Tesla has begun production of its highly anticipated autonomous 'Cybercab' robotaxi, company CEO Elon Musk announced on social media platform X. According to AFP from Washington, Musk posted a 38-second promotional video showing the driverless vehicle leaving the factory and moving onto the road. He also shared another clip featuring multiple golden-colored Cybercabs driving together. Tesla stated on Wednesday that it is on track to start volume production of both the Cybercab and the Tesla Semi this year, reporting a first-quarter profit of 477 million dollars.

The Cybercab, first unveiled in the fall of 2024, is designed as a fully autonomous taxi without a steering wheel or pedals. Musk had previously said the vehicle would reach the market by 2027. In June of last year, Tesla launched a limited 'early access' robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. Earlier this year, the company released an image showing workers around the first Cybercab on the production line at its Giga Texas factory.

The start of production marks a significant milestone in Tesla’s push toward commercial autonomous mobility, signaling progress toward its long-term robotaxi ambitions.

The long-awaited biopic ‘Michael’, based on the life and musical journey of American pop icon Michael Jackson, is set for international release on Friday, April 24. Bangladeshi audiences will be able to watch the film the same day at Star Cineplex. The film stars Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson in the lead role, alongside Miles Teller, Colman Domingo, Kat Graham, Nia Long, Laura Harrier, Kendrick Sampson, and Juliano Krue Valdi.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film traces Michael Jackson’s rise from his early days as the lead singer of the Jackson 5 to becoming one of the most celebrated solo artists in global music history. It promises to reveal lesser-known aspects of his life and include some of his most famous performances. The trailer, released in February, surpassed five million views within a day, signaling strong anticipation among fans.

The film’s simultaneous release in Bangladesh underscores the enduring popularity of Michael Jackson, whose music continues to attract around 65 million monthly listeners on Spotify even more than a decade after his death in 2009.

OpenAI has introduced a new specialized artificial intelligence model named GPT-5.4-Cyber to enhance cybersecurity and protect digital infrastructure. Announced on April 24, 2026, the model is designed to help security experts quickly identify and fix vulnerabilities in systems, making data and user protection more efficient. The initiative underscores OpenAI’s growing focus on cyber defense amid rising digital threats.

Built on the company’s flagship GPT-5.4 model, GPT-5.4-Cyber aims to support real-time detection and prevention of cyberattacks. To prevent misuse, OpenAI has expanded its Trusted Access for Cyber (TAC) program, allowing thousands of authorized security professionals and hundreds of teams to use the advanced AI tool. The company described this as an example of democratizing access to cutting-edge technology.

OpenAI acknowledged that while AI can strengthen defenses, it can also be exploited by hackers. The firm has therefore added strict safeguards to ensure vulnerabilities are patched before criminals can exploit them. The launch follows Anthropic’s release of its Mythos model and builds on OpenAI’s earlier success with its Codex Security tool, which has resolved over 3,000 major security flaws.

Microsoft announced that Copilot’s agentic capabilities are now generally available across Word, Excel, and PowerPoint. The company stated that these AI-powered tools can be accessed on both desktop and mobile devices, expanding their usability for a wide range of users.

According to Microsoft, the release marks an extension of Copilot’s integration within its core Office applications. The announcement emphasizes the availability of these features across platforms, highlighting the goal of providing consistent AI assistance wherever users work.

The update reflects Microsoft’s continued effort to embed AI functionality into everyday productivity tools, aiming to enhance user experience and efficiency across devices.

OpenAI has introduced workspace agents in ChatGPT, enabling teams to create shared AI agents that manage complex and long-running workflows within organizational permissions. These agents, powered by Codex, can perform tasks such as report generation, coding, and message responses. They operate in the cloud, allowing continuous work even when users are offline, and can be accessed through ChatGPT or Slack. The feature is available in research preview for ChatGPT Business, Enterprise, Edu, and Teachers plans.

Workspace agents are designed to handle collaborative workflows that require shared context and approvals across teams. They can gather information from various systems, follow internal processes, and maintain progress across tools. OpenAI teams have built examples such as software review, product feedback routing, weekly metrics reporting, lead outreach, and third-party risk management agents. Admins retain control over permissions, data access, and agent actions, with analytics and compliance tools ensuring governance and visibility.

Workspace agents are free until May 6, 2026, after which credit-based pricing will apply. OpenAI plans to expand functionality with new triggers, dashboards, and integrations to further streamline team productivity.

The University Grants Commission (UGC) of Bangladesh has initiated the formulation of a national policy to ensure the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI) in education, research, and administration across the country’s universities. The announcement was made by UGC Chairman Professor Dr. Mamun Ahmed during the opening of a two-day workshop titled “Building Equity: Assessing the Extended Inclusive Education Toolkit,” held in Dhaka on Thursday.

The workshop was jointly organized by the Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology, American International University-Bangladesh, Nottingham Trent University of the UK, and King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals of Saudi Arabia, with funding from the British Council. The UGC chairman emphasized AI’s transformative role in building equitable and inclusive education and said the policy aims to ensure responsible and ethical AI practices. He added that training programs are being developed to enhance teachers’ and academic leaders’ skills, while research and innovation are being encouraged to address local challenges such as rural access, language barriers, and equitable resource distribution.

The UGC is also working on institutional guidelines and quality assurance frameworks to align AI use with national goals and international standards.

Julian Casablancas, lead singer of the popular band The Strokes, made critical remarks about the role of Zionists in the United States during an appearance on comedian Kareem Rahma’s online talk show Subway Takes. The interview, recorded in the New York City subway and published on YouTube on Tuesday, featured Casablancas discussing various topics, including political issues. His comments have drawn attention and discussion across social media platforms.

Casablancas argued that American Zionists enjoy privileges similar to white beneficiaries but speak as if they are oppressed like African Americans during the era of slavery. Host Kareem Rahma agreed, calling the situation tragic and referencing the ongoing violence in Gaza, where tens of thousands of Palestinians, including women and children, have been killed. Rahma described the situation as horrific and said expressing such criticism should not be considered wrong.

The exchange has fueled online debate about privilege, oppression, and the framing of identity in the context of the Israel-Gaza conflict.

More than 1,000 musicians and cultural workers have signed an open letter calling for a boycott of the Eurovision Song Contest unless Israel is excluded from participation. The appeal, organized by the group 'No Music for Genocide', was made public on Tuesday and urges artists, broadcasters, workers, and fans to reject the event until Israel’s public broadcaster KAN is barred. The letter cites Israel’s actions in Palestine as the reason for the call.

Signatories include internationally known artists such as Brian Eno, Massive Attack, Ni-Kap, and Roger Waters, as well as former Eurovision winners Emmelie de Forest and Charlie McGettigan. The letter accuses the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) of hypocrisy for allowing Israel to compete while Russia remains suspended due to its 2022 invasion of Ukraine.

The statement also praises broadcasters and contestants from Spain, Ireland, Iceland, Slovenia, and the Netherlands who have withdrawn or refused to participate in protest. The next Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to take place in Austria from May 12 to 16.

SpaceX has confirmed an agreement giving it the option to acquire the automated programming platform Cursor for $60 billion or pay a $10 billion fee instead. The arrangement, first reported by The New York Times and later confirmed by SpaceX on social media, comes as the company prepares for a potential IPO. SpaceX said it is working closely with Cursor to develop advanced AI systems for coding and knowledge work, combining Cursor’s software tools with SpaceX’s large-scale Colossus training supercomputer.

The deal could strengthen Elon Musk’s xAI ecosystem, which includes SpaceX, xAI, and X, by enhancing its competitiveness against AI leaders such as Anthropic. Reports cited in the source noted that Google and OpenAI are also intensifying their efforts in AI coding tools, with Google forming a “strike team” and OpenAI refocusing on its ChatGPT and Codex projects.

CNBC and Bloomberg have reported that Musk values his combined X companies at $1.25 trillion, while Cursor was recently raising $2 billion at a $50 billion valuation, underscoring the scale of the potential acquisition.

Meta has begun installing tracking software on computers used by its US-based employees to record mouse movements, clicks, and keystrokes for use in training artificial intelligence models. Internal memos seen by Reuters indicate that the software will operate on selected work-related applications and websites, occasionally capturing screen snapshots to provide contextual information. The initiative is part of Meta’s broader effort to develop AI agents capable of autonomously performing workplace tasks.

According to the internal memo, the data collection aims to improve Meta’s AI systems in areas where they currently face challenges, such as navigating drop-down menus and using keyboard shortcuts. The memo encouraged employees to contribute to model improvement through their regular work activities. Meta spokesperson Andy Stone stated that the collected data would not be used for employee performance evaluation and would be protected by safeguards to ensure sensitive content remains secure.

Stone added that the project is designed to help Meta’s AI models learn from real examples of human computer use, supporting the company’s goal of building more capable digital assistants.

A delegation from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) met with Dhaka University Vice-Chancellor Professor Dr. A B M Obaidul Islam on Tuesday morning at his office. The meeting focused on exploring potential collaboration in education and research sectors, with discussions on possible development projects supported by JICA’s financial and technical assistance.

The six-member JICA delegation was led by Ms. Saeri Muto, Chief Advisor for Technical and Higher Education at JICA’s Dhaka office. Senior university officials, including the pro-vice-chancellor (administration), treasurer, and several faculty deans, attended the meeting. Both sides emphasized joint initiatives in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, fintech, environment, and science and technology.

The vice-chancellor highlighted that technology-based education and research are key drivers of future development and stressed the need for Dhaka University to become more active in innovation and research-oriented activities. He also noted ongoing progress in expanding academic and research cooperation with Japanese universities.

Theatre and cultural figures in Bangladesh have alleged that the country’s art scene is facing stagnation due to low-quality content and ongoing political instability. The concerns were voiced on Sunday morning at a seminar titled “Our Culture and the Artist’s Responsibility,” held at the Bangladesh Shilpakala Academy in Dhaka. The event was part of a daylong celebration marking actor, director, and filmmaker Tauquir Ahmed’s 60th birthday.

At the seminar, veteran theatre personality Mamunur Rashid said that the rise of view-based commercialism has harmed the creative industry, leaving artists demotivated and unable to produce quality work. He also lamented that Bangladeshi artists still lack the freedom of expression enjoyed by their counterparts in neighboring and developed countries. Rashid praised Tauquir Ahmed and his contemporaries for their perseverance despite these challenges.

Other speakers included Abul Hayat, Afzal Hossain, Azizul Hakim, Mir Sabbir, and Deepa Khandakar. The program also featured screenings and writings on Tauquir Ahmed’s films, stage plays, and television works, followed by a performance of his stage play “Tirthajatri.”

Bangladeshi short film 'Ali', directed by Adnan Al Rajib, has won the Diversity Award at the prestigious Filmfest Bremen 2026 in Germany. The award was announced on April 19 during the festival’s official ceremony in Bremen, recognizing the film’s creative portrayal of social realities and stories of marginalized communities. The director joined the event virtually to express gratitude, dedicating the achievement to his team and the people of Bangladesh.

Filmfest Bremen is one of Europe’s notable international film festivals. The Diversity Award honors films that creatively highlight themes of identity, diversity, and marginalized voices. 'Ali' had previously received a Special Mention in the Short Film category at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, drawing international attention.

Competing with films from various languages and cultures, 'Ali’s' success at Bremen reinforces its global appeal and demonstrates how a powerful story can transcend geographical boundaries.

Apple CEO Tim Cook will step down from his position on September 1, 2026, ending nearly 15 years at the helm of the company. The 65-year-old executive will hand over leadership to John Ternus, Apple’s head of hardware engineering. Cook described leading Apple as the greatest privilege of his life. Although stepping down as CEO, he will remain with the company as executive chairman, following a transition model similar to those of Jeff Bezos at Amazon and Reed Hastings at Netflix.

John Ternus, 50, has been with Apple for 25 years and has overseen engineering for the iPhone, iPad, and Mac over the past five years. His long tenure and technical leadership positioned him as the leading candidate to succeed Cook. Ternus expressed gratitude for the opportunity to advance Apple’s mission.

The leadership change comes as the global technology sector undergoes major transformation driven by artificial intelligence. Apple, which initially lagged in AI development, recently sought Google’s assistance to enhance Siri’s capabilities after delays in implementing new features.

Popular Bangladeshi band Nagar Baul, led by Mahfuz Anam James, has undergone a significant lineup change. Guitarist Sultan Raihan Khan Rana has left the band after more than fifteen years of performing with James in numerous concerts at home and abroad. He parted ways recently due to personal reasons, ending a long professional association. Rana had not been seen performing with the band for some time and was absent from their recent Pahela Baishakh concert in Pabna.

At that event, guitarist Ismamul Farhad Elin performed with James, and it has now been confirmed that he has officially joined Nagar Baul as Rana’s replacement. According to the band’s spokesperson Robin Thakur, Rana could no longer dedicate enough time to the group because of personal commitments and decided to leave after discussions with other members. Elin formally joined the band in March 2026, having previously played as a guest artist in 2020 and gained recognition as a guitarist for the band Shunno. The current lineup includes James, Ahsan Elahi Fanti, Talukdar Sabbir Shawon, and Ismamul Farhad Elin.