AI DEVELOPMENT IN INDIA
Human-centric technology at heart of India's AI ambitions: PM Narendra Modi at Bharat Innovates 2026
Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasised India's "technology for humanity" approach at Bharat Innovates 2026 in Nice, aligning with India's vision of "AI for all." French President Emmanuel Macron echoed this, advocating for ethical and responsible AI development, cautioning against power concentration.
IITian feels his life is ‘over’: ‘Unemployed, watching my savings disappear…’
An IIT graduate, unemployed at 26, shared his struggles on Reddit after his AI/ML career aspirations didn't materialize. He felt lost after taking jobs he disliked, watching savings dwindle while classmates succeeded. Redditors offered advice, comparing his situation to Albert Einstein's early career and suggesting further education or skill development.
'Shared ambition of reliable, open, safe AI': Macron at Bharat Innovates seeks ethical use of AI
French President Emmanuel Macron urged against AI monopolisation and called for international cooperation, emphasising India and France's shared commitment to ethical and responsible AI development. The leaders jointly inaugurated 'Bharat Innovates 2026' in Nice, showcasing deep-tech startups and fostering collaboration in innovation and technology for global good.
Anthropic ban: Sarvam AI's Pratyush Kumar warns against reliance on foreign models
A US ban on advanced AI models has highlighted the vulnerability of foreign reliance, according to Sarvam AI's Pratyush Kumar. He urged Indian firms to embrace sovereign AI, building systems domestically. For AI researchers and engineers, he said the ban sets a precedent in which talent will increasingly be seen as aligned to national interests rather than the companies.
America's shutdown of Anthropic's AI models is not a surprise. And India has seen it coming for 30 years
The US government's export control order on Anthropic's advanced AI models, blocking non-American nationals, highlights a long-standing Indian pattern of adopting foreign technology without developing indigenous alternatives. This "kill switch" event underscores the vulnerability of nations dependent on foreign tech infrastructure, urging India to prioritize strategic autonomy and build its own AI capabilities.
Project Glasswing melts: US government suspends early access to Anthropic's Fable 5, Mythos 5 within days of rollout
India's brief access to advanced AI models from Anthropic has ended. A US government directive halted local access to Mythos 5 and Fable 5. This development signals a new AI export control regime. Governments now view frontier AI as strategic assets. India's engagement on technology policy faces new challenges.
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Bharat innovates, ready for take-off
India's deep-tech startups are showcasing their advanced capabilities in France. This event highlights India's growing strength in space, AI, and defence. Indian companies are developing rockets and satellites for global markets. France serves as a key gateway to Europe. This initiative aims to foster international partnerships for co-development and investment.
Anthropic’s Fable 5 takedown triggers India Inc push for AI self-reliance
A US directive suspending access to Anthropic's AI models has spurred India Inc's push for self-reliance in AI infrastructure. Technology leaders are calling for domestic R&D, open-source models, and semiconductor design to ensure national sovereignty and avoid dependence on external platforms. This move is seen as a wake-up call for localized AI systems.
Marc Andreessen critiques AI regulation debate after Anthropic model shutdown
Marc Andreessen, a cofounder of Andreessen Horowitz, has voiced strong opinions on artificial intelligence regulation. His comments follow the US government's order to suspend access to Anthropic's advanced AI models, citing national security. Andreessen views strict rules as "red-tape monsters" that hinder innovation and burden startups.
'Wake Up Now': Sridhar Vembu says Indians should drop globalization illusions after US restricts access to Fable 5, Mythos 5 AI models
Zoho founder Sridhar Vembu highlights restrictions on advanced AI models for users outside the US. He stresses the need for India to develop its own technologies. Vembu urges adoption of smaller, Indian-developed, and open-source AI models. He believes this approach is crucial for national security and economic sovereignty. Support for this view comes from RBI director Gurumurthy, who recalls Dr.
20 foundational AI models created under IndiaAI Mission, 5 released : MeitY secretary
IndiaAI Mission has fostered the creation of 20 foundational artificial intelligence models. Five of these models have now been released. Avataar AI has launched Varya, the first homegrown distilled video generation model. This technology significantly speeds up video creation and reduces costs. The government is actively supporting the development of these crucial AI tools.
How a 22-year-old Indian techie dropped out to build an AI startup
A 22-year-old Indian entrepreneur, Kinjal Nandy, has secured significant pre-seed funding for his AI startup, Sonatic, at a ₹191 crore valuation. Backed by prominent Silicon Valley investors, Nandy left Cornell University to focus on developing adaptive AI systems that assist users beyond simple prompts, aiming to shift workflows towards outcomes.
Karnataka approves 50 AI labs in government colleges
Karnataka is establishing 50 AI labs in government colleges to boost emerging tech skills and employability in smaller cities. This initiative, part of the 2026-27 budget and in partnership with the IndiaAI Mission, will equip students with AI, machine learning, and data science expertise. The program aims to foster innovation and create a skilled workforce across the state.
India won't be second to anybody in developing foundational AI models: IT Secretary
India is stepping up its AI game with the launch of Varya, its first indigenous AI video model. Developed by Avataar. ai with support from the IndiaAI Mission, Varya promises to make high-quality video creation cheaper and easier. This innovation aims to unlock new markets and boost productivity across the nation.
AI Wants to Answer Your Phone Now: Equal AI’s $30 Million Bet on the Future of Call Screening in India
Indian startup Equal AI has raised $30 million to expand its AI-powered call screening platform that answers and filters calls on users' behalf. As spam, telemarketing, and service calls continue to overwhelm consumers, the company is betting that AI assistants will become a new layer between people and their communications. The funding reflects growing investor interest in AI agents capable of handling everyday interactions, while raising broader questions about how much of our personal communication we are willing to delegate to machines.
AI to bring more jobs; Indian engineers must focus on collaboration: Microsoft's Rajiv Kumar
Indian engineers should embrace Artificial Intelligence, as it's expected to create more opportunities than disrupt jobs. A senior Microsoft India executive emphasized that continuous learning and adaptability are crucial, with a significant portion of the workforce needing upskilling by 2030. New roles are emerging, and employers are prioritizing skills-based hiring, highlighting AI's potential as a thought partner.
Americans wary of AI-driven data center boom, Reuters/Ipsos poll shows
Americans are not happy with the fast building of data centers for AI. Most people do not want these centers in their neighborhoods. They worry about higher electricity bills and job losses. This issue is important for voters ahead of the upcoming elections. Fourteen states are looking at pausing new data center projects.
SatSure bags $2.6 million grant to build AI-powered Earth observation models
Indian space startup SatSure Analytics received a $2.57 million grant to develop AI models for Earth observation, bolstering the nation's sovereign AI capabilities. This initiative aims to create tailored geospatial intelligence systems, reducing reliance on foreign technology for critical applications like climate management and national security.
Inside Jamnagar: How Meta and Reliance are building India’s AI infrastructure backbone
Meta and Reliance Industries are expanding their partnership beyond connectivity to build an AI-enabled data centre in Jamnagar, Gujarat, marking a major step in India’s AI infrastructure journey. The collaboration underscores India’s growing role as a global AI hub while placing sustainability and renewable energy at the centre of the next wave of digital growth.
Meta partners with Reliance to set up its first data centre in India
Meta Platforms is significantly boosting its India investments with a new 168 MW data center in Jamnagar, Gujarat, in partnership with Reliance Industries. This facility will support Meta's global AI infrastructure and is powered by renewable energy. Additionally, Meta has expanded its renewable energy collaboration with Clean Max to over 900 MW, developing new solar and wind projects across India.
Reliance, Meta announce Jamnagar data centre; CleanMax to supply over 900 MW renewable energy capacity
Meta Platforms is investing heavily in India's digital future. The company is partnering with Reliance Industries to build a new data center in Gujarat. This facility will support Meta's global AI needs. Additionally, Meta is expanding its renewable energy partnership with CleanMax. This collaboration will add over 900 MW of solar and wind power capacity.
Meta-Reliance AI hub; SAP CEO on India's AI edge
Meta has tapped Reliance for India AI data centre. This and more in today's ETtech Top 5.
India can take the lead in applying AI in industries: SAP CEO Christian Klein
SAP CEO Christian Klein believes India can lead in applying AI to industries like manufacturing and finance, rather than just replicating large language models. He emphasised workforce transformation and sees India's talent, infrastructure investment, and government support as key to its continued tech powerhouse status amidst global AI shifts.
IIT Hyderabad launches AI hub with JICA to boost Indo–Japan AI collaboration
The AI Innovation Hub at IIT Hyderabad, with JICA and Japanese partners, strengthens Indo–Japan AI collaboration by focusing on practical solutions and global exposure for students, while advancing applied research and India’s role in the global AI ecosystem.
Why ET AI Hackathon 2.0 could be one of the most valuable AI opportunities of the year
As AI adoption accelerates across industries, the demand for professionals who can build practical solutions continues to grow. ET AI Hackathon 2.0 offers participants the opportunity to solve real-world challenges, showcase innovation before industry experts, compete for a ₹10 lakh prize pool, and gain valuable exposure. With registrations closing soon, now is the time to participate.
GCCs outpace IT services in tech hiring, driving AI & cloud talent
Global capability centres are now adding more employees than IT services firms in India. This trend shows a shift in how advanced technology talent is developed. GCCs are becoming key for AI and cloud roles. This expansion is reshaping the GCC enabler ecosystem. IT services firms still employ more people overall. India's tech sector is evolving on two tracks.
Intel spinout Articul8 eyes $50 million for India heritage AI venture
Articul8, a spin-off from Intel, is raising $30-50 million to establish an India-based AI entity focused on traditional knowledge systems like Sanskrit. The venture aims to build "heritage models" trained on ancient Indian languages and cultural data, with potential applications in various fields and global preservation efforts.
Eros Innovation has launched a Cultural AI Platform
Eros Innovation has unveiled a groundbreaking Cultural AI Platform. This AI ecosystem understands, preserves, and expresses culture across languages. It features Eros LCVM and Eros Persona AI. The platform is now live and a consumer product follows next week. This innovation aims to retain cultural context and emotional expression in digital experiences.
Citi leverages AI to transform payments, boost efficiency and enhance cross-border transactions
Citi is leveraging AI to revolutionize its payments business, enhancing developer efficiency by up to 40% and streamlining complex cross-border documentation. The financial giant is deploying AI for client servicing and risk management, processing $6 trillion daily. India's sophisticated payment infrastructure, including UPI and the JAM trinity, offers global lessons in real-time, cost-effective transactions.
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