United News of Bangladesh

More than 200 economists and artificial intelligence (AI) experts have signed an open letter urging governments and institutions to take immediate steps to address the growing economic impact of AI, warning that the technology could transform the global economy while displacing large numbers of workers. The statement, released on Monday, has been signed by leading economists, computer scientists and executives from major technology companies, including Anthropic, Google and OpenAI. The letter, organised by Stanford University's Digital Economy Lab, says AI could become "radically more powerful" over the next decade, bringing economic changes on a scale greater than the Industrial Revolution but happening much more quickly. According to the signatories, AI has the potential to significantly improve living standards but also poses serious risks, including widespread job losses. The four-sentence letter calls on policymakers and institutions to act now by creating the right incentives, safeguards and institutions to ensure AI develops in ways that support people and benefit society rather than replace human workers. Stanford's Digital Economy Lab said the letter has so far been endorsed by more than 200 economists and AI researchers, including 16 Nobel Prize winners. Among the signatories is AI pioneer and computer scientist Yoshua Bengio, who said the rapid pace of AI development makes it highly likely that the technology will dramatically reshape economies. "We must make deliberate and democratic decisions about how AI is developed and used, instead of leaving its future entirely to market forces and risking that many people are left behind," said Bengio, a professor at the University of Montreal.

Genie 3 is the newest iteration of Google DeepMind’s world model AI, a technology that can generate interactive 3D environments on-the-fly from simple text prompts. It allows users to navigate and interact with AI-generated worlds in real time at 24 frames per second, with 720p resolution, maintaining coherence for several minutes. Previously, environments lasted only 10 to 20 seconds. Genie 3 now sustains interactivity for multiple minutes. It remembers object placements and environmental changes, even if you look away and return later. Users can modify scenes in real time, adjusting weather, adding characters, or altering settings via text. Read more: Best 10 Smartphones Releasing in August 2025 Genie 3 provides richly simulated environments ideal for embodied agent research, teaching AI systems how actions translate into outcomes in virtual settings. It also offers creative potential for game designers, educators, and content creators by enabling dynamic, evolving world-building. DeepMind sees Genie 3 as a foundational step toward artificial general intelligence (AGI), offering agents a limitless training curriculum in simulated worlds. While impressive, Genie 3 still has constraints. The range of agent actions (“action space”) is somewhat limited. Difficulty simulating complex multi-agent interactions and real-world geographic accuracy. Text rendering can be poor unless explicitly included in the prompt. Sessions are still only a few minutes, not yet suitable for hours-long experiences. Read more: Speaking with AI: Best Free Apps for English Speaking Practice Genie 3 is currently available as a limited research preview, accessible only to select academics and creators. DeepMind emphasises careful, responsible rollout to monitor risks and gather feedback.

Google faced a big setback Thursday in its attempt to overturn a multibillion-dollar European Union antitrust penalty involving Android after a top court's legal adviser sided with regulators. The European Court of Justice's advocate general, Juliane Kokott, recommended in a preliminary opinion that Google's appeal against the fine worth more than 4 billion euros ($4.7 billion) should be dismissed. The case dates back to 2018, when the EU’s executive Commission slapped Google with a 4.134 billion euro fine after finding that the US tech company used the dominance of its mobile android operating system to throttle competition and reduce consumer choice. vivo T4 Ultra Review: A Game-Changing Mid-range Flagship After Google filed an initial appeal, a lower court trimmed the penalty to 4.125 billion euros in 2022, which the company also appealed to the Court of Justice. Kokott advised that the Court of Justice confirm the fine and uphold the lower court's judgment, according to a press release summarising her opinion. Opinions from the advocate general aren’t legally binding but are often followed by judges. The judges “are now beginning their deliberations in this case. Judgment will be given at a later date,” the court said. The fine was one of three antitrust penalties totaling more than 8 billion euros that the European Commission slapped on Google in the last decade, as the 27-nation bloc launched its crackdown on Big Tech companies. Google still faces a decision from Brussels in an antitrust case targeting its digital ad business.

Tech giant Google has teamed up with Elementl Power to develop three advanced nuclear energy sites, as the demand for electricity driven by artificial intelligence continues to surge. Announced on Wednesday, the collaboration will see Google invest in projects expected to generate 600 megawatts of power each, AP reports. Although the total investment amount was not disclosed, the partnership underscores the growing role of nuclear energy in supporting AI-driven infrastructure. “Our collaboration with Elementl Power enhances our ability to move at the speed required to meet this moment of AI and American innovation,” said Amanda Peterson Corio, Google’s head of data centre energy. The two companies plan to work closely with utility providers and regulated power firms to identify and develop additional nuclear energy projects. “We look forward to working with Google to execute these projects and bring safe, carbon-free, baseload electricity to the grid,” said Chris Colbert, Chairman and CEO of Elementl Power. US expands attempt to blow up Google with proposed teardown of its ad technology As AI technology evolves and expands, so too does its appetite for power, prompting states across the US to position themselves as energy hubs for the tech industry. Policymakers are increasingly backing nuclear energy initiatives, offering incentives and easing regulations to attract investment. In 2023, 25 US states passed laws promoting advanced nuclear power, while more than 200 pro-nuclear bills have been introduced in state legislatures this year, according to the Nuclear Energy Institute. Amid growing interest in carbon-free, reliable electricity, tech companies are investing in next-generation nuclear technologies. Amazon revealed in October that it would support small modular reactors, just days after a similar announcement from Google. In another notable development, Constellation Energy — owner of the defunct Three Mile Island nuclear facility — said in September that it aimed to restart the plant to supply electricity to Microsoft’s data centres. The site, located near Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, was the scene of the United States' most serious nuclear accident in 1979. In addition to nuclear, Amazon, Google and Microsoft have been actively funding wind and solar energy projects to diversify their low-emission power sources. Elementl Power was established in 2022.

Google is set to face a pivotal legal challenge on Monday as the U.S. government pushes to dismantle parts of the company, arguing that it has transformed its once-innovative search engine into an oppressive monopoly. Over the next three weeks, a Washington courtroom will host what’s known as a “remedy hearing,” where both sides will present arguments over how to penalize Google for violating antitrust laws. Witnesses, including Google CEO Sundar Pichai, are expected to testify. The U.S. Department of Justice is urging a federal judge to impose sweeping measures, including banning Google from securing multibillion-dollar partnerships with companies like Apple that help entrench its search dominance. The government also wants Google to share its user data with rivals and divest from its widely used Chrome browser. This critical phase follows more than four years after the Justice Department initially sued Google, accusing it of exploiting its dominance in the online search market to suppress competition and innovation. In a key ruling last year, U.S. District Judge Amit Mehta found that Google had engaged in anticompetitive practices, particularly by locking its search engine into popular platforms such as iPhones, PCs, and Android devices. That verdict now sets the stage for determining what corrective steps the company must take. Since its humble origins in a garage in 1998, Google has grown into a tech giant with major influence across email, mapping, video, browsing, smartphone software, and cloud infrastructure. Building on its legal victory, the Justice Department now argues that dramatic changes are essential to curbing Google’s market control and that of its parent company, Alphabet Inc. “Google’s illegal conduct has created an economic goliath, one that wreaks havoc over the marketplace to ensure that — no matter what occurs — Google always wins,” the Justice Department stated in documents detailing its proposed remedies. “The American people thus are forced to accept the unbridled demands and shifting, ideological preferences of an economic leviathan in return for a search engine the public may enjoy.” Although the proposed penalties originated under President Joe Biden’s administration, they remain supported under President Donald Trump, whose first term saw the filing of the original case. Since then, the Justice Department has framed Google’s dominance as not just an economic threat, but also one to civil liberties. “The American dream is about higher values than just cheap goods and ‘free’ online services," the department argued in a March 7 court filing. “These values include freedom of speech, freedom of association, freedom to innovate, and freedom to compete in a market undistorted by the controlling hand of a monopolist." Google, however, contends that the proposed remedies go too far and aren’t justified by the court’s findings. The company claims that its success stems from user preference, not monopolistic behavior. “The ‘unprecedented array of proposed remedies would harm consumers and innovation, as well as future competition in search and search ads in addition to numerous other adjacent markets,” Google’s legal team wrote. “They bear little or no relationship to the conduct found anticompetitive, and are contrary to the law.” The company also raised concerns over potential risks associated with the remedies, particularly the requirements to share search data and possibly divest Chrome. “The breadth and depth of the proposed remedies risks doing significant damage to a complex ecosystem. Some of the proposed remedies would imperil browser developers and jeopardize the digital security of millions of consumers." China cautions nations against trade deals with US that could harm Beijing This legal showdown is considered the most significant U.S. antitrust battle since the 1990s when Microsoft faced similar charges for leveraging Windows to suppress competition. That case ended with a judge ordering a partial breakup of Microsoft — a remedy later overturned on appeal. While Google plans to appeal Mehta’s decision labeling its search business as an illegal monopoly, it cannot do so until the current remedy hearings conclude. Closing arguments are scheduled for late May, and Mehta is expected to issue a final decision by Labor Day. The case against Google’s search business is one of several high-profile antitrust actions targeting major tech firms. Meta, the parent of Facebook and Instagram, is currently defending itself against monopoly accusations in a separate Washington D.C. trial. Apple and Amazon have also come under similar scrutiny. Meanwhile, another recent ruling in a separate case found Google guilty of abusing its power in the digital advertising space — a decision that will lead to yet another remedy hearing, possibly later this year or in early 2026, again raising the possibility of a company breakup.

A US federal judge has ruled that Google holds an illegal monopoly in the digital advertising technology sector, marking another major setback for the tech giant in a growing wave of antitrust challenges. The decision comes after the US Department of Justice and 17 states filed a lawsuit accusing Google of unlawfully dominating the digital tools that determine how online ads are placed and distributed. This is the second time within a year that Google has been found guilty of monopolistic practices—following a previous ruling that concluded the company had a monopoly in online search. Google said it would appeal against the decision, reports BBC. In response, Google has vowed to appeal the latest ruling. Lee-Ann Mulholland, Google’s head of regulatory affairs, defended the company’s practices, stating, “Publishers have many choices, and they choose Google because our tools are effective, affordable, and easy to use.” ICC opens inquiry into Hungary for failing to arrest Netanyahu However, US District Judge Leonie Brinkema stated in her ruling that Google had “wilfully engaged in a series of anticompetitive acts” to gain and maintain dominance in the online advertising market. She emphasised that such behavior harmed not only Google’s publishing clients but also damaged market competition and ultimately impacted consumers. The court found Google guilty on two counts related to monopolistic behavior, while a third allegation was dismissed. Mulholland highlighted the partial win, saying, “We won half of this case and will appeal the other half,” and pointed out that the court did not find Google's acquisitions, such as DoubleClick, to be harmful to competition.

Japanese regulators on Tuesday accused US tech giant Google of violating anti-monopoly laws, echoing similar moves in the US and Europe. Google Japan said in a statement that it found the action “regrettable.” It said it has invested in Japan significantly to promote innovation as a technology leader, AP reports. The Japan Fair Trade Commission’s “cease and desist order” says Google must stop the pre-installation of the Google search engine in Android smartphones, which it said in effect shuts out competition. It’s unclear if Google, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., based in Mountain View in the Silicon Valley, will take legal action to fight the order. In the US, a judge ruled last year that Google’s ubiquitous search engine illegally exploited its dominance to squash competition. Google has denied the allegations, arguing that it’s immensely popular because people like what it offers. The appeals process is likely to take years. Japanese regulators began their investigation into Google in 2023. They said they consulted with overseas authorities dealing with similar cases. European regulators have also slammed what they see as Google’s monopolistic dominance. Tuesday’s move marks the first time the Japan Fair Trade Commission has taken such an action against a major global technology company.

Search engine giant Google is marking Bangladesh’s Independence and National Day by replacing its regular home page graphic with a special doodle. If anyone form Bangladesh goes to google to search, they will find the red-green flag doodle. By clicking on the doodle, one can visit a new page with information on Bangladesh's independence. “This Doodle celebrates Independence Day in Bangladesh! The public holiday commemorates the moment Sheikh Mujibur Rahman declared independence on this day in 1971,” according to Google homepage. Committed to advancing partnership with Bangladesh for peace, prosperity: Modi tells Dr Yunus “On the eve of Independence Day, a few select citizens and organizations are presented the Independence Day Award that celebrates their extraordinary achievements. The annual award recognizes scientists, athletes, writers, musicians, artists, and more. The following day, grand events like parades, concerts, and rallies occur all throughout the country.” “Many wear traditional green and red sarees and kurtas to show pride in their national colors, all while exploring streets decorated with the Bangladeshi flag — like the one in today’s artwork. The green represents progress, youth, and the nation’s lush landscape, while the red symbolizes sacrifice, rebirth, and the rising sun,” it added.

Google has agreed to pay $28m (£21.5m) to settle a lawsuit that claimed white and Asian employees were given better pay and career opportunities than workers from other ethnic backgrounds, a law firm representing claimants says. The technology giant confirmed it had "reached a resolution" but rejected the allegations made against it, reports BBC. The case filed in 2021 by former Google employee, Ana Cantu, said workers from Hispanic, Latino, Native American and other backgrounds started on lower salaries and job levels than their white and Asian counterparts. The settlement has been given preliminary approval by Judge Charles Adams of the Santa Clara County Superior Court in California. The case brought by Ms Cantu against Google relied on a leaked internal document, which allegedly showed that employees from some ethnic backgrounds reported lower compensation for similar work. The practice of basing starting pay and job level on prior salaries reinforced historical race and ethnicity-based disparities, according to Ms Cantu's lawyers. The class action lawsuit was filed for at least 6,632 people who were employed by Google between 15 February 2018 and 31 December 2024, according to Reuters news agency. Google Cloud to Acquire Wiz for Enhanced Cybersecurity Cathy Coble, one of the lawyers representing them, praised the "bravery of both the diverse and ally Googlers who self-reported their pay and leaked that data to the media". "Suspected pay inequity is too easily concealed without this kind of collective action from employees," Ms Coble added. The technology giant denied that it had discriminated against any of its employees. "We reached a resolution, but continue to disagree with the allegations that we treated anyone differently, and remain committed to paying, hiring, and levelling all employees fairly," a Google spokesperson told the BBC. Earlier this year, Google joined a growing list of US firms that are abandoning commitments to principles of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in their recruitment policies. Meta, Amazon, Pepsi, McDonald's, Walmart and others have also rolled back their DEI programmes. It comes as US President Donald Trump and his allies have regularly attacked DEI policies. Since his return to the White House, Trump has ordered government agencies and their contractors to eliminate such initiatives.

Italian prosecutors said Wednesday they will seek to drop a tax evasion investigation against Google after the tech giant agreed to pay a 326 million euro ($340 million) settlement. Milan prosecutors had opened an investigation against Google for failure to pay taxes on earnings in Italy from 2015-2019. The investigation focused on revenues from the sale of advertising, and cited the presence of servers and other infrastructure in Italy. Mexico awaits new response from Google on dispute over Gulf of Mexico name before filing lawsuit Google acknowledged the settlement in statement, saying it resolves “a tax audit ... without litigation.” Tech giant Google previously paid over $1 billion to French authorities to settle a years long dispute over allegations of tax fraud.