Shantanu Naidu Remembers a Phone-Free Childhood

The future of work is transforming with AI technology, especially in India, where companies like Avaamo are pioneering autonomous AI workers. Ram Menon, CEO of Avaamo, emphasizes that AI will not just replace jobs but create new roles and industries. As India’s AI market is expected to reach between $1.2 trillion to $1.5 trillion, businesses are learning to use AI to boost productivity and efficiency. While some traditional roles, like call center jobs, may decline, new opportunities will rise, similar to past technological shifts. Avaamo’s AI workers aim to streamline processes, showing how India can uniquely adapt AI for its diverse needs.

As International Women's Day approaches, we celebrate remarkable women who have excelled in business globally. Alice Walton, the richest woman with a net worth of $114 billion, leads the pack, inheriting Walmart's legacy. Julia Koch and Jacqueline Mars follow closely, showcasing their wealth and influence through various industries, including sports and confectionery. Abigail Johnson, CEO of Fidelity Investments, and Miriam Adelson, a casino mogul, also stand out with their significant contributions. In India, Savitri Jindal leads OP Jindal Group, advocating social welfare and education. These women exemplify leadership and innovation in their fields.

India's cryptocurrency scene is evolving, with more women stepping into the investment world. According to a report by CoinSwitch, women now represent 11% of the 20 million investors in India’s cryptocurrency market. Hyderabad leads with an impressive 45% female investors, followed by Surat and Botad. Major cities like Delhi and Bengaluru also show a growing interest among women, with 20% of Coinbase's investors being female. Interestingly, 46% of women are curious about digital assets, although many prefer to learn more before investing. As we approach International Women's Day 2025, this shift highlights the increasing role of women in finance and technology.

Bryan Johnson, a millionaire and founder of Kernel, is creating a new movement called "Don't Die." He believes this ideology will save humanity and lead to an extraordinary future. Johnson practices what he preaches by focusing on healthy living, including proper sleep, exercise, and nutrition. He even envisions that future generations will credit "Don't Die" with helping humanity merge with AI. Johnson invites others to join this movement through an app designed to track health and connect like-minded individuals. Reactions to his idea are mixed, with some excited and others skeptical, highlighting the diverse perspectives on his unconventional approach to life and longevity.

The Indian government is gearing up for the second phase of the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM), aiming to boost the semiconductor industry significantly. IT Secretary S Krishnan revealed that the design is finalized, and discussions with industry stakeholders are in progress. This phase focuses on supporting raw materials and equipment essential for chip manufacturing, with a fresh investment plan of $15 billion. The government also wants to enhance incentives for fabless semiconductor companies to encourage innovation. So far, the first phase has attracted investments worth $18 billion, with major projects like Tata-PSMC's fab and Micron's packaging unit underway.

Tuhin Kanta Pandey, the new chairman of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi), announced plans to improve trust and transparency in India's capital markets. He emphasized the importance of disclosing any conflicts of interest among board members to build public confidence. To support growth, Pandey aims to engage with foreign portfolio investors to ease their operational challenges. With a significant rise in domestic investors and mutual funds, he highlighted the need for both domestic and foreign capital to foster innovation and infrastructure development. New financial products like REITs could also enhance funding sources, driving sustainable economic growth.

US President Donald Trump announced that from April 2, he will impose reciprocal tariffs on countries like China, Brazil, and India, claiming their tariffs on American goods are unfair. This move raises concerns for India, especially in the electronics sector, where Indian-made products are crucial for US companies like Apple. Although Indian officials hope for a resolution, the potential tariffs could increase costs and challenge India's status as a low-cost manufacturing hub. With electronics exports hitting $30 billion, the stakes are high for both countries as they negotiate a trade deal that could benefit India significantly.

Indian distributors are taking action against quick commerce companies like Zomato, Swiggy, and Zepto, filing an antitrust case for their aggressive discounting tactics. This move comes from the All India Consumer Products Distributors Federation (AICPDF), which argues that these platforms are using unfair pricing strategies that harm local retailers. The AICPDF claims that traditional stores cannot compete with the steep discounts offered online, citing examples where products like Nescafe coffee are sold much cheaper on these platforms. This case highlights ongoing concerns about how big players can influence market prices, following previous investigations into similar practices by companies like Amazon and Flipkart.

JioStar, a new partnership between Reliance's Viacom18 and Disney India, is laying off over 1,100 employees due to overlapping roles. These layoffs began a month ago and are expected to continue until June, affecting various departments from entry-level to senior management. However, the sports sector remains safe as major events like the IPL are approaching. Employees receiving severance packages will get six to twelve months' salary based on their tenure. Additionally, some workers in tech may find new opportunities within Reliance. This move highlights the ongoing changes in the media industry in India.

Infosys has announced a new policy that requires employees to work from the office at least 10 days each month, starting March 10, 2025. This decision aims to limit the number of work-from-home days while still allowing some flexibility. The company will use a mobile app for attendance, which will not approve work-from-home requests by default. If employees do not meet the office attendance requirement, those days will be deducted from their leave balance. This policy mainly affects employees at job level 5 and below, such as software engineers and consultants, raising concerns about potential impacts on productivity.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the job landscape in India, with Avaamo leading the way. This Indian tech company is creating autonomous AI workers that can replace certain roles, especially in sectors facing skill shortages. CEO Ram Menon emphasizes that while AI might eliminate some jobs, it will also generate new opportunities and industries, much like historical technological advancements. He argues that businesses will use AI to boost productivity and streamline operations, reshaping the workforce in innovative ways. With India's AI market projected to hit $1 trillion by 2030, the future looks bright for both businesses and workers alike.

Road accidents in India are on the rise, and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari believes civil engineers play a major role in this issue. Speaking at the Global Road Infratech Summit & Expo, he highlighted how mistakes in detailed project reports (DPRs) lead to fatalities. Gadkari criticized the poor quality of road signage and called out the Indian Road Congress for not doing enough to ensure safety. He stressed the importance of accountability and collaboration between the government and industry to create safer roads, aiming for a future with zero road fatalities.

India is on a path to exciting growth, but it needs the support of both domestic and foreign investors. Tuhin Kanta Pandey, the new SEBI chief, emphasized this at the Moneycontrol Global Wealth Summit. He acknowledged the current challenges posed by foreign investors pulling out of the Indian equity markets. Pandey believes that enhancing regulations and creating a friendly environment for investment is crucial. He stressed the importance of teamwork and technology in making the markets more transparent. With a projected growth rate higher than the global average, India aims to build a resilient economy for the future.

Gold prices in India are witnessing notable fluctuations. Today, gold is priced at ₹88,163 per 10 grams in Delhi, increasing from ₹86,783 yesterday. Similarly, Chennai, Mumbai, and Kolkata are seeing gold prices around ₹88,000. Silver rates also show a slight rise, with Delhi's silver costing ₹101,000 per kg today. These prices shift due to various factors, including global demand, currency changes, and market trends. Understanding these dynamics can help buyers make informed decisions about their investments, especially as both gold and silver are popular choices in India.

Tata Group is gearing up for a major move with its financial services division, Tata Capital, aiming for a valuation of up to $11 billion. This could lead to India’s largest initial public offering (IPO) this year, potentially raising around $2 billion. The board has approved the listing of up to 230 million shares and a rights issue worth about $172 million. Despite recent market challenges, India's IPO scene remains strong, with other companies like LG Electronics also planning to go public. Tata Capital, a key player in providing loans, operates over 900 branches across the country, marking another significant step for the diverse Tata Group.

The United States is pushing India to lower its high tariffs on car imports as part of a trade deal, but India is hesitant to eliminate them completely right away. Currently, tariffs on imported cars can be as high as 110%, which has drawn criticism from Tesla's CEO, Elon Musk. He argues that these tariffs are among the highest globally, affecting Tesla’s plans to enter the Indian market. While the U.S. wants India to reduce tariffs significantly, India is consulting local car manufacturers before making a decision. The discussions aim to strengthen trade relations, targeting $500 billion in trade by 2030.

On March 5, 2025, Indian stock markets showed a positive turn as Sensex and Nifty closed higher, signaling renewed investor confidence. Sensex jumped over 740 points to 73,730.23, while Nifty rose by nearly 255 points to 22,337.30. Key gainers included major companies like Adani Ports, Tata Steel, and Mahindra & Mahindra. Despite this improvement, many stocks were still at yearly lows, highlighting market volatility. Analysts noted that the recent downturn had created buying opportunities, especially in small and midcap stocks, which surged. Global market trends, including positive news from the US and China, contributed to this uplift.

Google has launched an exciting new feature called 'AI Mode' in its search tool, aimed at making complex queries easier to handle. This innovative mode, powered by the Gemini 2.0 AI model, helps users ask difficult questions about topics like coding and advanced math. With AI Mode, users can dig deeper by asking follow-up questions and accessing up-to-date information from various sources. The feature uses a unique method to gather related data and provide clear answers. While still in testing, Google aims to enhance the experience with visual content and make it accessible to teens without sign-ins, although it may not always be perfect in its responses.