AI FIRST APPROACH
ET AI Business Transformation Masterclass heads to IIM Bangalore to decode enterprise AI adoption
The AI Business Transformation Masterclass & Awards 2026 at IIM Bangalore will feature leaders from IndusInd Bank, PhonePe, PepsiCo, Shadowfax, Myntra, Shopify, NVIDIA and other organisations. Sessions will cover agentic AI, voice technology, supply chains, contextual commerce and physical AI, followed by the ET Most Innovative AI Product Awards 2026.
Anthropic IPO buzz: CFO Krishna Rao’s stake could be worth $703 million as AI firm eyes $1.4 trillion valuation
Anthropic CFO Krishna Rao's stake in the Claude chatbot maker could be worth approximately $703 million as the AI startup targets a $1.4 trillion valuation through its proposed IPO. The company plans to raise up to $90.4 billion through the public offering and a concurrent private placement.
China app bets Rs 28,000 on your love life, promises refund if you don't marry in 3 years
A Chinese matchmaking start-up is offering users a full refund if they remain unmarried after three years, while using AI conversations and one-to-one matching to identify compatible partners. Founded by a former Kimi AI developer, Liangpei AI has attracted more than 35,000 users, but its ability to turn matches into marriages remains untested.
Using ChatGPT at work could make your boss trust you less, even if you deliver better results, study of managers warns
A new study spanning six experiments finds that employees who use ChatGPT and other AI tools at work may be seen as less trustworthy by their bosses, even when they deliver better results. Researchers found that managers were more likely to trust employees who worked independently, while clear company policies encouraging AI use could help reduce the trust penalty.
Amazon's Ring Drone Cam took six years to arrive but you can't buy the $249 security drone yet-here's why
Amazon's Ring has launched its new Ring Drone Cam, a flying indoor security camera first announced six years ago. Priced at $249.99, it is expected to ship in the US on January 27, 2027. However, the device still needs FCC approval before customers can purchase or lease it.
AI stocks: Are the days of easy money over? Aswath Damodaran warns investors of a new market reality ahead of Anthropic IPO
NYU professor Aswath Damodaran warns that broad-based gains from AI stocks may be fading as investors become more selective. He highlights diverging business models, rising infrastructure costs, uncertain monetisation and valuation risks, urging greater investment discipline.
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How intelligent commerce is shaping the next frontier of merchant payments
For a decade, the task in India’s merchant payments was to get every shop and website to accept digital money. The value, leaders argued, at GFF 2026, is now moving to identity, risk, credit and growth, and to preparing the checkout for AI agents that may soon shop on consumers’ behalf.
Indian organisations on edge as sites fail to Captcha AI intruders
Personal AI agents such as Instinct, Muse, Grokbot and OpenClaw have taken over the consumer internet in the US. But last month, major US banks, including JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo and Morgan Stanley, reportedly flagged AI agents such as Meta’s Muse accessing customer accounts using login credentials voluntarily shared by users laying bare the risks of handing AI agents the keys to consumers’ digital lives.
Between the chip and the slip: Honeytrap suspicions further sours ties between US and China
Nvidia's CEO Jensen Huang is being investigated for having an alleged affair with a potential Chinese intelligence agent. This individual reportedly sought to gather information about Nvidia's advanced technology. Nvidia's board has launched an independent probe to examine the allegations against Huang. US lawmakers are demanding a briefing on the matter amid heightened concerns over national security.
NSE rolls out direct-to-chip liquid cooling to scale AI computing capabilities; plans to scale GPU capacity beyond 80 this quarter
The NSE has deployed Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling technology at its on-premises data centre to support expanding AI infrastructure. The exchange plans to scale its GPU capacity to more than 80 units this quarter, with the cooling system designed to accommodate up to 224 GPUs across high-density racks.
US stocks face volatile week as AI selloff, inflation data and tech earnings loom
US stocks face a volatile week as investors brace for October CPI inflation data and key tech earnings following a sharp AI-led selloff. Regulatory concerns post-US midterms, alongside Fed rate hike expectations, have pushed the Nasdaq into correction territory despite the S&P 500 maintaining gains for 2026.
Companies want AI-powered customer service; EY says they need a bigger reset
Adopting artificial intelligence tools alone is insufficient for companies aiming to enhance customer service operations. They need to redesign their operating models and workforce capabilities, as highlighted in an EY report. Assessing existing operations and identifying gaps are crucial first steps in this transformation process. Additionally, integrating AI into existing systems is necessary to drive measurable business outcomes and improve customer experiences.
Manipur CM urges students to shun agitation, choose dialogue to resolve crises
Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh inaugurated an AI-Enabled Career Intelligence Hub for student career guidance. He urged students to avoid agitation and focus on dialogue to resolve conflicts peacefully. Singh highlighted the importance of honesty, sincerity, and hard work in shaping future careers and aspirations.
Environmental groups embrace AI, even as they warn of data center impacts
Environmental organisations are increasingly leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance conservation efforts and analyze ecological data. Many express concerns about the environmental impact caused by data centers that support AI technologies. The energy and water consumption of these centers is projected to double by 2030, raising emissions concerns.
Is Cathie Wood betting on the next stage of the AI boom amid Wall Street’s tech stock crash, buying SpaceX and Nvidia while selling $120 million in Broadcom stock?
Cathie Wood is buying AI stocks while Wall Street is selling them. ARK Invest purchased nearly $49 million in SpaceX and $46 million in Nvidia after Thursday’s tech sell-off wiped out more than $3 trillion in US market value. But it sold $119.7 million in Broadcom and $20 million in CoreWeave. The contrasting trades raise questions about Wood’s AI strategy.
Investors in other markets would be envious of India multiples: Rich Handler, chief executive of Jefferies
Jefferies CEO Rich Handler believes Indian equities remain reasonably valued despite the market correction and says easing long-term capital gains taxes could attract foreign investors. He sees opportunities in India's AI and data centre sectors, argues that global capital outflows reflect external pressures, and believes concerns about an AI bubble warrant a healthy pause rather than alarm.
Nearly 90% students prioritise skills over degrees, reveals a survey
A survey of over 2,000 students found that 88% prioritise practical skills over degrees and academic grades for career success. The findings highlight growing demand for industry exposure, AI-based learning, internships and entrepreneurship opportunities in higher education.
Why Big Tech companies Microsoft, Google, Meta and others are opting for voluntary buyouts
In response to fluctuating market demands, Meta has rolled out voluntary exit packages in France aimed at workforce restructuring. This initiative is part of a broader trend as tech giants like Google and Microsoft implement similar measures globally to optimize costs. These packages offer employees the choice to depart with financial incentives and transition support, showcasing a more favorable approach compared to traditional layoffs amidst economic uncertainty.
Cashfree opens checkout to AI agents, leaves final say with shoppers
Cashfree has introduced Checkout for Agents, allowing AI agents to assist with online payments. This feature utilises WebMCP technology to simplify the checkout process for AI shopping assistants. Customers still maintain control over final payment authorisation and sensitive information is protected. While AI agents currently represent less than 1% of checkout traffic, Cashfree aims to enhance their efficiency. The company limits agent access to sensitive payment steps to ensure security.
Stop AI from Eroding Your Brand
Artificial intelligence is changing how companies operate and how customers experience their brands. New research suggests that companies with lower levels of “brand debt”—the trust, relevance, and consistency lost when products, experiences, and decisions drift away from customer expectations—are significantly more likely to outperform their peers. Drawing on a benchmark of 60 companies and lessons from Bose’s digital transformation, the lessons here are that managing brand debt should become an enterprise-wide priority rather than a marketing exercise. As AI increasingly shapes customer interactions, companies that manage brand debt deliberately will be better positioned to strengthen trust, sustain growth, and preserve competitive advantage
Fed's Beth Hammack and Thomas Barkin favour gradual rate hikes as inflation stays high
Two officials from the Federal Reserve have supported modest and steady interest rate increases to combat high inflation. They believe these adjustments should minimize disruptions for households, businesses, and financial markets. The Fed has left interest rates unchanged recently, with discussions ongoing about future hikes in December and early next year. The political landscape has shifted following the midterm elections, potentially changing price pressures in the economy.
Goldman, Apollo seek buyers for $40 billion SpaceX AI chip deal
Goldman Sachs and Apollo Global Management are in talks with investors to sell portions of a roughly $40 billion financing deal for SpaceX's AI chips, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday.
EloElo eyes global expansion post $80 million fundraise, aims to build ‘Netflix of micro-drama’
EloElo Group, the parent company of Story TV, successfully raised $80 million in a Series C funding round. The funding round was led by Hornbill Capital and NBCUniversal, significantly increasing the company's valuation. EloElo aims to enhance its micro-drama platform and expand into international markets. The company reported substantial user growth and high production efficiency using AI technology.
U.S. and Japanese Companies Struggle with Different Parts of AI Adoption—and Offer Different Lessons for Making It Work
Companies in both the U.S. and Japan are struggling to deploy AI, but often in very different ways. In the U.S., deployment is wide but shallow, meaning companies struggle to create real value with AI. In Japan, deployment has moved slowly, but where it has happened, it’s often deep and fruitful. Understanding what’s happening in both contexts offers important lessons for companies trying to develop an AI strategy and demonstrate ROI on their AI investments.
How Students Can Use AI to Study Smarter Without Letting AI Do the Thinking for Them
Join the Winter Cohort of the AI Bootcamp for Students by Times of India, where learners will harness cutting-edge AI tools like Claude, Gemini, and NotebookLM. This program aims to transform education by empowering students to explore difficult concepts and craft customized learning materials. Participants will also learn to sharpen their questioning abilities, design interactive review content, and strengthen their overall study habits.
EloElo Group raises $80 Million in Series C funding led by Hornbill Capital, NBCUniversal
EloElo Group has successfully raised $80 million in a Series C funding round to expand its AI-driven entertainment ecosystem. The company's focus will be on producing new original content and launching international micro-dramas. With over 40 million active users, EloElo plans to enhance its AI production capabilities through Dolphin AI. The funding will also support the company's aggressive growth strategy across diverse language offerings.
Chip startup Agrani Labs looks to raise $108 million from Peak XV, Google, Samsung
Peak XV Partners is leading the round and is expected to contribute more than half of the total funding. Google, HCL Tech, Samsung Ventures and Stargazer, an investment firm set up by Groww's founders, are also expected to participate, the people cited above said.
OpenAI’s India user base doubles; Rapido GOV quadruples
Happy Tuesday! India has become ChatGPT’s largest market globally, with its user base doubling. This and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
China's robot makers have mastered the moves. Now comes the race for brains
The shift is fuelling an investment boom in embodied AI, a field focused on software that allows robots to understand their surroundings, learn unfamiliar tasks and adapt without having to be programmed for every job.
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