AI ADOPTION IN ASIA PACIFIC

OpenAI leads surge in business AI adoption, Ramp AI Index reveals
OpenAI leads enterprise AI adoption, according to the Ramp AI Index, but Chinese AI company Manus AI is quickly gaining ground. The index, tracking real corporate spending, reveals a surge in AI usage among businesses. While foundational models dominate, specialized AI tools like Turbopuffer and Jasper are experiencing rapid growth, indicating a shift towards tailored enterprise solutions.

ChatGPT maker OpenAI negotiates with Microsoft to facilitate new funding, IPO: FT report
OpenAI, backed by Microsoft's $13 billion investment, is reportedly renegotiating its deal with the software giant. The aim is to restructure into a for-profit entity and potentially pursue an IPO in the future. Microsoft may relinquish some equity in exchange for continued access to OpenAI's cutting-edge AI technology beyond the current contract's 2030 expiration.

Nearly half of financial planners worry about AI's data privacy, security risks: Report
Despite the benefits, financial planners expressed reservations regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI), with 47% citing data privacy and cybersecurity concerns, according to a report by FPSB India, the Indian subsidiary of the Financial Planning Standards Board.

Half of tech workers in India getting AI training at work: Naukri survey
The survey, which collected responses from over 16,000 professionals across industries, found that one in three tech workers is currently undergoing formal AI training through their organisations. Freshers appear to be beneficiaries of this trend as well, with over half reporting either basic or comprehensive AI training.

NRI Talk: Three generations, one table - how Asia’s wealth boom Is reshaping family governance, says Lim Ping Ping of LGT Group
As Asia nears a millionaire milestone, family offices are evolving rapidly. From AI adoption to multigenerational governance, wealth management is shifting to meet longevity, diversity, and digital expectations with culturally grounded, forward-looking frameworks for legacy and leadership.

Why megabucks AI pilots may not guarantee scalable businesses for technology companies
Customer caution about potential pitfalls of GenAI in the industry wide ecosystem and lack of clarity around where they need to be deployed are reasons for the circumspect adoption. With the macroeconomic uncertainty, companies are also evaluating their discretionary spends, which includes AI pilots.
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OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and other US tech leaders testify to Congress on AI competition with China
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and tech leaders from Microsoft, AMD, and CoreWeave told US lawmakers that AI could surpass the internet in societal impact, urging unified regulation and major infrastructure investment. They warned that fragmented rules and restrictive trade policies could weaken America's global leadership amid fierce competition, especially from China.
AWS expanding AI offerings, developing dedicated industry solutions
Amazon Web Services (AWS) is expanding its AI and cloud offerings, including Amazon Bedrock and Nova models, to support generative and agentic AI adoption. It emphasises upskilling, having trained 5.9 million Indians, and plans to invest $16.4 billion in India by 2030 to drive digital transformation.
OpenAI enables local data storage in India and key Asian markets
OpenAI has launched data residency in India and other Asian countries, including Japan, Singapore, and South Korea. This allows ChatGPT Enterprise, Edu, and API users in these regions to store data locally, helping organisations meet data sovereignty requirements while ensuring privacy and compliance for AI solutions.
Britain to face more cyberattacks as AI adoption grows, minister says
AI is expected to boost both the frequency and intensity of cyberattacks on Britain, warns minister Pat McFadden. Recent ransomware hits on major UK retailers highlight the threat. The government plans to unveil a new cybersecurity strategy and legislation to strengthen national digital defenses.
How CodeAnt is tackling code review bottlenecks created by AI
Founded by Amartya Jha and Chinmay Bharti in 2023, CodeAnt AI has raised a seed funding of $2 million from Y Combinator, Uncorrelated Ventures, and VitalStage Ventures. This values the startup at $20 million. It will use the capital to build its sales team and expand its engineering verticals.
Green hydrogen and the Net-Zero economy: India’s path to a sustainable energyfuture
India is strategically positioned to lead in green hydrogen, leveraging its renewable resources and growing energy needs. A recent roundtable emphasized industry collaboration, policy clarity, and financial strategies to scale hydrogen adoption. Addressing infrastructure gaps and securing long-term off-take agreements are crucial for India to become a global green hydrogen leader.
Bill Gates says AI key for health, education innovation
Gates visited President Prabowo Subianto and Indonesian philanthropists in the capital Jakarta, where he spoke about his optimism that AI-driven innovation will help tackle global challenges. "AI is going to help us discover new tools. And even in the delivery of health and education and agriculture advice, we'll be using AI," he told a meeting.
Hilton hosts first immersive brand showcase in India, confirms plans to double brand presence in next five years
Hilton's Brand Showcase featured 10 of Hilton’s 24 brands, brought to life through galleries, interactive zones and live experiences. The chain said it will double its brand presence in the country in the next five years and also announced its first LXR Hotels & Resorts property in India which is slated to debut in Bengaluru in 2026.
IBM says customers are doubling down on AI amid economic uncertainty
The US technology major is not seeing any decline in investments, Krishna said during a virtual media briefing. Rather, he said, clients are increasing investments in AI as they look for productivity gains and cost savings, while also seeking to grow revenue.
Palantir raises annual revenue forecast on booming AI demand
The Denver, Colorado-based company now expects revenue in fiscal year 2025 between $3.89 billion and $3.90 billion, up from its earlier forecast of sales between $3.74 billion and $3.76 billion. Analysts on average expect $3.75 billion in annual sales, according to data from LSEG. Palantir now expects US businesses to drive more than $1.18 billion in sales this year, up from its earlier expectation of more than $1.08 billion.
Google launches film, TV production initiative called 100 Zeros: Report
The move positions Google as a creative force in media, blending its tech expertise with cultural storytelling to shape public narratives around innovation.
FM Nirmala Sitharaman for reforms at ADB for quicker loans to developing economies
India urged the Asian Development Bank (ADB) to expedite loan approvals and capital expansion to better support developing economies. Finance Minister Sitharaman emphasized process reforms to reduce processing times for both sovereign and non-sovereign operations. She also offered India's support for ADB's digital transformation agenda, highlighting opportunities for innovative financing models.
DeepSeek, Temu, TikTok- China tech is starting to pull ahead
China is rapidly catching up—and in some areas, surpassing—the US in AI and tech innovation. While America still holds key advantages, it must abandon the assumption of dominance. China's fast diffusion, manufacturing strength, and open-source AI strategy have shifted the race's dynamics, demanding urgent adaptation from the US to stay competitive.
KOGO AI, Tech Mahindra team up to build, deliver enterprise AI solutions, agents
This alliance combines Tech Mahindra's strengths in enterprise transformation with KOGO AI's Agentic AI platform, enabling global organisations to adopt private AI frameworks geared to their unique operational, regulatory, and infrastructure needs.
Ola’s brand move; Tata looks to go Dutch
Happy Monday! Bhavish Aggarwal plans to shift Ola’s IP to a family office-run holding firm. That and more in today’s ETtech Morning Dispatch.
NZ central bank sees AI adoption posing risk to financial stability
The Reserve Bank of New?Zealand warns that AI adoption in finance poses risks like system errors, data issues, and market concentration, though it also offers benefits such as improved risk assessment and productivity. The central bank pledges ongoing monitoring to manage AI-related uncertainties and ensure financial stability.
CII backs board engagement for ethical AI
"It focuses on adoption of values such as integrity, responsibility, security, fairness, accountability, transparency, which can serve as a moral compass, guiding the decision-making processes and ensuring that the use of AI aligns with organisation's ethical standards," CII said.
AI adoption can boost revenue by 10%, cut costs by 15% for media industry: EY
An EY report highlights that AI adoption can significantly aid media and entertainment companies. AI is projected to increase revenues by 10% and reduce costs by 15%. India, with its talent pool and AI ecosystem, is positioned to lead this transformation, leveraging AI for content creation, optimisation, and audience engagement.
CII releases guidebook on effective AI adoption, governance for board leaders
CII has introduced a guidebook for board leaders on AI governance, addressing the increasing use of AI in businesses. It emphasizes the importance of board engagement in AI governance, aligning strategies with objectives, and managing risks. The guidebook promotes ethical AI adoption, accountability, and transparency, ensuring responsible AI use and mitigating potential biases.
India secures HawkEye 360 tech deal with US for maritime surveillance of ‘dark ships’ in Indo-Pacific
India has secured US approval to buy HawkEye 360 satellite-based surveillance technology, aimed at boosting its maritime domain awareness in the Indo-Pacific. The $131 million deal includes software, training, and support services. This system will help India detect vessels that disable their tracking systems. It also strengthens defence ties under the QUAD alliance, and supports India's efforts to counter illegal maritime activity and expand its strategic visibility across critical sea routes.
Indian business leaders harness AI for sustainability, but talent shortage is holding them back: Autodesk report
Indian business leaders are embracing AI for environmentally responsible outcomes, surpassing global averages. They express optimism about AI's transformative potential, prioritizing AI skills in hiring. While acknowledging potential industry disruption and skills gaps, Indian companies are investing in digital skills training and viewing sustainability as a core business strategy, driving long-term growth.
Emerging economies lead the way in AI trust, survey shows
The survey found a clear split between emerging economies, where three in five people trust AI, and advanced countries, where only two in five do. As AI gains broader use, businesses and governments have been grappling with how to balance innovation with ethical considerations such as job displacement and data privacy.
For design and manufacturing businesses, AI is a disruptive, destabilising force: Report
In APAC’s design and manufacturing sectors, optimism about AI has declined, with just 68% of leaders believing it will benefit their industry, down 6% from 2024. Concerns over disruption and data risks have grown, yet around 68% of companies plan to boost AI investment. Companies are increasingly focused on balancing AI’s potential with managing its risks effectively.
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