Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu argues that predictions of AI's catastrophic outcomes are overstated and a global pause in AI development is improbable. He urges India to adopt an independent AI strategy, focusing on extensive foundational R&D across sectors, while remaining wary of market monopolisation attempts by major tech players. Vembu also highlights concerns about AI's impact on human judgment, skill development, and job markets, particularly for junior professionals.
Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has identified a significant opportunity for India as the company transitions its enterprise systems to an AI-first model. He emphasised India's crucial role, leveraging its extensive pool of technology professionals and partners, in this global technological transformation, which he likened to a "Y2K moment" for engineering.
IIIT Hyderabad and measurement technologies firm Hexagon R&D India have collaborated to establish the Hexagon Digital Twin Centre of Excellence (CoE) at the IIIT Hyderabad campus. This CoE will focus on applied research, education, and industry collaboration in computer vision, spatial computing, and AI-powered digital twins, providing access to advanced imaging technology.
A joint report by Deloitte India and FICCI projects India's consumer economy to reach USD 1.9 trillion by 2030. This growth will be fuelled by rapid AI adoption, evolving consumer preferences, and new commerce models like e-commerce and quick commerce. India leads in AI adoption among top countries, with businesses leveraging it for engagement, innovation, and forecasting. The report also highlights the emergence of a new Indian consumer seeking convenience and transparency, and identifies key trends shaping FMCG, retail, and e-commerce sectors.
Mukesh Ambani, Chairman of Reliance Industries, has called upon India's engineering talent to spearhead Jio's ambitious artificial intelligence initiative. He emphasized India's role as a creator and global leader in AI, not just a consumer, outlining the execution phase of Reliance Intelligence with partnerships and a focus on developing affordable, language-fluent AI for all Indians.
Jio Platforms Ltd's (JPL) public offer, valued at Rs 30,213 crore, was fully subscribed within 100 minutes of opening, making it the fastest-ever subscribed IPO in India, driven by strong institutional demand.
Despite recent foreign portfolio outflows, India's long-term investment prospects remain strong, but the return of capital hinges on global financial conditions, relative valuations, and the country's ability to attract sustained foreign investment, according to foreign bankers at the Business Standard BFSI Insight Summit.
Top US and Chinese officials, including Vice Premier He Lifeng and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, held "candid, in-depth and constructive" talks in New York on economic and trade issues, with a specific focus on artificial intelligence. These discussions precede Chinese President Xi Jinping's anticipated visit to Washington and occur amidst new US sanctions targeting countries purchasing Russian oil and gas, and the US unveiling an "AI Force."
Indian AI startups are finding it challenging to secure their first few US customers due to the demand for proven track records, high local hiring costs, and visa hurdles, even as venture capital firms launch programmes to facilitate their entry into the American market.
The lack of faster growth in salaried jobs may well account for the degrowth in the unemployed educated population who are actively seeking jobs.
Indian government bond yields have recorded their worst losing streak in three decades, rising for the tenth consecutive week, driven by elevated crude oil prices and increasing global yields. The rupee also weakened, and India's foreign exchange reserves saw a significant decline.
His remarks come amid a debate over whether Tata Sons, the holding company of India's largest conglomerate Tata group, is required to go public.
Prof Ajit Kumar Chaturvedi, Vice-Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University, highlighted Artificial Intelligence's transformative potential in healthcare, emphasising its role in augmenting doctors' capabilities and enhancing efficiency. Speaking at PGIMER's Foundation Day, he stressed the need for India to develop AI solutions tailored to its unique healthcare realities, moving beyond being a mere consumer of Western-trained systems. PGIMER Director Vivek Lal also detailed the institute's expansion and commitment to affordable healthcare.
Chinese President Xi Jinping is set to visit the United States from September 23 to 25 for summit talks with US President Donald Trump, with discussions expected to cover critical economic and trade issues, including AI, and the recently signed US sanctions law targeting countries buying Russian oil and gas.
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan launched Gnani Artha, an end-to-end sovereign AI stack for Indian enterprises and public institutions. He emphasised that new technologies, including AI, will enhance ease of work and create more jobs, drawing parallels with the IT industry's growth. The initiative, backed by the India AI Mission, aims for self-reliance and includes the Gnani Evon v3.3 language model and Gnani Plexus AI platform, offering cost-effective Indic language capabilities.
Vice President CP Radhakrishnan launched Gnani Artha, an end-to-end sovereign AI stack for Indian enterprises and public institutions. He emphasised that new technologies, including AI, will enhance ease of work and create more jobs, drawing parallels with the IT industry's growth. The initiative, backed by the India AI Mission, aims for self-reliance and includes the Gnani Evon v3.3 language model and Gnani Plexus AI platform, offering cost-effective Indic language capabilities.
Sebi chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey acknowledged that all global jurisdictions experienced lower liquidity during the initial implementation phases of the closing auction session (CAS), a stock price determination framework introduced in India on August 3.
Mahindra Group's Bristlecone, a supply chain services provider, has reported a 24 per cent year-on-year topline growth and aims for a billion-dollar valuation. The company is expanding its offerings in AI, data analytics, and product engineering, focusing on resilient supply chains for global enterprises.
Renowned filmmaker Rajkumar Hirani believes artificial intelligence will entirely transform the film industry, making production more cost-effective and efficient. He highlights AI's potential as a "game changer" while also cautioning that its effective use requires extensive research and adaptation.
India's IT services industry is witnessing a surge in mergers and acquisitions, particularly among mid-cap companies, as AI-led pricing pressure and macroeconomic uncertainty compel firms to seek scale, capabilities, and broader market reach. This trend is exemplified by the recent merger of Happiest Minds Technologies and ITC Infotech, aiming to offer end-to-end solutions and compete for larger transformation programmes.
Cathy Li, Head of the Centre for AI Excellence at the World Economic Forum, advocates for integrating AI literacy into India's education curriculum and incentivising AI companies to prioritise child safety. She stresses the need for localised solutions that account for India's linguistic and cultural diversity, as well as varying levels of connectivity and digital literacy, to ensure AI systems are safe and beneficial for children.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh stated on Sunday that the Indian Air Force's Operation Sindoor demonstrated its capability to strike targets across the Western front, serving as a warning to adversaries. He highlighted the operation's validation of the IAF's capability-centric approach, indigenous weapon systems, and commitment to zero collateral damage, while also outlining the force's long-term vision for 2047 to become a multi-domain aerospace power.
Gautam Adani, chairman of Adani group, emphasised that energy and intelligence are inseparable national priorities, asserting that India must build its own capabilities in these sectors rather than relying on external sources, especially in the context of global conflicts and shifting supply chains.
Bristlecone, a Mahindra Group company, reported a 24% year-on-year topline growth and aims for a billion-dollar valuation. The AI-powered supply chain services provider is expanding its offerings to include data analytics, AI, and product engineering, focusing on making supply chains more resilient for its global clients across high-tech, retail, manufacturing, and life sciences segments.
Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have withdrawn Rs 44,166 crore from Indian equities in October, pushing the total outflows for the year past Rs 3 lakh crore, driven by elevated crude oil prices, a stronger US dollar, higher US bond yields, and the allure of AI-led rallies in North Asian markets.
India is adopting a two-pronged strategy for artificial intelligence development, focusing on open-source models and indigenous innovation to counter global access restrictions on advanced AI technologies. The government aims to support local developers and ensure AI creates tangible economic impact across various sectors, rather than being solely driven by market speculation.
Google has chosen four Indian startups -- Terrastack, Varaha Climate, Farmers for Forests, and Climitra Carbon -- for its inaugural Google DeepMind Accelerator: AI for the Planet programme.
Indian IT companies are experiencing a growing trend towards outcome-based pricing models, moving away from traditional time and material or fixed-price contracts, as artificial intelligence reshapes client engagement and deal structures.
IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced that the Indian government will release a consultation paper on AI regulations within a month. This framework will address critical aspects like AI safety, deepfakes, and a human-first approach, emphasising the industry's primary responsibility in ensuring safe AI deployment. The move comes amidst growing global concerns over AI risks and the need for robust safeguards.
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has approved the establishment of India's first dedicated Quantum and AI University campus in Amaravati by NIELIT. This significant project, funded by the MeitY, Government of India, will focus on advanced technologies like Quantum, AI, and Semiconductors, integrating education, research, and entrepreneurship.
Chinese President Xi Jinping addressed the BRICS summit, urging the bloc to play a significant role in achieving peace and tranquillity in West Asia and the Gulf region. He highlighted BRICS' growth over two decades, its efforts in tackling global challenges, and its steadfastness in safeguarding the interests of the Global South. Xi called for opposing the Cold War mentality, strengthening multilateralism, and promoting cooperation in emerging domains like AI, as China prepares to chair the next summit.
A Thane family is desperately searching for their 28-year-old son, Abhishek Ghone, who went missing in Nepal after flash floods struck during his Kailash Mansarovar pilgrimage. Despite using AI tools to track his location, the family seeks official verification and urges authorities to provide concrete information about his whereabouts.
Is it a boon or a curse?
India's government is set to release its draft National Steel Policy for public consultation, aiming for over 600 million tonnes of steelmaking capacity and 500 million tonnes of consumption by 2047. The policy will also introduce a ~5,000-crore scheme to incentivise small steel producers for carbon emission reduction and address challenges like raw material availability and technological dependence.
The US and India are collaborating to de-risk global supply chains for artificial intelligence technologies, particularly in semiconductor manufacturing and critical minerals processing. This partnership is facilitated through the US-led Pax Silica initiative, which aims to address over-concentration issues and single points of failure in supply chains, fostering a resilient global economy.
Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw warned of increased global turbulence from tech disruptions, AI, and financial risks in the coming years. He stated that India is strengthening its economic and technological resilience to protect its growth from external shocks. India is focusing on domestic manufacturing and design in critical tech areas while maintaining global integration, with trust becoming as crucial as cost in supply chains.
Keralam-based Genrobotics Innovations, known for its Bandicoot robots used in hazardous underground environments, has secured a project from ISRO's U R Rao Satellite Centre. The company will develop a high-precision articulated boom arm system for satellite missions, marking its entry into advanced aerospace engineering and contributing to India's commercial space programme.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised the democratisation of technology to ensure no section of society is left behind, advocating for affordable and accessible digital services, especially for the Global South. He highlighted the potential of Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) and called for solutions to cyber fraud, global standards for emerging tech, and mechanisms to identify AI-generated content during his interaction with GSMA board members.
A new study by The Energy & Climate Initiative Society (ENCIS) predicts that AI adoption in India's power generation sector will surge from 35% to 65% by 2030, becoming a core operational capability. The study highlights that nearly seven out of ten professionals see power generation as offering the best opportunity for efficiency gains through AI, driven by India's expanding digital infrastructure and significant investments from energy giants. Predictive asset management and proactive maintenance are identified as key areas for AI application, with efficiency being the primary driver for AI investments.
A study by Amazon Ads reveals that nearly 87% of Indian small and medium businesses (SMBs) believe AI has opened up new advertising opportunities, including streaming TV. The research indicates that 75% of surveyed SMBs attribute business growth to AI-enabled advertising, with 68% noting increased creativity. AI is also facilitating international trade for 59% of businesses, though human oversight remains crucial in decision-making.
