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Tag: Artificial inteligence

  • Meta Launches Ray-Ban Smart Glasses and Neural Band to Redefine Wearable Tech

    At its Connect event on September 17, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg unveiled the company’s newest wearable technology: the Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses and the matching Meta Neural Band. Meta’s first AI glasses with a full-colour, high-resolution in-lens display are the Ray-Ban Display.

    Users can preview images, check messages, and respond to AI prompts without glancing down at their phones thanks to the glasses. The display, in contrast to conventional smart glasses, is made for quick, glanceable interactions and is discrete when not in use.

    What is Meta’s New Neural Band?

    Each pair comes with the Meta Neural Band, a wrist-worn gadget that uses minor hand gestures to control the spectacles by deciphering electrical impulses from the wearer’s muscles. In addition to allowing hands-free navigation, this electromyography (EMG) technology may eventually enable users to discreetly “write” messages using finger motions, as Mark Zuckerberg demonstrated during the presentation. The spectacles, which weigh only 69 g and are modelled after Ray-Ban’s Wayfarer design, integrate microphones, speakers, cameras, and the revolutionary display.

    According to Meta, the display reaches over 42 pixels per degree, which is a leading industry standard for a device of this size. With a battery life of up to six hours for mixed use and 30 hours with the portable charging case, the glasses also come with photochromatic Transitions lenses. Additionally, they have a peak brightness of 5,000 nits.

    The Neural Band is IPX7 water-resistant, comes in three sizes, and has a battery life of up to eighteen hours. Meta highlights that only command events are sent to the glasses; all raw EMG data is processed on-device.

    Pricing of Meta’s New Products

    The Meta Ray-Ban Display will go on sale in the US on September 30 at a few shops, including Best Buy, LensCrafters, Ray-Ban Stores, and Verizon. The price of the sunglasses and band is $799. Early 2026 is when it will be available internationally in Canada, France, Italy, and the UK.

    Zuckerberg presented the launch as a component of Meta’s larger initiative to position wearables with AI as the next computing platform. He said at the launch event that today is the beginning of the next phase for wearable technology in general and AI glasses in particular.

    Quick
    Shots

    •First Ray-Ban smart glasses with
    in-lens, full-color, high-resolution display.

    •Users can preview messages, images,
    and AI prompts without checking phones.

    •Wrist-worn device uses EMG signals to
    navigate glasses with subtle hand gestures.

    •42 pixels per degree display, 5,000
    nits brightness, 6-hour battery, and 30-hour charging case.

    •Lightweight 69 g Wayfarer-style frame
    with microphones, speakers, and cameras.

    •IPX7 water-resistant, up to 18-hour
    battery, on-device EMG processing.

  • Elon Musk’s xAI Lays Off 500 Employees Amid Grok AI Training Cutbacks

    Recently, Elon Musk’s xAI caused a stir by reorganising its team in a big way, which is changing how it develops AI. About 500 workers were let go by the corporation on the evening of September 12, 2025, from the data annotation team, which was its largest division.

    These employees, referred to as generalist AI tutors, played a key role in training xAI’s chatbot Grok by contextualising and labelling the raw data required to educate the AI on how to comprehend the outside world. Approximately one-third of that division’s 1,500 members are represented by this transfer.

    The choice was made suddenly. Late Friday, employees received emails informing them of the layoffs. They were informed that they would receive payment until the conclusion of their contracts or, at the latest, November 30. However, they lost access to Slack and other company tools and communication platforms right away.

    Who Was Affected by the Layoffs?

    Notably, certain senior members of the human data management team, who had played a key role in Grok’s development, were among the layoffs. This crew typically made between $35 and $65 per hour. As part of a strategic move away from generalist positions, xAI is laying off employees in order to hire “specialist AI tutors” with domain-specific knowledge in fields including STEM, coding, finance, law, and even odd categories like Grok personality experts and “shitposters and doomscrollers.”

    This workforce of specialised tutors will grow tenfold, according to xAI’s ambitions. This reorganisation comes after Grok has faced persistent difficulties, such as contentious AI behaviour and unapproved system prompt changes.

    By emphasising higher-quality inputs from specialised tutors rather than a sizable staff of generalist annotators, xAI seeks to improve Grok’s dependability and transparency. xAI maintains that, in spite of the layoffs, it is not cutting back but rather prioritising its efforts with more qualified staff in order to advance Grok’s development.

    Why Is xAI Replacing Generalists with Specialists?

    A strategic shift is the main cause of this significant staff reduction. Employing specialised AI tutors with specialised knowledge is replacing generalist positions in xAI. Deep expertise in STEM subjects, coding, economics, law, and even more unusual sectors like Grok’s personality and behaviour analysis are anticipated of the new candidates. As part of this specialised expansion, the corporation is surprisingly also searching for “shitposters and doomscrollers”.

    This reorganisation takes place as Grok faces increasing difficulties. Earlier, the AI chatbot garnered media attention due to contentious results and problems with its training mechanism. According to reports, tests were administered to employees before the layoffs in order to assess their abilities and suitability for the new approach.

    These assessments addressed a wide range of topics, including Grok’s personality qualities, content safety procedures, and technical STEM expertise. Diego Pasini, a new team leader presently on leave from the Wharton School of Business, spearheaded the initiative, raising concerns about his leadership background inside the restructured teams. The overarching objective of xAI seems to be rather clear: increasing the quality and dependability of Grok’s AI by creating a smaller, more skilled staff.

    Quick Shots

    •Layoffs affect one-third of the division’s 1,500
    employees.

    •Employees were generalist AI tutors who trained
    Grok through data labeling.

    •Pay scale ranged between $35–$65 per hour for these
    roles.

    •Workers received sudden layoff emails; access to
    tools revoked immediately.

  • Apple Developing AI-Powered Web Search for Siri to Compete with OpenAI and Perplexity

    Apple Inc. intends to increase rivalry with OpenAI and Perplexity AI Inc. by releasing its own AI-powered web search service the following year. According to a report by Bloomberg, the corporation is developing a new system that will be incorporated into the Siri voice assistant.

    This technology is internally referred to as World Knowledge Answers. Apple has also talked of ultimately integrating the technology into Spotlight, which is used to search from the iPhone home screen, and its Safari web browser. The article further reported that Apple plans to launch the service, which some executives have referred to as an “answer engine”, in the spring as part of a long-delayed update to Siri.

    World Knowledge Answers: How It Works

    Similar to ChatGPT, AI Overviews in Google Search, and a plethora of new apps, the goal is to make Siri and Apple’s operating systems a place where consumers can search the internet for information. Large language models, or LLMs, a crucial piece of technology supporting generative AI, will be the foundation of the strategy.

    Alphabet Inc.’s Google, Apple’s longstanding internet search partner, may contribute some of the underlying technology that makes the new Siri possible. According to the report, the businesses formally agreed this week for Apple to assess and test an AI model created by Google to support the voice assistant.

    Apple’s new search experience would feature an interface that utilises text, images, videos, and nearby points of interest. Additionally, compared to the present Siri, it will have an AI-powered summarisation mechanism that will make results easier to understand and more accurate.

    Current Phase of Siri

    Among other things, today’s Siri can respond to simple queries and offer information about famous people, occasions, films, and sports. However, it has trouble with more complicated enquiries and general knowledge searches, frequently returning results from ChatGPT or Google.

    The voice assistant, which was revolutionary when it was first introduced in 2011, has come to symbolise Apple’s artificial intelligence shortcomings. In order to better answer questions, the digital assistant will be able to access personal information and on-screen content as part of the long-awaited Siri update. Additionally, it will include improved voice navigation capabilities for consumers’ devices.

    How Apple Plans to Compete with OpenAI and Perplexity?

    Apple is now aiming to advance the update. The AI search capability is based on a technological update for Siri called Linwood and LLM Siri. The Siri group, directed by Craig Federighi, Apple’s head of software engineering; the AI division, led by John Giannandrea; and Apple’s services business, overseen by Eddy Cue, are among the team members working on the search endeavour. Under Federighi, Mike Rockwell, the man behind the Vision Pro headset, is leading the endeavour, while under Giannandrea, Robby Walker, a former Siri executive, is a major force behind the initiative.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Expected
    rollout in spring next year as part of a long-delayed Siri update.

    •Project
    internally called “World Knowledge Answers”

    •Planned
    for Siri, Spotlight, and Safari for a unified search experience.

    •Apple
    to test a Google AI model to enhance Siri’s performance.

  • Google DeepMind Chief Scientist Claims AI Now Outperforms Humans in Most Tasks

    The question of whether the new models will soon be able to outperform humans in the majority of jobs we perform now or achieve a level of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) has been a hot topic in the AI community as artificial intelligence systems continue to advance.

    Although he avoids using the term ‘artificial general intelligence’ (AGI), Jeff Dean, the chief scientist at Google DeepMind, thinks that, with few exceptions, current AI models may already have outperformed humans in the majority of daily jobs.

    Dean claims that the existing models are “better than the average person at most tasks” that don’t involve physical exertion on an episode of the Moonshot Podcast. “You know, some of the models we have today are actually pretty reasonable at most things,” Dean said, “but most people are not that good at a random task if you ask them to do something they’ve never done before.”

    What did Jeff Dean say about AI vs humans?

    “How far away are the current models from making breakthroughs faster than humans?” the host then asked Dean. In response, Dean stated that AI models are currently on the verge of becoming perfect in a few areas and that he believes we will expand that range.

    ‘That’s a very different concept,’ Dean warned, ‘because most people will fail at many things; they’re not human experts in some areas.’ “There will be a lot of domains where automated search and computation actually can accelerate progress — scientific progress, engineering progress,” he stated. “All these things I think are going to be important for advancing what we as people can do over the next five, 10, 15, or 20 years,” he said.

    The AGI Debate

    However, Dean decided to avoid the AGI controversy, partly due to the lack of a precise definition for the term in the artificial intelligence community. “The difficulty of the problem varies by factors of a trillion, and many people have very different definitions of it, which is why I tend to avoid AGI conversations.”

    More upbeat about AGI is Dean’s boss, Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind, who stated in a recent interview with WIRED that the breakthrough would be made within the next five to ten years.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Dean notes current AI models are
    “better than the average person” at many non-physical tasks.

    •He highlights AI’s ability to
    accelerate scientific and engineering progress in coming years.

    •Avoids using the term AGI due to lack
    of clear definition in the AI community.

    •Dean stresses that humans fail at
    many random tasks, while AI shows consistent performance.

    •DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis is more
    bullish, predicting AGI within 5–10 years.

  • Salesforce Cuts 4,000 Customer Support Roles Amid AI Push, Confirms Marc Benioff

    As AI replaces customer service positions, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff eliminates 4,000 jobs. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff recently revealed that 4,000 customer service representatives would be let go, bringing the total number of support people down from 9,000 to about 5,000, an almost 45% reduction.

    Why Salesforce Cut 4,000 Jobs?

    The move comes as AI agents increasingly manage routine customer interactions and tackle a backlog of more than 100 million uncalled sales leads that has accumulated over 26 years, according to a Fortune interview with Benioff. This development underlines how customer service positions are becoming increasingly vulnerable to automation.

    AI vs. Human Workforce: What’s Changing?

    About 50% of all client discussions are now handled by the company’s AI-human collaboration system. Human agents may now concentrate on more complex or exceptional instances since routine duties like responding to frequently asked questions, recording client contacts, and following up on leads are becoming more and more automated.

    Despite Benioff’s long-standing emphasis that AI would complement human workers rather than replace them, this employment drop shows that jobs involving repetitive tasks are most vulnerable to automation. Approximately 5% of Salesforce’s workforce, which as of January 2025 had over 76,000 employees, will be laid off.

    Industries at Risk Beyond Salesforce

    This trend indicates wider hazards for customer service representatives in sectors where regular, process-driven jobs predominate, not just Salesforce. As AI technologies become more accurate and efficient, comparable changes may occur in the banking, e-commerce, telecom, and IT support sectors. Long seen as entry-level or stable jobs, customer service positions are now more vulnerable to disruption from automation.

    Why AI Cannot Fully Replace Humans?

    Even with automation, human control is still very important. Similar to hand-off procedures in other AI-driven processes, such as self-driving technology, Salesforce’s AI system steps in when situations call for judgement, accuracy, or nuance. Only some tasks are safe from automation, according to this approach, which guarantees that AI increases productivity without completely eliminating the need for human expertise.

    How Workers Can Stay Relevant in an AI-Driven Economy?

    A broader trend in the business sector is reflected in Salesforce’s recent personnel changes: AI is changing job structures and drawing a line between ordinary and difficult roles. At the heart of this change are customer service representatives, who run a greater risk of being laid off if their jobs mostly require repeated duties. Adaptability, ongoing skill improvement, and the capacity to work well with AI technology are now necessary in the evolving nature of work.

    This moment indicates that getting ready for an AI-driven workplace is no longer optional—it is necessary for career sustainability for millions of workers in customer-facing roles. The use of AI in customer service emphasises how crucial it is for workers in vulnerable positions to upgrade their skills. Problem-solving, complicated query handling, critical thinking, and AI supervision skills are becoming increasingly important.

    While workers who can collaborate with AI systems to handle more complex jobs are better positioned for career resilience, those who only concentrate on repeated interactions may find their chances diminish.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Marc Benioff confirms 4,000 customer
    support job cuts.

    •Nearly 45% reduction in support staff
    as AI agents take over routine tasks.

    •AI now handles 50% of client
    interactions and manages a 100M+ sales lead backlog.

    •Customer service jobs increasingly
    vulnerable if focused on repetitive tasks.

  • OpenAI to Invest in 1 GW Data Centre in India, Strengthening Local Presence

    The startup that created ChatGPT, OpenAI, is looking for regional partners to establish a data centre in India. According to Reuters, which cited Bloomberg News, it seeks to have a capacity of at least one gigawatt.

    Microsoft Partnership & Stargate AI Infrastructure

    With Microsoft’s support, OpenAI has established a local team and registered as a legal business in India. In August, the business announced its intention to grow into its second-largest user market by opening its first office in New Delhi later this year.

    According to Bloomberg, the new data centre might be a big step for OpenAI’s Stargate-branded AI infrastructure in Asia. The India project’s precise site and schedule are yet unknown, though. Details might be disclosed by CEO Sam Altman when he travels to India in September.

    Free ChatGPT Licenses for Teachers & Students

    A significant project to give 500,000 free six-month ChatGPT licenses to Indian teachers and students was unveiled by OpenAI last week. The initiative will involve K–12 teachers, engineering and technical institutes, and government schools from Classes 1–12.

    OpenAI Learning Accelerator Programme Explained

    During a media conference, Leah Belsky, OpenAI’s vice-president of education, said the company thinks AI (artificial intelligence) has the potential to revolutionise student education. AI has the potential to be a learning agent and personal instructor for life. AI can help teachers focus more on the essential aspects of education by freeing up their time. The program, known as the OpenAI Learning Accelerator, is a first for India. Belsky stressed that the goal of OpenAI’s free licenses is not to generate revenue. “At this time, access and training are the main priorities,” she stated.

    According to Belsky, the company’s overarching goal is to help a community of 500,000 users—with an emphasis on educators—learn how to utilise ChatGPT and then reproduce those lessons. In India, the Ministry of Education, the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), and educational institutions connected to the Association for Reinventing School Education (ARISE) will work together to distribute the ChatGPT licenses.

    India as ChatGPT’s Second-Largest Market

    After the US, ChatGPT’s second-largest user base is in India. Targeting the nearly one billion internet users in the most populous country in the world, the business this week introduced a more reasonably priced monthly plan at $4.60. Along with other premium paid subscriptions, it also provides a basic free plan.

    According to OpenAI’s recently disclosed market data on 22 August, the country with the highest number of student users on ChatGPT is India, where the number of weekly active users has doubled in the last 12 months. In the last year alone, ChatGPT’s weekly active user base in India has grown by more than four times.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Data centre to power Stargate AI
    infrastructure in Asia.

    •CEO Sam Altman may announce details
    during Sept India visit.

    •500,000 free six-month ChatGPT
    licenses for teachers & students.

    •India is ChatGPT’s second-largest
    market after the US.

  • TikTok Layoffs 2025: Hundreds of UK Jobs Cut Amid Global Restructuring and AI Shift

    The Wall Street Journal report, which cited internal sources, claims that TikTok has started a new round of layoffs that would impact workers in the UK as the company works towards artificial intelligence to automate content filtering.

     The activities of TikTok in South and Southeast Asia will also be impacted by this worldwide restructure. Hundreds of individuals are anticipated to lose their jobs, according to reports, even though the corporation has not revealed the precise number of roles that will be removed.

    Why TikTok Is Laying Off Employees

    In response to the layoffs, TikTok emphasised that the action is not merely a cost-cutting measure but rather a component of a larger strategic realignment. The company wants to streamline overlapping functions and concentrate more on e-commerce integration, AI-driven content discovery, and improving tools for creator monetisation.

    “We are continuing a reorganisation that we started last year to strengthen our global operating model for trust and safety,” a spokeswoman told the Wall Street Journal.

    Severance Packages and Employee Reactions

    Although the work environment is described as “tense but not panicked”, affected employees will receive severance payments and transition support. As the business navigates uncertain waters, many teams are preparing for potential future changes, the report continued.

    The layoffs occur as regulatory scrutiny increases, particularly in the US, where TikTok may be subject to forced divestitures or bans because of national security concerns. The urge to compete is increasing as competitors like YouTube Shorts and Instagram Reels increase their investments in artist ecosystems.

    In order to preserve agility and concentration, ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, is also simplifying operations across its portfolio by reducing experimental initiatives and combining teams.

    TikTok’s AI-Driven Strategy and Content Moderation

    In an effort to automate content assessment and reduce moderators’ exposure to upsetting content, TikTok has been increasing its investments in artificial intelligence (AI) and other moderation technologies.

    The corporation claims that automatic algorithms now identify and remove more than 85% of content that was previously removed for breaking rules. Conversely, competing social media networks are turning away from stringent content control.

    Meta Platforms said earlier this year that it would remove speech limitations and stop fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram, adopting X’s strategy after Elon Musk loosened moderation guidelines after acquiring the platform in 2022.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Company shifting towards AI-driven
    content filtering and moderation.

    •Operations in South and Southeast
    Asia also affected by restructuring.

    •Layoffs part of strategic shift
    toward e-commerce, AI content discovery, and creator monetisation.

    •Affected employees to receive
    severance packages and transition aid.

  • OpenAI’s India Expansion: Strategy to Tap the World’s Second-Largest AI Market

    Later this year, OpenAI, the parent company of ChatGPT, plans to create its first corporate office in India. The artificial intelligence company’s official presence in a significant growing market will be established by the New Delhi office. In a statement released on 22 August, OpenAI announced that it has started hiring to grow its local staff.

    Pragya Misra, who joined OpenAI last year and is currently in charge of partnerships and public policy in India, is the only employee of the Microsoft-backed company.

    Sam Altman on India’s AI Potential

     Opening the company’s first office and assembling a local team is a crucial first step in OpenAI’s commitment to lowering the cost of advanced AI nationwide and developing AI for and with India, according to a statement released by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman.

    He went on to say that India has an amazing amount of AI excitement and possibility. With outstanding tech talent, a top-notch developer environment, and robust government support through the IndiaAI Mission, India has everything it needs to become a worldwide leader in AI.

    India Becomes ChatGPT’s Second-Largest Market

    After the US, ChatGPT’s second-largest user base is in India. Targeting the nearly one billion internet users in the most populous country in the world, the business this week introduced a more reasonably priced monthly plan at $4.60. Along with other premium paid subscriptions, it also provides a basic free plan.

    According to OpenAI’s recently disclosed market data on 22 August, the country with the highest number of student users on ChatGPT is India, where the number of weekly active users has doubled in the last 12 months. In the last year alone, ChatGPT’s weekly active user base in India has grown by more than four times.

    With a larger footprint and more employees on the ground, OpenAI could expand collaborations with Indian companies, governments, and developers and create tools and features tailored to the Indian market, which would lower the cost of advanced AI and make it available to everyone in the nation.

    The expansion also highlights OpenAI’s efforts to assist in creating early laws in a fast-evolving field of technology. For multinational tech companies, the most populous country in the world offers enormous opportunities, but it’s also a market that can occasionally be challenging to manage.

    OpenAI’s Roadmap for IndiaAI Mission

    According to reports, the business has also pledged to collaborate with the federal government on the $1.2 billion IndiaAI Mission, which aims to develop both large and small language models for the area. India’s emerging leadership in digital innovation and AI adoption is reflected in OpenAI’s decision to enter the country. India is in a great position to spearhead the next wave of AI-led transformation thanks to significant investments in enterprise-scale solutions, AI expertise, and digital public infrastructure, according to Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw.

    Partnerships with Government and Businesses

    “As part of the IndiaAI Mission, we are building the ecosystem for trusted and inclusive AI, and we welcome OpenAI’s partnership in advancing this vision to ensure the benefits of AI reach every citizen,” said the minister. OpenAI’s technologies are already being used by regional companies and organisations around India to address important issues, including AI-powered agricultural services, efficient hiring procedures, and efficient governance tools.

    In the future, this month OpenAI will have its inaugural Education Summit in India. In India, OpenAI will have its inaugural Developer Day later this year, bringing together the dynamic community of developers, entrepreneurs, and businesses influencing AI’s future.

    Quick
    Shots

    •OpenAI to set up its first corporate
    office in New Delhi later this year.

    •Company begins recruiting to expand
    its local India team.

    •Sees India as a hub of tech talent,
    developer ecosystem, and AI opportunities.

    •OpenAI to partner with the government
    on the $1.2B IndiaAI Mission, supporting inclusive AI growth.

  • Wipro to Acquire Harman Connected Services for $375 Million to Boost ER&D Capabilities

    On August 21, Wipro, the Bengaluru-based IT business said that it would pay up to $375 million to Harman International Industries for a 100% stake in Harman Connected Services Inc. (DTS) and its subsidiaries, as well as some other assets. Subject to US antitrust clearances and other regulatory approvals, the all-cash deal is anticipated to be completed by December 31.

    Boosting ER&D and AI-Powered Engineering Capabilities

    According to a press statement, the acquisition broadens Wipro’s capabilities and ER&D service offerings by strengthening its AI-powered digital engineering and device engineering, which includes design-to-manufacturing across the consumer, industrial, healthcare, and aerospace sectors.

    Harman Connected Services: Global Footprint and Growth

    With more than 5,600 workers spread across 14 countries—including India, the US, South Korea, the UK, Poland, and Germany—Harman Connected, a multinational provider of engineering research and development (ER&D) and information technology services, has its headquarters located in Connecticut, USA. Services accounted for almost 85% of the company’s 2024 revenues, which were $315 million in 2022, $308.2 million in 2023, and $314.5 million in 2024.

    Wipro Strengthening its ER&D Market Position

    According to Wipro, the business hopes to give customers the flexibility and accuracy of a specialised supplier as well as the reach and capabilities of a global leader by fusing Harman Connected’s individualised, high-touch delivery strategy with its global scale and technological ecosystem.

    Industry Trend: IT Firms Accelerate M&A in ER&D

    This transaction represents yet another consolidation effort in the ER&D and digital engineering services sector. According to analysts, IT companies’ inorganic strategy reflects a larger trend in the sector, whereby they may use mergers and acquisitions (M&A) as a means of overcoming slow organic growth.

    Wipro Expanding its Service Portfolio

    HCLTech purchased an automotive engineering services provider in 2023, while Infosys has already acquired two businesses to expand its ER&D service capabilities by 2024.

    To assist Olympus Corp., HCLTech will set up a special ER&D services centre. Traditionally, domain experts like L&T Technology Services, Cyient, Tata Elxsi, and others have supplied the majority of ER&D services. However, IT services providers are rapidly seeking to capitalise on this new growth area as ER&D spending has accelerated over the past two years. Cognisant, an IT company with its headquarters in Teaneck, has increased its revenue in the last two quarters by acquiring ER&D firms Belcan and Thirdera.

    Government and Market Outlook for ER&D Growth

    It’s interesting that the government has taken notice of the sector’s explosive rise. In FY23, ER&D Global Capability Centres (GCC) grew by more than 30% to around $25 billion, according to the 2024 economic survey. In contrast, the business process management (BPM) and traditional IT industries developed on a lower base but at a quicker rate in percentage terms. In FY23, GCCs in the IT segment increased by 30% to $9.7 billion, while the BPM segment increased by roughly 27% to $10.7 billion.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Transaction expected to close by
    December 31, 2025, pending US antitrust and regulatory approvals.

    •Acquisition boosts Wipro’s AI-powered
    digital & device engineering capabilities, spanning consumer, industrial,
    healthcare, aerospace sectors.

    •Harman Connected Services has 5,600+
    employees across 14 countries, including India, US, South Korea, UK, •Poland,
    and Germany.

    •Reported revenues of $315M (2022),
    $308.2M (2023), and $314.5M (2024), with 85% revenue from services.

  • Cisco Announces Major Layoffs Despite CEO’s Denial of AI-Related Job Cuts

    Days after CEO Chuck Robbins publicly rejected the idea of laying off employees to make room for artificial intelligence, Cisco Systems announced a new wave of layoffs, removing 157 positions in California.

    The action has drawn legal attention, which has made the company’s attempts to strike a balance between cost containment, shareholder returns, and an expansion strategy driven by AI even more difficult. Employees at a number of Cisco locations will be impacted by the layoffs, with the Milpitas facility seeing the most. According to CRN, 64 more jobs will be lost in San Francisco, while employees at the company’s Pleasanton branch and previous Redwood City headquarters will also be affected.

    According to sources, the positions being terminated range widely, from entry-level workers to top executives, including vice presidents. The layoffs’ timing has drawn criticism. Robbins only stated to CNBC this week that he has no plans to use AI as a cover for cutting staff. He emphasised that he wanted engineers to “innovate faster and be more productive” rather than “fire a bunch of people right now.”

    Strauss Borrelli, a Chicago-based legal firm, has declared that it is looking into whether Cisco complied with the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, which mandates that companies in the United States give 60 days’ notice before executing mass retirements. In the past, Scott Herren, the chief finance officer at Cisco, referred to job losses associated with AI deployment as a “reallocation versus a headcount savings” effort.

    However, the most recent round comes after two significant worker reductions in the last year: a 5% global decrease in February 2024 and a 7% cut announced in August 2024, both of which the business claimed would maximise shareholder value. Strauss Borrelli stated in a statement that it was investigating whether impacted Cisco workers had been given enough notice and were eligible for benefits and severance pay for 60 days.

    According to reports, employees were notified of the layoffs on August 13th, before the mid-October employment terminations were scheduled. The law firm has questioned whether the correct procedures were followed, even if the dates seem to meet WARN’s standards.

    “We are looking into whether Cisco violated the WARN Act by terminating 157 employees without giving at least 60 days’ notice,” Strauss Borrelli stated. Regarding the legal investigation, the business has not made any public remarks.

    Cisco’s AI Growth Amid Job Cuts

    The layoffs take place as Cisco’s AI-related business is expanding rapidly. The business recently revealed that its AI-related revenues for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2025 totalled $800 million, bringing its yearly total to $2.1 billion. Robbins informed investors that the majority of this revenue was derived from hyperscaler clients, with the other two-thirds being connected to Cisco’s optical portfolio.

    Impact on Employees and Leadership Shake-Up

    Cisco’s strategic investment in AI infrastructure as a long-term growth engine is highlighted by the financial gain. However, it also draws attention to the paradox of reducing employment while announcing record profits from one of the sectors of the economy with the strongest rate of growth.

    Cisco has announced changes to its senior levels in addition to the job losses. According to CRN, Tim Coogan, senior vice-president for U.S. commercial operations, will succeed Rodney Clark as global partner sales head.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Layoffs follow CEO Chuck Robbins’
    public denial of AI-driven job cuts just days earlier.

    •Job losses affect employees across
    levels, including senior executives and vice presidents.

    •Law firm Strauss Borrelli
    investigating potential WARN Act violations over insufficient layoff notice.

    •Cisco reports $2.1B annual revenue
    from AI-related business, highlighting contrast between growth and job cuts.