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Opinion / Livemint

Googles new GenAI podcast tool is exciting but how useful is it for business?

A feature added by an online research tool that Alphabet released last year can now turn documents into an eerily human-sounding podcast. With the value of GenAI being questioned, Google must find ways to make this tool useful for business users.

22 Oct 2024 3:00 pm
Equities reign atop the league table of investment returns

In terms of return on investment, investors face a classic choice between fixed-income instruments and equities. Even though the performance of shares has been impressive over both the past decade and last six months, people looking for a steady flow of income should go for fixed-income options.

22 Oct 2024 2:00 pm
Nouriel Roubini: Harriss economic policy proposals arent as risky as Trump's

While Kamala Harriss fiscal, trade, climate, immigration, currency and China policies seem to be a continuation of US President Joe Biden's plans and promise relative economic stability, Trumps agenda is more likely to cause inflation, reduce GDP growth and blow up the budget.

22 Oct 2024 12:30 pm
Public share offers arent raising much capital for new ventures

While IPOs historically raised money to forge new paths and expand businesses, their purpose has changed. These days, most IPOs are offers for sale, with promoters and other shareholders selling their shares to the public. Some equity sellers are VC and PE players aiming to cash out.

22 Oct 2024 9:00 am
Quick-commerce players should come clean on their pricing game

Are quick delivery services using predatory prices? While its for the Competition Commission of India (CCI) to decide on probing their allegedly unfair market practices, Zepto, Blinkit and Instamart may find it worthwhile to fend off suspicions with pricing transparency.

22 Oct 2024 8:30 am
Mint Quick Edit | Can a thaw over the LAC restore India-China ties?

Four years plus after the Galwan hostilities, India and China have agreed on disengagement and patrolling. Theres a long way ahead for mutual ties to normalize, but lets not under-exploit the potential of a better economic relationship.

22 Oct 2024 7:00 am
Mitigate the impact of global shocks on Indias financial sector

To safeguard a financial system exposed to major vulnerabilities, India must bolster regulatory frameworks, crisis management and cybersecurity, and also reduce credit misallocation. Stability and sustained economic growth may depend on it.

21 Oct 2024 4:00 pm
Marijuana use is growing fast but its health impact is still a mystery

Cannabis consumption is rising in the US and Kamala Harris favours legalizing it across the country. But research studies remain woefully sketchy on what THC use at various dosage levels can do to the health of this drugs regular users.

21 Oct 2024 3:00 pm
Daron Acemoglu: Can the world escape a new gilded age?

Billionaires wield extraordinary power and influence today. Think of Elon Musk and his ownership of X. We could escape another gilded age if we pursue stronger institutional means to limit the influence of the ultra privileged and reconsider the policies that have created such extreme disparities.

21 Oct 2024 2:00 pm
Musks SpaceX has taken significant leaps in space exploration

The companys breakthroughs go beyond cost-effective reusable rockets for space launches. It has had many tech spinoffs, while its Starlink has democratized internet access. Its innovations serve not just humanitys future, but also the present.

21 Oct 2024 12:30 pm
Theres much Indian philanthropists can do for mental healthcare

Rather than simply spreading awareness about it, mental healthcare should be framed as a human right, focusing on accessibility and non-discrimination. We must push for policy and cultural shifts in favour of an inclusive framework that encourages multiple voices, perspectives and narratives.

21 Oct 2024 10:30 am
The makeover of Lady Justice is a moment to reflect on our ideals

Indias Constitution replaces a sword and the blindfold has been cast off. While this is a judicious reform of judicial iconography and a worthy move by the Judiciary to shed its colonial baggage, it should prompt us to recall John Rawls veil of ignorance and Amartya Sens view of justice.

21 Oct 2024 8:30 am
Mint Quick Edit | Hyundais IPO: What kept retail investors away?

The public response to Hyundais share offer was underwhelming, but was this because of its pricing and perceptions of its market prospects, or does it mark a turn in investor sentiment?

21 Oct 2024 8:00 am
Rage spills over on roads; reels only fan the fire

In 2022, Delhi witnessed 76 road rage cases, which went up to 84 the next year

21 Oct 2024 5:30 am
Manu Joseph: The spectacle of SpaceXs rocket catch is how science has failed

The companys recent feat was overhyped. We should acknowledge that science has been a big disappointment. This may be because there has been a brain drain from real science.

20 Oct 2024 4:00 pm
India needs to watch out for a remodelled EU thats taking shape

Political dynamics within the European Union could spell increasing bad news for India. With CBAM levies on the horizon, we may face even more EU protectionism, making an EU-India free trade agreement harder to strike.

20 Oct 2024 3:30 pm
Sorry, Powell cant be called the greatest Fed chair ever

Even if the Fed achieves a soft landing for the US economy, Jerome Powells record is marred by a failure to hold inflation in check. The Feds delayed efforts to withdraw its pandemic infusion of liquidity created asset bubbles and distorted the US housing market.

20 Oct 2024 3:00 pm
An open platform for e-commerce can transform Indias economy

Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) is an all-inclusive e-commerce platform that serves the public aim of linking the entire country for wide economic participation. Its a worthy addition to the countrys digital public infrastructure.

20 Oct 2024 2:30 pm
Gradual or surge? One way or another, India needs greater military might.

To strengthen defence preparedness, Indias spending on it must rise sharply. The pace we choose is the question and this depends on how adequately the country is equipped to tide through the dramatically different world now inhabit.

20 Oct 2024 1:31 pm
The killing of Yahya Sinwar: Not the endgame?

Yahya Sinwar is gone, but the Israel-Hamas wars deeper existential battles remain unresolved.

19 Oct 2024 12:11 pm
Daron Acemoglus three-point roadmap for Indias tech leadership

The 2024 Nobel laureate shares three key recommendations. Graduate from being a talent nation to an innovation hothouse, formulate a global tech strategy that includes alliances and push for technology that puts humans first.

18 Oct 2024 2:00 pm
Indermit Gill on what China and India must do to join the rich club

First invest, then infuse foreign technology and then innovate, says the World Banks chief economist

18 Oct 2024 1:36 pm
Leaders must stay coachable to unlock their true leadership potential

Leaders must embrace continuous learning, be open to critical feedback and make personal changes that could propel their professional growth. Such adaptability is critical for leaders to stay relevant in a fast-changing world of business.

18 Oct 2024 12:30 pm
Mission Europa: What secrets will this moon of Jupiter reveal?

Nasas mission to a Galilean moon of Jupiter thats encrusted in a thick shell of ice will let us know if its bulky ocean has signs of life. The lure, of course, is watera vital resource that weve failed so starkly to secure on Earth.

18 Oct 2024 8:30 am
Mint Quick Edit | Indias row of ducks in cricket: What went wrong?

A bad decision to bat first? A ball that swung too much under overcast conditions? A score of 46 all out against New Zealand in Bengaluru is as dismal as it gets. Lets see how the team fares in its second innings.

18 Oct 2024 7:00 am
Gutfeel advice: Make space for intuition in a data-dazzled world

Data can dissect problems, identify patterns and provide clarity in a way that intuition cannot. But when confronted with abstract issues or when the data available is irrelevant, the best choice is often one that feels righta judgement that comes from the depth of experience.

17 Oct 2024 4:00 pm
T.N.Hari:Venture capital is yet to bet big money on high-risk deep-tech startups

VCs have largely stuck to relatively low-risk areas where startups fix immediate well-defined problems, despite falling returns, as the deep tech ecosystem is still in infancy. In time, we can expect VCs to start funding bolder ventures.

17 Oct 2024 3:00 pm
Ritesh Banglani: Yes, Indian venture capitalists do fund moonshot ideas

More than a startups technology, its impact reveals the quality of an investment, and venture capital has made truly daring bets in India. As for deep-tech risk appetite, think of how many space-tech startups VCs have fundedthats literally rocket science.

17 Oct 2024 2:00 pm
Lets not underestimate the risk of over-financialization

Indias swelling base of investors, IPO exuberance and soaring market capitalization as a ratio of GDP all suggest over-financialization that may result in financial instability. Rein in over-extended markets without letting the real economy take a blow.

17 Oct 2024 12:30 pm
Food inflation: Blame supply shortfalls as well as bad policy interventions

Knee-jerk reactions to price spikes have included food export curbs and stock limits, but these short-term actions to tame prices have often meant farmers had little reason to up output. We need public investment in well-regulated markets, storage facilities and distribution networks.

17 Oct 2024 10:30 am
Mint Quick Edit | How to deal with hoax bomb threats

Indian airlines have received at least 13 false bomb threats in the past 48 hours alone, causing passengers stress and the industry losses. Can disruptors be deterred? Foolproof security may be our surest bet.

17 Oct 2024 8:30 am
Allocate or auction spectrum? Let Indias telecom policy goals settle

Satellite spectrum allotment should go by what the country hopes to achieve. For the inclusion of underserved areas, we should go for cheap allocation. In urban India, however, we should aim for a level playing field to maximize competition.

17 Oct 2024 8:30 am
Indias success in chess is showing the path to Viksit Bharat

Democratize information and everyone gets a chance to excel. If internet access and technology tools could turn India into a chess powerhouse in two decades, developed nation status by 2047 looks well within reach.

16 Oct 2024 4:00 pm