Weekly News Updates: May. 7 – May. 13

India Sets Up Expert Panel to Review Copyright Law Amid AI Disputes; India Launches ₹60,000 Crore ITI Upgradation Scheme to Transform Vocational Education; India and UK Sign Landmark Free Trade Agreement, Opening $34 Billion Trade Boost; Porter Becomes Second Unicorn of 2025 with $200 Mn Series F Funding; India Shifting from Labour to AI Mindset, Says ServiceNow CEO at Knowledge 2025; India Eyes Global Leadership in AI Infrastructure, Urges States to Shift Focus Beyond Land

India Sets Up Expert Panel to Review Copyright Law Amid AI Disputes

印度成立專家小組,審查版權法以因應 AI 爭議

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,審查其版權法,以因應與人工智慧相關的法律挑戰,特別是針對OpenAI涉嫌未經授權使用新聞內容訓練其ChatGPT模型而引發的訴訟。該小組由律師、官員與業界高層組成,將評估AI對1957年《版權法》的影響,並提出可能的法律改革建議。此舉反映出印度數位市場日益嚴格的監管審查,並可能影響全球對AI治理、資料使用與智慧財產權的相關討論。

India Launches ₹60,000 Crore ITI Upgradation Scheme to Transform Vocational Education

印度啟動價值6萬億盧比的工業訓練學院升級計畫,革新技職教育

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6萬億盧比的工業訓練學院升級計畫,旨在現代化技職教育,透過產業主導的合作模式,強化在電子、汽車與再生能源等關鍵產業的技能培訓能量。對外國電子系統設計與製造(ESDM)企業而言,該計畫透過產業對接的專業技能擴大人才庫,使印度成為更具吸引力的製造與研發投資目的地。ITIs與NSTIs在基礎設施與技能培育方面的強化,將提升勞動力即戰力,協助全球企業在印度快速擴展營運,充分把握其數位與電子產業生態系的成長機會。

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,開啟 340 億美元貿易機遇

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:印度與英國完成為期三年的自由貿易協定(FTA)談判,對90%的英國商品大幅減稅,多數商品預計在十年內免稅。該協議預計將雙邊貿易提升至約340億美元,並將大幅促進印度中小企業發展。對於非印度企業而言,此協議不僅擴大對印度這一快速成長市場的進入機會,也反映出全球趨向雙邊、產業導向貿易模式的轉變,為科技、國防、綠能與教育領域帶來新機會。

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 輪融資

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:本地物流新創 Porter 成為印度 2025 年第二家獨角獸企業,F 輪募資金額達 2 億美元,估值介於 11 億至 12 億美元。公司將利用資金拓展至更多城市、支援中小企業,並為超過百萬名零工平台工作者創造就業機會。對國際企業而言,Porter 的成長反映出投資人對印度快速擴張的物流與零工經濟的信心,並為交通科技與數位物流合作開啟新契機。

India Shifting from Labour to AI Mindset, Says ServiceNow CEO at Knowledge 2025

ServiceNow 執行長:印度正從勞力經濟轉向 AI 心態

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,印度正從傳統以勞力為核心的經濟思維,轉向以人工智慧為主導的轉型心態。他強調自主型 AI 平台的潛力,並預測傳統軟體堆疊將被整合式 AI 平台所取代。ServiceNow 計劃與如 Reliance 等大型企業合作,降低單位成本並提高可及性。對非印度企業而言,這轉型為在 AI 技能培育、企業軟體導入與數位轉型領域提供了重要合作機會。

India Eyes Global Leadership in AI Infrastructure, Urges States to Shift Focus Beyond Land

印度瞄準全球 AI 基礎設施領導地位,呼籲各邦轉向超越土地為本的思維

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.

小編點評:印度 NITI Aayog 呼籲各邦超越傳統土地導向發展模式,轉向以潔淨能源與創新驅動的 AI 生態系統,打造具規模、永續且可靠的 AI 基礎設施。印度擁有全球近 20% 的數據生成量,卻僅占 3% 的資料中心容量。NITI Aayog 主席指出,印度擁有一代人難逢的機會成為全球 AI 資料中心樞紐。對國際企業而言,這為資料中心、再生能源合作與高效能運算服務提供了投資新機遇,尤其在全球競爭激烈之際,印度正加快與國際標準接軌。