Latest news with #AI-first
Time of India
5 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
GenAI is a civilisational shift: N Chandrasekaran
Bengaluru: TCS chairman N Chandrasekaran said GenAI was the single most transformative force in 2024. He described it as a significant advancement that goes beyond typical technological progression, stating that "GenAI is not just another tech cycle—it is a civilisational shift. " He expressed confidence that in 2025, TCS will have the largest AI-trained workforce in the industry with a four-pronged approach. Initially, TCS said it plans to create a large pool of AI agents collaborating with its human employees. Subsequently, TCS is implementing solutions through an integrated approach combining human expertise and AI capabilities. Furthermore, it's making strategic investments in AI data centres and cloud infrastructure. It's also forging industry-best partnerships with hardware companies, solution innovators, and startups. "Achieving near-human reasoning capabilities, GenAI is not just another tech cycle, it is a civilisational shift. Its widespread adoption is accelerating, powered by parallel advances in semiconductors, cloud computing, quantum technologies, robotics, and energy innovation. GenAI is already redefining analytics, customer experience, and marketing. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning For Working Professionals. BITS Pilani WILP Apply Now The rise of autonomous robots and AI agents promises a future of 'dark factories' and AI-assisted enterprise functions," he said in a letter to shareholders published in the company's annual report. Chandrasekaran said every industry stands to benefit from GenAI—and the IT industry is no exception. "TCS is uniquely positioned to lead this transition. With our domain expertise, deep client relationships, and contextual knowledge, we are the ideal partner for enterprises seeking to build AI-first cultures, transform supply chains, navigate energy transitions, and build resilient and adaptive operations." He also said the evolving geopolitical landscape and the emergence of a multipolar world are now reshaping how global businesses operate. "We are witnessing the rise of new paradigms, demanding a thorough reimagination of systems, processes, and technologies to improve visibility, reduce costs, and enhance operational throughput." This reimagination, he said, includes designing end-to-end traceability across supply chains; diversification of sourcing strategies to build resilience, and region-specific ecosystems to serve decentralized markets. The annual report showed that TCS CEO K Krithivasan took home a salary of Rs 26.5 crore in the 2024-25 financial year, a 4.6% increase from Rs 25.3 crore in the year-ago period. His compensation includes a basic pay of Rs 1.3 crore, Rs 2.1 crore in benefits and perquisites, and Rs 23 crore as commissions. The company said the average annual increase was in the range of 4.5% to 7%, with top performers receiving double digit increments in India. In the last financial year, the overall rise fell within the 5.5% to 7.5% bracket, inclusive of promotions and additional compensation adjustments linked to specific events. Employees outside India received salary hikes varying from 1.5% to 6%.
Hans India
7 days ago
- Hans India
Skills in an AI-first world: Preparing students for the future
As artificial intelligence (AI) rapidly reshapes industries, economies, and everyday life, students entering this evolving world must be equipped with a new set of skills to thrive. In an AI-first world, success won't depend solely on mastering technical tools, but on combining human strengths with digital fluency to navigate change, solve problems creatively, and add unique value that machines can't replicate. 1. Digital and Data Literacy Understanding how AI systems work, how data is collected, and how algorithms make decisions is essential. Students need to develop digital literacy—not just in using technology, but in critically evaluating it. Basic coding, familiarity with data science, and understanding ethical implications of AI will empower students to be informed users, creators, and critics of AI-driven solutions. 2. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving As AI takes over repetitive tasks, human judgment and reasoning will become even more valuable. Students must learn to ask the right questions, assess information for accuracy and bias, and develop solutions based on logic and evidence. Real-world problem-solving, particularly in uncertain or complex environments, is a skill that machines can assist with, but not replace. 3. Creativity and Innovation While AI can generate ideas and content, it lacks emotional depth and context. Students who nurture creativity—through design thinking, storytelling, or entrepreneurial ventures—will lead innovation. In a world where machines can replicate patterns, originality becomes a distinct human advantage. 4. Emotional Intelligence and Collaboration The future belongs to those who can work well with others. Emotional intelligence—empathy, communication, adaptability, and resilience—will be critical as workplaces become more diverse, remote, and dynamic. Students who can lead, collaborate, and build trust across cultures and technologies will stand out. 5. Lifelong Learning Mindset AI is evolving fast, and the jobs of tomorrow may not yet exist. Students must embrace continuous learning—upskilling and reskilling throughout their lives. This includes self-motivation, curiosity, and the ability to unlearn outdated methods while staying agile in the face of change. In conclusion, an AI-first world demands a holistic approach to education—one that combines technical proficiency with deep human skills. Empowering students with these future-ready capabilities will not only prepare them for the job market but also help them become responsible, adaptive, and innovative global citizens.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
American venture capital is flowing into India like never before. Here's why
A thousand unicorns. That's how many billion-dollar startups India could produce over the next two decades — and it's why investors are betting on it to power the world's next great tech surge. One of those investors is Aditya Mishra, a Columbia and GW Business School grad and former exec at Yahoo (APO) and Accenture (ACN), who now leads BAT VC, a $100 million early-stage venture fund focused on AI-first startups in India and the U.S. But the potential is not the result of a sudden shift. As Mishra sees it, this moment has been decades in the making. 'India has all the ingredients to be at par with China and the U.S.,' he told Quartz, backing it up with numbers: 800 million people under 35, a vast, extraordinarily tech-savvy educated class, and Indian capital itself stepping up to the plate. A decade ago, 75% of Indian IPO funding came from abroad, Mishra points out. Now, domestic investors account for up to 80%. Brokerage accounts have jumped from 36 million in 2020 to 160 million in 2024, which makes for an increasingly liquid financial ecosystem, helping further de-risk the environment for foreign investors. Global tech companies opening Indian operations have created similar dynamics to Silicon Valley as ex-Google (GOOGL), Meta (META), and OpenAI engineers and executives strike out on their own, founding startups that aim at both domestic and global growth, with innovation concentrated in AI, ML, robotics, deeptech, logistics, and fintech. Its AI sector alone is seeing 32% annual growth. That momentum is beginning to show up in public markets, too: India led the world with 338 IPOs in 2024, a 44% increase from the previous year, raising nearly $21 billion. As these homegrown companies come up within the complex linguistic, economic and social environment of modern India, they run up against and solve the exact sort of complicated problems that allow them to grow into global entities. Think cross-border payments and sophisticated supply chains. So it's no wonder India has emerged as the world's third-largest startup ecosystem. While the country's economic liberalization began in the 1990s, a more recent wave of 'China-plus-one' strategies — accelerated by trade tensions, supply chain recalibration, and geopolitical reshuffling — is bringing fresh foreign interest. 'You're seeing a shift toward bilateral trade agreements,' Mishra said, arguing that venture capital should reflect that realignment. BAT VC's thesis is built around dual-market value creation: backing U.S. startups expanding into India and Indian startups with global ambitions. Mishra estimates the bidirectional model can generate 1.5 to 2 times the return of regionally siloed investments. It's an arbitrage opportunity most VCs are still missing, Mishra said. Of course, structural challenges remain, from uneven regulatory enforcement to governance issues. But for investors willing to take the long view, Mishra sees an inflection point. The key to understanding the opportunity is recognizing that 'India has many Indias in it.' It's a country where world-class innovation exists alongside massive inequality, and where seemingly contradictory trends reflect a bigger picture. 'Everything can be true at once,' he said. When you build in India, you're building for scale, for fragmentation, for some regulatory ambiguity, as well as for different languages, payments, and regions, Mishra explained. That's precisely what prepares Indian tech companies to go global. For U.S. investors, he believes the message is simple: The next twenty years of tech growth won't look like the last twenty. Everyday investors may get exposure to India's tech scene through ETFs, but there's a case for the more direct VC play, too. Venture in India (and elsewhere) represents the business of tomorrow, Mishra argued. 'Everything else is the business of today.' Analysts beyond BAT are seeing the same signal. In a 2023 report, Goldman Sachs (GS) projected India could overtake the U.S. by 2075 to become the second-largest economy in the world. While the timeline may vary depending on who're you're speaking to, the underlying logic remains consistent: India's young population, rapidly growing tech sector, and expanding capital markets create a compelling story, playing out in real time. Assuming a baseline valuation of $1 billion apiece, that would mean $1 trillion in startup value alone. But the math gets even wilder fast. If India's unicorns follow the path of U.S. giants such as Stripe, SpaceX, or OpenAI — or even local standouts like Flipkart (WMT) and BYJU'S — average valuations could land much higher. Run the numbers and you're looking at anywhere from $2 to $5 trillion in private or potentially public market value over the next few decades. That's an industrial shift to echo Silicon Valley itself or the Chinese tech boom. India may still be building its tech future, but if the unicorn count is even half right, the scale of what's coming is hard to ignore. For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Business Wire
13-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Gradiant Leads Sustainable Water Solutions for the Data Centers Powering AI
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Gradiant, a global leader in advanced water and wastewater solutions, has been awarded two new contracts by leading technology companies to design and deploy sustainable water solutions at new data centers in the United States and Indo-Pacific. These facilities—critical to powering AI and cloud infrastructure—are increasingly located in some of the most water-stressed regions in the world. Gradiant's solutions will enable these developments to meet aggressive sustainability goals while minimizing their impact on local water resources and communities. The projects underscore Gradiant's growing role as the go-to water partner for the world's most important AI infrastructure owners and operators. As the world accelerates toward an AI-first future, data centers—the invisible engines powering cloud computing, AI, and global connectivity—are emerging as both drivers of innovation and major consumers of water. An average 100-megawatt data center in the U.S. uses as much water each day as 6,500 households. Globally, data center water use is projected to more than double by 2030, reaching 1,200 billion liters annually. Many of these new sites are being built in water-scarce regions such as the U.S. Southwest, the Middle East, and Australia—driven by proximity to energy, land, and local incentives. With growing regulatory pressure and environmental scrutiny, water strategy has become mission-critical. 'In today's climate reality, building a data center without a water strategy is not an option,' said Anurag Bajpayee, CEO of Gradiant. 'These facilities are as thirsty as they are power hungry. Our clients are asking how to eliminate wastewater, how to operate in drought-prone regions without harming local communities, and how to do it all while scaling AI infrastructure at lightning speed.' Gradiant is uniquely positioned to help data center owners and operators meet this moment. With a full-stack technology portfolio and deep expertise in complex industrial water, the company delivers complete site-wide peace of mind. Gradiant's solutions include: Water Recycling & Reuse: Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) technologies recover and reuse 99% of process water onsite—dramatically reducing the need for freshwater withdrawals and preserving local water supplies. AI Optimization (SmartOps AI): Uses real-time monitoring and AI-powered analytics to optimize water and wastewater operations, lower OPEX, and reduce unplanned downtime. CURE Chemicals: Expert formulations reduce the use of traditional treatment chemicals, lowering the overall environmental footprint while enhancing system performance and reliability. 'Only Gradiant can deliver complete site-wide peace of mind—a fully integrated and holistic solution that unites process technology, AI, and chemicals through a single trusted partner,' said Prakash Govindan, COO of Gradiant. 'Our customers no longer need to coordinate across multiple parties. With Gradiant, they gain a single, trusted partner optimizing every drop of water across their operations. This is water innovation without compromise.' Gradiant's technologies are helping data centers operate in the harshest conditions—without compromising sustainability or performance. As the digital economy accelerates, Gradiant is enabling what's possible for water in tech infrastructure. About Gradiant Gradiant is a Different Kind of Water Company. With a full suite of differentiated and proprietary end-to-end solutions for advanced water and wastewater treatment powered by the top minds in water, the company serves its clients' mission-critical operations in the world's essential industries, including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, lithium and critical minerals, and renewable energy. Gradiant's innovative solutions reduce water used and wastewater discharged, reclaim valuable resources, and renew wastewater into freshwater. The Boston-headquartered company was founded at MIT and has over 1,300 employees worldwide. Learn more at
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Gradiant Leads Sustainable Water Solutions for the Data Centers Powering AI
Chosen by Tech Giants as New Facilities are Increasingly Located in Water-Stressed Regions BOSTON, May 13, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Gradiant, a global leader in advanced water and wastewater solutions, has been awarded two new contracts by leading technology companies to design and deploy sustainable water solutions at new data centers in the United States and Indo-Pacific. These facilities—critical to powering AI and cloud infrastructure—are increasingly located in some of the most water-stressed regions in the world. Gradiant's solutions will enable these developments to meet aggressive sustainability goals while minimizing their impact on local water resources and communities. The projects underscore Gradiant's growing role as the go-to water partner for the world's most important AI infrastructure owners and operators. As the world accelerates toward an AI-first future, data centers—the invisible engines powering cloud computing, AI, and global connectivity—are emerging as both drivers of innovation and major consumers of water. An average 100-megawatt data center in the U.S. uses as much water each day as 6,500 households. Globally, data center water use is projected to more than double by 2030, reaching 1,200 billion liters annually. Many of these new sites are being built in water-scarce regions such as the U.S. Southwest, the Middle East, and Australia—driven by proximity to energy, land, and local incentives. With growing regulatory pressure and environmental scrutiny, water strategy has become mission-critical. "In today's climate reality, building a data center without a water strategy is not an option," said Anurag Bajpayee, CEO of Gradiant. "These facilities are as thirsty as they are power hungry. Our clients are asking how to eliminate wastewater, how to operate in drought-prone regions without harming local communities, and how to do it all while scaling AI infrastructure at lightning speed." Gradiant is uniquely positioned to help data center owners and operators meet this moment. With a full-stack technology portfolio and deep expertise in complex industrial water, the company delivers complete site-wide peace of mind. Gradiant's solutions include: Water Recycling & Reuse: Zero liquid discharge (ZLD) technologies recover and reuse 99% of process water onsite—dramatically reducing the need for freshwater withdrawals and preserving local water supplies. AI Optimization (SmartOps AI): Uses real-time monitoring and AI-powered analytics to optimize water and wastewater operations, lower OPEX, and reduce unplanned downtime. CURE Chemicals: Expert formulations reduce the use of traditional treatment chemicals, lowering the overall environmental footprint while enhancing system performance and reliability. "Only Gradiant can deliver complete site-wide peace of mind—a fully integrated and holistic solution that unites process technology, AI, and chemicals through a single trusted partner," said Prakash Govindan, COO of Gradiant. "Our customers no longer need to coordinate across multiple parties. With Gradiant, they gain a single, trusted partner optimizing every drop of water across their operations. This is water innovation without compromise." Gradiant's technologies are helping data centers operate in the harshest conditions—without compromising sustainability or performance. As the digital economy accelerates, Gradiant is enabling what's possible for water in tech infrastructure. About Gradiant Gradiant is a Different Kind of Water Company. With a full suite of differentiated and proprietary end-to-end solutions for advanced water and wastewater treatment powered by the top minds in water, the company serves its clients' mission-critical operations in the world's essential industries, including semiconductors, pharmaceuticals, food & beverage, lithium and critical minerals, and renewable energy. Gradiant's innovative solutions reduce water used and wastewater discharged, reclaim valuable resources, and renew wastewater into freshwater. The Boston-headquartered company was founded at MIT and has over 1,300 employees worldwide. Learn more at View source version on Contacts Corporate Contact Felix WangGradiant, Global Head of Brandfwang@ Sign in to access your portfolio
