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Month: May 2025

Technology

Optimum Partners with Google Cloud to Elevate Customer Experience Through AI

Observenow Desk May 9, 2025

Optimum, a prominent broadband communications and video services provider, has announced a strategic collaboration with Google Cloud aimed at enhancing customer experiences through the integration of advanced artificial intelligence technologies. This partnership leverages Google Cloud’s robust AI and machine learning capabilities to transform Optimum’s customer service operations. By integrating these technologies, Optimum aims to provide more personalized and efficient support to its customers, addressing their needs with greater precision and speed.

The collaboration focuses on deploying AI-driven solutions that can analyze vast amounts of customer data to identify patterns and predict potential issues before they arise. This proactive approach is expected to reduce service disruptions and improve overall customer satisfaction. Furthermore, the partnership includes the development of intelligent virtual assistants powered by Google Cloud’s AI tools. These assistants are designed to handle routine inquiries, allowing human customer service representatives to focus on more complex issues. This not only streamlines the customer support process but also ensures that customers receive timely and accurate responses to their queries.

In addition to enhancing customer interactions, the integration of AI technologies is anticipated to optimize Optimum’s internal operations. By automating various processes, the company can allocate resources more effectively, leading to increased operational efficiency and cost savings. Optimum’s collaboration with Google Cloud signifies a commitment to embracing innovative technologies to meet the evolving expectations of its customer base. By harnessing the power of AI, the company aims to deliver a more responsive and personalized service experience.

As the telecommunications industry continues to evolve, partnerships like this highlight the importance of integrating advanced technologies to stay competitive and meet the growing demands of consumers. Optimum’s initiative serves as a model for how companies can leverage AI to enhance customer satisfaction and operational efficiency.

Tags: artificial intelligenceGoogle CloudOptimum

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Technology

Cisco Unveils Quantum Networking Chip, Launches New Lab in California

Observenow Desk

Cisco Systems has introduced a prototype chip designed to network quantum computers, marking a significant step in the company’s quantum computing initiatives. Alongside this development, Cisco announced the inauguration of a new research facility in Santa Monica, California, dedicated to advancing quantum technologies. The newly revealed chip utilizes technologies akin to those found in existing networking chips, aiming to interconnect smaller quantum computers into more extensive systems. Cisco envisions immediate applications for this technology, including synchronizing clocks for financial institutions to ensure precise timing of trades and aiding scientists in meteorite detection.

In the broader context of the tech industry, Cisco joins other major firms like Alphabet’s Google, Microsoft, and Amazon, which have recently announced their own quantum computing chips. Nvidia has also disclosed plans to establish a quantum computing lab. Meanwhile, startups such as PsiQuantum are securing substantial investments to develop quantum systems. Distinct from its counterparts focusing on increasing the number of qubits—the fundamental units of quantum computing—Cisco’s approach centers on connecting these units. The company collaborated with researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara, to develop the chip, which operates by inducing quantum entanglement in pairs of photons. One photon from each pair is transmitted to separate quantum computers, enabling instantaneous communication between them, regardless of distance, a phenomenon Albert Einstein famously described as “spooky action at a distance.”

Pandey noted that the chip remains in the prototype stage, and there is currently no set timeline for its commercial deployment. “To build out that quantum network, the first building block that you need is an entanglement chip,” he explained. “Here’s the first building block of that.”

Cisco’s latest endeavors underscore its commitment to pioneering advancements in quantum networking, positioning the company at the forefront of this emerging field.

Tags: CiscoQuantum Networking Chip

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BFSI

BSE Issues Cybersecurity Alert Amid Surge in Threats to BFSI Sector

Observenow Desk

The Bombay Stock Exchange has issued a cybersecurity advisory to market participants following a government alert warning of increased cyber threats aimed at India’s banking and financial institutions. The advisory, prompted by inputs from the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), highlights growing concerns about state-linked cyberattacks, particularly those traced to actors based in Pakistan.

In its circular, the BSE urged all members, including brokers and financial institutions, to implement heightened precautionary measures to protect digital infrastructure. The exchange warned that the financial sector could face sophisticated threats such as ransomware attacks, intrusions through software supply chains, Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, website defacements, and malware deployments. Market participants have been asked to review their cybersecurity frameworks thoroughly, conduct risk assessments, and reinforce monitoring mechanisms.

The advisory follows a marked increase in cyber activity targeting India’s BFSI sector. In recent weeks, intelligence inputs have flagged a potential wave of coordinated attacks involving state-sponsored hacking groups. Reports suggest that these attacks aim not only to disrupt digital services but also to compromise sensitive data and critical business operations. Sources in the cybersecurity domain noted that the threat landscape has evolved rapidly, with attackers now using more advanced tools and techniques. The advisory from BSE aligns with broader national efforts to strengthen the digital resilience of core financial infrastructure. The Securities and Exchange Board of India had earlier introduced specific guidelines requiring exchanges and market institutions to maintain offline backups, conduct regular security audits, and run drills to test business continuity plans in case of cyber incidents.

While no specific incident has been cited as the immediate trigger for the advisory, officials acknowledge the risks posed by external adversaries looking to exploit geopolitical tensions. Cybersecurity experts emphasize that the focus must now shift from reactive postures to proactive defense planning, especially given the potential financial and reputational damage such attacks could cause. The advisory has been welcomed by market participants, many of whom are already in the process of upgrading their cybersecurity systems. However, experts warn that without a sector-wide, coordinated response, isolated efforts may fall short.

As the financial sector continues to digitize at an unprecedented pace, the threat of cyberattacks looms larger than ever. The BSE’s advisory serves as a timely reminder that safeguarding digital assets is no longer optional—it is a fundamental requirement in today’s financial ecosystem.

Tags: BFSI sectorBombay Stock Exchangecybersecurity

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B2B Marketeer

Nobody knows how AI models work, admits Claude CEO — and why we should worry

Mayank Jain May 8, 2025

It’s not every day that the CEO of a large AI company admits something this big – nobody really knows how AI works.

Anthropic (Claude AI’s parent) CEO Dario Amodei just admitted this on a blog post and vowed to create a deep “MRI on AI” to figure out what’s happening inside these models.

Here’s how he explained the problem:

“If an ordinary software program does something—for example, a character in a video game says a line of dialogue, or my food delivery app allows me to tip my driver—it does those things because a human specifically programmed them in. Generative AI is not like that at all. When a generative AI system does something, like summarize a financial document, we have no idea, at a specific or precise level, why it makes the choices it does—why it chooses certain words over others, or why it occasionally makes a mistake despite usually being accurate,” he wrote.

This honest admission is applause-worthy. It puts the dangers of “unknown unknowns” front and center at a time when the hype train is pushing everyone and their aunts to become AI prompt engineers and whatnot.

The technology is transformative, surely. It’s also necessary to adapt and upskill if one has to be relevant in the modern economy. (After all, this post’s cover image is a gift from ChatGPT). However, over-reliance on AI, either as a work alter ego or a career crutch, could be detrimental.

Here’s why.

Anthropic’s Amodei wrote that AI model’s current inexplicability means that it can’t be used in many high-stakes situations because a small mistake can have seriously devastating consequences.

So, what happens when you have highly opaque but capable models that everyone’s betting on to be the next big thing? We’ve now entered a paradigm where AI seems to be advancing faster than we can make sense of it.

And it’s not just a problem for the AI companies who will struggle to scale or refine these capabilities in the absence of inherent knowledge of their own creations.

It’s also an enormous worry for the rest of the world as everything from our education, work, finances, economic and foreign policy comes under the grip of supernatural models that can very well dictate our life outcomes.

“I worry that AI itself is advancing so quickly that we might not have even this much time… I am very concerned about deploying such systems without a better handle on interpretability. These systems will be absolutely central to the economy, technology, and national security, and will be capable of so much autonomy that I consider it basically unacceptable for humanity to be totally ignorant of how they work,” Amodei wrote in the post.

This is a rare moment of sombre self-reflection from a technology pioneer. It deserves praise, reception and serious reflection. The post itself is worth reading in full. It lays out the complexity of the problem, what happens if it goes unsolved, and the roadmap to improve the interpretability of AI models over the long run.

The problem with AI so far has been of known unknowns i.e. users knowing that it can make mistakes, researchers acknowledging that it might have bias, but this adds a new dimension. This is now a problem of the unknown–unknowns – we don’t know just how a model works and thus have no way to predict what it could do next or exactly how to improve the predictability of its outcomes.

Imagine an autonomous weapons system misfiring a missile at a bird because it “thought” that the bird was a military drone. The domino effect is as ridiculous as this example itself. But the scare is real – improving recognition of birds vs drones is one way to fix this problem, but not even knowing why a model interpreted that bird as a drone is where we find ourselves.

We have reached a fork in the road. The digital overlords will choose a path for us. But it’s important to know where we are in the wild before our outdated compass fully gives up.

Link to the full post by Anthropic CEO here: The Urgency of Interpretability

This article was originally published by Mayank Jain on LinkedIn.

Tags: AI modelsChatGPTClaude CEOMayank Jain

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Education

Symbiosis International (Deemed University) Launches India’s First AI-Focused Institute

Observenow Desk

Symbiosis Artificial Intelligence Institute (SAII) pioneers AI-driven education and research to shape the future of intelligent learning. It offers state-of-the-art facilities, innovative programmes, and industry partnerships to prepare students for the AI era.

Symbiosis International (Deemed University) announced the launch of the Symbiosis Artificial Intelligence Institute, SAII, a visionary initiative billed as India’s first dedicated AI-focused institute. SAII is poised to shape the future of intelligent learning by integrating cutting-edge artificial intelligence into academic programmes and research, preparing students to lead in a technology-driven world.

The institute will offer specialised programmes in AI and related fields, ranging from machine learning and data science to robotics and neural networks, ensuring that students gain deep expertise in the technologies redefining our future. 

The programmes offered under the institute are:

B.Sc. (Artificial Intelligence) Honours/Honours with Research

Emphasising application-oriented learning, the curriculum spans key sectors including Health Sciences, Agriculture, Cybersecurity, Data Science, and Sports Sciences, enabling students to address real-world challenges through AI. The programme prioritises ethical and responsible AI, ensuring graduates understand its societal impact. Students can additionally specialise in areas such as Financial Technologies, Marketing Technologies, Global Supply Chain, Human Resource Technologies, and Media and Creative Industries, each tailored to build industry-specific AI expertise.

B.B.A. (Artificial Intelligence) Honours/Honours with Research

Through a practical, industry-oriented curriculum, students learn to leverage AI tools to solve business challenges, enhance operational efficiency, and drive data-informed decision-making. Specialisations in Financial Technologies, Marketing Technologies, Global Supply Chain, Human Resource Technologies, and Media and Creative Industries allow for targeted expertise, while minors in Health Sciences, Sports Sciences, Agriculture, Data Science, and Cybersecurity offer additional domain insights.

A distinctive feature of the curriculum is the ability to combine majors and minors across programmes. A B.Sc. student majoring in Health‑Sciences AI can, for instance, choose a FinTech minor from the B.B.A. stream, while a B.B.A. student specialising in Marketing Technology can add a Data-Science minor drawn from the B.Sc. offerings. This mix-and-match ecosystem ensures that learners develop both technical depth and interdisciplinary breadth.

Structured as a “three-year core plus optional fourth‑year Honours or Honours‑with‑Research” model, each programme enables seamless progression from foundational principles to advanced specialisations. Throughout their studies, students will work in SAII’s state‑of‑the‑art AI super‑lab equipped with high‑performance GPUs, an extended‑reality studio, and a data‑visualisation arena.

Getting Future-ready with SAII

Graduates from Symbiosis Artificial Intelligence Institute, SAII, are equipped for diverse roles, including AI business analyst, Digital transformation consultant, Date-driven marketing specialist, Product manager (AI-enabled platforms), Operations and Process automation Manager, Tech Strategy analyst, Business Intelligence analyst & Innovation and technology manager positions, supported by interdisciplinary learning, industry projects, and mentorship that facilitate innovation and prepare them for global careers or further study in the AI ecosystem.

“Symbiosis has always believed in staying ahead of the curve in education,” said Dr. S.B. Mujumdar, Chancellor and Founder of Symbiosis International (Deemed University). “The launch of SAII is a testament to our commitment to prepare students for the future. By focusing on AI, we are not only keeping pace with global innovation but also allowing our students to become innovators and problem-solvers who will shape tomorrow’s world responsibly.”

Symbiosis Artificial Intelligence Institute stands apart through several key features:

  • Exclusive Focus on AI: SAII is dedicated solely to AI education, offering deep specialisation from basics to advanced applications, making it a distinctive AI hub in India.
  • Innovative Programmes & Curriculum: Programmes are designed with industry input and cover key areas like machine learning, NLP, computer vision, and AI ethics, keeping content cutting-edge and market-relevant.
  • State-of-the-Art Infrastructure: Students access modern AI labs, high-performance computing, and real-world tools, enabling hands-on learning with advanced AI technologies.
  • Industry & Global Collaboration: Partnerships with global tech firms and universities offer internships, live projects, expert sessions, and research, ensuring strong industry exposure.
  • Interdisciplinary & Ethical Approach: SAII integrates AI with sectors like healthcare, finance, and sustainability, emphasising ethical use and social impact in every programme.

Echoing the institute’s mission, Dr. Ketan Kotecha, The Dean and Director of SAII, highlighted the practical, student-centric approach of the new institute. “At SAII, our curriculum blends strong theoretical fundamentals with real-world application from day one,” he said. “Students will work on actual industry and research projects, leverage internships with our partner companies, and engage in innovative research that pushes the boundaries of what’s possible. We are committed to nurturing graduates who can not only adapt to the AI revolution but also drive it forward with creativity and responsibility.”

Eligibility and Admission

The programme welcomes applicants from every academic stream—Science, Commerce, and Arts; provided they have passed Class XII with a minimum aggregate of 50 percent, or 45 percent for candidates from SC/ST categories. It is conducted as a non‑residential course.

Admissions for the first cohort are now live on the institute’s website. Prospective candidates must register online for either programme by 30th May 2025. Names of eligible candidates shortlisted for personal interaction will be declared on 4th June 2025, followed by booking slots for the online PI for B.Sc. AI/B.B.A. AI between 5th and 8th June 2025, and the final merit list will be published on 19th June 2025.

Tags: artificial intelligenceSymbiosis Artificial Intelligence Institute

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Digital Native

Investor caution drives 16% decline in VC capital funding for Indian startups

Observenow Desk May 7, 2025

In April 2025, Venture capital funding for Indian startups declined by 16% compared to March, totaling $1.1 billion across 115 deals. Despite the decrease in funding value, the number of deals increased from 86 in March, indicating sustained interest in early-stage investments.

The reduction in funding is attributed to the absence of large-scale investments. April saw only one deal exceeding $50 million, with Parsons Nutritionals securing $80 million. Additionally, Northern Arc raised $80 million through a combination of equity and debt. This trend highlights the challenges startups face in attracting substantial equity investments, leading many to explore debt financing options.

Startups in the initial stage dominated the funding landscape, accounting for 250 of the 312 deals in the first quarter of 2025. However, the total funding value for this category remained modest at $805 million. Growth-stage startups attracted the highest funding amount at $852 million across 26 deals, while late-stage funding was minimal. This pattern underscores the cautious approach investors are taking toward larger investments amid global economic uncertainties.

Fintech emerged as the leading sector, attracting $222 million in funding during April. Other sectors such as manufacturing, SaaS, and cleantech also garnered investor interest. Notably, cleantech is gaining traction, reflecting a shift toward sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies. Geographically, Delhi-NCR led in funding, followed by Bengaluru and Mumbai. This marks a shift from the usual trend where Bengaluru typically tops the list, suggesting a more distributed investment pattern across major Indian cities.

The decline in VC funding reflects broader macroeconomic challenges, including global trade tensions and a cautious investment climate. Despite these hurdles, the increase in deal volume indicates that investors remain interested in the Indian startup ecosystem, particularly in early-stage ventures. Industry experts anticipate that funding activity may rebound in the latter half of the year as economic conditions stabilize and investor confidence returns.

Tags: FUNDINGIndian Startups

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Digital Native

Kunal Bahl Highlights Impact of Governance Scandals on Indian Startup Ecosystem

Observenow Desk

At the recent TiE Delhi-NCR Summit, Snapdeal and Titan Capital co-founder Kunal Bahl addressed the growing concerns over governance issues within India’s startup landscape. He emphasized that recent scandals have significantly eroded investor and public trust, urging founders to prioritize financial discipline and robust oversight from the inception of their ventures. 

Bahl’s comments come in the wake of several high-profile controversies involving startups such as Gensol Engineering and its sister concern BluSmart, Byju’s, BharatPe, GoMechanic, Groyyo, Mojocare, and Zilingo. These incidents have prompted heightened scrutiny of internal controls and governance practices across the startup sector. The fallout from these scandals has led to increased investor caution. Many investors are now imposing stricter clauses in funding agreements and are more frequently engaging independent auditors to assess the financial health and governance standards of startups.

Despite the challenges, Bahl expressed cautious optimism about the future of Indian startups. He noted that while the sector faces hurdles, there is potential for increased funding and IPO activity in 2025, contingent on improved governance practices and restored investor confidence.

Bahl’s emphasis on early-stage governance underscores a broader shift in the startup ecosystem, where founders are increasingly recognizing the importance of establishing strong financial and operational controls from the outset. This proactive approach is seen as essential for building sustainable businesses and maintaining the trust of stakeholders.

As the Indian startup ecosystem continues to evolve, industry leaders like Bahl advocate for a culture of transparency and accountability. By addressing governance issues head-on, startups can work towards rebuilding trust and ensuring long-term success in a competitive market.

Tags: Kunal BahlSnapdeal

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Digital Native

Freshworks Teams Up with Nextgen to Expand AI-Powered Service Software in ANZ

Observenow Desk

Freshworks has announced a strategic distribution partnership with Nextgen Connect, appointing the Australian distributor as its primary partner for Australia and New Zealand. This collaboration aims to broaden the reach of Freshwork’s AI-driven service software across mid-market and enterprise sectors in the region.

Nextgen plans to utilize its comprehensive channel services model, which integrates pipeline generation through oSpace, brand awareness via Elastic Digital, and its AWS Cloud Marketplace practice. This approach is designed to effectively introduce Freshworks’ suite of products to a wider audience.

Neels Du Plooy, Head of Partners and Alliances ANZ at Freshworks, emphasized the significance of this partnership, stating that there is “enormous potential” in assisting more businesses across Australia and New Zealand to harness the benefits of AI-powered services. He noted that achieving this at scale necessitates a distribution partner with the right capabilities.

Wendy O’Keeffe, Managing Director at Nextgen Connect, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, highlighting the goal of building, developing, and scaling the partner landscape in Australia and New Zealand. She mentioned that this would be achieved by offering channel services and proactive partner engagement, supported by a dedicated partner development manager.

Du Plooy further elaborated on the alignment between the two companies, noting that both organizations are focused on simplifying complex technology and prioritizing partners. He praised Nextgen’s strong reputation for working closely with vendors and partners, not merely pushing products but genuinely driving business outcomes.

Through this partnership, Freshworks aims to provide more businesses in the region with access to modern, AI-powered tools. Du Plooy highlighted that the deal would help scale Freshworks’ presence, onboard new partners, and expedite the delivery of solutions to customers. He also pointed out that existing and new partners would benefit from increased resources, enhanced enablement, and easier access to tools that customers are increasingly seeking. For instance, with Freddy AI Agent, partners can offer customers a fully autonomous support experience that is operational within minutes, without the need for coding or consultants.

This strategic alliance between Freshworks and Nextgen Connect marks a significant step towards expanding the availability of AI-powered service software in the Australian and New Zealand markets, aiming to deliver tangible value to businesses and their customers.

Tags: Australia and New ZealandFreshworksNextgen

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Digital Native

OpenAI Retains Nonprofit Control Amidst Governance Restructuring

Observenow Desk

OpenAI has announced a significant shift in its organizational structure, deciding to maintain its nonprofit governance while transitioning its for-profit subsidiary into a Public Benefit Corporation. This decision comes after considerable public and legal scrutiny over the company’s initial plans to cede nonprofit control.

The move to retain nonprofit oversight was influenced by discussions with civic leaders and the Attorneys General of California and Delaware. These conversations highlighted concerns about the potential risks of fully transitioning to a for-profit model, especially regarding the company’s foundational mission to develop artificial general intelligence that benefits humanity.

OpenAI’s CEO, Sam Altman, emphasized the organization’s commitment to its original mission. In a letter to employees, he stated that the nonprofit would remain the controlling entity, ensuring that the company’s direction aligns with its core values. The for-profit arm’s transformation into a PBC is designed to balance the need for capital investment with the organization’s ethical commitments. The restructuring plan had faced criticism from various quarters, including co-founder Elon Musk, who filed a lawsuit alleging that OpenAI’s commercialization efforts deviated from its founding principles. Musk’s concerns were echoed by other stakeholders who feared that a shift to a fully for-profit model could compromise the company’s dedication to safe and beneficial AI development.

Under the new structure, the nonprofit will hold a significant stake in the PBC, allowing it to influence major decisions and uphold the organization’s mission. This arrangement aims to provide the for-profit subsidiary with the flexibility to attract investment while ensuring that its operations remain aligned with the broader goal of advancing AI for the public good. OpenAI’s decision reflects a broader trend in the tech industry, where companies are exploring hybrid models that combine profit-making with social responsibility. By adopting the PBC structure, OpenAI joins other AI firms that seek to balance commercial success with ethical considerations.

The company’s recent $40 billion funding round, which included provisions for corporate transition compliance, underscores the importance of aligning financial strategies with organizational values. Altman reiterated that OpenAI’s mission remains unchanged, focusing on developing AI technologies that empower humanity and contribute positively to society.

As OpenAI navigates this new phase, the retention of nonprofit control is seen as a reaffirmation of its commitment to ethical AI development. The organization’s leadership believes that this structure will enable it to pursue innovation while staying true to its foundational principles.

Tags: OpenAISam Altman

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Digital Native

PhonePe Unveils Indigenous Smart Speaker to Enhance Offline Payment Experience

Observenow Desk

Digital payments platform PhonePe has introduced a new smart speaker designed to streamline offline payment confirmations for merchants across India. This latest device, developed entirely within the country, aims to bolster the company’s efforts in expanding its presence in the offline payments sector.

The upgraded smart speaker offers improved connectivity and extended battery life, addressing previous challenges faced by merchants using earlier versions. With a focus on enhancing transaction efficiency, the device provides instant audio confirmations for payments, ensuring a seamless experience for both merchants and customers.

PhonePe’s initiative to develop the smart speaker domestically underscores its commitment to supporting the ‘Make in India’ campaign. By manufacturing the device within the country, the company not only contributes to local economic growth but also ensures better control over the product’s quality and supply chain logistics. The introduction of this smart speaker comes at a time when the adoption of digital payments is witnessing significant growth, especially in tier 2 and tier 3 cities. Merchants in these regions often face connectivity issues, making reliable payment confirmation tools essential for smooth business operations.

PhonePe’s new device is expected to play a pivotal role in addressing these challenges, offering merchants a dependable solution for real-time payment confirmations. The company plans to roll out the smart speaker across various regions, ensuring widespread availability to support the growing demand for efficient offline payment solutions. In addition to enhancing merchant experiences, the smart speaker is anticipated to contribute to increased customer trust in digital transactions. Instant audio confirmations provide reassurance to customers, reducing uncertainties associated with digital payments and fostering greater adoption of cashless transactions.

PhonePe’s continuous efforts to innovate and adapt to the evolving needs of the Indian market highlight its dedication to driving digital transformation. The company’s focus on developing user-friendly solutions tailored to local requirements positions it as a key player in the country’s digital payment landscape.

As the digital economy continues to expand, tools like PhonePe‘s smart speaker are set to play an integral role in bridging the gap between online and offline payment ecosystems. By providing reliable and efficient solutions, the company aims to empower merchants and customers alike, fostering a more inclusive and accessible financial environment.

Tags: Digital PaymentPhonePe

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