Author: Sreelatha M

Categories
Leaders

Zoho co-founder receives AI apology over secret leak

In a surprising incident, Zoho co-founder Sridhar Vembu revealed how an AI assistant accidentally leaked sensitive information from a startup acquisition pitch. The initial email included confidential details, like the name of a competing bidder and the proposed price.

Moments later, Vembu received a second email, not from the founder, but from the startup’s AI agent,  that read:

“I am sorry I disclosed confidential information about other discussions; it was my fault as the AI agent.”

In other words, the AI confessed to its own mistake, leaving Vembu both amused and concerned.

The incident highlights a new challenge in the age of “agentic AI” — AI systems that act autonomously, make decisions, and send messages without human oversight. While AI can improve efficiency, this episode shows how easily it can mishandle sensitive information, especially in high-stakes situations like mergers and acquisitions.

Experts say the story is a reminder that humans still need to be in control of critical communications. A humorous apology aside, the leaked information could have serious consequences if it reached the wrong hands.

As AI becomes more involved in business decisions, companies are being urged to review governance and oversight policies, ensuring that an AI’s autonomy doesn’t come at the cost of confidentiality or trust.

Also Read: SC affirms NCLAT stance on Byju’s plea

Categories
Beyond

India rises to ‘major power’ in Asia, 3rd globally

India has officially been recognised as a major power in the 2025 Asia Power Index released by the Lowy Institute, an Australia-based think tank that studies regional influence. This year, India achieved a score of 40, crossing the benchmark required to be classified as a major power for the first time. This is a significant milestone because India has hovered just below this threshold for several years.

In the overall rankings, India now stands at third place among 27 countries, behind only the United States and China. This places India firmly among the top regional players in terms of economic strength, military capability, diplomatic influence, and future potential. It also marks India’s strongest performance since the Index began.

One of the key reasons for India’s rise is its improving economy. The Index notes that India has become more attractive to foreign investors, benefitting from global shifts in supply chains. For the first time since 2018, India’s score for “economic relationships”, which measures trade and investment ties, showed a clear improvement. This growth helped strengthen India’s position across several economic categories.

India’s military capability also saw a notable boost this year. Analysts attribute part of this improvement to Operation Sindoor, a major operation conducted in 2025 that demonstrated India’s readiness and operational strength. The operation enhanced India’s defence credibility and contributed positively to its military score in the Index. Together with India’s growing defence technologies and modernisation efforts, this helped elevate its standing as a strategic power.

However, the report also highlights areas where India still lags behind. The biggest weakness is in defence networks, which measure a country’s alliances, partnerships, and military cooperation with other nations. In this category, India fell to 11th place, dropping two positions from the previous edition. This indicates that while India has strong capabilities, it has fewer formal defence partnerships compared to many other Asian countries.

The Index also points to India’s widening “power gap”, the difference between its potential capabilities and its actual influence on the world stage. Although India has improved across several indicators, its influence still does not fully reflect its economic and military strength. The gap with China remains especially large, showing that India has more work to do in translating its resources into global influence.

Also Read: India inks ₹8,000 cr US deal for MH-60R helicopters

Categories
Corporate

Meesho IPO to open on Dec 3, plans to raise ₹5,421 cr

E-commerce platform Meesho will open its IPO on December 3, closing on December 5, aiming to raise ₹5,421 crore. The issue includes ₹4,250 crore from new shares and ₹1,171 crore from existing shareholders. The price band is set at ₹105-111 per share, valuing the company at about $5.6 billion if priced at the top end.

Meesho has rapidly expanded in India’s tier-2 and tier-3 cities, with 88% of orders coming from outside top metros. The platform now has 234 million annual users and over 700,000 sellers, each placing thousands of orders annually. The company connects small sellers with buyers, earning from logistics, advertising, and seller tools rather than stocking inventory.

Despite growth, the company remains loss-making, though it has generated some positive cash flow. High cash-on-delivery orders, which have lower success rates, and intense competition from bigger e-commerce players remain key risks.

Brokers have given a “Subscribe” recommendation for long-term investors, citing Meesho’s scale, growing user base, and competitive pricing. The IPO is seen as reasonably valued compared with listed peers.

Also Read: Emami shares rise 5% as brokers expect strong FY26 growth

Categories
Corporate

Emami shares rise 5% as brokers expect strong FY26 growth

Emami Ltd’s shares jumped about 5% on Thursday, rising from ₹514 to ₹538 on the NSE, after brokers turned optimistic about the company’s performance in the second half of fiscal 2026.

Brokers like Nuvama Institutional Equities said past slowdowns due to GST and product changes are over. With inventories back to normal, Emami is likely to see double-digit revenue growth. Its international business, which makes up around 18% of sales, is also expected to grow. Core product categories, which form 70% of sales, are forecasted to grow 5–7% annually, and Emami aims to increase direct-to-consumer sales from 6% today to 20% in the next 3–4 years.

Goldman Sachs has a ‘Buy’ rating with a target price of ₹825, expecting strong earnings over the next year, supported by stable demand, good winter season sales, and improved operations.

However, brokers warned of risks like competition in niche products, leadership changes, and seasonal demand fluctuations, which could affect earnings.

Investors see potential for gains if sales improve as expected, but should watch the coming quarters closely due to seasonal and market risks.

Also Read: ICICI Prudential AMC gets SEBI nod for $12 billion IPO

Categories
Beyond

Rupee slips to ₹89.43 against US dollar

The Indian rupee weakened by 7 paise on Thursday, trading at ₹89.43 against the US dollar in early market hours. This marks a continued period of volatility for the currency, which has been grappling with multiple domestic and global factors.

Rising crude oil prices are a major factor putting pressure on the rupee. India imports most of its oil needs, and higher global crude rates increase the demand for US dollars, pushing the local currency lower. Importers continue to buy dollars to pay for goods and raw materials, adding to the rupee’s downward pressure.

While foreign fund inflows into Indian markets have provided some support, they have not been strong enough to offset the impact of rising oil prices and steady import demand. Analysts suggest that the rupee is likely to trade in a narrow range over the near term, as there are no major catalysts expected to push it significantly higher.

Currency markets are also influenced by global developments, including the strength of the US dollar and international trade dynamics. Any sudden shifts in oil prices or dollar demand could create short-term fluctuations.

Investors and businesses dealing in foreign trade are advised to monitor the rupee closely. A weakening currency can affect import costs, inflation, and overseas investments, making careful planning essential.

Overall, the rupee’s movement reflects the delicate balance between domestic economic factors and global market trends, highlighting the challenges in maintaining currency stability in the current environment.

Also Read: Apple challenges $38 billion India antitrust penalty law

Categories
Corporate

JP Morgan predicts Nifty50 could hit 30,000 by 2026

Global investment bank JP Morgan has raised its target for India’s benchmark Nifty50 to 30,000 by the end of 2026, reflecting optimism about the country’s stock market. The bank expects corporate earnings to grow around 13–14% in 2026–27, supporting higher market valuations.

JP Morgan cites favourable fiscal and monetary policies, strong domestic investment flows, and improving economic fundamentals as key factors for the bullish outlook. Indian equities, while trading at a premium compared with other emerging markets, are now seen as more attractive as the valuation gap narrows.

The bank also notes that sectors such as financials, consumer goods, real estate, power, defence, and materials are likely to benefit most. Potential catalysts include supportive government policies, anticipated rate cuts, and stronger US–India trade ties, all of which could further boost corporate profits and investor sentiment.

With Nifty50 currently around 26,200, the projected rise to 30,000 implies a potential 15–20% gain over the next few years, though investors should expect normal market volatility along the way.

Also Read: Whirlpool shares fall 13% on ₹965 crore stake sale

Categories
Corporate

Tesla plans deeper India push with full EV ecosystem

Tesla is preparing to strengthen its India footprint by developing a full electric-vehicle ecosystem, including chargers, service facilities and customer support centres, to make EV ownership smoother for buyers.

After launching two imported versions of the Model Y earlier this year, the company has delivered just over 100 units so far. Industry sources say Tesla now wants to expand its network before scaling up sales. The plan includes installing home chargers, partnering with malls and hotels for public charging points, and setting up supercharger hubs in major cities.

The company is also looking at improving after-sales services, ensuring that customers have accessible maintenance and support options,  a key concern for EV buyers in India.

Tesla is yet to finalise plans for local manufacturing, but officials say building a strong ecosystem is its immediate priority. The company believes that better infrastructure can encourage more Indians to switch to electric cars, especially in large urban markets.

Tesla’s move comes as India pushes for faster EV adoption to cut pollution and reduce oil dependency. The company expects that a reliable charging network will help build confidence among potential buyers and boost long-term demand for its cars.

Also Read: Asian Paints to invest ₹340 crore in new UAE plant

Categories
1 Minute-Read

IMF shifts India to crawl-like regime

The IMF has reclassified India’s exchange-rate system as a “crawl-like arrangement,” replacing last year’s “stabilised” tag.

This change means the rupee is now allowed to move slowly within a small range instead of staying close to a fixed level. The shift comes after the rupee weakened and touched a record low of ₹89.49 per US dollar in November.

The IMF noted that the Reserve Bank of India has been intervening less in the forex market, allowing natural currency movements.

The Fund said this flexibility can help India handle global shocks better and still expects strong economic growth ahead.

Categories
Corporate

Asian Paints to invest ₹340 crore in new UAE plant

Asian Paints, India’s largest paint maker, is expanding its presence in the Middle East with a new manufacturing facility in the United Arab Emirates. Its UAE subsidiary, Berger Paints Emirates Ltd, will invest approximately ₹340 crore (AED 140 million) to set up the second plant in Abu Dhabi.

The new factory will be located in the Khalifa Economic Zones Abu Dhabi (KEZAD) and will cover about 100,000 square metres. It is expected to have an initial production capacity of 55,800 kilolitres per year, enabling the company to meet growing demand in the region efficiently.

This investment comes as part of Asian Paints’ broader strategy to strengthen its international footprint and enhance supply chain capabilities. By increasing manufacturing capacity in the UAE, the company aims to serve both local and regional markets better while reducing reliance on imports.

The move also reflects Asian Paints’ focus on catering to the Middle East’s expanding construction and real estate sector, which is driving demand for decorative and industrial paints. Analysts believe that this expansion will help the company consolidate its market share in the region and support long-term growth.

The UAE plant is expected to be operational within the next few years and will complement Asian Paints’ existing overseas operations, ensuring smoother logistics and faster delivery for customers. This step underscores the company’s commitment to global growth while maintaining a strong regional presence in high-demand markets.

Also Read: India’s $5 trillion goal delayed, growth strong

Categories
Corporate

Deloitte report in Canada faces AI citation controversy

Deloitte, the global consulting firm, is under scrutiny after a $1.6 million healthcare report it prepared for the Newfoundland and Labrador government was found to contain questionable references.

The 526-page Health Human Resources Plan, released in May 2025, was meant to guide government policy on healthcare staffing, virtual care, retention, and the pandemic’s impact on workers.

Investigations revealed multiple citations that appear to be fabricated, including references to academic papers that don’t exist. Some real researchers were incorrectly credited, and in some cases, fictitious co-authors were listed. One researcher, Gail Tomblin Murphy, called the mention of her work “false” and possibly AI-generated.

The provincial Department of Health has asked Deloitte to review and confirm all citations. Deloitte responded that while some citation corrections are needed, the overall recommendations and conclusions remain valid.

This is not the first time Deloitte has faced such issues. Earlier reports for other governments were also found to have fabricated references, raising concerns about relying on AI for research without proper human checks.

Also Read: Ravelcare SME IPO ₹24 crore, shares ₹123–₹130