Tag: AI

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Corporate

Canva buys two AI startups in expansion push

Canva is stepping up its push into artificial intelligence with the acquisition of two startups, Simtheory and Ortto, as it looks to expand beyond its core design business.

The move is part of a broader strategy to turn Canva into a more comprehensive platform that not only helps users create content but also manage and distribute it. While the company has not disclosed the financial details of the deals, the focus is clearly on strengthening its AI and marketing capabilities.

Simtheory brings tools that allow teams to build and deploy AI-powered assistants capable of handling complex tasks across workflows. These systems can help automate processes, making collaboration faster and more efficient.

Ortto, meanwhile, specialises in customer data and marketing automation. Its platform helps businesses run and track campaigns across multiple channels, including email, messaging, and apps, all from a single interface. By integrating these capabilities, Canva aims to offer users more control over how their content reaches audiences.

Both startups were founded by entrepreneurs Chris and Mike Sharkey, who will now join Canva and contribute to its growing AI and product teams.

The acquisitions reflect a larger shift in Canva’s direction. Once known primarily as a design tool for individuals and small businesses, the company is now positioning itself as a full “work platform” that combines creativity with automation and analytics.

This expansion comes at a time when artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping the tech industry. Companies are racing to build smarter tools that not only generate content but also help manage workflows and improve productivity.

Canva has been actively acquiring companies to stay competitive in this evolving space. The addition of Simtheory and Ortto is expected to strengthen its ability to serve businesses looking for integrated solutions rather than standalone tools.

Also Read: Anthropic delays new AI model over risks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Categories
Technology

AI enters the lab, transforming drug discovery

Artificial intelligence is beginning to transform the way scientists discover and develop new medicines. Researchers and pharmaceutical companies are now using AI tools to analyse large amounts of biological data and identify potential drug compounds much faster than traditional methods.

Developing a new drug has traditionally been a long and expensive process, often taking more than a decade and costing billions of dollars. Scientists must test thousands of chemical compounds before finding one that works safely in the human body. AI is helping shorten this early research stage by quickly analysing huge chemical databases and predicting which molecules could be effective against specific diseases.

New AI systems can study millions of chemical structures and protein targets in a short time, something that would take years using conventional laboratory screening. By identifying the most promising compounds early, researchers can focus their experiments on the best candidates and avoid unnecessary testing.

In some laboratories, AI is also being combined with robotics to create automated research environments. These “self-driving labs” can run experiments, study the results and plan the next set of tests without constant human intervention. This allows scientists to test more ideas quickly and explore complex chemical combinations that might otherwise be overlooked.

AI will not replace scientists but will act as a powerful tool to support their work. By handling massive datasets and complex calculations, AI allows researchers to focus more on designing experiments and understanding results.

Large pharmaceutical companies and biotechnology firms are investing heavily in AI technology to improve their research pipelines. The technology is being used not only to design new drug molecules but also to help identify disease targets and analyse clinical trial data.

Also Read: Jagsonpal Pharmaceuticals shares rise, board considers buyback

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1 Minute-Read

Mumbai founder says AI can slow some tasks

A Mumbai entrepreneur has sparked a debate about how artificial intelligence affects work. Mustafa Yusuf shared that some simple tasks that used to take 30 minutes now take two hours with AI.

At the same time, more complicated tasks that once took hours can now be done in about 30 minutes. He called this the “AI productivity paradox,” showing that AI doesn’t always save time.

Many people online agreed, saying AI’s usefulness depends on the type of work, speeding up some tasks but slowing down others when extra editing or corrections are needed.

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Leaders

Human skills will survive AI wave, states Sridhar Vembu

Sridhar Vembu, co-founder of Zoho, has weighed in on the growing debate around artificial intelligence and jobs, arguing that not all careers are at risk from automation.

In a recent public post, Vembu said the real concern about AI should not just be job displacement, but how people define their sense of worth. According to him, individuals who tie their identity solely to economic productivity may feel more threatened by technological change.

Rather than focusing on technical or high-paying roles, Vembu highlighted professions built around human connection and intrinsic motivation. He said caregiving,  including looking after children and the elderly,  is unlikely to be replaced by AI because it depends on empathy and emotional understanding. Teaching, he added, also requires mentorship and human engagement that machines cannot fully replicate.

Vembu also pointed to work rooted in tradition and community life. Small-scale farmers who cultivate land out of passion, forest conservation workers committed to environmental protection, and local priests who serve religious communities were among the examples he cited. Classical musicians and artists who continue practicing their craft regardless of commercial success were also included in his list of resilient professions.

His comments sparked discussion online. Some critics argued that even passion-driven fields require financial support and cannot exist entirely outside economic systems. Others agreed with his broader point that AI may struggle to replace roles grounded in care, culture and lived experience.

Vembu suggested that as AI increases productivity, societies may need to rethink how wealth and time are distributed. Instead of measuring success only by output, he said, greater value could be placed on activities that strengthen families, communities and cultural traditions.

Also Read: WPP to operate as unified company, says CEO Cindy Rose

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Corporate

Meta–AMD seal AI chip deal

Meta has signed a major long-term agreement with semiconductor firm AMD to supply advanced artificial intelligence (AI) chips for its growing data-centre operations, marking a significant shift in the social media giant’s hardware strategy. The deal is expected to reduce Meta’s heavy dependence on Nvidia, currently the dominant supplier of AI processors.

Under the partnership, AMD will provide its latest AI accelerators and supporting infrastructure, which will be used to train and run large-scale AI models across Meta’s platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp. The move comes as the company rapidly expands its AI capabilities for content recommendations, advertising, generative AI tools and its metaverse projects.

Meta has been investing billions of dollars in AI infrastructure, and chip costs have become one of its biggest expenses. By diversifying its suppliers, the company aims to improve efficiency and gain stronger bargaining power in a market where demand for high-performance AI hardware has surged.

For AMD, the agreement represents a major opportunity to challenge Nvidia’s dominance in the fast-growing AI chip sector. The company has been positioning its latest processors as a competitive alternative, focusing on performance, energy efficiency and open software ecosystems that allow customers greater flexibility.

The announcement comes at a time when investors are closely watching whether the massive spending on AI infrastructure will translate into long-term revenue growth.

The deal is expected to roll out over several years, with AMD’s chips gradually integrated into Meta’s global data-centre network. Both companies said the partnership would help accelerate innovation and support the next generation of AI-driven services.

Also Read: Paramount enters Warner Bros. deal race against Netflix

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Leaders

AI key to India’s sovereignty, says Jeet Adani

Artificial intelligence will redefine national sovereignty and India must build its own core infrastructure to stay competitive and secure, Jeet Adani said at the India AI Impact Summit 2026.

The Adani Group executive director stressed that control over energy, computing power and digital platforms will determine global leadership in the AI era. Depending on foreign systems for critical technologies, he warned, could expose the country to economic and strategic risks.

Highlighting the link between power and technology, he said AI runs on electricity and nations that produce reliable, clean energy will gain a major advantage. He called for large renewable-energy capacities to support data centres and high-performance computing within India.

He added that AI should first solve India’s development challenges, improving productivity, expanding financial inclusion and strengthening service delivery, rather than only mirroring global consumption models.

Adani said “AI sovereignty” does not mean isolation but ensuring that key digital infrastructure and data processing capabilities are located in the country. This would allow startups, researchers and industries to access affordable computing and accelerate innovation across sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, manufacturing and logistics.

Pointing to the group’s massive investment plans, he said the proposed green energy–driven AI ecosystem would combine renewable power with data infrastructure at scale and could become the foundation for a much larger technology network.

Also Read: Boeing secures 50-aircraft order from Vietnam Airlines

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Leaders

AI will transform science, medicine, states DeepMind CEO

Artificial intelligence is set to dramatically change the way science is conducted and how new medicines are discovered, but its benefits must be shared globally and developed responsibly, said Demis Hassabis, CEO of Google DeepMind.

Speaking at the AI Impact Summit in New Delhi, Hassabis described AI as a powerful tool that can significantly accelerate scientific research. He noted that advanced AI systems are no longer limited to analysing data but are increasingly capable of generating new ideas and helping scientists solve complex problems in areas such as biology, chemistry and physics.

He highlighted the growing role of AI in healthcare, particularly in understanding diseases and speeding up drug discovery. Processes that traditionally took many years can now be completed much faster with the help of AI models, raising the possibility of developing treatments more efficiently and at lower cost. This, he said, could improve access to life-saving medicines across the world.

Hassabis also pointed out that AI could help address some of the biggest global challenges, including climate change, energy sustainability and food security, by enabling faster innovation and deeper scientific insights.

At the same time, he cautioned that the rapid progress of AI brings important societal and ethical questions. Ensuring safety, fairness and equal access to the technology will require strong international collaboration. No single country or company, he said, can manage the impact of such a transformative technology alone.

He emphasised the need to make advanced AI tools available to researchers and institutions worldwide so that scientific progress is not limited to a few regions. Wider participation, he added, will lead to more inclusive innovation and better outcomes for humanity.

Also Read: Ashwini Vaishnaw opens WAVES Creators’ Corner at India Summit

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Beyond

AI and biologics set to transform India’s pharma Industry

India’s pharmaceutical industry is turning to artificial intelligence (AI) and biologic drugs to make medicine development faster, cheaper and more innovative.

Major companies are now using AI to study huge amounts of medical and scientific data. This helps them find new drug targets quickly, design better clinical trials and reduce the long trial-and-error process in research. As a result, the time and money needed to develop a new medicine can come down significantly. The move is important as Indian firms try to go beyond their traditional focus on low-cost generic medicines and enter the high-value innovation space.

At the same time, biologics and biosimilars are becoming a key growth area. These are complex medicines used to treat diseases such as cancer and autoimmune disorders and are in high demand globally. Indian companies are investing in this segment so they can capture a larger share of the global market while continuing to supply affordable generics.

Hyderabad is emerging as a major centre for this change. The city is seeing new investments in research facilities, global capability centres and AI-based healthcare technology. This is helping create skilled jobs and strengthening India’s position in life-sciences innovation.

Experts say AI can improve not only drug discovery but also manufacturing, supply chain planning and demand forecasting. This will make the industry more efficient and competitive worldwide.

However, some challenges remain. The sector needs more funding for research, faster regulatory approvals and a stronger system that rewards companies for developing new drugs. Industry leaders believe India must move from a low-cost model to an innovation-driven model to stay ahead globally.

Also Read: PM Modi says India ready to lead global AI era

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Beyond

AI jitters trigger global stock market selloff

In the United States, major indices closed lower. The S&P 500 dropped around 1.6%, while the tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 fell nearly 2%. Investors became worried that heavy spending on AI may not quickly translate into strong profits for companies, especially large technology firms.

The weakness in the US affected Asian markets the next day. The MSCI Asia Pacific Index slipped about 0.7%, with shares in Japan and South Korea among the biggest losers. Technology stocks were hit the hardest, as global investors reduced exposure to riskier assets.

Back in India, markets also reacted to global cues. The Sensex and the Nifty 50 saw notable declines, mainly due to selling in IT and tech-related stocks. Broader market sentiment remained weak as traders tracked international developments.

Apart from AI concerns, investors are also watching US economic signals closely. A strong jobs report has reduced expectations that the Federal Reserve will cut interest rates aggressively this year. Higher interest rates generally make investors more cautious, especially toward growth stocks.

Also Read: Rolls-Royce bets bigger on India after PM Modi meet

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1 Minute-Read

N Chandrasekaran leads TCS’ AI shift

Tata Sons chairman N. Chandrasekaran has stepped into a more active leadership role at Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) to drive its transition towards artificial intelligence.

Addressing employees in Dubai, he stressed that AI is reshaping the global technology landscape and warned that traditional IT service models face disruption. Chandrasekaran urged TCS to rethink its operating model, embed AI across all offerings, and focus strongly on reskilling talent.

He also highlighted the need for agility, innovation, and selective acquisitions to stay competitive. The push aims to position TCS as a leader in AI-driven digital transformation worldwide.