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Month: August 2024

Governance

ISLRTC and Army Welfare Association Society Sign MoU to Promote Indian Sign Language

Observenow Desk August 12, 2024

The Indian Sign Language Research and Training Centre (ISLRTC) and the Army Welfare Association Society (AWES) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in New Delhi. The ceremony, led by Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD), marks a significant step forward in promoting Indian Sign Language (ISL).

This partnership aims to train school administrators, students, parents, and teachers to enhance sign language skills, particularly among the faculty at Army Public Schools. The MoU represents a key milestone in advancing ISL initiatives and supports the empowerment and inclusion of the Deaf community.

The collaboration is set to improve the educational experience by equipping Army Public School staff with better sign language skills, creating a more accessible and inclusive environment for Deaf and hard-of-hearing students.

The MoUs were signed by Dr. N. Honnareddy, Director of ISLRTC, and Maj. Gen. P.R. Murali, Managing Director of AWES. The event was also attended by Col. K.K. Sharma, Director of Schools at AWES, Ms. Manisha Verma, faculty member in Inclusive Education at AWES, and Dr. Abhishek Kr. Srivastava, Assistant Professor at ISLRTC.

Tags: Army Welfare Association SocietyISLRTC

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Jio Eyes Meta’s VR Magic for Its Next Big Gadget

Observenow Desk

Meta is reportedly in discussions to license its virtual reality (VR) software, Horizon, to Reliance Industries Ltd’s (RIL’s) digital division, Jio. This VR software would be used to power a new VR device that Jio plans to develop. This move is part of Meta’s broader strategy to encourage more companies to adopt Horizon OS and establish it as a leading platform for VR, augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality devices. However, the discussions are still in the early stages and might not come to fruition.

This development comes as Jio continues to explore augmented and virtual reality products. Last October, Jio launched two new devices: a VR headset called JioDive and smart glasses named JioGlass. This follows Jio’s acquisition of a majority stake in AR and VR startup Tesseract in 2019.

Extended reality (XR), which includes both AR and VR, has a range of applications such as 3D educational tools, engineering simulations, and uses in healthcare and entertainment.

These talks also highlight the strengthening relationship between Jio Platforms and Meta. Notably, Meta purchased a 10% stake in Jio Platforms in 2020 for $5.7 billion.

The two companies have been integrating their services; for example, JioMart customers can place orders via Meta’s WhatsApp platform.

Tags: JioMetaReliance Industries Ltd

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India Cheers as Neeraj Chopra Throws His Way to Olympic Stardom in Paris 2024

Observenow Desk August 9, 2024

Neeraj Chopra, India’s javelin thrower, won the country’s first silver medal in the men’s javelin final at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Although he faced tough competition and had five fouls out of six attempts, Chopra managed a best throw of 89.45 meters, securing second place.

After the event, Neeraj’s family shared their pride and happiness about his achievement. His mother, Saroj Devi, expressed joy at his success: “We are delighted for us, silver is also equal to gold… He was injured, so we are happy with his performance.” She also congratulated Nadeem, stating that all athletes are like her own children and promised to prepare Neeraj’s favourite meal upon his return home.

His father, Satish Kumar, also shared his thoughts on his son’s performance: “Everyone has their day; today was Pakistan’s day…. But we have won silver, and it is a proud thing for us.”

Neeraj’s recent silver medal follows his groundbreaking performance at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he made history as the first Indian to win gold in the javelin throw. This victory was a major milestone for Indian athletics, showcasing the country’s talent on the global stage.

At the Tokyo Olympics, Chopra’s winning throw of 87.58 meters was a testament to his skill and preparation, propelling him to the top of the podium and earning him widespread honor both nationally and internationally. His victory in Tokyo was celebrated as a momentous occasion for Indian sports.

Tags: Neeraj ChopraParis 2024 Olympicsparis olympics 2024

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Adya.ai Partners with Google Cloud to Launch ATMA AppStudio

Observenow Desk August 8, 2024

Adya.ai has announced a strategic partnership with Google Cloud to enhance enterprise adoption of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC). Central to this collaboration is the launch of “ATMA (Aatmanirbhar Technology Marketplace by Adya) AppStudio,” a self-service platform designed to expedite ONDC app deployment. The ATMA AppStudio allows organizations to quickly design, customize, and launch apps on Google Cloud within a single day, significantly reducing the time and cost associated with ONDC adoption.

Shayak Mazumder, Founder and CEO of Adya.ai, highlighted the importance of this collaboration, stating, “Our partnership with Google Cloud to introduce ATMA AppStudio is a game-changer for ONDC app development and deployment. This innovative approach not only accelerates market entry for businesses but also empowers end-users with advanced conversational commerce and deep learning technologies for translation, transliteration, and contextualization. Together, we are shaping the future of digital commerce and driving ONDC’s widespread adoption.”

ONDC has garnered substantial interest across various sectors, including agriculture and logistics. As of July 2024, the network recorded 12 million transactions in retail, food delivery, and ride-hailing, marking a 21% month-on-month growth. ONDC is reshaping India’s digital commerce landscape by overcoming the limitations of traditional platform-centric models, allowing businesses to leverage compatible applications for enhanced digital presence, streamlined cataloging, inventory management, and order fulfillment. With nearly 100 active Network Participants and over 15,000 entities seeking to develop their apps on ONDC, the need to address process complexity, extended deployment timelines, and scalability issues is critical.

ATMA AppStudio is designed to tackle these challenges head-on, offering a best-in-class solution for organizations to accelerate ONDC adoption and app development. Shireesh Joshi, Chief Business Officer and President of ONDC, emphasized the significance of the platform, stating, “As ONDC democratizes opportunities for businesses and customers alike, ATMA by Adya will empower small businesses and non-profits to easily create and deploy their applications. The platform’s ability to streamline application development across various domains and categories is a major advantage.”

In collaboration with Google Cloud, Adya.ai has simplified complex integration processes and shortened deployment times by providing pre-configured frameworks for scalable, cloud-based systems. The ATMA AppStudio, available through the Google Cloud Marketplace, reduces app deployment time from 12 months to just 24 hours. This DIY marketplace enables companies to rapidly build and customize apps for retail, financial services, and logistics, with significantly reduced costs and time to market. This is expected to drive annual enterprise growth by 12-50%, accelerating digital transformation within the ONDC ecosystem.

Bikram Singh Bedi, Vice President and Country MD at Google Cloud India, remarked, “Our partnership with Adya.ai is a pivotal moment in the ONDC journey. Together, we are breaking down barriers to ONDC adoption with the ATMA AppStudio, positioning Google Cloud as the leading solution for businesses embracing the ONDC ecosystem.”

Adya.ai’s recent INR 10.5 crore pre-seed funding round, led by Indian Angel Network and others, further cements the company’s role as a leader in the ONDC ecosystem. This strategic collaboration with Google Cloud underscores Adya’s commitment to making ONDC a success, paving the way for digital inclusion for enterprises and consumers alike.

Tags: Adya.aiATMA AppStudioGoogle CloudOpen Network for Digital Commerce

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Andhra Pradesh to Collaborate with Google for AI-Driven Governance

Observenow Desk

In a major development, Andhra Pradesh announced a partnership with tech giant Google to implement Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications across various sectors, including agriculture, healthcare, sustainability, skill development, and startup ecosystems. The announcement came on Tuesday as part of the “AI for Andhra Pradesh, Powered by Google” initiative, which will be formalized through a memorandum of understanding between the state government and Google.

The comprehensive partnership will integrate AI into agriculture, healthcare, sustainability, skill development, and startup ecosystems. Additionally, it aims to cultivate an AI workforce, support MSMEs with digital credit, and drive AI-powered governance, according to a statement released by the state government following a videoconference between Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and leaders from Google and YouTube.

The videoconference saw participation from Aviation Minister Ram Mohan Naidu and key Google representatives, including Neal Mohan, Global CEO of YouTube, Sanjay Gupta, President, Asia Pacific Region at Google, Leslie Miller, Global VP of YouTube, and Sreenivasa Reddy, Managing Director of Government Affairs, India.

The meeting focused on strategic collaborations to accelerate technological advancements in the state, exploring opportunities for collaboration between Andhra Pradesh and Google. Discussions covered digital infrastructure enhancement, skill development, and the use of technology for efficient governance. Chief Minister Naidu emphasized the state’s commitment to fostering an environment conducive to technological innovation.

Tags: Andhra PradeshGoogle

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Digital Native

FlexiBees Raises Pre-Series A Round Led by Inflection Point Ventures

Observenow Desk

FlexiBees, a talent marketplace specializing in flexible, part-time, and remote work solutions, has successfully closed its Pre-Series A funding round, led by Inflection Point Ventures. The round also saw participation from prominent investors including Shan M S, COO of Namma Yatri, and Reema Mahajan, founder of International Women in Dubai. The funds will be utilized to enhance the company’s technological infrastructure, refine its AI-driven algorithms, and expand its market reach to better serve both employers and talent.

FlexiBees, a platform connecting women professionals with part-time, project-based, and remote roles, serves over 700 businesses globally. These include major firms like Kimberly-Clark Professional and Tata Realty, as well as high-growth startups such as Qapita and Creditmantri. With a network of over 60,000 professionals, FlexiBees has successfully placed more than 1,400 women in flexible careers, impacting over 20,000 women through initiatives like returnship preparation and interview coaching.

Co-founded by Shreya Prakash, Rashmi Rammohan, and Deepa Swami, all MBA graduates from IIM Bangalore, FlexiBees is driven by a commitment to providing cost-effective and agile talent solutions. The company’s advanced vetting technology ensures high-quality matches, with 70% of its business coming from repeat clients. FlexiBees offers roles across various domains such as Sales, Digital Marketing, Finance, HR, and Technology, significantly reducing hiring time by 90%. For professionals, the platform offers flexible, career-advancing opportunities that support financial independence and personal agency.

As of July 2024, FlexiBees operates with a team of over 30 professionals, all working remotely, sourced from its own talent pool. The company has been recognized as a pioneering force in the flexible work sector, with accolades such as being the first runner-up in the 2022 Tie Women’s competition for South East Asia and South Asia, and recognition from Jefferies, a leading brokerage firm.

Targeting startups and SMBs within a global ecosystem of over 3.5 million startups, FlexiBees aims to capture a share of this $4 trillion market by offering experienced, cost-effective, and on-demand talent, particularly from regions with an under-utilized pool of qualified women professionals.

Tags: Deepa SwamiFlexiBeesInflection Point VenturesRashmi RammohanShan M SShreya Prakash

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Digital Native

Metadome.ai Secures $6.5M Series A Funding

Observenow Desk

Metadome.ai, an extended reality (XR) startup formerly known as Adloid, has secured $6.5 million in Series A funding. The funding round, which combined equity and debt, was led by Siana Capital and existing investor Chiratae Ventures. New investors, including Alteria Capital, 3to-1 Capital, and the family office of Manish Choksi, also participated in the round.

The Gurugram-based company plans to utilize the funds to expand into new markets, including the US, Southeast Asia, and the Middle East, while further developing its advanced XR technologies integrated with AI capabilities.

Founded in 2016 by Kanav Singla, Shorya Mahajan, and Kartik Kanaujia, Metadome.ai focuses on sales enablement through virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) solutions in sectors such as home decor, e-commerce, and mobility. The startup works with prominent clients like Hewlett Packard (HP), Tata Motors, Hero MotoCorp, and Asian Paints.

Since its inception, Metadome.ai has experienced significant organic growth, with its customer base doubling in the past year. The company also recently partnered with Hippo Homes to launch a virtual reality experience at a new store in Greater Noida, allowing customers to explore home improvement solutions in an immersive environment.

Metadome.ai is part of NVIDIA’s Inception and Google Startup programs and joins a growing list of Indian XR companies, including SmartVizX, Liminal, Embright Infotech, Scapic, and GMetri. The global XR industry continues to attract substantial investor interest, with Statista reporting $1.9 billion in investments, underscoring the increasing relevance of 3D, AR, and VR technologies in enhancing customer experiences.

Tags: FUNDINGMetadome.ai

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AI Price War Benefits Indian Startups as Global Companies Slash Costs

Observenow Desk

Global AI companies are engaged in a fierce price war, significantly reducing the cost of AI access and benefiting Indian startups. OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic are at the forefront, with smaller models becoming increasingly popular.

Last month, OpenAI introduced its most affordable model yet, the GPT 4o Mini, priced at just $0.15 per million input tokens. In response, Google reduced the cost of its Gemini 1.5 Flash model by 50%, pricing it at $0.075 per million input tokens. Following this, OpenAI further slashed the price of its GPT 4o model by half.

Over the past year, API access costs for closed models have dropped by 65%-90%. This reduction has enabled startups like InVideo, Yellow.ai, Haptik, Gnani.ai, and Shorthills.ai to expand their margins, invest in R&D, improve performance, hire more talent, and offer competitive pricing for their products.

These companies, among the largest paying customers of OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic, also develop their models. According to research firm Gartner, the rising competition from open-source models like Meta’s Llama series, which are free to download, is contributing to the overall price reductions in the AI ecosystem.

Tags: GoogleIndian StartupsOpenAI

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Google antitrust ruling may pose $20 billion risk for Apple

Observenow Desk August 7, 2024

Apple’s (AAPL.O) new tab lucrative deal with Google (GOOGL.O), opens new tab could be under threat after a U.S. judge ruled that the Alphabet-owned search giant was operating an illegal monopoly.

A potential remedy for Google to avoid antitrust actions could involve terminating the agreement, which makes its search engine a default on Apple devices, Wall Street analysts said on Tuesday.

Google pays Apple $20 billion annually or about 36% of what it earns from search advertising made through the Safari browser. If the deal is undone, the iPhone maker could take a 4-6% hit to its profit.

The pact runs until at least September 2026 and Apple has the right to unilaterally extend it for another two years, according to media reports in May that cited a document filed by the Department of Justice in the antitrust case. The most likely outcome now is the judge rules Google must no longer pay for default placement or that companies like Apple must proactively prompt users to select their search engine rather than setting a default and allowing consumers to make changes in settings if they wish.

Apple’s shares were trading flat on Tuesday, underperforming a recovery in the broader market after Monday’s global selloff. Alphabet was little changed, after falling 4.5% in the previous session.

“The message here is that if you’ve got a dominant market position with a product, you’d better avoid the use of exclusive agreements and make sure any agreement you make gives the buyer free choice to substitute away,” said Herbert Hovenkamp, a professor of law at the University of Pennsylvania. To be sure, the “remedy” phase could be lengthy, followed by potential appeals to the U.S. Court of Appeals, the District of Columbia Circuit, and the U.S. Supreme Court. The legal wrangling could play out into 2026.

Still, if the tie-up is scrapped, Apple will have several options including offering customers alternatives such as Microsoft Bing to customers, or potentially a new search product powered by OpenAI.

The ruling will speed up Apple’s move towards AI-powered search services. It recently announced that it would bring OpenAI’s ChatGPT chatbot to its devices.

In a shift away from exclusive deals that would help Apple ward off regulatory scrutiny, the company has said it is also in talks with Google to add the Gemini chatbot and plans to add other AI models as well. Apple is also revamping Siri with AI technology, giving it more control to handle tasks that had proven tricky in the past such as writing emails and interacting with messages.

While those efforts are expected to make little money in the coming years, they could help capitalize on the new technology.

Tags: AppleChatGPTGoogle

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Unfortunate Triumph: Vinesh Phogat to miss Olympic Medal

Observenow Desk

On Tuesday, Phogat made history as the first Indian woman wrestler to advance to the Olympic final, having taken down the world number 1 and top contender Yui Susaki of Japan along the way. However, in a turn of fate, Vinesh Phogat got disqualified from the Paris Olympics as she was unable to meet the weight requirement for her 50 kg gold medal match on the morning of the bout. The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) issued a statement expressing regret over her disqualification from the Women’s Wrestling 50 kg class.

Despite her remarkable achievement in reaching the final, Phogat was approximately 2 kilos overweight by Tuesday night. She spent the entire night trying to reduce weight, engaging in efforts like jogging, skipping, and cycling, but was ultimately unsuccessful. The Indian delegation requested additional time to allow her to lose the last 100 grams, but their plea was denied.

According to competition rules, she will neither be eligible for a silver medal nor be able to compete in finals for gold.

Nevertheless, Vinesh’s wrestling career is marked by numerous achievements:

  • Gold Medalist at the 2018 Asian Games
  • Gold Medalist at the 2018 Commonwealth Games
  • Bronze Medalist at the 2019 World Wrestling Championships
  • Two-time Asian Championship Gold Medalist (2018, 2019)
  • Three-time Commonwealth Championship Gold Medalist (2016, 2017, 2018)

Vinesh Phogat’s commitment to wrestling and accomplishments have made her a role model for young female athletes in India. She will be remembered as a key person in Indian sports history for her contributions to the game and for supporting women’s participation in athletics.

Tags: Olympic 2024Olympic Medaltokyo olympicsVinesh Phogat

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