OpenAI is in discussions with the Indian government to collaborate on data centre infrastructure as part of its new global initiative, ‘OpenAI for Countries’.
The programme aims to help partner nations expand AI capabilities through joint investment and strategic coordination with the US. India could become one of the ten initial countries in the effort, although specific terms remain under wraps.
During a visit to Delhi, OpenAI’s chief strategy officer Jason Kwon emphasised India’s potential, citing the government’s clear focus on infrastructure and AI talent.
Similar to the UAE’s recently announced Stargate project in Abu Dhabi, India may host large-scale AI computing infrastructure while also investing in the US under the same framework.
To nurture AI skills, OpenAI and the Ministry of Electronics and IT’s IndiaAI Mission launched the ‘OpenAI Academy’. It marks OpenAI’s first international rollout of its educational platform.
The partnership will provide free access to AI tools, developer training, and events, with content in English, Hindi, and four additional regional languages. It will also support government officials and startups through dedicated learning platforms.
The collaboration includes hackathons, workshops in six cities, and up to $100,000 in API credits for selected IndiaAI fellows and startups. The aim is to accelerate innovation and help Indian developers and researchers scale AI solutions more efficiently, according to IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.
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Amazon is investing $10 billion to build data centres in North Carolina, aiming to expand its AI and cloud infrastructure instead of outsourcing compute needs.
The initiative will create at least 500 high-skilled roles and includes support for education, broadband careers, and local development through a $150,000 community fund.
The company is also developing AI-powered humanoid robots for future delivery tasks, reportedly testing them in a newly constructed ‘humanoid park’ at its San Francisco office.
Although using third-party hardware for now, the long-term goal is to embed Amazon’s software into these robots, according to sources.
Experts say the investment underlines a growing concern: that only large firms can afford the infrastructure needed for cutting-edge AI.
‘It’s positive for growth but risks concentrating innovation in Big Tech’s hands,’ said Leo Fan, co-founder of Cysic, a blockchain-based AI firm. He argues that the shift could disincentivise smaller players and dampen broader AI progress.
Amazon is also rolling out Alexa+, a new generative AI-powered assistant, and has secured a licensing deal with The New York Times to integrate journalism, recipes, and sports content into Alexa and other AI products, further extending its ecosystem instead of relying solely on internal data.
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OpenAI has added another 1 million paying business subscribers since February, bringing the total to 3 million across ChatGPT Enterprise, Team and Edu.
The milestone was shared during a company livestream and confirmed in interviews with outlets like CNBC.
Chief Operating Officer Brad Lightcap noted that the business tools are being adopted widely, even in regulated sectors like finance and healthcare.
He said growth among individual users has fuelled enterprise adoption instead of stalling it, highlighting a feedback loop between consumer and business uptake.
OpenAI launched ChatGPT Enterprise in August 2023, followed by Team in January 2024 and Edu in May 2024. Within a year of its first business product, the firm had already reached 1 million paying business users—a number that has now tripled.
Lightcap said AI is reshaping work across sectors—from student learning to patient care and public services—by increasing productivity instead of just automating tasks.
A separate PYMNTS Intelligence report found that 82% of workers using generative AI weekly believe it improves their output. OpenAI’s overall user base has reportedly reached 800 million people, with CEO Sam Altman claiming 10% of the global population now uses the company’s tools.
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Google is building a next-generation email system that uses generative AI to reply to mundane messages in your own tone, according to DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis.
Speaking at SXSW London, Hassabis said the system would handle everyday emails instead of requiring users to write repetitive responses themselves.
Hassabis called email ‘the thing I really want to get rid of,’ and joked he’d pay thousands each month for that luxury. He emphasised that while AI could help cure diseases or combat climate change, it should also solve smaller daily annoyances first—like managing inbox overload.
The upcoming feature aims to identify routine emails and draft replies that reflect the user’s writing style, potentially making decisions on simpler matters.
While details are still limited, the project remains under development and could debut as part of Google’s premium AI subscription model before reaching free-tier users.
Gmail already includes generative tools that adjust message tone, but the new system goes further—automating replies instead of just suggesting edits.
Hassabis also envisioned a universal AI assistant that protects users’ attention and supports digital well-being, offering personalised recommendations and taking care of routine digital tasks.
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A Swiss-led team at ETH Zurich has developed an AI-powered legged robot capable of playing badminton against human opponents with impressive precision and agility.
The project uses reinforcement learning, a type of AI that enables the robot to refine its movements and decisions through repeated trial and error.
The robot can accurately track the shuttlecock, predict its trajectory, and position itself effectively to return shots during high-speed rallies. Its ability to navigate the court and respond in real-time demonstrates significant progress in applying AI to dynamic, physical tasks.
Lead researcher Yuntao Ma said the project highlights the potential for AI to drive legged robots in increasingly complex activities.
The work represents a step forward in developing autonomous and intelligent robotic systems, including future humanoids capable of interacting in real-world environments.
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Dubai is emerging as a global hub for technology and innovation, driven by government-backed initiatives and a thriving ecosystem of Free Zones.
Their economic agenda aims to make it the fastest and most connected city worldwide, with emphasis on AI, fintech, blockchain, and other industries.
Free Zones such as Internet City and Silicon Oasis offer foreign firms 100% ownership, minimal bureaucracy, and world-class infrastructure.
Recent regulatory changes now allow these businesses to operate beyond Free Zones under certain conditions, giving firms greater flexibility and market access.
Initiatives like the Dubai Future Foundation, the Centre for AI, and Sandbox Dubai reinforce the city’s commitment to technological advancement.
With its collaborative tech clusters and growing venture capital support, Dubai is positioning itself as the Middle East’s leading destination for innovation.
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China’s second AI rice farming competition is underway in Sichuan Province, where human farmers and AI-assisted teams are competing across 66.7 hectares of land. AI teams rely on a network of sensors and satellite data to guide real-time decision-making on planting and pest control
The initiative, running through September, tests whether machine learning can outperform traditional farming practices in yield, efficiency, and quality. Organisers emphasise that the competition is not a battle between humans and machines, but a step toward integrating AI into agriculture.
Last year’s challenge saw mixed results for AI, which outperformed two human teams but lagged behind experienced farmers. While its early-stage data analysis showed promise, gaps in adaptability and environmental perception limited its effectiveness.
Developers at the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences have since improved the system’s algorithms, aiming to achieve over 80 percent alignment with farmers’ actions in this year’s edition.
As China seeks sustainable solutions for ageing farming populations and fragmented urban land, smart farming systems are emerging as vital tools to bridge knowledge gaps and enhance productivity.
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Swiss startup Aeon has raised €8.2 million in seed funding to advance its AI-powered preventive health platform aimed at tackling avoidable deaths.
The round was led by Concentric, with backing from several European venture firms and renowned investor Daniel Gutenberg.
Swiss Aeon combines full-body MRI scans, blood biomarker analysis, and genetic testing to detect over 500 conditions at early stages.
The platform boasts a 0 per cent false positive rate in clinical follow-ups, addressing a common issue in preventive medicine while winning the confidence of major insurers.
Its AI platform performs automated imaging analysis, cross-validation, and predictive modelling, offering patients personalised risk profiles and health plans.
With growing insurer partnerships nearly full reimbursement for its check-ups, Aeon is redefining access to care and personalised early detection.
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President Paul Kagame has praised Algeria’s support in educating Rwandan students in artificial intelligence and data science during his official visit to Algiers.
He highlighted the strength of bilateral ties and commended Algeria’s National School of AI, where five Rwandan students are currently enrolled.
The visit featured one-on-one discussions with President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, focusing on intra-African trade, knowledge exchange, and lessons from national recovery.
Both leaders emphasised the importance of unity in uncertain times and expressed a shared vision for deepened cooperation.
Rwanda and Algeria signed 11 new agreements covering sectors such as AI, air transport, education, agriculture, and investment. Kagame confirmed plans to establish a Rwandan diplomatic mission in Algeria to boost economic engagement and foster stronger private sector collaboration.
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In partnership with the Gates Foundation, Nigeria has launched the Nigeria Artificial Intelligence Scaling Hub, backed by a funding commitment of up to $7.5 million over three years.
Announced during a signing ceremony in Abuja, the initiative will focus on responsibly scaling AI solutions across healthcare, agriculture, and education.
The AI Scaling Hub aims to unite government agencies, tech firms, academia, and development partners to support the nationwide deployment of proven AI innovations.
Rather than developing isolated pilot projects, the hub intends to build a collaborative system that encourages mature AI tools to be applied widely.
The Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy stated that the move aligns with Nigeria’s draft National AI Strategy and broader technology agenda.
Minister Bosun Tijani said the hub would help turn local AI concepts into real-world results by offering innovators mentorship, resources, and support.
The Gates Foundation echoed the sentiment, with Nigeria Country Director Uche Amaonwu stressing the importance of ensuring AI benefits reach underserved communities.
The project also involves Lagos Business School and is expected to bolster Nigeria’s leadership in ethical AI adoption across Africa.
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