Author: Staff Writer

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Technology

Netflix buys Ben Affleck’s AI startup

Netflix has acquired InterPositive, an artificial intelligence startup founded by Hollywood actor and filmmaker Ben Affleck, as the streaming giant looks to expand the use of advanced technology in film and television production.

The company confirmed that the team behind InterPositive will now work with Netflix to develop AI tools aimed at helping filmmakers during different stages of production. Financial details of the deal have not been made public.

InterPositive was launched in 2022 by Affleck with the goal of creating AI systems that assist filmmakers in solving common technical challenges. The startup focuses on tools that can help fix missing shots, adjust lighting or backgrounds, and improve visual continuity in scenes while keeping the director’s creative vision intact.

Following the acquisition, Affleck will join Netflix as a senior adviser. In this role, he will work with the company to explore how artificial intelligence can be used responsibly in filmmaking without replacing human creativity.

Netflix said the technology developed by InterPositive is designed to support artists rather than take control away from them. The company believes AI can help filmmakers save time on technical work, allowing them to focus more on storytelling and creative decisions.

Affleck said the idea behind InterPositive came from his years of experience in the film industry. He noticed that while artificial intelligence was advancing quickly, many of the tools were not designed with filmmakers’ real needs in mind. His goal was to build technology that understands how movies are made and helps improve the process without changing the artistic intent.

The deal comes at a time when the entertainment industry is debating the role of artificial intelligence in film and television. Many actors, writers and filmmakers have expressed concerns about AI replacing jobs or using creative material without proper credit.

Also Read: Rupee gains 55 paise to close at 91.6 per dollar

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Beyond

Rupee gains 55 paise to close at 91.6 per dollar

Rupee strengthened against the US dollar on Thursday, recovering from recent record lows after likely intervention by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The domestic currency appreciated by 55 paise to close at 91.6 per dollar, supported by dollar sales in the foreign exchange market.

During the trading session, the rupee touched an intraday high of around 91.41, as improved market sentiment and central bank action helped stabilize the currency. The rupee had earlier come under pressure after falling to a record low earlier this week amid global uncertainty and rising crude oil prices.

Currency traders said state-run banks were seen selling dollars in the market, a move widely believed to be on behalf of the RBI. Such intervention typically aims to reduce volatility and prevent excessive weakening of the domestic currency.

The rupee had weakened significantly in recent days due to global risk-off sentiment and escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. These developments pushed investors toward safe-haven assets and strengthened the US dollar, putting pressure on emerging market currencies including the rupee.

Another key factor weighing on the currency has been the rise in crude oil prices. India is one of the world’s largest oil importers, and higher crude prices increase the country’s demand for dollars to pay for energy imports, which can weaken the rupee.

Forex analysts said the sustainability of the rupee’s recovery will largely depend on how global oil prices move in the coming days. If crude prices remain high, the currency could face renewed depreciation pressure despite RBI intervention.

The central bank’s support, however, helped restore some stability to the currency market and limited sharp fluctuations during the session. Improved sentiment in domestic financial markets also contributed to the rupee’s rebound.

Also Read: Gold falls ₹10 to ₹1,62,870, Silver slips to ₹2,84,900

Categories
Corporate

Sensex drops over 450 points, Nifty slips below 24,650

Stock markets opened sharply lower on Friday, mirroring a heavy sell-off in global markets and growing concerns over geopolitical tensions in West Asia. The BSE Sensex dropped over 450 points, while the Nifty50 fell below 24,650 in early trade, reflecting widespread risk-off sentiment among investors.

Banking and engineering stocks were among the hardest hit. ICICI Bank fell from ₹970 to ₹945, Larsen & Toubro (L&T) dropped from ₹3,520 to ₹3,450, and IndiGo declined from ₹2,320 to ₹2,260. In contrast, IT and defensive stocks managed modest gains, providing some support to the broader market.

Global cues were negative, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average witnessing a steep fall overnight. Analysts said that escalating tensions in West Asia, combined with rising crude prices. Brent crude crossed $85 per barrel, added to market nervousness. Precious metals, including gold, strengthened as investors sought safe-haven assets, while the rupee weakened slightly against the US dollar.

Sector-wise, energy and financials were major draggers, whereas select IT and FMCG stocks helped cushion losses. Experts noted that the market’s short-term trajectory will remain sensitive to oil price movements, developments in West Asia, and global equity trends.

Despite the sharp decline, analysts suggested that investors monitor intraday swings closely, as bargain hunting in fundamentally strong stocks could provide opportunities.

Categories
Corporate

Broadcom sees AI chip sales topping $100 billion

Broadcom expects the growing demand for artificial intelligence infrastructure to significantly boost its business in the coming years. The semiconductor company believes its AI chip sales could exceed $100 billion by 2027 as technology firms continue investing heavily in AI systems.

Speaking after the company’s latest earnings announcement, CEO Hock Tan said Broadcom is seeing strong demand for custom-designed chips used in large-scale AI data centres. According to Tan, the company now has clear visibility into how the AI market is expanding and expects its chip business to benefit from this trend.

A key factor behind this growth is the increasing need for specialised processors that can train and run complex AI models. Major technology companies are rapidly building AI infrastructure to support generative AI tools, cloud services and advanced data processing.

Broadcom has carved out a strong position in this market by working closely with large technology firms to develop custom AI chips tailored to their specific requirements. These chips are designed to handle heavy computing workloads required by modern AI systems.

Companies such as Alphabet, Microsoft, Amazon and Meta Platforms are investing billions of dollars to expand their AI capabilities. Their spending on AI-related infrastructure, including chips, servers and networking equipment, is expected to reach hundreds of billions of dollars in the coming years.

This surge in investment is already reflected in Broadcom’s financial performance. The company reported revenue of about $19.3 billion in its latest quarter, representing strong growth compared with the previous year. Revenue from AI-related products alone more than doubled during the period.

The company forecast revenue of about $22 billion for the next quarter, with AI chips expected to account for a significant share of that total.

Also Read: Jio Platforms CEO bets on AI tokens for telecom’s future

Categories
Corporate

Sensex jumps 900 points, Nifty above 24,750

Indian stock markets rebounded sharply on Thursday, March 5, 2026, after several days of volatility triggered by geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. The BSE Sensex climbed around 900 points, while the Nifty 50 rose 285 points and stood above 24,750, erasing part of the losses seen earlier in the week.

Investors found some relief as global markets stabilised and fears of a prolonged conflict involving the US, Israel, and Iran showed signs of easing. This improved sentiment helped domestic benchmarks recover from earlier dips.

Key gainers included Tata Motors, Reliance Industries and HDFC, which led the upside in the indices. On the other hand, ITC, Nestle India and Titan Company faced selling pressure, slightly weighing down the overall market.

Earlier in the week, Indian equities fell sharply due to rising crude oil prices and heightened geopolitical uncertainty. A spike in oil prices raised concerns about inflation, a higher import bill, and potential pressure on the Indian rupee. On March 4, the Sensex had tumbled over 1,100 points, while the Nifty fell below the 24,500 mark, hitting multi-month lows.

Thursday’s recovery was broad-based, with gains seen across major sectors including technology, metals, and consumer goods. Global markets also provided support, as Wall Street and Asian indices posted gains amid hopes of diplomatic engagement and easing tensions in West Asia.

The Indian rupee also strengthened slightly, recovering from recent lows against the US dollar, reflecting improved risk sentiment among investors.

Markets are likely to continue reacting to geopolitical developments and fluctuations in crude oil prices, which remain key factors influencing investor sentiment.

Also Read: Intel reconsiders strategy for 18A chip technology

Categories
Leaders

Jio Platforms CEO bets on AI tokens for telecom’s future

Jio Platforms is positioning itself for a new phase in the telecom industry, where artificial intelligence rather than basic connectivity will drive growth. Speaking at Mobile World Congress 2026 in Barcelona, Group CEO Mathew Oommen said the technology landscape is undergoing a major transformation as AI becomes central to digital services.

Oommen said the telecom industry is moving beyond simply connecting people and devices. Instead, networks will increasingly function as intelligent digital infrastructure capable of powering AI applications across sectors. According to him, this shift represents a structural change in how technology platforms operate and generate value.

To prepare for this transition, Jio is working on what it describes as an “Intelligence Grid.” The idea is to combine connectivity, computing power and artificial intelligence into a single ecosystem that can support large-scale AI services. This infrastructure, the company believes, will help businesses, developers and consumers access AI capabilities more easily.

A key concept in Jio’s strategy is the use of “AI tokens.” These tokens represent the units used by AI systems to process data and generate responses. Oommen explained that in the emerging AI economy, tokens could function much like voice minutes and mobile data once did in telecom, as a way to measure and price usage.

Jio plans to make AI tokens significantly cheaper, following a strategy similar to the one it used when it disrupted India’s telecom market by drastically lowering the cost of mobile data. By reducing the cost of AI computing, the company hopes to accelerate adoption of AI technologies across industries.

Also Read: Intel reconsiders strategy for 18A chip technology

Categories
Technology

Intel reconsiders strategy for 18A chip technology

Intel is reconsidering the future of its 18A chip manufacturing technology, one of the company’s most advanced semiconductor processes, as it reviews how the technology should be deployed.

CEO Lip-Bu Tan is leading the reassessment, which could result in the company opening the process to external clients rather than keeping it mainly for its own chip designs.

Intel Chief Financial Officer David Zinsner said the company is revisiting earlier plans that limited the use of the 18A technology largely to internal production.

The potential shift could support Intel’s growing foundry business, which focuses on manufacturing chips for other companies. Intel has been investing heavily in this segment as it seeks to compete with global contract chipmakers such as Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company and Samsung Electronics.

The 18A process is expected to deliver major improvements in chip performance and power efficiency. It represents a key step in Intel’s roadmap to regain a leading position in semiconductor manufacturing.

According to Zinsner, the company has recently achieved better production yields for the 18A process, although the technology is still in the early stages of scaling up for larger manufacturing volumes.

At the same time, Intel is promoting its next-generation 14A process technology to potential customers as part of its efforts to expand contract chip manufacturing services.

Since becoming CEO in 2025, Tan has been working to restructure the company and strengthen its position in advanced semiconductor production and artificial intelligence technologies.

Intel’s strategic review of the 18A process highlights the company’s effort to balance internal chip development with its ambitions to build a competitive foundry business that serves external customers.

Also Read: Qatar LNG halt raises gas supply concerns

 

Categories
Beyond

India VIX surges 50% In two days

India’s market volatility indicator, India VIX, has jumped more than 50% in the last two trading sessions, signalling growing nervousness among investors.

The volatility index rose to around 21, its highest level in nearly ten months. The sharp rise comes as global markets react to increasing tensions in the Middle East, particularly the conflict involving the United States and Iran.

Often referred to as the market’s “fear gauge”, India VIX reflects how much volatility traders expect in the Nifty 50 over the next 30 days. When the index rises sharply, it usually means investors expect bigger swings in stock prices and are becoming more cautious.

The latest spike came as geopolitical tensions pushed global oil prices higher and created uncertainty in financial markets. Concerns about a possible disruption in crude oil supply have made investors more careful about placing bets in equities.

As a result, Indian stock markets have seen increased fluctuations in recent days. Market participants say investors are closely watching global developments before making major investment decisions.

Experts note that sudden rises in the volatility index often happen during periods of uncertainty, especially when geopolitical tensions or economic risks increase. Similar spikes were seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and other major global events.

The current surge in India VIX suggests that investors expect markets to remain volatile in the near term. Many traders are reducing risk and shifting some investments to safer assets such as gold.

Analysts say the future direction of the market will largely depend on how the geopolitical situation unfolds. If tensions ease and global markets stabilise, volatility may decline.

However, if the conflict intensifies or oil prices continue to rise sharply, stock markets could experience further ups and downs.

Also Read: Morgan Stanley to cut 2,500 jobs globally

 

Categories
Beyond

Rupee rebounds, trades between ₹91.08–₹91.57

Indian rupee recovered in early trade on Thursday after hitting a record low in the previous session. Rupee traded in a range of ₹91.08 (high) and ₹91.57 (low) against the US dollar in the interbank foreign exchange market. During the session, the rupee strengthened by around 50–55 paise to about ₹91.54–₹91.57 per dollar, reversing part of the sharp losses seen a day earlier.

The rebound follows a steep fall in the previous trading session when the rupee slipped to an all-time low of above ₹92 per US dollar. The decline was mainly driven by rising global crude oil prices and geopolitical tensions in the Middle East involving the United States, Israel and Iran.

Market participants said the RBI likely intervened in the currency market by selling US dollars through state-run banks to curb the sharp depreciation. Such intervention helped stabilise the rupee and restore some confidence among traders.

A modest recovery in domestic equity markets and improved sentiment across Asian currencies also provided support to the rupee during the session. However, analysts said the recovery remains fragile due to ongoing global uncertainties.

One of the major concerns for the rupee is the surge in crude oil prices. India imports a large portion of its oil requirements, and higher crude prices increase the country’s import bill and demand for dollars, putting pressure on the local currency.

In addition, foreign fund outflows and global risk aversion have contributed to volatility in the forex market. During periods of geopolitical tension, investors typically shift funds into the US dollar, which is considered a safe-haven asset.

Also Read: Gold hits ₹1.63 lakh, silver touches ₹2.74 lakh

Categories
Beyond

Gold hits ₹1.63 lakh, silver touches ₹2.74 lakh

Gold and silver prices surged in early trade on Thursday as rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East boosted demand for safe-haven assets. Investors turned to precious metals amid uncertainty surrounding the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran, which has heightened volatility in global financial markets.

On the Multi Commodity Exchange (MCX), gold futures for April delivery traded between a low of ₹1,61,525 and a high of ₹1,63,142 per 10 grams during the session. The metal opened higher at around ₹1,62,750 per 10 grams, extending gains from the previous trading day.

Silver prices also saw strong buying interest. MCX silver futures for May delivery moved between ₹2,65,466 and ₹2,74,251 per kilogram in early trade, reflecting a sharp rally as investors increased their exposure to bullion.

Analysts said the rise in gold and silver prices was largely driven by safe-haven demand amid escalating geopolitical tensions and uncertainty in global markets. A softer US dollar and volatility in equity markets also supported the upward momentum in precious metals.

In the physical market, gold prices across major Indian cities remained elevated. 24-carat gold traded around ₹1.66-₹1.67 lakh per 10 grams, while 22-carat gold hovered above ₹1.53 lakh per 10 grams, depending on city-wise taxes and jewellers’ margins.

Also Read: Sensex up 500+ points, Nifty above 24,650