Weekly News Updates – May 7 to May 13

India Sets Up Expert Panel to Review Copyright Law Amid AI Disputes
印度成立專家小組檢視著作權法,因應 AI 相關法律爭

India has established an expert panel to examine whether its existing copyright law is sufficient to address emerging legal challenges posed by artificial intelligence. According to an official memo, the commerce ministry formed an eight-member committee last month comprising intellectual property lawyers, government officials, and industry executives. The panel is tasked with analyzing the legal and policy issues surrounding AI and its implications for the Copyright Act of 1957, particularly in light of recent lawsuits. One such case, filed in the Delhi High Court by prominent news outlets like NDTV, Indian Express, and Hindustan Times, accuses OpenAI of using their content without permission to train its ChatGPT model. OpenAI has denied any wrongdoing, stating that it only uses publicly available data and offers websites an opt-out option.

This move signals growing regulatory scrutiny in one of the world’s largest digital markets and could have significant implications for international tech firms operating in India. As courts globally confront similar disputes involving AI training data and copyright violations, India’s stance may influence broader conversations on data use, intellectual property, and AI governance. Non-Indian companies training AI models with data sourced from India may need to reassess their legal strategies and data handling practices in light of potential legal reforms.

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/india-panel-review-copyright-law-amid-legal-challenges-openai-2025-05-06

小編點評:印度已成立一個專家小組,以檢視其著作權法,回應與人工智慧相關的法律挑戰,特別是針對 OpenAI 被控未經許可使用新聞內容訓練 ChatGPT 模型的訴訟。該小組由律師、政府官員與產業主管組成,將評估 AI 1957 年《著作權法》的影響,並提出可能的法律改革建議。此舉反映印度對其數位市場加強監管,也可能影響全球在 AI 治理、資料使用與智慧財產權上的討論方向。

India Launches ₹60,000 Crore ITI Upgradation Scheme to Transform Vocational Education
印度啟動 6,000 億盧比 ITI 升級計畫,以改造技職教育體

In a landmark move to modernize India’s vocational training infrastructure, the Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the National Scheme for Industrial Training Institute Upgradation and the establishment of five National Centres of Excellence for Skilling. With a total outlay of ₹60,000 crore, the scheme aims to revamp 1,000 government Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and boost the capacity of five National Skill Training Institutes (NSTIs). It will be implemented over five years as a centrally-sponsored scheme, co-financed by the Asian Development Bank and the World Bank, and is expected to skill over 20 lakh youth in industry-aligned courses.

The initiative focuses on strengthening the connection between education and employment by adopting an industry-led Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) model. For the first time, deep collaboration with industry stakeholders will guide course development and institutional management. The scheme will also invest in infrastructure and trainer development at NSTIs in Bhubaneswar, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kanpur, and Ludhiana. This ambitious effort is part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Viksit Bharat vision, positioning ITIs as aspirational, government-owned, industry-managed institutes to meet evolving workforce needs in sectors like electronics, automotive, and renewable energy.

https://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/cabinet-approves-60000-crore-national-scheme-for-iti-upgradation/article69548251.eceTop of Form

小編點評:印度的 6,000 億盧比 ITI 升級計畫旨在現代化其技職訓練體系,並透過產業主導的協作方式,提升電子、汽車、再生能源等關鍵領域的人才培育能力。對外國電子系統設計與製造(ESDM)企業而言,此計畫將提高印度的人才供給,使其更符合產業需求,使印度成為更具吸引力的製造與研發投資地點。ITIs NSTIs 在基礎建設與技能訓練的全面強化,將提升勞動力的準備度,協助全球企業在印度快速擴展其在數位與電子生態系中的營運。

India and UK Sign Landmark Free Trade Agreement, Opening $34 Billion Trade Boost
印度與英國簽署歷史性自由貿易協定,預期帶來 340 億美元貿易增

India and the United Kingdom on Tuesday finalised a historic Free Trade Agreement (FTA), marking a major step forward in their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Concluded after three years of negotiations, the deal was sealed during a phone call between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. It includes sweeping tariff reductions on 90% of British goods, including cars, alcohol, apparel, and footwear—most of which are expected to become tariff-free within ten years. The agreement is projected to increase bilateral trade by £25.5 billion (approximately $34 billion) and is especially poised to benefit India’s MSME sector, while aligning with the UK’s post-Brexit “Plan for Change.”

This deal signifies a pivotal moment not just for India and the UK, but also for international businesses. For non-Indian companies, especially those operating in or exporting to the UK, the FTA presents expanded access to one of the world’s fastest-growing markets. It also signals a shift towards more bilateral, sector-specific trade pacts amid global uncertainty, offering fresh opportunities in technology, defence, green energy, and education. Companies eyeing supply chain diversification or partnerships in India may find a more favourable and stable trade environment as the country cements its role as a key global economic player.

https://www.daijiworld.com/news/newsDisplay?newsID=1279805

小編點評:印度與英國在歷經三年談判後,已最終敲定歷史性的自由貿易協定(FTA),對 90% 的英國商品大幅降低關稅,其中大部分產品將在十年內完全免稅。該協定預期將使雙邊貿易額增加 340 億美元,並大幅惠及印度的中小微企業(MSME)部門,同時符合英國脫歐後的「變革計畫」。對國際企業而言,該協議將擴大其市場進入機會,並在科技、國防、綠能、教育等領域創造新的合作與投資可能。此協議也為尋求合作或供應鏈多元化的企業提供更穩定的貿易環境。

Porter Becomes Second Unicorn of 2025 with $200 Mn Series F Funding
Porter 成為 2025 年第二家獨角獸企業,完成 2 億美元 F 輪募

Hyperlocal logistics startup Porter has become India’s second unicorn of 2025 after raising approximately $200 million in a Series F funding round led by Kedaara Capital and Wellington Management, with continued backing from Vitruvian Partners. The round, a mix of primary and secondary transactions, values Porter between $1.1 billion and $1.2 billion. While Peak XV Partners and Kae Capital partially exited during the round, Porter plans to use the new capital to expand to more cities, bolster MSME support, and create job opportunities for over one million gig workers. Founded in 2014, the startup offers on-demand logistics services via a fleet of 750,000+ drivers across 22 cities, competing with firms like Shadowfax, Dunzo, and Swiggy Genie.

For non-Indian companies, Porter’s growth signals rising investor confidence in India’s rapidly expanding logistics and gig economy sectors. As India’s logistics market heads toward a projected size of $357.3 billion by 2030, foreign firms operating in transport tech, gig platforms, or last-mile delivery may find strategic partnership or investment opportunities in Indian startups. Porter’s inclusion in the ONDC (Open Network for Digital Commerce) framework also highlights the country’s push toward digital-first, decentralized logistics—an area ripe for collaboration and innovation.

https://inc42.com/buzz/porter-closes-series-f-round-led-by-kedaara-wellington-management

小編點評:Porter 在完成 2 億美元的 F 輪募資後,成為印度 2025 年第二家獨角獸企業,其估值介於 11 億至 12 億美元之間。公司計畫將這筆資金用於擴展城市據點、支持中小企業(MSME),並為超過一百萬名零工工作者創造就業機會,以強化其在印度高速成長的物流市場中的地位。對外國企業而言,Porter 的崛起反映投資人對印度零工經濟與物流市場的高度信心,也代表在合作、投資與數位物流創新方面出現新的機會。

India Shifting from Labour to AI Mindset, Says ServiceNow CEO at Knowledge 2025
ServiceNow 執行長在 Knowledge 2025 表示:印度正從勞動密集轉向 AI

ServiceNow CEO Bill McDermott believes India is transitioning from a labour-centric to an AI-driven mindset, positioning itself as a major player in the global AI economy. Speaking at Knowledge 2025 in Las Vegas, McDermott highlighted the transformative impact of autonomous, agentic AI on business operations, calling it the end of traditional software stacks and the beginning of integrated platforms like ServiceNow. Companies that fail to embrace AI now are likely to struggle for survival in the coming years, he warned. In India, the combination of skilled labour and AI offers the potential for exponential productivity gains. ServiceNow plans to partner with major corporations like Reliance to bring down unit costs and expand accessibility. The company’s NowNext AI programme provides partner organisations with broad access to innovation and intellectual property.

Addressing concerns about pricing in cost-sensitive markets like India, McDermott argued that the conversation should shift from platform cost to the value it delivers. Some companies using ServiceNow have achieved the same output with 60% fewer engineers, though the emphasis is on increasing productivity rather than reducing headcount. A global shortage of AI-skilled professionals is looming, with 75% of AI jobs globally expected to go unfilled. To address this, ServiceNow is launching a university initiative to train talent for the digital economy. For non-Indian companies, McDermott’s remarks reflect India’s accelerating AI adoption and present opportunities to collaborate on skilling, enterprise software deployment, and digital transformation in a rapidly expanding market.

https://www.theweek.in/wire-updates/business/2025/05/08/fes17-biz-servicenow-ceo-ai.html

小編點評:ServiceNow 執行長 Bill McDermott 表示,印度正從以勞動力為核心的經濟模式,轉向以人工智慧為導向的思維,使其成為全球 AI 創新的重要參與者。他強調自主型 AI 的變革性影響、企業採用整合式平台的必要性,並提到 ServiceNow Reliance 等大型企業的合作將提升技術普及性與效率。這項轉變將為非印度企業帶來重大機會,包括 AI 技能培育、企業軟體整合與數位轉型等合作可能,於印度快速擴張的科技生態系中具有重要意義。

India Eyes Global Leadership in AI Infrastructure, Urges States to Shift Focus Beyond Land
印度瞄準成為全球 AI 基礎設施領導者,呼籲各邦超越「土地導向」思

As artificial intelligence (AI) adoption accelerates across sectors, NITI Aayog has emphasised the urgent need for scalable, sustainable, and reliable AI infrastructure to support India’s growing digital economy. During a high-level workshop hosted by its Frontier Tech Hub, NITI Aayog called on Indian states to move beyond traditional land-centric models and embrace holistic AI ecosystems powered by clean energy and innovation. B.V.R. Subrahmanyam, CEO of NITI Aayog, stated that India has a “once-in-a-generation opportunity” to emerge as a global AI datacentre hub, given its leadership in clean energy, deep technology talent pool, and favourable policy landscape. However, he cautioned that global competition is intense, and Indian states must align their strategies with international benchmarks to attract hyperscale and sovereign AI investments.

The workshop, which brought together senior officials from central and state governments as well as industry leaders, highlighted that India contributes nearly 20% of global data generation but holds only 3% of global datacentre capacity. Deliberations centred around six foundational pillars for AI datacentre readiness—land, power, network, compute, talent, and enabling policies—and stressed the need for coordinated reforms in power and regulatory frameworks. For non-Indian companies, the push signals India’s intent to position itself as a global destination for AI infrastructure, opening new opportunities for investment in datacentres, renewable energy partnerships, and high-performance computing services. As countries like Vietnam, the UAE, and Indonesia ramp up efforts to attract AI investments, India’s evolving approach presents a timely and strategic entry point for global tech players.

https://www.thestatesman.com/business/india-needs-reliable-scalable-ai-infrastructure-niti-aayog-1503430405.htmlBottom of Form

小編點評:正如印度政策智庫 NITI Aayog 所強調的,印度正致力於成為全球 AI 數據中心的樞紐,並呼籲各邦從傳統的「土地導向」開發模式轉向由潔淨能源與創新驅動的、可擴展且永續的 AI 基礎設施。此項推動為非印度企業在資料中心、再生能源合作,以及高效能運算服務等領域帶來新的投資機會。面對全球競爭升溫,印度正尋求使其策略與國際標準更加一致,以吸引大規模與主權級別的 AI 投資。