IIT Kharagpur is rolling out seven online AI programmes aimed at graduates and working professionals. The offerings cover Generative AI, Machine Learning, software engineering, data science, product building, and FinTech. Fees range from Rs 1,77,000 to Rs 2,00,000, and courses run for six to eight months with live weekend classes taught by IIT faculty and industry experts.
Meanwhile, USC Dornsife, Marshall, and Viterbi are launching a three-course AI initiative for undergraduates starting Spring 2027. The courses explore how AI works, how to use it in professional settings, and its societal implications. No technical background is required, and all three courses are open to students of any major.
In the corporate AI space, Comfort Systems USA is riding a wave of AI data centre construction. The company reported Q2 2026 revenue of $3.27 billion, a 50 per cent year-over-year increase. Technology-related work now accounts for 58 per cent of total revenue, and the company holds a record backlog of $14.06 billion.
Flexcompute, a Boston-based firm, is building AI that understands the laws of physics rather than simply learning from data. Samsung Ventures and Applied Materials have invested in the company following a $22 million Series B round in 2025. Flexcompute plans to expand research into fluids, electromagnetics, structures, and heat modelling.
Google is defending its $15 billion AI data centre project near Visakhapatnam, India, developed in partnership with the Adani Group. The company says it will not divert power from local communities and expects $688 million in annual local economic activity. However, a campaign called Stop Dirty Data Centres and an ongoing legal challenge in the Andhra Pradesh High Court are putting pressure on the project.
On the cybersecurity front, a Russian-speaking criminal known as CyberXero used Anthropic's Claude Code alongside tools like Cobalt Strike to attack Ukrainian websites and critical infrastructure beginning in July 2026. The campaign stole over 628,000 records, demonstrating how AI tools are being weaponised in cyberattacks.
IonQ has agreed to acquire cybersecurity firm Elisity in an all-stock deal worth up to $1.3 billion. The combination pairs Elisity's Zero Trust network security and microsegmentation with IonQ's post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution, targeting both AI-powered attacks and future quantum computer threats.
Kingsley Jones from Jevons Global warns that a reversal in AI capital spending could push the US economy into recession. Shrinking capex numbers may be hard to avoid, and forward guidance on AI spending will be critical. Profit margin erosion is also a risk if spending patterns shift.
Telecommunications companies are positioning themselves to play a bigger role in the AI economy. Personal AI believes customers should pay for telcos to transform customer data into an intelligence layer that feeds AI systems, potentially making telcos central to how AI operates.
Key Takeaways
- IIT Kharagpur launches seven online AI courses for professionals, with fees ranging from Rs 1,77,000 to Rs 2,00,000
- USC introduces a three-course AI initiative for undergraduates starting Spring 2027, open to all majors
- Comfort Systems USA reports Q2 2026 revenue of $3.27 billion and a record backlog of $14.06 billion driven by AI infrastructure demand
- Flexcompute secures strategic investment from Samsung Ventures and Applied Materials after a $22 million Series B round
- Google defends $15 billion AI data center project near Visakhapatnam amid local opposition and legal challenges
- CyberXero weaponizes Anthropic's Claude Code to steal over 628,000 records from Ukrainian infrastructure
- IonQ acquires Elisity in an all-stock deal worth up to $1.3 billion to combine quantum and AI-era cybersecurity
- Analyst warns that a reversal in AI capital spending could trigger a US recession
- Telcos aim to become intelligence providers for AI systems by monetising customer data as an intelligence layer
IIT Kharagpur launches seven online AI courses for professionals
IIT Kharagpur is offering seven online postgraduate and certificate programmes in AI for graduates and working professionals. The courses cover topics like Generative AI, Machine Learning, software engineering, data science, product building, and FinTech. Each programme has different eligibility requirements, durations, and fees. Classes are delivered online with live weekend instruction by IIT faculty and industry experts.
IIT Kharagpur offers online AI courses with detailed fees and eligibility
IIT Kharagpur has listed seven online AI certificate programmes for graduates and professionals. Programmes include Applied AI and Machine Learning, Technology and AI Leadership, and Professional Certificate in FinTech and AI. Fees range from Rs 1,77,000 to Rs 2,00,000 and durations vary from 6 to 8 months. Eligibility generally requires a relevant degree with at least 50 per cent marks or professional experience.
AI spending reversal could trigger US recession warns CIO
Kingsley Jones from Jevons Global warns that a reversal in AI capital spending could push the US economy into a recession. He says shrinking capex numbers are hard to avoid but may not happen soon. The key factor will be forward guidance on AI spending. There could also be an erosion of profit margins if spending patterns shift.
Comfort Systems USA benefits from AI infrastructure expansion
Comfort Systems USA is positioned to profit from AI data centre infrastructure and electrification trends. The company reported Q2 2026 revenue of 3.27 billion dollars, up 50 per cent year over year. Technology related work now makes up 58 per cent of revenue with a record backlog of 14.06 billion dollars. Modular production is expected to exceed 4 million square feet by end of 2026.
USC launches three AI courses for undergraduates
USC Dornsife, Marshall, and Viterbi have created a three-course AI initiative for undergraduates starting Spring 2027. The courses explore how AI works, how to use it professionally, and what it means for society. All three are open to students of any major and require no technical background. Classes combine lectures, discussions, and a final project on personal AI use.
CyberXero Uses Claude Code to Steal Ukrainian Records
CyberXero, a Russian-speaking cybercriminal, used Anthropic's Claude Code alongside tools like Cobalt Strike to attack Ukrainian websites and critical infrastructure. The campaign began in July 2026 and stole over 628,000 records. The actor combined commodity hacking tools with an AI orchestration layer to gain initial access to targets.
Flexcompute Gets Investment for Physics World Model
Flexcompute received new strategic investment from Samsung Ventures and Applied Materials to grow its Physics World Model. The Boston company builds AI that understands the laws of physics instead of just learning from data. It follows a $22 million Series B funding round in 2025 and will expand research across fluids, electromagnetics, structures, and heat.
IonQ Buys Elisity to Boost Security Against AI and Quantum Threats
IonQ agreed to acquire cybersecurity company Elisity in an all-stock deal worth up to $1.3 billion. The deal combines Elisity's Zero Trust network security and microsegmentation with IonQ's post-quantum cryptography and quantum key distribution. The goal is to help enterprises defend against current AI-powered attacks and future quantum computer threats.
Google Defends $15B India AI Hub Amid Water Concerns
Google is defending its $15 billion AI data center project near Visakhapatnam, India, built with the Adani Group. The company says it will not take power away from local communities and expects $688 million in annual local economic activity. Local groups oppose the project through a campaign called Stop Dirty Data Centres, and a legal challenge is ongoing in the Andhra Pradesh High Court.
Telcos Could Become Memory Keepers for the AI Era
Telecommunications companies want a bigger role in the AI economy beyond just carrying data traffic. Personal AI believes customers should pay for telcos to turn customer data into an intelligence layer that feeds AI systems. If successful, telcos could become central to how AI operates.
Sources
- IIT Kharagpur’s online postgraduate and certificate courses on AI; here’s the list
- Want To Learn Artificial Intelligence? IIT Kharagpur Offers Online Courses
- Reversal of AI capex could throw the U.S. economy into a recession: CIO
- Comfort Systems USA: A Sneaky Winner In The AI Infrastructure Buildout
- New AI Essentials courses give students 3 perspectives on AI
- CyberXero Uses Claude Code in Campaign That Stole Over 628,000 Ukrainian Records
- Flexcompute Secures Strategic Investment for Physics World Model
- IonQ Buys Elisity to Strengthen Defenses Against AI and Quantum Threats
- Google Defends $15B India AI Hub Amid Water Fears
- Telcos could be the memory keepers for the AI era
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