BUSINESS
India’s Electronic Manufacturing: The big picture
India has made a good start in electronics manufacturing (and exports) but unless the union government works closely together with state governments – some of which are administered by political parties sharply in opposition with the BJP-led union government – India could well remain an also-ran in the electronics manufacturing race
BUSINESS
Will ONDC eat Swiggy and Zomato’s lunch?
The answer will boil down to service delivery and the cost of operations and how much of it is being passed on to the consumer
BUSINESS
Geoffrey Hinton and the dark side of AI
The AI genie has escaped from the bottle and there is no putting it back
BUSINESS
India must catch up in the quantum computing race
From time to time, tech companies like IBM and Google in the US and research labs and universities in China have claimed quantum supremacy. But fully functional quantum computers are at least half a decade or more away
BUSINESS
India is growing old before it can grow rich
Headline GDP numbers often overshadow the lack of jobs or the threat of being stuck in middle-income trap
BUSINESS
Generative AI: Who owns the content?
Copyright laws will be tested because of capabilities demonstrated by AI programs such as ChatGPT that can create new content
BUSINESS
The Chip Wars: Why India should have a long-term, comprehensive chip plan
The tug of war between the US and China over establishing supremacy in the chips industry has ramifications for several countries, including India
BUSINESS
The importance of being Jack Ma
Jack Ma’s sudden resurfacing in the public may have more to do than just Alibaba’s plan to split into six entities
BUSINESS
The Chinese investment problem facing Indian policymakers
India wants companies in the electronic manufacturing services sector to be controlled by domestic partners, to build domestic technology expertise. But it’s easier said than done
BUSINESS
Some lessons from the SVB-led financial crisis
While the Fed and the US Treasury have stepped in rapidly to prevent the contagion from the SVB collapse from spreading, it’s time to consider what lessons can be learnt from the episode
BUSINESS
Silicon Valley Bank: Can the fallout be contained?
Unlike in the 2008 crisis, this time the quality of assets that banks have is not in doubt, only their mark to market value has eroded
BUSINESS
How to map the Generative AI mania
The launch of ChatGPT has sparked off a frenzy for Generative AI. But it might be wise to understand both what it can do – and what it cannot
BUSINESS
Lithium’s rising output poses an environmental dilemma
Lithium extraction and processing leaves a major environmental footprint. This is why the rich countries with reserves have preferred to buy rather than mine. But that may not be possible for much longer
BUSINESS
Lithium discovery excellent news, now for the hard work of mining and refining it
The government needs to ensure that it gets its policies on mining, refining and processing and the environment right
BUSINESS
Going after digital dominance: Can the government get a grip on it?
The government has set up a panel to draft a new digital competitive law. But it needs to ensure that it has considered all the issues and nuances while framing the Act
BUSINESS
Three questions without clear answers in Budget 2023
The finance minister has done a skilful balancing job, but there are three questions that crop up after reading the Economic Survey and the budget documents together
BUSINESS
BharOS and the question of apps
Recent history shows that it is the App makers who can make or mar an OS. The success or failure of BharOS too will depend on how well it can build an app ecosystem
BUSINESS
Budget 2023: Time to reinvent the budget exercise altogether
The hype around the Union Budget no longer makes sense. Instead, the government should formulate a budget and present it in a manner that suits the needs of the day
BUSINESS
Global chip wars and why Indian policy makers need to keep an eye on them
There are lessons for India in the battle for control of high-end chips being fought currently between the US and China
BUSINESS
The negatives in Telecom draft bill far outweigh the positives
The provision that seeks to make OTT services like WhatsApp, Gmail, Telegram and Signal requiring a license from the government is particularly silly
BUSINESS
Keeping UPI free is becoming an expensive affair
UPI’s runaway popularity is making it an expensive digital public good. The government has said it will remain free, but for how long?
BUSINESS
Why India is worried about being left out of the US-led Mineral Supply Partnership (MSP)
China and the US-led MSP are jostling to dominate the space for crucial minerals needed for EV batteries
BUSINESS
The importance of being 5G
The 5G revolution will make it possible to offer business and retail solutions and completely alter the telecom business as we know it
BUSINESS
Data localisation is no panacea
India’s Data Protection Bill is designed to allow the government to get its hands on any data it demands without any problems
