Current Affairs August 2023

India to host the Global India AI 2023 Conference on 14-15 October 2023. This will provide a platform for discussions on various AI-related topics.

1. Topics of discussion at the conference include next-generation learning, foundational artificial intelligence models, and AI applications in healthcare, governance, electric vehicles, and computing systems.
2. The conference will feature the participation of leading players, experts in artificial intelligence, researchers, startups, and investors from around the world.
3. The conference aims to catalyze India’s AI landscape and innovation ecosystem, fostering growth and development in the AI sector.
4. The conference will showcase India’s vibrant AI ecosystem, featuring initiatives such as DI Bhashini, India Datasets Program, India AI Future design program for startups, and India AI Future Skills program aimed at nurturing AI talent.

Q.: What is the main purpose of the Global India AI 2023 Conference?

a) Showcasing art and culture
b) Hosting sports events
c) Providing a platform for AI discussions
d) Focusing on space exploration

Ans : c) Providing a platform for AI discussions

The world’s first 100 percent ethanol-fueled variant of Toyota’s Innova car has been launched by Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari on 29 August 2023 in New Delhi. This world’s first electrified flex-fuel vehicle, featuring BS-VI (Stage-II) compliance can function fully on ethanol-based fuel.

1. Benefits of Ethanol Blended Fuel: The adoption of ethanol blended is beneficial for the agriculture sector’s growth and reducing the country’s dependence on oil imports.
2. Ethanol Blending Achievements: India achieved 10 percent ethanol blending ahead of the initial target of 2022.

What is Flex Fuel Technology

Flex fuel technology allows engines to use ethanol-blended petrol or gasoline beyond 20 percent, aiming to reduce carbon emissions, promote sustainable mobility, and decrease dependency on traditional fuels.

Q.: What is the key feature of the world’s first ethanol-fueled car launched by Nitin Gadkari?

a) It’s the fastest car ever built
b) It can run on multiple types of fuels simultaneously
c) It functions entirely on ethanol-based fuel
d) It’s a self-driving car

Ans : c) It functions entirely on ethanol-based fuel

The Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument onboard Chandrayaan-3 Rover has conducted the first-ever in-situ measurements of the lunar surface near the south pole. These measurements have successfully confirmed the presence of Sulphur (S) in the region, which was not possible using the instruments onboard orbiters.

• LIBS is a scientific technique that involves exposing materials to intense laser pulses to analyze their composition.
• The process generates localized and extremely hot plasma on the material’s surface, and the resulting plasma light is analyzed to determine the composition.
• Initial analyses showed the presence of Aluminum (Al), Sulphur (S), Calcium (Ca), Iron (Fe), Chromium (Cr), and Titanium (Ti) on the lunar surface.
• Further measurements revealed the existence of manganese (Mn), silicon (Si), and oxygen (O), while investigation of Hydrogen presence is ongoing.
• The LIBS payload was developed at the Laboratory for Electro-Optics Systems (LEOS)/ISRO in Bengaluru.

Q.: What is the purpose of the Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) instrument onboard Chandrayaan-3 Rover?

a) To study the Moon’s gravitational field
b) To capture high-resolution images of lunar craters
c) To analyze the composition of lunar soil using intense laser pulses
d) To search for signs of past water presence on the Moon

Answer: c) To analyze the composition of lunar soil using intense laser pulses