AI investment hits $800 billion, India emerges as key applications hub

AI investment hits 0 billion, India emerges as key applications hub

AI investment hits $800 billion, India emerges as key applications hub

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 8, 2026 | Technology

Global artificial intelligence (AI) investment reached $800 billion in 2025, with venture capital funding nearly doubling to $226 billion, according to SenseAI Ventures’ State of AI Report 2026, signalling a shift from experimentation to large-scale commercial deployment.

What is driving the surge in AI investments?

The report noted that 79 per cent of global AI capital was concentrated in mega-rounds of over $100 million, highlighting a market driven by high-conviction bets backed by visible enterprise demand.

“AI today is first and foremost a gold rush. Capital of every stripe — venture capital, private equity, debt and balance sheets — is converging at unprecedented scale,” said Rahul Agarwalla, managing partner, SenseAI Ventures.

He added that enterprise adoption and monetisation are accelerating, making AI an economic imperative rather than a technology trend.

Where is value being created in AI?

The report highlights a clear shift from model-building and infrastructure towards deployment, where AI is embedded into products, workflows and revenue-generating use cases.

It said the application layer is emerging as the primary source of commercial value, as enterprises increasingly integrate AI into real-world operations.

What is India’s role in the AI ecosystem?

The study, based on analysis of over 1,263 Indian AI startups, suggests India is emerging as a key hub for AI applications.

About 75 per cent of Indian AI startups are focused on applications, while nearly 80 per cent of funding flows into this segment. A majority of these startups are reaching the revenue stage early.

“This is not a capability gap; it is a strategic position aligned with India’s comparative advantage and where the fastest commercial outcomes in AI are emerging,” the report said.

What are the key trends shaping AI growth?

The report outlined five major trends:

Capital is increasingly concentrated in fewer, larger deals

India is emerging as a hub for application-led AI innovation

AI is scaling faster, with smaller teams generating higher revenue

Infrastructure spending continues to rise alongside adoption

AI is expanding into sectors such as defence, research and automation

It also highlighted growing competition for talent and a shift towards more advanced reasoning systems and efficient deployment models.

What will define the next phase of AI?

“The advantage in AI is shifting from those who build the most powerful models to those who deploy them effectively at scale,” said Raja Gopalakrishnan, general partner, SenseAI Ventures.

He added that Indian startups, with their focus on capital efficiency and enterprise use cases, are well positioned for this transition.

As model capabilities improve and access costs decline, the next wave of AI leaders is expected to be defined by their ability to translate technological progress into real-world impact at scale.

Key insights from the report:

● Global AI investment reached $800 billion in 2025; venture funding at $226 billion

● 75 per cent of Indian AI startups are building at the application layer

● AI funding in India grew 277 per cent; average deal size up 2.6x

● 60 per cent of startups are post-revenue at seed stage

● Enterprise AI contracts grew from $39,000 to $530,000 in two years

● AI-native companies are scaling faster with leaner teams and higher revenue efficiency

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Tech Wrap April 7: AI Edge Eloquent app, Netflix Playground, Google Photos

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 7, 2026 | Technology

Google has introduced a new AI-powered dictation app named Google AI Edge Eloquent. The app focuses on offline speech-to-text and is currently available on iOS. According to Google, it converts speech into text in real time and can function offline once models are downloaded, using Google’s Gemma AI for speech recognition. With this launch, Google is entering the expanding space of AI transcription tools that convert spoken words into clear, usable text.

Netflix has introduced a new app called Netflix Playground, designed for children aged eight and under. According to Netflix, the app goes beyond standard video streaming by combining games with familiar characters. It is included in the existing Netflix subscription and offers an ad-free experience without in-app purchases. The company is expanding its gaming efforts by creating a dedicated space where kids can interact with content based on popular shows. It is currently available on iPhone and iPad in select markets and will roll out globally on April 28.

Google has introduced two new features for Android users in Google Photos. According to Google, the update includes an AI-powered photo editing tool called “AI Enhance” along with video playback speed controls. The AI Enhance feature can adjust lighting, contrast and colours with a single tap, while the video option allows users to change how fast or slow a clip plays. With these additions, Google aims to simplify everyday photo editing and video viewing within the app.

Google has launched a special edition of its Pixel 10a smartphone, introducing a new colour called Isai Blue. The new variant marks 10 years of Pixel phones and is currently exclusive to Japan. Along with the new colour, the company has also added custom user interface elements to the software to match the theme.

Apple’s iPhone has appeared in one of Nasa’s most closely followed missions. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is onboard the Orion spacecraft for the ongoing Artemis II lunar mission, marking one of the first instances of a mainstream consumer smartphone being cleared for extended use in space. According to a report by TheNew York Times, several iPhone units were seen floating inside the spacecraft cabin during the mission, with astronauts using them to capture photos and videos. The devices were provided to the crew by Nasa during their pre-flight quarantine phase and were approved specifically for imaging purposes.

Apple’s next-generation iPhone Air is expected to launch this year, earlier than previously anticipated. According to a report by 9To5Mac, the iPhone Air 2 is now reportedly set to arrive alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models and the anticipated foldable iPhone. Earlier reports suggested that the iPhone Air 2 could launch with the base iPhone 18, which is expected in the first half of 2027, as part of Apple’s staggered launch plan.

Apple has been encountering setbacks in the engineering test phase of its first foldable iPhone, which could lead to delays in its mass production and product shipment schedule, Nikkei Asia reported on Monday, citing sources. Engineering development issues could delay the first shipments of the foldable iPhones by months in a worst-case scenario, according to the Nikkei report.

Rivals OpenAI, Anthropic PBC, and Alphabet Inc.’s Google have begun working together to try to clamp down on Chinese competitors extracting results from cutting-edge US artificial intelligence models to gain an edge in the global AI race. The firms are sharing information through the Frontier Model Forum, an industry nonprofit that the three tech companies founded with Microsoft Corp. in 2023, to detect so-called adversarial distillation attempts that violate their terms of service, according to people familiar with the matter.

Global chip design and manufacturing major Intel on Tuesday elevated its India managing director and vice president, Santhosh Viswanathan, to head the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) region. In the new role, Viswanathan will lead Intel’s overall business, brand, and customer engagements across both the Asia Pacific and Japan regions, the company said.

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Google launches Pixel 10a Isai Blue special edition in Japan: What's new

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 7, 2026 | Technology

Google launched the Pixel 10a in February this year, powered by the Google Tensor G4 chip and a 5,100mAh battery, similar to the Pixel 9a. The existing colours of Pixel 10a include Lavender, Berry, Fog and Obsidian.

Pixel 10a Isai Blue: What’s new

The special-edition Pixel 10a comes in a new shade called Isai Blue. The name is based on the Japanese word “Isai”, which refers to individuality and uniqueness. According to Google’s official page, this version has been created in collaboration with Heralbony, a creative group that works with artists with disabilities and focuses on expressing diverse perspectives through art and sound. Google said that the idea behind this edition is to reflect individuality and different forms of expression.

Compared to the regular colour options, Isai Blue features a deeper blue tone and carries a more artistic theme. The device will start shipping on May 20, and it will be available only in Japan.

Custom software and design elements

Google has also added exclusive software customisations to match the theme. The Japan-only edition comes with special Material You designs, including wallpapers and icon styles based on artwork from artists like Shigaku Mizukami, Midori Kudo and Kaoru Iga.

Users can choose from nine different design styles. Once selected, app icons and system colours adjust automatically to match the chosen artwork, giving the phone a consistent look.

The special edition also includes some extra accessories:

A sticker pack with Pixel-themed letters and designs

A blue bumper case that matches the Isai Blue finish

Google Pixel 10a: Specifications

Display: 6.3-inch Actua display, peak brightness of 3,000 nits

Processor: Google Tensor G4

RAM: 8GB

Storage: 256GB

OS: Android 16

Rear camera: 48MP + 13MP ultra-wide

Battery: 5,100mAh

Charging: 30W wired, 10W wireless

Durability: Corning Gorilla Glass 7i, IP68 rated

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iPhone 17 Pro Max on Nasa's Artemis II mission: How it made it to space

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 7, 2026 | Technology

Apple’s iPhone has made an unusual appearance in one of Nasa’s most closely watched missions. The iPhone 17 Pro Max is onboard the Orion spacecraft for the ongoing Artemis II lunar mission, marking one of the first times a mainstream consumer smartphone has been cleared for extended use in space.

According to a report by The New York Times, multiple iPhone units were spotted floating inside the spacecraft cabin during the mission, with astronauts using them to capture photos and videos. The devices were issued to the crew by Nasa during their pre-flight quarantine phase and were approved specifically for imaging purposes.

How the iPhone made it to space

The presence of an iPhone on a lunar mission is not as straightforward as it might seem. Space hardware typically goes through a long and rigorous certification process before being cleared for flight. As noted in The New York Times report, this process involves multiple stages, including hazard identification, mitigation planning, and validation.

One of the key challenges is that devices behave very differently in microgravity. Materials such as glass can become hazardous if shattered, and even small objects can float freely inside a sealed spacecraft. To address this, devices like smartphones need to be secured using methods such as Velcro or specially designed mounts.

Tobias Niederwieser, an assistant research professor at BioServe Space Technologies, explained that every piece of hardware must be evaluated for safety in a “perfectly sealed capsule” where even minor risks can become significant. The approval process ensures that devices do not pose any threat to the crew or onboard systems.

Why Nasa chose a consumer device

The iPhones onboard Artemis II are not being used as replacements for existing camera systems. According to The New York Times, the devices are being used primarily to capture photos and videos, alongside dedicated equipment already present inside the Orion spacecraft.

The smartphones are also heavily restricted in how they function during the mission. NASA said the iPhones cannot connect to the internet or use Bluetooth, limiting their role strictly to imaging.

NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said the idea behind allowing smartphones was to let astronauts “capture special moments for their families and share inspiring images and video with the world.”

At the same time, traditional imaging equipment remains in use. The crew is also carrying professional cameras, such as the Nikon D5 and GoPro Hero 11, designed for more controlled and specialised photography tasks.

Consumer tech in space: Not entirely new

While this is one of the first instances of an iPhone being fully certified for extended use on a lunar mission, smartphones have appeared in space before. The New York Times report noted that private missions, including SpaceX’s Inspiration4 in 2021, have used iPhones for photography.

Earlier, Nasa’s final Space Shuttle mission in 2011 carried iPhone 4 units as part of an experiment. However, these were limited in scope compared to the current deployment.

What sets Artemis II apart is the level of integration and approval. While Apple said that it was not involved in the certification process, the mission marks the first time an iPhone has been formally cleared for sustained use beyond low Earth orbit.

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iPhone Air 2 may launch this year with no major design changes: Report

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 7, 2026 | Technology

Apple’s next-generation iPhone Air is expected to launch this year, sooner than previously expected. According to a report by 9To5Mac, the iPhone Air 2 is now reportedly set to launch alongside the iPhone 18 Pro models and the anticipated foldable iPhone model.

Previously, it was reported that the iPhone Air 2 could launch alongside the base iPhone 18, which is expected to launch in the first half of 2027, as part of Apple’s new staggered launch schedule.

iPhone Air 2: Launch timeline still unclear

There have been conflicting reports about when the iPhone Air model will launch. According to some previous reports, it was claimed that the device could launch in 2027, possibly allowing Apple to add new hardware like a second rear camera. However, the 9To5Mac report suggests that the iPhone Air 2 is on track for a fall launch, alongside the iPhone 18 Pro line and iPhone Fold.

According to the report, the anticipated iPhone Air 2 may not bring major design changes. Instead, it is expected to be a routine upgrade with internal improvements. These upgrades could include a newer chipset, possibly the A20 Pro, but no major changes in camera setup or overall design.

The first-generation iPhone Air was launched alongside the iPhone 17 series in 2025 and is Apple’s thinnest iPhone to date, measuring around 5.6mm in thickness — slimmer than the 6.9mm profile of the iPhone 6.

As per the previous report, the iPhone Air 2 could be lighter than the current iPhone Air, while offering a larger battery. It may also be priced lower than the first-generation model.

iPhone 18 series

Apple is expected to split the launch of the upcoming iPhone 18 series. Based on previous reports, the standard iPhone 18 may launch in early 2027, while the Pro models could arrive later this year alongside the anticipated iPhone Fold.

Apple’s iPhone 18 Pro lineup is expected to bring incremental design changes, with reports suggesting a new “Deep Red” colour option alongside existing finishes. This shift is said to be enabled by Apple’s move to an all-aluminium unibody design, which offers greater flexibility compared to earlier materials.

The iPhone 18 Pro models are said to feature Apple’s next-generation A20 Pro chip built on a 2nm process, along with a possible in-house C2 modem for improved efficiency. Camera upgrades could include a variable-aperture main sensor, although its availability remains uncertain. The iPhone 18 Pro models may retain the existing pill-shaped Dynamic Island cutout design that houses the TrueDepth camera system and Face ID sensors, but with a smaller overall footprint.

On the other hand, the standard iPhone 18 may not see major design updates. It is expected to keep the same look as its predecessor, with only minor changes to its dimensions. The 9To5Mac report mentioned that the smaller Dynamic Island cutout will be limited to the Pro models and that the base iPhone model will continue with the same design.

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Intel elevates India region MD Santhosh Viswanathan as head of APAC, Japan

by Hansraj Agrawal | Apr 7, 2026 | Technology

Global chip design and manufacturing major Intel on Tuesday elevated its India managing director and vice president, Santhosh Viswanathan, to head the Asia Pacific and Japan (APJ) region.

In the new role, Viswanathan will lead Intel’s overall business, brand, and customer engagements across both the Asia Pacific and Japan regions, the company said.

“APJ is one of the most diverse and fast-growing regions in the world, and its strength lies in its people, partners, and technology ecosystems,” Viswanathan said.

A company veteran of over two decades, Viswanathan has also worked for Intel in leadership positions across the Southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand markets.

The company had announced him first as the managing director for the India market in July 2022, and later as the vice president and managing director in October 2024, after India was carved out as a separate region within the company. Early in his career with the company, Viswanathan had also served as the global director of operations in the United States.

What has been Viswanathan’s role in Intel India?

In his role as the managing director and vice president for the India region, Viswanathan has been crucial in spearheading Intel’s efforts to improve artificial intelligence (AI) education in the country’s schools by collaborating with 6000 schools.

Under his leadership, Intel has also established more than 275 Intel Unnati AI Labs at several colleges across the country. These AI labs help students focus and learn about critical areas such as generative AI, data centres, and security.

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