Future of work

AI to boost India’s media and entertainment sector

AI could boost revenues by 10% and reduce costs by 15% for media and entertainment firms, according to a report by EY, unveiled during the first WAVES Summit.

The report, A Studio Called India, outlines how AI is reshaping the global media landscape—transforming everything from content creation and personalisation to monetisation and distribution.

India, already a global leader in content production and IT, is well-positioned to lead this AI-driven shift.

EY highlighted India’s unique combination of technical skill, creative depth, and a rapidly expanding AI ecosystem, which positions it as a critical hub in the evolving media value chain instead of remaining just an outsourcing destination.

Indian companies are increasingly using generative AI for tasks like campaign optimisation, audience targeting, automated dubbing, and voice cloning.

These tools enable faster localisation of international content and allow global studios to scale up multi-language releases without sacrificing cultural authenticity or narrative integrity.

With 2.8 million people directly employed and around 10 million in indirect roles, India’s media sector is growing rapidly, driven by digital platforms, government support, and rising demand for AI-enhanced content services.

EY concluded that India offers foreign investors a powerful combination of creative scale, cost advantage, and favourable policies instead of regulatory barriers.

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Musk says AI should replace federal jobs

Elon Musk has suggested that AI should replace many federal government workers, criticising the US administration as bloated and inefficient.

Speaking privately at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, Musk argued AI could perform government tasks faster and with greater accuracy, ultimately saving taxpayers money.

His remarks coincided with the winding down of his controversial volunteer role leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), an initiative born under Donald Trump’s presidency.

Musk spent over 100 days embedded in the White House, even setting up a small office in the West Wing. Despite joking about its minimal view and sleeping in the Lincoln Bedroom, he claimed his work had major impacts — including rooting out fraud and slashing federal budgets.

Musk said DOGE was responsible for cutting $160 billion in government spending, although no formal evidence has been released to support that figure.

The programme has sparked intense backlash. Thousands of federal employees were reportedly dismissed or resigned during the DOGE audits, prompting lawsuits and allegations of illegal firings.

Critics say the sweeping cuts have left the US less prepared for emergencies and reduced its global influence, allowing China to expand its reach. Protesters have targeted Tesla in response, leading Trump to defend Musk and condemn the attacks.

Although scaling back his involvement in Washington, Musk isn’t leaving entirely. He will now spend only one or two days a week on government affairs, returning more of his focus to Tesla amid flagging sales and investor pressure.

Despite the chaos, DOGE has inspired new political groups in Congress, blurring the line between satire and policy. Musk himself finds it all surreal, asking, ‘Are we in a simulation here?’

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Chefs quietly embrace AI in the kitchen

At this year’s Michelin Guide awards in France, AI sparked nearly as much conversation as the stars themselves.

Paris-based chef Matan Zaken, of the one-star restaurant Nhome, said AI dominated discussions among chefs, even though many are hesitant to admit they already rely on tools like ChatGPT for inspiration and recipe development.

Zaken openly embraces AI in his kitchen, using platforms like ChatGPT Premium to generate ingredient pairings—such as peanuts and wild garlic—that he might not have considered otherwise. Instead of starting with traditional tastings, he now consults vast databases of food imagery and chemical profiles.

In a recent collaboration with the digital collective Obvious Art, AI-generated food photos came first, and Zaken created dishes to match them.

Still, not everyone is sold on AI’s place in haute cuisine. Some top chefs insist that no algorithm can replace the human palate or creativity honed by years of training.

Philippe Etchebest, who just earned a second Michelin star, argued that while AI may be helpful elsewhere, it has no place in the artistry of the kitchen. Others worry it strays too far from the culinary traditions rooted in local produce and craftsmanship.

Many chefs, however, seem more open to using AI behind the scenes. From managing kitchen rotas to predicting ingredient costs or carbon footprints, phone apps like Menu and Fullsoon are gaining popularity.

Experts believe molecular databases and cookbook analysis could revolutionise flavour pairing and food presentation, while robots might one day take over laborious prep work—peeling potatoes included.

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AI chip restrictions and tariffs weigh on Samsung’s global strategy

Samsung has warned that rising US tariffs could dampen global demand for its electronics, including smartphones and semiconductors.

Despite reporting record quarterly revenue of £41.6 billion and a modest profit rise driven by strong phone and chip sales, the company expressed concerns about the uncertain trade environment.

Executives cited possible risks to sales in the second half of 2025 due to escalating tariff tensions.

While some clients have accelerated orders to avoid incoming levies, Samsung said this may create a sales lull later in the year.

Delayed tariffs affecting countries like South Korea and Vietnam, where Samsung manufactures key components, are expected to take effect in July. US restrictions on AI chip sales to China are also weighing on the company’s outlook.

Samsung refrained from providing financial guidance for the next quarter, citing unpredictable global trade dynamics.

As tariff uncertainty continues, major tech companies like Apple are also reassessing supply chains, with many shifting chip production out of China in anticipation of further disruptions.

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Microsoft says AI now writes nearly a third of its code

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella revealed that AI now writes between 20% and 30% of the company’s internal code.

He shared this figure during a fireside conversation with Meta CEO at the recent LlamaCon conference. Nadella added that AI-generated output varies by programming language.

Nadella’s comments came in response to a question from Zuckerberg, who admitted he didn’t know the figure for Meta. Google’s CEO Sundar Pichai recently reported similar figures, saying AI now generates over 30% of Google’s code.

Despite these bold claims, there’s still no industry-wide standard for measuring AI-written code. The ambiguity suggests such figures should be interpreted cautiously. Nevertheless, the trend highlights the growing impact of generative AI on software development.

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Duolingo CEO defends AI plan amid user outrage

Duolingo has come under fire after CEO Luis von Ahn announced the company is transitioning to an ‘AI-first’ model, with plans to replace certain human roles with AI.

In a lengthy email and LinkedIn post, the CEO argued that AI is essential to scale content creation and build new features like video calls. He stated that relying on manual processes is unsustainable and that embracing AI now will help Duolingo stay competitive and better deliver on its educational mission.

The company’s plan includes phasing out contractors whose work can be automated and using AI proficiency as a factor in hiring and performance evaluations. Von Ahn acknowledged the changes would require rethinking workflows and, in some cases, rebuilding systems from scratch.

While he reassured employees that Duolingo still values its workforce and wants them focused on creative and meaningful tasks, the announcement has sparked mixed reactions online.

Some users welcomed the bold move, seeing it as a way to push the boundaries of AI and education. Others, however, expressed concern about job losses and the company’s shifting priorities.

Several users threatened to cancel subscriptions or uninstall the app, arguing that prioritising AI over people contradicts Duolingo’s claims of caring about employees.

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Microsoft outlines new commitments to Europe’s digital future

Microsoft has unveiled a set of five digital commitments aimed at supporting Europe’s technological and economic future.

Central to the announcement is a major expansion of its cloud and AI infrastructure, including plans to grow its datacentre capacity by 40% across 16 European countries.

The company says this will help nations strengthen digital sovereignty, boost economic competitiveness and ensure data remains under European jurisdiction.

They reaffirmed commitments to EU data privacy laws, expanding its EU Data Boundary and offering customers advanced encryption and control tools.

As geopolitical tensions persist, Microsoft pledges to uphold Europe’s digital resilience and continuity of service. However, this includes a legally binding Digital Resilience Commitment, European oversight of datacentre operations, and partnerships to ensure operational continuity in the event of disruption.

Cybersecurity remains a core focus, with a new Deputy Chief Information Security Officer for Europe and increased support for compliance with the EU’s evolving regulations.

Microsoft also recommitted to open access principles for AI development and support for local innovation, including open-source ecosystems.

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IBM commits billions to future US computing

IBM has unveiled a bold plan to invest $150 billion in the United States over the next five years. The move is designed to accelerate technological development while reinforcing IBM’s leading role in computing and AI.

A significant portion, over $30 billion, will support research and development, with a strong emphasis on manufacturing mainframes and quantum computers on American soil.

These efforts build on IBM’s legacy in the US, where it has long played a key role in advancing national infrastructure and innovation.

IBM highlighted the importance of its Poughkeepsie facility, which produces systems powering over 70% of global transaction value.

It also views quantum computing as a leap that could unlock solutions beyond today’s digital capabilities, bolstering economic growth, job creation, and national security.

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Gemini AI coming soon to smartwatches and cars

Google has revealed plans to expand its Gemini AI assistant to a wider range of Android-connected devices later in 2025.

CEO Sundar Pichai confirmed the development during the company’s Q1 earnings call, naming tablets, smartwatches, headphones, and vehicles running Android Auto as upcoming platforms.

Gemini will gradually replace Google Assistant, offering more natural, conversational interactions and potentially new features like real-time responses through ‘Gemini Live’. Though a detailed rollout schedule remains undisclosed, more information is expected at Google I/O 2025 next month.

Evidence of Gemini’s AI integration has already surfaced in Wear OS and Android Auto updates, suggesting enhanced voice control and contextual features.

It remains unclear whether the assistant’s processing will be cloud-based or supported locally through connected Android devices.

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UAE launches academy to lead in AI innovation

The UAE has announced the launch of its AI Academy, aiming to strengthen the country’s position in AI innovation both regionally and globally.

Developed in partnership with the Polynom Group and the Abu Dhabi School of Management, it is designed to foster a skilled workforce in AI and programming.

It will offer short courses in multiple languages, covering AI fundamentals, national strategies, generative tools, and executive-level applications.

A flagship offering is the specialised Chief AI Officer (CAIO) Programme, tailored for leadership roles across sectors.

NVIDIA’s technologies will be integrated into select courses, enhancing the UAE academy’s technical edge and helping drive the development of AI capabilities throughout the region.

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