The Economic Times

Movies that delve into the theme of parental loss provide a tapestry of emotional experiences. In 'Easy A', we witness the resilience of family ties amidst adversity. Conversely, 'Hamnet' intricately portrays the heart-wrenching dynamics of Shakespeare's family as they confront the death of a beloved son.

In Barcelona, a quirky nativity figure sparks a reflection on bitcoin, money myths, and how modern finance distances people from real value, labour, and the tangible fruits of the earth.

Actress Bhavana's recent film 'Anomie' drew applause, showcasing her enduring appeal. Her career spans Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, and Telugu cinema. Bhavana's courage in reporting an assault in 2017 led to the Women in Cinema Collective. This organization champions gender equality in the film industry. Bhavana's professional achievements deserve recognition alongside her activism. She has received awards for her performances.

India embarks on a journey to expand its celestial horizons through investments in advanced telescopes and observatories. This strategic shift highlights India's growing influence in the realm of global astronomy. The new infrastructure is set to enhance scientific prowess and develop local talent, with an aim to establish premier observatories on Indian soil.

India currently consumes advanced technology like AI. To secure its future, India must transition from a consumer to a creator. This requires a strategic shift towards innovation and ownership of AI products. The nation needs to foster energetic startups and provide support for them to operate at the cutting edge.

In the context of trade uncertainty wrought by Washington, Brazil's large delegation to India sends an important signal: if both countries are pushed into a corner, they can turn to each other. It's also a bonus that Lula's visit comes just two weeks before his forthcoming trip to Washington.

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the digital world. Machines are now primary actors, handling tasks from booking flights to autonomous warfare. This shift concentrates power in AI invocation, potentially making businesses invisible if not chosen by AI. The internet's future will see bots exceeding human traffic, requiring a re-evaluation of existing structures.

India must lead in biotech sovereignty powered by AI. This convergence will shape healthcare, food, and biosecurity. Nations controlling biology and AI will define the future. India needs to develop its own AI models and infrastructure. This shift from managing disease to reengineering biology is crucial for national security and global leadership. India aims to become a global biotech platform.

India's oil sourcing has dramatically shifted from the Gulf to include significant Russian imports, driven by discounts and geopolitical events. While refiners can adapt to supply changes, potential US pressure to halt Russian crude raises concerns about national sovereignty and economic implications, not physical shortages.

Artificial Intelligence promises significant changes, potentially displacing many jobs. However, human creativity and innovation, termed Natural Intelligence, will be key to adapting. This innate human ability has historically helped us manage technological shifts. Developing and nurturing this Natural Intelligence is vital for individuals to master AI and shape a positive future, rather than becoming its victims.

India's booming AI sector faces a critical energy challenge. Despite massive solar power production and ready transmission lines, mismanagement of the power grid is causing significant renewable energy cuts. This is threatening the viability of generation projects and the nation's data center ambitions.

India and France elevated their ties to a 'special global strategic partnership' during French President Macron's visit, marked by a 21-point outcome statement. Key agreements focus on defense, including co-development of advanced military technologies and joint engine development for next-gen fighters, alongside significant strides in AI collaboration and educational exchanges.

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.