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Artificial Intelligence

Sundar Pichai Unveils Google AI Professional Certificate, Announces India-America Connect Initiative

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At the Artificial Intelligence Summit in New Delhi, Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google, announced the launch of a new Google AI Professional Certificate programme aimed at strengthening AI skills and deepening technology collaboration between India and the United States. During his keynote address, Pichai also introduced the India-America Connect Initiative, a major digital infrastructure project that will establish new subsea cable routes linking India, the US, and several regions across the southern hemisphere. The initiative is designed to enhance AI connectivity, improve data transfer speeds, and support the growing demand for advanced AI capabilities. Emphasising the need to pair infrastructure growth with talent development, Pichai described the AI certificate programme as one of Google’s most ambitious skilling efforts in India. He noted that as AI creates new opportunities, investing in workforce training is essential to ensure professionals can effectively integrate AI into their work. Reflecting on Visakhapatnam—popularly known as Vizag—Pichai recalled remembering it as a quiet coastal city filled with promise. He said he never imagined it would one day emerge as a global AI hub. As part of its planned $15 billion infrastructure investment in India, Google will establish a full-stack AI hub in the region. The facility will feature gigawatt-scale compute capacity along with a new international subsea cable gateway, a move expected to create jobs and bring cutting-edge AI resources to businesses and communities across the country. The Google AI Professional Certificate is designed to equip learners with both foundational and advanced AI expertise. The curriculum covers key areas such as artificial intelligence fundamentals, machine learning, neural networks, and practical real-world applications. Participants will gain hands-on experience using Google’s AI tools and technologies, enabling them to implement AI-driven solutions in professional settings and explore new career opportunities in a rapidly evolving digital economy. Source: NDTV

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India Hosts AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Welcomes Global Leaders and Tech Titans

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India has kicked off the five-day AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, bringing together world leaders, policymakers and top technology executives to deliberate on pressing issues such as job displacement, child safety, regulation and the future of artificial intelligence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the summit, describing it as a milestone in India’s rapid progress in science and technology. In a post on X, he said the event highlights both the nation’s technological advancement and the potential of its youth. The summit aims to chart a “shared roadmap for global AI governance and collaboration.” Organisers have billed this as the largest edition of the summit so far, with an expected 250,000 participants, including 20 heads of state and 45 ministerial delegations. Among the prominent leaders expected to attend are French President Emmanuel Macron and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The event has also drawn major figures from the global technology industry, including Sundar Pichai of Google, Sam Altman of OpenAI, Cristiano Amon of Qualcomm, Brad Smith of Microsoft, and Yann LeCun, Executive Chairman of AMI Labs. However, the opening day was marred by criticism as attendees reported overcrowding, long queues and organisational confusion. According to delegates quoted by Reuters, unclear instructions and sudden security clearances ahead of high-level arrivals left many scrambling to retrieve belongings. Poor signage and limited seating further compounded the disarray, while some speakers reportedly awaited confirmation of their sessions. Despite early logistical challenges, the summit arrives at a pivotal moment for AI governance. As generative AI tools and advanced systems reshape industries from healthcare to defence and climate modelling, governments worldwide are grappling with how to balance innovation with safety and regulation. Previously hosted in France, the United Kingdom and South Korea, the summit has expanded from a narrowly focused safety forum into a broad-based platform addressing economic growth, ethics, sustainability and international cooperation. India, the world’s most populous country and one of the fastest-growing digital markets, sees the summit as an opportunity to position itself as a bridge between advanced economies and the Global South. Officials point to India’s experience in building large-scale digital public infrastructure—such as digital identity and payment systems—as a model for scaling AI solutions affordably and inclusively. Union Minister for Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw said the vision is to ensure AI serves “inclusive growth and a sustainable future.” The summit revolves around three broad themes — “people, progress, planet” — and is expected to conclude with a nonbinding declaration outlining shared goals for AI development rather than a formal political agreement. Source: Aljazeera

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Cognizant plans to hire up to 25,000 fresh graduates in 2026

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IT services firm Cognizant announced plans to recruit around 24,000–25,000 freshers in 2026, marking a sharp ramp-up in entry-level hiring as part of its strategy to strengthen the “bottom of the pyramid” workforce. The proposed intake represents a nearly 20 per cent increase compared with 2025, when the company hired close to 20,000 graduates. Speaking during the company’s Q4 2025 earnings call, Cognizant CEO Ravi Kumar S said the company is reshaping its talent pyramid by pushing high-value technology expertise down to early-career employees with the support of artificial intelligence. Kumar highlighted the growing non-linearity between revenue and headcount, noting that Cognizant is deliberately decoupling growth in revenues from workforce expansion. In 2025, the company’s revenues rose 6.4 per cent in constant currency terms, while headcount grew by just 4 per cent, leading to a 5 per cent rise in revenue per employee. He said the company is increasingly hiring school and college graduates, with each year seeing a higher intake than the previous one. The objective, Kumar explained, is to enable entry-level employees with advanced capabilities early in their careers, helping build a broader talent pyramid and driving efficiency at scale. Out of the 20,000 graduates recruited in 2025, Cognizant said about 16,000 are already deployed on client projects, while the remaining 4,000 are undergoing training. CFO Jatin Dalal said the company plans to scale this number by around 20 per cent in 2026, targeting an intake of up to 25,000 freshers. The company also pointed to a shift in its hiring approach, moving away from a linear model to a graded recruitment framework. This includes a premium hiring track called “Tech Wizards” for candidates from the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs), alongside other categories such as power programmers and software engineers. Kumar said Cognizant now places greater emphasis on “learnability” rather than years of experience, arguing that younger graduates adapt faster in a rapidly evolving technology environment and require less unlearning of legacy software practices. Responding to concerns around AI-driven job losses, Kumar said while technology may eliminate outdated roles, it creates far more opportunities by modernising legacy systems and reducing technical debt across enterprises. Cognizant reported an 18.7 per cent year-on-year rise in net income to USD 648 million for the December quarter. Revenue for Q4 2025 stood at USD 5,333 million, up 4.9 per cent from USD 5,082 million in the same period last year. The company’s total workforce as of December 31, 2025, was 351,600, up by 14,800 employees compared with a year earlier. Source: PTI  

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Oracle Clarifies OpenAI Ties as AI Spending Sparks Layoff Speculation

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Oracle has issued a public statement addressing speculation around its partnership with OpenAI after analyst reports suggested that the company’s heavy push into artificial intelligence infrastructure could trigger significant job cuts. In a post on its official X handle, Oracle said that a widely cited Nvidia–OpenAI investment proposal had “no impact whatsoever” on its financial relationship with OpenAI. The company added that it remains “highly confident” in OpenAI’s ability to secure funding and honour its long-term commitments. The clarification came amid growing market chatter that Oracle may reduce its workforce by as many as 30,000 employees to help finance its expanding AI ambitions. The response followed a volatile period for firms linked to OpenAI. The Wall Street Journal reported that a proposed $100 billion investment by Nvidia into OpenAI never materialised and had stalled at an early stage. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang later confirmed that discussions held last year were non-binding and did not progress into a formal deal. Despite Oracle’s reassurance, investor sentiment remained cautious. Shares of the software giant dropped nearly 3% to $160.06 shortly after the statement, reflecting concerns over the scale of Oracle’s exposure to the costly AI infrastructure build-out. Analysts have highlighted leverage as a growing pressure point. TD Cowen said Oracle is evaluating potential workforce reductions of between 20,000 and 30,000 roles, a move that could free up an estimated $8 billion to $10 billion in annual cash flow. The firm estimates Oracle’s long-term capital expenditure commitments linked to OpenAI — including massive data centre projects and advanced chip purchases — could reach roughly $156 billion. Oracle’s balance sheet has already expanded sharply. Analysts note the company has taken on around $58 billion in new debt in recent months to fund data centre campuses across the US, pushing total debt beyond the $100 billion mark. Since its peak in September 2025, Oracle’s market capitalisation has declined steeply, wiping out hundreds of billions of dollars in value. The strain is not limited to Oracle alone. According to Reuters, OpenAI has been exploring alternatives to Nvidia’s inference chips, holding discussions with AMD, Cerebras and Groq as it looks to lower costs and diversify its computing supply. While Oracle has not officially announced any job cuts, analysts say the situation highlights the enormous capital demands of the AI race and the growing challenge companies face in balancing long-term infrastructure investments with short-term financial discipline. With competition in AI infrastructure accelerating, investors are expected to closely watch how Oracle manages its spending, funding strategy and workforce decisions in the coming months.

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AI boosts breast cancer detection in routine scans, landmark trial shows

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Artificial intelligence can significantly improve the detection of breast cancer during routine screening, according to findings from a world-first clinical trial released on Friday. The results point to AI as a potential solution to both diagnostic gaps and rising workload pressures faced by radiologists globally. Published in The Lancet, the study is the first completed randomised controlled trial to rigorously evaluate AI-assisted breast cancer screening. Conducted in Sweden, the trial followed more than 100,000 women who underwent routine mammography in 2021 and 2022. Participants were randomly divided into two groups. One group had their scans reviewed by a single radiologist supported by an AI system, while the other followed the standard European protocol of double reading by two radiologists. The outcomes showed that the AI-assisted approach identified 9% more cancer cases than the conventional method. Importantly, over a two-year follow-up period, women in the AI-supported group had a 12% lower incidence of “interval cancers” — cancers detected between regular screening rounds, which are often more aggressive. The benefits were consistent across age groups and breast density levels, and the rate of false positives remained comparable between both groups. Kristina Lang, senior author of the study and a researcher at Lund University, said the findings indicate that large-scale adoption of AI-supported mammography could ease staffing pressures in radiology departments while improving early cancer detection. However, she emphasised that any rollout must be done carefully, with ongoing evaluation and oversight. Experts cautioned that AI should complement, not replace, human expertise. Jean-Philippe Masson, head of the French National Federation of Radiologists, noted that radiologists must validate AI-generated findings, as the technology can sometimes flag benign tissue changes as cancer. He also pointed out that high costs and concerns around overdiagnosis have slowed AI adoption in countries like France. Stephen Duffy, emeritus professor of cancer screening at Queen Mary University of London, who was not involved in the research, said the trial adds to growing evidence that AI-assisted screening is safe. However, he flagged that the reduction in interval cancers was not statistically significant and called for longer follow-up to assess whether outcomes between the two groups eventually converge. Earlier interim results from the trial, published in 2023, showed that AI nearly halved the time radiologists spent reviewing mammograms. The AI system used in the study, Transpara, was trained on over 200,000 mammography exams from 10 countries. Breast cancer remains the most commonly diagnosed cancer among women worldwide. According to the World Health Organization, more than 2.3 million women were diagnosed with the disease and around 670,000 died from it in 2022. Source: PTI

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Ambani rolls out draft Reliance AI Manifesto, eyes 10x productivity leap and nationwide impact

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Reliance Industries Chairman Mukesh Ambani has unveiled a draft Reliance AI Manifesto, laying out a sweeping plan to reposition the conglomerate as an AI-native deep-tech enterprise while aiming for a tenfold boost in productivity across its workforce of over six lakh employees. The initiative also targets a 10x impact on India’s economy and society. Describing artificial intelligence as “the most consequential technological development in human history,” Ambani said Reliance intends to spearhead India’s AI journey, much as it played a central role in the country’s digital transformation. The group’s stated mission is to deliver “Affordable AI for every Indian”, embedding AI across businesses while ensuring safety, trust and accountability. According to Ambani, the manifesto is not a slogan but a practical action guide. “At Reliance, we are transforming ourselves into an AI-native deep-tech company with advanced manufacturing capabilities,” he said, adding that the draft manifesto will steer this transformation. Internal transformation through AI Part I of the manifesto focuses on reshaping Reliance’s internal operations. AI is positioned not as a standalone technology initiative but as a fundamentally new way of working. The group plans to reorganise around outcomes and end-to-end workflows, supported by shared digital platforms and robust governance frameworks. AI and agentic automation will be deployed to reduce repetitive tasks, enhance decision-making, and improve speed and quality, while maintaining clear human accountability. Execution will be driven by small, cross-functional teams or “pods” with defined ownership and measurable goals, supported by continuous data, learning, operations and automation systems. Core workflows such as procure-to-pay, order-to-cash, hire-to-retire and plant-to-port will be redesigned to eliminate manual handoffs, close digital gaps and enable real-time visibility. Ambani stressed that AI will augment human capability rather than replace jobs, saying the focus is on raising standards and unlocking collective potential. A common 12-layer Digital Functional Core (DFC) will standardise data, integration, security and controls across Reliance businesses, while allowing individual units autonomy over their platforms. Governance, audit trails and human-in-the-loop mechanisms will be embedded to balance speed with safety, compliance and trust. Driving India’s AI-led growth Part II extends the vision beyond Reliance, positioning the group as a catalyst for India’s broader AI transformation. Ambani said that just as AI can deliver a 10x improvement in efficiency and outcomes within Reliance, it can also generate a similar multiplier effect for the country through the group’s businesses and philanthropic efforts. Employees have been invited to submit ideas on AI applications across Reliance’s diverse portfolio—from Jio’s 500-million-plus subscribers and the country’s largest retail network to energy, materials, life sciences, financial services, media and philanthropy. Ambani also pointed to opportunities in indigenous AI hardware, robotics and cross-sector innovation to boost efficiency, sustainability and technological self-reliance. Ideas can be submitted between January 10 and 26, after which the manifesto is expected to evolve into a shared organisational commitment. “Let us begin—together,” Ambani said, calling on employees to help build “a New Reliance and a New India.” Source: PTI

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IIT Delhi Researchers Develop AI Agent That Conducts Real-World Lab Experiments Autonomously

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Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Delhi, in collaboration with scientists from Denmark and Germany, have developed an artificial intelligence system capable of independently performing real-world laboratory experiments—much like a human researcher. The breakthrough study, published in Nature Communications under the title “Evaluating large language model agents for automation of atomic force microscopy,” introduces AILA (Artificially Intelligent Lab Assistant). This AI agent can autonomously operate sophisticated laboratory instruments, take real-time decisions during experiments, and analyse data without any human intervention. According to IIT Delhi, AILA represents a major leap by transitioning AI from purely digital support roles to hands-on participation in physical laboratory settings. The system has been specifically trained to handle an Atomic Force Microscope (AFM)—a precision instrument used to examine materials at the nanoscale. Indrajeet Mandal, the study’s lead author and a PhD researcher at IIT Delhi’s School of Interdisciplinary Research, highlighted the efficiency gains achieved through AILA. Tasks that previously required a full day—such as fine-tuning microscope parameters for clear, high-resolution images—can now be completed in just seven to ten minutes using the AI agent. The research was supervised by Prof. N. M. Anoop Krishnan from the Department of Civil Engineering and the Yardi School of Artificial Intelligence, along with Prof. Nitya Nand Gosvami from the Department of Materials Science and Engineering at IIT Delhi. The international research team also included scientists from Aalborg University in Denmark and leading research institutions in Germany. Despite its promise, the study also points to notable limitations. The researchers found that AI models that excel in controlled or theoretical evaluations often struggle in unpredictable laboratory conditions that demand quick judgment and adaptability. Mandal compared this gap to the difference between understanding driving rules theoretically and handling real-world traffic. Safety concerns were another key issue. In some instances, the AI agent strayed from given instructions, highlighting the importance of strong safety mechanisms to avoid equipment damage or laboratory mishaps as automation becomes more widespread. Overall, the research underscores both the transformative potential and the critical challenges of deploying AI-driven agents in experimental science. Source: Indian Express

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Jamia Millia Islamia Opens Applications for Short-Term AI and Digital Skill Courses

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Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) has announced the launch of a fresh batch of short-term, skill-oriented certificate courses focused on artificial intelligence, cyber security, and digital technologies. Applications are now open for the offline programmes, which aim to strengthen employability and entrepreneurial capabilities among students, job seekers, and aspiring entrepreneurs. The courses are being offered through the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship (CIE) at JMI, in partnership with the Tech Mahindra Foundation. Delivered under the Smart Academy for Digital Technologies and Entrepreneurship, the programmes are designed to equip learners with practical, industry-relevant digital skills and a foundation in entrepreneurship. According to the university, the Smart Academy follows a blended approach that combines classroom instruction with hands-on training. Participants will receive mentoring from subject experts and gain exposure to real-world industry practices, enabling them to pursue roles in the digital economy or explore self-employment and startup opportunities. The newly introduced short-term courses include Digital Entrepreneurship, UI/UX Design, Advanced Digital Marketing, and AI-Driven Data Analysis. Each programme runs for a duration of three months and is open to candidates who have completed Class 12 or an equivalent qualification. In terms of fees, the Digital Entrepreneurship course is priced at Rs 3,050, while the UI/UX Design programme costs Rs 12,600. The Advanced Digital Marketing and AI-Driven Data Analysis courses are each available at a fee of Rs 10,500. JMI stated that the initiative is aligned with its broader objective of promoting innovation, skill development, and self-reliance, while preparing learners for opportunities in digital media, design, data analytics, and technology-driven services within India’s expanding digital and startup ecosystem. Source: Indian Express

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Why AI-Driven Layoffs Like Amazon’s Could Backfire

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The business world is currently dominated by two recurring headlines — the soaring investments pouring into artificial intelligence (AI) and a steady wave of mass layoffs. Ironically, many of the same companies leading the AI revolution are also slashing their workforce. At first glance, this seems logical. Businesses, captivated by AI’s promise to boost productivity, believe they can achieve more with fewer employees — and the short-term stock market boost following layoffs doesn’t hurt either. Yet, this strategy could backfire. By cutting too deeply, companies risk weakening their capacity to harness AI effectively in the long run. Recent data shows this trend is widespread. October saw the highest number of job cuts in the U.S. for that month in two decades, even as corporate profits surged. Amazon, for instance, is planning to eliminate up to 30,000 corporate roles despite record-high stock prices. Microsoft, too, recently announced its largest layoffs in two years while reporting a 12% rise in profits. So, if not financial strain, what’s driving these cuts? In many cases, AI plays a central role. Accenture, for example, said it would lay off 11,000 workers because they “could not be retrained for an AI-driven workforce.” As enthusiasm for AI spreads across corporate America, more such decisions are likely. Experts like Geoffrey Hinton, a pioneer in AI research, have even warned that the massive capital investments being made in the field might only yield returns through significant job displacement. But here’s the catch: many companies aren’t yet reaping real benefits from AI. A Massachusetts Institute of Technology survey of 300 corporate AI projects revealed that 95% of them had “zero” return on investment. The problem lies in the assumption that AI can be seamlessly slotted into existing systems. In reality, companies are still figuring out how to integrate these tools effectively — a process that requires creativity, experimentation, and organizational change. Layoffs, however, undermine exactly those qualities. Beyond the loss of talent, layoffs often demoralize remaining employees, damaging morale, increasing stress, and lowering engagement. Research shows that companies downsizing during profitable times tend to perform worse financially than peers who retain their staff. This effect is especially severe in fast-moving, innovation-driven industries. Studies of Spanish and British firms have found that when layoffs coincide with technological transformation — like adopting AI — innovation drops as employees become more risk-averse. While small cuts may not harm creativity, large-scale downsizing can cripple it. To be sure, in some cases, trimming excess roles can sharpen efficiency and innovation. But when organizations are already constrained by heavy investments in AI infrastructure, additional layoffs can quickly become counterproductive. The truth is, revolutionary technologies like AI aren’t “plug-and-play.” Developing them is only the beginning; learning to use them effectively is equally vital. That learning depends on motivated, adaptable employees — not a workforce unsettled by fear and uncertainty. For companies racing to embrace AI, mass layoffs may seem like a quick way to balance costs. But in the long run, many CEOs could find they’ve weakened the very foundation needed to make AI work for them. Source: Bloomberg

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IndiGo to Introduce Evidence-Based Pilot Training for Enhanced Safety and Performance

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IndiGo, India’s largest airline, is preparing to roll out evidence-based training (EBT) programmes for its pilots, marking a significant step towards strengthening flight safety, situational awareness, and decision-making skills, a senior company official confirmed. Currently, the airline follows the Competency-Based Training and Assessment (CBTA) framework. The new initiative aims to build upon this foundation, using data-driven insights and global best practices to transition towards a mature EBT system. “When an airline becomes CBTA-compliant, the next natural step is achieving EBT compliance,” the official explained. “We are now establishing the CBTA baseline, and with the help of data analytics, AI tools, and expert consultants, we aim to evolve into an evidence-based training environment.” Under the EBT framework, pilot training will emphasize critical skills such as situational awareness, decision-making, and crew resource management. The programme will leverage IndiGo’s vast operational data to design and refine training modules grounded in real-world performance evidence. “We will collect and validate data from various operations and use it to shape the training approach,” the official said, highlighting that artificial intelligence and data analytics will play a central role in customising learning and assessment. IndiGo currently operates over 2,300 daily flights with a fleet of more than 400 aircraft, while another 900 planes are on order. The airline employs over 5,300 pilots, a number expected to double by 2030 to support its rapid expansion, including the induction of wide-body aircraft. While the implementation timeline for full EBT compliance is projected to take around a year to a year and a half, IndiGo views this as a crucial step toward future-ready, data-driven pilot training and enhanced operational safety. Source: PTI

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