Riyadh Air Takes Off as World’s First AI-Native Airline

Riyadh Air and IBM have announced the launch of the world’s first AI-native airline, designed from the ground up to run entirely on AI-powered operations, transforming both guest and employee experiences.

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What this means

• AI-native airline: Riyadh Air’s entire operating model is built on AI from day one, avoiding legacy patchwork.
• IBM’s role: IBM Consulting is orchestrating the initiative using its watsonx Orchestrate platform, aligning 59 workstreams with 60+ partners including Adobe, Apple, FLYR, and Microsoft.
• Guest experience: AI will unify and personalize journeys from booking to in-flight services.
• Employee experience: AI-driven workflows will streamline operations and provide real-time insights.

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Strategic context

• Saudi Vision 2030: Riyadh Air is a flagship project to diversify the economy and build a global aviation hub.
• Digital-first approach: Built as a digitally native airline for agility and scalability.
• Global precedent: First declared fully AI-native airline, likely to reshape industry standards.

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Risks & challenges

• Data privacy & security: Safeguarding sensitive passenger and operational data.
• Operational resilience: Ensuring robustness if algorithms or data pipelines fail.
• Regulatory hurdles: Adapting compliance and safety frameworks for AI-driven operations.
• Customer trust: Addressing skepticism about AI handling critical travel aspects.

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Why it matters

• Efficiency gains: Optimizes scheduling, fuel, and maintenance to reduce costs.
• Personalization: Hyper-tailored offers, services, and real-time updates.
• Industry disruption: Pressures competitors to accelerate AI adoption.

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Riyadh Air’s partnership with IBM positions it as a trailblazer in aviation technology, redefining airline operations and passenger interaction.

India’s EV Market Turns Competitive: Chinese Automakers Claim 33% Share

Chinese-backed automakers now control about one-third of India’s electric car market, challenging Tata Motors’ dominance. Brands like JSW MG Motor, BYD, and Volvo (owned by China’s Geely) have rapidly expanded through new launches, dealership growth, and aggressive investments.

The report on Chinese brands capturing one‑third of India’s electric car market comes from data shared by the Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA).

FADA’s registration-based retail sales data confirms that JSW MG Motor, BYD, and Volvo collectively controlled 33.3% of India’s EV passenger car market in 2025, up from near-zero presence just a few years ago.  

Key market shifts

• Market share: Chinese-linked brands hold 33.3% of India’s EV passenger car market as of 2025.
• Growth rate: Sales surged 165% between January–October 2025, vs. overall EV market growth of 87%.
• Volume: Over 57,000 EVs sold by Chinese brands till October, versus ~101,000 by Indian players.
• Tata Motors impact: Tata’s lead, once ~85%, has eroded significantly.

Major players

• JSW MG Motor: ₹26,000 crore planned investment; 25 new EVs and hybrids by 2030.
• BYD: Exploring local manufacturing to cut costs and expand reach.
• Volvo (Geely-owned): Strengthening premium EV offerings in India.
• Future entrants: Stellantis to bring Leapmotor; Tesla preparing entry.

Competitive dynamics

• Technology edge: Advanced batteries, competitive pricing, faster product cycles.
• Consumer impact: Competition is accelerating tech upgrades and keeping prices in check.
• Indian incumbents: Tata and Mahindra face pressure to innovate and scale faster.

Risks and strategic considerations

• Geopolitical sensitivities: Reliance on Chinese-linked brands may raise policy and security concerns.
• Supply chain dependence: Local manufacturing could reduce imports but deepen footprint.
• Regulatory response: India may push stronger domestic EV incentives.
• Consumer trust: Pricing and tech are attractive; after-sales service and brand perception matter.

Big picture

• Domestic leaders: Tata, Mahindra.
• Chinese-backed challengers: BYD, MG, Volvo.
• Global entrants: Tesla, Stellantis, others.

This competition is expected to accelerate EV adoption, improve affordability, and reshape India’s auto industry over the next decade.

Here’s a clean data snapshot from FADA’s 2025 report on India’s EV passenger car market, showing how Chinese brands reached one‑third share.

FADA EV Market Data (Jan–Oct 2025)

Segment / Brand Group	EV Units Sold	Market Share	YoY Growth
Indian brands (Tata, Mahindra, others)	101,724	59.1%	~87%
Chinese-linked brands (BYD, MG, Volvo/Geely)	57,260	33.3%	~165%
Other global brands (Hyundai, Kia, BMW, Mercedes, etc.)	~13,000	7.6%	Moderate
Total EV passenger cars	~172,000	100%	~100%

Key Highlights

• Chinese brands now sell 1 in 3 EVs in India.
• Tata Motors’ share dropped from ~85% to ~59%.
• BYD & MG Motor drive growth with launches and local manufacturing plans.
• Volvo (Geely-owned) strengthens premium EV offerings.
• Chinese brands grew almost twice as fast as the overall EV market in 2025.

Strategic Implications

• Indian incumbents must accelerate innovation and scale to defend share.
• Heavy Chinese presence may trigger regulatory incentives for domestic EV makers.
• Buyers benefit from lower prices, faster tech cycles, and wider choice.

Sources: Federation of Automobile Dealers Association (FADA) data, as reported by Moneycontrol, India EV News, and Trak.in.

Piyush Goyal Strengthens Global Ties in Semiconductors, Carbon Capture and MedTech

Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal has held a series of high-level meetings with global industry leaders to deepen collaborations in semiconductors, carbon capture, and medtech—three sectors critical to India’s long-term economic and technological ambitions.

Key meetings and partners

• Linde plc: CEO Sanjiv Lamba met with Goyal to discuss opportunities in advanced manufacturing, decarbonisation, and carbon capture technologies.
• Linde’s strategic role: A global leader in industrial gases and clean energy solutions, positioned as a key partner to strengthen India’s industrial ecosystem while aligning with sustainability goals.
• Intuitive Surgical: Senior executives engaged with Goyal on expanding robotic-assisted surgery in India; globally led by CEO Gary Guthart.
• Medtech impact: Collaboration could accelerate India’s adoption of cutting-edge medical robotics and modernize healthcare delivery.

Strategic importance

• Semiconductors & self-reliance: Build a major hub for chip production, reduce import reliance, and strengthen supply chain resilience.
• Carbon capture & clean tech: Partnerships with Linde support climate commitments and industrial decarbonisation.
• Healthcare modernization: Robotic surgery systems can improve patient outcomes and expand access to advanced procedures.

Challenges ahead

• Semiconductor supply chains: Fabs require massive capital, skilled talent, and geopolitical stability.
• Carbon capture costs: Technologies remain expensive and energy-intensive; scalability is a key hurdle.
• Medtech adoption: Robotic systems are costly, needing infrastructure upgrades and specialized training.

India’s Vision 2047

These engagements underscore India’s broader goal of becoming a self-reliant developed nation by 2047. By strengthening ties in semiconductors, clean tech, and medtech, India is positioning itself as a global innovation hub while advancing sustainability and healthcare.

Global Crypto Market Lost $100 Billion in 24 Hrs: What’s next?

The global crypto market has just suffered a staggering $100 billion wipeout, sending shockwaves through investors and institutions alike.

Bitcoin slipped below the critical $90,000 mark, Ethereum dropped over 3%, and altcoins followed suit — raising urgent questions about whether this is a temporary shakeout or the start of a deeper downturn.

The crash in numbers

• Market cap decline: Total crypto market capitalization fell from $3.15 trillion to $3.05 trillion, erasing roughly $100 billion in value.
• Bitcoin breakdown: Bitcoin failed to hold the $94K–$95K range, plunging to $89,614.
• Ethereum and altcoins: Ethereum dropped 3.14% to $3,031, BNB fell to $884.76, XRP slid to $2.03, and Solana dropped nearly 3% to $132.81.
• Liquidations: In late November, over $2 billion in leveraged positions were liquidated within 24 hours, underscoring the fragility of sentiment.

Why it happened

• Leverage unwinding: Heavy margin trading triggered cascading liquidations once Bitcoin broke support.
• ETF outflows: Bitcoin ETFs saw $3.79 billion in redemptions last month, with BlackRock alone losing $2.47 billion.
• Extreme fear: The Crypto Fear & Greed Index plunged to 11, its lowest since the FTX collapse in 2022.
• Macro pressures: Global liquidity tightening and regulatory uncertainty continue to weigh on risk assets.

Recovery scenarios

Short-term bounce (relief rally)

• Oversold conditions: Extreme fear often tempts contrarian buyers.
• Support levels: If Bitcoin holds above $90K, a rebound toward $94K–$95K is possible.
• Catalysts: Short covering, easing macro fears, or slowing ETF outflows could spark a rally.

Prolonged downturn (bearish continuation)

• Institutional retreat: Persistent ETF outflows suggest big players are pulling back.
• Macro headwinds: Tight liquidity and looming regulation may keep risk appetite low.
• Risk scenario: A break below $88K could trigger another liquidation wave, dragging market cap toward $2.9 trillion.

The takeaway

This $100 billion wipeout highlights how fragile crypto’s bullish momentum really was.

With leveraged positions unwinding, ETF outflows accelerating, and fear at panic levels, the market stands at a crossroads.
If Bitcoin stabilizes above $90K, a relief rally could follow. But if it breaks lower, brace for a deeper correction.

The coming days will reveal whether this is a temporary shakeout or the start of a longer bearish phase — and all eyes are on institutional flows and regulatory signals to decide the market’s fate.

MAHE & DST Launch India’s First Self-Financed MIDAS HUB for Medical Innovation

Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE), an Institution of Eminence Deemed to be University in collaboration with the Department of Science and Technology (DST), Government of India, launched the Medical Instruments, Devices and Allied Services (MIDAS) DST–MAHE HUB on Wednesday 5, 2025 at Manipal Campus, Karnataka. This is the first facility of its kind in a self-financed university.

Inaugurating the DST-MAHE HUB in the MAHE Manipal campus, Dr. Praveen Roy, Head of Scientific Divisions Technology, Translation, and Innovation (TTI) Division, Department of Science & Technology, Government of India, highlighted the critical importance of Translational innovation, which plays a critical role in strengthening India’s scientific ecosystem. He said, “We remain committed to supporting all activities of the MIDAS HUB. The DST–MAHE HUB is uniquely positioned, as MAHE’s multidisciplinary foundation enables seamless integration across diverse domains. This initiative represents a paradigm shift in our approach to research and innovation, and the Government of India will extend its full support to ensure its success.”

He also commended MAHE for its strong research ecosystem, which continues to advance impactful scientific progress for the society.

MIDAS DST–MAHE HUB Unveiled in MAHE Manipal

Dr. Praveen Roy, Scientist G, Department of Science & Technology, along with the Pro Chancellor and the Vice Chancellor of MAHE, releasing the MIDAS Annual Report during the inaugural event.

Addressing the occasion, Dr. H. S. Ballal, Pro Chancellor, MAHE, highlighted MAHE’s pivotal role in advancing collaborative, coordinated research and innovation. He emphasized, “the institution’s commitment to strengthening partnerships across academia, industry, and government, positioning MIDAS DST-MAHE HUB as a driving force for impactful scientific progress and societal benefit.”

Speaking at the event Lt. Gen. (Dr.) M. D. Venkatesh, VSM (Retd), Vice Chancellor, MAHE, expressively spoke about “the HUB’s pivotal role in nurturing high-impact research collaborations and cultivating future scientific leaders. He also appreciated the efforts put in by the team in establishing an excellent centre in the form of MIDAS HUB.”

The ceremony brought together distinguished leaders from academia, industry, and government. Delivering the welcome address Dr. G. Arun Maiya, Principal Coordinator of MIDAS HUB, presented an overview of HUB’s progress in medical device product development. Dr. Lazar Mathew, Senior Advisor, MIDAS HUB, unveiled the HUB logo and explained its philosophy, built around the theme “a project for a product.” The event was supported by MAHE’s key innovation and research entities, including the Directorate of Research, Manipal Universal Technology Business Incubator, Manipal GOK Bioincubator, Innovation Centre, and CAIF.

During the event, MAHE launched the Advanced Certificate Program in Medical Device Technology, Innovation and Leadership and released the MIDAS annual report. The HUB also introduced its industry–academia policy, service flyers, and signed multiple MoUs to foster long-term partnerships. Market-ready prototypes, including Laser Shoe, Mbilimeter, Armable Mini, WeCare, FluroAura, RevoCord, Wearable Electrolarynx, and Adrenaline Autoinjector—were showcased, reinforcing the HUB’s focus on impactful, deployable innovations.

The inauguration highlighted MAHE’s commitment to accelerating innovation in medical technology, strengthening industry–academia collaborations, and supporting translational research. MIDAS HUB aims to serve the entire West Coast innovation corridor, from Goa to Trivandrum, through partnerships with IIT Dharwad, IIT Palakkad, NITK Surathkal, Kannur University, Mahatma Gandhi University, BITS Goa, and leading industry players, including BPL, Philips, InBody, and Sparsh Technologies.