Google fires more than two hundred AI contractors. The action has sparked worries about low pay, job security, and potential reprisals against unionization attempts.

The layoffs occurred in at least two different waves last month and were implemented with little to no notice, according to a report by “WIRED.” A number of contractors reported that they were abruptly disconnected from their work.

A contractor named Andrew Lauzon claimed to have received an email on August 15 alerting him to the termination of his contract, saying, “I was just cut off.”

“They said ramp-down on the project—whatever that means—when I asked for a rationale. Given that we might quit at any time, how are we meant to feel safe in this job? He went on.

The contractors belonged to a group known as “super raters,” many of whom are said to have advanced degrees like master’s and doctoral degrees.

They were in charge of improving AI-generated responses so they sounded more accurate and natural.

According to employees who spoke to “WIRED,” they had a significant influence on Google’s AI products, such as the AI Overviews function that summarizes search results.

A generalist rater with GlobalLogic, stated, “As raters, we play an incredibly vital role.”

“The developers won’t have enough time to improve the bot and obtain the necessary input. We’re there to make sure nothing awful occurs, much like the lifeguards on the beach,” that person continued.

The impacted personnel were employed by GlobalLogic or its subcontractors, and Google has apparently denied direct culpability for the employment losses.

According to a remark from Google spokesman, “These people are not Alphabet employees; they are employees of GlobalLogic or their subcontractors. GlobalLogic and its subcontractors bear the responsibility for the employment and working conditions of their employees as the employers,” He continued.

The alleged layoffs coincide with Google’s significant AI investment to stay competitive with rivals like Microsoft and OpenAI.

As the first Indian to successfully defend the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss championship, grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu made history on Monday.

In the final round, she held previous Women’s World Champion Tan Zhongyi to a draw, securing her triumph and leaving her as the tournament’s only leader.

In addition to congratulating Grandmaster Vaishali Rameshbabu on her historic victory in the FIDE Women’s Grand Swiss 2025, which she called a “outstanding accomplishment,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised Anandkumar Velkumar for winning India’s first-ever speed skating world championship gold.

PM Modi remarked, “Excellent achievement,” in a post on X. To Vaishali Rameshbabu, congratulations. Her enthusiasm and commitment are admirable. Warmest regards for her further pursuits.

Vaishali’s victory guaranteed her a spot in the Candidates Tournament the following year. Vaishali, Koneru Humpy, and World Cup winner Divya Deshmukh will now represent India in the women’s division. Who will challenge the current women’s world champion will be determined by the Candidates Tournament.

Also, PM Modi congratulated Anandkumar Velkumar on his historic victory in the Senior Men’s 1000m Sprint at the Speed Skating World Championships 2025.

“We are proud of Anandkumar Velkumar for taking home the gold in the Senior Men’s 1000-meter sprint at the 2025 Speed Skating World Championships.” He is India’s first skating world champion thanks to his perseverance, speed, and spirit. Innumerable children will be inspired by his achievement. PM Modi congratulated him and wished him luck in all of his future endeavors.

India’s first-ever gold medal at the Speed Skating World Championships in China was won by Anandkumar Velkumar.

The 22-year-old speedster became India’s first world champion in the sport after winning the senior men’s 1000-meter sprint with a time of 1:24.924.

A recent analysis released by NITI Aayog on Monday suggests that artificial intelligence has the potential to boost India’s GDP by $1.9 trillion by 2035, which might revolutionize the country’s economic growth in the upcoming ten years.

According to the paper “AI for Viksit Bharat: Roadmap for Accelerated Economic Growth,” the adoption of AI is predicted to be worth between $17 and $26 trillion globally over the next 10 years.

With its robust STEM talent and research infrastructure, India could potentially capture 10–15 percent of this value.

India’s GDP might reach $8.3 trillion by 2035 if AI is completely implemented, up from $6.6 trillion at the current rate of growth. According to the paper, AI might help close 30–35% of the nation’s growth gap.

The study identifies crucial industries where AI can bring about significant change, including banking, manufacturing, and research-intensive sectors like semiconductors, electric cars, medicines, and aerospace.

In particular, generative AI has the potential to lower research expenses, lower barriers to entry in billion-dollar companies, and accelerate innovation in sectors including biopharma, automotive components, and space technology.

With a budget of more than Rs 10,000 crore, the government formed the IndiaAI Mission to aid in this transition.

In order to extend adoption throughout the nation, it will concentrate on developing massive language models tailored to India, installing 38,000 GPUs, and establishing AI laboratories in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.

But the report also identifies problems. Data and infrastructure are still inaccessible to many MSMEs.

Additionally, India lacks qualified experts in battery technology, microprocessor design, and robotics.

Strong policy frameworks, consent-based data sharing, and worker reskilling will be crucial, particularly given that AI has the potential to replace 35–40% of occupations globally.

In order to establish India as the “data capital of the world” and a center for cutting-edge technologies, the report urges immediate cooperation between the government, business, and academic institutions.

In addition, NITI Aayog introduced the “Frontier Tech Repository,” which features more than 200 actual instances of how frontier technologies are enhancing people’s lives in India.

Additionally, it will support widespread adoption and assist states in replicating effective solutions.

India cannot become a developed country without investing in cutting-edge technologies, according to B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog.

“We must stay ahead of the curve if we want to take advantage of technology. India will be prepared for the future by identifying trends, raising awareness, and utilizing these technologies, he stated.

To commemorate the birth anniversary of Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya, who is considered to be among India’s greatest engineers, National Engineers’ Day is observed annually on September 15.

His pioneering contributions revolutionised India’s infrastructure through innovative designs, practical solutions, and visionary planning that blended technical expertise with social progress.

The legacy of Visvesvaraya extends much beyond engineering. He was a writer, statesman, and economist who also held the positions of President of the All-India Manufacturers’ Organization and Diwan of Mysore.

He was given the Bharat Ratna in 1955 and continues to be a source of inspiration for both engineers and decision-makers.

From modest beginnings to enormous accomplishments, his life’s work has established him as one of the most significant figures in modern Indian history and continues to serve as a standard for creativity, problem-solving, and nation-building.

On Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi honored Sir Mokshagundam Visvesvaraya on the anniversary of his birth, which is celebrated nationally as Engineers’ Day, and praised his remarkable accomplishments that helped to define India’s engineering scene.

“Today, on Engineers’ Day, I pay homage to Sir M. Visvesvaraya, whose brilliance left an indelible mark on India’s engineering landscape,” the Prime Minister wrote in a post on X. I want to express my warmest greetings to all engineers who continue to spur innovation and take on difficult problems in a variety of industries thanks to their inventiveness and tenacity. Our engineers will keep being vital to the group’s endeavors to create a Viksit Bharat.

In addition, Union Home Minister Amit Shah greeted engineers and acknowledged their role in advancing technology.

“Happy Engineers’ Day, everyone who works in engineering. India is rapidly reaching the highest level of technological advancement thanks to your vision, inventiveness, and commitment. “I pay tribute to the great engineer who led us down this path of transformation on the Jayanti of Bharat Ratna M. Visvesvaraya Ji,” HM Shah wrote in a post on X.

At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium here on Sunday, captain Suryakumar Yadav celebrated his 35th birthday in style by leading India to a decisive 7-wicket victory over Pakistan in a Group A match of the 2025 Men’s T20 Asia Cup. Yadav struck an undefeated 47 off 37 balls.

India easily won with 25 balls remaining after chasing 128; this demonstrated their superiority over Pakistan in every facet of the game.

In the game being played for the first time since heightened diplomatic tensions earlier this year, Suryakumar and Shivam Dube (10 not out) hurried off quickly once the chase was done. This time, there were no handshakes between players.

Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma, both left-handed batsmen who scored 31 apiece, also made quick contributions to India’s simple chase, which enabled them to win the competition for the second time in a row.

For the second consecutive game, India’s spin-heavy approach proved to be the winning one. With scores of 3-18, left-arm wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav took the lead, followed by Axar Patel with 2-18. With numbers of 1–24, Varun Chakaravarthy led the trio in limiting Pakistan to 127/9 while playing with impressive control on a slow Dubai pitch.

Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube, two Indian batsmen, left the field after the game without shaking hands with the Pakistani players, as is usual. The Asia Cup match closes in icy silence as Indian players refuse to shake hands with Pakistan.

After the game, India captain Suryakumar Yadav declared, “We want to dedicate today’s victory to the armed forces, and we stand with the victims of the families of the Pahalgam terror attack, and we express our solidarity.”

Suryakumar dedicated the indian military to his seven-wicket victory over Pakistan.

It’s the ideal moment to take a break. We support the victims and their families in the terror incident in Pahalgam. We show our unity. I want to dedicate the victory to all of our courageous military personnel. At the post-match presentation ceremony, Suryakumar made an impromptu statement: “I hope they continue to inspire us all and we give them more reasons on the ground whenever we get an opportunity to put a smile on their face.”

Following straightforward plans was effective, according to Kuldeep Yadav, who was selected Player of the Match for his 3–18 stats. “Just carry out the plans. Simply observe who is batting and adjust your response. I made plans and carried them out. You merely need to adopt that mindset and execute the first delivery, which is always a ball that takes wickets. He’s facing me for the first time, even though the batter is set. I still believe that my bowling needs a lot of improvement. I think I utilize too many variations sometimes.

Brief scores:

Pakistan 127/9 in 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 40, Shaheen Shah Afridi 33 not out; Kuldeep Yadav 3-18, Axar Patel 2-18)

India 131/3 in 15.5 overs (Suryakumar Yadav 41 not out, Abhishek Sharma 31; Saim Ayub 3-22)

In order to assist start-ups engaged in green hydrogen innovation, Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi issued a call for proposals on Thursday worth Rs 100 crore.

The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) held the first annual Green Hydrogen R&D Conference in the nation’s capital, where the news was made.

Under the initiative, pilot projects in fields including hydrogen generation, storage, transportation, and use technologies will receive up to Rs 5 crore in financing each.

Biological hydrogen solutions, AI-driven optimization, and electrolyser manufacturing are among the ideas being showcased by 25 start-ups at the conference.

The program, according to Joshi, aims to transform research into workable solutions that can power companies, clean cities, and create thousands of new employment nationwide.

He emphasized Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s goal of making India a global center for green hydrogen through the National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM), which was established in 2023 with a budget of Rs 19,744 crore.

The minister also emphasized the advancements made thus far, citing 23 R&D projects that have already been granted in fields such as safety and integration, biomass-based hydrogen production, and hydrogen applications.

Examples of the mission’s transition from vision to action were given, including the first port-based green hydrogen pilot project in India at V.O. Chidambaranar Port, hydrogen buses and refueling stations, and pilot projects in the shipping and steel industries.

Joshi noted that in its first-ever green ammonia auction, India just found a record low price of Rs 49.75 per kg, compared to Rs 100.28 per kg in 2024, indicating a significant advancement in affordability.

He added that both big businesses and startups are making significant investments to develop a whole hydrogen value chain, which will increase India’s export potential and generate job opportunities.

Joshi reiterated India’s NGHM goals, which include reducing 50 million tonnes of CO2 emissions yearly, adding 125 GW of renewable energy capacity, attracting investments worth Rs 8 lakh crore, and producing five million metric tons of green hydrogen annually by 2030.

With expert presentations, interactive debates, and a start-up expo, the two-day Green Hydrogen R&D Conference will showcase India’s determination to lead the world in the hydrogen economy.

Over 10 crore women have joined 90 lakh self-help groups (SHGs) nationwide thanks to the Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihood Mission (DAY-NRLM), and many of them are now first-generation business owners, a government official said here on Thursday.

Union Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) Secretary Shailesh Kumar Singh emphasized the incubator program’s contribution to the growth of women-led rural businesses.

In addition to sharing that Kerala, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and numerous other states are scaling up with top academic partners, he highlighted the success of pilots in Assam, Bihar, West Bengal, and Karnataka during an event held here.

The Ministry hosted a two-day National Workshop on Rural Enterprise Incubators under DAY-National Rural Livelihood Mission here in partnership with Kerala State Rural Livelihood Mission (Kudumbashree).

Speaking to the audience, Kerala’s State Minister for Local Self-Government, M.B. Rajesh, emphasized the state’s dedication to supporting women-led entrepreneurship through Kudumbashree and conveyed assurance that the workshop would provide a forum for cooperation and creativity to fortify rural enterprise ecosystems.

The Ministry’s goal of expanding the incubator program into a nationwide platform for women-led rural entrepreneurship was emphasized by Swati Sharma, Joint Secretary (RL), MoRD, Government of India. She also stated that the workshop would produce practical strategies and solid partnerships to ensure the program’s long-term success.

The workshop will contribute to the development of an atmosphere that will support the growth of the businesses chosen for the incubator project.

H. Dineshan, Executive Director of Kudumbashree, greeted the attendees. The congratulatory speech was given by Dr. Bidyut C. Dekha, vice chancellor of Assam Agricultural University.

Prominent experts from academia, industry, and social enterprise networks will participate in panel discussions on mentoring, financing, technology, market access, and convergence at the workshop, according to the ministry. Their contributions and insights will help shape how rural enterprise incubation is scaled across states.

In keeping with the goal of Viksit Bharat by 2047, the two-day discussions are anticipated to yield practical solutions for expanding enterprise incubation throughout states and support the empowerment of women entrepreneurs under DAY-NRLM.

At the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, India easily defeated the United Arab Emirates (UAE) by nine wickets to begin their 2025 Men’s Asia Cup campaign. Openers Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill finished a modest chase in 27 balls.

Abhishek (30) and Gill (20 not out) dominated the UAE bowling attack with a variety of brilliant shots, making the chase easy after Kuldeep Yadav and Shivam Dube were instrumental with the ball, picking 4-7 and 3-4 as India cleaned out the UAE for just 57.

Together with captain Suryakumar Yadav (seven not out), the two made sure that India had their fastest chase in men’s T20I history, finishing the contest far earlier than expected with just 4.3 overs and providing themselves a huge gain in net run rate.

India, the current T20 World Cup champions, won with a resounding victory, surpassing their previous record of completing the chase in 6.3 overs against Scotland at the 2021 Men’ T20 World Cup, which was also held in Dubai.

It was a memorable evening for the UAE. Their bowlers had no solutions to halt a raiding Abhishek, Gill, and Suryakumar, while their batting was unable to match the caliber and tenacity of India’s bowling lineup.

In order to give the Indian squad a decisive victory, Gill went on the defensive to draw Simranjeet Singh beyond mid-on for four, while Suryakumar got off to his usual swish over fine leg for six.

Brief Scores:
UAE 57 in 13.1 overs (Alishan Sharafu 22, Muhammad Waseem 19; Kuldeep Yadav 4-7, Shivam Dube 3-4)
India 60/1 in 4.3 overs (Abhishek Sharma 30, Shubman Gill 20 not out; Junaid Siddique 1-16)

As the 21st century’s defining technology, artificial intelligence (AI) is expected to boost global GDP by around $15.7 trillion by 2030, according to a report released on Wednesday.

The Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and FICCI jointly released a research that said, “More than 66 percent of developed economies already have national AI strategies, compared to just 30 percent in developing economies and 12 percent in least-developed ones.”

The report posits that the race of AI is founded on four interrelated dimensions: talent, data, models, and computation.

Although certain countries, like as the US and China, have taken the lead and many are concentrating on particular AI interventions, the majority of economies have the capacity to progress.

Due to data-rich surroundings, a few industries, including retail and financial services, are leading the way in the rapid integration of AI, according to the report.

Socially vital industries like public services and agriculture, however, lag behind because of financial issues brought on by ambiguous returns on investment and fragmented infrastructure.

Jyoti Vij, the director general of FICCI, stated: “AI is a strategic race that will determine economic and social leadership in the ensuing decades; it is not merely a technology fad. By working together, we can make sure that AI is a worldwide quest for advancement rather than only a competition for advantage.

Less than one in eight prototypes are deployed, and over half of AI pilots are abandoned before production, according to the FICCI-BCG research, despite billions of dollars in investments.

According to the report, cultural opposition, skills shortages, and segmented infrastructure are major obstacles.

The paper claims that people and process problems, rather than technology, account for 70% of the barriers to AI adoption, making it more sociological than technical.

According to the report, companies that make investments in workforce empowerment, cultural transformation, and reskilling are most positioned to turn AI into tangible economic results.

“The global AI race is exhibiting notable divergence. While less developed economies have not yet embarked on this trip, the bulk of rich economies have national AI initiatives, according to Saibal Chakraborty, Managing Director and Senior Partner, BCG.

In a major relief for startup founders planning to go public, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) announced on Tuesday that it has amended its rules to allow promoters to retain employee stock options (ESOPs) granted at least one year before filing IPO papers.

According to the official notification, employees who are identified as promoters or part of the promoter group in the draft IPO documents can now continue to hold or exercise ESOPs, Stock Appreciation Rights (SAR), or any similar benefit, provided these were granted at least one year before filing.

Until now, SEBI’s rules did not allow promoters to hold ESOPs or similar share-based benefits.

Startup executives categorized as promoters found the procedure challenging because founders who possessed such benefits had to liquidate them before submitting draft documents for an IPO.

The modification, according to the regulator, is intended to address issues that founders encounter during the listing process, particularly when businesses use reverse flipping to relocate their headquarters from overseas to India.

It is anticipated that this action will facilitate the initial public offering (IPO) process for businesses and give founders who were granted ESOPs before launching their public listing ambitions more freedom.

Due to clearing firms’ declaration of settlement vacations on September 5 and 8, 2025, the market regulator earlier this week updated the settlement schedules for the equity and derivatives divisions.

SEBI has announced that on September 9 (Tuesday), the cash and Securities Lending and Borrowing Mechanism (SLBM) segment settlement would take place for the trade days of September 4 (Thursday) and September 5 (Friday).

The market watchdog said on Monday that the settlement for trades made on September 8 (Monday) and September 9 (Tuesday) would be finalized on September 10 (Wednesday).