With Nvidia's second-best AI chips headed for China, the US shifts priorities from security to trade

The US has allowed Nvidia to sell powerful AI chips to China in return for a share of the profits. This shift weakens export controls and risks boosting AI-driven warfare worldwide. Allies like Australia now face hard choices between economic ties, security commitments, and trust in US leadership.

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These travel influencers don't want freebies. They're AI.

Travel brands are using AI-made influencers to promote destinations cheaply, quickly and with full control. These digital figures look real online, gain thousands of followers, and blur truth, while worrying human creators. As AI improves, travellers may trust social media less, as ads replace lived experience and personal voice online.

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Why SpaceX IPO plan is generating so much buzz

After two decades reshaping spaceflight, Elon Musk plans to float SpaceX on the stock market. The record-breaking IPO could raise over $30 billion, valuing the firm at $1.5 trillion, and fund Mars ambitions. Yet public scrutiny may challenge its bold, risk-heavy culture, and investor pressure could reshape future innovation and strategy choices.

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Oracle denies report on OpenAI data center delays

Oracle denied on Friday a media report that it was delaying OpenAI-related data centers, following investor worries over its debt-fueled AI infrastructure buildout. Shares of Oracle, which had fallen 3.6% following the report, pared some losses to be down by 2.8% in afternoon trading.

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Intel has tested chipmaking tools from firm with sanctioned China unit, sources say

Chipmaker Intel, has tested chipmaking tools this year from a toolmaker with deep roots in China and two overseas units that were targeted by US sanctions.

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AI to place India among NTT Data’s top five markets

NTT Data sees sustained demand for IT infrastructure growth, driven by AI workloads and it plans to invest heavily beyond its Rs 2,400-crore Bengaluru data centre project and an overall Rs 4,000-crore outlay in the city. The company will also scale less capital-heavy services around applications, cloud and business process transformation in the country.

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Meta partners with ElevenLabs to power AI audio across Instagram, Horizon

ElevenLabs said the collaboration will enable Meta to dub Reels in local languages, generate music, and create character voices in Horizon. The company added that its voice library now includes more than 11,000 voices across over 70 languages.

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OpenAI's latest model GPT 5.2 out with Instant, Thinking & Pro versions

Available within OpenAI's ChatGPT chatbot, the latest model can create spreadsheets and presentations, decode images, write code, and even understand long context, the company said.

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Karnataka govt tables bill empowering officials to order takedown of online hate crime content

The opposition BJP has strongly protested the bill. The bill, which has invoked provisions from the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Information Technology Act, 2000, seeks to prevent the dissemination, publication, or promotion of hate speech and crimes, prescribe punishment for such crimes, and provide compensation to victims.

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NTT Data taps Bratin Saha as CEO of new AI arm AIVista in Silicon Valley

Saha has a PhD in computer science from Yale University. He brings deep expertise in AI, infrastructure, platforms, and solutions and specialises in scaling new businesses and ecosystem relationships.

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Retail investors to drive India’s MF, equity assets past Rs 550 lakh crore by 2035; F&O losses prompt shift to long-term investing: Report

The report, ‘How India Invests 2025’, said a doubling of household penetration of mutual funds from the current 10% to around 20%, rising systematic investment plans (SIP) ticket sizes, and investor onboarding beyond the top 30 cities, will deliver much of this expansion.

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ICC on a sticky wicket as JioStar seeks to exit deal

In a surprising turn of events, JioStar has communicated to the ICC that it must retract from its media rights contract for cricket events, primarily due to major financial challenges. This development has prompted the ICC to scout for alternative partners to secure rights for future tournaments.

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ET in the Valley: AngelList rethinks India play as new rules impact investing

Despite operational complexities India remains an important market for AngelList, Kohli said, adding that with a surge of AI and deep-tech activity many Indian founders are now splitting time between India and the US to access customers and capital. Regulatory complexity aside, the talent pipeline from India is exceptional especially in technical and product leadership, Kohli told ET.

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Apple rocked by executive departures, with chip chief at risk of leaving next

In just the past week, Apple’s heads of artificial intelligence and interface design stepped down. Then the company announced that its general counsel and head of governmental affairs were leaving as well. All four executives have reported directly to chief executive officer Tim Cook, marking an exceptional level of turnover in Apple’s C-suite.

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After fine against X, Musk says EU 'should be abolished'

Following a high-profile probe seen as a test of EU resolve to police Big Tech, the social media platform owned by the world's richest person was slapped with a fine of 120 million euros ($140 million) on Friday for breaking the bloc's digital rules.

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SFO Tech mulling Rs 2,270 crore electronic components plant in Tamil Nadu

The electronics manufacturing services firm, the flagship company of the NeST Group, is expected to sign a memorandum of understanding on the project with the Tamil Nadu government at the TN Rising Conclave in Madurai on Sunday.

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Indian startups entering global markets to shield operational tech from cyberthreats

India is becoming a key player in global operational technology security. The nation has launched its first comprehensive OT security testbed. This facility allows companies to test products across the entire industrial process. A new wave of Indian OT security startups is gaining traction internationally. India's neutral geopolitical stance aids these companies in global competition.

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Meesho’s 79X IPO subscription one of highest among new-age companies

QIBs bid for more than 120 times the shares of the ecommerce marketplace allocated to them, while retail investors subscribed to the book 19 times. Meesho’s Rs 5,421 crore offering will value it at Rs 51,535 crore on a post-money basis. The company is raising Rs 4,250 crore in fresh capital through the IPO. By comparison, omnichannel beauty retailer Nykaa's Rs 5,350 crore IPO was subscribed 52 times, and at-home services platform Urban Company's Rs 1,900 crore share sale was subscribed 104 times.

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Google enhances Search with follow-up questions; tests AI Mode, AI Overview merger

In a video on X demonstrating the feature, which will be rolled out first on mobile devices, Robby Stein, Google’s vice president of products, shared a travel-planning scenario involving his children, aged four and six. He asked Search for advice on what to prioritise when packing to ensure a smooth trip.

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Zepto rolls outs pan-India supply chain automation

Zepto has fully automated its backend supply chain operations across India. Over the past year, this initiative has enabled the processing of 2.5 million FMCG units every day, resulting in a remarkable 45% increase in outbound manpower efficiency and promising notable cost reductions annually.

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Nvidia servers speed up AI models from China's Moonshoot AI and others tenfold

The data comes as the AI world has shifted its focus from training AI models, where Nvidia dominates the market, to putting them to use for millions of users, where Nvidia faces far more competition from rivals such as Advanced Micro Devices and Cerebras.

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New data law spurs huge spike in cyber insurance demand

Insurers said they are seeing a 20-25% increase in demand for cyber insurance, turning it from an optional add-on to a necessary tool for compliance, as penalties under the Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act for a data fiduciary's failure to implement security safeguards could go up to Rs 250 crore, 50 times higher than before.

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AWS says custom AI chip line becomes multibillion-dollar business, unveils plans for Trainium 4

Speaking at the company’s annual event, AWS re:Invent 2025 in Las Vegas, CEO Matt Garman said that Trainium is already a multibillion-dollar business, and that 1 million Trainium chips have been deployed so far.

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Manufacturing is moving from static to hyper-flexible automation

Cedrik Neike, CEO, Siemens Digital Industries, tells Himanshi Lohchab that India needs to leapfrog manufacturing. If it copies traditional models, it will not be able to catch up.

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The big debate: Is AI a bubble?

There is palpable tension with circular deals and debt funding doing the rounds but tech honchos are certain that AI is here to stay, write Surabhi Agarwal & Himanshi Lohchab.

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Tesla new car sales in Italy rebound in November after falling for six months

Tesla's new car registrations in Italy bounced back in November after six straight months of decline, posting a 58% year-on-year increase, data from the Italian transport ministry showed on Monday.

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New-age firms rejig boards fast to plug IPO gaps: Longhouse

Indian startups preparing for IPOs are rapidly overhauling boards, hiring independent directors and boosting diversity, often within six months of filing draft prospectuses. A Longhouse study shows most appointments focus on regulatory, financial, and strategy expertise, with limited sector specialists and only modest gains in gender diversity across new-age companies.

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Balanced level of humanised AI design in chatbots enhances customer trust, comfort: B-school research

The research has studied customer behaviour towards Artificial Intelligence enabled service agents, including as chatbots, digital assistants and service robots. Conducted in collaboration with researchers from Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT), Kerala, the findings of this research have been published in the International journal of Consumer Studies.

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Electric vehicle prowess helps China's flying car sector take off

China is at the forefront of a groundbreaking era, rapidly developing flying cars with factories already testing production methods aimed for delivery as soon as next year. This innovative leap is a natural extension of China's expertise in drones and electric vehicles, bolstered by robust government backing that accelerates the growth of the burgeoning 'low-altitude economy'.

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AI helps drive record $11.8 billion in Black Friday online spending

U.S. shoppers spent a record $11.8 billion online, up 9.1% from 2024 on the year's biggest shopping day, according to Adobe Analytics, which tracks 1 trillion visits that shoppers make to online retail websites.

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Top tech and startup stories this week

Welcome to a new edition of ETtech Unwrapped — our weekend newsletter packed with the most important stories this week. Let's take a look.

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Amazon India waives seller referral fee for items below Rs 1,000 until December 31

Referral fee is a commission Amazon charges its sellers for each item sold on the platform. It depends on the product category and ranges from 2% to 16.5% of the order value.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/cQIMUN4

ONDC’s FY25 loss narrows to Rs 147 crore even as expenses stay high, revenue more than doubles

Despite the sharp topline growth, ONDC remains in the red. The net loss narrowed to Rs 147.13 crore in FY25 from Rs 195.6 crore in the previous year. Total expenses declined to Rs 180.54 crore from Rs 210.3 crore a year earlier, reflecting some cost rationalisation after the previous year’s scale-up.

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Ecommerce firm Meesho to launch IPO on December 3; targets to raise Rs 4,250-crore via fresh issue

The company's maiden public offering will conclude on December 5, and anchor investors will be allocated shares on December 2, according to the red herring prospectus (RHP) filed on Thursday. Apart from the fresh issue, the IPO will have an offer-for-sale of 10.55 crore shares by existing investors. The valuation of the firm and the total size of Meesho's IPO will depend on the price band that will be disclosed on Friday.

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Capital Group buys CarTrade Tech shares worth Rs 440 crore

US-based Capital Group, through its affiliate SmallCap World Fund, purchased more than 14.44 lakh equity shares, representing a 3.03% stake in Navi Mumbai-based CarTrade Tech, as per the bulk deal data available on the BSE.

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Grindr's two top shareholders scrap $3.46 billion take-private bid after board ends talks

Grindr's two largest shareholders said on Wednesday that they had withdrawn their proposed $3.46 billion offer to take the dating app private, shortly after the company ended talks over financing concerns.

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China pushes for mediation to resolve Nexperia dispute

China's commerce ministry said that it agreed with the European Union to urge Nexperia's Dutch and Chinese units to resolve their standoff, sidestepping the Dutch government. Following the seizure, Nexperia's Chinese unit declared independence from the European headquarters, which responded by halting wafer shipments to Nexperia's Chinese plant.

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ET in the Valley: Semicon supply chains are in constant flux on tariffs, policy swings: Pure Storage CEO

Semiconductor supply chains are in constant flux, battered by tariff swings that have created “week-to-week uncertainty” for technology companies already straining under surging AI demand, said Charles Giancarlo, CEO of data storage solutions company Pure Storage.

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Taxi-hailing apps accused of scheming with Uber to inflate prices

The lawsuit alleged the arrangements have led to "uniform or near-uniform pricing" between Uber rides and taxis booked using Uber or the defendants' apps.

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ET Soonicorns Summit Sundowner Mumbai 2025

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Wealth management firm Wealthy raises $14.5 million

Wealthy, a Bengaluru wealth management startup, has secured Rs 130 crore in a new funding round. The investment will fuel technology upgrades and expansion into new cities. The company aims to significantly increase its assets under management and grow its network of financial advisors. This funding highlights strong investor interest in India's expanding wealth sector.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/Y2rMXUP

US court of appeals upholds $194 million damages against TCS in CSC/DXC trade secrets dispute

A US Court of Appeals has issued an adverse ruling against Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in a trade secrets dispute with DXC Technology, upholding a $194 million damages award. While the court vacated the previous injunction, it directed the District Court to reassess the order. TCS is evaluating its options and intends to vigorously defend its position.

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Key milestone, will mark new growth chapter amid online, qcomm boom: Shiprocket CEO on upcoming IPO

Goel told PTI in an interview said the IPO will be an important milestone as it "institutionalises" the company that has evolved from being a shipping partner to an end-to-end e-commerce enablement platform for Indian merchants

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White House pauses executive order that would seek to pre-empt state laws on AI, sources say

The White House has paused a draft order to override state AI laws, signaling policy uncertainty.

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The AI boom is driving the economy; what happens if it falters?

In states like Nevada, North Dakota, and the Washington, DC region, traditional industries and public-sector jobs have weakened due to lower tourism, oil prices, federal cuts, and slow hiring. However, a massive AI data-center construction boom has softened the impact by creating jobs and attracting investment.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/ozn3xHw

Italy closes Google probe over unfair use of personal data after remedies adopted

Italy’s competition watchdog ended its investigation after Google agreed to revise how it asks users for data-use consent. The regulator had warned that Google’s previous wording was unclear and potentially misleading. Google will now offer clearer explanations about how personal data may be combined and used across its various services.

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Top tech and startup stories this week

Welcome to a new edition of ETtech Unwrapped — our weekend newsletter packed with the most important stories this week. Let's take a look.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/MuOnphQ

Infosys foundation awards social tech-innovators, winners receive Rs 50 lakh each

In its fourth edition three teams won Rs 50 lakh each in the main categories. Five more were selected for the jury’s special awards and will receive Rs 10 lakh each for their innovative soltions.

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Figma sued for allegedly misusing customer data for AI training

Design software company Figma was hit with a proposed class action in California federal court on Friday for allegedly misusing its customers' designs to train artificial intelligence models.

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Bengaluru Tech Summit ends with Rs 400 crore boost for deeptech startups

According to the organisers, the government and venture capital firms disbursed up to Rs 400 crore to deep-tech start-ups at the Future Makers Conclave, the flagship event of BTS 2025.

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Karnataka govt unveils 50 startup innovations at Bengaluru Tech Summit

Among the innovators was eight-year-old Athvik Amith Kumar, the youngest participant, who launched Zozo Connect, a digital business card, in the presence of IT Minister Priyank Kharge and other dignitaries.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/OBS1fMk

Video generation platform Luma AI raises $900 million, valued at $4 billion

The firm’s Indian-American CEO Amit Jain, an IITian who was formerly with Apple, told ET that the domain the company operated in is capital-intensive and requires sizable investments to scale. Sources close to the company pegged its valuation at around $4 billion.

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Microsoft launches tracker to manage autonomous AI in the workplace

The software maker on Tuesday announced Microsoft Agent 365, a program for its customers to track what it expects to be 1.3 billion agents automating office work by 2028. Agents are AI-powered programs that perform tasks on humans' behalf.

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Big banks like HDFC, Axis offer to process more credit lines on UPI

After a long wait, large banks are finally preparing to launch credit products on UPI. The credit line feature, introduced by NPCI in 2023 with significant buzz, is set for a real push, as top lenders gear up to participate.

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Mixed reactions to data law with some flagging costs, gaps

Experts see the DPDP Rules as a detailed but operationally demanding framework. “The absence of guidance on the criteria, composition of the committee, and process of determination creates regulatory opacity,” said Lagna Panda, partner at law firm AP & Partners.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/a5Ef0M7

Nearly half of Indian enterprises now running multiple GenAI use cases: EY-CII report

Nearly half of Indian enterprises (47 per cent) now have multiple Generative AI (GenAI) use cases live while 23 per cent are in pilot stage, marking a decisive shift from pilots to performance, as per a latest EY-CII report.

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RMG ban sparks massive impairments as gaming majors erase India bets

Gaming companies are reporting large write-downs after India’s real money gaming ban, with major players such as Flutter, Clairvest and Nazara recording heavy impairments. Payment firms are also seeing reduced volumes as gaming transactions fall. Several gaming platforms have shut operations or exited India as the financial impact deepens.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/fMFLkN6

EU bows to pressure on loosening AI, privacy rules

The EU plans to ease parts of its AI and data protection rules to help European businesses compete with US and Chinese rivals. Critics argue the changes weaken privacy by narrowing the definition of personal data and delaying key AI safeguards. Brussels denies lowering standards, but opposition from rights groups and lawmakers is growing.

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Cities and states are turning to AI to improve road safety

Cities and states in the United States are using AI to monitor and repair ageing roads. Hawaii, San Jose and Texas are adopting cameras and mobile data to detect hazards such as potholes, debris and damaged guardrails. These tools help officials prioritise repairs and improve safety more quickly and accurately.

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Disney reaches new deal with YouTube TV, ending a blackout that lasted over two weeks

Disney channels, including ABC and ESPN, have returned to YouTube TV after a two-week blackout. The agreement ends a dispute over licensing fees, with both sides expressing satisfaction that content is back for fans. This resolution follows a period of public sparring and accusations regarding negotiation tactics and fair pricing.

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Top tech and startup stories this week

Welcome to a new edition of ETtech Unwrapped — our weekend newsletter packed with the most important stories this week. Let's take a look.

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Rules notified for DPDP two years after act passed

The privacy law in the world’s largest data market with over 800 million internet users has been 15 years in the making. Several provisions of the Act became effective Friday, while others will come into force in a graded manner over the next 12 to 18 months.

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US trade tribunal to consider new Apple Watch import ban

The ITC said in an order that it would investigate whether Apple Watches that were redesigned to circumvent a previous import ban issued by the commission still infringe Masimo patents covering blood-oxygen measurement technology.

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Tech groups flag implementation challenges with proposed AI rules

India’s proposed crackdown on AI-generated deepfakes may overburden legitimate firms without curbing bad actors, warn DSCI, ITI, and IAMAI. They flagged the proposed amendments as overly broad, which would impose compliance burdens on digital intermediaries without effectively addressing the risks AI-generated deepfakes pose.

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Nexperia customers in talks over workaround to skirt Europe-China chip feud, sources say

Nexperia are working with the company on a workaround to bypass a feud between the Europe-based unit and its packaging plant in China. The workaround, previously unreported, is not a permanent solution, nor feasible for smaller clients, but offers a patch that could relieve some pressure on the auto market, where a scarcity of Nexperia chips has dented some production of cars and parts.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/BXZQlCW

Developer fee cuts not passed on to EU users, Apple says

Lower developer fees implemented by Apple to comply with European Union tech regulations have not reduced prices for users, the iPhone maker said on Wednesday, renewing its criticism of Europe's efforts to rein in its market power.

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Capillary Technologies trims IPO on strong cash flows, fewer exits

According to the final red herring prospectus, Capillary Technologies will raise Rs 345 crore through fresh shares against Rs 430 crore proposed in its draft prospectus filed in June. Its founder and CEO Aneesh Reddy said the company did not insist on a fixed valuation and has instead priced the IPO at a level where institutional investors are comfortable participating.

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A decade of Growwth: From mutual fund seller to stock market tsar

While startups have been queuing up to join the public markets, Bengaluru-based Groww, founded in 2016, will be one of the youngest Indian fintech ventures to go public, joining the ranks of PB Fintech, Paytm and Mobikwik.

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Apple pulls two gay dating apps in China under government order

Apple said it has pulled two of China's biggest gay dating apps, Blued and Finka, under pressure from Chinese authorities, in the latest sign of a tightening grip on the LGBTQ+ community.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/qI6w2gU

Digital lending fintech Finnable raises Rs 250 crore from Z47, TVS Capital

Finnable has raised Rs 250 crore this August in a funding round led by Z47 (formerly Matrix Partners) and TVS Capital. Post this round, the total capital raised by the Bengaluru-based lending startup stands at Rs 540 crore. The MEMG family office, led by Ranjan Pai, has also invested in the company.

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PhysicsWallah garners Rs 1,563 crore from anchor investors ahead of IPO

PhysicsWallah on Monday said it has raised Rs 1,563 crore from anchor investors, just a day before the opening of its initial public offering (IPO). This will be the first major pure-play edtech company to float its IPO in the country.

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Groww IPO charges up new deal activities in wealthtech startups

A bunch of investment deals are brewing in startups which are building digital platforms to offer services across stock broking, wealth management and mutual fund distribution, according to people with knowledge of the matter.

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Lenskart CEO Peyush Bansal calls IPO ‘Day Zero’ on eve of listing

On the eve of the listing, CEO Peyush Bansal emphasised that the IPO is the start of a new chapter for the company. "The bell will ring. We'll take a deep breath, smile and get back to work. Because for us, every customer, every day, every smile of clarity is Day Zero," the note read.

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India to gain from ex-ante regulation of digital markets: MCA

India’s corporate affairs ministry plans a market study to assess the impact of proposed ex-ante rules in the draft Digital Competition Bill aimed at regulating major tech firms. The study will examine financial thresholds, covered services, and effects on competition, innovation, and smaller players before finalising the new law.

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InCred Holdings files draft prospectus with Sebi through confidential route

InCred Holdings, parent of InCred Financial Services, has confidentially filed for an IPO with Sebi, aiming to raise Rs 4,000–5,000 crore. Founded by Bhupinder Singh, the firm spans lending, wealth, and investment services. The move follows fresh investments and comes amid a surge of fintech listings in India.

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Indian envoy Kwatra, Intel CEO discuss semiconductor, AI plans for India

India’s Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, held a virtual meeting with Intel CEO Lip Bu Tan to discuss the company’s semiconductor and AI plans in India. The talks align with India’s push to boost these sectors ahead of the India-AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi next February.

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A crisis at chipmaker Nexperia sent automakers scrambling; here's what to know

A global car production crisis erupted after the Dutch government seized control of Chinese-owned chipmaker Nexperia over security fears. The dispute disrupted semiconductor supplies, halting Honda’s Mexican plant and threatening other automakers. Tensions eased as China agreed to resume exports, raising hopes of restoring chip flows soon.

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Southern states tee off as ease of living drives investment race

From golf tourneys and buzzing nightlife to global cuisines and cutting-edge amenities, states' investor pitches take a leisurely turn.

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Meta plans $600 billion US spend as AI data centers expand

Meta has doubled down on AI, with a target of achieving superintelligence, a theoretical milestone where machines outthink humans. It has pledged hundreds of billions of dollars to build several large AI data centers and plans bigger outlays to meet compute needs.

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Headroom for AI-led productivity boost high in India: MeitY Secretary

India holds significant potential for AI-driven productivity gains, with a lower risk of job disruption compared to other nations. According to a government official, Indian businesses are prioritizing AI for enterprise purposes over entertainment. A new agenda aims to accelerate adoption by addressing data transfer and access to government datasets.

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TVS Motor to divest Rapido stake to Accel, Prosus for Rs 288 crore

TVS Motor Company is selling its stake in Rapido. Venture capital firm Accel and investor Prosus will acquire shares for Rs 288 crore. This move comes as Rapido is reportedly closing a larger funding round. Swiggy is also divesting its Rapido shares due to a conflict of interest. Rapido is expanding its ride-hailing and food delivery services.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/59YvSnO

Manipal expresses interest in bidding for Byju’s parent

Ranjan Pai’s Manipal Education & Medical Group (MEMG) has emerged as a potential bidder for Think & Learn, the bankrupt parent of edtech firm Byju’s, people briefed on the developments said. Prospective buyers will have the option to acquire either the entire Think & Learn, or select assets of the company, including its Aakash stake and other businesses such as GeoGebra, WhiteHat Jr and Toppr.

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Amazon lawsuit ‘threat to all internet users’: Perplexity

Artificial intelligence (AI) startup Perplexity termed the lawsuit brought by Amazon against its agentic shopping tool a “threat to all internet users.” The online retail giant has approached the US District Court for the northern district of California to prohibit the use of Perplexity’s Comet AI agent on its platform, citing security risks and misconduct.

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Apple readies a low-cost laptop to rival Chromebooks and Windows PCs

The new device — designed for students, businesses and casual users — will target people who primarily browse the web, work on documents or conduct light media editing. Apple is also targeting would-be iPad buyers who might prefer a traditional laptop experience instead.

from Tech-Economic Times https://ift.tt/6IUZWnq

ET Startup Awards 2025: Shark Tank trained me for public scrutiny: Lenskart's Peyush Bansal

Peyush Bansal, cofounder and chief executive of omnichannel eyewear retailer Lenskart, said listing the company is ticking one of the boxes in a long to-do list. In a fireside chat with ET’s Samidha Sharma, Bansal thanked the investors as the initial public offering of Lenskart was fully subscribed on the very first day.

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Zepto removes handling, surge fees from all orders weeks after $450 million funding boost

Following this move, Zepto has positioned itself as the quick commerce platform offering the lowest price. Per experts, as competition intensifies in the sector, discounting will continue and, in fact, increase in the coming months.

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South Korea, Singapore sign MOUs on AI, green shipping: President Jae Myung

South Korea and Singapore agreed to work together on artificial intelligence, green shipping, and defence technology. The agreements were confirmed by President Lee Jae Myung and Prime Minister Lawrence Wong after their summit in Seoul, highlighting closer ties between the two nations.

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Nexperia's China unit says it has 'sufficient inventories' after Dutch parent's supply suspension

Dutch chipmaker Nexperia’s China branch said it has enough stock and secure supply chains despite its Dutch parent stopping wafer shipments over a payment dispute. After Dutch authorities seized control from Chinese owner Wingtech, tensions rose, but China may soon allow exports again following trade talks between the US and China.

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Half of all US semiconductor companies are run by foreign born CEOs: Global Semiconductor Alliance CEO

Jodi Shelton, CEO of the Global Semiconductor Alliance, said that President Donald Trump’s recent announcement of a $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions for foreign workers felt like “a slap in the face.” GSA is an industry organisation that represents 300 corporate members, including more than 120 public companies that includes makers or service providers of semiconductors, software, solutions, systems, and services.

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ETtech Deals Digest: Startups raise $1.9 million in October, up 3x on-year

Indian startups secured $1.9 billion in funding during October, a threefold increase over the previous year. This surge was driven by 85 funding rounds, with notable investments in Zepto and Uniphore. The last week of October alone saw $446 million raised, highlighting continued investor confidence.

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EU determined to find diplomatic solution with Nexperia, EU tech chief says

The European Union is determined to find a diplomatic solution with Dutch chipmaker Nexperia amid concerns about a supply squeeze, EU tech chief Henna Virkkunen said.

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India is about tech talent availability, not low-cost options: Databricks cofounder Patrick Wendell

Patrick Wendell told ET that the company is betting on India as both, a key development hub and business market. He also said Databricks is IPO-ready, with India contributing to core product development and future growth.

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Swiggy’s Majety says won’t chase volume growth at cost of poor AOV; Zepto hits back

The statement made at the company’s post-earnings call followed an analyst pointing out Zepto’s claim to have crossed two million daily orders during the Diwali period. Without naming any company, Sriharsha Majety also said that while it’s easy to see the numbers of listed players, it’s difficult for private players.

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Microsoft Azure, 365 down for thousands of users, Downdetector shows

Azure was down for over 16,600 users and Microsoft 365 was down for nearly 9,000 users, according to Downdetector, which tracks outages by collating status reports from a number of sources.

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GlobalFoundries to expand German facility with $1.28 billion investment

US chipmaker GlobalFoundries on Tuesday said it will invest 1.1 billion euros ($1.28 billion) to expand manufacturing capabilities at its German facility as it looks to increase production.

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Amazon targets as many as 30,000 corporate job cuts, sources say

Amazon is gearing up for a major shakeup, potentially cutting 30,000 corporate roles from its ranks. This strategic decision is part of a broader effort to rein in costs after a hiring spree fueled by pandemic demands. With this anticipated drop, the company is poised for its largest workforce contraction since 2022.

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LSEG partners with Anthropic to bring financial data access to Claude users

Anthropic to give Claude users access to data licensed through LSEG products. LSEG shares rose by as much as 1.7% after the announcement.

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Meta launches 'ghost posts' that disappear after 24 hours on Threads

The feature is aimed at boosting usage, expanding options for users to share posts on the app, similar to the widely used "stories" employed across Meta's Instagram and Facebook.

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Packed festive show delivers a big ecommerce hit; sales jump 27%

India's festive e-commerce season saw a robust 27% year-on-year sales growth, fueled by GST cuts and strong demand from non-metro cities. Analysts highlight a shift towards quality and D2C brands, with quick commerce playing a significant role. Premium categories and gifting saw notable surges, setting a positive outlook for FY26.

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Accel, Prosus team up for early-stage investments in India

Leading tech investor firms Prosus and Accel have teamed up to bolster India's dynamic early-stage startup landscape. This collaborative effort will target initiatives in advanced manufacturing, energy transition, and AI-driven automation. This partnership represents a significant step for Prosus in broadening its investment strategy on a global scale.

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Reliance investments in AI infra may top $12-15 billion: Report

Reliance will spend approximately $12-15 billion on AI infrastructure to develop a 1GW datacenter, underwriting about 25% of the capacity itself. A new wholly-owned subsidiary, Reliance Intelligence will spearhead the conglomerate's AI initiatives.

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Lenskart to launch IPO on October 31; files RHP

Lenskart has filed the red herring prospectus for its initial public offering (IPO), which will be launched on October 31. The IPO, which will close on November 4, will see Lenskart raise Rs 2,150 crore and shareholders sell 127.5 million shares via the offer-for-sale (OFS) portion, as per the RHP.

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Ola Electric board greenlights Rs 1,500 crore fundraise plan

Ola Electric has approved plans to raise up to Rs 1,500 crore through equity and convertible securities. The board made the decision on October 25, after announcing the meeting earlier. Funds may be raised through various routes such as public offer, rights issue, qualified institutional placement (QIP), private placement

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Big Tech makes Cal state its AI training ground

California State University has launched an AI initiative with partners like Amazon, OpenAI, and Nvidia to prepare students for AI-driven careers. Through camps and collaborations, students learn tools like Amazon Bedrock and ChatGPT Edu. Supporters see opportunity; critics warn universities risk losing independence and promoting unproven corporate technology.

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US pushes regulators on connecting data centres to grid

US Energy Secretary Chris Wright directed federal regulators to consider a rule speeding up data center connections to electric grids, allowing joint requests to reduce study times and costs. The administration aims to boost power capacity and grid access for the data center industry amid rising demand, though environmentalists criticize the accelerated review process.

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OpenAI backs a new venture trying to thwart AI bio attacks

Valthos, a New York-based biosecurity startup founded by Kathleen McMahon and Tess van Stekelenburg, has emerged from stealth with $30 million in funding from OpenAI, Founders Fund, and Lux Capital. Using AI to detect and counter bioweapon threats, Valthos aims to strengthen biodefense as AI advances heighten global biosecurity risks.

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Mobikwik’s COO for consumer payments Mohit Narain steps down citing health reasons

Narain, who was chief operating officer for consumer payments, has been relieved of his duty from the close of business today. Narain had joined the digital payments company in 2018 as a product and growth coach.

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Experts hail deepfakes labelling rules, flag usage, overreach risks

​​Under the draft amendments notified by the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), social media platforms such as Meta, X and Google would be required to label AI-generated content with markers that cover at least 10% of the display area or the first 10% of the audio duration.

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Google's quantum computer makes a big technical leap

Michel H Devoret, awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics, demonstrated in the 1980s that quantum mechanics’ unusual properties could appear in visible electrical circuits, enabling superconducting qubits. His work underpins quantum computing, now advancing rapidly at Google, promising breakthroughs in drug discovery, materials science, and problems unsolvable by classical computers.

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Atlan is building a bridge to bring AI pilots to real world

As AI adoption grows, Atlan aims to help companies move from small AI tests to full use. Cofounder Prukalpa Sankar says most AI projects fail early. Atlan connects scattered company data into one clear layer, helping AI systems better understand business meaning and boosting success in real-world use.

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OpenAI launches web browser to compete with Google Chrome

OpenAI is launching its own web browser, called Atlas, stepping into direct competition with Google. By becoming a new way for people to search online, OpenAI hopes to attract more users and earn from ads. Despite having over 800 million ChatGPT users, most use it for free, so profits remain low.

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Visa hurdles make US tech hirings tough for Indian-founded AI startups

Indian AI startups are struggling to hire tech talent in the US. New H-1B visa fees and immigration anxieties make visa holders hesitant to join smaller companies. This forces startups to seek US citizens and green card holders. The talent crunch impacts hiring decisions, shifting focus from immigration policy to available candidates.

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Apple nears $4 trillion valuation as shares surge on strong iPhone 17 demand

Apple shares have reached an all-time peak, approaching a $4 trillion market valuation. Strong early sales of the latest iPhone models in China and the United States are driving this surge. Analysts anticipate Apple will exceed expectations for the current quarter and provide positive forecasts for the December period. This performance marks a significant turnaround for the company's stock.

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GenAI makes cyber fraud look more credible

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Meesho IPO: Ecommerce platform files updated papers for $800 million IPO; eyes December 2025 listing

Meesho IPO scheduled for December 2025. The ecommerce company aims to raise approximately Rs 5,800 to Rs 6,600 crore. This move will make Meesho the first pure-play horizontal ecommerce marketplace to list in India. Early investors are expected to partially exit through the offering.

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Chinese tech giants pause stablecoin plans after Beijing steps in, FT reports

Companies have put their stablecoin ambitions on hold after receiving instructions from Chinese regulators, including the People's Bank of China and Cyberspace Administration of China, not to move ahead with the plans, FT reported.

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Meesho files updated papers for $800 million IPO; eyes December 2025 listing

Meesho is preparing for its stock market debut in December 2025. The e-commerce company aims to raise approximately Rs 5,800 to Rs 6,600 crore. This move will make Meesho the first pure-play horizontal e-commerce marketplace to list in India. Early investors are expected to partially exit through the offering. Other new-age companies like Lenskart and Groww are also planning IPOs.

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Licious FY25 revenue grows 16%; Ebitda loss narrows

Meat and seafood retailer Licious reported a 16% revenue increase to Rs 795 crore in FY25, driven by its omnichannel strategy. The company also saw a 45% reduction in EBITDA losses. In the first half of the current fiscal, Licious achieved 42% revenue growth, expanding its retail footprint to 50 outlets.

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Zepto’s $450 million funding could increase competition, cash burn in industry: analysts

Quick commerce platform Zepto closed a $450 million round in a mix of primary and secondary transactions on Thursday. Founder Adit Palicha told ET in an interview that the firm plans to invest the proceeds in growth, adding a “few hundred” dark stores, and focus on volume expansion over the next 12 months.

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ETtech Explainer: Decoding Blinkit's 9X revenue surge amid slow margin growth

Eternal-owned Blinkit reported a 9x jump in its revenue in Q2 of FY26 to Rs 9,891 crore, up from Rs 1,156 crore in the same period last year. This follows the company's shifting from a marketplace model to an inventory model and aggressive expansion of dark stores. The topline growth of Blinkit also came on the back of the aggressive expansion of its dark stores. The company added 272 new dark stores in the September quarter, bringing the total count to 1,816 stores. It plans to reach the 3,000 mark by March 2026.

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Big US court relief for H-1B spouses, but worries remain

The spouses of H-1B workers, who are skilled professionals, were given H4 Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) allowing them to work in the US starting 2015. Joel Yanovich, attorney, Murthy Law Firm, said that over 200,000 H-4 EADs have been issued to date. According to data shared by Boundless Immigration, a US-based agency, 90% of the H-1B beneficiaries are Indians.

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Lyft to open Toronto tech hub, deepening push beyond US market

The office will be located in Toronto's financial district and will host several hundred employees across engineering, product, operations and marketing, as the company expands its presence in Canada.

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Alarms go off as Sebi chief warns of a looming quantum apocalypse

Securities Exchange Board of India (Sebi) chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey warned that quantum computing could trigger a disruption to the economy similar to that spawned by the Y2K crisis in 2000, conveying the urgency and uncertainty this swiftly approaching technological shift has created in regulatory circles.

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Anthropic aims to nearly triple annualized revenue in 2026, sources say

The company is on track to meet an internal goal of $9 billion in annual revenue run rate - a calculation of annual revenue extrapolated from the current sales pace - by the end of 2025, the people said. For 2026, Anthropic has set even more aggressive targets: a base case of more than doubling to $20 billion in annualized revenue and a best case of as much as $26 billion, the people said, requesting anonymity to discuss private figures.

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TCS job cuts: Karnataka union submits records of two cases, not mass layoffs

KITU’s documents did not indicate any mass layoffs, senior labour department officials told ET. TCS general manager (HR) Boban Varghese Thomas appeared for the software major, while KITU president VJK Nair, general secretary Suhas Adiga, and secretary Sooraj Nidiyanga appeared for the employees in Bengaluru on Wednesday.

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Brands, sellers gear up for a strong finish to ecomm festive sale

With much of the shopping in the final week happening for last-minute purchases and gifting purposes for Diwali, sellers and brands are expected to step up discounting to as much as 20-30% with certain categories seeing discounts as high as 40%, brands and analysts said. This festive season, discounting has gone upwards of 5-6% compared to last year.

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CDAC to tape out local chiplet tech demonstrator by Q1 FY27

The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) will unveil a technology demonstrator of an indigenous chiplet by the first quarter of 2026-27, marking a critical milestone in India’s high-performance computing and semiconductor roadmap, said SD Sudarsan, executive director of C-DAC, Bengaluru.

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Intel customers to test new GPU late next year

Intel announced that customers will begin sampling its next-generation data center GPU, Crescent Island, in the second half of 2026. The chip aims to enhance AI and high-performance computing capabilities, reflecting Intel’s efforts to expand its presence in the enterprise GPU market and compete with rivals like Nvidia and AMD.

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California governor signs law to protect kids from the risks of AI chatbots

California Governor Gavin Newsom signed a law regulating AI chatbots to protect children and teens. Platforms must disclose chatbot interactions every three hours for minors, prevent self-harm content, and refer at-risk users to crisis services.

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100k H-1B visa fee disrupts Telugu graduates' career plans, marriages, faith

Some estimates suggest that 10–15% of all H-1B visas are filled by applicants from the twin Telugu states, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana. With Indians accounting for nearly 71% of total H-1B allocations, this translates into tens of thousands of young Telugu graduates, engineers, and tech professionals.

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Warburg Pincus nears deal to buy Germany's PSI for more than 700 million euros, sources say

The transaction would value PSI at 45 euros per share, the sources said, a premium of more than a third over Friday's closing price.

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AI will transform agriculture: Maharashtra CM

Maharashtra chief minister Devendra Fadnavis said new tech like AI, blockchain, and digitisation is making both business and government more open and efficient. He believes these tools can help farmers earn more and lose less. Speaking at a tech event, he highlighted AI's power to bridge social and economic gaps.

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Children plug into AI chatbots, leaving reality, parents behind

Conversational AI apps like Chai and Character.AI let users create and interact with virtual personas, while Roblox is a social gaming universe where kids play and interact daily. ​​Together, these interactive platforms and games, experts told ET, represent a rapidly expanding digital ecosystem where young users are spending increasing amounts of time—often to the point of problematic use or dependency.

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Meta hires Thinking Machines Lab cofounder Andrew Tulloch

Led by former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati, the startup had been approached or offered jobs by Meta in the past as well but the latter had pushed back on some of these claims. Andrew Tulloch previously worked at OpenAI and Facebook’s AI Research Group. WSJ reported that a Thinking Machine Labs spokesperson confirmed Tulloch’s departure to the WSJ, saying he “has decided to pursue a different path for personal reasons.”

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Allahabad HC asks Google, Meta to remove 'objectionable' videos against Rambhadracharya

The court instructed the petitioners to provide the relevant URL links to the social media companies to facilitate the removal process. The next hearing in the case has been scheduled for November 11.

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‘Silent layoffs’ tighten grip in 2025: 50k tech jobs on the line

While Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) drew much attention when it announced in July that it was sacking 2% of its workforce (about 12,000 out of 600,000) by March 2026, scores of large and medium-sized technology services companies have been asking people to resign or find other jobs quietly. While the total number of dismissals is difficult to measure, estimates peg this at 25,000 between 2023 and 2024, suggesting that the number is set to double this year.

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Bira 91 founder Ankur Jain details fundraising efforts amid leadership crisis

In a LinkedIn post, Jain reassured staff in the post that employees would be prioritised in the fundraise and emphasised a commitment to payroll timeliness, noting that since Bira 91’s inception in 2015 until early 2025, payroll was always given importance over other investments.

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Samsung hit with $445.5 million US jury verdict over wireless communications patents

The jury said that Samsung's laptops, Galaxy smartphones and other wireless-enabled devices infringe four Collision patents. The verdict is one of several nine-figure patent infringement verdicts that Samsung has been hit with in the same Marshall, Texas court in recent years.

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Nvidia-backed Reflection AI raises $2 billion in funding, boosts valuation to $8 billion

The funding round, led by Nvidia, saw participation from prominent investors, including former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, Citi, and Donald Trump Jr-backed private equity firm 1789 Capital, as well as existing investors Lightspeed and Sequoia.

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UK’s Revolut to launch its payment platform in India; aims for 20 million customers by 2030

London-based digital finance firm Revolut is launching its payment platform in India, marking its entry into a major digital payments market. The platform will facilitate domestic and international payments through partnerships with Unified Payments Interface and Visa, with a goal of acquiring 20 million customers by 2030.

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Centre’s DLI tag helping semicon cos win over venture capital companies

Several Indian semiconductor startups are raising funds from local venture capital firms, driven by government self-reliance initiatives, rising geopolitical uncertainty, and increased investor interest as industry veterans enter the sector. The startups include CalligoTech, 3rdiTech, SandLogic and Terminus Circuits, ET has learnt.

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Nvidia CEO Huang says chipmaker will continue to sponsor H-1B visas: Report

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang stated that the company will keep sponsoring H-1B visas and bear all related costs, despite President Trump’s recent executive order imposing a $100,000 fee per new application.

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IT cos on alert as hyperscalers eye a slice of enterprise spends

IT companies have so far been able to compensate for this impact through higher volumes from customers, which allowed revenues to grow. In 2026, there will be a push and pull between this deflationary impact and macro tailwind, according to Yogesh Aggarwal, Prateek Maheshwari and Sagar Desai, who wrote the HSBC report.

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Mattel partners with OpenAI on Sora 2 AI video model

Monday's moves are the latest in a stream of announcements for OpenAI, which sparked the modern AI boom with the launch of ChatGPT about three years ago. Many of CEO Sam Altman's ambitions are bold and expensive, even by Silicon Valley standards, sparking some concern among tech investors about whether or not AI investments are a bubble.

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DevDay 2025: OpenAI launches apps inside ChatGPT

The number of developers using OpenAI’s tools has also doubled to 4 million, and API usage has increased from 300 million tokens per minute to 6 billion, CEO Sam Altman revealed at the OpenAI DevDay in San Francisco. The new ChatGPT Apps SDK, now in preview for developers, lets them build apps that connect to data, trigger actions, and include interactive interfaces.

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Urban Company eyes ACs foray via in-house co Native: sources

The Gurgaon-based company, which offers a host of home services such as spas and AC repairs, already sells water purifiers and electronic smart locks under the ‘Native’ label. The platform has held early discussions with component makers to assemble room ACs locally, sources said.

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EU to unveil new AI strategy to reduce dependence on US and China: FT

The EU plans to launch a fresh strategy to boost locally developed AI platforms, aiming to compete with tech leaders like the US and China. Called the "Apply AI strategy", the proposal encourages the use of European AI tools across key areas such as healthcare, defence, and manufacturing.

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When AI came for Hollywood

Emily Blunt expressed alarm after learning that rising “actress” Tilly Norwood is actually AI. Speaking on a podcast, she called the development terrifying. Created to rival real stars like Scarlett Johansson, Tilly’s rise has triggered concern in Hollywood, where many fear losing roles to lifelike digital creations.

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D2C startups in big FMCG bag, but still shy of gains

Hindustan Unilever, ITC, Marico, and Emami, among others, have either acquired or taken controlling stakes in at least a dozen digital-first brands over the past five years. Though sales accelerated for the acquired startups, they continue to incur losses.

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Draft online gaming rules set stage for clean-up, esports growth

New draft online gaming rules bring clarity and recognize esports as official sports, promising career pathways and investor confidence. However, challenges remain in enforcing regulations for social games, interpreting virtual currencies, and navigating compliance costs, with a pending Supreme Court tax lawsuit further shaping the final law.

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Industry welcomes six-month window to refund real-money game deposits

MeitY's draft online gaming rules propose a 180-day transition period for companies and payment partners to refund users for real-money games before their ban. This window eases potential criminal liability for firms, though legal experts caution about users missing the deadline. The government aims for zero tolerance after this practical compliance period.

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Lenskart gets Sebi nod for Rs 8,000-crore IPO, aims for November listing: sources

Eyewear retailer Lenskart has received Sebi approval for its IPO, targeting a mid-November listing. The company aims to raise Rs 2,150 crore in fresh capital, with the total IPO size expected to be Rs 7,500-8,000 crore. Lenskart turned profitable in fiscal 2025, posting a net profit of Rs 297 crore, and will use proceeds for store expansion and acquisitions.

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Quick commerce reshapes festive shopping with idols, sweets, puja essentials

Quick-commerce platforms like Blinkit and Zepto are rapidly dominating festival puja essential sales, with the "spiritual commerce" segment nearing Rs 900 crore annually. Consumers increasingly prefer these platforms for convenience and curated assortments. Spiritual apps are also expanding into e-commerce, delivering prasad and religious items, reflecting a significant shift in festive buying habits.

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India nets $13 billion proposals under electronics component scheme: Vaishnaw

India's Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) has attracted $13 billion in investment proposals, nearly doubling its target and significantly boosting the nation's ambition to become a global electronics manufacturing hub. This overwhelming response, including strong MSME participation, aims to deepen the value chain, reduce import dependence, and achieve $500 billion in electronics manufacturing by 2031.

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Perplexity AI makes Comet browser free for everyone

Perplexity AI has made its Comet browser free for all users, as announced by CEO Aravind Srinivas. The company also introduced Comet Plus, a new subscription for news consumption featuring content from major publishers like CNN and The Washington Post. Publishers will be compensated from a $42.5 million revenue pool for their content.

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Govt sets up online gaming regulator under IT ministry

Government formed an online gaming regulator. The Online Gaming Authority of India will oversee money-gaming bans. It will operate as a digital office in Delhi-NCR. This body holds court powers. It will maintain a registry of games. Ministries now share duties. Sports ministry will promote esports. Information ministry will regulate social games.

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Hyperpure eyes home bakers, caterers amid Blinkit model shift

The push comes as Hyperpure braces for a revenue squeeze after it stopped supplying groceries to sellers on the group’s quick-commerce platform Blinkit shifted to an inventory-led model. The revenue stream accounted for more than 60% of its topline.

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Perplexity acquires Visual Electric to rival OpenAI’s Sora, Google’s Nano Banana

Perplexity AI has acquired Visual Electric, an AI-based image and video generation platform. The Visual Electric team will join Perplexity to develop new consumer product experiences, while Visual Electric winds down its current operations over 90 days, offering refunds and data export.

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Microsoft launches 365 Premium with Copilot AI assistant

The company will stop selling Copilot Pro and existing Copilot Pro and Microsoft 365 Personal or Family customers can switch to Premium. Microsoft, which also has a free version of Copilot, had launched its Copilot Pro at $20 per month last year.

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ET Explainer: OpenAI’s direct shopping via ChatGPT puts ecomm on notice

OpenAI has launched “Instant Checkout” in ChatGPT, letting US users complete purchases directly in-app, starting with Etsy and soon Shopify. Unlike earlier shopping features, this removes external redirects. Powered by the agentic commerce protocol, the move positions ChatGPT as a commerce platform, challenging Amazon and Google while offering merchants a streamlined, high-conversion sales channel.

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OpenAI launches AI video tool Sora as standalone app

OpenAI is expanding its generative AI portfolio with the launch of Sora 2, a text-to-video model, as a standalone app in the US and Canada. CEO Sam Altman highlighted that Sora 2 enables users to create videos directly from text prompts, signaling OpenAI’s growing push into multimedia AI applications.

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Defence tech startup Unmannd raises $2 million in round led by Speciale Invest, Accel

The funds will be used to speed up the commercialisation of Unmannd’s aerial logistics platform Titan, take the interceptor system Fury from PoC to market, explore export markets, and scale the engineering team.

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SaaS startup PostHog raises $75 million at $1.4 billion valuation, turns unicorn

Founded in 2020 by Hawkins and Tim Glaser, PostHog has built an integrated "customer infrastructure" platform, which combines analytics, feature flags, session replay, data warehousing, error tracking, and AI-powered automation tools. The startup enables businesses to capture detailed customer interactions and automate business logic like emails or support responses through a single platform.

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Perplexity’s Aravind Srinivas lauds Zoho’s Arattai for rapid user spike

Zoho-owned Arattai recently saw a significant increase in user traffic after endorsements from senior government officials in line with the rising preference for homegrown applications. Vembu reported that the app's traffic grew by 100 times within just three days. New sign-ups dramatically increased from 3,000 to 350,000 per day during this period.

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Flipkart group companies cut FY25 losses as Myntra stays on profit track

Under pressure to rein in losses ahead of a planned initial public offering (IPO) in 2026, Flipkart has managed to trim red ink across most of its group companies in FY25 by tightening costs. But with online retail growth slowing, revenue gains were modest.

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Kapiva raises $60 million funding led by 360 ONE Asset and Vertex Growth

Kapiva’s key categories include products for diabetes, energy, sports, nutrition, liver and heart. These products are sold through its own direct-to-consumer website, marketplace and offline stores. Currently, the brand has presence in over 40,000 offline stores, which is its fastest growing channel, and aims to get to 1 lakh offline stores within a year.

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WeWork India to float Rs 3,000-crore IPO on Oct 3

Co-working major WeWork India will launch its IPO on October 3. The issue size is estimated at Rs 3,000 crore. Bidding for anchor investors opens on October 1. The offering is entirely an Offer for Sale. Embassy Buildcon and WeWork Global will offload shares. WeWork India itself will not receive any proceeds.

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Anthropic follows in OpenAI's footsteps for India foray

AI major Anthropic is expanding its global footprint, including hiring a country lead for India, as it triples its international workforce. This move comes amidst rival OpenAI's plans to open an office in New Delhi by year-end, highlighting India's growing importance as a key AI market. Meanwhile, India is also fostering its own homegrown AI development.

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Real money gaming ban to unlock growth for ill monetised non-RMG titles: Report

India's gaming sector shifts focus to non-real money gaming. A new law banned real money gaming. Lightbox reports India has 420 million players. Non-RMG earns revenue from in-app purchases and advertising. Gamers spend on battle passes and cosmetics. Regional language content is popular. This change positions India for new revenue models.

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Data breach exposes 2.73 lakh bank records

An unsecured cloud server exposed hundreds of thousands of bank transfer records, revealing names, bank account details, and contact information. Cybersecurity firm UpGuard found over 2.73 lakh files on the Amazon server on August 26, each showing unmasked account numbers, transaction amounts, and in many cases, personal contact details.

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Anthropic to triple international workforce as AI models drive growth outside US

Nearly 80% of consumer usage for Claude comes from outside the United States, with per-person usage in countries like South Korea, Australia and Singapore outpacing that of America, the company said.

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Amazon loses VP helping lead development of artificial general intelligence

Ramakrishnan worked on the first iteration of Amazon's Alexa voice assistant and the associated Echo devices. He began his career at Netscape before moving to Tellme Networks, which was acquired by Microsoft, according to his LinkedIn profile.

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Supply chain diversification shields Indian EMS firms from US tariffs

Indian EMS firms are diversifying supply chains and expanding globally to mitigate risks from US tariffs. Syrma SGS reports limited short-term impact but may explore Mexico or West Asia if tariffs persist.

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Govt proposes tweaks to foreign investment rules for exports in possible win for Amazon

India is considering easing foreign investment rules to let ecommerce firms like Amazon buy directly from Indian sellers for exports. The draft DGFT proposal introduces a third-party export entity to handle compliance. The move, amid trade deal talks with the US, faces opposition from small retailers fearing unfair competition.

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Google, Flo Health to pay $56 million in period-tracking app privacy case

Google and Flo Health agreed to a $56 million settlement over allegations they shared sensitive menstrual and pregnancy data from Flo app users for targeted ads, violating privacy promises. Google will pay $48 million, Flo $8 million.

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Karnataka HC rejects X's challenge of govt's Sahyog portal

The court also rejected the company’s demand to declare that Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act does not authorise the government to issue information blocking orders to intermediaries, or platforms like X.

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Skills gap forces chip cos to seek global training & talent rotation

India’s semiconductor drive is slowed by a shortage of chip design and factory talent. Firms are addressing this through overseas training, global recruitment, and partnerships with local institutes. Cross-border knowledge transfer and industry-led skilling are seen as essential to closing capability gaps and sustaining the country’s semiconductor ambitions.

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Zerodha Fund House hits Rs 8,000 crore AUM: Nithin Kamath

The fund house serves over seven lakh investors across more than 16,000 pincodes, according to its website. Earlier this January, it had reported an AUM of Rs 4,287 crore, with over four lakh unique investors.

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Kedaara Capital invests $240 million in Axtria

Structured as a combination of secondary investment and company-sponsored buyback, it provides liquidity to Axtria’s current and former employees, it said. Founded in 2010, Axtria enables AI-led solutions that help life sciences organizations globally, across the commercial and clinical spectrum.

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Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw moves to Zoho software in swadeshi bid

Zoho Sheet, a product by the SaaS major, offers AI-powered tools through its assistant Zia to analyse data effectively, with nearly 40 different chart types. Reposting Union Minister Vaishnaw’s post, its former chief executive Sridhar Vembu said this would inspire the team and validate their long-term efforts.

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Oracle will manage TikTok's algorithm for US users under Trump administration deal

Determining next steps for the algorithm, currently owned by the Beijing-based ByteDance, has been one of the most closely watched issues during negotiations over TikTok's future.

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IT facing $150-550 million in immigration bill

India’s top IT firms face an extra $150-$550 million in H-1B visa fees due to a sharp hike in immigration fees. This will raise delivery costs in the US, where they earn up to 85% of their revenue. Offshoring work may rise, but onsite specialised roles will cost much more to sponsor.

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Tech talent ‘wapsi’ may boost India’s AI, SaaS, deep-tech

The US $100,000 H-1B visa fee could encourage Indian talent to return home, boosting India’s startup scene, especially in AI and deeptech. Founders expect many US-based graduates and professionals to build careers in India, seeing this as a key chance for the local tech ecosystem to grow rapidly.

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Rising paywall may push more US jobs to Indian shores

The steep H-1B visa costs, seen as a clampdown on the entry of skilled foreign workers into the US, could add costs and margin pressures but accelerate the offshoring momentum. Companies have been preparing for such protectionist policies over the past few years and reducing their reliance on H-1B visas significantly, said industry executives.

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Emerging TikTok deal with China ensures US control of board and crucial algorithm, White House says

Congress passed legislation calling for a TikTok ban to go into effect in January, but President Donald Trump has repeatedly signed orders that have allowed TikTok to keep operating in the United States as his administration tries to reach agreement for ByteDance to sell its US operations.

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Renesas tapes out 3 nm chips designed in India; sample chips with partners

Renesas Electronics has taped out—and is now sampling—3 nm (nanometre) chips designed by its Noida and Bengaluru teams for automotive applications. The sample chips are already being provided to partners, while a commercial launch date is not committed yet, Malini Narayanamoorthi, India country manager and VP of Renesas, told ET.

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xAI raises $10 billion at $200 billion valuation: Report

Elon Musk's AI firm xAI has raised $10 billion at a $200 billion valuation, CNBC reported on Friday, citing sources.

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Ola, Uber, Rapido asked to follow base fare of black-&-yellow taxis in Mumbai

In a letter dated September 16, the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Transport Authority (MMRTA) said the existing fare of black-and- yellow taxis is Rs 20.66 per km for non-AC vehicles and Rs 22.72 per km for AC vehicles.

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Microsoft boosts Wisconsin data center spending to $7 billion

Microsoft said the initial data center remains on track to open next year and will employ about 500 people at its peak, expanding to about 800 once the second data center is complete.

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ET Explainer: AR glasses privacy risks in view on big comeback

Reliance Jio, Meta, and Amazon are bringing AI-powered AR glasses to India, reviving privacy and surveillance debates reminiscent of Google Glass. While laws like the DPDP Act remain ambiguous, risks of worker surveillance and unchecked data use loom large.

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Nvidia CEO Huang caught between US, China's 'larger agendas'

Nvidia faces mounting pressure as China’s regulator orders firms to halt AI chip purchases, escalating US-China trade tensions. CEO Jensen Huang called the dispute part of “larger agendas” between nations. Despite a Trump-brokered H20 chip deal, restrictions threaten Nvidia’s 13% China sales share.

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Edtech firm Educational Initiatives acquires Open Door Education for undisclosed amount

Educational Initiatives (Ei), which has built tools to measure and improve learning outcomes of students through Ei ASSET, Ei Mindspark, and Ei CARES, operates on a B2B model and has about 1,000 schools on its network. Besides India, Ei has operations in the UAE, South Africa, Qatar, and Kuwait.

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Trump extends delay on US TikTok ban until mid-December

US President Donald Trump on Tuesday extended a delay on enforcing a ban against TikTok until December 16, marking the fourth postponement of a law designed to force the app's sale from its Chinese owner. Under the order, the US Justice Department is prohibited from taking enforcement action not only during the extended period, but also retroactively for any conduct that occurred since the ban was originally to come into force, on January 19, 2025 -- the day before Trump's inauguration.

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New US-China TikTok agreement similar to terms agreed this spring, sources say

The deal in April would have spun off TikTok's US operations into a new company based in the US and majority-owned and operated by US investors. The terms earlier this year had been approved by existing investors, new investors, ByteDance and the US government, a source said at that time.

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Applied Materials looks to link up with Semicon Mission companies

Applied Materials is engaging with newly approved semiconductor firms in India to supply equipment, services, and software. The company also eyes opportunities at Mohali’s Semi-Conductor Lab modernisation and Tata’s Dholera fab.

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CCI has not identified any conduct by Meta that denied market access to rivals, Meta tells NCLAT

Senior Advocate Amit Sibal, appearing for Meta, submitted that the Competition Commission of India (CCI )'s entire case is based on future conduct and hypothetical scenarios.

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Semiconductor, AI infra to get big chunk of new tech fund

The IDTA was launched on September 2, at Semicon India 2025, to mobilise private capital and expertise for deep tech companies in India and foster US-India collaboration in sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI) and space. Founded by venture capital and private equity firms from both countries, it aims to spur investment with an initial capital commitment of $1 billion.

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IT hiring takes a back seat in tariff rollercoaster ride

IT services companies have cut their overall hiring projections for July-December to 1-3% from 3-5% earlier, data from mass staffing firm Teamlease showed. The industry is short by nearly 150,000 hires compared to start-of-year projections. Recruitment agencies said hiring demand for software engineers has contracted sharply, with growth confined to emerging technology roles.

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Tata Technologies acquires Germany-based ES-Tec Group for €75 million

Founded in 2006 and headquartered in Wolfsburg, Germany, ES-Tec Group is a premium automotive engineering services provider with deep domain expertise in Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), Connected Driving, and Digital Engineering, the statement said.

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ETtech Explainer: Is Google’s Nano Banana AI better than OpenAI’s Sora, Adobe’s Firefly, others?

​Nano Banana is an image generation and editing model built into the Gemini app. Nano Banana enters a crowded field of generative AI tools. OpenAI’s Sora, launched in December 2024, can generate up to 60-second videos from text prompts — a longer duration than rivals such as Runway and Pika Labs, which cap at four seconds.

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Nepal social media ban lifted: Bitchat, Discord, TikTok see surge in use

During Nepal’s Gen Z protests, social media apps played a central role despite a nationwide ban. TikTok amplified anger through #NepoKids, Bitchat enabled offline coordination, and Discord hosted political debates among 145,000 users. After violent unrest and PM Oli’s resignation, Nepal lifted restrictions on 26 platforms.

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What Oracle didn’t foresee? Techies’ millions in a moment

Founder Larry Ellison was not alone in shoring up his wealth with Oracle shares' surge. Executives in 20s hit millionaire status thanks to RSUs. In India too, units worth lakhs now cross crore valuations

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How startups are fuelling the rise of financial enthusiasts as mutual fund distributors

Finance enthusiasts are increasingly becoming mutual fund distributors, drawn by the growing individual investor base and assets under management. Despite revenue challenges, technology platforms are aiding these distributors, enhancing their client services and competitiveness. Regulatory changes and market growth are creating significant opportunities, driving expansion into smaller towns and cities.

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Wikipedia will not appeal dismissal of its UK Online Safety Act challenge

The US government has criticised Britain's new online law, along with a similar policy in the European Union, and President Donald Trump could bring it up in reference to his concerns around free speech during his state visit next week.

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Centre receives 150 proposals worth 19,000 crore under ECMS

Many applicants belong to the target product segment of electro-mechanicals for electronic applications segment, for which the minimum revenue stipulated for applicants under the scheme is Rs 50 crore.

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Infosys announces its biggest-ever share buyback of Rs 18,000 crore at 19% premium

Infosys declared a buyback of shares worth Rupees eighteen thousand crore. This is the largest buyback since the company's listing. The company will buy shares at Rupees eighteen hundred apiece. This is nineteen percent higher than the current market price. The buyback aims to improve financial metrics and offer tax-efficient returns to shareholders.

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Klarna shares rise 15% in their first day of trading on Wall Street

Swedish buy now, pay later firm Klarna made a strong NYSE debut, with shares jumping nearly 15%. Opening at $52, a 30% premium, the stock closed at $45.82. The IPO, raising $1.37 billion, is the year's largest. Klarna, founded in 2005, aims to challenge credit cards, offering 'pay-in-4' plans. CEO Sebastian Siemiatkowski eyes U.S. growth.

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BacAlt Biosciences raises Rs 18 crore in round led by Avaana Capital; startup valued at $8 million

Lubrizol InnoVentures, the innovation arm of global speciality chemicals provider Lubrizol, participated in the round. The funds will be used to scale the firm’s R&D processes, build pilot production facilities, expand its team, and develop go-to-market strategies.

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AI infrastructure company Nebius to raise $3 billion to fuel growth

The financing includes a $2 billion private offering of convertible senior notes and a $1 billion underwritten public offering of the company's class A shares. Nebius said it will use the cash to finance continuing growth, including the acquisition of additional compute power and hardware, securing land plots with reliable providers and expanding its data center footprint.

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Apple launches slimmer iPhone Air, new iPhone 17

Apple unveiled the new iPhone Air and iPhone 17 at its annual event. The iPhone Air boasts a durable design and high-density battery. The iPhone 17 features a brighter screen and A19 processor. New AirPods Pro 3 offer live translation. A blood pressure monitor is coming to the Apple Watch. Prices for existing models remain unchanged.

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Apple shows new AirPods Pro with live translation, blood pressure monitor in latest Apple Watch

Apple unveiled the AirPods Pro 3 with live translation and a blood pressure monitor for the Apple Watch, pending regulatory approval. A slimmer iPhone "Air" model is anticipated, potentially leading to a foldable phone to compete with Samsung, especially in the Chinese market. The event occurs amid tariff concerns, with analysts watching for potential iPhone price adjustments.

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AI could make the smartphone passe. What comes next?

Tech giants are envisioning a future beyond smartphones, where AI assistants become central to personal computing. Predictions include smart glasses providing real-time information, ambient computers seamlessly integrated into homes, reimagined smartwatches automating tasks, and wearable recorders enhancing memory. These devices aim to augment human capabilities and offer hands-free assistance throughout the day.

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Whistleblower sues Meta over claims of WhatsApp security flaws

Attaullah Baig, ex-security head of WhatsApp, alleged that Meta ignored critical security flaws, putting billions of users at risk. Baig claims Mark Zuckerberg was warned about the weaknesses that allowed thousands of employees to access sensitive data. Meta retaliated and fired him, he says.

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UPI spends on gaming drop 26% in August after real-money ban

UPI payments for digital goods dipped in August after a blanket ban on real-money gaming. Many companies had to shut down such services, which accounted for a substantial portion of their revenues. UPI transactions in other categories, like groceries and debt collection, remained strong. Overall, transaction volumes increased, but the total value slightly decreased compared to July.

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Govt to fast-track next round of India Semiconductor Mission

The Indian government is set to roll out India Semiconductor Mission (ISM 2.0), expanding support across the semiconductor value chain, with a cabinet note expected by October-end. Industry seeks $20 billion outlay. New incentives will support fabs, packaging, design, MSMEs and supply chains, following feedback at Semicon 2025 and near-exhaustion of ISM 1.0 funds.

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AI-powered meet-up apps fight loneliness

AI-driven social apps like 222 and Kndrd aim to combat loneliness by fostering real-world connections through curated dinners, events, and activity meetups. Unlike swipe-based dating platforms, they emphasise shared values and long-term relationships.

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IT Inc worries as US may slap tariffs on software exports

India's IT sector faces potential US tariffs on software exports, threatening its largest market and impacting firms already struggling with global uncertainty and AI-driven automation. The proposed tariffs could lead to double taxation and increased costs due to visa restrictions, potentially harming the growth of India-based service providers and GCCs, while raising delivery costs.

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Trump threatens EU tariffs for 'unfair' Google ruling

President Trump has expressed strong disapproval of the European Union's hefty $3.46 billion fine imposed on Google due to antitrust issues. In response, Trump threatened to initiate a Section 301 investigation into the EU's trade practices. He vowed to protect American ingenuity and counteract what he perceives as unfair penalties against U.S. companies.

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US attorneys general warn OpenAI, rivals to improve chatbot safety

California and Delaware's attorneys general have expressed serious safety concerns to OpenAI regarding ChatGPT, especially its impact on children and teens, following reports of dangerous interactions and tragic deaths. They are reviewing OpenAI's restructuring plans to ensure rigorous oversight of its safety mission.

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Analysts expect festive online sales to grow 30% after GST relief

Amazon India will start its Great Indian Festival on September 23. This follows the GST Council's rate cuts on footwear, apparel and other items. Analysts expect the tax revision to boost demand during the festive season. Electronics and appliance sales may grow significantly. Ecommerce platforms and retailers are expected to ship goods worth Rs 1.2 lakh crore.

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Microsoft set to dodge EU fine with offer to unbundle teams

Microsoft will avoid a major EU antitrust fine after regulators accepted its offer to unbundle Teams from Office packages. The move, prompted by Slack’s 2019 complaint, follows no objections in a market test.

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Law to regulate online gaming brought without heeding to any pressure: PM Modi

In an interaction with national awardee teachers, the prime minister said there are huge job opportunities in online gaming market and urged teachers to sensitise students about opportunities in the sector which can be tapped.

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AI-crafted Durga idols in UP's Gorakhpur draw global demand

Depending on size and ornamentation, the idols are priced between Rs 10,000 and Rs 2 lakh. More than 20 artisans are working round-the-clock at the Gorakhnath temple to craft idols using AI.

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How Elon Musk is remaking Grok in his image

Elon Musk’s xAI chatbot Grok, promoted as neutral and truth-seeking, has been repeatedly tweaked to align more with Musk’s conservative priorities. Analyses show Grok’s answers often shifted rightward on government and economy, though left-leaning on social issues.

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Battery tech startup Offgrid Energy Labs raises $15 million in round led by Archean Chemical Industries

Existing investor Ankur Capital participated in the round. The Noida-based startup will use the fresh funds to set up a pilot manufacturing facility in the UK, expand its R&D capabilities, and commercialise its zincgel batteries. The company, which is working to help reduce dependence on lithium-ion storage solutions through zinc-bromine gel batteries for the stationary storage market, has raised a total of $12 million to date.

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Trump’s Tariff regime has created deep uncertainty for chip industry: Infineon

CS Chua, president and MD of German chipmaker Infineon Technologies Asia Pacific, said that the escalating trade tensions under US President Donald Trump’s tariff regime have created deep uncertainty for the global semiconductor industry. In an interview with ET, he said that long-term growth trajectory for semiconductors is robust, policy instability has left manufacturers reluctant to make sudden structural changes.

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Can AI teach us how animals think?

AI is helping decode animal emotions by analysing vocal patterns across species, offering insights into welfare and behaviour. Tools developed for pigs, whales, dogs, and bees show promise in agriculture, conservation, and healthcare. However, ethical concerns remain about interpretation, responsibility, and ensuring technology genuinely benefits animals rather than exploiting them.

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EV penetration in domestic 2W mkt can rise to 40% by FY31: Ather Energy

Ather Energy projects electric two-wheeler (E2W) penetration in India could reach 40% by FY31 in an optimistic scenario, driven by EV launches, government support, and infrastructure growth. The E2W market is expected to grow at 41% CAGR, with scooters leading adoption. Ather is also expanding production capacity significantly.

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AI to shape security of our future: Lt Gen Manoj Katiyar

Lt Gen Manoj Kumar Katiyar emphasised AI's vital role in future warfare at a seminar in Chandimandir, calling it essential for security and defence. He urged military-technological synergy, ethical responsibility, and collaboration with industry and academia to ensure readiness, innovation, and superiority in an increasingly contested global environment.

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ByteDance's TikTok puts up job openings for Gurgaon office on LinkedIn

TikTok, the popular ByteDance-owned short video app banned in India, has posted two job openings at its Gurgaon-based office on LinkedIn. It’s looking for a content moderator (Bengali speaker) and wellbeing partnership and operations lead.

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Musk's xAI sues engineer for allegedly taking secrets to OpenAI

Elon Musk's xAI has filed a lawsuit against a former engineer, Xuechen Li. The lawsuit alleges Li stole confidential information related to the Grok chatbot. xAI claims Li took the secrets to OpenAI after accepting a job there. The company seeks monetary damages and a restraining order.

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Cognizant to deploy 1,000 context engineers to industrialise agentic AI

Cognizant is investing in 'agentic AI' by training 1,000 context engineers and partnering with Workfabric AI. This initiative aims to leverage the ContextFabric platform to transform organizational data into actionable context for AI agents. CEO Ravi Kumar S emphasizes the importance of context in the LLM era, positioning Cognizant to drive scalable AI adoption for clients.

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'Semiconductors are new steel to build India’s eco-tech security': CG Power’s Vellayan Subbiah

Murugappa group company’s chairman Vellayan Subbiah called semiconductors the “new steel,” stressing IP ownership as vital for economic security. Through Axiro Semiconductor and an OSAT plant, the company targets design-led value, ecosystem building, and global competitiveness to strengthen India’s technological autonomy.

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Meta's Zuckerberg presses Trump on digital taxes before tariff threat: Report

Days after the meeting, Trump threatened countries that have digital taxes with "subsequent additional tariffs" on their goods if those nations do not remove such legislation.

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Malaysia unveils first edge AI processor MARS1000

SkyeChip is a Malaysian chip design firm specialising in AI and high-performance computing. An edge AI processor is a specialised chip designed to run AI-based tasks directly on devices rather than relying on distant cloud servers or data centres.

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Looking for your first job? You're AI's prime target

A Stanford study reveals a concerning trend: entry-level positions in AI-exposed fields like tech and customer support are declining due to automation. Younger workers are disproportionately affected, experiencing a 13% employment drop since late 2022. While experienced professionals remain stable, this shift raises concerns about future talent gaps and the need for adaptation in education and policy.

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ET Startup Awards 2025: Nominees for Midas Touch

The award will recognise the most lucrative exit in the year. The decision will be made based on the volume of deals as well as the size of the exit.​​

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Apple to hold fall event on September 9, new iPhones expected

Apple announced Tuesday it will hold its annual fall event on September 9, where it is widely expected to unveil the latest iPhones, Apple Watches, and other hardware updates.

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Babycare quick commerce platform Peeko raises $3.2 million in round led by Stellaris Venture Partners

Angel investors, including Maninder Gulati, former chief strategy officer at Oyo; Kunal Bahl & Rohit Bansal, cofounders of Titan Capital; Abhishek Goyal, cofounder of Tracxn; Nitin Gupta, founder and chief executive of Uni; and Arjun Vaidya, cofounder of V3 Ventures, also participated. The Bengaluru-based curated babycare products firm will use the funds to enhance its product experience, expand supply, and hire talent.

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One 97 Communications approves investments in subsidiaries via rights issue

One 97 Communications, the parent company of Paytm, has approved investments in its subsidiaries through a rights issue, enabling the company to infuse fresh capital, and support growth initiatives.

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Analysts see online platforms hiring 15% more this festival season; but onboarding faces delay

Per Teamlease, the rise in festival season hiring will largely be driven by demand in tier-2 and tier-3 cities. While the proposed hiring numbers are higher than last year, platforms are exercising caution in onboarding the workers in view of last year’s sluggish demand.

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ET Startup Awards 2025: Nominees for Best on Campus

The Best on Campus award will showcase a startup whose impact can be judged both by the idea and the execution. The founders should have been students whose aim was to build a commercial enterprise.

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Centre injects Rs 211 crore into Indian space sector under 'fund of funds for startups' scheme: Union minister Piyush Goyal

India has invested Rs 211 crore under the Fund of Funds for Startups (FFS) scheme to boost space-tech innovation, Union Minister Piyush Goyal announced.

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Musk says xAI open sources Grok 2.5

Elon Musk’s AI startup xAI has open-sourced its Grok 2.5 model, with plans to release Grok 3 in about six months.

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Silicon Valley is in its 'hard tech' era

Silicon Valley has shifted from its Web 2.0 heyday of perks and consumer apps to a more intense AI-driven era. With fewer frills and tougher tech, the focus is now on neural networks, GPUs, and defence startups, as San Francisco reclaims its place as the heart of global innovation.

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Online Gaming Act: Dream 11, My11Circle shut down real money games

Dream11 and My11Circle have ceased real-money gaming offerings following the enactment of a law banning such services. Other companies like Zupee and MPL are also discontinuing or suspending real-money games. Companies are exploring alternative advertising models and international markets to mitigate the impact of the new regulations, while also considering legal challenges based on previous court rulings favoring skill-based gaming.

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Sam Altman to visit India next month

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is planning a visit India in September, as the company is set to open its first office in the country later this year. The company has established a legal entity and is actively hiring a local team to make AI more accessible across the country.

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ETtech Deals Digest: Startups raise $269 million this week, up 19% on-year

The number of deals during the week was down to 15 transactions, compared to 31 in the corresponding week of the previous year.

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Govt commits 97% of funds earmarked for chip manufacturing

The Indian government has committed approximately Rs 62,900 crore, 97% of the Rs 65,000 crore fund, as incentives for semiconductor production. With limited funds remaining, only a few small projects can be accommodated. The Semicon India 2025 event, featuring delegates from 33 countries and top executives, will be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi from September 2-4.

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Google to offer Gemini to US agencies at $0.50 per agency a year

Google has launched Gemini for Government, joining OpenAI and Anthropic in offering AI services to US federal agencies at minimal cost. Priced under $0.50 per agency annually, this partnership with the GSA provides access to Google's AI tools like NotebookLM and Veo. This move supports the GSA's OneGov Strategy and the President's AI Action Plan.

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US IT firm Kyndryl to invest $2.25 billion in India over three years

Kyndryl will invest with a focus on talent development and setting up an AI lab in India. The company aims to modernise infrastructure, as well as support India's digital goals, including AI, cybersecurity, and IT modernisation.

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Anthropic targets nearly $5 billion in upcoming funding

Iconiq Capital will reportedly invest about $1 billion in the deal while Qatar Investment Authority and Singapore’s sovereign fund GIC may also participate in the round. Other potential investors include Amazon, which has previously held major funding for the startup.

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Anthropic eyes close to $5 billion in new funding round

Iconiq Capital will reportedly invest about $1 billion in the deal while Qatar Investment Authority and Singapore’s sovereign fund GIC may also participate in the round. Other potential investors include Amazon, which has previously held major funding for the startup.

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Whenever the US vacates policy space, China wins : ITI Council President Jason Oxman

Oxman questions whether testing infrastructure can meet needs of India-specific data centre certification regime. He cautioned India against adopting China’s AI model, urging investment in open AI infrastructure, global data flows, and semiconductors.

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India leads the world in AI-driven leadership transformation: Microsoft report

Indian organisations are rapidly adopting Artificial Intelligence. Microsoft's report indicates a significant move towards AI-driven workforce enhancement. Ninety-three percent of Indian leaders plan to use AI agents soon. Frontier Firms are redesigning operations around human-agent collaboration. Many leaders are already using AI to automate processes. This shift enables organisations to scale faster.

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UIDAI onboards satcom major Starlink for Aadhar-based customer verification

Elon Musk's Starlink, a global internet provider, will use Aadhaar e-KYC to simplify user onboarding. It will ensure regulatory compliance and deliver high-speed internet. Aadhaar authentication will be voluntary. This partnership highlights the scalability of India's digital infrastructure. It also promotes innovation in service delivery.

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93% of Indian business leaders plan to use AI agents in next 12-18 months : Microsoft

​​Highlighting how Indian companies are ahead of their global counterparts in adopting generative AI tools, the report has pointed out productivity, creativity, and security have emerged as the biggest drivers of change.

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Beyond hype, AI becoming workplace reality for white-, blue-collar workers: Study

Per ‘The Work Ahead’ report by jobs portal Indeed, two in 10 blue-collar workers are already using GenAI at work. The study was conducted across over 3,000 white- and blue-collar workers across India.

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Proposed online gaming bill could wipe out India’s real money gaming sector, push users offshore, warn industry leaders

The Union Cabinet has approved the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025 which seeks to encourage e-sports and social online games but proposes a blanket ban on real-money gaming. Stakeholders warned that outright prohibition could backfire, pushing users to illegal offshore gambling and unregulated platforms.

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AI breakthroughs spur race for superintelligence

ET traces the major LLM launches of 2025 — dubbed as the Year of AI model breakthroughs — and decodes the big hits and misses of the year so far.

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Artha’s Select Fund closes at Rs 432 crore to back top portfolio startups

Artha India Ventures has successfully closed its Artha Select Fund at Rs 432 crore, exceeding its initial target. The fund will invest in 12-14 startups, focusing on spacetech, fintech infrastructure, premium consumer goods, and applied AI, with investments around Rs 20 crore each. Indian family offices and ultra-high-net-worth individuals are the primary capital source.

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EU push to protect digital rules holds up trade statement with US: Report

EU officials said disagreements over language relating to "non-tariff barriers", which the US said include the digital rules, are among the reasons for the hold-up of the statement.

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CoreWeave IPO investors sitting on big gains get chance to sell

For holders of more than 80% of CoreWeave’s Class A shares, with the IPO lockup expiring two days after its second earnings release as a public company. The stock plunged 33% in those two days, in part, analysts say, in anticipation of a flood of selling.

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CEOs want their companies to adopt AI. But do they get it themselves?

Top executives are struggling to adopt AI tools despite recognising their transformative potential. CEOs are experimenting with ways to encourage hands-on use among senior leaders, including demos and team exercises. Younger staff tend to engage more naturally, prompting companies to bridge the gap through exposure, experimentation, and shared learning.

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Meta probed over AI chatbot talk with children

A US senator on Friday announced an investigation into whether Meta AI chatbots were allowed to engage in potentially harmful online exchanges with children. Hawley said the Senate Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee on Crime and Counterterrorism, which he heads, will start an investigation into whether Meta generative AI products "enable exploitation, deception, or other criminal harms to children."

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As regulatory curbs seem to ease fintechs bet on festive spark in unsecured lending play

After a period of slowdown due to regulatory measures, the digital lending sector anticipates a turnaround in FY26, fueled by the upcoming festive season. Fintechs and traditional lenders are cautiously optimistic, observing signs of easing stress in the unsecured credit market. Lenders are revisiting risk weights and recalibrating partnerships, expecting a strong second half driven by increased demand.

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AI startup Cohere valued at $6.8 billion in latest fundraise, appoints new executives

The funding round was led by Radical Ventures and Inovia Capital, with participation from existing investors AMD Ventures, NVIDIA, PSP Investments, and Salesforce Ventures, among others.

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Aditya Birla Group's TMRW to raise Rs 437 crore from ServiceNow Ventures

The company said it will leverage ServiceNow AI platform to enhance its speed-to-market, focused assortments and consumer experiences across its omni-channel footprint.

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Pixxel-led consortium bags L1 bid in India’s first EO-PPP, Rs 1,200 crore project

Over the next four years, the winning consortium will invest over Rs 1,200 crore to deploy 12 satellites carrying optical, hyperspectral, and synthetic aperture radar (SAR) sensors. These satellites will provide high-resolution data for agriculture, urban planning, disaster management, climate monitoring, and national security.

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P2P firms seek life support as tough regulations sink businesses

Industry executives told ET that overall assets under management through non-banking financial company P2Ps have plunged more than 85% to about Rs 1,500 crore from more than Rs 10,000 crore a year ago.

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Bengaluru Tech Summit: Karnataka launches ‘Katalyst’ to fast-track GCC setup

Addressing over 200 CEOs at a breakfast meet in the run-up to the BTS, chief minister Siddaramaiah said KATALYST will be a dedicated ease of doing business cell to support GCCs in the state. The one-stop window will fast-track setting up GCCs to under 45 days, offer a single-point GCC handbook, and streamline industry connect and incentive queries, the CM said.

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Flipkart Minutes adds gourmet range to attract buyers seeking premium products

Flipkart Minutes’ gourmet offerings are now live in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore. Going forward, it will be expanded to more cities. Interestingly, consumers in tier-2 markets are also showing a liking for these gourmet products.

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MeitY jumpstarts talks on data centre policy to boost capacity

The IT ministry aims to streamline approvals and promote domestic manufacturing with the policy with focus is on evenly distributing data centres across India. It is considering incentives and a single-window arrangement for permissions. The Centre may even adopt elements from various state policies.

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Truemeds closes $85 million funding led by Accel and Peak XV Partners

Truemeds, a telehealth platform, has received $85 million in funding. Accel and Peak XV Partners led the investment round. The company plans to expand its fulfillment centers and team. They will also establish a technology hub in Bengaluru. Truemeds aims to triple its national presence. The platform competes with other e-pharmacies in India.

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How older people are reaping brain benefits from new tech

Research suggests older adults using technology show lower dementia risk, possibly due to mental challenges, social connections, and functional benefits. While risks like scams remain, balanced tech engagement may support cognitive health in aging populations.

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Uber's festering sexual assault problem

Publicly, the ride-sharing service proclaimed it was one of the safest options for travel, with aggressive media campaigns and polished reports on its website about the rarity of serious attacks. Inside Uber, teams of data scientists and safety experts spent years studying the problem. The company tested tools that proved effective at making trips safer, including sophisticated matching algorithms, mandatory video recording and pairing female passengers with female drivers.

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OpenAI's present priorities don't include IPO, says CEO Sam Altman

OpenAI has launched GPT-5, its most advanced AI model. It boasts improved accuracy and reduced errors. CEO Sam Altman clarified that an IPO is not an immediate priority. He expressed concerns about private share trading. India is now OpenAI's second-largest market after the US. The company aims to make AI more accessible and affordable in India through local partnerships.

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84% Gen Z consumers rely on GenAI for news interpretation: Google, Kantar report

The report titled, ‘Bridging the Gap: Reimagining News for Gen Z’ was prepared from a survey of over 4,000 Gen Z respondents (ages 15-28) spread across 40 markets and eight language clusters on news consumption patterns and underlying trends. Among the many interesting takeaways is that 43% of the respondents said they verify messages before sharing with others, while 49% distrust reports from unverified accounts.

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India's electronics exports up 47% to $12.4 billion in Q1 FY26

India's electronics exports are projected to surge by 30% annually, potentially exceeding $46 billion by FY26, fueled primarily by mobile phone shipments. The sector witnessed a 47% growth in the first fiscal quarter, with the US being a major export destination.

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UPI services restored after brief outage caused by bank-side technical issues says NPCI

UPI services faced a significant nationwide disruption on Thursday due to internal technical issues at certain participating banks, as confirmed by NPCI. This outage resulted in widespread transaction failures, impacting payments, fund transfers, and app access for numerous users. Despite this temporary setback, UPI continues to exhibit strong growth, with July transactions reaching a record high of 19.47 billion.

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