banana, netizens shared their views on platforms like X, instagram, and reddit.

An instagram  user commented, “This feels less like an editing tool and more like the death of traditional photo editing altogether.”

A user on x posted some pictures with a caption saying, “New record? 13 images merged into a single image using Gemini 2.5 Flash Image (Nano Banana). This collage method is absolutely BANANAS! I'm actually amazed that it can do this however I feel like I'm reaching it's limit now but even at 13 elements it's still managing to obtain consistency, the detailed prompt however is very important once you start playing around with a crazy amount of elements like this.”

Another user posted, “I took a basic model photo + a product shot. Dropped them into Nano Banana. 12 seconds later → full campaign-ready creative.  Brand owners have no excuses now. What used to take a studio, crew, and a huge budget… now takes a good prompt and a click.”

Nano Banana is Worth the Hype

Nano Banana, the newest AI update of Google is a technological revolution in image editing. With a mix of natural-language prompts, intelligent, consistent multi-image edits, it gives everyone the power of professional photo-editing at the fingertips. Nevertheless, no matter the purpose of creating playful scenes, supporting the storytelling process, or creating brand visuals, Nano Banana will open up new possibilities and reshape visual creativity in 2025.  

Users who are interested in experimenting with this advanced AI editor can use it through the Gemini app and make their creative workflow smoother without having previous technical expertise.

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.