Future of work

India among few developing nations with strong AI investment

India and China were the only developing nations to attract notable private investment in AI in 2023, according to the UN’s Technology and Innovation Report 2025. Instead of the US simply leading the field, it dominated with $67 billion in AI investment, accounting for 70 per cent of the global total.

China followed with $7.8 billion, while India ranked tenth worldwide with $1.4 billion. Instead of being evenly distributed, access to AI infrastructure and research remains heavily concentrated in a handful of countries, mainly the US and China.

India’s rise in the AI space stems from policy-driven innovation and education rather than organic growth alone. It climbed to 36th place out of 170 on the UNCTAD Frontier Technologies Readiness Index in 2024, improving from 48th in 2022.

Instead of only focusing on economic size, the index measures readiness through ICT availability, skills, R&D, industrial capacity, and financing. India performed well in R&D and industrial capacity but fell behind in ICT access and skill development.

India has supported its AI ecosystem through collaboration between the government, academia, and the private sector. The country hosts a large developer base, around 13 million, and contributes actively to generative AI projects on platforms like GitHub.

Programmes such as the India AI Mission aim to boost AI education and innovation in smaller cities, instead of keeping progress limited to major urban centres. Institutes like IIT Hyderabad and IIT Kharagpur were named among the country’s key centres of AI excellence.

Still, India faces challenges in expanding its AI capabilities across all sectors. Instead of allowing AI to widen inequalities, the report urges investment in workforce reskilling and inclusion. While AI can boost productivity, it may also displace jobs unless paired with supportive policies.

The technology, if harnessed wisely, could create new industries and strengthen employment rather than replace it.

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Retail stocks slump after tariff shock

Retail giants are facing sharp declines in after-hours trading as new tariffs from the US on imports from China, the European Union, and Vietnam begin to rattle markets. Walmart and Amazon both saw their shares fall, with Nike also heavily impacted due to its dependence on Chinese manufacturing.

Walmart’s drop of over 4% reflects its heavy reliance on Chinese imports, with roughly 70% of its merchandise tied to the country. Amazon, similarly exposed through its third-party sellers, dipped close to 5% amid fears that rising costs will force sellers to raise prices, dampening consumer demand. These developments could severely affect the upcoming holiday shopping season.

Nike, meanwhile, saw shares fall by more than 6% as news emerged that many of its products, including popular sneakers, are produced in China and Vietnam. Although the company has been diversifying production to Vietnam, the move offers little relief now, as Vietnam faces an even steeper 46% tariff. The new policies may force widespread price hikes, putting further pressure on consumers and the broader retail sector.

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Bill Gates foresees AI-driven two-day work weeks

Bill Gates has predicted that AI will reduce work hours significantly, with two-day work weeks becoming a reality in the next decade.

His vision contrasts with views in India, where figures like Narayana Murthy and S.N. Subrahmanyan argue for longer work hours instead of reducing them, believing they are crucial for economic growth.

However, Harsh Goenka and Harish Mariwala, who focus on ambition and productivity instead of hours worked, have a different take. They stress the importance of quality instead of quantity in work hours.

Studies, such as those from Iceland and New Zealand, suggest that reduced working hours can lead to higher productivity and a better work-life balance.

In Iceland, trials reducing weekly hours from 40 to 35 saw workers feeling more energised and less stressed, while New Zealand’s Perpetual Guardian found that employees completed tasks in fewer hours, raising engagement and reducing stress.

Despite Gates’ prediction, the idea of working only two days a week seems extreme, especially considering his past work ethic.

Gates himself worked long hours instead of fewer ones during his early career, fearing mistakes could cost him his company, but he acknowledges that AI and technology have shifted the landscape.

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AI transforms autism therapy in China

In Shenzhen, a quiet breakthrough is unfolding in autism rehabilitation as AI-powered tools begin to transform how young children receive therapy.

At a local centre, a therapist guides a three-year-old boy through speech exercises, while an AI system documents progress and instantly generates a tailored home-training plan, offering much-needed support to both therapists and families.

China faces a severe shortage of autism therapists, with only around 100,000 professionals serving a community of over 10 million individuals, including 3 million children.

Traditional diagnosis and treatment rely on time-consuming behavioural assessments. Now, AI is streamlining this process.

Centres like Dami & Xiaomi, in partnership with Amazon Web Services, have developed RICE AI, a system trained on over 80 million behavioural data points to generate faster, personalised interventions and even custom visual materials for home learning.

By dramatically reducing workloads and enhancing precision, AI is helping to close the gap in early intervention and support.

More facilities are following suit, with efforts underway to unify and open-source these tools across the country. As one mother tearfully recalled her autistic son’s first spoken word, the emotional impact of this technological shift was clear, AI is not replacing care, but deepening it.

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Qualcomm taps Vietnamese talent to push AI innovation

Qualcomm has acquired MovianAI, the generative AI division of Vietnam’s VinAI, in a move aimed at enhancing its capabilities across smartphones, PCs, and automotive technologies.

The US chipmaker described the acquisition as a strategic step to fuel future innovation in AI, with particular emphasis on customised models and advanced engineering.

MovianAI brings expertise in machine learning, computer vision, and natural language processing. Qualcomm highlighted the value of adding ‘high-calibre talent’ to its engineering team, with MovianAI’s founder and CEO Hung Bui, who previously worked at Google DeepMind, set to join the company.

Bui stated that his team is eager to contribute to Qualcomm’s mission of scaling foundational AI breakthroughs across industries.

Qualcomm has a two-decade history of working with Vietnamese companies, particularly in 5G, IoT, and AI development. While the financial terms of the deal remain undisclosed, Vietnamese outlet VNExpress International reported that Qualcomm has acquired a 65 per cent stake in MovianAI.

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Studio Ghibli director warns AI can’t replicate emotional depth

AI may soon be capable of producing entire animated films, warns Goro Miyazaki, son of the iconic Hayao Miyazaki and managing director at Studio Ghibli.

Amid a viral trend of AI-generated images mimicking Ghibli’s hand-drawn style, Goro reflected on both the potential and risks of generative technology. While automation could ease Japan’s animator shortage, he believes the emotional depth that defines Ghibli’s work cannot be replicated by machines.

Speaking from Ghibli’s atelier in Tokyo, Goro acknowledged that AI could soon produce full-length features, yet questioned whether audiences would accept creations lacking human touch.

He also noted that the new wave of tools may unlock creative opportunities for previously overlooked talent.

Nonetheless, he stressed the irreplaceable vision of artists like his father, whose Oscar-winning final film The Boy and the Heron continues to embody themes of loss and mortality, drawn from postwar experience.

OpenAI, whose ChatGPT image generator has fuelled the online Ghibli-style craze, claims to block imitations of living artists while allowing broader studio aesthetics.

As AI redefines content creation, Goro warned against losing the uniquely human elements, both light and dark, that have given Studio Ghibli’s films their enduring depth and resonance.

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Meta’s AI research VP Joelle Pineau announces departure

Joelle Pineau, the Vice President of AI research at Meta, announced she will be leaving the company by the end of May, after nearly eight years with the organisation.

Pineau, who joined Meta in 2017, has overseen key AI initiatives, including the FAIR research unit, PyTorch, and the Llama AI models.

In a LinkedIn post, Pineau reflected on her time at Meta, mentioning the creation of groundbreaking AI projects such as PyTorch, FAISS, and Roberta.

She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work alongside top AI researchers, with the aim of accelerating innovation through open-source contributions.

Pineau, also a professor at McGill University, stated that after her departure, she plans to take some time to reflect before pursuing new ventures. Her departure comes as Meta intensifies its focus on AI, including the recent launch of its Meta AI chatbot in Europe.

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Meta’s Hypernova smart glasses promise cutting-edge features and advanced display technology

Meta is preparing to launch an advanced pair of smart glasses under the codename Hypernova, featuring a built-in display and gesture control capabilities.

The new device, developed in partnership with Ray-Ban, aims to enhance user convenience by offering features such as media viewing, map navigation, and app notifications.

Unlike previous models, the Hypernova glasses will have a display located in the lower right corner of the right lens, allowing users to maintain a clear view through the left lens.

The glasses will be powered by Qualcomm silicon and run on a customised version of Android. Meta is also developing a wristband, codenamed Ceres, which will provide gesture-based controls, including pinch-to-zoom and wrist rotation.

The wristband is expected to be bundled with the glasses, offering users a more seamless and intuitive experience.

Retail pricing for the Hypernova smart glasses is expected to range between $1,000 and $1,400, significantly higher than current VR-ready smart glasses like the Viture Pro and Xreal One.

However, Meta aims to differentiate its product through enhanced functionality and fashionable design, making it an appealing option for consumers looking for both style and utility.

The Hypernova glasses are projected to hit the market by the end of 2025. Meta is also developing additional augmented reality products, including the Orion holographic glasses and research-focused Aria Gen 2 AR glasses.

Competitors like Samsung are expected to launch similar Android-based smart glasses around the same time, setting the stage for an exciting year in the wearable tech market.

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AI technology sparks debate in Hollywood

Hollywood is grappling with AI’s increasing role in filmmaking, with executives, actors, and developers exploring the technology’s potential. At a recent event, industry leaders discussed AI-generated video, heralded as the biggest breakthrough since the advent of sound in cinema.

Despite its growing presence, AI’s impact remains controversial, especially after recent strikes from actors and writers seeking protection from AI exploitation.

AI technology is making its way into movies and TV shows, with Oscar-nominated films like Emilia Perez and The Brutalist using AI for voice alterations and actor de-aging. AI’s capacity to generate scripts, animation, and even actors has led to fears of job displacement, particularly for background actors.

However, proponents like Bryn Mooser of Moonvalley argue that AI can empower filmmakers, especially independent creators, to produce high-quality content at a fraction of traditional costs.

While Hollywood is still divided on AI’s potential, several tech companies, including OpenAI and Google, are lobbying for AI models to access copyrighted art to fuel their development, claiming it’s vital for national security.

The push has met resistance from filmmakers who fear it could undermine the creative industry, which provides millions of jobs. Despite the opposition, AI’s role in filmmaking is rapidly expanding, and its future remains uncertain.

Some in the industry believe AI, if used correctly, can enhance creativity by allowing filmmakers to create worlds and narratives beyond their imagination. However, there is a push to ensure that artists remain central to this transformation, and that AI’s role in cinema respects creators’ rights and protections.

As AI technology evolves, Hollywood faces a critical choice: embrace it responsibly instead of the risk of being overtaken by powerful tech companies.

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EU to invest €1.3 billion in AI and digital skills

The European Commission has announced plans to invest €1.3 billion in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and digital skills development under the Digital Europe Programme for the period 2025 to 2027.

The funding aims to strengthen Europe’s position in advanced technologies and ensure that citizens and businesses can benefit from secure and cutting-edge digital tools.

Henna Virkkunen, the European Commission’s digital chief, emphasised the importance of the initiative, stating that European tech sovereignty depends on both technological innovation and the ability of people to improve their digital competences.

The investment reflects a strategic commitment to ensuring Europe remains competitive in the global digital landscape.

The Digital Europe Programme has been central to the EU’s digital transformation agenda. Through this latest funding round, the EU seeks to further enhance its technological resilience, support innovation, and prepare the workforce for the demands of a fast-evolving digital economy.

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