New Delhi, July 4 -- There have been multiple developments this week on the tech front. From Google's Veo 3 launch in India to HCLTech-OpenAI partnership, here is a list of the most important updates for a quick catch-up:
HCLTech-OpenAI partner for enterprise AI deployment
HCLTech has announced a multi-year partnership with OpenAI to support the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in enterprise environments. The collaboration will focus on integrating OpenAI's models into HCLTech's AI platforms and services.
As part of the agreement, HCLTech will offer OpenAI's technologies, such as Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) and ChatGPT Enterprise, to its clients alongside its own AI tools. These include platforms like AI Force, AI Foundry, and various industry-specific AI systems. The combined tools are aimed at helping organisations deploy GenAI at scale.
Additionally, this week, HCLTech and one of Europe's main energy providers Equinor, extended their digital collaboration. The new phase of their partnership will focus on advancing Equinor's digital transformation across several areas of its IT operations. Under the agreement, HCLTech will work with Equinor to support cloud migration and improve the standardisation of services across its operations. The collaboration will also aim to strengthen Equinor's cybersecurity measures and network performance.
LTTS to set up software hub for Thyssenkrupp Steering
Thyssenkrupp Steering, a company known for developing steering systems, has partnered with L&T Technology Services (LTTS) to set up a new software development centre in Pune, India.
The collaboration aims to enhance the development of software for advanced steering technologies. LTTS will establish and operate the centre, which will focus on creating safety-related software for modern vehicle systems.
Also, Commercial vehicle manufacturer Traton Group has chosen LTTS as its strategic engineering partner, this week. Under this partnership, LTTS' Mobility segment will support Traton to build a unified product-development platform that delivers scalable and sustainable mobility solutions worldwide.
Esri India to invest Rs.150 cr in GIS-AI competency centre
Esri India Technologies Pvt. Ltd., a provider of Geographic Information Systems (GIS), on Tuesday, announced the setting up of a GIS and AI Competency Centre at a new facility located in Noida, in which it plans to invest over Rs.150 crore in the next five years.
As part of this investment initiative, Esri India will augment its team of AI specialists, data scientists, GIS experts, and professionals from various industry domains. This expanding pool of specialised talent will concentrate on creating advanced AI-driven geospatial solutions that tackle the increasingly complex challenges encountered by GIS users.
LTIMindtree launches GCC-as-a-service
IT services firm LTIMindtree on Tuesday introduced its Global Capability Centre or GCC-as-a-Service offering, aiming to help enterprises set up, scale, and transform their GCCs into high-value innovation hubs.
The new service is designed as a modular, per-seat or per-service solution covering the entire lifecycle - from building legal entities and infrastructure to operating them with AI-driven governance, and eventually transitioning ownership to clients. The firm's BlueVerse Agentic AI ecosystem and global AI studios will support transformation and value delivery.
Workday opens new data center in India
Workday, a platform for managing human resources and finance functions, has announced an expansion of its operations in India. The move includes the launch of a local data center, the growth of its sales team, and deeper engagement with regional partners. These efforts are aimed at supporting both global companies with operations in India and domestic organisations modernising their systems.
A key part of this expansion is the establishment of a data center in India. Expected to begin operations in the first half of 2026, this facility will allow Indian customers to host Workday Human Capital Management, Financial Management, and Adaptive Planning solutions on Amazon Web Services (AWS) within the country. This local hosting aims to support data residency and sovereignty requirements in compliance with Indian regulations.
Google launches Veo 3 in India
Google announced this week that it is launching its AI video tool Veo 3 in India. The tool that was launched in at Google I/O in May is the tech giant's most capable video generation app that can be used on Gemini. Veo 3 lets users to create 8-second videos, inclusive of sound; one can generate content featuring characters with synthesised speech, scenes enhanced with background music and sound effects for increased realism, the company said in a blog.
It will be available through Gemini Pro subscription, which costs close to Rs.1,950 per month. Initially, Veo 3 access was limited to subscribers of Google's Ultra Plan and later expanded to the Pro-tier in select regions.
Union Cabinet approves Rs.1 lakh crore corpus for R&D
The Union Cabinet on Tuesday approved a Rs.1 lakh crore Research Development and Innovation (RDI) scheme that aims to bolster R&D investment in the private sector. The scheme will provide financing and refinancing with long tenors at low or nil interest rates for innovation in sunrise domains and other sectors.
This outlay will also include the deeptech fund of funds (FoF) announced by Sitharaman in her Budget 2025-26 speech in February this year. The department of science and technology (DST) will serve as the nodal department for the implementation of the RDI Scheme. Further, the governing board of Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF), chaired by PM Narendra Modi, will offer strategic direction to the RDI scheme.
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from TechCircle.