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Tag: #news

  • Zoho Launches Vani: New Intelligent Visual Collaboration Platform for Seamless Teamwork

    Global technology giant Zoho Corporation on 1st October unveiled Vani, a new brand inside the organisation that offers an all-in-one, intelligent platform that prioritises visuals and offers a fresh take on workplace creativity and collaboration.

    Through the use of whiteboards, flowcharts, diagrams, mind mapping, and video conferencing, Vani enables teams to transition from conventional static tools to interactive, dynamic, and value-driven workspaces where participants can collaborate on ideas, plans, and innovations.

    Vani unifies all of the data that is stored on a person’s desktop, discs, Excel sheets, and other devices into a single, shared, endless canvas, whether teams are developing a product roadmap, organising their next social media campaign, or co-creating a sales pitch. According to Karthikeyan Jambulingam, Head of Product at Vani, even a modest percentage increase in collaboration ease can result in remarkable productivity increases for small and medium-sized enterprises. SMBs can easily brainst

    Features of Vani

    An inventive Space and Zone concept that gives structure to cooperation and permits many stakeholders to operate Vani independently in parallel while maintaining a broad view of the project. A space serves as a project’s overarching canvas, and zones are smaller canvases inside the space that are utilised to divide work according to contributors, functions, phases, and other criteria. This method enables concepts to develop independently and then work together harmoniously when necessary. An assortment of templates and kits to speed up processes and provide teams with the initial push they need to complete a project. Vani also provides project planning, ideation, and strategy, and planning are all covered by templates.

    Advanced components such as network diagrams, social media kits, and design diagrams are covered in kits. SMB teams can overcome obstacles in transforming unstructured thoughts into plans by using mind mapping tools to swiftly brainstorm, arrange, and visually connect ideas.

    It has AI-powered features that can be integrated into daily tasks, such as the capacity to produce content and organised images like mind maps and flowcharts instantaneously, as well as summary tools that enable rapid insight acquisition across entire zones or down to individual frames, shapes, and objects.

    Video Features

    Vani also has features for native video meetings that facilitate easy and private cooperation. Without using separate third-party software, teams may instantly engage within the canvas by initiating a video chat, discussing, and aligning. Asynchronous cooperation is made possible by the ability to record these meetings for subsequent review.

    Vani is now accessible worldwide and provides the most economical pricing in the market with a $5 per user per month team plan and a free plan that permits unlimited user onboarding. Vani’s pay-as-you-scale strategy allows it to expand alongside teams of any size, from startups to major corporations.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Vani designed to enhance workplace creativity,
    collaboration, and productivity through interactive visual tools.

    •Vani includes whiteboards, flowcharts, diagrams,
    mind mapping, and video conferencing for dynamic teamwork.

    •Vani consolidates data from desktops, Excel sheets,
    and other sources into a single, shared canvas.

    •Vani helps SMBs brainstorm, organize, and visualize
    ideas effectively.

  • Google Layoffs Over 100 Design Jobs Amid AI-Focused Restructuring

    According to a CNBC story, Google has let go of over 100 workers in design-related positions. Employees in the cloud division’s “platform and service experience” and “quantitative user experience research” teams, as well as a few other departments, were impacted by the layoffs that occurred earlier this week.

    These positions are renowned for using data, surveys, and research to analyse user behaviour in order to inform product design. According to the report, many of the job losses affected US-based staff, and some cloud design teams saw their numbers cut in half. Some impacted employees have been given until the beginning of December to look for other positions within Google.

    Layoffs Part of Google’s Restructuring Programme

    The most recent round of layoffs is a component of Google’s continuous reorganisation as it makes greater strides towards artificial intelligence. The business has been investing more in AI infrastructure and reallocating resources from some positions to those it believes are more important for expansion.

    More than 200 contractors who worked on AI tools like Gemini and AI Overviews were also let go, according to an article published by Wired last month. Workers’ worries about poor pay, job insecurity, and escalating conflicts between employees and management were brought to light in that report. Some workers claimed that protests over working conditions were the reason behind the job losses.

    The design teams’ layoffs are not an isolated incident. In order to concentrate on areas that are essential to our business and secure our long-term success, Google cut employees in its cloud division earlier this year.

    Google Making Small Changes to Improve Collaborations

    Google stated in remarks to Reuters that it is implementing “small changes” across all teams to enhance customer service and teamwork. However, a variety of departments have been impacted by these developments. Employees in the fields of human resources, hardware, search, advertising, marketing, finance, and commerce have been eligible for voluntary leave packages since the start of 2025.

    Additionally, Google has been reducing the number of management tiers. Reports state that the organisation has cut middle managers—especially those in charge of small teams—by more than a third. The company’s ambition to expedite decision-making and optimise operations while allocating resources to AI development is reflected in the restructuring. Google is still one of the biggest employers in the tech industry in spite of the layoffs.

    According to a February regulatory filing, the corporation has 183,323 employees as of December 2024. The recent layoffs are a part of a larger trend in the tech sector, where a number of businesses are laying off employees in order to minimise expenses and redirect funds to automation and artificial intelligence.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Many affected employees were US-based; some cloud
    design teams saw headcount halved.

    •Some impacted staff have until early December to
    find other positions within Google.

    •Layoffs align with Google’s shift toward AI,
    reallocating resources to priority areas.

    •Over 200 AI tool contractors (e.g., Gemini, AI
    Overviews) were also let go earlier.

  • Ex-OpenAI CTO Mira Murati Launches Her First AI Product “Tinker”

    Mira Murati, former Chief Technology Officer (CTO) at OpenAI, started (February 2025) her own AI company called Thinkig Machines Lab. The company was in a “stealth mode” (working in secrecy to protect the intellectual property). The company was just launched on October 1, 2025, called Thinker. Notably, Tinker is a powerful tool for AI, which can be used to make AI by anyone (from researchers to hobbyists). So, how can one build and customise advanced AI models with Tinker?

    Image Credits - THINKING MACHINES LABS
    Image Credits – THINKING MACHINES LABS

    What Is Tinker?

    Making advanced AI models is a difficult process and requires:

    • Huge amounts of computing power with lots of GPUs working together.
    • Several kinds of software tools.
    • Constant monitoring and a team to make sure the training goes well.

    Tinker is a powerful AI tool that helps anyone to build and fine-tune AI models:

    • Tinker is specialised in simplifying this process, as it automates most of the hard, technical aspects of AI.
    • The users can focus more on what they want their AI to do because their messy backend is taken care of. 

    Who Is It For?

    • Researchers
    • Developers
    • Even hobbyists (tech enthusiasts who want to experiment with AI)

    So, anyone who wants to play with or create advanced AI without needing a giant tech company’s resources and computers can do so.

    Who’s Behind “Tinker”?

    • Mira Murati (ex-OpenAI CTO, now founder of Thinking Machines Lab).
    • John Schulman (former OpenAI employee, also co-founder).
    • The rest of the team comprises former OpenAI researchers who contributed to the development of ChatGPT.

    Why Is It Important?

    Democratisation of AI

    • Apparently, only companies like OpenAI, Google, Meta, or big universities can train custom AI models.
    • However, with Tinker, even smaller labs, startups, or individuals can achieve this.

    Accessibility + Control

    • Some Beta testers said that Tinker is more user-friendly than other tools.
    • You don’t lose control because you can still manage your data and the algorithm. However, you don’t need to handle any of the super-technical “distributed training.”

    Innovation Potential

    Tinker helps to create AI models for specific tasks, like:

    • Solving math problems
    • Drafting legal documents
    • Answering medical questions

    One doesn’t need massive infrastructure, framework or a big engineering team to do this anymore.

    “We believe Tinker will help empower researchers and developers to experiment with models and make frontier capabilities much more accessible to all people, said, Mira Murati.”

    Former OpenAI CTO Mira Murati Launches AI Startup
    Mira Murati, former CTO of OpenAI, has launched a startup focused on AI research and product development, aiming to drive innovation in the field.
    StartupTalky- Business News, Insights and StoriesNitin Konde

  • Zomato Parent Eternal Grants ₹211 Crore in ESOPs to Employees

    Zomato’s parent company, Eternal Ltd., has approved a fresh grant of employee stock options (ESOPs) worth approximately INR 211 crore, covering 64.13 lakh equity shares. The allotment aims to reward and retain key talent amid a competitive market.

    Details of the ESOP Allotment

    The Nomination and Remuneration Committee of Eternal approved the grant under three schemes: the Foodie Bay Employee Stock Option Plan 2014, Zomato Employee Stock Option Plan 2021, and Zomato Employee Stock Option Plan 2024. The largest allocation was made under ESOP 2021, followed by ESOP 2024, while a minimal number of options were granted under the 2014 plan. Each option carries an exercise price of ₹1 per share, convertible into fully paid equity shares.

    With Eternal’s current share price around INR 330, the new options are valued at INR 211 crore. Earlier this year, the company granted 10.13 lakh options under ESOP 2021, worth around INR 33 crore.

    Financial Performance Context

    In the first quarter of FY26, Eternal’s revenue from operations surged 70% to INR 7,167 crore, up from INR 4,206 crore in the same quarter last year. However, the company’s profit fell sharply, down 90% to INR 25 crore compared with INR 253 crore in Q1 FY25. Despite this, Eternal’s stock continues to trade around INR 330, giving it a market capitalisation of over INR 3.19 lakh crore.

    Strategic Implications

    The ESOP grant reflects Eternal’s strategy to align employee incentives with company performance, supporting retention and motivation. The move is especially significant given the company’s rapid expansion and competitive pressures in the Indian foodtech and delivery market.

    Zomato Expands ESOP Pool with 4.17 Crore Stock Options
    Zomato increases its ESOP pool by adding 4.17 crore stock options, aiming to enhance employee benefits and retain top talent in the competitive market.
    StartupTalky- Business News, Insights and StoriesNitin Konde

  • Microsoft Relieves CEO Satya Nadella of Key Duties to Focus on AI Strategy

    In an effort to free up CEO Satya Nadella and his engineering executives to focus on technical innovation, especially in artificial intelligence, Microsoft is reorganising its senior leadership team. Long-time sales boss Judson Althoff will now be in charge of marketing and operations.

    On October 1, Nadella sent out an email to staff members announcing Althoff’s appointment as the new CEO of Microsoft’s Commercial Business. As part of this increased role, he will now be in charge of the organisation’s operations. This new commercial business unit will include Microsoft’s Chief Marketing Officer, Takeshi Numoto. Nadella’s email claims that the change will allow him to spend more time on product development, artificial intelligence, and the company’s substantial data centre expansion.

    Prior to joining Microsoft in 2013, Althoff served as the company’s chief commercial officer and executive vice president. He had top sales roles at Oracle and EMC before joining Microsoft. Althoff returned from an eight-week sabbatical shortly after the reorganisation.

    What Nadella’s Email Stated to the Employees?

    According to Nadella, Microsoft is going through a tectonic transition in its AI platform, which means that it must manage and expand its commercial company at scale today while simultaneously creating the next frontier and performing perfectly across both. History demonstrates that general-purpose technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) lead to significant increases in GDP and productivity. The brand has a special chance to assist its clients and the global community in fulfilling this promise.

    Microsoft’s success hinges on empowering its partners and clients in the public and private sectors to transform their operations by fusing their human capital with cutting-edge AI capabilities. In order to boost growth and solidify the company’s position as the go-to partner for AI transformation, it will need to collaborate more and more with sales, marketing, operations, and engineering. In light of this, Nadella has requested Judson Althoff to assume a more expansive position as the company’s CEO.

     Judson has been in charge of Microsoft’s worldwide sales team for the last nine years. He was also the driving force behind the creation of Microsoft Customer and Partner Solutions (MCAPS), which is now the “number one seed” in the sector and the key growth engine for our business.

    Judson to Lead New Commercial Leadership Team

    In order to drive Microsoft’s product strategy and governance, GTM readiness, and sales motions with shared accountability for the rigour and executional excellence our customers expect, Judson will also serve as the leader of a new commercial leadership team that consists of leaders from engineering, sales, marketing, operations, and finance.

    This will also enable Nadella and Microsoft’s engineering leaders to lead with intensity and speed in this generational platform shift by focusing entirely on our most ambitious technical work, which spans the brand’s data centre buildout, systems architecture, AI science, and product innovation.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Judson Althoff appointed as CEO of
    Microsoft’s Commercial Business, taking charge of marketing, operations, and
    global sales.

    •New commercial business unit includes
    Microsoft’s Chief Marketing Officer, Takeshi Numoto.

    •Nadella emphasizes that AI is a
    generational platform shift and crucial for global productivity and growth.

    •The leadership change frees Nadella
    and engineering teams to focus on technical innovation, AI science, and
    product strategy.

  • Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang Reveals the One Non-Tech Job That Will Lead the AI Race

    Employees are growing more concerned that their employment may be in jeopardy due to a surge of cost-cutting driven by artificial intelligence (AI). Jensen Huang, the CEO of Nvidia, is also not providing any consolation. He claimed that electricians, plumbers, and carpenters will be the true beneficiaries of the AI era, rather than office workers, in a recent interview with Channel 4 News in the United Kingdom.

    One Huang told the publication that “the skilled craft segment of every economy is going to see a boom,” claiming that the construction of AI data centres will necessitate continuous growth, “doubling and doubling and doubling every single year.”

    Even if recent evidence from the Yale Budget Lab suggests that AI has not yet substantially disrupted the labour market, his viewpoint is gaining momentum among other executives. However, if Huang is right, the talents that demand higher compensation may change over the course of the next ten years.

    Why Corporate and IT Sector are Showing Concerns?

    Huang, whose business just committed $100 billion to OpenAI’s data centre buildout, contends that the true opportunity is in developing the physical infrastructure behind AI, rather than software experts and programmers being the obvious beneficiaries. His forecast is in line with worries expressed by other business executives who perceive a disconnect between the manpower needed to complete the industry’s ambitious data centre buildout and the available capacity.

    Larry Fink, the CEO of BlackRock, Inc. (BLK), for instance, brought up the matter directly with the White House earlier this year, cautioning that a severe labour shortage may result from the combination of tight immigration laws and waning interest in trades among young Americans. “We’re going to run out of electricians that we need to build out AI data centres,” Fink stated during an energy conference in March. “I’ve even told members of the Trump team that.” “We just don’t have enough.”

    Without a college degree, a single 250,000-square-foot data centre can hire up to 1,500 construction workers during buildout, many of whom will make over $100,000 plus overtime. According to a recent McKinsey report, once a data centre is up and running, it supports roughly 50 full-time maintenance jobs, each of which creates an additional 3.5 jobs in the local economy. With data centre capital expenditures expected to reach $7 trillion globally by 2030, the type of labour required by the IT industry may change significantly in the future.

    What New Research Released by Yale’s Budget Lab States?

    Nearly three years after the debut of ChatGPT in November 2022, a new study released 1 October from Yale’s Budget Lab reveals minimal evidence of severe disruption to the labour market. However, compared to earlier technological upheavals like the emergence of the personal computer and the internet, work changes are occurring a little more quickly.

    Despite this, the change has been gradual so far, with the patterns beginning before ChatGPT’s arrival, “undercutting fears that AI automation is currently eroding the demand for cognitive labour across the economy,” according to the paper. The researchers looked at unemployment rates among people in high-risk industries, job shifts in occupations exposed to AI, and overall employment trends. None displayed overt indications of job losses due to AI.

    The vocational shifts seem to have started in 2021, long before generative AI became generally accessible, even in industries with the highest exposure to AI, such as professional, financial, and information services. According to research, fresh college graduates’ work mix differs little from that of older grads, suggesting some potential early consequences. However, the Budget Lab warns that this might be a sign of a sluggish labour market that, as usual, is having a greater impact on younger people.

    Quick Shots

    •Demand for
    AI data centres is set to skyrocket, doubling yearly and requiring massive
    infrastructure buildouts.

    •Huang
    believes physical infrastructure roles will benefit more than software
    developers as AI expands.

    •Labour
    shortages in trades could become a major bottleneck for AI growth, warns
    BlackRock CEO Larry Fink.

    •A single
    data centre can employ 1,500+ construction workers, many earning $100,000+
    annually without a college degree.

  • Procter & Gamble to Exit Pakistan Market Following Shell and Pfizer Departures

    Months after announcing a global restructuring programme, Procter & Gamble Co. said it would be closing its operations in Pakistan. The Cincinnati-based firm stated in a statement that P&G Pakistan, which produces Tide detergent and other home products, will stop its manufacturing and commercial operations as well as its razor division, Gillette Pakistan Ltd. It stated that it will keep serving customers from other businesses in the area.

    In June, P&G declared that, as part of an operational revamp, it would reduce the number of brands it owned and lay off up to 7,000 employees over a two-year period. In order to account for the effects of trade tariffs and deteriorating consumer patterns, the company likewise reduced its guidance.

    Reason for P&G’s Exit

    In light of broader business and economic issues, such as restrictions on profit repatriation and low demand, P&G is the most recent multinational to reduce its operations in Pakistan. Gillette, after hitting a record three billion rupees two years prior, saw Pakistan’s revenue nearly halve in the fiscal year that concluded in June 2025.

    Despite being the fifth most populated country in the world, international corporations have retreated from Pakistan in recent years, including Shell Plc, Pfizer Inc., TotalEnergies SE, and Telenor ASA. Last year, P&G sold its Pakistani soap production plant to Nimir Industrial Chemical Ltd.

    P&G and Pakistan Bonding

    After entering Pakistan in 1991, P&G became one of the leading consumer goods companies in the nation, with well-known brands like Pampers, Safeguard, Ariel, Head & Shoulders, and Pantene. In 1994, it acquired a soap plant, and in 2010, it acquired a detergent facility, further increasing its local presence. According to an official statement, the company has determined that the most sensible approach to continue serving customers in Pakistan at this time is to use a third-party distribution strategy.

    Employees would be given consideration for separation packages or overseas assignments, it stated. The board of Gillette Pakistan will convene to discuss discontinuance measures, including potential delisting. Its stock surged to a three-week high, surpassing the daily limit of 10%.

    Saad Amanullah Khan, a former CEO of Gillette Pakistan, stated, “I hope such exits make the rulers aware that all is not well,” pointing to regulatory pressures, high power bills, and inadequate infrastructure. In order to “stop hearing of multinational exits”, he expressed his optimism for improved circumstances.

    Quick Shots

    •Move follows Shell, Pfizer, TotalEnergies, and
    Telenor exits in recent years.

    •Decision driven by low demand, trade restrictions,
    and economic challenges.

    •P&G Pakistan had been operational since 1991,
    with brands like Pampers, Safeguard, Ariel, Head & Shoulders, Pantene.

    •Company sold its soap plant last year to Nimir
    Industrial Chemical Ltd.

    •P&G will continue serving customers via
    third-party distribution.

    •Employees offered severance packages or overseas
    assignments.

  • TCS to Offer Up to 2 Years’ Severance Pay as Part of Major Workforce Restructuring Plan

    As the Indian IT giant reduces people in response to changing customer demands and increasing automation, IT juggernaut Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is providing severance compensation of up to two years’ salary to long-serving employees whose skills no longer match corporate needs.

    In an effort to become more flexible and future-ready in the face of swift technological advancements, Moneycontrol announced in July that it will lay off 2% of its personnel, or around 12,000 workers, over the course of the following year.

    Restructuring Plan Aims to Affect Less Skilled Employee

    According to a number of media sources, the restructuring mostly impacts workers whose skills have become outdated or who haven’t upgraded to suit changing customer needs. Employees in this category are eligible for a three-month notice period under the programme, followed by a severance compensation that, depending on duration, can range from six months to two years’ salary.

    According to a media report, six months is the lowest amount of severance pay in this category. Those who have been looking for a job for more than eight months are given a more basic package that includes three months’ worth of notice pay.

    According to the company’s statement, individuals impacted by our recent drive to realign talents have received the care and assistance that is appropriate for them in each of the unique circumstances, in accordance with our company’s values.

    TCS Also Offering Career Transition

    Additionally, the exporter of IT services offers outplacement services to assist with career transitions, paying agency fees for three months, and occasionally longer for junior associates. According to insiders, the business occasionally also provides funding for access to therapists or mental health help through its “TCS Cares” programme.

    Additionally, according to sources, the corporation is offering early retirement choices to workers whose retirement is due. These workers will have access to all retirement benefits, including insurance, as well as extra severance compensation that will vary in value from six months to two years’ salary, depending on their employment.

    According to reports, the majority of the labour modifications were finished in August and September amid considerable discontent. Employees without roles are still only being reviewed in isolated circumstances; they have the opportunity to join the Resource Management Group (RMG) to investigate roles throughout the organisation.

    Quick Shots

    •Around 2% of
    the workforce (around 12,000 employees) to be laid off over the next year.

    •Restructuring
    primarily affects employees with outdated skills or those not aligned with
    changing client demands.

    •Impacted
    employees get a 3-month notice period plus severance pay ranging from 6
    months to 2 years’ salary, depending on tenure.

    •6 months’ pay,
    while those job-hunting over 8 months receive a basic package including
    notice pay.

    •TCS
    offering career transition support, including outplacement services and
    paying agency fees for 3+ months.

  • India’s Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme Attracts 249 Applications, Signalling Strong Industry Demand

    On October 2, 2025, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology announced that more incentive applications had been submitted to the Electronics Component Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS) than the Union Cabinet had set as a goal.

    While the aim is just INR 59,350 crore, the IT Ministry has received applications with investment guarantees of INR 1,15,351 crore as of September 30, the deadline for applying for incentives for the majority of items under the ECMS’s purview.

    ECM was Launched to Boost Semiconductor Fabrication in India

    With an INR 22,919 crore investment, the ECMS was introduced in April as an addition to the India Semiconductor Mission. Qualified candidates would get incentive payouts connected to both employment and output.

     The programme was introduced to broaden the value chain of electronics manufacturing in India by promoting the expansion of components other than semiconductor fabrication and completed goods in the country.

    IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw informed reporters that during the scheme’s six-year duration, we have received output estimates of more than INR 10,34,000 crore, against a production target of INR 4,56,500 crore. We have set a target of 91,600 people for employment; however, the anticipated number of employees is 1.5 times higher, at 141,000 people.

    What will be the Government’s Next Step Now?

    IT Secretary S. Krishnan added that the government will distribute funds in a “first come, first served” manner, with incentive payouts going to approved companies that can grow their businesses and get products onto the market more quickly. The delay is due to the interest in the scheme, which has received 249 applications in total for manufacturing everything from printed circuit boards (PCBs) to so-called “sub-assemblies” in electronic goods.

    For these candidates, scrutiny has begun, and the Ministry will expedite the approval procedure. Vaishnaw stated that some companies had applied for incentives for producing many types of components, which he said the government encouraged, but he declined to name any specific companies that have applied for incentives under this system (or their countries of origin). With 87 applications and 43 applications, respectively, “multi-layer PCBs” and “electro-mechanicals” attracted the most interest. According to the Ministry, “one unnamed company committed around INR 22,000 crore.”

    In reference to the forthcoming second phase of the India Semiconductor Mission, which the government stated is being formulated with an “attractive response from industry”, Vaishnaw stated, “We’re planning to encourage materials also.” In recent months, the government has attempted to broaden the scope of its SOPs to include other value chain segments, such as capital support, semiconductor packaging facilities, and phone assembly units, in the electronics manufacturing industry.

     Due to the time it takes for this specific sector of the business to establish itself, the government is extending the application period for capital goods, or the heavy machinery needed in manufacturing facilities, until April 2027, even though it has finished for almost all other products.

    Quick
    Shots

    •Against a target of INR 59,350 crore,
    total investment proposals reached INR 1,15,351 crore.

    •Scheme launched in April 2025 with a
    budget of INR 22,919 crore to boost domestic component manufacturing.

    •Expected output during the scheme’s
    6-year duration: INR 10.34 lakh crore vs. original target of INR 4.56 lakh
    crore.

    •Employment projection: 1.41 lakh
    jobs, exceeding the target of 91,600 jobs.

  • Ghazal Alagh Warns: The Real Threat to Companies Isn’t AI, It’s Refusing to Learn It

    Ghazal Alagh, co-founder of Mamaearth and Chief Mama at Honasa Consumer Ltd., has cautioned entrepreneurs and business leaders that the real threat in 2025 isn’t artificial intelligence (AI) itself, but refusing to learn and adopt it. She highlighted businesses that ignore AI risk falling behind those that use it.

    The Real Threat Is Denial, Not Technology

    In a recent LinkedIn post, Alagh emphasised that companies often fail because they underestimate technological change. “The biggest threat to your business isn’t artificial intelligence. It’s refusing to learn it while your competitors master it,” she wrote.

    Alagh highlighted examples from global businesses that fell behind due to resistance to innovation: a major phone manufacturer dismissed touchscreens as a fad, a dominant bookstore chain ignored online retail while a garage startup built the future of e-commerce, and traditional taxi companies were overtaken by tech-driven platforms despite advanced dispatch systems.

    “It’s never the technology that kills companies. It’s the denial that technology changes everything,” she added.

    AI as a Tool, Not a Replacement

    At Honasa Consumer Ltd., Alagh explained, AI is already being used to enhance operations. The company employs AI to:

    • Generate personalised product recommendations at scale
    • Create thousands of advertising variations instantly
    • Predict inventory needs with higher accuracy
    • Build customer service that actually solves problems

    She clarified that AI does not replace human creativity but amplifies it. “AI isn’t replacing human creativity. It’s amplifying it for those smart enough to use it. It’s a whole new skill set,” Alagh said.



    The Competitive Edge in 2025

    Alagh warned that businesses hesitating to adopt AI-first strategies risk falling behind. “Your competitor isn’t just learning better ChatGPT or Gemini prompts. They’re rebuilding their entire operation around AI-first thinking while you’re still hiring more people to do what AI does better,” she noted.

    She concluded with a clear message for entrepreneurs: “The brands winning in 2025 will be the ones with the best AI-human collaboration. AI won’t replace you. But the people using AI to move 10x faster definitely will.”