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Billionaire Gautam Adani is in talks to invest in infrastructure projects in Bhutan's new 'Gelephu Mindfulness City,' a mega township being built along the country's southern border with India. The Adani Group is discussing setting up solar and hydroelectric plants in the region, which aligns with Bhutan's goal of revamping its infrastructure. The development plan for Gelephu includes renewable energy projects, roads, bridges, a large international airport, and a "dry port," with Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone Ltd. expressing interest in these projects. The initiative reflects Adani's broader strategy of expanding its international footprint, with the conglomerate already involved in infrastructure projects in various countries. [Extracted from the article]

Nvidia's Jensen Huang and Mukesh Ambani, Asia's richest man, have partnered to advance artificial intelligence infrastructure in India. This collaboration aims to boost AI adoption in various sectors, including agriculture and education, in the country's rapidly-growing economy. Nvidia's Blackwell chips will be utilized in a new data center by Reliance Industries Ltd., marking a significant step in India's AI development. The partnership reflects a global trend of tech companies investing in India as an alternative to China, with Nvidia positioning itself at the forefront of the AI revolution. [Extracted from the article]

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang is forming partnerships with major Indian companies like Reliance Industries and Infosys to expand the use of AI technology in India. India, with its 1.4 billion population, is increasingly adopting AI in various sectors such as agriculture, education, and manufacturing. Nvidia is collaborating with Indian companies like Tech Mahindra and Flipkart to develop AI solutions tailored to the Indian market, recognizing the country's potential as a key growth market for global tech companies. The Indian government is also investing in AI infrastructure through initiatives like the IndiaAI Mission, aiming to support the development and commercialization of AI technologies in the country. [Extracted from the article]

Liner, an AI search engine for students and researchers, has secured $29 million in funding from investors including Intervest, Atinum Investment, and Samsung Venture. The startup, based in Seoul, has found success in the US market, with 10 million users across universities such as UC Berkeley, Texas A&M, and the University of Southern California. Unlike general-use AI services, Liner focuses on credible sources like academic papers and government databases, providing users with valuable information across various academic disciplines. The company has raised a total of $33 million and plans to expand its team in San Francisco. [Extracted from the article]

Google plans to invest $1 billion in building data centers in Thailand, which will contribute to the country's economy and create jobs. This move reflects the growing interest of global tech companies in Southeast Asia, as they recognize the region's potential for growth in cloud and AI infrastructure. Other major tech companies like Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Amazon are also investing billions of dollars in the region. The Thai government aims to strike a balance between digital sovereignty and attracting foreign investment, leveraging the expertise and investment power of global companies while developing local tech firms. Google's investment aligns with Thailand's cloud policies and will support the development of innovative digital services. [Extracted from the article]

Google plans to invest $1 billion in building data centers in Thailand, which will contribute to the growth of the country's economy and create job opportunities. This move by Google aligns with the efforts of Southeast Asian governments to attract foreign tech companies. Other global tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, Nvidia, and Amazon are also investing in the region to expand their AI data centers. The investment by Google will support the development of innovative digital services and unlock economic opportunities in Thailand. [Extracted from the article]

Software startup Whatfix Inc. has raised $125 million in a funding round led by Warburg Pincus, bringing its valuation to $900 million. The company plans to use the funds to enhance its products, make acquisitions, and expand its presence in the US, Europe, and Asia. Whatfix's software provides personalized support and guidance for employees on how to use various applications, and it aims to reach $100 million in recurring annual revenue in two quarters. The startup was founded in 2014 by Khadim Batti and Vara Kumar, and its backers include SoftBank Vision Fund and Cisco Investments. [Extracted from the article]

An Israeli startup called Bridgewise has received approval from the Israel Securities Authority to launch a chatbot called Bridget that offers stock-picking advice. The chatbot will be released in partnership with Israel Discount Bank and will provide recommendations for buying and selling stocks based on user queries. While some regulators have expressed concerns about the potential risks of using AI in investing, Bridgewise has worked closely with regulators to ensure compliance. The chatbot will come with restrictions, such as not providing personalized advice, and the company must have an investment license and follow conflict of interest rules. Bridgewise plans to expand to other banks and launch a service for retail users in Brazil. [Extracted from the article]

Fractal Analytics, India's first AI unicorn, is considering filing for an initial public offering (IPO) in Mumbai to raise $500 million. The IPO, which may take place in the first quarter of 2025, could value Fractal at least $3.5 billion. The company, co-founded by graduates of the Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, reported $265 million in revenue and $8.9 million in earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization in the year ended March. Fractal has over 4,500 employees and clients including Google, Unilever, and Kraft Heinz. [Extracted from the article]

The global market for AI-related products is projected to reach nearly $1 trillion by 2027, according to a report by Bain & Co. This growth is driven by the rapid adoption of AI technology, which is disrupting companies and economies. The market, which includes AI-related services and hardware, is expected to grow at an annual rate of 40% to 55%, resulting in revenue of $780 billion to $990 billion. The demand for larger AI systems and data centers to train and run them is straining supply chains for components, such as chips, and could lead to shortages in semiconductors, personal computers, and smartphones. Additionally, the report highlights the increasing investment by governments in domestic computing infrastructure and AI models, but warns that establishing successful sovereign AI ecosystems will be time-consuming and expensive. [Extracted from the article]

Indian startup Qure.AI has raised $65 million in a Series D funding round led by Lightspeed Venture Partners and 360 ONE Asset Management. The funds will be used to expand and develop the company's artificial intelligence (AI) products, which are designed to help detect diseases. Qure.AI's AI solutions are used at over 3,000 imaging sites in more than 90 countries and have been cleared for use by regulators in the US and European Union. The company aims to expand in the US and other markets, improve its AI models, and fund acquisitions. [Extracted from the article]

Princeton Digital Group (PDG), a data center operator backed by Warburg Pincus, has purchased land in India, Malaysia, and Indonesia to expand its capacity by nearly 50% and meet the growing demand for artificial intelligence (AI) services. The $5 billion investment program will be completed within the next 12 to 18 months and will add 500 megawatts of capacity. PDG is targeting high-demand areas in Malaysia, Jakarta, Mumbai, and Chennai, where it already serves global technology companies. The company is also considering a private fundraising round to raise up to $1 billion. [Extracted from the article]

Vahan.ai, an AI-powered recruiter of blue-collar workers, has received $10 million in funding led by Vinod Khosla's Khosla Ventures. The startup aims to bring artificial intelligence to the hiring segment in India that has traditionally been dominated by small operators. Vahan.ai helps internet service operators such as Uber, Amazon, Swiggy, and Zomato recruit workers, and it also provides gig workers for local quick-commerce players. The funds will be used to improve the technology and expand the languages covered, allowing the startup to reach potential hires in smaller, more remote towns. Vahan.ai has already placed over 500,000 workers since its inception in 2016 and is now running trials for AI-led hiring in the electronics manufacturing sector. [Extracted from the article]

Lenovo Group Ltd. has begun manufacturing AI servers in Pondicherry, southeastern India, as part of India's efforts to become a high-tech powerhouse. The Chinese company will also expand its facilities in the Bangalore region, including a research lab focused on artificial intelligence. This move is part of Lenovo's strategy to position itself for the expected growth in AI-powered PCs and devices. India's growing tech manufacturing sector, coupled with its fast-growing domestic market, makes it an attractive option for global tech companies looking to diversify their operations away from China. [Extracted from the article]

Lenovo Group Ltd. has begun manufacturing AI servers in India, expanding its operations beyond laptops and smartphones. The company is building the servers in Pondicherry and plans to further develop its facilities in the Bangalore region, including a research lab focused on artificial intelligence. This move is seen as a win for India as it seeks to attract more technology investment, and it highlights the country's growing importance for Lenovo. While India's tech manufacturing sector is still smaller compared to China, it has been making strides and is now producing more sophisticated products. The demand for AI servers is increasing, and companies are looking to diversify their manufacturing locations due to geopolitical tensions. [Extracted from the article]

Prateek Bhardwaj broke out as a social media star on TikTok’s short-video platform, drawing in close to a million followers and a slew of big-brand endorsements. But he’s no longer on the app. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fifteen-year-old Vikas Sharma shares a tiny one-bedroom home with his brother and parents in Bangalore. The rapidly growing city is often referred to as India's 'Silicon Valley' because it's home [...]

Akshaya (ak-SHAH-yah), 14, and her sister, Aishvarya (aysh-WAR-yah), 11, live in a cheerful, four-bedroom house with a tiny but lush garden in front. Their bustling middle-class neighborhood sits on the [...]

Indian AI startups are developing voice bots that can interact with customers using spoken voice in multiple Indian languages. These voice bots are being used in various industries, such as banking, insurance, car companies, and customer service. The startups aim to create more dynamic and conversational AI services that can respond to users verbally in real time. While there are concerns about safety and impersonation, these startups are optimistic about the potential of voice bots and are even considering expanding to international markets. [Extracted from the article]

Sahara AI, a startup co-founded by a University of Southern California associate professor, has raised $43 million in funding to address copyright and privacy issues in artificial intelligence (AI) technology. The Los Angeles-based company aims to develop an AI platform that recognizes copyrights and tracks assets, allowing participants to receive credit and compensation for their contributions. The platform already has several enterprise customers, including Microsoft, Amazon, and Snap Inc., and aims to create a decentralized infrastructure for AI technologies. The company's co-founder, Sean Ren, emphasizes the importance of privacy and copyright in enabling exciting AI use cases. [Extracted from the article]

Arrcus Inc., a networking software startup, has raised $27 million in funding from investors including Nvidia Corp. The San Jose-based company plans to use the funds to expand globally and improve its technology. Arrcus's software helps optimize data flow, which is crucial as the adoption of artificial intelligence increases and networks need to handle growing traffic. The startup collaborates with companies like Nvidia, Broadcom Corp., and Intel Corp. [Extracted from the article]

Cropin Technology Solutions, a food and agriculture AI startup, has developed a real-time intelligence solution called Sage that uses artificial intelligence to predict future yields for 13 important crops. Powered by Google's Gemini AI model, Sage converts agricultural data into a grid-based map and provides predictive intelligence based on historical data. This technology can help various stakeholders, including consumer goods manufacturers, seed manufacturers, financial institutions, and governments, make informed decisions about crop production and cultivation. By combining generative AI with climate and earth data, Cropin can predict how crops will behave in different regions over the next few years. [Extracted from the article]

Huma Therapeutics Ltd., a health-care AI startup based in London, has raised $80 million in Series D financing, bringing its valuation to nearly $1 billion. The funding includes investments from AstraZeneca, Bayer, Hitachi Ventures, and Hat Technology Fund. Huma uses generative AI to help developers build health-care apps, cut costs, and comply with regulations. The company plans to use the funding to expand its platform globally and develop new features. Huma currently has collaborations with half of the world's top 20 drugmakers and its technology is used by 3,000 hospitals and clinics worldwide. [Extracted from the article]

Health AI startup Huma Therapeutics has raised $80 million in Series D financing, bringing its total funding to $300 million and valuing the company at nearly $1 billion. The funding includes investments from AstraZeneca, Bayer, Hitachi Ventures, and Hat Technology Fund. Huma uses generative AI to help developers build healthcare apps, cut costs, and comply with regulations. The company plans to use the funding to expand its platform and reach a wider global audience. [Extracted from the article]

Chinese AI startups are increasingly choosing to relocate to Singapore in order to access global investors and customers, as well as cutting-edge technologies that are restricted in China due to US export controls. Singapore's business-friendly environment and less stringent AI regulations make it an attractive destination for these startups. Additionally, setting up a base in Singapore allows these companies to distance themselves from their Chinese origins, reducing scrutiny from countries that are China's political opponents. However, some Chinese AI companies that are tailored for the Chinese market may struggle to expand globally. [Extracted from the article]

Chinese AI startups are increasingly choosing to relocate to Singapore in order to access global investors and customers, as well as cutting-edge technologies that are restricted in China due to US export controls. Singapore's business-friendly environment and less stringent AI regulations make it an attractive destination for these startups. Additionally, setting up a base in Singapore allows these companies to distance themselves from their Chinese origins, reducing scrutiny from countries that are political opponents of China. However, some Chinese AI companies are still choosing to remain in China, as the government provides support and incentives for them to stay and expand domestically. [Extracted from the article]

Nvidia Corp. has invested $50 million in Twelve Labs Inc., an AI startup focused on video search. The investment includes participation from other venture houses and existing backers. Twelve Labs aims to make video searchable and understandable by providing foundational models for tasks such as building chatbots or translating languages. The startup's models are used by developers across various industries, and its latest model, Pegasus, is designed to generate text from video. The collaboration with Nvidia is expected to expand the reach of Twelve Labs' platforms. [Extracted from the article]

Touchcast Inc., a startup backed by Microsoft, is raising $100 million to develop a technology that caches frequently asked generative artificial intelligence (AI) queries. This technology aims to make AI systems more efficient by reducing computational resources and energy consumption. Touchcast's approach could help businesses deploy generative AI more broadly with lower costs and faster response times. The startup is also working with Microsoft to speed up and broaden the distribution of generative AI queries. The CEO of Touchcast, Edo Segal, believes that this technology is critical to delivering sustainable and scalable AI experiences. [Extracted from the article]

Weather officials are predicting further bouts of severe weather in Bangalore as torrential rains pounded the city, submerged access to office parks and hit back-office operations that are the nerve center of the global financial and technology industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to have an economic impact, according to OpenAI's Chief Technology Officer, Mira Murati. OpenAI's GPT-4o model, which helps users generate content like text, presentations, and videos, is becoming more user-friendly and is being adopted for tasks such as coding, writing, and administrative work. Murati emphasized that the full impact of AI in businesses and the workplace is yet to be realized, but AI systems are already being integrated as collaborators. OpenAI faces competition from companies like Google, Meta Platforms, Anthropic, and xAI, but Murati believes that healthy competition can drive progress as long as safety is prioritized. [Extracted from the article]

Malta, a small Mediterranean island known for its lax regulation and online gambling industry, is aiming to establish itself as a leader in artificial intelligence (AI). GO Plc, the leading telecom provider in Malta, is increasingly using AI for day-to-day tasks, such as creating marketing content and writing code. The University of Malta is also utilizing AI to address challenges in education, traffic, and health. Despite setbacks and skepticism, Malta is determined to harness the power of AI for the public good and attract foreign investment. [Extracted from the article]

Alpha Intelligence Capital (AIC), an investment firm that focuses on artificial intelligence (AI) companies, is raising a $250 million fund with backing from government-owned entities in France and Singapore. The fund has already raised $160 million and is expected to close by September. AIC's previous investments include OpenAI and FlexAI, and it is betting on the continued adoption of AI worldwide. The fund will consider investments across the AI value chain, excluding China, and will focus on applications, cybersecurity, and gaming. [Extracted from the article]

Beijing startup 01.AI, founded by technology pioneer Kai-Fu Lee, is launching its first AI application for consumers called Wanzhi. Similar to Microsoft's Office 365 Copilot, Wanzhi helps users create spreadsheets, documents, and slide presentations more quickly, with a focus on the Chinese market. Lee believes that China needs its own version of OpenAI's ChatGPT to accelerate interest, adoption, and investment in AI. Chinese tech players, including Baidu and ByteDance, are investing heavily in AI models and chatbot services to catch up with US firms. 01.AI is also introducing a proprietary large language model called Yi-Large for enterprise users, which outperformed competing models from Meta. The company is focusing on profitability and plans to expand globally. [Extracted from the article]

Princeton Digital Group has secured a $280 million green loan from Maybank, Standard Chartered Plc, and United Overseas Bank Ltd to help finance a $1.5 billion data center in southern Malaysia. This marks the first green loan for the Asian infrastructure operator, which aims to have the complex operational by June. The company, backed by Warburg Pincus, develops and operates server facilities across the region and plans to borrow $1 billion to finance multiple projects. The Johor Bahru region in Malaysia is becoming a hotspot for AI data centers, with companies like Nvidia Corp. and Microsoft investing in the area. [Extracted from the article]

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has announced a $2.2 billion investment in Malaysia to build digital infrastructure over the next four years. This investment will focus on constructing infrastructure for cloud computing and artificial intelligence services, as well as providing AI training to 200,000 people in Malaysia and enhancing the nation's cybersecurity capabilities. Microsoft's investment in Malaysia is part of its broader strategy to expand in Asia and compete with other tech giants like Alphabet, Amazon, and Alibaba. The company aims to tap into Southeast Asia's fast-digitizing market and reduce geopolitical risks by diversifying beyond China. [Extracted from the article]

Microsoft will invest $1.7 billion in Indonesia to develop cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure, with the goal of stimulating economic growth in Southeast Asia's largest economy. CEO Satya Nadella made the announcement after meeting with President Joko Widodo, also pledging to train 2.5 million people in the region, including 840,000 in Indonesia, in AI skills. Southeast Asia has become a key battleground for technology giants, and Microsoft sees the region as a major market and talent pool. The company is betting on generative AI technologies to challenge Google's dominance in the field. [Extracted from the article]

Microsoft will invest $1.7 billion in cloud computing and artificial intelligence infrastructure in Indonesia over the next four years. The company also plans to train 2.5 million people in Southeast Asia, including 840,000 in Indonesia, in AI skills. Microsoft's CEO, Satya Nadella, is on a tour of Southeast Asia, highlighting the region's importance as a battleground for technology giants. The company sees Asia as a major market and talent pool and is leveraging its investment in OpenAI to challenge Google's dominance in AI. [Extracted from the article]

Bengaluru, India's Silicon Valley, is experiencing low voter turnout ahead of the upcoming election. The city, known for its tech industry, is facing challenges such as extreme weather and water shortages, which may be contributing to voter apathy. In the last election, Bengaluru had a voter turnout of 52%, compared to the national average of 67%. This low turnout reflects a larger trend of apathy among educated, urban Indians. [Extracted from the article]

Bridgewise, an Israeli startup, has raised $21 million in funding to expand its AI-powered investment research services. The company uses machine-learning algorithms to provide investment analysis to brokerages, wealth advisors, and stock exchanges. Bridgewise also offers a robo-advisor named Bridget that provides personalized financial research. The funding will be used to accelerate global expansion and develop new AI user tools. Bridgewise currently has 50 clients and operates in 35 trading platforms, providing financial reports in 22 languages across 15 countries. The funding round was led by SIX Group, with participation from Group 11 and L4 Venture Builder. [Extracted from the article]

Hailo Technologies, an Israeli AI chipmaker, has raised $120 million in funding to address the global chip shortage and advance generative AI development. The funding round included participation from Israeli firms and family offices. Hailo also introduced a new AI processor, Hailo-10, designed to consume less power while supporting various AI services. The company specializes in designing processors for edge computing, allowing AI processing to be done locally on devices like smartphones and robots. Hailo's new processors will be deployed by customers in the next quarter, with applications in robotics, motion control, and visual understanding. [Extracted from the article]

Fieldguide, a three-year-old startup, has raised $30 million in funding to address the global shortage of accountants by using artificial intelligence (AI). The company aims to develop AI-enabled tools for auditing, fraud detection, compliance, and forensic services, which will help certified public accountants (CPAs) tackle repetitive tasks and focus on higher-value work. The shortage of accountants is a significant problem, with around 40% of jobs remaining unfilled in the audit and advisory industry. Fieldguide already has several top CPA and consulting firms as clients and expects the global market for auditing services to reach $303 billion by 2030. [Extracted from the article]

PocketHealth Inc., a medical AI startup based in Toronto, has raised $33 million in funding from investors including Deloitte Ventures and Samsung Next. The startup aims to use AI to personalize patient care through its image-sharing platform. PocketHealth currently serves 775 healthcare providers and plans to expand its network in the US and Canada. The company has integrated AI into its platform to provide patients with personalized insights on medical reports and is now developing computer vision tools to detect findings in patient images. [Extracted from the article]

Yotta Data Services, a startup in India, is making a significant investment in artificial intelligence (AI) by partnering with Nvidia Corp. Yotta aims to offer high-performance computing capabilities from data centers in India, allowing corporations, startups, and researchers to develop their own AI services. The company plans to provide affordable access to Nvidia AI chips and is considering accepting equity from Indian startups with limited budgets. The global AI market is projected to grow exponentially, and Yotta's partnership with Nvidia positions them to capitalize on this trend. [Extracted from the article]

Pi Health, a startup focused on using artificial intelligence (AI) in cancer treatment trials, has raised over $30 million in funding. The funding will allow Pi Health to further develop its technology and establish new partnerships. The company's platform helps researchers recruit cancer patients for clinical trials in the US, Brazil, Australia, and India, with the aim of increasing diversity in genetic pools. Pi Health uses AI to automate tasks such as patient matching, clinical documentation, and adverse event monitoring. The company was founded by physicians Geoffrey Kim and Bobby Reddy, who have plans to develop their own AI system. [Extracted from the article]

Nanonets, a San Francisco-based startup, has raised $29 million in funding for its artificial intelligence (AI) software that helps businesses manage finances and paperwork. The software automates back-office tasks such as invoice processing, reducing the time it takes to process an invoice from 12 minutes to one minute. Nanonets uses AI models and tools to automate repetitive office work, and the market for intelligent document processing is expected to grow at a rate of 25% annually until 2032. The company derives most of its revenue from customers in the US and Europe, and its user base has grown four-fold in the past year. [Extracted from the article]

Nanonets, a startup based in San Francisco, has raised $29 million in funding to further develop its artificial intelligence (AI) software. The software aims to streamline back-office tasks such as invoice processing by automating data entry and verification processes. Nanonets' product can reduce the time it takes to process an invoice from 12 minutes to just one minute. The company's revenue primarily comes from customers in the US and Europe, and it has seen a four-fold increase in its user base over the past year. [Extracted from the article]

Overjet, a startup founded by MIT-trained computer scientist Wardah Inam, has raised $53.2 million in funding to develop an AI platform that aids in diagnosing diseases from scans and other data in dentistry. The platform aims to improve the consistency and objectivity of dental care by using AI to analyze X-rays, dentist notes, and periodontal charts. Overjet's technology has been approved by the US Food and Drug Administration and is currently used by thousands of dental practices in the US and Canada, as well as major dental insurers. The company plans to expand its platform beyond North America. [Extracted from the article]