The Economic Times

The logic is straightforward. Frontier model development is capital-intensive, compute-hungry, and concentrated among a handful of firms with resources India doesn't have. Chasing this is expensive and probably futile. But application-specific models that solve defined problems in Indian contexts - healthcare screening, agricultural advisory, educational assessment, government service delivery - could be developed with fewer resources, run on existing infrastructure, and create genuine economic

The world faces a volatile era. India is responding with pragmatic policies, strengthening its capabilities and diversifying its economy. This approach prepares India for global challenges and opportunities. Recent trade deals demonstrate India's growing engagement. India aims for Viksit Bharat by 2047, focusing on comprehensive national power. This journey involves manufacturing, services, technology, and infrastructure development.

India's software services sector faces a 'Kodak moment' as AI automation platforms like Claude Cowork demonstrate superior coding efficiency. This development, building since AlphaGo's 2015 debut, threatens the labor cost arbitrage model that has long benefited Indian IT firms. The industry must now innovate beyond retraining to add value exceeding AI capabilities.

The global AI industry's reliance on proprietary models hinders economic growth and digital sovereignty. Open-source AI offers a cost-effective alternative, achieving comparable performance at a fraction of the price. Nations can leverage open standards for national economic growth and technical sovereignty through collaboration, not isolation.

India's trade deal with the US marks a significant breakthrough. The nation's media has overlooked the strategic advantages of strengthening ties with the superpower. The agreement involves mutual tariff reductions, benefiting India's market access. This move is crucial for India's security and economic growth, navigating complex global dynamics.

The US is launching the Genesis Mission to accelerate scientific discovery using AI. This initiative treats AI as core national scientific infrastructure, aiming to make discoveries significantly faster. India needs to adapt its 20th-century institutional model to compete in this new era of machine-accelerated science. The nation must consider building an AI-science platform and ensuring scientific sovereignty.

The India-US tariff arrangement is a strategic adjustment, not a 'cave-in,' prioritizing economic reality over political rhetoric. India navigates global shifts by securing discounted energy, protecting sensitive agricultural sectors, and pursuing competitive export opportunities, demonstrating intelligent adaptation rather than capitulation.

A visit to Chef Nak's in Siem Reap revealed a unique dining experience. It was a ceremony of food, memory, and scholarship. Chef Nak hosts one group at a time, focusing on preservation and development. The meal showcased royal recipes and revived dishes. It offered a lesson in Cambodian culture and balance. Diners leave alert and wiser.

A lone penguins haunting march in Encounters at the End of the World has resurfaced online, with Werner Herzogs stark narration turning it into a viral metaphor for loneliness, burnout, and quiet rebellion.

Nestled in the vibrant heart of Kolkata's Park Street, Olypub was the go-to haunt for budget-conscious youth in the 1980s. With its dimly lit interior and a mixed bag of culinary offerings, the meat lovers flocked here for the iconic fillet steak, which outshone the rest of the menu.

Slow '100% Human,' 'AI-Free' products and services will become highly valuable

Artificial General Intelligence, or AGI, promises to surpass human intellect, driving scientific breakthroughs and economic growth. However, experts warn of profound risks including loss of control and existential threats. Developing AGI demands robust safety measures, international cooperation, and a focus on human values to ensure a beneficial future for humanity.

An exhibition in Delhi celebrates the Buddha's relics. The Piprahwa bone relic, reliquaries, and jewels are on display. These artifacts were saved from auction and are now reunited. The exhibition traces the history of the relics from the Buddha's time to their modern-day veneration. Visitors experience the relics and learn about their journey.

Uttar Pradesh has transformed significantly, moving from a 'BIMARU' state to a dynamic growth engine. Its economy has doubled, and it is now a major hub for expressways, railways, and aviation. The state has seen a drastic decline in unemployment, boosted by skill development programs and MSME support.

Indias technology-services industry is facing a major shift as agentic AI reshapes software development, testing and operations, moving the sector from a labour-based model to one focused on outcomes. While similar predictions of decline have surfaced in the past, the industry has repeatedly adapted. This time, experts say the change is structural, not cyclical, and requires a new operating model built around human expertise, AI agents and platforms.

Uttar Pradesh, a state with a population larger than many countries, is experiencing a significant economic turnaround. Its economy has doubled in eight years, with improvements in industry and services. This shift is driven by enhanced security, infrastructure development, and better fiscal management.

Government revenue from cesses and surcharges is substantial. While intended for specific schemes, concerns persist about their actual usage. Reports highlight funds collected for specific purposes being retained by the government. The 16th Finance Commission noted these levies impede tax reform.

Japans strong performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics highlights the importance of a community-based sports ecosystem that India can learn from. In Japan, local municipal bodies play a key role in promoting sports, building infrastructure and organising activities, supported by local budgets, national funding and corporate sponsorships.

In a bold pivot, India is revolutionizing its defense approach by prioritizing domestic equipment manufacturing. The upcoming Defence Acquisition Procedure 2026 emphasizes ownership of both technology and intellectual property to lessen dependency on overseas sources. Additionally, fostering collaborations with global allies for co-development is crucial to this strategy. By the decade's conclusion, India aims to fortify its home-grown defense sector.

The India-US interim trade framework, released by the White House, reflects a careful compromise between the two nations. It provides immediate relief to Indian exporters, reducing US tariffs from 50% to 18%, secures continued technology access including GPUs for data centres, and establishes a predictable baseline for trade, though it falls short of Indias original ambitions.

Anthropic's new AI tool is shaking up the IT services sector. Companies face significant changes as AI automates tasks. The industry must adapt by focusing on outcome delivery and redesigning services. New opportunities exist in AI governance and risk management. Providers need to embrace reinvention to succeed in this evolving landscape.

India-US tariff relief offers some political confidence. However, US President Trump's order on Russian oil purchases creates complications. This move benefits China, which increases its Russian oil imports. India faces a difficult choice between US demands and its energy needs. The relationship faces political hurdles, requiring India to diversify partnerships and derisk its approach.

India's financial regulators demonstrated significant sophistication in 2025, implementing reforms that strengthened oversight and eased compliance burdens. These initiatives, including the RBI's new regulation framework and SEBI's Securities Market Code, have enhanced credit discipline and improved insolvency outcomes, signaling stability amidst global uncertainty and fostering an environment for economic growth.

Economic liberalisation, shifting global power, corporate ambition and technology cycles from the 1980s to the 2020s underline lessons on calculated risk, culture, innovation and adaptability in a volatile world shaped by Asias rise and artificial intelligence