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Google Unveils Free AI Coding Assistant ‘Gemini Code Assist’ with Industry-Leading Usage Caps

Posted on by Fatimah Misbah Hussain

Picture a world where cryptic error messages never confront you and debugging over hours never crosses your mind just because of a missing semicolon, welcome to the AI-assisted coding age! A global game changer has been announced by Google, Gemini Code Assist for Individuals. It is an AI coding assistant that is completely free and very generous when it comes to usage caps. Although GitHub Copilot remains the undeniable ruler over AI-powered coding aids, Google has now embarked on an ambitious drive for AI dominance in developer tools.

With a strong contender in AI-based coding assistants, Google released Gemini Code Assist for Individuals on Tuesday, the free consumer version of its AI code completion and assistance tool. Gemini Code Assist for GitHub, which automates code reviews, finds bugs, and generates recommendations inside GitHub, was also launched.

Strong AI Partner for Developers:

Gemini Code Assist for Individuals enables developers to communicate with Google AI by natural language in a chat window. Like GitHub Copilot, it can fix bugs in projects, write code snippets, and explain complex code within a developer’s project. It’s powered by a fine modified version of Google’s Gemini 2.0 AI model, engineered for coding applications. It integrates seamlessly with coding environments, including Visual Studio Code and JetBrains, via plugins and supports many programming languages.

Massive Usage Caps Feature:

One of its most striking features is the massive usage caps that Gemini Code Assist offers Individuals. In comparison, Google offers 180,000 code completions in a month, which is 90 times what GitHub Copilot’s free plan offers with a limited 2,000 completions max per month. Additionally, users will receive 240 chat requests per day, which is roughly five times the allowable amount on GitHub Copilot’s free plan.

Aside from such usage caps, Gemini Code Assist also has a huge 128,000 token context window, allowing it to process large code bases far better than other contenders. According to Google, the context window is four times what other AI coding assistants of the company can handle, thus supporting better reasoning over grand scale projects.

Public Preview and GitHub Integration:

Developers can now sign up for the free public preview of Gemini Code Assist for Individuals. Meanwhile, Gemini Code Assist for GitHub carries the AI-assisted development process a step further by scanning pull requests automatically to identify potential issues and providing actionable recommendations. These launches mark a greater effort from Google in AI-powered development tools, which puts it in direct competition with Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot. Google notably recruited Ryan J. Salva, former head of GitHub Copilot, to lead its developer tooling efforts some seven months ago.

Google’s Strategy:

Providing a powerful free AI coding assistant with generous usage caps, Google hopes to tempt beginning developers. Ryan Salva notes that some of them may someday migrate to enterprise level Code Assist plans, thereby generating income for Google. Although free for Individuals, Google has been selling enterprise versions of the tool for the past 12 months. It announced integrations with GitLab, GitHub, and Google Docs in December, providing extra features such as audit logs, cloud product integrations, and support for private repositories for its business customers.

As AI-powered coding tools are evolving with unrelenting speed, Google creating Gemini Code Assist for individuals comes as an alluring alternative against Microsoft’s GitHub Copilot. With much higher usage caps and the more reliable computer coding assistant, it could change the entire AI coding assistant realm. With the current competition picking pace, developers ought to be beneficiaries of such developments since they stand to receive intelligent AI-driven tools. Coding is not getting automated yet, but it sure is becoming more intelligent and a little less painful.

Read More: Automattic’s Beeper Unveils Redesigned Desktop and iOS Messaging Apps Post-Merger

The Currency of The Internet Is Personal Data

Posted on by Erin Ryan

Imagine a world where money is not the most valuable asset, your data is. Every time you browse, shop, or interact online, you are not just a user,  you’re a product. Cybercriminals don’t care about your name, age, or bank balance, they care about your data because, in the digital age, information is power. From corporations to hackers, everyone is in a relentless race to collect, trade, and exploit this new form of currency. Whether it’s used to predict your next purchase or steal your identity. One thing is clear, data rules the internet, and those who control it hold the keys to the modern world.

The Reality is that:

You are not just surfing the internet, you are feeding it. Every action taken by you, every click, every search, every interaction, adds to an enormous digital marketplace where personal data is most valued. This is an economy where you are not merely a consumer but also the merchandise, and your information is the price you pay to enter it.

Huge tech companies have continuously brushed up their data-collecting techniques, from Facebook-Meta to Google to TikTok, all collecting data for their service to users. AI-driven analytics and machine learning developed the first truly accurate profiles of users. Not too long ago, these tech giants were challenged over their secrecy in handling user data, and today, that very issue is ubiquitous across all digital environments. As human life becomes more integrated with the internet, through wearables, smart assistants, and interconnected apps, more and more personal data is being captured, processed, and monetized.

The Rise of Big Data

Big data means the large amounts of structured and unstructured data being generated every day from Internet activities, smart devices, and digital transactions. Big Data was first used by John Mashey, a computer scientist and former chief scientist at Silicon Graphics, in the 1990s to describe the communications environment. With the ability to process and analyze very large datasets, industries were allowed to develop insights and predict user behavior with a precision never-before-seen.

  • Big Data aids decision-making in organizations regarding various aspects by providing insights from large datasets.
  • It identifies patterns and trends, allowing for better predictions and strategic planning.
  • Big Data, AI, and machine learning work together to automate smarter decisions.
  • Big Data forms a significant part of customer personalization by assessing preferences, behaviors, and interactions.
  • In the medical field, Big Data makes diagnoses, enhances treatment outcomes, and helps produce customized medicine.
  • Big Data is used in the financial sector to detect fraud, assess risk, and optimize investments.
  • In retail, Big Data is used to help manage inventories with better forecasting of demand and enhancing customer experience.
  • Big Data will continue to grow with the increasing interconnectivity of devices (IoT) thereby providing businesses with many opportunities.

AI’s Impact on Big Data and the Surge of Digital Currency

AI is transforming the way we look at and deal with data, unleashing great possibilities into the world of Big Data and changing the face of digital currency. In this data-oriented epoch, AI is more than an instrument, it is the engine driving so many technologies today, especially when coupled with Big Data.

AI is used for the analysis and processing of huge amounts of data at lightning speed, giving businesses valuable insights that can affect decisions, marketing strategies, and consumer behavior. Businesses can react to trends and consumer demand with AI even before its very conception, thus polishing their advertising strategies and optimizing their pricing policy and customer experience, almost in real-time.

The pattern recognition abilities of AI across large datasets are particularly useful to improve decision-making anywhere from flagging irregularities in financial transactions to forecasting price shocks in markets. Coupled with Big Data, AI transforms into a super-enabler of innovation through predictive analytics, increased operational proficiency, and more intelligent decision-making across sectors.

Meanwhile, Digital Currency, like Bitcoin and Ethereum, is becoming important for the invigorated scope of a global economy. Digital currencies are decentralized, secure, and able to conduct almost instantaneous payments across a border without the hindrance of conventional banking systems. Thanks to blockchain technology, digital currencies enforce trustless transactions: validation within their distributed ledger system keeps transparency and security from potential shame.

AI thrives in the world of digital currency as patterns of transactions are studied to optimise the trading strategy with the help of machine learning algorithms. Predicting fluctuations in cryptocurrency markets is a meaningful skill for any trader and investor since it allows for strategic decision-making in volatile markets. Acceptance of this technology could further assist in the detection of fraudulent activities while securing digital wallets and cryptocurrency exchanges.

Moving forward, the integration of AI, Big Data, and digital currency will create and develop more secure, efficient, and personalized financial systems, leaving every business and individual to find ways to ride this transformation. AI and digital currency will go neck and neck to disrupt the traditional banking systems to build a more connected and data-laden economy.

Also Read: 17 Amazing Facts About Wikipedia

Why Is Your Data So Valuable?

The answer is simple:

It is because the business operates with data. Businesses now run on hyper-personalized advertising, predictions through analytics, and artificial intelligence motivating insights into their lifestyles. Companies have moved beyond targeting customers based on demographics-they now foresee what each user wants before they state such. The data that they have gathered decides what kind of advertisement you see, which recommendations appear on your feed, and even the price you may get on shopping sites.

Ethical Concerns and Regulatory Challenges

The new era of AI-powered surveillance capitalism brings different ethical problems than those that were once considered mere data collection. Privacy debates have shifted from social media in 2012 to biometric data voice recognition today, with behavior tracking already in the mix. New attempts at introducing legislation such as that of the EU concerning GDPR and the emerging statutory regulations on privacy in the U.S have seen the governments come up with measures trying to regulate the exploitation of data. Enforcement remains erratic and the tech giants stretch the bounds of ethical data usage.

GDPR: Protecting Individual Information in the Digital Economy

One important piece of European legislation aimed at safeguarding privacy and personal information is the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). GDPR offers a robust framework that gives consumers more control over their information while guaranteeing businesses handle data responsibly in the current digital era, where personal data functions as a kind of currency.

Key GDPR Principles:

Data Transparency: Businesses are required to reveal the methods by which they gather, keep, and utilize user data.

User Consent: Without the express and unambiguous consent of users, businesses are not permitted to acquire personal data.

Right to Access: People are entitled to ask for and see the information that businesses have about them.

Right to Be Forgotten: People have the option to ask for their personal information to be removed from business databases.

Data portability: Data portability refers to the capacity of users to move their data between service providers.

Strict Security Measures: To safeguard personal data, businesses must put in place robust security measures.

Serious Penalties: Violations of the GDPR may incur fines of up to millions of euros.

Why Does GDPR Matter?

Personal information is a useful resource for online businesses. However, user privacy must be balanced with its gathering and utilization. By prohibiting the misuse of personal data, GDPR guarantees that businesses conduct themselves ethically and transparently. Despite being a European rule, it has an impact on businesses worldwide because all companies who handle data belonging to EU people are required to adhere to GDPR.

Since personal data is now the main currency of the internet, this rule is a major step in protecting it.

The Hidden Cost of Free Services

Understand, consumers, that every free service costs something. Be it a Google search, sharing something on Instagram, or using a generative AI tool, whatever you do, you are paying-not in dollars but with insights into your preferences, habits, and behaviors. Convenient internet makes people accustomed to trading their privacy-all at times without even reading the fine print-for convenience.

Becoming Digitally Responsible

And 2025, becoming digitally responsible would mean understanding these trade-offs. Privacy tools, encrypted messaging, and browser extensions that block trackers have become the must-haves for those wanting to minimize data exposure. Quite frankly, even if we are hyper-social and connected, we are giving more data away. Online seems like a free service, but make no mistake, the currency that runs it is and always will be personal data. 

Some key statistics related to personal data, Big Data, AI, and digital currency:

Resource:

Also Read: 5 Reasons That Social Media May Never Die

Automattic’s Beeper Unveils Redesigned Desktop and iOS Messaging Apps Post-Merger

Posted on by Munazza Shaheen

Automattic, widely recognized as the parent company of WordPress.com, has made notable progress in redefining the multi-platform messaging space following its $125 million acquisition of Beeper last year. Now integrated with Automattic’s earlier acquisition, Texts.com, Beeper has just announced the beta launch of its newly redesigned messaging apps for desktop and iOS users, marking the first significant update since the merger. In an official blog post, Beeper revealed that the new desktop application leverages the robust underlying technology originally developed by Texts.com. At the same time, the iOS app was completely rebuilt from the ground up, ensuring an optimized mobile experience. Early tests indicate that both apps offer significant performance improvements, including enhanced speed and reduced battery consumption.

Highlighting the transition strategy, Kishan Bagaria, founder of Texts.com, assured users via his recent update on X (formerly Twitter) that while the existing Beeper application remains accessible, the company will eventually introduce a seamless migration path to the redesigned apps. This migration aims to provide users ample time to adapt comfortably, preventing disruptions in their messaging experience. One of the key concerns users often express regarding unified messaging platforms relates to privacy and security. Addressing this, Beeper’s upcoming versions will shift from cloud-based storage to a more secure on-device data storage model. Furthermore, the new apps will feature on-device encryption, significantly enhancing user privacy and data security. Additionally, users can look forward to a multi-account feature, allowing them to manage multiple accounts for the same messaging service effortlessly.

Interestingly, Bagaria teased another exciting feature in the pipeline: the future Mac app will enable direct sending and receiving of Apple’s iMessage. This anticipated feature could be a game changer, potentially attracting a broader user base looking for seamless integration between popular messaging platforms. Beeper’s original founder, Eric Migicovsky, known for launching the Pebble smartwatch and serving as a partner at Y-Combinator, initially headed Automattic’s messaging strategy after the acquisition. However, in a surprising move last month, Migicovsky announced he would return his focus to reviving Pebble, signaling Automattic’s confidence in the Beeper and Texts.com teams to carry forward the merged product vision.

Automattic’s investment into unified messaging reflects its broader strategy of enhancing productivity and connectivity tools. As users increasingly prefer integrated platforms that consolidate communications, Beeper’s refreshed approach positions it strategically in this competitive market, aligning perfectly with Automattic’s expansive vision. By significantly prioritizing user experience and security, Beeper’s newly redesigned apps represent not just an evolution of its own platform but also a promising development in the broader messaging landscape, setting higher expectations for future unified communication solutions.

Read More: Anthropic Nears $3.5 Billion Fundraising as AI Investment Surges

Chegg Sues Google Over AI Summaries, Citing Unfair Competition and Revenue Losses

Posted on by Munazza Shaheen

In a significant legal development, educational technology firm Chegg has filed a lawsuit against Alphabet Inc.’s Google, alleging that Google’s AI-generated search summaries are undermining original content creators and diverting web traffic away from educational publishers. Filed in Washington, D.C., the lawsuit contends that Google’s AI overviews utilize content from third-party sites like Chegg to provide instant answers directly on the search page, reducing the need for users to visit the source sites. This practice, according to Chegg, diminishes the financial incentives for publishers to produce original content, potentially leading to a degraded information ecosystem.

Chegg’s Concerns Over AI-Generated Content

Chegg’s CEO, Nathan Schultz, emphasized the broader implications, stating that the lawsuit addresses concerns about the future of digital publishing and the quality of student learning resources. He argues that students are increasingly encountering low-quality, unverified AI summaries instead of reliable, step-by-step educational content. This shift not only impacts Chegg’s visitor and subscriber numbers but also raises questions about the integrity of the information available online.

Google’s Response to the Allegations

In response, Google spokesperson Jose Castaneda dismissed the claims as unfounded, asserting that AI overviews enhance the search experience by making it more helpful and increasing opportunities for content discovery. Castaneda noted that Google continues to direct substantial traffic to websites across the internet, with AI overviews contributing to a more diverse range of sites receiving visitors.

Impact on the Digital Publishing Environment

The lawsuit underscores a significant challenge in today’s online content sphere: balancing AI-driven information delivery with the viability of original content creation. As AI tools become more embedded in search engines, creators and publishers are increasingly worried about maintaining their visibility and revenue streams. The resolution of this legal dispute could establish new standards for managing and monetizing AI-generated content, potentially reshaping the relationships between major tech companies and content creators.

This case also underscores the challenges faced by educational platforms like Chegg in adapting to rapidly changing technologies. As AI tools become more prevalent, traditional models of content delivery and monetization are being disrupted, prompting companies to reassess their strategies to remain competitive and relevant in the digital age.

Read More: Musk Starlink Battles Chinese Rivals in Fierce Satellite Internet Race

Anthropic Nears $3.5 Billion Fundraising as AI Investment Surges

Posted on by Rabia Tayyab

Anthropic, the AI startup behind the Claude chatbot, is reportedly securing a massive $3.5 billion funding round, pushing its valuation to $61.5 billion, according to The Wall Street Journal. Initially, the company aimed to raise $2 billion, but strong investor demand has led to an expanded round, signaling growing confidence in AI-driven innovation.

Several major investors, including Lightspeed Venture Partners, General Catalyst, Bessemer Venture Partners, and Abu Dhabi-based MGX, are expected to participate in this funding. If the round closes at the projected amount, Anthropic’s total capital raised will surpass $18 billion, solidifying its position as one of the most well-funded AI startups. The company recently launched Claude 3.7 Sonnet, an upgraded AI model designed to enhance response speed and reasoning capabilities, strengthening its position in the generative AI space. However, Anthropic has not achieved profitability despite technological advancements, making the latest fundraising crucial for further AI model development and business expansion.

This influx of funding reflects the broader trend of soaring AI investments, with nearly half of U.S. venture capital funding directed toward AI startups last year. The demand for cutting-edge AI continues to fuel investor enthusiasm, but global competition is also intensifying. Chinese AI alternatives like DeepSeek are emerging as cost-effective rivals, challenging U.S. dominance in the field. Meanwhile, OpenAI, Anthropic’s key competitor, is reportedly pursuing a new funding round that could push its valuation to an astonishing $300 billion. As the AI race accelerates, Anthropic’s increasing valuation underscores the growing financial stakes in artificial intelligence development. With billions flowing into AI research, startups like Anthropic must continue innovating while proving their long-term sustainability in an increasingly competitive market.

Read More: Musk Starlink Battles Chinese Rivals in Fierce Satellite Internet Race

Microsoft’s Strategic Shift in Data Center Expansion Raises Investor Concerns

Posted on by Munazza Shaheen

Microsoft’s aggressive push into AI and cloud infrastructure has recently defined its growth strategy. Still, fresh reports suggest the company is now taking a more measured approach to its data center expansion. According to TD Cowen analysts, Microsoft has scrapped leases for several hundred megawatts of data center capacity in the U.S., a move that has caught investors’ attention and raised questions about whether the AI boom is hitting a slowdown.

The decision comes despite Microsoft’s commitment to investing over $80 billion in AI and cloud capacity this fiscal year. A company spokesperson acknowledged the adjustments but emphasized that Microsoft is still growing “strongly in all regions” and is simply pacing its infrastructure investments strategically.

Market Reaction and Investor Anxiety

While Microsoft’s stock remained largely unaffected, dipping only 1% on Monday, the ripple effect was felt across industries linked to data centers. Siemens Energy dropped 7%, Schneider Electric fell 4%, and U.S. power providers Constellation Energy and Vistra saw declines of 5.9% and 5.1%, respectively. The selloff extended to broader tech stocks, adding to growing market unease over whether the billions being poured into AI infrastructure will yield the expected returns.

Adding to the uncertainty is China’s rising competition in AI development. Chinese startup DeepSeek has showcased AI models at significantly lower costs than its Western counterparts, fueling concerns that companies like Microsoft may need to rethink their infrastructure spending to remain competitive.

A Sign of Oversupply or Just Smart Business?

Microsoft’s decision to pause or cancel leases could indicate a correction after years of rapid expansion. The company and rivals like Meta have been aggressively building data centers to support the surge in AI demand. However, as analysts point out, scaling AI infrastructure is costly, and companies are now balancing growth with financial sustainability.

Bernstein analyst Mark Moelder noted that the move could suggest a cooling in AI demand, especially following weaker-than-expected earnings from major cloud providers. However, not everyone is convinced this is a warning sign. Some industry experts argue that Microsoft is refining its strategy, ensuring it doesn’t overextend resources in a rapidly evolving market.

Whatever the case, this latest shift underscores a key reality: Even the biggest AI players are navigating a complex and uncertain landscape. The race to build next-generation AI systems isn’t just about who spends the most—it’s about who spends wisely.

Read More: Apple Launches iPhone 16e in China to Compete with Local Brands

Musk Starlink Battles Chinese Rivals in Fierce Satellite Internet Race

Posted on by Fatimah Misbah Hussain

The industry finds itself in a new space-age contest between companies to provide internet to every corner of the Earth and not just plant its flags here or there. Musk’s Starlink was the only game in town with satellite broadband, but now it has come across stiff competitive forces from state-backed Chinese projects and rival billionaires. With thousands of satellites already in orbit and more on the way, the skies are getting pretty thick, and it has become a digital land grab where orbital real estate is the new gold.

With rising competition against Chinese state-backed initiatives and rival networks funded by tech giants such as Jeff Bezos’s Amazon, the satellite internet race is heating up against Musk’s Starlink. The battle for supremacy in Low-Earth orbit (LEO) satellite communications has been getting furious, with Chinese companies rapidly reaching out and snatching international concessions.

Chinese SpaceSail Takes over Global Stage:

Shanghai-based SpaceSail is becoming a strong contender against Starlink. In November 2024, it signed an agreement to enter the Brazilian market and shortly thereafter commenced operations in Kazakhstan as an indicator of its fast pace of expansion. Brasília is also entertaining talks with Bezos’s Project Kuiper and Canada’s Telesat, indicating a global shift away from monopolistic satellite internet providers.

Starlink has launched more LEO satellites since 2020 than all its competitors combined, now the challenge becomes more formidable with China’s massive invasions into space. These intrusions comprise heavy investments by the Chinese government in rival satellite networks and military research on Satellite constellation monitoring and tracking. 2023 saw China launching a record setting number of 263 LEO satellites, a new single year milestone of its growing aspirations.

Strategic Importance and Geopolitical Implications:

China’s push into satellite internet has been welcomed by some governments looking for alternative providers, particularly in those regions where Musk’s Starlink has been held up in political and commercial disputes. State owned or state controlled SpaceSail plans to establish a 648 Low Earth Orbit resident satellite system this year, with 15,000 satellites in orbit by 2030. A comparison shows that Starlink, with around 7,000 satellites actively working, aims to target a total of 42,000 by the end of this decade.

The Qianfan or “Thousand Sails” constellation is China’s first meaningful international effort in satellite broadband, with three additional ones under development. Meanwhile, Beijing is pursuing plans for several LEO satellites totaling 43,000 in forthcoming decades and is investing heavily in rocket technology to facilitate the efficient launching of satellites.

According to Chaitanya Giri, an Aerospace Technology expert with India’s Observer Research Foundation, “The endgame is to occupy as many orbital slots as possible.” In the view of many Western policymakers, this would moreover be a Chinese tool for extending its digital influence, of which the expansion of the Internet censorship procedure outside of China becomes a major point of concern.

Military and Economic Interests:

Space technology and geopolitics are intertwined through China’s greater race for the establishment of treaties on LEO satellite networks. The American Foreign Policy Council (AFPC) expresses fears that China’s foray into digital dominance through space infrastructure is an essential leg of its Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), a $1 trillion undertaking deeply criticized as a tool of geopolitical development.

Chinese military research institutions, including the National University of Defense Technology, are also deeply engaged in researching satellite constellations. State backed companies such as HongQing Technology are receiving a considerable amount of investments, the recent 340 million yuan funding round was largely supported by state affiliated investors. Meanwhile, SpaceSail raised 6.7 billion yuan (US$930 million) in a funding round led by a state owned fund to develop China’s manufacturing capabilities.

Increased satellite related rights reflect China’s determination to bridge the technology gap. In 2023, the country published an unprecedented 2,449 patents on LEO satellite technology, as compared to just 162 in 2019. Many of these are directed toward cheap satellite networks and low latency communication systems that are essential to ensure China’s competitiveness.

Military Utility of Starlink and Counterstrategies from China:

Starlink, developed by Musk, has been part of military actions since Ukraine as being aligned with military operations. Growing worries in China have translated into more state funding for Chinese alternatives. Chinese scientists are very interested in decoding Starlink’s satellite network. They recently had a study from two PLA-affiliated institutes suggesting that it invented a crazy tracking system inspired by how whales encircle and trap their prey using spiraling bubbles. The necessity of tools such as monitoring mega constellations like Starlink has been stressed due to increasing militarization trends in space.

Satellite internet is still one of the fast-moving frontiers, with early movers defining the pace and nature of things before the tightening of regulatory frameworks. Thus, Antoine Grenier, the Global Head of Space at Analysys Mason, said, “The space world is moving fast and busy experimenting. Pioneers are enjoying this relative freedom and are shaping it to their advantage to claim key positions before rules become more stringent—like the Wild West.“

Furthermore, the researchers wrote that, “With the growing trend of space militarization, developing tools to monitor and track these megaconstellations is critically important”. The market that Starlink had once dominated is quickly shifting toward the current, all-out lean from China into the LEO Satellite. Musk’s Starlink is facing its greatest test amid an aggressive Chinese expansion. What will result from that remains to be seen, such as whether enhanced internet connectivity reaches distant communities or increases geopolitical contention. 

Read More: Alibaba Surpasses a Decade of AI Investment with its $52 Billion in AI and Cloud Computing

5 Reasons That Social Media May Never Die

Posted on by Louie Baur

“Never” is a bold word. It is absolute and endless. To say that something can never happen is one of the most ignorant things that someone can say (or blog) in public. Thankfully, I tempered my statement with the word, “may”.

“Impossible” is a word that is similar to “never”. I’ll invoke it now, social media can continue in one form or another indefinitely because of its nature. As long as there are humans, there’s a good chance that there will be some variation in social media. It’s a hard cat to put back in the bag.

The folks over at Techi team put together a graphic that explains five valid reasons why social media continues to grow in influence. All five reasons lend credence to the concept that as long as humans inhabit the earth and barring a major catastrophe that cuts us all off from one another, social media will play a role.

Influence of Social Media

Though social media was previously regarded as a means of communicating in daily life, it has subsequently been incorporated into modern society. It goes beyond personal attachments and enters the business arena, dictating how people share information, consume information, and make decisions. As long as there are human beings to interact and entertain, social media keeps on transforming, thus somberly hinting that it is far from fading away.

Here are five primary reasons social media will continue to be relevant into 2025 and beyond.

1. It’s Ubiquitous

With billions of users logging on every day, social media platforms have practically become an irrefutable avenue. As of 2025, the approximate active monthly users counted on major platforms are as follows:

  • Facebook: 4.1 Billion users
  • YouTube: 8.7 Billion users
  • Instagram: 4.7 Billion users
  • TikTok: 757.5 Million users
  • LinkedIn: 565.1 Million users
  • X, formerly Twitter: 858.9 Million users
  • Pinterest: 1.4 Billion users
  • Reddit: 1.2 Billion

With short-form video content, AI-led interactivity, and metaverse collaborations grabbing the highest-ever engagement, the introduction of AR and VR features further ensures that social media remains a prime selling point in digital interaction. Platforms like Meta’s Horizon Worlds and TikTok’s user-driven video curation are reconstructing user engagement with content.

At the same time, new social media sites are continuously being developed, and AI-enabled social apps are rapidly gaining traction among the younger population. The outcome shows that social media keeps pace as technology changes, enabling it to be a permanent fixture in people’s lives.

2. It’s Time-Consuming

As social media gains more attention, the time users are willing to spend on it is steadily increasing. In 2025, users spend, on average:

  • TikTok: 95 minutes
  • YouTube: 78 minutes
  • Instagram: 65 minutes
  • Facebook: 58 minutes
  • X (formerly Twitter): 34 minutes
  • LinkedIn: 7 minutes

(Source: 250+ Social Media Statistics…)

Content that is increasingly personalized to users’ preferences is being delivered nowadays by AI-based recommendation engines through social media more than ever before. These include continuous scrolling, auto-play videos, and algorithm-driven engagement loops, which are becoming social media site attractions that are challenging to break away from.

FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) also affects this phenomenon. The fear of being out of the loop on trending topics, viral challenges, and breaking news helps to engage customers, particularly through Instagram and Snapchat, in their ephemeral messaging (stories and reels) offering.

With an ever-evolving innovation on the part of social media firms to grab attention, audiences are more engaged than ever, further entrenching the relevance of these platforms in daily life.

3. It’s Habit-Forming

Social media is a full-blown habit for billions and has transcended a mere pastime. A survey of 5,000 users revealed:

  • Users spend an average of 2 hours and 19 minutes per day on social media.
  • 73% felt anxious if they had not checked notifications in a few hours.
  • 61% confessed to checking messages even during intimate or important occasions.
  • 58% scrolling social media to pass the time while eating.

Such habitual behavior is primarily reinforced by dopamine-fueled feedback loops, granting
instant gratification through likes, comments, and notifications. The design of social media platforms in conjunction with AI-driven personalization has become an incredible feature, enhancing user engagement and retention.

The advances in AI chatbot design, disseminating virtual influencers and algorithmically trained feeds, have cemented addiction. Today, users depend on social networking platforms not just for amusement but also for news, communication, shopping, and work networking.

The more social media embeds into a person’s regular activity, the more likely it becomes next to impossible for him or her to turn away from; that would safeguard it from going away.

4. It Influences Life Outside

What is social media? Have you ever found it as a mirror of truth? Actually, social media influences people to boycott their outside activities. Compared to that of non-active users, socially active users are:

  • 3.5 times more likely to attend a live event (concerts, sports, festivals, etc.).
  • 2.8 times more likely to engage in fitness fads and post their workouts online.
  • 2.2 times more likely to make a purchase decision based on an influencer in social media.
  • 2 times more likely to discuss political and social matters in the news.
  • 1.8 times more likely to take part in local events or activities advocating for any issue.

The influencer marketing boom has opened avenues for reliance on social media for many people looking for product recommendations, fitness motivation, or even career advice. TikTok and Instagram have churned out megatrends in fashion, beauty, and lifestyle today.

Moreover, social media is increasingly shaping activism. From climate action initiatives to political campaigns, people use it to organize communities, disseminate messages, and affect changes in real life.

How social media influences offline behavior means that it continues to have a lasting impact on society.

5: It Helps Business Growth

Now in times more than ever, brands rely on social media, meaning it’s one of the most effective ways within which businesses perform their activities in advertising, interaction with customers, and revenue collection.

By 2025:

40% will find products to buy thanks to seeing an advertisement on social media or by an influencer. Most businesses generate most of their leads through platforms like LinkedIn 89%, Instagram 61%, and TikTok 47%. In 2025, social commerce would see $2.2 trillion in global sales. Customer retention has risen by 40% due to AI-enabled chatbots and personalized recommendations.

Social media are not only places for brand awareness but also e-commerce sites. With shoppable posts, live-stream shopping, and AI-driven product recommendations, businesses can sell directly through social apps and not direct users elsewhere, like other websites.

Therefore, AI-powered customer service chatbots have made it possible to have less communication between businesses and consumers with better speed and customer satisfaction.

Whether a local or a multinational corporation, all continue to view social media as one of the major channels to be able to advertise, engage, and generate income, and thus, its ongoing activity.

Resources:

Also Read: 17 Amazing Facts About Wikipedia

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WhatsApp to Introduce Viewer Count for Channel Updates on Web Client

Posted on by Munazza Shaheen

Following recent enhancements focused on improving user engagement and content interaction, WhatsApp is now actively working on a new feature for its web client. This upcoming addition will enable channel administrators to see the exact number of viewers for individual channel updates, according to insights shared by WABetaInfo.

Initially announced as part of the Android beta update (version 2.23.24.15), the “Channel update viewers” feature aims to deliver transparent analytics directly within the WhatsApp interface. Specifically, viewer counts will be conveniently displayed within the message bubbles of each channel update. This approach allows channel admins and potential followers to gauge the reach and effectiveness of each post quickly.

Channel update viewers

Notably, the viewer metric will include views from followers and users who discovered the update through searches but haven’t followed the channel yet. This broader measurement gives admins a more accurate picture of their total audience and reach, helping them refine their future content strategies based on real engagement data.

This feature could significantly benefit businesses, marketers, and organizations using WhatsApp communication channels. With accurate viewership data, they’ll be better positioned to understand audience interests, adjust their messaging, and enhance overall engagement.

Privacy remains a cornerstone of WhatsApp’s strategy; this new feature aligns with that philosophy. WhatsApp will display only the total view count per update, explicitly ensuring the confidentiality of individual users. Viewers’ names or phone numbers will not be revealed, preserving user privacy while offering essential insights to content creators.

The exact rollout specifics remain undecided as WhatsApp continues exploring whether to restrict viewership metrics solely to channel admins or extend access to regular followers. However, extending this information to all users seems plausible since followers might also find value in these insights to gauge a channel’s popularity or credibility.

WhatsApp Web users can expect this to be a highly anticipated feature in future updates. More detailed information will become available as the feature moves closer to a public release. Incorporating a viewer count enriches user experience and positions WhatsApp Channels as a powerful tool for community building, content creation, and business communication, strengthening WhatsApp’s ecosystem across platforms.

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Alibaba Surpasses a Decade of AI Investment with its $52 Billion in AI and Cloud Computing

Posted on by Fatimah Misbah Hussain

In this ongoing race of AI, Alibaba has made a statement, the company has now pledged an outlay of about $52 billion over the next three years on artificial intelligence and cloud computing. This isn’t just pocket money but this is a statement that just screams, “We’re here to rule.” While global tech giants race to secure footing regarding their future in AI, Alibaba ensures it’s not just keeping up but rather showing the world how to lead.

On Monday, Alibaba detailed its plans to invest at least 380 billion yuan ($52.44 billion) in artificial intelligence (AI) and cloud computing infrastructure over the next three years. This is the company’s largest-ever investment in these two segments, far exceeding its investments in these two segments dating back a decade.

Alibaba’s Strategy:

Earlier on Friday, the Chinese e-commerce technology giant said it planned to invest more in AI but refrained from specifying the amount until later. The intervention can be viewed as striving to put Alibaba firmly at the forefront of the race for AI in China, where competition is fierce among technology companies. For the December quarter ending on 31st, Alibaba recorded a revenue of 280.15 billion yuan, slightly more than what analysts had expected. Year to date, the stock has gained more than 68%, reflecting fresh confidence from investors in the growth strategy driven by AI.

AI Investment in China:

Alibaba is not the only one aggressively pursuing the path of AI. Other Chinese tech giants, such as ByteDance (the parent company of TikTok) have been employing huge resources for AI. Reports that came in, quoted sources as saying that ByteDance has planned more than 150 billion yuan in capital expenditure for 2025, with a major share being given to AI.

The AI investment capital surplus within China’s technology sector proves a strategic pivot as companies rush toward development and commercialization of novel AI models, cloud computing services, and digital infrastructure. This intensified attention on AI is in collaboration with global trends, where initial tech companies are laying bets on AI for rapid scaling and returns.

Significance of Tech Industry:

Strengthening AI capabilities for Alibaba was a step towards gaining a competitive advantage in aspects of machine learning, generative artificial intelligence, or solutions offered via the cloud, as these sectors underlie the drivers of the coming economic and technological growth. The next three years will be crucial for Alibaba as it executes its strategy for AI expansion. As China’s tech giants clash for supremacy in the new artificial transformational frontier, Alibaba’s bold commitment puts one into the warm-up lap for the competition and the novel industry innovations that this commitment generates.

Alibaba’s big investment in AI is thus more than a financial investment, it is a statement of intent. In this AI revolution, businesses that refuse to adapt will be scorned as irrelevant. With this investment foray, Alibaba is putting its money where its mouth is on the AI growth strategy, with an intention to redefine the future of clouding, e-commerce, and more. Whether action creates disruptive innovations or further aggravates the already heightened tech competition is still anyone’s guess, but it is evident that Alibaba is not playing it safe. Indeed, the race for AI supremacy has become far more interesting.

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WhatsApp Enhances AI Accessibility with New Home Screen Widget

Posted on by Munazza Shaheen

Meta’s commitment to making artificial intelligence practical and easily accessible across its platforms continues to grow, and WhatsApp is becoming central to this strategy. Following recent innovations in chatbot technology and conversational AI integration, WhatsApp is taking another step forward by introducing a dedicated Home Screen widget designed specifically for Meta’s AI chatbot, as reported by WABetaInfo.

This upcoming widget signifies WhatsApp’s deeper integration with AI-driven services, showcasing a shift toward convenience and seamless user interaction. With this new widget, users will have immediate, direct access to the Meta AI chatbot right from their device’s Home Screen, completely bypassing the traditional method of manually searching through the app.

WhatsApp’s decision highlights a clear objective simplifying interactions and saving time. Interestingly, WhatsApp is developing this widget with a universal user experience in mind, ensuring both Android and iOS users receive identical functionality and ease of use, reflecting a broader push toward unified AI experiences across platforms.

Moreover, the widget includes three practical shortcuts, each catering to specific and frequent interactions with Meta AI. The first shortcut facilitates instant question-and-answer interactions, significantly reducing response time. The second shortcut enables quick image-sharing capabilities directly from the user’s Home Screen, promoting effortless multimedia interactions with AI. Lastly, a voice-chat shortcut allows users to engage with Meta AI using voice commands, reflecting WhatsApp’s increasing focus on voice-driven interactions as typing becomes less preferred by many users.

WhatsApp Home Screen update

In essence, this widget represents more than just an incremental update. It demonstrates WhatsApp’s strategic pivot towards deeper integration with AI, reshaping how millions interact with technology daily. For users, it means greater convenience; for Meta, it emphasizes their ambition to become leaders in practical AI accessibility across their family of apps.

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Australia Hits Telegram with A$1M Fine Over Delayed Child Safety and Extremism Response

Posted on by Fatimah Misbah Hussain

In the social media realm, rapidity defines the arena in which transparency cannot merely be a vague term but rather a legitimate right. Telegram, however, has chosen to take the scenic route in replying to Australian regulators about its safety measures. What was set to be a straight compliance issue has rather taken a five-month delay, and for its failure to respond on time to the inquiry into the prevention of child abuse material and violent extremist content, Australia’s online safety regulator imposed about A$1 million ($640,000) in fines on messaging platform Telegram.

The eSafety Commission, which imposed the fine on Monday, criticized Telegram for what it termed, in the delayed response, a blatant lack of transparency, which, according to Australian law, should have been timely. Now that Telegram is trying to appeal, this whole saga gives rise to an urgent question, Is online safety regulation something Big Tech can afford to put on snooze?

Scrutiny and Compliance Issues:

In March 2024, the eSafety Commission reached out to a host of social media platforms, including YouTube, X, Facebook, Telegram, and Reddit, inquiring into what they had done or should do to control the use of their platforms by extremists. Companies were asked to outline their strategies for countering Child Sexual Abuse Material and recruitment by extremist organizations through streaming features, algorithms, and recommendations. The response was timely from other platforms, while Telegram submitted only in October, five months after the deadline.

eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant stressed that transparency in regulatory compliance is very important. Grant said in a statement, “Timely transparency is not a voluntary requirement in Australia and this action reinforces the importance of all companies complying with Australian law. She described the delay as, Telegram’s delay in providing information obstructed eSafety from implementing its online safety measures”.

Telegram’s Response:

Telegram defended its position, stating that it responded fully to all inquiries, no issues left pending. The company said in an email statement, “The unfair and disproportionate penalty concerns only the response time frame, and we intend to appeal”. The company argued that the fine was unfair and disproportionate because it related only to timing and not to any failure to comply with safety requirements.

The scrutiny has been building on the platform globally, after the investigation by French authorities into its founder, Pavel Durov, in August 2024 on allegations concerning Telegram’s use in illicit activities. Durov, who is presently out on bail, denied all allegations.

Implications of Tech Regulation:

The case raises issues that reveal the prevailing climate demanding transparency and accountability of tech companies in the field of online safety. Grant asserted that extremist online materials are exponentially growing threats, thus demanding enhanced enforcement mechanisms that will hold tech companies accountable for their preventive actions regarding the exploitation of their platforms. Grant said, “If we want accountability from the tech industry we need much greater transparency. These powers give us a look under the hood at just how these platforms are dealing, or not dealing, with a range of serious and horrendous online harms which affect Australians.” The eSafety Commission stated that if Telegram does not comply with the order, it would then go to civil court to enforce it.

Concerns of Counter-Terrorism:

Australia’s intelligence agencies also raised alarms about threats from online extremism. As of December 2024, the report said one out of the five priority counter-terrorism cases in Australia had a youth component. Such findings also added to the urgency for the regulatory body to enforce stricter policies on digital platforms to stop radicalization and harmful content.

This isn’t merely a slap on the wrist for Telegram, rather this sends a signal to the tech industry that there are limits to regulatory patience. As scrutiny grows around the world about the role of digital platforms in promoting extremism and child safety issues, the need for accountability has become apparent. As regulatory scrutiny of digital platforms is gaining momentum on the global front, Telegram’s legal manoeuvrings could provide a precedent on how tech companies engage with regulators and manage compliance expectations going forward.

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