Have you ever pondered why are you so propelled to all the Colorful apps on your
phone? Why every time you open your device your hands reach out for the Instagram or
YouTube Icon? or Why when you start watching reels or playing a game you just can’t
stop?All of this is because of the UI/ UX of these apps.

 Where do forgotten passwords flee?

Do they reach the clouds, once caged now free,

“I am password1 think about me?”

Do they rest in a collection of lost keys?

Once they unlocked all we sought,

Now forgotten slipping from thought,

I think about the hackers they fought,

Importance of strong passwords they taught.

Do they gather in cyberspace,

A quiet, never remembered place?

Do they lie in a case,

Waiting for us to find them, without any trace?

Do they sigh as we move on,

With new password drawn?

They thought “she’ll come back next dawn”

While with a new password, with no worries, she yawns.

-Yadavi Mehrotra

SpaceX’s Elon Musk has revealed plans to launch uncrewed missions to Mars in just two years, followed by crewed missions four years later. However, given SpaceX’s tendency to set ambitious timelines, this schedule may face challenges in reality. Concurrently, China aims for a human mission to Mars as early as 2033, accelerating its uncrewed sample return mission by two years. The UAE also has ardent plants to create a livable community on Mars by 2117. 

The enormity of outer space poses considerable challenges to human health, encompassing risks associated with radiation exposure, the effects of microgravity, and the psychological ramifications of isolation and confinement experienced by astronauts. Prolonged exposure to radiation presents serious hazards, heightening the risk of developing cancer, neurological conditions, and damage to bodily tissues, which can result in ailments such as cataracts and gastrointestinal problems. 

To address these challenges, some bioethicists are considering radical interventions for future space travellers. They suggest using genetic editing techniques to enhance astronauts’ resilience before their journeys. Speculation even extends to the possibility of a new species, ‘Homo Spatialis’. While these ideas may seem like science fiction, biotechnologies are already being developed to meet the needs of future space travellers. 

Space travel is extremely risky and sugarcoating and saying otherwise is just undermining the perilous nature of work done by astronauts. Paul Root Wolpe, a former NASA bioethicist, dramatically puts it, launching into space is basically strapping people into a giant firework and hoping for the best. 

Our bodies are well adapted to Earth’s gravity, so the effects of space on the human body can be quite unusual. Fluids shift to unexpected locations, muscles weaken due to lack of use, and astronauts often experience loss of muscle mass and bone density. The psychological effects of prolonged space travel are profound, leading to weight loss, potential long-term vision issues, and emotional distress from separation from loved ones. 

While genetic interventions for space travellers are currently theoretical, bioethicist Rosario Isasi from the University of Miami suggests that they may become not just beneficial, but essential for astronaut safety in the future. She also expresses optimism about the potential of precision medicine to provide personalised treatments for individuals, potentially eliminating the need for genetic modifications altogether.

-Divyansh Jai Purohit

Artificial Intelligence (AI) as is making ripples in the art world, but its rise brings eagreness, anticipation along with inquietude and unease. With the advancement of AI, we’re seeing more and more machines help artists with their work, create art work for the artists and even assist in curating exhibits. A point to ponder on !! While some view this as progress, others raise deep questions about what art really is—and whether technology can ever truly replicate the soul and emotion that human creativity brings to the table. 

What is undeniable is the ability of AI to push artistic boundaries beyond the human imagination. For instance, strikingly original works are created by AI algorithms like Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs). The GAN also has an expertise in analysing vast data and generating new and extensive data. This can open up exciting and new avenues for experimentation and analysis for several artists as AI not only allows and aids them in manipulating forms and colours in ways they might never have thought of on their own, but also allows them to explore new styles completely unknown to the artist. In simpler terms AI has made art more accessible to people without any formal or traditional training by offering such tools that simplify complex processes. 

Coming to one of the many and biggest advantages of AI – is the refining, streamlining and simplifying of many tedious and arduous tasks. For instance for digital artists, what they really struggle with is finding time for creative and inventive thinking. With the help of AI things like animation and rendering can be done at lighting speed, hence helping the artist to increase his productivity. AI is also being used by Museums and galleries, to tailor art recommendations to individual viewers’ tastes, uncover forgeries and even manage their collections better. In these ways, AI has the potential to enhance both the creation and consumption of art.

But despite these advantages and benefits, there’s an underlying discomfort that comes with AI’s growing role in art. At the heart of it is the question: Can AI ever truly create? Can AI really invent as the human brain does ? Can AI replace human creativity ? When a machine produces a painting or a piece of music, is it really art—or just a clever imitation? Art in its true sense is driven by human emotions, experiences, and has a personal touch to it. Art is a form of a need to communicate something deep and often unspoken. AI, no matter how evolved or advanced it may be, it doesn’t feel !! It doesn’t dream !! It doesn’t struggle to express an inner world the way a human artist does !! So when an AI generates a piece of art, is there something meaningful in what it’s producing or is it just copying patterns ? 

When AI generates a piece of art, the issue of authorship also looms large. If an AI creates a beautiful piece of art, who gets credence for it ? Is it the individual who programmed the AI? But then, what about the countless artists whose works were used to train the algorithm and done often without their consent? AI models often learn by analysing existing art, and that raises serious concerns about plagiarism and theft. If a machine borrows heavily from a specific artist’s style, is it inspiration, or is it stealing? 

Then there arises a more moral question of ‘value’. Some AI-generated artworks have sold for huge sums, and while that might seem like a win for technology, it stirs a very unsettling thought among human artists: Could AI devalue human art? Will the painstaking work of human creators be obliterated by the novelty and potency of machine-made art? What about those artists who are born with the natural and innate talent for being artists and bringing creativity to the table ?There’s something profoundly human about the creative process—about the mistakes, the breakthroughs, the emotions that go into making a piece of art. It’s hard not to worry that AI’s rise could reduce art to just another product, stripped of its soul and individuality.

In the end there’s no denial to the fact that AI’s role in the art world is undeniably fascinating, but it also poses tough and gritty questions. Can machines ever truly understand what it means to create? And as AI-generated art becomes more and more common, will we still value the imperfect, shoddy, flawed but deeply personal work of human artists in the same way? While AI offers new tools and possibilities, it’s essential to remember that true art comes from the heart, mind and soul and not an algorithm!!

-Shaurya Markanda

In a fast-paced world like ours, there is an increasing need for processing data in a way that reduces latency, improves bandwidth efficiency, and allows customization. This means of processing data comes in the form of Edge Computing. 

At its core, edge computing refers to processing data at or near the “edge” of the network, where the data is generated, rather than relying solely on a central cloud-based server. In other words, instead of sending all data to a distant cloud for processing, devices like sensors, routers, and even smartphones handle some of the computation locally. 

For example, let’s take self-driving cars. These vehicles are equipped with several sensors that produce vast amounts of real-time data- on speed, road conditions, nearby obstacles, and more. If all this data were to be sent to a central data center for analysis and decision-making, the delay could result in severe accidents. In this case, edge computing helps in processing the data and making split-second decisions independently, improving safety and performance. 

Edge Computing has several multi-faceted benefits that have transformed industries by addressing and eradicating the key limitations of traditional cloud computing. One of the critical advantages is the reduced latency. Since the data is processed close to the source, it reduces the amount of time it takes for data to travel back and forth between devices and central servers. This proves to be crucial for applications that require quick real-time responses. 

Moreover, edge computing enhances privacy and security. By processing the data locally, the risk of cyberattacks during the back-and-forth transmission of data is significantly reduced. Sensitive data such as health information and financial transactions are better protected by limiting their exposure to external networks. 

The IoT has introduced a massive network of connected devices, from smart thermostats to fitness trackers. Such devices often need real-time data processing to function efficiently. This is where edge computing swoops in, supporting these devices in processing data quickly and responding instantly, making the user experience seamless and efficient. 

Edge computing has caused ripples across several industries, permanently changing their data processing methods. It has enabled the use of smart medical devices that can monitor the health of a patient in real-time. For example, wearable devices that track heart rate, glucose levels, or blood pressure can immediately process and respond to critical changes in a patient’s health, alerting medical professionals in an instant.

Manufacturing and industrial processes too have become more seamless by processing machine data directly on-site. Factories equipped with sensors and robotics can use edge devices to detect errors, optimize production lines, and prevent machine breakdowns without waiting for data to be analyzed in the cloud. 

As the world progresses into a realm dominated by oT devices, 5G networks, and real-time applications, edge computing will play a central role in shaping the way our data will be processed and analyzed in the future. With tech giants like Google, Microsoft, and Amazon investing heavily in edge computing solutions, one can expect increased integration of edge computing in our day-to-day lives- from smart homes to intelligent traffic systems. Edge computing is not merely a trend but rather a fundamental shift in data processing.

-Ananya Datta

Flying vehicle technology is slowly but surely taking off (pun intended)! It is bringing to life our favorite science fiction stories. And for us to be witnessing this in our lifetime is exhilarating! Flying cars in movies like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Back to The Future are no longer tales of fantasy. Picture yourself zipping and zooming above traffic jams in your sleek new McLaren Skyrider, landing directly on your house rooftops, and stepping out of your flying car as if it were all in a day’s work. Due  to unbelievable advancements in engineering and technology flying cars are here to stay. The cool science of aerodynamics is at the core of flying cars. These vehicles use wings or rotors to raise themselves off the ground. It’s all about using good old physics to defy gravity.

Flying car prototypes currently use hybrid or electric engines, mixing traditional fuel with electric power for minimizing the carbon footprint. The multiple small rotors ensure stability and control while flying. Safety is of utmost importance in flying cars. These cars are equipped with advanced technology that helps control altitude, speed, and direction, making flying as easy as driving. With features like autopilot and automated navigation, even beginners can enjoy the thrill of flying without a hitch or a glitch! Now combine this technology with the technology of driverless cars and the mind boggles at the various possibilities. Flying cars are built with advanced materials like carbon fiber and aluminum, making them lightweight without compromising on the strength. 

As different countries create rules for flying cars, we could soon see car-ports, places where these vehicles take off and land, mushroom in our cities. This means flying cars could become a normal part of our daily lives. Get ready for a world where flying to school or hanging out with friends in the air might just be a reality! 

-Kabir Sahni

Exun returns, once again, bringing together tech enthusiasts to push the limits on 9th and 10th November! Dive into a lineup of our dynamic events: from the thrill of the Quiz and the creativity-fuelled Designathon to the electrifying Robosoccer with Roboknights; Domain Squares’ gaming showdown, the exciting cubing events by Cubxl, combined with a unique challenge from CyberX! Each moment is an opportunity to learn, connect, inspire, and redefine what’s possible.