Author: Sreelatha M

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Technology

Windows users to see Copilot added automatically soon

Microsoft is preparing to automatically roll out its Microsoft 365 Copilot app to eligible Windows devices, signalling a major step in the company’s efforts to bring artificial intelligence into everyday workplace operations.

The deployment, expected to begin over the next few weeks, will target business customers using Microsoft 365 applications on Windows systems. Users may find the Copilot app installed on their devices without manually downloading it, as Microsoft plans to make the rollout automatic by default. However, IT administrators will have the option to block or disable the installation if their organisations choose not to participate.

The move reflects Microsoft’s growing confidence in AI-powered productivity tools. The Microsoft 365 Copilot app acts as a central hub for AI features integrated across popular workplace applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook and Teams. Through these tools, users can generate content, analyse data, summarise information and automate routine tasks.

For many businesses, the rollout could provide easier access to AI capabilities without requiring employees to install additional software. Microsoft believes this approach will encourage wider adoption of its AI ecosystem and help organisations improve efficiency in day-to-day operations.

At the same time, the decision has sparked discussion among IT professionals and enterprise customers. Some administrators have questioned the practice of automatically deploying software, arguing that organisations should have greater control over what appears on employee devices. Others have raised concerns about governance, security policies and the management of AI tools in regulated industries.

Microsoft has stressed that the rollout only installs the application and does not automatically activate premium Copilot services. Users and organisations will still need the required licences and subscriptions to access advanced AI features.

The development comes as competition among technology giants intensifies in the race to integrate artificial intelligence into mainstream software products. Companies are increasingly positioning AI assistants as essential workplace tools rather than optional add-ons.

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Beyond

Gold slips to ₹1.46 lakh, silver trades at ₹2.49 lakh

Gold prices edged lower on Monday, offering slight relief to buyers after recent volatility in the bullion market. The decline was modest, but it reflected cautious sentiment among investors as they tracked global economic developments and movements in international precious metal prices.

According to the latest rates released by the India Bullion and Jewellers Association (IBJA), 24-carat gold slipped by ₹10 to ₹1,46,070 per 10 grams. Other gold categories also witnessed minor declines. The price of 22-carat gold stood at ₹1,33,800 per 10 grams, while 18-carat gold was quoted at ₹1,09,553 per 10 grams. Despite the small correction, gold continues to trade near record-high levels.

Silver prices also weakened during the session. The white metal fell by ₹100 and was trading at ₹2,49,900 per kilogram, reflecting cautious sentiment in the commodities market. Analysts said silver remains sensitive to both industrial demand expectations and broader global economic signals.

The latest movement comes after precious metals witnessed sharp swings in recent weeks. Investors have been closely monitoring geopolitical developments, inflation trends and expectations regarding interest-rate decisions by major central banks. These factors continue to influence demand for safe-haven assets such as gold and silver.

For retail buyers, especially those planning jewellery purchases for weddings or upcoming festive occasions, the slight decline may provide a small opportunity to enter the market. However, jewellers advise consumers to keep an eye on daily price movements, as bullion rates can change quickly in response to international developments.

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Technology

Deepinder Goyal’s Temple unveils new health biomarker

Deepinder Goyal’s health-tech startup Temple has announced what it describes as a major breakthrough in wearable technology with the discovery of a new biomarker called “Entropy”. The company claims the metric can measure the body’s real-time metabolic activity and provide a more accurate picture of energy expenditure than conventional heart-rate monitoring.

According to Temple, Entropy is a live score ranging from 1 to 250 that updates every second. The biomarker is designed to track the body’s “cost of being alive” by monitoring changes in metabolism triggered by everyday activities such as exercise, sleep, stress, meals, caffeine intake and meditation.

The startup says the biomarker can only be measured from the temple region of the head using its wearable device. Founder Deepinder Goyal revealed that Temple benchmarked Entropy against a laboratory-grade metabolic cart, widely regarded as a gold standard for measuring calorie expenditure. In internal testing involving more than 100 cardio sessions, Entropy reportedly showed a stronger correlation with metabolic readings than heart rate.

Temple has also introduced two related metrics,  Entropy Maxima and Entropy Minima. While Maxima reflects peak physical output during exertion, Minima measures the body’s lowest resting metabolic state. The company believes these indicators could help users better understand fitness, recovery and long-term health.

The announcement has generated significant interest within the health-tech community. However, experts have also called for greater transparency around the underlying science, methodology and peer-reviewed validation supporting the claims.

As wearable technology increasingly shifts from activity tracking to predictive health monitoring, Temple’s Entropy could represent a new frontier in personal health analytics. Whether it becomes a widely accepted health metric will depend on future scientific validation and real-world adoption.

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Beyond

SEBI clears reforms to boost markets

The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has announced a fresh set of reforms aimed at making India’s financial markets more efficient, flexible and investor-friendly. The decisions, approved during the regulator’s latest board meeting, are expected to benefit investors, mutual funds, listed companies and alternative investment funds alike.

Among the key announcements is the revival of open-market share buybacks through stock exchanges. The mechanism, which allows companies to repurchase shares directly from the market, will return from August 2026 after being largely phased out in recent years. The move is expected to provide companies with a more flexible way to return surplus cash to shareholders while improving market participation.

SEBI has also allowed mutual funds to access intraday borrowing facilities to address temporary cash flow mismatches. The regulator said the borrowing facility can be used for short-term liquidity needs and will help fund houses manage redemption pressures more effectively. Industry participants believe the decision will strengthen operational efficiency without increasing systemic risk.

The board also approved measures to simplify fundraising for Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs). Faster approvals and streamlined processes are expected to help fund managers launch new investment schemes more quickly, supporting capital flow into startups, emerging businesses and other growth sectors.

In addition, SEBI introduced changes aimed at strengthening India’s broader financial ecosystem. The regulator approved reforms related to municipal bonds, securitisation and fundraising norms for smaller listed companies. These steps are designed to deepen capital markets and improve access to funding across different segments of the economy.

The latest decisions reflect SEBI’s continued focus on balancing market development with investor protection. By reducing procedural hurdles and improving liquidity management, the regulator hopes to make India’s capital markets more competitive and attractive for both domestic and global investors.

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Corporate

Accenture’s $4.2bn cybersecurity bet on Dragos

Accenture has made one of its largest cybersecurity investments to date, acquiring a majority stake in industrial cybersecurity firm Dragos and taking full ownership of runZero and NetRise in a deal worth about $4.2 billion. The move highlights the company’s growing focus on protecting critical infrastructure from increasingly sophisticated cyber threats.

Each company brings a different strength. Dragos is known for securing operational technology environments such as power grids, factories and industrial facilities. RunZero specialises in asset discovery and vulnerability management, while NetRise focuses on software and device security. Together, they will create a comprehensive cybersecurity platform aimed at helping organisations identify, monitor and protect critical systems.

Accenture said the acquisitions will strengthen its $10 billion cybersecurity business and expand its operational technology security capabilities. Demand for industrial cybersecurity is rising as more physical systems become connected to digital networks and businesses adopt AI-powered technologies, creating new security challenges.

As part of the deal, Dragos will continue to operate independently under co-founder and CEO Robert Lee. The company will also integrate runZero and NetRise to build a broader platform focused on securing critical infrastructure globally. The transactions are expected to close later this year, pending regulatory approvals.

The investment comes as Accenture looks to expand beyond its traditional consulting business and accelerate growth in high-demand technology sectors. Industry experts see the Dragos deal as a strategic move to address the increasing need for stronger protection of industrial operations, where cyberattacks can disrupt production and impact essential services.

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Uncategorized

Bata India names Sanjay Rao as new CEO

Bata India has appointed Sanjay Rao as its new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, marking a significant leadership transition at one of the country’s most recognised footwear companies.

Rao will take over the role from Gunjan Shah, who led Bata India through a period of business transformation and expansion. The appointment comes as the company seeks to strengthen its market position and accelerate growth in an increasingly competitive retail environment.

A seasoned business leader, Rao brings extensive experience in consumer-facing industries and retail operations. He has held leadership roles across multiple sectors and is expected to focus on driving growth, enhancing customer experience and expanding Bata’s presence across both physical and digital channels.

The company said the appointment reflects its commitment to building on recent progress while preparing for future opportunities in India’s evolving footwear and lifestyle market. Bata has been investing in product innovation, store modernisation and digital initiatives to cater to changing consumer preferences.

For employees and stakeholders, the leadership change represents the beginning of a new chapter. Industry analysts believe Rao’s experience in brand building and business strategy could help the company navigate shifting consumer trends and strengthen its position in key market segments.

The Indian footwear market has witnessed rapid growth in recent years, driven by rising incomes, urbanisation and increasing demand for branded products. Companies are also investing heavily in digital commerce as consumers increasingly shop online.

Bata India remains one of the largest footwear retailers in the country, serving millions of customers through an extensive network of stores and online platforms. The company has been focusing on premiumisation, expanding its product portfolio and improving customer engagement as competition intensifies.

Also Read: Adobe adds AI assistants across creative cloud apps

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Technology

Adobe adds AI assistants across creative cloud apps

Adobe has unveiled a major expansion of its artificial intelligence capabilities, bringing AI-powered assistants to several of its flagship Creative Cloud applications, including Photoshop, Premiere Pro, Illustrator and InDesign.

The company announced that the new AI assistants, powered by Adobe’s Firefly technology, are designed to help users complete creative tasks faster and more efficiently. The move reflects Adobe’s growing focus on integrating generative AI directly into the tools used daily by designers, photographers, video editors and content creators.

Unlike traditional software features, the AI assistants can understand natural language instructions and help users navigate complex workflows. Instead of manually searching through menus or learning advanced tools, creators can simply describe what they want to achieve, and the assistant will guide them through the process or perform tasks automatically.

In Photoshop, users can receive editing suggestions, locate tools quickly and streamline image creation. Premiere Pro’s AI assistant can help with video editing tasks, making it easier to organise footage, apply effects and speed up production workflows. Similar capabilities are being introduced in Illustrator and InDesign to support graphic design and publishing tasks.

Adobe says the goal is not to replace human creativity but to reduce repetitive work and allow creators to spend more time on ideas and storytelling. The company believes AI can act as a creative partner, helping professionals and beginners alike work more effectively.

The latest rollout comes as competition intensifies in the AI-powered creative software market. Technology companies and startups are racing to build tools that can generate images, videos and design elements with minimal user input. Adobe is positioning its AI strategy around assisting creators while maintaining professional control over the final output.

For many users, the new assistants could significantly lower the learning curve associated with advanced creative software. Beginners may find it easier to use professional-grade tools, while experienced creators can automate routine tasks and focus on higher-value creative work.

The features are currently being introduced through beta programmes and phased rollouts. As AI becomes more deeply embedded in creative software, Adobe’s latest announcement signals a future where designers and AI assistants increasingly work side by side to bring ideas to life.

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Leaders

Google Gemini leader Noam Shazeer joins OpenAI team

In a significant development in the artificial intelligence industry, Noam Shazeer, one of the key architects behind Google’s Gemini AI models, has announced that he is leaving Google to join OpenAI, the company behind ChatGPT. The move is being viewed as one of the most prominent talent shifts in the ongoing AI race.

Shazeer served as Vice President of Engineering at Google and co-led the Gemini project, which forms the backbone of Google’s generative AI strategy. He confirmed the decision in a social media post, describing it as a “difficult decision” and expressing pride in the work accomplished with Google’s AI teams.

A respected figure in the AI community, Shazeer is best known as one of the co-authors of the groundbreaking 2017 research paper “Attention Is All You Need.” The paper introduced the Transformer architecture, which became the foundation for modern AI models, including ChatGPT, Gemini and many other large language models.

His career has included more than two decades at Google, a stint as co-founder of Character.AI and a return to Google in 2024 after the company struck a multi-billion-dollar licensing deal with the startup. Less than two years later, he is once again moving on, this time to OpenAI.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman welcomed the move, saying he had wanted to work with Shazeer for nearly a decade. Industry observers believe the appointment could strengthen OpenAI’s research and product development efforts as competition intensifies among leading AI companies.

The departure is also a setback for Google, which has invested heavily in Gemini to compete with OpenAI. Analysts say the move highlights the intense battle for top AI talent, with companies offering massive compensation packages and leadership roles to attract leading researchers.

As the AI industry continues to evolve rapidly, Shazeer’s transition is expected to have implications far beyond the two companies, reinforcing how crucial elite researchers have become in shaping the future of artificial intelligence.

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1 Minute-Read

Vehant debuts India’s first AI body screening system

Vehant Technologies has launched MilliView, India’s first indigenously developed millimetre-wave (mmWave) body scanner, marking a major milestone in the country’s security technology sector. Developed in collaboration with IIT Delhi, the AI-powered scanner can identify both metallic and non-metallic threats, including explosives, detonators, gels and concealed weapons, in less than five seconds.

The system uses safe, non-ionising radiation and presents scan results through a gender-neutral avatar, helping protect individual privacy. Designed for deployment at airports, government buildings and other high-security facilities, MilliView aims to strengthen security screening while reducing dependence on imported technologies. The launch also supports the government’s Make in India initiative by promoting homegrown innovation in advanced security solutions.

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Beyond

RBI settles Apollo FEMA case after ₹17.76 cr payment

Apollo Hospitals has received relief from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) after the central bank settled alleged violations under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) through a compounding process.

The RBI accepted a payment of ₹17.76 crore from Apollo Hospitals and certain directors to resolve the matter, bringing an end to a long-running regulatory issue related to foreign exchange transactions. Compounding is a mechanism that allows entities to settle FEMA violations by paying a monetary amount without undergoing prolonged legal proceedings.

The case was linked to alleged contraventions involving overseas investments and related transactions. Following the settlement, the Enforcement Directorate’s earlier proceedings connected to the matter are expected to lose significance, providing a major relief to the healthcare company and its management.

Apollo Hospitals informed stock exchanges that the RBI’s compounding order does not amount to an admission of guilt. The company stated that the settlement was made to resolve the issue and ensure regulatory compliance going forward.

The development removes a key overhang that had been hanging over the company for several years. Market participants generally view the resolution positively, as it reduces uncertainty and allows management to focus on business operations and expansion plans.

Founded by Dr. Prathap C. Reddy, Apollo Hospitals is one of India’s largest healthcare providers, with a network of hospitals, pharmacies and diagnostic centres across the country. The group has played a significant role in expanding private healthcare services in India.

Legal and regulatory experts noted that compounding provisions under FEMA are designed to encourage voluntary compliance and provide a quicker resolution mechanism for procedural and technical violations. Such settlements help avoid lengthy litigation while ensuring adherence to foreign exchange regulations.

For investors, the RBI’s decision brings clarity on a matter that had remained unresolved for years. Analysts said the settlement strengthens visibility around the company’s regulatory position and removes a potential distraction for management.

With the issue now settled, Apollo Hospitals is expected to continue focusing on healthcare delivery, digital health initiatives and capacity expansion, while maintaining compliance with evolving regulatory requirements.

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