India's economic engine is revving up, but navigating the global headwinds requires sharp strategy. The rupee's recent volatility against the dollar underscores the complexities facing Indian businesses, impacting everything from import-export trade to domestic inflation. This week alone, we've seen significant shifts in the IT sector, with major players announcing restructuring and a renewed focus on AI-driven solutions. Meanwhile, the burgeoning startup ecosystem continues to attract substantial funding, despite a cautious global investor sentiment. The government's recent policy announcements on infrastructure development and digitalization are poised to further shape the business landscape, creating both opportunities and challenges for entrepreneurs and established corporations alike. Understanding these market dynamics is crucial for success in today's rapidly evolving Indian economy. Stay informed with Abtak.com for the latest insights and analysis on key sectors including finance, manufacturing, and technology – empowering your business decisions in a dynamic market. Explore the complete business news section now to stay ahead of the curve.
New Delhi: 15/02/2026: Preparation underway ahead of India AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi on February 15, 2026. Photo by: Shashi Shekhar Kashyap/ The Hindu | Photo Credit: SHASHI SHEKHAR KASHYAP India AI Impact Summit 2026 in Delhi Highlights: The India AI Impact Expo 2026 will be held from February 16-20, alongside the India AI Impact Summit at the Bharat Mandapam. In a post on X, Modi said, "Bringing the world together to discuss AI! Starting today, India hosts the AI Impact Summit at Bharat Mandapam in Delhi. I warmly welcome world leaders, captains of industry, innovators, policymakers, researchers and tech enthusiasts from across the world for this Summit." The theme of the summit is "Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya" or welfare for all, happiness for all, reflecting our shared commitment to harnessing artificial intelligence for human-centric progress, he said. Modi pointed out that AI today is transforming several sectors, including healthcare, education, agriculture, governance and enterprise. February 16, 2026 15:56AAP MP Raghav Chadha says, "In the 21st century, the levers of power will essentially be controlled by those who have access to AI, GPUs, compute capability and data centres" February 16, 2026 15:39"India's AI progress raises high expectations at Summit," says Tajikistan representative Firuzjon Sodiqov Deputy Chair at the Artificial Intelligence Council under the Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of Tajikistan, Firuzjon Sodiqov, on Monday, praised India's rapid strides in artificial intelligence and said that there are "really high expectations" from New Delhi at the ongoing global AI Summit, expressing hope for deeper collaboration between the two countries. February 16, 2026 15:34'UPI One World' wallet services will be available for international visitors attending the ongoing five-day India AI Impact Summit February 16, 2026 15:29Visuals from inside AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam. February 16, 2026 15:24World's Largest AI Summit Opens to Packed Halls, Signals Surging Global Interest The world's largest artificial intelligence summit opened to packed halls and long queues on Monday, as tech moguls, industry leaders, policymakers, founders, and technologists thronged the venue for the conference, where India is set to push for widening access to AI and seek international agreement on global AI commons.The enthusiasm was high despite the fact that the high profile speakers - from Sundar Pichai of Alphabet to Sam Altman of OpenAI and Dario Amodei of Anthropic - haven't even arrived in the country. Their sessions start not before Wednesday.Final two days of the Summit - February 19 and 20 - will see more than 20 heads of state and government, including France's Emmanuel Macron and Brazil's Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, along with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, talking about the future of AI alongside business leaders and investorsFebruary 16, 2026 15:20Anthropic Boosts India AI Push Via Flag Airline, Cognizant Pacts Anthropic PBC is embedding its marquee AI coding agent within prominent Indian firms including its flag carrier and an outsourcing giant, aiming to quicken artificial intelligence adoption across the world's most populous nation.Air India Ltd. is using Claude Code to create custom software, while Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. is deploying the agent to 350,000 employees globally to modernize legacy systems, Anthropic said in a statement on Monday."We are seeing cool applications in Indian languages -- in education, legal, farming -- that are bringing AI into digital infrastructure," Amodei told a roomful of developers at the Summit, adding that the company's revenue run rate from India had doubled since he last visited the country four months ago.February 16, 2026 15:18OpenAI, Meta speech models struggle with Indian languages OpenAI, Meta speech models struggle with Indian languages AI models from OpenAI, Meta, and Microsoft struggle with Indian languages, while Indian startup Sarvam excels in accuracy. February 16, 2026 15:17AI Cuts Diagnosis Time by 50% in India, Says Qure.ai Founding Member Ankit Modi Highlighting India's leadership in medical innovation and technological governance, industry experts at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 underscored the transformative role of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in public health and responsible data frameworks."We build AI solutions for medical imaging, impacting oncology, cardiology, tuberculosis and multiple disease areas. We are at this summit to showcase our impact that we have created for 40 million people across 100 plus countries," Modi stated.Detailing the practical application of these technologies in India, Modi cited successful interventions at large-scale gatherings and state-level screenings. "We use AI to read chest X-rays and make an AI intervention at the right time. For example, we deployed AI at Mahakumbh last year; we saw that in a very small area, a lot of people have been crowded up, X-rays were being taken, but 3 per cent of those X-rays also had signs of tuberculosis," he noted.February 16, 2026 15:10India's MSMEs must be at the heart of AI-driven manufacturing transformation: ITC's Gaurav Kataria Micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) must remain central to India's artificial intelligence (AI) strategy as the country works to unlock value in manufacturing and accelerate economic growth, Gaurav Kataria, VP Digital (Manufacturing) and CDIO PSPD at ITC Ltd told ANI today. "MSME is absolutely a great focus and really, really required at this point in time," Kataria told ANI on the sidelines of "Democratizing AI Resources for Economic Growth and Social Good", organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) as part of the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi. Kataria said inclusive AI adoption across enterprises of all sizes would be critical to maximising impact. While AI presents significant opportunities, he acknowledged concerns around its broader implications. "We all have to learn and evolve. It's a new technology. It will take time. It's in its infancy," he said. "We all have to make sure that there are guardrails which are put. The government's doing a great job from a policy perspective. And we will continue to support all the endeavours from a government standpoint." (ANI) February 16, 2026 14:56AI-generated misinformation has power to derail democracies: Prasada Union Minister Jitin Prasada on Monday urged caution in the use of AI tools, saying misinformation generated through artificial intelligence has the power to undermine democratic systems. Speaking at a session in the AI Impact Summit here, the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology also said artificial intelligence (AI) can significantly enhance learning for students and teachers, but it must not be treated as a shortcut that weakens critical thinking or curiosity. He underlined that AI cannot replace teachers and its risks in education must be carefully addressed. Highlighting the importance of AI in education, the minister said this technology should be embedded not just in school curricula but across the wider education framework. (PTI) February 16, 2026 14:55AI Impact Summit triggers traffic snarls across Delhi Commuters at several parts of the national capital on Monday reported traffic congestion and travel delays, with enhanced security arrangements and traffic diversions coming into force for the five-day AI Impact Summit at the Bharat Mandapam. Long queues of vehicles and near-zero movement were reported on key arterial routes and transport hubs, including the Delhi-Meerut Expressway near Sarai Kale Khan, the DND Flyway, the Vikas Marg-ITO stretch, Naraina, the Delhi Cantt Metro station area, and the Old Delhi Railway Station-Pul Mithai corridor. Several commuters reported being stuck in traffic for more than half an hour, with many raising concerns over fuel wastage and productivity loss.(PTI) February 16, 2026 14:55Invideo, Google Cloud partner to integrate AI into long-form filmmaking Invideo announced an expanded partnership with Google Cloud on Monday to debut a new suite of enterprise-grade filmmaking production pipelines designed for the global media and entertainment industry. The collaboration integrates Invideo's creative interface with Google Cloud's AI infrastructure and generative media models to provide media studios, production houses, and broadcast networks with the technical capacity to produce long-form, studio-quality content. The initiative leverages Google's full suite of generative media models on Vertex AI, including Veo and Imagen, to orchestrate stages of production from text-to-image and cinematic video to synchronised music and speech within a single workflow. The partnership announced in New Delhi, utilises Google Cloud's AI Hypercomputer architecture, which integrates performance-optimised TPUs and GPUs, to train custom AI models. This infrastructure provides the computational velocity required to maintain visual consistency across complex narratives, moving beyond the short-form content that currently dominates the AI media market. "Invideo exists to support storytellers. We've built a platform that serves 30 million creators. Now we're focused on the future of filmmaking--not as just a technology provider, but as a true partner to filmmakers. With Google Cloud, we're building end-to-end AI pipelines that empower filmmakers to bring their vision to screen while making economic sense for the industry. When AI works for filmmakers creatively and financially, everyone wins," said Sanket Shah, CEO and Co-founder, Invideo. (ANI) February 16, 2026 14:54"Good time for India to understand how we can contribute to this race": CEO of Hirebeen Founder and CEO of Hirebeen, Dheeraj Srivastava, said that the India AI Impact Summit 2026 comes at a crucial juncture for the country to define its role in the evolving AI landscape. Speaking at the summit, Srivastava highlighted the rapid expansion of AI influence over the past few years and stressed the need for India to strategically position itself in the global race. "In the last 5 years, AI impact has risen globally. This is a good time for India to understand how we can contribute to this race, " he said. Emphasising the importance of technological self-reliance, Srivastava noted that his company is working towards building sovereign large language models (LLMs), aligning with broader national efforts to strengthen indigenous AI capabilities. "We are working towards building sovereign LLMs. Here I am, looking forward to listening to many views and the focus of the government towards the future," he added. Earlier, Saahil Goel, MD & CEO of Shiprocket, stated that while the platform has enabled over four lakh businesses to go online, 60 million MSMEs in India remain to be integrated into the digital economy. (ANI) February 16, 2026 14:38AI-integrated model shows improved accuracy in streamflow prediction: IIT-D Study Researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi have combined traditional models used to predict streamflow in India's rivers with artificial intelligence, finding that the new approach significantly improved prediction accuracy in 208 of the 220 rivers tested. Accurate information of river flow is critical for water resources management, including irrigation scheduling, reducing flood risk, and reservoir operations. The team, Bhanu Magotra and Manabendra Saharia, said that large-scale hydrological models often produce significant uncertainties in streamflow estimates at local scales unless extensive basin-specific calibration is performed. Such calibration is computationally expensive and challenging to implement across a country as hydrologically diverse as India, they said. (PTI) February 16, 2026 13:58India's retail market to more than double to ₹215 trillion by 2035, driven by AI and consumption surge: Retailers Association of India India's retail market is on a trajectory to more than double in size, reaching between ₹210 trillion and ₹215 trillion by 2035, up from Rs 90-95 trillion in 2025. This growth is being driven by a resilient economy and a sharp rise in digital adoption, according to a new joint report by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and the Retailers Association of India (RAI). The report, titled 'Winning Codes for Retail 2035: Capturing the ₹200 Trillion Prize', was unveiled today at the Retail Leadership Summit 2026 in Mumbai. The integration of artificial intelligence is fundamentally changing the way Indians shop, moving from simple digital transactions to AI-guided discovery. The report notes that India's internet adoption has grown more than three times since 2016, creating a high "adoption elasticity" for new technologies like Generative AI. This has led to the rise of "agentic commerce," where AI agents influence research and purchase decisions. (ANI) February 16, 2026 13:47AI will not kill jobs but will unbundle them; Next 3 years to see 1000x growth: Microsoft India's Puneet Chandok AI will not kill jobs but will unbundle them; Next 3 years to see 1000x growth: Microsoft India's Puneet Chandok Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia, on Monday said Artificial Intelligence models are improving at an unprecedented pace and predicted exponential growth in the sector over the next three years. February 16, 2026 13:46"If You Don't Do AI, AI Will Be Done to You": AI offers both threat and opportunity, says Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani on Monday emphasised that Artificial Intelligence is both a threat and an opportunity, adding that it will create new jobs. Artificial Intelligence, he insists, "is relentless". "It is happening whether you like it or not. Bikhchandani, who participated in a session at the AI Impact Summit that began in the national capital on Monday, asserted that it brings focus on AI, which is a huge force and an emerging technology. "AI is both a threat and an opportunity. Some jobs will be lost, and many will be created. The way forward is to upskill and learn AI platforms. To have this AI Summit here is very good as it brings focus on AI, which is a huge force and an emerging technology," Bikhchandani told ANI. February 16, 2026 13:38AI lifts everyone up and reforms social good for generations to come, says Cisco India MD AI lifts everyone up and reforms social good for generations to come, says Cisco India MD At Cisco, we align the mission of using AI to make life better with the help of the government, says Harish Krishnan February 16, 2026 13:37AI Impact Summit gets over 2.5 lakh registrations; MeitY secy Krishnan hails enthusiasm AI Impact Summit gets over 2.5 lakh registrations; MeitY secy Krishnan hails enthusiasm India AI Impact Summit 2026 garners over 2.5 lakh registrations, showcasing global enthusiasm for AI innovation and collaboration. February 16, 2026 13:37India has highest level of AI skill penetration, avoiding over-regulation: Jitin Prasada India has highest level of AI skill penetration, avoiding over-regulation: Jitin Prasada India has the highest level of artificial intelligence (AI) skill penetration and has adopted a policy approach of avoiding over-regulation to ensure innovation thrives, Union Minister Jitin Prasada said on Monday. February 16, 2026 13:37AI outcome won't be accidental: CEA Nageswaran warns tech transformation must align with mass employability AI outcome won't be accidental: CEA Nageswaran warns tech transformation must align with mass employability This is not the task of government alone; it must be a Team India effort, bringing together policymakers, industry, educators, and society at large, says the CEA February 16, 2026 13:36India can lead globally by aligning AI adoption with mass employability through education reform: CEA Nageswaran India can lead globally by aligning AI adoption with mass employability through education reform: CEA Nageswaran For India, this is not a debate about the future of work; it is a decision about the future of growth, social stability, and cohesion. We must act, and act now, says the Chief Economic Advisor February 16, 2026 13:36UK Deputy PM leads high-powered delegation to India AI Impact Summit to secure global growth and investment UK Deputy PM leads high-powered delegation to India AI Impact Summit to secure global growth and investment UK Deputy PM leads a delegation to India's AI Impact Summit, aiming to foster global partnerships and investment for economic growth. February 16, 2026 12:57Regulatory sandboxes necessary for having innovations within guardrails: IFSCA official Regulatory sandboxes are necessary to ensure that startups and other players can build things in a controlled environment within the guardrails without stifling innovation, a senior official at the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) said on Monday. Speaking at a session at the India AI Impact Summit 2026 in the national capital, IFSCA's Chief Technology Officer Joseph Joshy also said he would look at the things through the regulatory lens. The five-day summit -- which will see a host of heads of state and government, overseas representatives and industry players, among others -- commenced on Monday. (PTI) February 16, 2026 12:42"AI not only for India but for the whole world": MoS IT Jitin Prasada at India AI Impact Summit India has the highest level of artificial intelligence (AI) skill penetration and has adopted a policy approach of avoiding over-regulation to ensure innovation thrives, Union Minister Jitin Prasada said on Monday. Speaking at a session in the AI Impact Summit here, the Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology said the present government is agile and listens to all ideas. The government finetunes its policies, programmes, as per the need of the hour, he said. India has trajectory, speed, and scale to offer to the world in the AI space, he added. "We have maximum AI skill penetration, we have gone ahead with the policy of ensuring not to over-regulate so that innovation thrives," Prasada said, adding, "We are ensuring that GPU access has been available as far as possible at the cheapest cost". (PTI) February 16, 2026 12:42"Humans will think; computers will do": CII AI Forum Co-Chair Tejpreet Chopra on future of AI in India Artificial Intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming the world and becoming a part of everyday life. From healthcare and agriculture to education and governance, AI is improving efficiency and creating smarter solutions. Rather than taking away jobs, AI will generate new roles, encourage entrepreneurship, and shape the future workforce. These were the key takeaways from Tejpreet Chopra, Co-Chair of the CII National AI Forum and CEO of Industry.AI, during his address at the India AI Impact Summit 2026. Speaking at the event, Chopra highlighted that AI is now everywhere, changing how people live their daily lives. He noted that India is quickly becoming a leader for the Global South by focusing on digital growth and talent. He said, "Artificial Intelligence is rapidly transforming the world and becoming a part of everyday life. From healthcare and agriculture to education and governance, AI is improving efficiency and creating smarter solutions." He further explained that technology is a tool for empowerment rather than a threat to workers. "It is helping people work faster, make better decisions, and access new opportunities. India is emerging as a leader in the Global South by investing in digital infrastructure, innovation, and skilled talent," Chopra added. (ANI) February 16, 2026 12:30AI outcome won't be accidental: CEA Nageswaran warns tech transformation must align with mass employability Asserting that the impact of emerging technologies on India's future will be determined by deliberate policy choices, Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) V Anantha Nageswaran on Monday stated that the outcome of artificial intelligence will not be "accidental" and must be strictly aligned with mass employability. At the India AI Impact Summit 2026 during a session on 'Employability in the AI Age: Preparing for the Jobs of Tomorrow,' the CEA who joined virtually, highlighted that Artificial Intelligence presents a critical juncture for the economic trajectory. "With foresight, institutional discipline, and relentless execution, India can become the first large society to demonstrate true human abundance. Artificial intelligence can either reinforce this vision or undermine it -- the outcome will not be accidental," he said. Nageswaran noted that this transformation "will not happen by drift" and demands political will and strong state capacity. "Most importantly, it requires a clear national commitment to aligning technological adoption with mass employability. This is not the task of government alone; it must be a Team India effort, bringing together policymakers, industry, educators, and society at large," he said. (ANI) February 16, 2026 12:29Over 2.5 lakh register for AI Impact Summit; MeitY secy Krishnan says it is "reflection of India's energy" Secretary of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology S Krishnan on Monday said that over 2.5 lakh participants from across India and around the world have registered for the ongoing India Impact AI Summit 2026, exceeding expectations. Talking to ANI on the inaugural day of the Summit, Krishnan said the response was overwhelming and unprecedented. "The enthusiasm to participate in the event has truly grown. We have more than 2.5 lakh registrations from across India and the rest of the world. We've tried to make all the arrangements that we can. We never anticipated that there would be so many people willing and wanting to attend, which is why we did not restrict the registrations. So on all the days except the 19th, all of them are welcome to attend the various sessions that are going on," he said. With participation numbers soaring, nearly all sessions have witnessed full capacity crowds, he said. Krishnan described this as a wonderful reflection of the kind of energy that India is able to bring to any event of this kind. He clarified that, except for the proceedings scheduled on February 19, all registered participants are welcome to attend various sessions. (ANI) February 16, 2026 12:19"To truly make India an AI service provider, we need to contribute in whichever fashion we can": Jitin Prasada at AI Summit Emphasising that India's artificial intelligence (AI) journey must move beyond policy frameworks to inclusive innovation, Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada said that every stakeholder, from industry and startups to researchers and youth, must contribute to making India a global AI leader. Speaking at the AI Impact Summit, the minister underlined that the country's ambition is not just to be an AI consumer but an AI service provider to the world. "It's not only about the government making policies, but about every stakeholder, from industry to startups, to our young innovators and researchers. Every person has a stake and skin in the game," Prasada said. He noted that for India to emerge as a global AI hub, collective participation is essential. "To truly make India an AI service provider for the world, we all have to chip in and contribute in whichever fashion we can," he added. (ANI) February 16, 2026 12:18Norway Envoy to India May-Elin Stener calls for stronger representation of women in AI development Norway's Ambassador to India May-Elin Stener, has underscored the urgent need to address gender imbalance in artificial intelligence and technology, stressing that inclusion must move beyond discussion panels and into real structural change. At the AI Impact Summit 2026, the Norwegian Ambassador to India, Stener, focused on gender and innovation and highlighted the stark contrast between curated events and the broader reality of the tech industry. "We are here today discussing gender in technology, so I would also like to keep in mind we are on a gender-balanced panel here, but most of the panels and most of the work that is being done in technology and AI is gender-unbalanced the other way," Stener told ANI. February 16, 2026 12:16AI integration in road, transport can help avoid accidents, curb pollution: Govt official Measures such as a vehicle-to-vehicle communication system and adding driving-in-school curriculum can help in this direction, Pankaj Aggarwal, an officer in the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, said while speaking at the India AI Impact Summit in the national capital. During a panel discussion on 'AI for Road Safety: Data-Driven Solutions for Enhancing Road Safety in India', he said AI can play a big role in avoiding accidents and reducing fatalities. Further, AI can help maintain correct data when it comes to accidents and fatalities, he said, citing the example of Bihar where he said data shows fatalities are higher than the national average. On pollution, Aggarwal said, "We are developing an AI tool for that also because the environment is a major concern in the urban centres." How to control pollution is also an area where the government is actively taking steps as data can be misled here. He also mooted an idea of having driving as part of school curriculum through AI as it can create awareness among the youth. (PTI) February 16, 2026 12:01"AI lifts everyone up and reforms social good for generations to come": Cisco India MD Harish Krishnan at AI Impact Summit 2026 Highlighting the transformative potential of artificial intelligence, Harish Krishnan, Managing Director, Cisco Systems India, stated on Monday that AI is reforming social good for generations to come and effectively augmenting essential human capabilities. Speaking at the 'India AI Impact Summit 2026' on the theme 'Democratising AI Resources for Economic Growth and Social Good', Krishnan emphasised that the skills that matter most are human skills, noting that "AI agents are doing it effectively." He further underlined the industry's collaboration with the public sector, stating, "At CISCO, we align the mission of using AI to make life better with the help of the government," while prioritising a commitment to secure frameworks. Illustrating the practical application of this vision, Krishnan discussed the impact of AI on the agricultural sector through the 'Krishi Mangal' programme. "Our programme, Krishi Mangal, is in multiple languages for farmers using Sovereign AI. We have 44,000 women farmers, and the AI and our programme are boosting their incomes and improving livelihoods," he added. Beyond agriculture, Krishnan pointed out the technology's diverse utility in governance and security, noting that "even in prisons like Tihar, AI is being used for vigilance of the inmates." He asserted that "AI lifts everyone up and reforms social good for generations to come," a perspective that aligns with the broader national and global objectives of the event. (ANI) February 16, 2026 11:59Stay calm, learn AI tools to keep job safe: Tech leaders Stay calm, learn AI tools to keep job safe: Tech leaders Life-long learning ability is required to swim with the AI tide, and as AI continues to evolve over the next 3-5 years, there will be a lot of workforce restructuring, they said at the AI Impact Summit 2026 February 16, 2026 11:54"AI will not kill jobs but will unbundle them; Next 3 years to see 1000X growth": Microsoft India and South Asia President Puneet Chandok Puneet Chandok, President of Microsoft India and South Asia, on Monday said Artificial Intelligence models are improving at an unprecedented pace and predicted exponential growth in the sector over the next three years. Speaking at the "AI for Disaster Management: Anticipatory, Hyperlocal, Scalable" session of the AI Impact Summit 2026 in the national capital, Chandok said the rapid advancements witnessed in recent months demonstrate how quickly the technology is evolving. "The models you have seen today, it's incredible and we are growing on. With AI, we have potentially the ability to grow and move on, and now the world is changing and ready to adopt it," he said. On whether AI systems are truly improving, Chandok asserted that progress is clearly visible. "There is still debate on whether we are getting better with AI or not. I believe models are definitely getting better. You can see the change in the last six months. What you have seen today is remarkable. In the next three years, there are thousand X are coming in the AI sector," he said. He identified coding as the biggest current use case for AI, noting that the technology is rapidly transforming software development. (ANI) February 16, 2026 11:47India can lead globally by aligning AI adoption with mass employability through education reform: CEA Nageswaran Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran on Monday emphasised that India can be one of the largest societies where machine learning and human abundance can reinforce, rather than undermine, each other. Speaking at the "Future of Employability and AI" session of the AI Impact Summit 2026, Nageswaran asserted that the change will not happen by accident but will require political will, state capacity, and national commitment to align technological adoption with mass employability. He also stressed on the importance of a joint effort into the matter, adding that which should include the private sector, acadamics and the policy makers. (ANI) February 16, 2026 11:38UNFPA's Andrea Wojnar warns of AI accountability gap and impact on digital economy UNFPA's Andrea Wojnar warns of AI accountability gap and impact on digital economy She stressed that questions of responsibility -- who designs, regulates, deploys and benefits from AI -- remain unevenly addressed across sectors and geographies February 16, 2026 11:35Delhi summit 'important moment' to unlock full benefits of AI, says UK Deputy PM Delhi summit 'important moment' to unlock full benefits of AI, says UK Deputy PM The UK's focus during the AI Impact Summit starting in New Delhi on Monday will be on championing how artificial intelligence can supercharge growth, unlock new jobs, improve public services and deliver benefits for people across the globe, the British government has said. February 16, 2026 11:32AI is not going to take jobs, learn 10-15 tools, it will increase your productivity: Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani AI is not going to take jobs, learn 10-15 tools, it will increase your productivity: Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani Info Edge founder Sanjeev Bikhchandani emphasizes learning AI tools to enhance productivity, not job loss, for young professionals. February 16, 2026 11:23India can lead globally by aligning AI adoption with mass employability through education reform: CEA Nageswaran Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran on Monday emphasised that India can be one of the largest societies where machine learning and human abundance can reinforce, rather than undermine, each other. Speaking at the "Future of Employability and AI" session of the AI Impact Summit 2026, Nageswaran asserted that the change will not happen by accident but will require political will, state capacity, and national commitment to align technological adoption with mass employability. February 16, 2026 11:15UNFPA's Andrea Wojnar warns of AI accountability gap and its impact on trust and the digital economy Andrea Wojnar Resident Representative for United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) India has raised concerns about what she described as a widening "accountability gap" in the age of artificial intelligence, warning that unequal and biased systems risk deepening existing inequalities, particularly for women and girls. February 16, 2026 11:13AI summit 'important moment' to unlock full benefits of AI, says UK Deputy PM The UK's focus during the AI Impact Summit starting in New Delhi on Monday will be on championing how artificial intelligence can supercharge growth, unlock new jobs, improve public services and deliver benefits for people across the globe, the British government has said. February 16, 2026 10:59'AI is not going to take jobs, learn 10-15 tools, it will increase your productivity' Info Edge Founder and Executive Vice Chairman Sanjeev Bikhchandani on Monday highlighted that Artificial Intelligence is not eliminating jobs but significantly enhancing productivity, urging young professionals to adopt AI tools or risk being left behind. Speaking at the "Future of Employability and AI" session of the AI Impact Summit 2026, Bikhchandani said that AI is currently being deployed to improve efficiency and serve previously unviable market segments, rather than to replace human workers. February 16, 2026 10:36Top tech leaders say India playing key role in shaping future of AI Top tech leaders say India playing key role in shaping future of AI India hosts the AI Impact Summit, uniting global leaders to explore AI's transformative role in governance and sustainable development. February 16, 2026 10:36Airtel ramps up network to cater to traffic load Bharti Airtel has ramped up its network to handle traffic load during the India AI Impact Summit 2026, the company said on Sunday. Airtel ramps up network to cater to traffic load during India AI Impact Summit The company said its teams will monitor all roaming links round the clock to ensure visitors enjoy a superior, uninterrupted experience on the Airtel 5G Plus network February 16, 2026 10:35Bill Gates arrives in Amaravati; to examine real-time governance, AI-driven farm practices Bill Gates, Chairman of Gates Foundation and co-founder of Microsoft, arrived in Andhra Pradesh Capital Amaravati on Monday morning and was received by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the State Secretariat Bill Gates arrives in Amaravati; to examine real-time governance, AI-driven farm practices Bill Gates, Chairman of Gates Foundation and co-founder of Microsoft, arrived in Andhra Pradesh Capital Amaravati on Monday morning and was received by Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu at the State Secretariat February 16, 2026 10:15India stands at forefront of AI transformation: PM Modi India stands at forefront of AI transformation: PM Modi PM Modi declares India a leader in AI transformation, inaugurating the AI Impact Expo 2026 to foster global collaboration and innovation. February 16, 2026 10:07600 start-ups to be part of the Expo More than 300 curated exhibition pavilions and live demonstrations will be arranged across three thematic "chakras" -- People, Planet, and Progress -- highlighting AI's widespread impact across various sectors. Over 600 promising start-ups are expected to take part, with many developing globally relevant, population-scale AI solutions that are already implemented in real-world applications. February 16, 2026 09:59India stands at forefront of AI transformation: PM Modi Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated on Monday that India is leading the artificial intelligence transformation, with its advancements in AI demonstrating both ambition and responsibility. These comments were made on the day he is scheduled to inaugurate the India AI Impact Expo 2026 at Bharat Mandapam in New Delhi. February 16, 2026 09:52More on India AI Impact Expo 2026 The Expo will take place across 10 arenas spanning over 70,000 square metres and will feature global technology companies, startups, academia, research institutions, Union Ministries, State Governments, and international partners. Thirteen country pavilions will showcase international collaboration within the AI ecosystem, with participation from Australia, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Serbia, Estonia, Tajikistan, and African nations. February 16, 2026 09:49Summit and Expo Dates The India AI Impact Expo 2026 will be held from February 16 to 20 alongside the India AI Impact Summit and is envisioned as a national showcase of artificial intelligence in action, bringing together policy, innovation, and large-scale implementation under one platform. February 16, 2026 09:45New Delhi's Bharat Mandapam gears up for India AI Impact Summit 2026 Starting today, India kicks off the AI Impact Summit 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, with the theme "Sarvajana Hitaya, Sarvajana Sukhaya". PM Modi will inaugurate the India AI Impact Expo 2026 at the Bharat Mandapam in the national capital. Comments Published on February 16, 2026
In a historic move, U.S. Justice Department antitrust regulators are pushing for a court order that would force Google to sell its Chrome browser. This request follows a ruling in August, which determined that Google had unlawfully monopolized the search market. Additionally, the department aims to impose restrictions on Google's artificial intelligence practices and its Android operating system. This unprecedented legal action targets one of the world’s largest tech companies, marking a significant escalation in the U.S. government's efforts to curb monopolistic practices in the digital indus ...Read More >
nion Minister of State for Labour and Employment Shobha Karandlaje cited statistics in the Lok Sabha on Monday to show that youth unemployment rates in India were lower than global levels. The minister cited a report by the International Labour Organisation's (ILO) Institute for Human Development (IHD) which states that the worldwide youth unemployment rate was 15.6 per cent in 2021. Further, as per World Employment and Social Outlook Trends, 2024 by ILO, globally, in 2023, the youth unemployment rate was 13.3 per cent. On the other hand, the latest annual Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS ...Read More >
Small-cap Stock: Krystal Integrated Services Limited (Krystal) share price rose 5 per cent to ₹779.3 on Tuesday, November 26 after the company announced receiving a ₹106.3 crore contract from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The contract, valued at ₹1,062.99 million ( ₹106.3 crore), covers three years and involves providing comprehensive attendant manpower services to BMC's Education and Security Departments. This initiative is aimed at improving public sector operational efficiency in Mumbai. Small-cap stock Krystal Integrated Services share was trading in the green, up 3.07 pe ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 26 (ANI): Spiritual guru and founder of the Isha Foundation, Sadhguru, on Tuesday came out strongly and expressed grave concern over the arrest of Chinmoy Krishna Das, a prominent ISKCON leader in Bangladesh. Taking to social media platform X, Sadhguru highlighted the shift from a democratic to a theocratic and autocratic system in Bangladesh, stressing the importance of understanding the value of an open democracy. He pointed out that persecution based on religion or demographic weaknesses is not in line with democratic ideals. Also Read | UK Horror: Transgender ...Read More >
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Tuesday instructed officials to formulate proposals for constructing an iconic Deep-Technology building in the capital city of Amaravati. "I had built Hi-Tech City structure in Hyderabad to promote information technology. Now, it is time to embrace Deep-Tech and Artificial Intelligence to take advantage of the opportunities arising out of the latest technology," he underlined while reviewing the New IT Policy at the state secretariat. The Chief Minister announced that the state government will provide Rs 25 lakh as seed fundin ...Read More >
Srinagar, Nov 27 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir's Road Transport Corporation (RTC), a crucial backbone of public transportation, has raised serious concerns over the barring of its buses from entering Srinagar city limits. The move has triggered alarm within the Corporation, with officials cautioning about significant disruptions to public transport services and daily commutes, alongside substantial financial losses for the RTC. The restriction, in effect since November 4 when the maiden session of the Assembly commenced, is causing a daily revenue loss of Rs. 4 lakh to the Corporation. In a lette ...Read More >
Congress MP Ranjeet Ranjan has called for the replacement of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs) with ballot papers, citing concerns over the legitimacy of election results. Ranjan raised doubts about the EVM's accuracy, suggesting that the results may be influenced and advocating for a ballot paper system like many other countries. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge also echoed similar sentiments, accusing EVMs of wasting votes from marginalized communities. This comes after the Congress' defeat in the Maharashtra Assembly election. The Supreme Court, however, dismissed a petition seeking th ...Read More >
Mumbai Indians (MI) made strategic moves in the IPL 2025 mega-auction, securing New Zealand pacer Trent Boult for ₹12.50 crore. MI owner Akash Ambani praised Boult’s invaluable skill in swinging the new ball, acknowledging the team’s struggles when he wasn’t playing for them in recent years. The franchise also acquired England’s Reece Topley for ₹75 lakh and New Zealand spinner Mitchell Santner for ₹2 crore. MI further strengthened their spin department by signing young Afghan talent Allah Ghazanfar for ₹4.80 crore, who has impressed with his performances in international cricket. ...Read More >
The BE 6e, just as its name sounds, stands out as a futuristic, power-packed, and sporty electric Mahindra SUV on Indian roads. The highly anticipated Mahindra BE 6e, an all-electric compact SUV, has been finally launched at an introductory price of Rs 18.9 lakh (ex-showroom). Globally revealed alongside its sibling, the XEV 9e, this born-electric offering from Mahindra seems to be good enough (on-paper) to position itself as India's answer to luxury compact SUVs from global brands. With its futuristic design, a wealth of modern features, and an impressive power output - the highest in its fa ...Read More >
ess than 24 hours after he asserted in Nigeria's Abuja that stepping out of the comfort zone, innovating and creating new paths has now become the very essence of today's India, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday told the gathering of world's most influential leaders converged in Rio de Janeiro for the G20 Summit that the main reason for India's success lies in his government's 'back to basics' and 'march to the future' approach. Addressing the G20 session on 'Social Inclusion and the Fight Against Hunger and Poverty' at the bayside museum of modern art during the two-day 19th G20 Summit, ...Read More >
India Quality Conclave 2024: Driving Excellence in Quality Management Presto Group proudly presents the India Quality Conclave 2024, set to take place on November 30 at Crowne Plaza, New Delhi. This transformative event will bring together industry leaders from packaging, FMCG, pharmaceuticals, and other sectors to discuss cutting-edge quality improvement practices. Key highlights include strategies for cost reduction, boosting QC team productivity, and ensuring hassle-free audits. Attendees will benefit from keynote speeches, case studies, panel discussions, and a special book launch, Per ...Read More >
Union Minister of Rural Development and Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the third edition of Nayi Chetna - Pahal Badlaav Ki, a national campaign against gender-based violence, at Rang Bhawan Auditorium, New Delhi yesterday. Delivering his address, Shri Chouhan stated that the Government has taken a slew of initiatives for women's economic and social development. He stressed that gender-based violence is not an issue that persists in rural areas, but in urban areas as well. He said with the presence of Union Minister of Women and Child Development Smt. Annpurn ...Read More >
TARC Limited announced today that it has sold 50 per cent of its TARC ISHVA residential project, valued at ₹1,350 crore, just two months after its launch in September 2024. The luxury residential development on Golf Course Extension Road in Gurugram's Sector 63A spans 1.35 million square feet and offers four-side open residences with Aravali Hills views. The shares of TARC Limited were trading at ₹212 up by ₹6.29 or 3.06 per cent on the NSE today at 11.57 am. Amar Sarin, Managing Director & CEO, highlighted the project's success, attributing it to the company's customer-centric strategy and ...Read More >
Bengaluru, November 27, 2024: SuperGaming's highly anticipated Indo-futuristic Battle Royale game, Indus, has achieved a significant milestone, surpassing 5 million downloads on the Google Play Store and over 100,000 installs on the iOS App Store. This remarkable feat solidifies its position as one of India's fastest-growing games. The title has also been recognized as the Best Made in India Game by Google Play in their prestigious Best of 2024 awards. Indus has captivated players with its distinctive Indo-futuristic world setting that seamlessly blends Indian culture with futuristic aestheti ...Read More >
Infosys has announced an average 85% performance bonus for eligible employees in Q2 FY25, reflecting its strong financial performance. The bonus, paid to mid- and junior-level staff, will be credited with the November salaries, with individual payouts varying based on performance. This follows Infosys' impressive 4.7% rise in Q2 net profit and a revenue increase of 5.1%, leading to an upward revision of its FY25 revenue guidance. The bonus payout surpasses the previous quarter's 80%, with Infosys outpacing rivals like TCS. Employees are also awaiting salary hikes, with revisions expected from ...Read More >
New Delhi [India], November 26 (ANI): The Supreme Court dismissed a public interest litigation (PIL) petition on Tuesday seeking the reintroduction of the physical paper ballot voting system in elections in India. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and PB Varale dismissed the plea filed by evangelist KA Paul seeking physical ballot voting in India. During the hearing, the petitioner said that even leaders like Chandrababu Naidu and YS Jagan Mohan Reddy had questioned Electronic Voting Machine (EVM) tampering. To this the bench said what happens is, if you win the elections, EVMs are not tamper ...Read More >
- Renewed homepage of Samyang's industrial water treatment solution brand, 'TRILITE' ... Featuring AI chatbot 'TRIGENT' and Design programs 'TriAngle' - Providing tailored and technical information to the user's queries ... Service available in over 100 languages. - Innovative Water Treatment Design Softwares... Ion Exchange Resin and RO membrane SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Samyang Corporation (CEO Kang Ho-sung) introduced its new website for its water treatment solutions brand, 'TRILITE' (http://www.samyangtrilite.com), along with the launch of an innovative Artificia ...Read More >
Raniwala 1881 unveils its much-anticipated Raas A/W 2024-25 Collection, a celebration of heritage, family, and love. The collection blends traditional craftsmanship with modern aesthetics, honoring the bride’s journey and creating an emotional connection across generations. Each piece, from polki necklaces to intricate earrings, tells a story of resilience and legacy. Crafted with care, these jewels are not just adornments but heirlooms in the making, meant to be passed down through families. Abhishek Raniwala, Co-founder & Creative Director, emphasizes that the collection celebrates the spiri ...Read More >
During Tuesday's trading session, the shares of a global leader in glass-lined equipment surged nearly 3 percent to Rs. 1,247.5 on BSE, after a foreign portfolio investor (FPI) bought shares worth a total of around Rs. 167.4 crores in the company via a bulk deal. With a market capitalisation of Rs. 5,524 crores, at 02:19 p.m., the shares of GMM Pfaudler Limited were trading in the green at Rs. 1,228.7, up by nearly 1.4 percent, as compared to its previous closing price of Rs. 1,211.3. As per the latest block deal available with the NSE, foreign portfolio investor Amansa Holdings Private Limi ...Read More >
New Delhi, November 26: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday said that the government at the Centre has strengthened the spirit of the Constitution over the last 10 years. Addressing the Constitution Day celebrations at the Supreme Court, PM Modi highlighted that in the last 10 years, more than 53 crore bank accounts were opened, more than 4 crore pukka houses were given and more than 10 crore free gas connections were given. "In the last 5-6 years, by providing tap water facilities in more than 12 crore houses, the government made the lives of citizens easy, particularly of women," he sai ...Read More >
As businesses increasingly adopt AI, customizing large language models (LLMs) like GPT and Claude is key to meeting industry-specific needs. Techniques like Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) and in-context learning are gaining popularity. RAG enables real-time data retrieval, ideal for tasks requiring up-to-date information, while in-context learning provides guidance within the task prompt. Recent advancements in LLMs, such as larger context windows, offer new possibilities but also present challenges, including cost and efficiency. A hybrid approach combining RAG and long-context models m ...Read More >
ABUJA, Nov 17: Nigeria on Sunday conferred its second-highest national award - the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger - on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, making him the second foreign dignitary to receive the distinction. Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp "Honoured to be conferred with the 'Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger' Award by Nigeria. I accept it with great humility and dedicate it to the 140 crore people of India and the friendship of India and Nigeria," Modi said after receiving the award from Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Click here to watch vid ...Read More >
CHENNAI: Singles, Doubles, and the Team Championship - the 18-year-old Chennai girl, the daughter of an auto driver from Kasimedu, left nothing for competitors from around the world at the sixth edition of the Carrom World Cup held in the US which Team India swept. The Women's Singles final was a hard-fought contest, where the 18-year-old M Khazima kept her nerves to defeat 12-time national and multiple World Cup winner Rashmi Kumari from Bihar. With this victory, Khazima became the youngest Carrom World Champion. Khazima, whose father Mehaboob Basha is an auto driver from Kasimedu, had been ...Read More >
HYDERABAD, India, Nov. 26, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- IBSAT 2024, the proctored online aptitude test conducted by The ICFAI Foundation for Higher Education, is MBA aspirants' gateway to premier MBA, PGPM offered at nine ICFAI Business School (IBS) campuses. With applications closing in the third week of December, this is the perfect time for the candidates to secure their future with IBS and explore its Rs. 10 crore scholarship program. IBSAT is designed to reduce the stress on aspirants unlike CAT, XAT as the test does not have negative markings or sectional time limits, allowing candidates to foc ...Read More >
Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], November 26: As anyone who lives or works in Bangalore knows, navigating the city's busy streets or planning an outstation trip can be challenging. But thanks to GoCabxi, a new, customer-focused cab booking platform, travel within and beyond Bangalore has never been easier. From daily city commutes to weekend getaways, GoCabxi is changing how Bangaloreans experience travel, one trip at a time. Also Read | International Emmy Awards 2024 Winners: 'Drops of God', 'Division Palermo' and 'The Vow' Earn Major Honours! See the Full Winners List Here. Reliable Rides at ...Read More >
Delhi Capitals made a strong impression at the IPL 2025 Mega Auction, assembling a well-balanced squad for the upcoming season. Key signings included former South Africa captain Faf du Plessis (Rs 2 crore), India pacer Mukesh Kumar (Rs 8 crore - RTM), and Sri Lankan bowler Dushmantha Chameera (Rs 75 lakh). The team also secured uncapped talents like Donovan Ferreira and Ajay Mandal. Co-owner Parth Jindal hailed the squad as “balanced,” while head coach Hemang Badani expressed confidence in their Indian core. Delhi Capitals’ full squad now includes big names like KL Rahul, Mitchell Starc, and T ...Read More >
Defying pollsters, exit polls, and predictions, the BJP scored a hat trick in Haryana, albeit with a narrow lead in the recent Assembly election. It formed a government on its own sans any ally, and Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini assumed office for a second consecutive term with relative ease. But the euphoria did not last long. In the first Assembly session convened after the new government took over, the opposition, led by the Congress and the electorally diminished Indian National Lok Dal, attacked the government on the issue of fertilizer shortages in the sowing season. The government d ...Read More >
JPMorgan's CEO Jamie Dimon has envisioned a future where artificial intelligence (AI) could cut the traditional work week down to just 3.5 days. Speaking at the recent JPMorgan's annual investor day, Dimon said that AI would not just make businesses better but also improve work-life balance for employees, Fortune reports. He highlighted the historical benefits of technology but also noted job displacement risks from AI. In a chat with Bloomberg TV, Dimon disclosed that thousands at JP Morgan are already using AI. He called the tech a "living breathing thing" that keeps evolving. Despite the r ...Read More >
Times of India's Edit Page team comprises senior journalists with wide-ranging interests who debate and opine on the news and issues of the day. Hospitals to exams, public suspicion of public institutions comes from bitter experiences In Prayagraj, student protests outside the UPPSC office have waned after it agreed to conduct the provincial civil services preliminary exam on a single day. The decisions that drew these large protests were per se unobjectionable. Officials cited the large number of applicants to split the exam over two days, then normalise the results. This is a routine pract ...Read More >
VARANASI: A team of IIT (BHU) scientists, led by Project Investigator and Assistant Professor in the Department of Biomedical Engineering, Sudip Mukherjee, is spearheading a ground-breaking initiative to develop a cell-based therapeutic platform aimed at the long-term cure of ALS (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis), a fatal and debilitating neurological disorder. ALS has long posed a significant challenge to medical science. The disease, primarily of genetic origin, impacts movement, cognition, behaviour, and the overall health of individuals. In severe cases, ALS leads to respiratory failure and ...Read More >