The development of AI can be categorized into three stages: Artificial Narrow Intelligence (ANI), Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), and Artificial Superintelligence (ASI).

About Stages of AI

• ANI: Also called ‘weak AI,’ they are specialized in a narrow set of tasks, lacking the ability to generalize knowledge. E.g. Virtual Assistants like Siri, Alexa
• AGI: Also called ‘strong AI,’ it is a hypothetical machine intelligence that has the ability to understand or learn any intellectual task that a human being can. 
  • It has the ability to generalise knowledge based on common understanding. 
  • Currently, true AGI does not exist.
• ASI: ASI, a theoretical concept, surpasses human intelligence and can potentially solve problems that are currently beyond human capabilities.

New guidelines to streamline functioning of the Supreme Court will take effect from December 1.

About New Guidelines: 

• Automatic Case Listing of fresh cases.
• Faster Hearing for Urgent Matters such as bail and habeas corpus, will be listed and heard automatically within two working days.
• Restriction on Oral Mentioning by senior counsels.
• Strict Adjournment Rules to facilitate the timely resolution of older cases.
• Advance Copy Requirement for Bail Petitions for faster processing.

The Department of Telecommunications has made SIM binding mandatory for online messaging platforms

About SIM Binding

• SIM-binding means messaging apps must ensure that a user’s account remains tied to the active SIM card inserted in the device used for registration.
• The directive requires platforms to enforce continuous linkage between SIM, mobile number, and device, and to stop service if the SIM is removed or inactive.

The AWBI has issued standard operating procedures for municipal authorities to implement the Supreme Court’s order.

• SC ordered removal of stray dogs from public institutional premises like schools, hospitals, and bus stations.

About AWBI

• It is a statutory advisory body on Animal Welfare Laws and promotes animal welfare in the country.
• Established in 1962 under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960.
• It was started under the stewardship of Late Smt. Rukmini Devi Arundale, a well-known humanitarian.

India has been re-elected to UNESCO Executive Board for 2025 – 29. 

About UNESCO (Hq: Paris, France)

• Genesis: Constitution of UNESCO was enforced on November 1946. 
• Membership: 194 Members and 12 Associate Members. 
• It is a specialized agency dedicated to strengthening shared humanity through the promotion of education, science, culture, and communication.
• Governance: By three key bodies, the General Conference, the Secretariat and the Executive Board.
• Key Achievements: Universal Copyright Convention (1952); Man and the Biosphere (MAB) programme (1971); Convention Concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage (1972), etc. 

Scientists have solved the mystery of 3.4 million-year-old fossils called the “Burtele Foot” discovered in Ethiopia in 2009. 

About Burtele Foot

• Morphology: Eight bones showing bipedal hominin with an opposable big toe, indicating continued tree-climbing.
• Recent findings of 25 teeth and jawbone of a 4.5-year-old child near the same site confirm that the foot belonged to Australopithecus deyiremeda.
  •  An early hominin species combining ape-like and human-like characteristics.
• Fossils shows its close relation to Australopithecus afarensis, species that includes the famous fossil Lucy, discovered in 1974 in the Afar region.

Union Minister of State for Science and Technology launched the production version of India’s indigenous Hansa-3 NG at CSIR–National Aerospace Laboratories (NAL) in Bengaluru.

About Hansa-3(NG)

• It is India's first all-composite two-seat pilot trainer aircraft.
• It is designed to meet the expanding demand for PPL (Private Pilot License) and CPL (Commercial Pilot License) training.

The World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC-25) (held every four years)of ITU concluded in Baku.

About International Telecommunication Union (ITU)(Hq: Geneva, Switzerland)

• Overview : United Nations Specialized agency for digital technologies (ICTs). ​
• Members: 194​ Member States, and more than 1000 companies, universities, etc. 
• Genesis: 1865, after the first International Telegraph Convention was signed in Paris establishing International Telegraph Union (first incarnation of ITU). 
• Key Functions:
  • Manages Key Resources: Allocates radio frequencies and satellite positions.
  • Sets the Rules: Creates technical standards for seamless global connectivity.