Sat, Dec 14, 2024

Latest AI Developments: Key Announcements and Partnerships

Technology
Deep Tech
Sarah   J

Sarah J

Posted on Sat, Dec 14, 2024

2 min read

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The artificial intelligence landscape has seen significant advancements and collaborations in the past two months. Here's a roundup of the most important developments:


Google Introduces Gemini 2.0

Google has unveiled Gemini 2.0, its latest AI model designed for the "agentic era." This new version brings enhanced multimodal capabilities, including native image and audio output, as well as native tool use. Gemini 2.0 aims to enable the creation of more advanced AI agents, bringing us closer to the vision of a universal assistant.


Key features of Gemini 2.0 include:

- Improved multimodal understanding

- Advanced reasoning capabilities

- Integration with Google Search and other Google products

- New Deep Research feature for complex topic exploration


IBM and AWS Expand Partnership for Responsible AI

IBM and AWS have announced an expansion of their existing partnership to promote responsible AI adoption. The collaboration focuses on security, governance, and accessibility of AI technologies. Notable developments include:


- Availability of IBM Granite models on Amazon Bedrock and SageMaker Jumpstart

- Integration of IBM watsonx governance with Amazon SageMaker

- Launch of IBM Guardium AI Security on AWS Marketplace


TSMC Reports Strong Growth Driven by AI Demand

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) has reported a 34% increase in sales for November 2024, reflecting sustained growth from AI-related demand. This growth underscores the continued expansion of the AI hardware market, with TSMC being a key supplier for companies like Apple and Nvidia.


Partnership on AI Forum Addresses Emerging AI Challenges

The Partnership on AI held its Annual Partner Forum, bringing together global thought leaders and innovators to explore the future of AI. The forum focused on:


- Socio-technical problem solving

- The emergence of agentic AI

- Ethical AI development and governance challenges


UK and Qatar Launch Joint AI Research Commission

The UK and Qatar have initiated a collaborative project to boost artificial intelligence cooperation. This joint study, led by Queen Mary University of London and Hamad bin Khalifa University, aims to:


- Establish a roadmap for UK-Qatar collaboration on AI

- Explore ecosystem development, policy, regulation, and security

- Enhance international engagement in AI research and innovation


Canada Establishes AI Safety Institute

Canada has launched the Canadian Artificial Intelligence Safety Institute (CAISI) to address AI risks and promote responsible development. With an initial budget of $50 million over five years, CAISI will:


- Conduct applied and investigator-led research

- Collaborate with leading AI research hubs

- Advance safety-focused AI solutions


Ongoing Developments in AGI Research

While AI companies continue to push towards Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), researchers emphasize that current large language models have not yet achieved human-level intelligence. The field is exploring alternative AI architectures and drawing insights from neuroscience to propel the next breakthroughs in AI capabilities.

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Wed, Jul 30, 2025

US-India’s Game-Changing Satellite Launch: Unlocking Earth’s Hidden Secrets

A new radar satellite developed by the United States and India is scheduled to launch on Wednesday from India’s southeastern coast. Named NISAR, which stands for NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar, the spacecraft aims to monitor subtle changes in Earth’s land and ice surfaces. The mission is designed to help scientists predict natural and human-caused hazards, such as earthquakes, landslides, and infrastructure damage.The pickup truck-sized satellite will lift off at 5:40 p.m. local time from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre, carried by an Indian Space Research Organisation Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle rocket. Orbiting at an altitude of 464 miles, NISAR will use a 12-meter dish to transmit microwaves and capture their echoes from Earth’s surface. These signals, processed by computers, will create high-resolution images capable of detecting surface movements as small as one centimeter.NISAR operates on two radar frequencies: L-band and S-band. The L-band is suited for monitoring taller vegetation like trees, while the S-band provides precise readings of shorter plants, such as bushes. This dual-frequency system allows the satellite to track changes in forests, glaciers, sea ice, and critical infrastructure, including dams and bridges. It can also identify areas prone to seismic activity, offering insights into fault lines and volcanic regions.The project is a collaboration between NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and ISRO. Each agency built components independently before integrating and testing the spacecraft in Bengaluru, India. The mission has been described as a significant step in U.S.-India cooperation, with both nations emphasizing its scientific and diplomatic value.Scientists anticipate NISAR’s data will enhance understanding of Earth’s surface dynamics. In regions like the Himalayas, where large earthquakes have occurred, the satellite’s measurements could improve hazard assessments. In well-monitored areas like California, it will allow researchers to focus on specific fault zones. The satellite’s ability to operate day and night and penetrate clouds ensures consistent data collection.NISAR will scan nearly all of Earth’s land and ice surfaces twice every 12 days, providing a steady stream of information. This data is expected to support disaster preparedness and infrastructure monitoring worldwide. The launch marks a milestone in space-based Earth observation and international partnerships.Join Startup Europe India Network - a verified platform connecting Indian and European business and product leaders to accelerate growth. Apply to become a member www.startupeuropeindia.net
Wed, Jul 30, 2025
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Temasek Nets 10-Fold Gain with S$8.2 Billion Stake Sale in Schneider Electric India

Temasek Holdings, Singapore’s state investment company, has sold its 35 percent stake in Schneider Electric India Pvt Ltd (SEIPL), an Indian joint venture with French multinational Schneider Electric, for 5.5 billion euros (S$8.2 billion) in cash, marking a tenfold return on its initial investment. The deal, announced on Wednesday, transfers full ownership of the joint venture to Schneider Electric, strengthening the French company’s strategic focus on India as a key growth market and global hub.Temasek acquired the 35 percent stake in SEIPL for 530 million euros in 2020, when Schneider Electric merged its Indian low-voltage and industrial automation product unit with the electrical and automation operations of Larsen & Toubro Ltd. The joint venture, established in 2018, has since grown into Schneider’s third-largest market by revenue, generating 1.8 billion euros in statutory revenue in 2024, with total India sales, including exports, reaching 2.5 billion euros across Schneider’s subsidiaries.Schneider Electric, a global leader in energy management and automation, emphasized that full ownership of SEIPL will enhance its decision-making speed and agility in India, a critical hub in its multi-hub global strategy. The company operates 31 factories and 31 distribution centers in India, positioning the country as a cornerstone for its research, development, and supply chain operations, particularly for the Asia-Pacific and emerging markets. Schneider projects double-digit compound annual growth in SEIPL’s organic sales in the coming years and plans to scale its Indian operations by 2.5 to 3 times.“This transaction represents the logical next step in Schneider Electric’s strategic investment focus on India as both an attractive domestic growth market and one of the key hubs in its multi-hub strategy,” Schneider Electric stated in a press release. Olivier Blum, the company’s CEO, underscored India’s role, noting, “India is one of the key focus markets of Schneider Electric for the years to come.”The deal, subject to regulatory approval from India’s antitrust regulator, the Competition Commission of India, is expected to close in the coming quarters. It follows earlier reports in July 2025 that Schneider was in talks to acquire Temasek’s stake for approximately US$1 billion, which would have valued the joint venture at US$5 billion, including debt. The final transaction price of 5.5 billion euros reflects a significantly higher valuation, underscoring the venture’s growth and India’s rising importance in global markets.Temasek’s exit aligns with its broader investment strategy in India, where dealmaking activity is surging. Mergers and acquisitions in India reached US$31 billion in 2025, a 16 percent increase from the previous year, according to Bloomberg data. Temasek has been active in the region, recently investing US$1 billion in Indian snacks maker Haldiram and increasing its stake in Italian luxury group Ermenegildo Zegna to 10 percent. Chia Song Hwee, Temasek’s Deputy CEO, highlighted the success of the Schneider partnership, stating, “We have been privileged to journey alongside Schneider Electric India and look forward to seeing them grow as a leading franchise in India.”The sale reflects growing investor confidence in India’s economic potential, driven by its status as the world’s most populous nation and government initiatives promoting domestic manufacturing. Schneider Electric’s deepened commitment to India includes plans to manufacture 90 percent of its products locally and expand its research and development capabilities, further solidifying the country’s role in its global operations.The transaction marks a significant milestone for both companies, with Temasek securing a substantial return and Schneider Electric positioning itself to capitalize on India’s rapid economic growth and industrial transformation.Sources: The Business Times International, The Hindu BusinessLine, Business Standard, News18, NDTV ProfitJoin Startup Europe India Network - a verified platform connecting Indian and European business and product leaders to accelerate growth.
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Thu, Jul 24, 2025

UK and India seal Free Trade Agreement Signed in London

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has signed a free trade deal with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in a multi-billion pound export boost.The UK-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA), signed in mid-2025, is a major trade deal expected to significantly deepen economic ties between the two nations. After over three years of negotiations, the deal aims to boost bilateral trade by around £25.5 billion annually by 2040 and add roughly £4.8 billion each year to the UK’s GDP.Key elements include substantial tariff cuts:For UK exports to India, tariffs on most goods fall from about 15% to just 3%. This benefits sectors like alcoholic beverages (whisky tariffs drop immediately from 150% to 75%, then to 40% over 10 years), automotive (tariffs on cars drop from up to 110% to 10% under quotas starting with internal combustion engine vehicles and transitioning to electric and hybrids), cosmetics, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing.For Indian exports to the UK, 99% of goods will have duty-free access. This opens up markets for textiles, footwear, clothing, seafood, jewelry, electronics, and certain vehicles. The UK is eliminating or reducing tariffs significantly to enhance Indian competitiveness in the British market.Beyond goods, the deal breaks new ground in services and professional mobility:Mutual recognition of professional qualifications in fields like accountancy, law, and architecture makes it easier for individuals from both countries to work cross-border.Indian professionals working temporarily in the UK gain up to a three-year exemption from double National Insurance contributions if covered by India’s social security scheme (and similarly for UK employees temporarily in India), cutting costs for businesses and workers.UK firms get access to bid on Indian federal government contracts worth about £38 billion annually, especially in clean energy and infrastructure.Economically, the deal is predicted to create over 2,000 jobs in the UK and stimulate an additional £6 billion in investment, especially in technology and automotive sectors. It also locks in UK ownership caps for Indian insurance and banking firms up to 74%, ensuring fair treatment for British financial services companies in India.Some criticisms remain. The UK imports a higher share of Indian goods duty-free (99%) compared to UK goods entering India (about The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in 2025, is a landmark deal expected to boost bilateral trade by £25.5 billion annually by 2040 and add about £4.8 billion per year to the UK economy.The agreement slashes tariffs dramatically:UK exports to India will see average tariffs drop from 15% to 3%. Whisky tariffs fall from 150% to 75% immediately, then to 40% over 10 years. Car tariffs reduce from up to 110% to 10% under quotas, covering internal combustion engines and transitioning to electric and hybrid vehicles. Other beneficiaries include cosmetics, medical technology, and advanced manufacturing.Indian exports to the UK enjoy duty-free access on 99% of goods, especially textiles, footwear, jewelry, electronics, clothing, seafood, and certain vehicles.Beyond goods, the deal opens new doors in services and mobility:Professional qualifications in sectors like law, architecture, and accountancy will be mutually recognized, making temporary work across borders easier.Indian workers in the UK get a three-year exemption from double National Insurance payments if covered by India’s social security, with a reciprocal arrangement for UK workers in India.UK firms can bid for Indian government contracts worth around £38 billion annually, notably in clean energy and infrastructure.Economically, the FTA is predicted to create more than 2,000 jobs in the UK and attract £6 billion in investments, especially in technology and automotive. It also locks in UK investments in Indian insurance and banking sectors up to 74%.Critics point out that while 99% of Indian goods enter the UK duty-free, only about 85% of UK goods will gain duty-free access in India. Also, the deal does not alter UK immigration policies, including visa rules beyond professional mobility and social security arrangements.The agreement still needs ratification by both countries and is expected to come fully into effect by 2026, allowing businesses and professionals time to prepare for new opportunities.Read more: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c307ggj492voJoin the UK-EU-India Tech and Science Expansion Network www.startupeuropeindia.net
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