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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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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