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Month: July 2025

Technology

Google Cloud’s Agentic AI Stack Is Redefining Future-Ready GCCs in India

Observenow Desk July 31, 2025

At the 2025 Global Capability Center Summit, Google Cloud unveiled its advanced agentic AI platform designed to transform how enterprise innovation is built and scaled, especially within Indian GCCs that act as strategic AI delivery hubs for global corporations.

Indian GCCs are no longer limited to low-cost IT support centers; they are evolving into full-stack innovation units that combine data engineering, model operations, autonomous agents, and orchestration of generative AI workflows. Google Cloud’s agentic stack, underpinned by Gemini 2.5 Flash and a suite of AI tools, delivers this vision through seamless integration across infrastructure, data, and intelligence layers.

A key highlight is the Agentic Data-to-AI Platform, which embeds intelligent agents directly within enterprise data pipelines. These agents autonomously manage tasks such as data preparation, transformation, anomaly detection, and workflow handoffs—freeing human engineers to focus on high-value strategy. Global enterprises in industries like finance, telecom, and Q-commerce are already leveraging this architecture for real-time analytics and process automation.

To support interoperability and extensibility, Google introduced the Agent2Agent protocol, a vendor-neutral communication standard that allows autonomous agents to pass information securely and coordinate workflows across systems such as Salesforce, Workday, ServiceNow, SAP, and MongoDB. This open framework greatly simplifies deployment in multi-vendor corporate ecosystems.

Supporting Google’s developer ecosystem in India is Gemini 2.5 Flash, now hosted locally to comply with data residency norms and reduce latency for domestic operations. The model powers multimodal agents capable of voice, image, and code interactions—making agentic workflows responsive and contextually aware. Developers can now rapidly build, deploy, and iterate AI agents using no-code tools like the Agent Designer and integration templates within Firebase Studio and AI Studio.

India-first cases illustrate the impact. Tata Group companies are using these capabilities to automate regulatory dashboards; large banks are deploying assistants for real-time risk reporting; and consumer goods GCCs are embedding agentic bots to streamline supply chain decision-making and predictive maintenance routines. Ramamurthy called this shift a “reimagining of GCC success” — one where India becomes the nerve center for enterprise-level AI orchestration and governance.

Driving agentic adoption is a growing ecosystem. Google’s AI Agent Marketplace, announced at Next ’25, offers hundreds of prebuilt agents and frameworks built by partners from global consultancies and ISVs. Over 1,000 agent-based use cases have already been developed and rolled out enterprise‑wide, supported by deep expertise from partner firms like Accenture, Deloitte, Infosys, and Wipro.

Google’s unified tech stack also runs on its own infrastructure innovations like Ironwood TPUs, enabling high-performance, scalable compute. These backend updates enable GCCs to manage complex workloads and support next-gen models like AlphaFold 3 and quantum-aware modules, while preserving flexibility to use multiple cloud providers or on-prem systems.

In summary, Google Cloud is reshaping India’s GCC landscape through its agentic AI architecture. By embedding intelligence directly within data systems, enabling agent collaboration via open protocols, and supporting automation at every enterprise layer, it gives GCCs the tools to operate as full-stack AI innovation hubs. For companies defining the future of global digital operations, this integrated stack represents both a roadmap and a competitive edge in the era of autonomous intelligence.

Tags: Google Cloud

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Technology

Hitachi Vantara Launches Enhanced VSP One SDS on Google Cloud for Hybrid-First Enterprises

Observenow Desk

Hitachi Vantara has expanded its Virtual Storage Platform One Software‑Defined Storage into the Google Cloud Marketplace, unveiling enhanced hybrid cloud storage features now available as a fully managed solution. The update introduces enterprise-grade capabilities—two-way asynchronous replication, thin provisioning, and advanced data compression—designed to unify data management across on-premises environments and Google Cloud. Organizations can now scale and protect storage workloads without requiring costly infrastructure redesign.

These innovations deliver substantial efficiency improvements. With compression and provisioning enhancements, users may reduce cloud storage spending by up to 40%, while the two-way replication feature strengthens disaster recovery by enabling both primary and secondary sites to act interchangeably as source or target—boosting resilience across complex deployments. Hitachi Vantara designed the platform for high reliability with a targeted uptime of 99.999%, affirming its commitment to enterprise-grade continuity in public cloud environments.

The move aligns with industry trends showing 80% of enterprises using multiple public clouds and 60% operating private clouds as well. Despite this hybrid proliferation, nearly 47% of IT leaders report limited visibility and control across multi-cloud environments, especially amid growing data volumes driven by AI and advanced analytics.

Availability on Google Cloud Marketplace streamlines access for users and channel partners, allowing customers to deploy VSP One SDS with minimal setup and unified orchestration across a single management interface. Ops teams can handle provisioning, monitoring, and recovery across cloud and on-premises infrastructure from one console.

This release builds upon Hitachi’s broader platform enhancements, including the earlier rollout of VSP 360—a single control plane that brings AI-powered observability and carbon footprint insights across the VSP One suite. Executives emphasize that this update addresses critical imperatives around resilience, sustainability, and hybrid flexibility. With native availability in Google’s ecosystem, VSP One now empowers organizations to maintain governance, minimize downtime risks, and optimize operations across distributed environments.

In short, Hitachi Vantara’s expanded VSP One SDS on Google Cloud marks a pivotal advance in hybrid cloud data architecture. By combining unmatched reliability, cost efficiency, and seamless hybrid deployment, it sets a new benchmark for businesses striving for strategic agility and operational efficiency in data-intensive environments.

Tags: Google CloudHitachi Vantara

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Technology

UK Tech Leaders Prioritize Cloud, AI, and Data Upskilling to Drive Transformation

Observenow Desk

A new global study conducted by Coursera in partnership with Amazon Web Services reveals that UK technology executives are placing cloud transformation and AI competency at the top of their strategic agenda, positioning skills development as a key enabler for growth.

The report surveyed over 750 senior IT professionals across six countries, representing large enterprises with at least 1,000 employees and annual revenues over $100 million. In the UK, nearly 94% of tech leaders identified cloud transformation as one of their core business goals over the next three years, closely followed by 88% prioritizing AI initiatives.

While cloud transformation received the highest emphasis, skill readiness remains a significant concern. Only about 50% of UK respondents rated their teams as having adequate AI skill levels to meet upcoming business goals. In response, 75% of leaders said training existing employees is critical in the coming 12–18 months, and 67% cited staying current with rapidly evolving technology as the most urgent driver for learning. When asked to rank critical areas for investment, cloud computing topped the list with 63%, followed by data proficiency (58%), cybersecurity (54%), and AI skills (47%). The findings illustrate a deliberate strategy to strengthen foundational infrastructure skills alongside emerging technologies.

The study also highlights broad expectations for AI adoption. Almost 99% of respondents anticipate that future codebases will include AI-generated or AI-assisted code, with between 20% and 50% of new code expected to follow this trend within three years. Meanwhile, 78% foresee automation affecting technical roles at scale. Despite these shifts, leaders repeatedly stressed the importance of human contribution: 88% affirmed that AI-driven transformation would require substantial investment in talent development to succeed.

In the UK, employers forecast a productivity boost of up to 44% from AI-powered workflows, with employees expecting 39% efficiency gains in day-to-day tasks. However, the talent gap persists—more than 70% admit to lacking confidence in their AI readiness, and many report difficulties in locating qualified professionals.

As AI and cloud adoption accelerate, industry observers argue that structured upskilling models—such as apprenticeships, micro-credentials, and hands-on platforms—are increasingly vital. Research shows that employers are now favoring skills over formal degrees, especially in AI roles where domain knowledge directly correlates to wage premiums.

In summary, the Coursera-AWS study underscores a clear message from UK tech leaders: building robust cloud and AI pipelines depends less on new hires and more on rapidly elevating internal talent. With digital transformation accelerating, enterprise success hinges on a proactive strategy—one that blends foundational infrastructure skills with generative AI fluency and hands-on training.

As investment in upskilling grows, UK enterprises appear poised to lead Europe in cloud-native and AI-powered modernization—powered by a workforce ready to turn transformation ambitions into reality.

Tags: Data UpskillingTech Leaders

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Technology

Thales Becomes One of First to Secure GSMA eSA Certification for IoT eSIMs

Observenow Desk

Thales has taken a major step forward in IoT security by earning the GSMA’s eSIM Security Assurance certification under the new SGP.32 standard, making it one of the first companies globally to achieve this level of approval. This milestone solidifies Thales’s position as a trusted leader in enabling secure, large-scale eSIM deployments across connected devices.

The SGP.32 specification is tailored for the expanding cellular IoT market, allowing devices such as sensors, smart meters, and connected vehicles to be remotely activated and managed over the air without physical SIM cards. Thales’s certification under this framework confirms that its solution meets rigorous GSMA standards across all layers, including hardware, firmware, operating system, and cryptographic libraries, which helps guarantee secure and compliant operations for massive IoT rollouts.

According to GSMA Intelligence, cellular IoT connections are expected to reach 5.8 billion by 2030, heightening the need for robust provisioning and supply chain integrity. With its newly certified eSIM solution, Thales is now able to offer operators, OEMs, and service providers a ready-to-deploy, carrier-recognized standard for secure and scalable IoT adoption.

Thales executives say the certification enables true frictionless deployment, mass over-the-air provisioning, long-term device identity protection, and compliance with evolving global regulations such as the EU Cyber Resilience Act. Guillaume Lafaix, VP of Mobile Connectivity Solutions at Thales, described it as critical in transforming IoT expansion by simplifying device onboarding while preserving security and user trust.

Beyond enhancing operational efficiency, the certification positions Thales with a “seal of trust” sought by mobile operators, industrial IoT providers, and automotive manufacturers. With projects already underway at numerous global organizations, the endorsement promises to accelerate adoption across verticals, such as smart energy grids, medical monitoring devices, and enterprise fleet connectivity, where security and compliance cannot be compromised.

Thales continues to lead eSIM adoption with over half of all GSMA-certified eSA approved solutions attributed to its technology stack. Analysts believe the milestone strengthens its competitive edge, particularly in IoT segments where scale, security, and governance are essential differentiators.

In summary, by becoming an early recipient of GSMA SGP.32 eSA certification, Thales sets a new bar for secure, enterprise-grade IoT eSIM deployment. The move unlocks rapid, compliant activation and management of billions of connected devices, providing a crucial building block for secure, trusted, and scalable IoT ecosystems around the world.

Tags: eSIMsGSMA SGP.32Thales

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Trending

Cisco Donates AGNTCY to Linux Foundation to Build Open Internet of AI Agents

Observenow Desk

Cisco has officially transferred its AGNTCY project, an open framework for multi-agent AI systems, to the Linux Foundation, paving the way for industry-wide collaboration on interoperable agent infrastructure. Cisco has committed to remaining an active contributor alongside partners such as Dell Technologies, Google Cloud, Oracle, and Red Hat.

Originally developed by Cisco’s Outshift innovation arm and first open source in March, AGNTCY provides essential components for agent collaboration: agent discovery, cryptographic identity, secure messaging, and observability. The goal is to help agents, even those from different vendors or platforms, coordinate seamlessly in enterprise environments.

At its core, AGNTCY acts as the infrastructure layer of the emerging “Internet of Agents”, much like DNS and security layers underpin the early web. Its Open Agent Schema Framework enables agents to discover one another, while a decentralized directory supports dynamic capability lookup. Identity components let agents authenticate and enforce permissions across domains. Secure Low-latency Interactive Messaging enables efficient, quantum-safe agent and human interactions. Finally, observability tools track multi-agent workflows—crucial for debugging AI-driven systems.

Importantly, AGNTCY interoperates with existing protocols such as Agent2Agent recently donated by Google—and Anthropic’s Model Context Protocol. Together, these frameworks aim to break siloed agent deployments and support full-stack collaboration. Industry leaders emphasize the importance of neutral stewardship for this foundational layer. As Outshift SVP Vijoy Pandey noted, “Building the infrastructure for the Internet of Agents requires community ownership, not vendor control.” Cisco expects AGNTCY to evolve under Linux Foundation governance as an open, neutral commons.

Jim Zemlin, Executive Director of the Linux Foundation, echoed this sentiment, calling AGNTCY a groundwork for secure, interoperable agent ecosystems that enhance transparency, efficiency, and trust in AI networks. Support from partners is strong. Dell Technologies’ CTO John Roese, Google Cloud’s Rao Surapaneni, Oracle’s Roger Barga, and Red Hat’s Steve Watt have all joined AGNTCY as founding members, reinforcing the open-source push. Many other companies, over 75 contributors are already backing the initiative.

Analysts believe AGNTCY could become a standard infrastructure layer for agentic systems, especially as AI agents proliferate. A recent estimate by Bank of America projects that AI agent deployments may generate up to 80 billion interactions daily, intensifying the need for protocols that support discovery, messaging, identity, and observability at scale. This donation comes amid broader open-source trends in AI. Notably, Google already contributed the A2A protocol to the Linux Foundation earlier this year. AGNTCY builds on that foundation, offering end-to-end agent lifecycle support from build to runtime execution.

By contributing AGNTCY to a neutral governance body, Cisco aims to accelerate the emergence of an interoperable, secure, and vendor-agnostic agent ecosystem. As enterprises deploy workflows spanning ServiceNow, Salesforce, robotics, and AI models, AGNTCY promises to become the connective tissue that enables reliable, multi-agent coordination at internet scale.

Tags: AGNTCYCiscoLinux Foundation

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Education

Google Launches AI Skills Academy with IIMC to Upskill India’s Media in Journalism AI

Observenow Desk July 30, 2025

Google has unveiled its AI Skills Academy, a 10‑week, hybrid training program designed to empower Indian journalists and media educators with the latest in AI-powered tools and workflows. Developed in partnership with the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) and supported by the social impact platform How India Lives, the initiative is part of Google’s News Initiative and targets transformation in modern journalism.

The academy enables participants to train with advanced tools such as Gemini, NotebookLM, AI Studio, and Pinpoint. Through structured weekly sessions, hands-on assignments, mentoring, and problem-solving labs, the program trains attendees in practical applications—such as transcribing lengthy interviews, summarizing complex reports, translating content, and managing multilingual storytelling with speed and precision.

Offered across six IIMC campuses, the program extends beyond newsroom professionals to include media students and educators. The curriculum emphasizes responsible innovation, guiding participants to harness AI for deeper reporting, improved productivity, and enriched storytelling—while maintaining editorial standards and accuracy.

Google and IIMC intend this academy to build capacity at scale, nurturing a new generation of AI-aware media professionals. The broader vision is to embed ethical, creative, and technical fluency into journalism as generative AI reshapes content creation and audience expectations.

Tags: AI Skills AcademyGoogleIIMC

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Digital Native

Zepto Secures ₹75 Crore from Elcid Investment Amid Pre-IPO Fundraising Push

Observenow Desk

Quick commerce unicorn Zepto, led by Aadit Palicha, has raised ₹75 crore from Mumbai-based non-banking financial company Elcid Investment. The funding round, disclosed in regulatory filings, is part of a broader capital-raising strategy as the startup prepares for its much-anticipated public listing next year.

This investment, while modest in size, signals increasing investor confidence in Zepto’s business fundamentals and market position. The deal reportedly values the company between $5 billion and $5.9 billion, marking a significant step up from previous rounds. Despite representing a small equity share of less than 0.04%, the capital infusion from Elcid adds to a growing base of backers supporting Zepto’s aggressive expansion and profitability targets.

Zepto has seen a meteoric rise in revenue, clocking over ₹11,000 crore in FY25 — a dramatic jump from ₹4,454 crore the previous year. The company credits this growth to operational efficiency, rapid scale-up of dark stores, and strong consumer demand across metros. With most of its micro-warehouses reportedly EBITDA positive, Zepto is positioning itself as one of the most resilient players in India’s fiercely competitive quick commerce sector.

Originally planning an IPO in 2025, Zepto has now pushed its public debut to FY26 to better align its financials and regulatory structure. A reverse-flip to India and a name change to Zepto Private Limited are already underway. These strategic shifts are aimed at boosting domestic ownership and investor trust ahead of filing the Draft Red Herring Prospectus.

As Zepto ramps up for a larger funding round expected to bring in over $500 million, the Elcid deal reinforces the startup’s momentum and underlines continued faith in the long-term viability of quick commerce in India.

Tags: Aadit PalichaElcid InvestmentZepto

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Technology

Cisco and Jio Join Forces to Accelerate India’s AI-Powered Network Infrastructure

Observenow Desk

In a major stride toward building India’s digital backbone for the AI era, Reliance Jio has partnered with Cisco to co-develop a cutting-edge, AI-ready network infrastructure. This strategic alliance is aimed at creating a hyperscale data center and connectivity ecosystem to support India’s growing demands in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and high-performance applications.

Jio’s focus on offering scalable and future-ready infrastructure aligns with Cisco’s advanced AI networking technology, which forms the foundation of this collaboration. The initiative will enable Jio to serve diverse industries ranging from telecommunications and e-commerce to financial services and manufacturing, all of which are undergoing rapid digital transformation.

At the heart of the collaboration is Cisco’s Silicon One-based 800G technology, which will empower Jio to deliver ultra-low latency, high throughput, and energy-efficient performance across its data centers and networks. The architecture will also support the deployment of next-gen generative AI applications — a cornerstone of India’s emerging AI economy.

With India’s digital consumption projected to multiply exponentially in the next few years, the Jio-Cisco partnership aims to ensure the nation is not only prepared but leading in global AI adoption. Experts view this development as a key accelerator of India’s ambition to become a global hub for AI research, deployment, and infrastructure innovation.

By combining Jio’s nationwide reach with Cisco’s expertise in secure, scalable networking, the partnership is poised to redefine how AI services are delivered, processed, and accessed in India — setting the stage for a new era of intelligent connectivity.

Tags: CiscoJio

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Technology

Salesforce Deepens Social Impact in India Through Grants, Volunteering, and Tech Empowerment

Observenow Desk

Salesforce has reinforced its commitment to India’s social development by surpassing key milestones in its philanthropic journey. The company has provided over ₹83 crore in grants, contributed more than 664,000 employee volunteer hours, and offered technology support to hundreds of nonprofits and educational organizations across the country.

Driven by its belief in business as a platform for change, Salesforce has invested significantly in projects that bridge access gaps in education, technology, and sustainability. One of its flagship initiatives, “Futuristic Lab On Wheels,” brings next-generation technologies such as AI, robotics, and augmented reality directly to rural schools, enabling underserved students to experience hands-on learning beyond textbooks.

In partnership with several grassroots organizations, Salesforce has also helped set up digital and STEM labs that empower students with future-ready skills. Many of these programs are aimed at girls and young women, nurturing leadership and career aspirations in communities where such opportunities have traditionally been scarce. Educator training initiatives further extend this impact by equipping teachers with tools and methodologies to create more engaging and inclusive classrooms.

Beyond education, Salesforce has expanded its sustainability footprint in India. Projects range from urban reforestation to solar-powered micro-grids in tribal regions, demonstrating an approach that combines environmental stewardship with community upliftment. The company’s green skills program aspires to train one million youth in AI and sustainability practices by the end of the decade.

What sets Salesforce’s impact apart is the active participation of its employees. Through a structured volunteer time-off program, staff members contribute to a wide range of causes—from mentoring students and supporting nonprofits to participating in cleanup drives and tree-planting campaigns.

Salesforce’s long-term vision for India reflects a model where corporate growth is harmonized with community development. By embedding purpose into its operations, the company continues to drive meaningful change while supporting the country’s broader goals of digital inclusion, educational equity, and environmental resilience.

Tags: Salesforce

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Technology

Skild AI Rolls Out ‘Skild Brain’, a Universal Robot AI Capable of Human‑Like Adaptation

Observenow Desk

Skild AI, a robotics startup backed by Amazon and SoftBank, has launched Skild Brain, a foundational AI model designed to unlock human-like agility and reasoning in a wide range of robots—from industrial machinery to humanoid platforms. This development represents a significant leap toward general-purpose robotics that can perform diverse real-world tasks with autonomy.

Demonstrations of Skild Brain showcase robots executing complex physical activities such as climbing stairs, adjusting posture when pushed, and manipulating objects in cluttered environments. These behaviors demand spatial awareness and dynamic adaptability—qualities typically absent in conventional factory robots. Safety has been a core priority: the system enforces power limits to prevent harmful force in human interactions.

Skild’s training methodology addresses a key challenge in robotics: the scarcity of large-scale, standardized data. The company pretrains Skild Brain using a mix of simulated environments and human action videos, then refines the model further with live feedback from deployed robots. Each robot contributes to the shared intelligence, creating a continuously improving system across distinctive embodiments and use cases.

Founded just two years ago by Deepak Pathak and Abhinav Gupta, Skild AI has rapidly scaled a team from Tesla, Nvidia, Meta, and other tech innovators. In a $300 million Series A funding round last year, the company achieved a $1.5 billion valuation. It has also formed partnerships with LG CNS and other global industrial operators to integrate Skild Brain into logistics, manufacturing, and automation services.

Skild’s approach marks a broad shift in robotics—from vertical, task-specific automation to horizontal, adaptable autonomy. Its shared AI model aims to reduce the need for custom retraining when deploying robots across different environments and tasks—a major operational bottleneck in traditional robotics.

Industry investors and analysts see Skild Brain as a defining moment in embodied AI. With the robot intelligence sector projected to expand rapidly in coming years, Skild AI is positioning itself at the vanguard of this emerging field. While scaling such systems remains challenging due to hardware costs and physical deployment constraints, Skild is betting that its shared learning model will accelerate adoption by making robots more versatile and easier to maintain.

In summary, the release of Skild Brain heralds a new chapter in robot intelligence—delivering general-purpose physical autonomy powered by continuous, collective learning. The model’s ability to adapt, reason, and respond across task boundaries could usher in practical robotics applications in settings as varied as warehouses, healthcare facilities, and public service environments.

Tags: Robot AISkild Brain

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