Meta, Google, OpenAI Compete in Agentic AI

The artificial intelligence landscape is rapidly evolving, with major tech players making significant moves. Reliance Industries and Meta Platforms are investing Rs 855 crore in a new joint venture in India to develop AI services for various sectors, aiming to boost local innovation and support the 'Made-in-India' initiative. This partnership leverages Reliance's market reach and Meta's AI expertise, targeting a projected Indian AI market of $20-22 billion by 2027. Meanwhile, the competition in agentic AI is heating up, with Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic developing systems capable of computer control and tool use. OpenAI is working on its Computer-Using Agent for GUI automation, Google is enhancing its Gemini models for enterprise use, and Anthropic is improving its 'Computer Use' feature. In the consumer tech space, Meta's AI glasses are facing competition from Chinese companies like Alibaba, Xiaomi, and HTC, which are releasing their own AI and AR glasses with features like real-time translation. Goldman Sachs anticipates strong consumer demand for these devices. Walmart is also embracing AI, partnering with OpenAI to enable shopping directly through ChatGPT, aiming to challenge Amazon's dominance by integrating its physical store network with online offerings. Beyond commerce and consumer tech, AI is also transforming critical areas like storm surge forecasting, offering faster and more accurate predictions to improve life-saving warnings for coastal communities. However, the integration of AI into education raises ethical concerns, with educators debating whether AI tools enhance or hinder student learning and critical thinking. In Australia, the government has rejected a proposal for an AI data mining exemption, opting instead to explore paid licensing frameworks to protect copyrighted material for creatives while still allowing AI development. The broader implications of AI's impact on technology, industry, and investment will be a focus at the AI Investment Summit 2025 at UC Berkeley, featuring speakers from OpenAI and Meta.

Key Takeaways

• Reliance Industries and Meta Platforms are investing Rs 855 crore in a joint venture in India to develop AI services, with Reliance holding 70% and Meta 30%.
• The Indian AI market is projected to reach $20-22 billion by 2027, with this venture aiming to foster 'Made-in-India' AI solutions.
• Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic are competing in agentic AI, developing capabilities for computer control, tool use, and enterprise integration.
• Walmart is partnering with OpenAI to allow shopping via ChatGPT, integrating its physical stores with online offerings to compete with Amazon.
• Chinese companies like Alibaba are launching AI glasses, challenging Meta's presence in the wearable AI market.
• Australia has decided against an AI copyright exemption, opting for paid licensing frameworks to protect creators' work.
• AI is improving storm surge forecasts, providing faster and more accurate warnings for hurricane-prone areas.
• The use of AI tools in universities raises ethical concerns regarding student learning, curiosity, and ownership of work.
• The AI Investment Summit 2025 at UC Berkeley will explore AI's impact on technology, industry, and investment, with participation from OpenAI and Meta.
• Agentic commerce, or AI shopping, presents opportunities for small retailers to focus on personalized experiences and human touch to differentiate from commodity purchases.

Reliance and Meta launch Rs 855 crore AI venture in India

Reliance Industries and Meta have formed a new joint venture called Reliance Enterprise Intelligence Limited (REIL) with an investment of Rs 855 crore. This venture aims to develop and distribute AI services for businesses in India and other markets. Reliance will hold a 70% stake, while Meta will own 30%. The partnership, announced by Mukesh Ambani, focuses on combining open-source AI with Reliance's industry knowledge to create AI solutions for energy, retail, telecom, media, and manufacturing sectors. This move supports India's push for 'Made-in-India' products and services.

Reliance, Meta invest Rs 855 crore in Indian AI services

Reliance Industries and Meta Platforms are jointly investing Rs 855 crore in AI services in India, a market projected to reach $20-22 billion by 2027. The investment will fund the development of AI solutions for sectors like healthcare, education, and agriculture. This partnership aims to use Reliance's wide reach and Meta's AI expertise to boost AI innovation and adoption in India. Both companies believe AI can significantly transform the Indian economy and improve people's lives.

AI shopping offers chances for small retailers

AI shopping, or agentic commerce, presents both opportunities and challenges for small businesses on Main Street. While AI can handle simple commodity purchases, it cannot replicate the personalized experience offered by local shops like violin stores or wine boutiques. Andrew Stern, CEO of Quilt Software, notes that AI is accelerating a split between commodity buying and experience-based shopping. Small retailers can thrive by highlighting their expertise and unique customer interactions, similar to how they adapted to online sales during the pandemic. By focusing on human touch, these businesses can succeed in an AI-driven world.

Chinese companies challenge Meta's AI glasses with new models

As Meta's AI glasses gain popularity, Chinese companies like Alibaba are launching their own versions. Alibaba's Quark AI Glasses offer features like hands-free calling and real-time translation for $660. Other companies such as Xiaomi, Meizu, HTC, and ByteDance are also releasing AI or AR glasses. Goldman Sachs analysts believe these advancements, especially longer battery life and improved AI features, will drive consumer demand. Key component suppliers like OmniVision, Lingyi, and AAC are expected to benefit from this growing market.

Australia protects copyright, rejects AI data mining exemption

The Australian government, led by Attorney General Michelle Rowland, has decided against allowing tech companies unrestricted access to copyrighted material for training AI models. This decision follows strong opposition from authors, artists, and media groups who feared it would harm their livelihoods. The Productivity Commission's earlier proposal for a copyright exemption sparked significant backlash. The government is now exploring alternative options, including a paid licensing framework, to ensure Australian creatives benefit from AI advancements while protecting their work.

AI Investment Summit at UC Berkeley focuses on tech, industry, capital

The AI Investment Summit 2025 at UC Berkeley will explore how AI is reshaping technology, industries, and investment. The event will discuss the alignment of capital, computing power, and industry applications, focusing on the evolution towards Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). Speakers from OpenAI, Sequoia, and Meta Superintelligence Labs will examine AI's impact on product innovation, economic structures, and investment strategies. AIsa is a partner for the summit, which aims to provide attendees with a comprehensive understanding of AI's future development and its integration into various sectors.

AI tools transform student learning but raise ethical concerns

The increasing availability of AI tools at universities like San Francisco State University raises questions about their ethical use in education. While proponents believe students can be taught to use AI as a thought partner, critics argue there is little evidence this approach works. Lara Trale, an educator, notes that students using AI tools may become less curious, skilled, and mentally healthy, feeling less ownership over their work. The focus should be on reinforcing students' belief in their own abilities and fostering human connections, rather than relying on AI for task completion.

Google, OpenAI, Anthropic compete in agentic AI development

Google, OpenAI, and Anthropic are advancing in the 'agentic AI' race, focusing on capabilities like computer control, tool use, and enterprise integration. OpenAI is developing its Computer-Using Agent (CUA) for GUI automation and consolidating developer tools with AgentKit. Google is enhancing its Gemini models for agentic use and integrating them into Vertex AI and Gemini Enterprise for governed deployments. Anthropic is improving its 'Computer Use' feature and using 'Artifacts' to build shareable internal apps. These companies are creating platforms that allow AI to perform complex tasks with increasing autonomy.

AI improves storm surge forecasts for better life-saving warnings

Artificial intelligence (AI) is set to significantly improve storm surge forecasts, which are the most dangerous aspect of hurricanes. Current computer models can be slow, limiting evacuation time for coastal residents. AI models can produce detailed predictions in minutes, offering faster and more accurate warnings. Researchers are developing AI that can forecast inundation even in areas with limited historical data. This technology promises to revolutionize hurricane preparedness, providing coastal communities with more timely and precise information about flood risks.

Walmart partners with OpenAI for AI-powered shopping

Walmart is collaborating with OpenAI to allow customers to shop directly through ChatGPT, starting this fall. This move challenges Amazon's e-commerce dominance by creating a 'marketplace of marketplaces' where consumers can discover and purchase Walmart products. Unlike Amazon, Walmart can leverage its extensive physical store network for omnichannel options like in-store pickup and same-day delivery. The partnership initially excludes fresh groceries, focusing on other retail categories to build Walmart's marketplace and retail media business.

Sources

• Reliance, Meta form new Rs 855-crore joint venture to build enterprise AI products in India
• Reliance, Meta to make Rs 855 crore joint investment in AI in India - The Times of India
• How AI Shopping Impacts Main Street Retail
• Chinese rivals to Meta's AI glasses are piling up. How Goldman is playing the trend
• Labor rules out giving tech giants free rein to mine copyright content to train AI
• AIsa joins AI Investment Summit 2025 @ UC Berkeley - At the inflection point of AI investment, reconstructing the three-dimensional coordinates of technology, industry, and capital
• Letters: AI is transforming learning for students, but at what cost?
• Google vs OpenAI vs Anthropic: The Agentic AI Arms Race Breakdown
• How AI can improve storm surge forecasts to help save lives
• Walmart Just Fired A Big AI Shot Across Amazon’s Bow