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In at the moment’s e-newsletter:
- DK Shivakumar warns 50% jobs are in danger as a result of AI
- NPCI meet with Fintechs
- Supply apps roll out warmth shields for riders
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DK Shivakumar warns 50% jobs are in danger as a result of AI
When the long run knocks, Bengaluru is each bracing for influence and constructing the following door.
Driving the information
Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister and Bengaluru Growth Minister DK Shivakumar has issued a sharp warning on artificial intelligence.
“AI might lower 50 % of jobs in Bengaluru and completely different elements of the nation,” Shivakumar mentioned on the Network18 Way forward for Work Summit, calling it a significant problem.
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At the same time as he flagged dangers, the state is accelerating plans to future-proof Bengaluru with a second airport and a large AI Metropolis.
- “That is the town of the long run. Your complete world is taking a look at India via Bengaluru,” he mentioned, underlining the town’s international tech standing.
Nonetheless, he pointed to Bengaluru’s deep expertise pool-over 22.6 million IT professionals-adding that no different metropolis matches its mixture of expertise and local weather.
Driving the expansion
At the same time as AI threatens jobs, Karnataka is betting huge on infrastructure-led development. Shivakumar mentioned:
- The second airport is more likely to come up in south Bengaluru.
- A 9,000-acre built-in tech hub (AI Metropolis) close to Bidadi, is predicted to come back up for dialogue earlier than the Cupboard on April 30
- There will likely be a shift from a scattered ecosystem (north, east, Electronics Metropolis) to a concentrated AI-led hub
“We wish to convey AI and associated industries into one devoted location with world-class amenities,” he mentioned.
The push comes as Bengaluru grapples with fast city growth and rising strain on infrastructure whereas getting ready for the following section of tech development.
NPCI to satisfy Fintechs
A brand new tactic, similar goal — it seems that UPI’s playbook is evolving.
Driving the information
The NPCI is assembly smaller UPI apps in Mumbai tomorrow to debate unique function entry to create a degree taking part in discipline, sources informed us.
- Measures reminiscent of relaxed function parity norms and potential unique or early function rollouts for smaller apps are more likely to be mentioned in Mumbai on April 30.
The smaller apps will seemingly get entry to new options reminiscent of UPI Autopay, UPI Lite and extra earlier than bigger gamers, PhonePe and Google Pay, to attract extra customers and scale back focus on prime apps.
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The assembly can be anticipated to incorporate discussions on focused incentive programmes for rising UPI apps
- BHIM, Cred, WhatsApp Pay, Mobikwik, Amazon Pay, tremendous.cash, Navi, amongst others are more likely to be a part of the NPCI assembly on April 30, we had been informed.
Whereas the NPCI has explored a number of methods to scale back focus in UPI, preferential programmes haven’t been deployed up to now.
Technique shift
Up to now, the NPCI has rolled out all new options to all collaborating gamers at an ecosystem-level, a delayed launch for a couple of will mark a shift in technique.
- This comes as UPI funds remains to be a duopoly with PhonePe and Google Pay dominating with a complete market share of round 80%.
- About 30-odd apps collectively account for the remaining 20 % market share.
The NPCI can be more likely to focus on non-solicitation of AutoPay, with a view to tightening norms round autopay mandates, particularly for smaller UPI apps.
Supply apps roll out warmth shields for riders
Heatwaves redraw supply guidelines whilst hailstones storm Bengaluru
Cooling the chain
Ecommerce and fast commerce companies are ramping up warmth safety measures throughout their networks, treating summer time preparedness as operational infrastructure.
- Amazon is increasing Mission Ashray, its community of 100 air-conditioned relaxation stops, which now serves over 150,000 supply employees each month.
Flipkart is pairing upgraded relaxation areas and hydration assist with doctor-on-call entry and heat-safety coaching, constructing a broader frontline assist system.
Welfare goes wearable
The subsequent layer of safety is transferring onto riders themselves.
- Fast commerce and meals supply gamers are more and more shifting from static infrastructure to transportable, rider-first cooling assist.
- Blinkit is distributing 1.5 lakh glucose sachets every day, whereas Zomato has expanded entry to five,000+ relaxation factors via accomplice areas nationwide.
Zomato can be piloting cooling vests throughout 14 cities — an indication that warmth mitigation is transferring from shade breaks to wearable gear.
Unions flip up warmth
Employee teams, nevertheless, say platform-led initiatives are useful, however inadequate with out formal protections.
- They’ve urged the federal government to mandate safeguards reminiscent of paid cooling breaks, obligatory shelters and emergency heat-distress assist.
“Excessive warmth is turning into a every day office hazard for India’s gig and platform employees,” mentioned IFAT’s Shaik Salauddin, arguing the problem now requires enforceable requirements, not non-obligatory advantages.