customer data

Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky defended the company's use of Chinese AI models, stating US lawmakers misunderstand open-source systems. He clarified that Airbnb does not share user data with Chinese firms, primarily utilizing open-source models, including those from the US. This defense comes amid congressional concerns over data security and potential national security risks.

Vodafone Idea (Vi) has launched new flexible international roaming packs for postpaid users, offering 7, 14, and 21-day options to match travel durations. These plans provide unlimited voice and data in 40+ destinations and limited benefits in over 120 countries, ensuring seamless global connectivity with built-in bill shock protection. Activation is easy via the Vi App.

Bill Gates' hands-on approach at his daughter's startup highlights a critical leadership lesson: understanding real user interactions is paramount for hyper-growth, not just abstract metrics. By directly engaging with customer service, leaders gain unfiltered insights into product flaws and service gaps, preventing costly churn and ensuring strategies align with authentic consumer needs, not hypothetical ones.

Airtel has launched Priority Postpaid, leveraging 5G slicing for uninterrupted network performance, especially during peak times. This new service ensures a stable and dependable connection for professionals and families. Available to all postpaid users, it offers various plans with benefits like unlimited data, cloud storage, and popular streaming subscriptions, enhancing user experience across different needs.

Google and Blackstone are joining forces with a 5 billion dollar venture. This new company will build AI data centers. It aims to provide 500 megawatts of power by 2027. Customers will get access to Google's powerful TPUs. This offers more choices for running AI tasks. The venture combines Google's AI technology with Blackstone's infrastructure expertise.

Artificial intelligence was expected to reduce customer service jobs, especially overseas. However, reports show these jobs are growing in countries like the Philippines and India. Economists suggest AI is making customer support cheaper and faster, leading to increased demand. This trend contradicts earlier predictions of AI replacing many human workers in various industries.

Amazon's Alexa+ has launched a new feature allowing users to generate custom podcast episodes on any subject. Powered by leading news organizations, this AI tool provides on-demand audio lessons. Users simply request a topic, and Alexa creates a personalized episode. This innovation offers a new way to consume information, fitting seamlessly into daily routines for learning and entertainment.

Companies often chase numbers for hyper-growth, overlooking a critical step. Airbnb's early success stemmed from understanding users one by one, not just data. This intimate approach built trust and loyalty. Focusing on individual experiences creates sustainable growth. This customer-centric model is key for brand representation and long-term success in any industry.

Global professional services networks are shifting recruitment focus. The Big Four firms now seek more AI specialists than corporate auditors. This trend reflects significant investment in automated tools and advising clients on AI transitions. Technical roles like data scientists and machine learning engineers are in high demand. This change restructures traditional business models, automating entry-level tasks and driving tech-heavy hiring.

A proposed US bill could pause new AI data center construction. This legislation aims for broader AI oversight, environmental protections, and labor standards. Tech leaders like Elon Musk and Garry Tan express concerns. They argue the bill might hinder job creation and America's global AI standing. Communities also voice opposition due to rising electricity costs and infrastructure strain.

The Department of Justice has subpoenaed Google, Apple, and Amazon for data on over 100,000 users of EZ Lynk's Auto Agent app. This action is part of a lawsuit alleging EZ Lynk sold "defeat devices" to disable vehicle emissions controls. Privacy advocates are concerned the broad requests exceed the case's needs and could impact user data protections.

Google plans a massive $190 billion investment in AI infrastructure, a six-fold increase from 2022, signaling a strong push into custom silicon with its new TPU 8th generation. This strategic move aims to reduce reliance on third-party chip suppliers like Nvidia, enhancing both training and inference capabilities for its AI models and services.

Britain's beloved fish and chips have become a costly indulgence, with prices nearly doubling in seven years. Soaring cod and haddock costs, fueled by global conflicts and rising energy prices, are forcing chippies to consider cheaper alternatives. Some shop owners are even installing self-service tills to shield staff from customer queries about the steep price hikes.

State-run oil companies assure uninterrupted fuel and LPG supplies nationwide despite Middle East tensions. Adequate stocks are confirmed, with no system shortages. Companies urge consumers to avoid panic buying, citing temporary pressure at select outlets due to demand shifts and seasonal factors. India remains well-supplied with petroleum products.

Elon Musk stated Delta Airlines rejected Starlink's satellite internet, claiming the airline aimed to make the service "painful, difficult and expensive" for customers. Musk emphasized Starlink's mandate for effortless, portal-free WiFi, contrasting it with Delta's approach. The article also explores whether Delta's decision will lead to customer loss.

Mid-career professionals in India are increasingly shifting to product management as it sits at the nexus of technology, business, and customer needs, offering strategic influence, growth, and innovation opportunities amid the rapid expansion of digital, tech-driven industries.

Andrej Karpathy, OpenAI co-founder and Tesla's former AI head, has officially joined Anthropic's pre-training team. The renowned AI researcher will lead a new group leveraging Claude to accelerate pre-training research, reporting to head of pre-training Nick Joseph. Known for coining "vibe coding" and founding Eureka Labs, Karpathy's hire signals Anthropic's strategy to compete with OpenAI and Google through AI-assisted frontier model research.

Improved Infrastructure, GST Changes Shift Trade From Mumbai

AWS CEO Matt Garman isn't worried about AI replacing him, stating the real threat comes from competitors who master the technology. He believes AI is transforming, not eliminating, developer roles, shifting focus to system architecture and problem-solving. Despite layoffs, Amazon continues to hire software developers, emphasizing adaptability in the evolving tech landscape.

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan has openly admitted past mistakes, saying that the company's previous reporting structure left engineers disconnected from the CEO under Pat Gelsinger. Tan has now made every engineer report directly to him, simplified the roadmap and pulled back former Intel veterans to fix the data center slide. He also flagged improving Intel 18A yields and confirmed 14A volume production in 2029, matching TSMC's A14.

Intel CEO Lip-Bu Tan has issued a blunt ultimatum to his engineers: deliver chips that work on the first tape-out, or face the sack. Speaking at JP Morgan's tech conference, Tan said A0 silicon must go straight to production, B0 is tolerated, anything beyond gets you fired. The Intel CEO, who also told CNBC's Jim Cramer he scrapped reporting silos, is rewriting the chipmaker's design culture to chase TSMC.

At Google I/O 2026, CEO Sundar Pichai announced the company's massive AI transition, processing 3.2 quadrillion tokens monthly and reaching 900 million users for its Gemini app. Google now boasts 13 products with over 1 billion users each, and five core products, including Search and YouTube, surpass 3 billion users, highlighting a decade of AI-first strategy.

ClickUp CEO Zeb Evans announced a 22% workforce reduction, framing it as a proactive restructuring for a "100x org" driven by AI. The company is introducing $1 million salary bands for employees who significantly impact AI systems, emphasizing a shift towards rewarding outsized contributions rather than cost-cutting.