Tata Power, LSE Launch AI-Powered Energy Insights Lab to Drive India’s Clean Energy Transition

• The Energy Insights and Innovation Lab (EIIL) will leverage data, behavioural science, and AI for smarter power solutions.
• The MoU sets roadmap for demand-side management, and consumer-centric innovation

Tata Power, one of India’s largest vertically integrated power companies, has launched the Energy Insights & Innovation Lab (EIIL) today at its Mumbai based headquarters. This strategic research initiative is designed to harness cutting-edge research, data and experimentation to support India’s clean energy transition while improving the quality, reliability, and affordability of electricity services for consumers across India.

The EIIL is a collaboration with the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), and the International Growth Centre (IGC), a global research centre based at LSE. The Lab aims to address pressing challenges in India’s power sector. These range from managing peak electricity demand to enabling deeper renewable energy integration in a way that is reliable, affordable, and aligned with India’s net-zero goals.

The Lab was inaugurated by Dr Praveer Sinha, CEO & MD, Tata Power; Prof. Robin Burgess , Professor of Economics and Director of IGC and EEE Research Program, LSE; Dr. Jonathan Leape, Executive Director, IGC in the august presence of HM Harjinder Kang, Trade Commissioner for South Asia and British Deputy High Commissioner for Western India. Also, present at the ceremony, Dr. Chetan Ghate, Professor, ISI and IGC ISGH.

The inaugural ceremony also marked the signing of an MoU between Tata Power, LSE and IGC to co-develop scalable solutions for the power sector through evidence-based approaches and global best practices.

System-level modelling + consumer-level insight

The Lab will leverage consumer behavioural science, data analytics, and energy systems modelling to test practical solutions at scale. It will focus on applied pilots that use smart meter and IoT data to improve demand-side management and grid resilience.

The initiative will explore how advanced analytics, and behavioural insights can help shift or smooth peak electricity demand in urban households, reducing stress on local networks while maintaining consumer comfort.

The partnership aims to expand the Lab into a full-scale innovation hub with enhanced funding, institutional partnerships, and a broader mandate - including support in tariff designing for regulatory approvals, consumer flexibility, distributed renewables, and energy equity.

India’s electricity demand is surging, driven by industrial growth, lifestyle requirements (cooling and heating requirements), digital infrastructure like data centres, electric mobility et al. In such a scenario, efficiency and system flexibility are increasingly critical to lower procurement costs and facilitate renewable energy integration. The EIIL is designed precisely for this moment. It brings together consumer behavioural science, data analytics, and systems modelling, to test real-world interventions, measure what works, and help utilities and governments turn those insights into scalable and sustainable energy solutions and strategies.

New UK–India research partnership - how it works

EIIL will have a dedicated analyst team co-located at Tata Power’s Mumbai headquarters, working closely with LSE and IGC researchers. The collaboration reflects a model of UK–India partnership where global academic expertise is integrated with on-the-ground industrial capability to solve shared development challenges. LSE and IGC bring international research expertise, while Tata Power contributes operational capabilities, a diverse customer base, and a strong commitment to innovation and sustainability.

Coinbase Wins India’s Nod for $2.45B CoinDCX Stake

India’s antitrust regulator has officially approved Coinbase’s acquisition of a minority stake in CoinDCX, valuing the Indian crypto exchange at $2.45 billion. This marks a major regulatory milestone for Coinbase as it rebuilds its presence in India after exiting in 2023 due to compliance and payment challenges.

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Key Highlights

• Approval Authority: The Competition Commission of India (CCI) cleared Coinbase’s minority stake acquisition in DCX Global Ltd, the parent company of CoinDCX.
• Valuation: CoinDCX confirmed the deal values the exchange at $2.45 billion, underscoring its position as one of India’s largest digital asset platforms.
• Strategic Intent: Coinbase aims to expand operations in India and the Middle East, strengthening its long-term partnership with CoinDCX.
• Background: Coinbase had exited India in 2023 after regulatory and payment gateway hurdles but is now re-entering with a more cautious, regulator-approved approach.
• History of Investment: Coinbase has been an investor in CoinDCX since 2020, participating in earlier funding rounds. This latest move extends its commitment.

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Why This Matters

• For Coinbase:
  • Re-establishes credibility in India’s tightly regulated crypto market.
  • Provides a foothold in Asia’s fastest-growing digital asset ecosystem.
  • Signals resilience after setbacks, including a $44 million security breach earlier in 2025.
• For CoinDCX:
  • Boosts legitimacy with global backing.
  • Enhances ability to scale operations and attract new users.
  • Positions itself as a bridge between Indian retail investors and global crypto liquidity.

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Risks & Challenges

• Regulatory Uncertainty: India’s crypto regulations remain fluid, with taxation and compliance burdens still heavy.
• Market Volatility: Crypto valuations can swing sharply, making long-term stability uncertain.
• Trust Factor: Coinbase must rebuild trust after its abrupt 2023 exit and recent security breach.

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Comparison Snapshot

Aspect	Coinbase (Global)	CoinDCX (India)
Market Reach	US, EU, Asia	India, Middle East
Valuation Impact	Strengthens Asia presence	$2.45B valuation confirmed
Regulatory Status	Approved by CCI	Gains legitimacy via global partner
Strategic Goal	Re-entry into India	Expansion with global capital

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Bottom Line: Coinbase’s approved minority stake in CoinDCX is more than just an investment—it’s a strategic re-entry into India’s crypto market, with potential ripple effects across Asia. The move strengthens CoinDCX’s valuation and credibility, while giving Coinbase a second chance to establish itself in one of the world’s most dynamic digital asset markets.

GIGABYTE Showcases GIMATE: India’s First AI-Driven Gaming Laptop Experience

GIGABYTE today officially highlighted GIMATE, its AI-driven system assistant built into the AORUS Master 16 laptop, marking the brand’s first formal introduction of the intelligent performance engine that has been integrated into the device since its release. With this announcement, GIGABYTE brings wider awareness to the AI-native capabilities already present in the AORUS Master 16, positioning it as one of India’s first gaming laptops with an adaptive AI performance layer.

Although the AORUS Master 16 was launched earlier, its AI system—GIMATE—had not been formally showcased to the Indian market. As AI becomes the defining layer of modern computing, GIGABYTE is now shining the spotlight on how GIMATE transforms the GIGABYTE laptop into a smart, self-optimizing system that continuously adapts to gameplay, creation and multitasking scenarios.

GIMATE analyses user behaviour, workload patterns, gameplay intensity and thermal conditions in real time. Instead of relying on manual tuning, the AI dynamically adjusts system performance to deliver smoother frame rates, reduced stutter and consistent responsiveness. This makes the AORUS laptop one of the most adaptive notebooks available for gamers and creators.

The AI engine also enhances cooling efficiency by studying thermal behaviour and adjusting fan output with precision. During intensive gaming, it boosts cooling for stable performance; during lighter tasks, it minimizes noise — ensuring a comfortable everyday Laptop experience.

Power mode switching is fully automated as well. GIMATE intelligently transitions between Eco, Balanced and Turbo modes based on activity, ensuring the Aorus notebook always stays in the optimal power state for gaming, editing, streaming or productivity.

Creators benefit significantly from GIMATE’s resource management. Applications like Adobe Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve and Blender operate more smoothly thanks to intelligent workload distribution, better multitasking and optimized GPU/CPU allocation — turning the AORUS notebook into a dependable AI-assisted creative machine.

“GIMATE has been a part of the AORUS Master 16 since its launch, but this is the first time we’re officially showcasing its capabilities to the Indian audience,” said Supriya Mankame, Deputy General Manager of GIGABYTE India. “The AORUS Master 16 is more than powerful hardware — it’s an intelligent GIGABYTE laptop that learns and adapts to every user.”

By formally introducing GIMATE to India, GIGABYTE reinforces its commitment to bringing AI-powered performance to its lineup of AORUS laptops , ensuring users experience devices that are not only high-performance, but perceptive and adaptive.

IN-SPACe Invites Proposals to Establish ‘Antariksh Prayogshala’ (Space Labs) Across Indian Academic Institutions

The Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre (IN-SPACe) has rolled out a Request for Proposal (RfP) to establish Antariksh Prayogshala (Space Labs) at select academic institutions across India, as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen the country’s space technology ecosystem and build future-ready talent.

‘Antariksh Prayogshala’ is a first-of-its-kind initiative aimed at creating state-of-the-art space laboratories within Indian academic institutions. These labs will provide hands on training and exposure to students pursuing space tech courses in academic institutes spread across the country. This initiative is intended to enable meaningful industry–academia collaboration, and support India’s long-term vision of becoming a leading global space economy.

Under the scheme, up to seven academic institutions will be selected in a phased manner from different zones across the country. To ensure balanced regional representation one lab is proposed in each zone. These labs will also be available to NGEs for utilization in that zone. IN-SPACe will provide financial support of up to 75 percent of the total project cost, with a cap of ₹5 crore per institution, to be released on a milestone-linked basis.

The selection process will be carried out in two stages. Institutions will first be screened based on eligibility criteria outlined in the RfP. Shortlisted applicants will then be evaluated and ranked by an Empowered Committee (EC), following which final selections will be made on a zone-wise basis.

Dr. Vinod Kumar, Director, Promotion Directorate, IN-SPACe, added, “Antariksh Prayogshala is designed to translate academic knowledge into deployable capability. By creating shared spaces for students, researchers, and industry, these labs will enable applied research, early-stage innovation, and skill development aligned with real industry needs. This is a practical step towards building depth, scale, and sustainability in India’s space ecosystem.”

The Antariksh Prayogshala initiative is expected to deliver multiple outcomes, including structured practical training for students, deeper engagement between academia and the space industry, and the creation of a robust pipeline of skilled professionals capable of contributing to India’s expanding private space sector.

Detailed information on the RfP, including eligibility criteria, zonal distribution, and application timelines, is available on the IN-SPACe website. https://www.inspace.gov.in/inspace

China’s Manhattan Project for AI Chips — Explained Simply

China has secretly developed a prototype of an extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography machine—the world’s most advanced chipmaking tool—marking a major milestone in its bid to rival Western dominance in AI chips. The project, dubbed China’s “Manhattan Project,” could rewrite the global semiconductor race if it succeeds in scaling production by 2028–2030.

What’s Happening

China has secretly built a prototype of the world’s most advanced chipmaking machine — the extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography tool. Until now, only one company in the world (ASML in the Netherlands) could make these machines, and the West tightly controlled exports to China.

Why It Matters

• AI & Military Power: These chips are the brains behind artificial intelligence, advanced smartphones, and modern weapons.
• Global Tech Race: If China can mass‑produce them, it would break Western dominance in semiconductors.
• National Strategy: Beijing sees this as a “Manhattan Project” moment — a crash program to achieve tech independence.

The Timeline

• 2025: Prototype completed in Shenzhen, now being tested.
• 2028–2030: China aims to produce working chips domestically at scale.

The Stakes

• For the West: Losing its chokehold on chip technology could weaken sanctions and export controls.
• For China: Success means self‑reliance in the most strategic technology of the century.
• For Everyone Else: The global chip supply chain — already fragile — could be reshaped dramatically.

The Big Picture

Think of EUV machines as the “printing presses” for the most advanced chips. Right now, the West owns the presses. China has built its own prototype. If it works, the balance of power in AI, defense, and tech could shift.

Comparison - West Vs China

Aspect	West (ASML, US, Allies)	China’s Manhattan Project
Key Technology	EUV lithography monopolized by ASML	Prototype EUV machine reverse-engineered
Timeline	Established dominance since 2019	Prototype completed 2025, chips targeted by 2028–2030
Strategic Edge	Export controls, supply chain choke points	Domestic self-reliance, bypassing controls
Risks	Dependence on single supplier (ASML)	Technical hurdles, scaling production
Global Impact	Maintains Western lead in AI/military chips	Potential disruption of global chip hierarchy

If China succeeds, it would erode Western dominance in advanced semiconductors, giving Beijing leverage in Al, defense, and global tech standards. But if scaling fails, the West's chokepoints remain intact. Either way, this project signals that the semiconductor race is entering a new phase-one where reverse engineering and state-backed mega-projects challenge decades of Western monopoly.