Paris Air Show 2025 kicks off with thrilling aerial displays on day zero
8 Photos . Updated: 16 Jun 2025, 02:13 PM IST
Share Via
The Paris Air Show 2025 begins with its signature excitement and anticipated aircraft orders. Although the mood is likely to be subdued by India's deadliest recent air tragedy and rising missile tensions between Israel and Iran.
1/8An Embraer E195-E2 Profit Hunter jet is displayed at the 55th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport in Paris, France, on Monday, June 16, 2025. The event runs from June 16 to 20. (Bloomberg)
2/8This image captures the Alpha Jets of the French Air Force's elite aerobatic team, the Patrouille de France, executing an exhibition flight during the 55th International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport, just outside Paris. (AFP)
3/8A French Armed Forces parachutist displays a flag reading Women in Aerospace during an exhibition flight at the 55th International Paris Air Show, held at Paris–Le Bourget Airport in the suburbs of Paris on June 16, 2025. (AFP)
4/8An Airbus A350-1000 passenger jet is seen performing an aerial demonstration during the 55th International Paris Air Show at Paris–Le Bourget Airport in the suburbs of Paris on June 16, 2025. (AFP)
5/8Alpha Jets from the French Air Force's elite aerobatic team, the Patrouille de France, perform an exhibition flight during the 55th International Paris Air Show. (AFP)
6/8This photo features the CFM International RISE open rotor engine on display at the booth of the French aerospace and defence company Safran during the 55th International Paris Air Show. (AFP)
7/8This image captures the Alpha Jets of the French Air Force's elite aerobatic team, the Patrouille de France, during the 55th International Paris Air Show at Paris–Le Bourget Airport in the suburb of Le Bourget. (AFP)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
7 hours ago
- Time of India
Putin meets Khamenei's top adviser Larijani for nuclear talks
Russian President Vladimir Putin held a surprise meeting with Ali Larijani, top adviser to Iran's supreme leader on nuclear issues, to discuss Tehran's nuclear programme in the Kremlin on Sunday. Moscow has a cordial relationship with Iran's clerical leadership and provides crucial backing for Tehran but did not swing forcefully behind its partner even after the United States joined Israel's massive bombing campaign on Iran in June. Explore courses from Top Institutes in Select a Course Category PGDM Data Analytics Operations Management MBA MCA Healthcare Artificial Intelligence Public Policy Design Thinking Digital Marketing Degree Project Management Cybersecurity Leadership Management Finance Others Data Science CXO healthcare others Data Science Technology Product Management Skills you'll gain: Financial Analysis & Decision Making Quantitative & Analytical Skills Organizational Management & Leadership Innovation & Entrepreneurship Duration: 24 Months IMI Delhi Post Graduate Diploma in Management (Online) Starts on Sep 1, 2024 Get Details Larijani "conveyed assessments of the escalating situation in the Middle East and around the Iranian nuclear programme", Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said of the unannounced meeting. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like The Simple Morning Habit for a Flatter Belly After 50! Lulutox Undo Putin had expressed Russia's "well-known positions on how to stabilize the situation in the region and on the political settlement of the Iranian nuclear programme", he added. Separately, a German diplomatic source told AFP on Sunday that Britain, France and Germany are planning to hold fresh talks with Iran on its nuclear programme in the coming days. Live Events Iran's Tasnim news agency also reported that Tehran had agreed to hold talks with the three European countries, citing an unnamed source. Last week, Russia had slammed a story by US news outlet Axios citing anonymous sources that said Putin had "encouraged" Iran to accept a deal with the United States that would prevent the Islamic republic from enriching uranium. Iran has consistently denied seeking a nuclear weapon, while defending its "legitimate rights" to the peaceful use of atomic energy.
Mint
10 hours ago
- Mint
Mint Explainer: Is OpenAI exaggerating the powers of its new ChatGPT Agent?
Leslie D'Monte OpenAI has flagged the agent as high-risk under its safety framework. Is this just marketing hype or a sign that AI is genuinely becoming more powerful and autonomous? OpenAI CEO Sam Altman. Photo AFP Gift this article On Thursday, OpenAI launched its autonomous ChatGPT Agent, a tool that's capable of finding and buying things online, managing your calendar, and booking you an appointment with a doctor. It's essentially a digital assistant that doesn't just provide information but complete actual tasks. On Thursday, OpenAI launched its autonomous ChatGPT Agent, a tool that's capable of finding and buying things online, managing your calendar, and booking you an appointment with a doctor. It's essentially a digital assistant that doesn't just provide information but complete actual tasks. That being said, OpenAI has flagged the agent as high-risk under its safety framework, warning it could potentially be used to create dangerous biological or chemical substances. Is this just marketing hype, timed to build momentum for the launch of GPT-5, or a sign that AI agents are genuinely becoming more powerful and autonomous, akin to the agents who protect the computer-generated world of The Matrix? What is ChatGPT Agent? Say you want to rearrange your calendar, find a doctor and schedule an appointment, or research competitors and deliver a report. ChatGPT Agent can now do it for you. Also Read | Deep research with AI is days' worth of work in minutes The agent can browse websites, run code, analyse data, and even create slide decks or spreadsheets—all based on your instructions. It combines the strengths of OpenAI's earlier tools—operator (which could navigate the web) and deep research (which could analyse and summarise information)—into a single system. You stay in control throughout: ChatGPT asks for permission before doing anything important, and you can stop or take over at any time. This new capability is available to Pro, Plus, and Team users through the tools dropdown. How does it work? ChatGPT Auses a powerful set of tools to complete tasks, including a visual browser to interact with websites like a human, a text-based browser for reasoning-heavy searches, a terminal for code execution, and direct application programming interface (API) access. It can also connect to apps such as Gmail or GitHub to fetch relevant information. You can log in to websites within the agent's browser, allowing it to dig deeper into personalised content. All of this runs on its own virtual computer, which keeps track of context even across multiple tools. The agent can switch between browsers, download and edit files, and adapt its methods to complete tasks quickly and accurately. It's built for back-and-forth collaboration—you can step in anytime to guide or change the task, and ChatGPT can ask for more input when needed. If a task takes time, you'll get updates and a notification on your phone once it's done. Has OpenAI tested its performance? OpenAI said on Humanity's Last Exam (HLE), which tests expert-level reasoning across subjects, ChatGPT Agent achieved a new high score of 41.6, rising to 44.4 when multiple attempts were run in parallel and the most confident response was selected. On FrontierMath, the toughest known math benchmark, the agent scored 27.4% using tools such as a code-executing terminal—far ahead of previous models. In real-world tasks, ChatGPT agent performs at or above human levels in about half of the cases, based on OpenAI's internal evaluations. These tasks include building financial models, analysing competitors, and identifying suitable sites for green hydrogen projects. ChatGPT Agent also outperforms others on specialised tests such as DSBench for data science, and the SpreadsheetBench for spreadsheet editing (45.5% vs Copilot Excel's 20.0%). On BrowseComp and WebArena, which test browsing skills, the agent achieves the highest scores to date, according to OpenAI. What are some of the things it can do? Consider the case of travel planning. The agent won't just suggest ideas but navigate booking websites, fill out forms, and even make reservations one you give it permission. You can also ask it to read your emails, find meeting invitations, and automatically schedule appointments in your calendar, or even draft and send follow-up emails. This level of coordination typically required juggling between apps, but the agent manages it in a single conversational flow. Another example involves shopping and price comparison. You can tell the agent to 'order the best-reviewed smartphone under ₹ 15,000", and it can search online stores, compare prices and reviews, and proceed to checkout on a preferred platform. Customer support and task automation are other examples, where the agent is used to troubleshoot an issue, log into support portals, and even file return or refund requests. How are AI agents typically built? Unlike basic chat bots, AI agents are autonomous systems that can plan, reason, and complete complex, multi-step tasks with minimal input—such as coding, data analysis, or generating reports. They are built by combining ways to take in information, think, and take action. Developers begin by deciding what the agent should do, following which the agent collects data like such as or images from its environment. AI agents use large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4 as their core 'brain", which allows them to understand and respond to natural language instructions. To allow AI agents to take action, developers connect the LLM to things like a web browser, code editor, calculator, and APIs for services such as Gmail or Slack. Frameworks like LangChain help integrate these parts, and keep track of information. Some AI agents learn from experience and get better over time. Testing and careful setup make sure they work well and follow rules. Does ChatGPT Agent have credible competition? Google's Project Astra, part of its Gemini AI line, is developing a multimodal assistant that can see, hear, and respond in real time. Gemini CLI is an open-source AI agent that brings Google's Gemini model directly to the terminal for fast, lightweight access. It integrates with Gemini Code Assist, offering developers on all plans AI-powered coding in both VS Code and the command line. Microsoft is embedding Copilot into Windows, Office, and Teams, giving its agent access to workflows, system controls, and productivity tools, soon enhanced by a dedicated Copilot Runtime. Meta is building more socially focused agents within messaging and the metaverse, which could evolve into utility tools. Apple is revamping Siri through Apple Intelligence, combining GPT-level reasoning with strict privacy features and deep on-device integration. Other smart agents include Oracle's Miracle Agent, IBM's Watson tools, Agentforce from Salesforce Anthropic's Claude 3.5, and Perplexity AI's action-oriented agents through its Comet project, blending search with agentic behaviour. The competitive advantage, though, may go to companies that can integrate these AI agents into everyday applications and call for action with a single, unified tool – a task that ChatGPT Agent has demonstrated. Why did OpenAI warn that ChatGPT Agent could be used to trigger biological warfare? OpenAI claimed ChatGPT Agent's superior capabilities could, in theory, be misused to help someone create dangerous biological or chemical substances. However, it clarified that there was no solid evidence it could actually do so. Regardless, OpenAI is activating the highest level of safety measures under its internal 'preparedness framework'. These include thorough threat modeling to anticipate potential misuse, special training to ensure the model refuses harmful requests, and constant monitoring using automated systems that watch for risky behaviour. There are also clear procedures in place for suspicious activity. Should we take this risk seriously? Ja-Nae Duane, AI expert and MIT Research Fellow and co-author of SuperShifts, said the more autonomous the agent, the more permissions and access rights it would require. For example, buying a dress requires wallet access; scheduling an event requires calendar and contact list access. 'While standard ChatGPT already presents privacy risks, the risks from ChatGPT Agent are exponentially higher because people will be granting it access rights to external tools containing personal information (like calendar, email, wallet, and more). There's a significant gap between the pace of AI development and AI literacy; many people haven't even fully understood ChatGPT's existing privacy risks, and now they're being introduced to a feature with exponentially more risks," he said. Also Read | Google's Veo 3 brings the era of video on command Duane added that the key risks included data leaks, mistaken actions, prompt injection, and account compromise, especially when handling sensitive information. Malicious actors, he warned, could exploit them by manipulating inputs, abusing tool access, stealing credentials, or poisoning data to bias outputs. Poor third-party integration and an over-reliance of them could worsen the impact, while the agent's 'black box" nature would make it hard to trace errors, he added. In the wrong hands, these agents could be weaponised for fraud, phishing, or even to generate malware. What are the other concern areas for enterprises? Developers are increasingly deploying AI agents across IT, customer service, and enterprise workflows. According to Nasscom, 46% of Indian firms are experimenting with these agents, particularly in IT, HR, and finance, while manufacturing leads in robotics, quality control, and automation. Beyond concerns around hallucinations, security, privacy, and copyright or intellectual property (IP) violations, a key challenge for businesses is ensuring a return on investment. Gartner noted that many so-called agentic use cases could be handled by simpler tools and predicted that more than 40% of such projects would be scrapped by 2027 over high costs, unclear value, or inadequate risk controls. Of the thousands of vendors in this space, only around 130 are seen as credible; many engage in 'agent washing" by repackaging chatbots, robotic process automation (RPA), or basic assistants as autonomous agents. Nasscom corroborated these concerns, highlighting that 62% of enterprises were still only testing agents in-house. Why is 'humans-in-the-loop' a must? OpenAI CEO Sam Altman advised granting agents only the minimum access needed for each task, not blanket permissions. Nasscom believes that to scale responsibly, enterprises must prioritise human-AI collaboration, trust, and data readiness. It has recommended firms adopt AI agents with a 'human-in-the-loop" approach, reflecting the need for oversight and contextual judgment. According to Duane, users must understand both the tool's strengths and its limits, especially when handling sensitive data. Caution is key, as misuse could have serious consequences. She also emphasised the importance of AI literacy, noting that AI was evolving far faster than most people's understanding of how to use it responsibly. Also Read | Mint Primer: Are firms wasting their money on AI agents? Topics You May Be Interested In
Time of India
13 hours ago
- Time of India
Japan sees bright future for ultra-thin, flexible solar panels
Japan is heavily investing in a new kind of ultra-thin, flexible solar panel that it hopes will help it meet renewable energy goals while challenging China's dominance of the sector. Pliable perovskite panels are perfect for mountainous Japan, with its shortage of flat plots for traditional solar farms, and a key component of the panels is iodine, something Japan produces more of than any country but Chile. The push faces some obstacles: perovskite panels contain toxic lead, and, for now, produce less power and have shorter lifespans than their silicon counterparts. Still, with a goal of net-zero by 2050 and a desire to break China's solar supremacy, perovskite cells are "our best card to achieve both decarbonisation and industrial competitiveness," minister of industry Yoji Muto said in November. "We need to succeed in their implementation in society at all costs," he said. The government is offering generous incentives to get industry on board, including a 157-billion-yen ($1 billion) subsidy to plastic maker Sekisui Chemical for a factory to produce enough perovskite solar panels to generate 100 megawatts by 2027, enough to power 30,000 households. By 2040, Japan wants to install enough perovskite panels to generate 20 gigawatts of electricity, equivalent to adding about 20 nuclear reactors. That should help Japan's target to have renewable energy cover up to 50 percent of electricity demand by 2040. Breaking the silicon ceiling The nation is looking to solar power, including perovskite and silicon-based solar cells, to cover up to 29 percent of all electricity demand by that time, a sharp rise from 9.8 percent in 2023. "To increase the amount of renewable energy and achieve carbon neutrality , I think we will have to mobilise all the technologies available," said Hiroshi Segawa, a specialist in next-generation solar technology at the University of Tokyo . "Perovskite solar panels can be built domestically, from the raw materials to production to installation. In that sense, they could significantly contribute to things like energy security and economic security," he told AFP. Tokyo wants to avoid a repeat of the past boom and bust of the Japanese solar business. In the early 2000s, Japanese-made silicon solar panels accounted for almost half the global market. Now, China controls more than 80 percent of the global solar supply chain , from the production of key raw material to assembling modules. Silicon solar panels are made of thin wafers that are processed into cells that generate electricity. They must be protected by reinforced glass sheets and metal frames, making the final products heavy and cumbersome. Perovskite solar cells, however, are created by printing or painting ingredients such as iodine and lead onto surfaces like film or sheet glass. The final product can be just a millimetre thick and a tenth the weight of a conventional silicon solar cell. Perovskite panels' malleability means they can be installed on uneven and curved surfaces, a key feature in Japan, where 70 percent of the country is mountainous. Generating where power is used The panels are already being incorporated into several projects, including a 46-storey Tokyo building to be completed by 2028. The southwestern city of Fukuoka has also said it wants to cover a domed baseball stadium with perovskite panels. And major electronics brand Panasonic is working on integrating perovskite into windowpanes. "What if all of these windows had solar cells integrated in them?" said Yukihiro Kaneko, general manager of Panasonic's perovskite PV development department, gesturing to the glass-covered high-rise buildings surrounding the firm's Tokyo office. That would allow power to be generated where it is used, and reduce the burden on the national grid, Kaneko added. For all the enthusiasm, perovskite panels remain far from mass production. They are less efficient than their silicon counterparts, and have a lifespan of just a decade, compared to 30 years for conventional units. The toxic lead they contain also means they need careful disposal after use. However, the technology is advancing fast. Some prototypes can perform nearly as powerfully as silicon panels and their durability is expected to reach 20 years soon. University professor Segawa believes Japan could have a capacity of 40 gigawatts from perovskite by 2040, while the technology could also speed up renewable uptake elsewhere. "We should not think of it as either silicon or perovskite. We should look at how we can maximise our ability to utilise renewable energy," Segawa said. "If Japan could show a good model, I think it can be brought overseas."
