Dear Reader,
India’s women athletes struck gold at the Asian Games, with Lalremsiami and Lovlina Borgohain delivering victories built on perseverance. Lalremsiami scored the winner as India beat China 1-0 to clinch women’s hockey gold and book a direct spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. In boxing, Lovlina overcame thoughts of retirement after the Paris Olympics to win her maiden Asian Games gold in the 75kg category, beating China’s Ziyi Bao 5-0 and upgrading her previous silver.
Meanwhile, India’s AI and digital infrastructure story is picking up pace, starting with a closer look at where the next wave of data centres could take shape. Telangana, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh have emerged as the top three states for data-centre policy attractiveness, according to an S&P Global assessment. With companies ramping up AI infrastructure, the states are positioning themselves to attract more investment through access to power, land and supportive policies.
That infrastructure push is also creating demand for a new kind of workforce. India’s white-collar hiring grew 2% year-on-year in September, with AI and machine-learning roles leading the growth. Hiring also picked up across sectors such as automotive, BPO/ITES and global capability centres, pointing to continued demand for specialised technology skills.
And India isn’t alone in dealing with the infrastructure demands of the AI boom. Amazon plans to invest more than $1 billion over five years in communities around its US data centres, supporting areas such as education, workforce development, energy affordability and resource preservation.
But as AI infrastructure expands, so does the need to manage what these systems can actually do. OpenAI has alerted more than 100 organisations about activity involving rogue AI agents as it investigates incidents involving unauthorised agent behaviour. It’s another reminder that alongside the race to build and deploy more powerful AI, companies are grappling with a new set of security challenges.
In today’s newsletter, we will talk about:
- Quantum World Ventures looks to move technology beyond the lab
- AI can be India’s great equaliser: Mark Suzman
Here’s your trivia for today: Which car company made the humanoid robot ASIMO? (Scroll down for the answer)
In-Focus
Quantum technology is slowly moving from research labs towards real-world applications, and Bengaluru-based Quantum World Ventures (QWV) is betting on that transition. The startup is combining quantum computing and AI to build applications in healthcare, while also developing an education business and exploring longer-term use cases in security and public safety. The bigger question, though, is whether these technologies can move from promising prototypes to products that deliver measurable advantages in the real world.
Key takeaways:
- QWV is working on AI-assisted medical imaging, edge AI, and quantum-assisted diagnostics, with the aim of improving early detection and working with existing CT, MRI, and endoscopy systems.
- Quantum applications in healthcare remain largely experimental, and QWV’s projects are still at relatively early technology-readiness stages. Moving towards commercial medical products will require testing, clinical validation, regulatory approvals and manufacturing.
- Alongside MedTech, the startup is developing quantum and AI education programmes with universities and exploring applications in public safety, forensics and quantum-safe security. It is now looking to raise capital to take its medical technology closer to productisation.
ICYMI
AI could be a powerful equaliser for India—but only if the technology is designed for the people and contexts it is meant to serve. In a conversation with Shradha Sharma, Founder and CEO, YourStory, Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman outlines four priorities that could shape how India uses AI across healthcare, agriculture and education over the next 18–24 months.
Key takeaways:
- Suzman says AI needs to work in India’s local languages and be tailored to specific needs—from a farmer’s crops and soil to a community health worker’s requirements.
- From helping healthcare workers identify at-risk pregnancies to supporting teachers with customised lesson plans, the Gates Foundation sees opportunities for AI to make workers more productive. At the same time, Suzman acknowledges that the technology will disrupt some jobs and make skills development essential.
- Suzman highlights data protection and governance, training, and access to computing resources as key pieces of India’s AI strategy. The foundation has committed $1 billion over two years towards AI tools for health, education and agriculture in local languages.
News & updates
- Modi lauds pilot: PM Narendra Modi praised Captain Smit Machchaar for his bravery after the Indian pilot foiled an alleged attempt by his co-pilot to crash a Dubai-Tel Aviv flight. Machchaar, who was seriously injured in the cockpit attack, is recovering in a UAE hospital after saving all 174 passengers, including 27 children.
- Shopping with AI: OpenAI has launched two new ChatGPT shopping features globally: virtual try-on for clothing and accessories, plus product favoriting. The updates aim to make online shopping more interactive and help users save products for later.
Which car company made the humanoid robot ASIMO?
Answer: Honda
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