Now Loading

TVS Maintains Lead in Electric Two-Wheeler Market as Ather Surpasses Ola Electric

TVS Motor has retained its position as the leader in India’s fast-growing electric two-wheeler segment, holding a market share of 24.8 percent despite facing headwinds from shortages of rare earth magnets that disrupted production. The company’s ability to maintain dominance highlights both its resilient supply chain management and the growing appeal of its EV lineup among Indian consumers. Industry analysts note that TVS has successfully balanced pricing, distribution, and product reliability, giving it an edge in a highly competitive market.

The standout development in the latest rankings, however, is Bengaluru-based Ather Energy rising to the second spot with a 17.9 percent market share, overtaking Ola Electric. Ather’s success is attributed to its steady capacity expansion, localized manufacturing strategies, and the popularity of its performance-focused scooters. Its ascent signals a significant shift in consumer preference, as buyers increasingly prioritize quality, range, and service infrastructure over aggressive pricing models.

Ola Electric, once viewed as the disruptive frontrunner, has slipped to third place as it navigates production challenges and evolving consumer expectations. Meanwhile, Bajaj Auto dropped to fifth in the rankings, while Hero MotoCorp climbed into fourth, reflecting a broader reshuffling among legacy and new-age players in the sector. This dynamic competition underscores how quickly market leadership can shift in India’s EV landscape.

Industry experts believe that the competition among these manufacturers will intensify as demand for cleaner mobility accelerates, supported by government subsidies and rising fuel prices. Companies are now investing in localized supply chains to mitigate risks from raw material shortages, while also racing to expand their charging infrastructure. As adoption of electric two-wheelers gains momentum, the battle for market share is likely to hinge on innovation, affordability, and the ability to scale production efficiently.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Predicts Trillions in AI Investment as Boom Accelerates

Nvidia chief executive Jensen Huang has reaffirmed his belief that the artificial intelligence revolution is only in its early stages, projecting that global investment in AI infrastructure could reach between $3 trillion and $4 trillion by 2030. Speaking after the company’s quarterly results, Huang emphasized that despite some modest near-term revenue expectations, the broader trend for AI adoption remains unstoppable. He argued that the world is witnessing the dawn of a new industrial era, where advanced computing and machine learning will underpin every sector of the economy.

Huang dismissed speculation that AI growth might cool after its recent surge, pointing to the sustained demand from hyperscalers, cloud providers, and data centres. These companies continue to ramp up their purchases of high-performance chips, which are essential for training and deploying large-scale AI models. According to him, the demand pipeline for accelerated computing remains robust, suggesting that Nvidia is well-positioned to secure a substantial share of future infrastructure spending.

The company has already emerged as one of the most influential players in the AI landscape, with its graphics processing units becoming the backbone of generative AI development worldwide. Huang noted that enterprises, governments, and startups alike are increasingly relying on Nvidia’s technology to power breakthroughs in research, automation, healthcare, and creative industries. This breadth of applications, he argued, makes the AI opportunity more resilient than traditional technology cycles.

Analysts view Huang’s comments as a signal of confidence at a time when investors are carefully weighing the sustainability of AI-driven growth. While competitors are trying to close the gap, Nvidia remains at the forefront of the industry’s transformation. With trillions of dollars expected to flow into infrastructure in the coming years, Huang insists the boom is far from over and only just beginning.

Sam Altman to Visit India as OpenAI Prepares Launch of First New Delhi Office

OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman has confirmed plans to visit India in September as the company prepares to open its first office in New Delhi. The move highlights India’s growing significance in OpenAI’s global expansion strategy, with the country now standing as its second-largest market for ChatGPT. Altman noted that usage of the chatbot has surged nearly fourfold in the past year, underscoring both the appetite for AI tools and the scale of digital adoption across India.

The new office is expected to play a pivotal role in deepening OpenAI’s engagement with local institutions, startups, and policymakers. By establishing a direct presence, the company aims to accelerate hiring of Indian talent, foster collaborations with universities, and expand its partnerships with government agencies working under the IndiaAI Mission. This aligns with India’s vision of using artificial intelligence to enhance public services, strengthen education systems, and improve access to digital infrastructure for millions of citizens.

Altman has previously described India as a “laboratory of scale” where innovation and adoption happen simultaneously, making it a critical market for testing and expanding AI applications. The upcoming visit will include meetings with senior officials, technology leaders, and academic institutions, signaling OpenAI’s intention to embed itself more deeply into India’s digital ecosystem.

Industry observers view this step as more than a market expansion; it also reflects a strategic alignment with India’s ambition to become a global hub for AI development. For OpenAI, the New Delhi office will serve as a gateway to not just support Indian users but also to contribute to global AI advancements by leveraging India’s vast pool of engineers, researchers, and entrepreneurs.

OpenAI Warns Investors Against Unauthorized Equity Transactions Involving SPVs

OpenAI has issued a strong caution to potential and existing investors, warning against unauthorized attempts to buy or sell its equity through indirect channels such as Special Purpose Vehicles (SPVs), tokenized instruments, or forward contracts. The company stressed that all equity transfers must receive prior written approval from OpenAI and that any transaction conducted without such consent would be considered void. This rare public statement underscores OpenAI’s efforts to protect both its investors and its corporate governance from questionable financial practices that have started surfacing as demand for its shares grows.

The warning comes at a time when OpenAI’s valuation and market influence have risen dramatically, making it an attractive target for firms seeking to create indirect investment vehicles. However, OpenAI clarified that it has not authorized or endorsed any such schemes and emphasized that these unauthorized offerings may violate U.S. securities laws. Engaging in them could expose investors to severe legal risks, including the potential loss of funds and regulatory action.

By making this announcement, OpenAI aims to prevent misinformation in the market and to maintain transparency in how its equity is handled. The company also highlighted the importance of safeguarding investors from entities that misrepresent access to OpenAI’s growth opportunities. Industry observers note that this move reflects broader concerns in the tech sector, where demand for exposure to high-growth AI companies is leading to unconventional and sometimes dubious financial arrangements.

OpenAI reiterated that its focus remains on long-term innovation, research, and responsible scaling of artificial intelligence, not on speculative trading of its shares. The company urged investors to remain cautious, conduct due diligence, and verify any equity-related offers directly with authorized representatives.

Tags: OpenAI

Sam Altman Proposes £2 Billion Plan to Offer ChatGPT Plus to Every UK Citizen

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman has reportedly pitched a bold proposal to the UK government, suggesting that every citizen be given access to the premium version of ChatGPT Plus. The plan, estimated to cost around £2 billion, was presented as part of ongoing discussions between OpenAI and UK officials following a memorandum of understanding signed earlier this year. According to sources, the initiative was aimed at showcasing how artificial intelligence could be integrated into everyday life while advancing the UK’s ambition of becoming a global leader in digital innovation.

The proposal envisioned making ChatGPT Plus a universal tool for residents, giving them access to faster responses, advanced features, and priority usage during peak times. Altman suggested that such a move would democratize AI, enabling citizens across professions, education levels, and regions to benefit equally. However, despite the ambitious scale, officials were hesitant to pursue the idea due to budgetary pressures, concerns about cost efficiency, and questions over the long-term viability of funding a commercial product for an entire nation.

The discussions also raised important issues about privacy, data governance, and market fairness. Critics argued that offering exclusive nationwide access to a single private platform could crowd out competition and concentrate too much influence in the hands of one company. Proponents, however, pointed to the potential for AI to support education, healthcare, and public services if deployed responsibly and at scale.

Although the proposal was not advanced, it highlighted both the growing role of AI in policy dialogues and the willingness of governments to explore innovative partnerships. For Altman, the plan reflects his vision of AI as a utility that could become as integral to citizens’ lives as internet access or electricity, provided the challenges of cost and accountability are addressed.

Goa’s AI Mission 2027 Charts Citizen-First Digital Transformation Roadmap

Goa has formally unveiled its ambitious AI Mission 2027, a roadmap designed to transform the state into a hub of inclusive, ethical, and citizen-focused artificial intelligence. The initiative, launched under the banner “AI for Governance and Social Impact,” brings together government bodies, academic institutions, and industry leaders to create a technology-driven ecosystem that prioritizes accessibility, sustainability, and innovation. Officials emphasized that the mission will not only modernize governance but also foster a culture of collaboration between local talent and global expertise.

A key feature of the mission is an agreement with the Digital India Bhashini Division, which will help integrate multilingual AI tools into public systems. By supporting languages such as Konkani and Marathi, the state aims to ensure that government services remain accessible to every citizen, breaking down language barriers that often limit participation in digital programs. This multilingual push reflects Goa’s broader focus on inclusivity, making technology relevant and useful to diverse communities.

The roadmap highlights four central pillars: skills, startups, capital, and infrastructure. Plans include establishing more than 500 innovation labs and business incubators, expanding GPU-driven computing capacity, and creating specialized programs to train youth in emerging technologies like data science and machine learning. The state also intends to promote responsible innovation, develop a dedicated AI policy, and set up advisory councils to ensure ethical deployment of new tools.

Leaders describe the initiative as a forward-looking effort to balance technology with social responsibility. By 2027, Goa envisions itself as a digitally empowered state where artificial intelligence enhances public services, drives entrepreneurship, and preserves cultural identity. The mission signals a major shift in how smaller states can position themselves as pioneers in the national AI ecosystem.

Elon Musk’s xAI and X Sue Apple and OpenAI Over Alleged ChatGPT Exclusivity Scheme

Elon Musk’s artificial intelligence startup xAI, backed by his social media platform X, has taken legal action against Apple and OpenAI, accusing the two giants of forming an unlawful agreement that restricts fair competition in the fast-growing chatbot industry. The lawsuit, filed in a Texas federal court on August 25, 2025, argues that Apple granted OpenAI’s ChatGPT exclusive access to iPhone users through deep system integration, effectively sidelining competing AI services such as xAI’s Grok.

According to the 61-page filing, this arrangement not only boosts ChatGPT’s market dominance but also manipulates App Store rankings to push alternative apps further down, limiting consumer choice. Musk’s legal team claims the exclusivity allows ChatGPT to collect vast amounts of user interactions that strengthen its models, while rivals are denied comparable access, creating an uneven playing field. By embedding ChatGPT directly into Apple devices, the companies allegedly ensured that consumers would default to one service, reinforcing a monopoly and discouraging innovation.

xAI and X are seeking injunctive relief and damages that could amount to billions of dollars, in addition to a court order dismantling the alleged exclusivity deal. Musk has positioned the case as a fight for open competition in the AI market, warning that closed ecosystems stifle creativity and limit opportunities for newer players.

The lawsuit comes at a time of heightened scrutiny over the power of Big Tech and their role in shaping the AI landscape. Analysts believe the outcome could influence how regulators worldwide approach partnerships between platform owners and AI developers. For Musk, this marks another escalation in his ongoing feud with OpenAI, an organization he once co-founded but has since publicly criticized for straying from its original mission.

India’s Representation in QS World Rankings Jumps to 54 Institutions

India’s presence in the QS World University Rankings 2026 reached a new high with 54 institutions featured, a substantial rise from 27 five years earlier and from only 11 in 2014, reflecting a multi-year upward trajectory in research output, global collaborations and institutional reforms. Key Indian entrants such as IIT Delhi, IIT Bombay and IIT Madras continue to perform strongly, though analysts note that several new entrants reflect improved capacity rather than immediate parity with top global peers on metrics like international student ratios and faculty-student balance.

Policymakers have pointed to targeted incentives for research, easier international partnerships and initiatives under NEP 2020 as contributing to the surge, while accreditation and funding bodies emphasise sustained investment in graduate training, doctoral supervision and research infrastructure as essential to convert rankings visibility into durable academic strength. The rise offers practical benefits: increased global recognition can expand student mobility, attract collaborative research funding and enable universities to negotiate joint programmes and faculty exchanges. Yet observers caution that rankings capture headline metrics and reputation signals that must be complemented by nuanced measures of societal impact, inclusion and long-term research resilience.

Government and university leaders are urging a twin strategy: sustain initiatives that raised research output while expanding access and ensuring that international visibility accompanies improvements in learning outcomes and equitable opportunity across regions. Ministries have signalled follow-up reforms—centres of excellence funding, PhD incentives and support for industry-linked research—to anchor ranking gains in systemic capacity building and broaden the benefits beyond a narrow set of institutions.

CBSE to Run Free AI Bootcamps and Host India AI Impact Festival for Schools

The Central Board of Secondary Education is rolling out free online AI bootcamps for students in Classes 9 and 10 alongside capacity-building programmes for teachers in higher classes, scheduled in phased cohorts from September through December and supported by partners including IBM, NIELIT, Intel India and the Atal Innovation Mission. The initiative pairs hands-on modules with mentorship and a national showcase—India AI Impact Festival 2025—inviting student and educator projects under the theme “AI Innovation for Social Impact.”

CBSE emphasises ethical AI, data literacy and problem-driven project work; schools are instructed to register students and nominate teachers for the IBM-supported capacity programmes. The bootcamps include low-bandwidth resources and asynchronous materials to accommodate connectivity constraints in many regions, aiming to democratise AI exposure beyond elite urban schools. The festival will provide mentoring, recognition and potential pathways from student projects to incubation or further technical support; initial submissions have a late-August deadline for shortlisting. Advocates see the push as a way to stimulate STEM interest, seed school-level innovation ecosystems and create an evidence base for national AI pedagogy.

Critics call for longitudinal evaluation to verify learning outcomes and guard against over-reliance on technology at the expense of foundational learning. Success is likely to be judged by participant reach, project quality and demonstrable social impact, with special attention paid to uptake in government and low-resource schools to ensure the programme reduces rather than widens educational inequities. Teacher readiness and systemic assessment frameworks will be crucial to translating exposure into sustained capability and tangible career or civic benefits for students.

UP Launches ERP-Based Portal to Monitor Atal Residential Schools for Children of Workers

Uttar Pradesh’s government launched an integrated ERP monitoring portal for Atal residential schools that educate children of construction and informal sector workers, promising real-time dashboards on attendance, academics, nutrition, finances and infrastructure for 18 pilot institutions. The portal consolidates CCTV feeds, academic records and logistical indicators so administrators can detect gaps, respond to emergent issues and improve service delivery across residential campuses that provide lodging, meals and schooling.

Officials say the digital system will expand to more schools and will be linked to labour and welfare departments to streamline child protection, nutrition monitoring and welfare services. Advocates contend that dashboards can reduce administrative lags and improve parental and public confidence, but observers caution that technology must be matched with investments in teacher training, psychosocial support and curriculum quality to convert data into better learning outcomes. Privacy safeguards are essential: clear policies on CCTV use, data retention and access controls must be in place to protect student dignity. The government also plans third-party audits and community grievance mechanisms to ensure transparency; expansion plans reportedly include scaling to dozens more schools if pilot outcomes are positive.

Reliable connectivity, interoperable systems and consistent reporting routines will be needed for rural campuses, and the portal’s success will ultimately be judged by improved attendance, learning metrics and student wellbeing rather than dashboard sophistication alone. If implemented carefully, the portal could provide a national template for accountable residential-school governance that pairs digital oversight with ground-level investments and community participation and accountability.

Upcoming Conferences