Moody’s Advances Decision-Grade Credit Intelligence Across Enterprise AI Workflows, Powered by Microsoft 365 Copilot

Business Wire India

Moody’s Corporation (NYSE: MCO) today announced the next phase of its strategic partnership with Microsoft, integrating Moody’s decision-grade intelligence directly into Microsoft AI solutions. The milestone expands the collaboration from co-innovation to scaled, workflow-embedded distribution of Moody’s decision-grade intelligence across the enterprise environments where its customers work every day.

 

“For over 115 years, Moody’s has served as the intelligence layer that financial professionals turn to when making consequential decisions,” said Rob Fauber, President and Chief Executive Officer of Moody’s. “By embedding that intelligence directly into Microsoft’s AI solutions at enterprise scale, we’re making decision-grade analysis available not just to specialists, but to every person across an organization who needs it.”

 

 

The integrations operate across two channels. Using the Model Context Protocol (MCP), Moody’s agentic workflows and decision‑grade intelligence are delivered through a dedicated Moody’s agent in Microsoft 365 Copilot, enabling organizations to activate Moody’s decision-grade intelligence without a need for custom integrations. In addition, Moody’s decision‑grade intelligence is available as a grounding data source across Microsoft 365 Copilot experiences, including Copilot Chat and Researcher agent, as well as through Copilot in Microsoft Excel, giving shared customers access to Moody’s credit ratings, research, entity data, and news as part of their research workflows.

 

 

“Our ongoing partnership with Moody’s reflects a shared commitment to bring trusted financial intelligence directly into the tools professionals use every day,” said Bill Borden, Corporate Vice President, Worldwide Financial Services, Microsoft. “By integrating Moody’s decision-grade insights into Microsoft 365 Copilot, we’re making it easier for financial services professionals across the industry to access authoritative data and context in the flow of work – so they can move faster and act with confidence.”

 

 

By embedding Moody’s credit intelligence into Microsoft’s AI solutions, the integration extends access beyond specialists to a broader set of users across institutions, supporting more consistent use of trusted credit context at every level of the enterprise. Moody’s connected intelligence – spanning 600 million entities, 2 billion ownership links, and major domains of risk – provides the trusted context layer that makes AI outputs valid, explainable, and auditable wherever they are delivered.

 

 

Moody’s AI partnerships reflect the company’s commitment to embedding its connected intelligence into the leading AI platforms where market participants are building and operating.

 

 

For more information, visit http://www.moodys.com/agenticsolutions.

 

 

About Moody’s Corporation

 

 

In a world shaped by increasingly interconnected risks, Moody’s (NYSE: MCO) data, insights, and innovative technologies help customers develop a holistic view of their world and unlock opportunities. With a rich history of experience in global markets and a diverse workforce of approximately 16,000 across more than 40 countries, Moody’s gives customers the comprehensive perspective needed to act with confidence and thrive. Learn more at moodys.com.

 

 

“Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

 

 

Certain statements contained in this document are forward-looking statements and are based on future expectations, plans and prospects for Moody’s business and operations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Such statements involve estimates, projections, goals, forecasts, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Stockholders and investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and other information in this document are made as of the date hereof, and Moody’s undertakes no obligation (nor does it intend) to publicly supplement, update or revise such statements on a going-forward basis, whether as a result of subsequent developments, changed expectations or otherwise, except as required by applicable law or regulation. Factors, risks and uncertainties as well as other risks and uncertainties that could cause Moody’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements are described in greater detail under “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of Moody’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025, and in other filings made by the Company from time to time with the SEC or in materials incorporated herein or therein. Stockholders and investors are cautioned that the occurrence of any of these factors, risks and uncertainties may cause the Company’s actual results to differ materially from those contemplated, expressed, projected, anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements, which could have a material and adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

 

 

 

 

 

Horse Powertrain Reveals Lightweight Hybrid V6 System at Beijing Auto Show 2026

Business Wire India

Horse Powertrain, a global leader in innovative and low-emission powertrain systems, has revealed the HORSE W30 – the company’s first production-ready V6 engine – ahead of the Beijing Auto Show 2026.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260421176701/en/

 

 

The front view of the HORSE W30 engine.

The front view of the HORSE W30 engine.

 

The HORSE W30 marks a first for Horse Powertrain, in transferring its expertise in developing optimized three- and four-cylinder engines into the V6 category. By deploying its expertise in this way, Horse Powertrain has developed the lightest V6 on the market and created a hybrid-first V6 with outstanding fuel economy and efficiency.

 

The HORSE W30 is a 3-liter engine that can be fitted in a transverse or longitudinal configuration, allowing it to be packaged in a wide variety of vehicles. The two rows of cylinders are offset at an angle of 90° to lower the engine’s center of gravity, improving ease of installation and optimizing catalyst layout.

 

 

The engine can output between 350-400kW of power and 600-700Nm of torque, with a maximum speed of 8,000rpm. To maximize efficiency and fuel economy, the HORSE W30 features integrated exhaust manifolds with turbochargers mounted directly on the cylinder heads. The engine weighs just 160kg, approximately 10kg less than the next-lightest V6 engine on the market today.

 

 

The HORSE W30 is intended to be deployed in mild- and full-hybrid vehicles, with the first models featuring the engine reaching the roads in 2028. To show the hybrid-first mindset of the HORSE W30, the engine will be presented at Beijing alongside the new HORSE 4LDHT four-speed hybrid transmission.

 

 

The HORSE 4LDHT weighs just 199kg and is designed to be mounted in a P1 + P3 configuration. The P1 motor used to support the engine crankshaft and charge the vehicle’s battery can output between 250-300kW, with the P3 motor used to support driving capable of outputting between 350-450kW in a P3 configuration.

 

 

Matias Giannini, Chief Executive Officer of Horse Powertrain, said: “At Horse Powertrain, we believe we can offer automakers unprecedented economies of scale and innovation by consolidating the powertrain production and development pipeline that traditionally would have been replicated by many individual OEMs, allowing everyone in the industry to benefit from best-in-class technologies. The HORSE W30 is clear proof of this concept – bringing our mindset and expertise to a new category, we’ve developed the lightest V6 that was designed from the outset to support hybrid vehicles.”

 

 

Fortune Zhao, Chief Technology Officer of Horse Powertrain, said: “The HORSE W30 showcases Horse Powertrain’s technological versatility, and represents our first venture into the V6 engine category. Leveraging expertise from our wide portfolio of hybrid-first engines, the HORSE W30 is lighter and more compact than any other V6 currently on the market, all while delivering superior performance. As well as embodying our engineering sophistication, it also highlights our flexibility in providing world-class hybrid solutions to every market.”

 

 

The HORSE W30 and HORSE 4LDHT will be available in 2028.

 

 

About Horse Powertrain

 

 

Horse Powertrain is a global leader in innovative, low-emission hybrid and combustion powertrain solutions, supporting automotive OEMs with a range of systems including engines, transmissions, power electronics, range extenders, and integrated hybrid platforms. Horse Powertrain has operations in Europe, China, and South America, and employs over 19,000 people across 18 plants and five R&D centers. Its 25 customers include Renault Group, Geely Auto, Volvo Cars, Proton, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors Corporation. Horse Powertrain is headquartered in London, UK.

 

 

 

 

 

NetApp Wins 2026 Google Cloud Infrastructure Modernization Partner of the Year for Storage

Business Wire India

NetApp® (NASDAQ: NTAP), the Intelligent Data Infrastructure company, today announced that it has received the 2026 Google Cloud Infrastructure Modernization Partner of the Year for Storage Award.

 

NetApp is being recognized for its achievements in the Google Cloud ecosystem, helping joint customers modernize their infrastructure and run enterprise workloads on Google Cloud using Google Cloud NetApp Volumes.

 

 

“The Google Cloud Partner Awards honor the strategic innovation and measurable value our partners bring to customers,” said Kevin Ichhpurani, President, Global Partner Ecosystem and Channels, Google Cloud. “We are proud to name NetApp a 2026 Google Cloud Partner Award winner, celebrating their role in driving customer success over the last year.”

 

 

The Google Cloud Infrastructure Modernization Partner of the Year for Storage Award recognizes partners that have helped their customers modernize their infrastructure by leveraging Google Cloud’s innovative solutions, resulting in increased agility, scalability, and cost-efficiency. NetApp’s technology partnership with Google Cloud led to the development of Google Cloud’s first-party service, Google Cloud NetApp Volumes, enabling joint customers to more easily adopt Intelligent Data Infrastructure, meet the needs of modern enterprise workloads, and prepare for the future.

 

 

“This recognition for the seventh time reflects the work we’ve done with Google Cloud to help customers run enterprise workloads in the cloud without rearchitecting,” said Pravjit Tiwana, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Cloud Storage and Services at NetApp. “With Google Cloud NetApp Volumes, customers can bring their data into Google Cloud and use it for applications and AI without adding complexity.”

 

 

This is NetApp’s seventh Google Cloud Partner of the Year award. Over the past year, NetApp and Google Cloud expanded Google Cloud NetApp Volumes with new capabilities, including block storage and tighter integration with Google Cloud services such as Google Cloud Assist and Gemini CLI Extensions. These updates make it frictionless for customers to bring their data into Google Cloud and use it directly with Google’s AI services.

 

 

To learn more about NetApp’s partnership with Google Cloud, visit the NetApp booth #1607 at Google Cloud Next 26, April 22-24 at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

 

 

Additional Resources

 

 

 

About NetApp

 

For more than three decades, NetApp has helped the world’s leading organizations navigate change – from the rise of enterprise storage to the intelligent era defined by data and AI. Today, NetApp is the Intelligent Data Infrastructure company, helping customers turn data into a catalyst for innovation, resilience, and growth.

 

 

At the heart of that infrastructure is the NetApp data platform – the unified, enterprise-grade, intelligent foundation that connects, protects, and activates data across every cloud, workload, and environment. Built on the proven power of NetApp ONTAP, our leading data management software and OS, and enhanced by automation through the AI Data Engine and AFX, it delivers observability, resilience, and intelligence at scale.

 

 

Disaggregated by design, the NetApp data platform separates storage, services, and control so enterprises can modernize faster, scale efficiently, and innovate without lock-in. As the only enterprise storage platform natively embedded in the world’s largest clouds, it gives organizations the freedom to run any workload anywhere with consistent performance, governance, and protection.

 

 

With NetApp, data is always ready – ready to defend against threats, ready to power AI, and ready to drive the next breakthrough. That’s why the world’s most forward-thinking enterprises trust NetApp to turn intelligence into advantage.

 

 

Learn more at www.netapp.com or follow us on X, LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram.

 

 

NETAPP, the NETAPP logo, and the marks listed at www.netapp.com/TM are trademarks of NetApp, Inc. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

 

 

 

 

 

AI Demand Sparks Q1 Double-Digit Growth in Asia Pacific’s Technology Services Market, ISG Index™ Finds

Business Wire India

Combined market up 16%, driven by 18% increase in XaaS demand

 

Managed services rebounds, up 2%, to break 4-quarter losing streak

 

Spending on technology services in Asia Pacific grew by double digits in the first quarter, powered by AI-driven demand for cloud infrastructure services, while managed services saw modest growth, the latest state-of-the-industry report from Information Services Group (ISG) (Nasdaq: III), a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm, found.

 

The Asia Pacific ISG Index™, which measures commercial outsourcing contracts with annual contract value (ACV) of US $5 million or more, shows ACV for the combined market—both managed services and as-a-service (XaaS)—rose 16 percent versus the prior year, to US $7.1 billion. It was only the third quarter of double-digit growth the region has produced in the last two years. Versus the fourth quarter of 2025, the market was up 15 percent.

 

 

XaaS spending climbed 18 percent, to a record US $6.3 billion, the segment’s fastest growth in two years. With interest in AI continuing to rise, demand for infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) advanced 19 percent, to a record US $5.6 billion, while software-as-a-service (SaaS) increased 15 percent, to a record US $675 million. Asia Pacific’s XaaS spending has grown at a slower pace than the Americas or EMEA, averaging 13.5 percent a quarter over the last 18 months.

 

 

Managed services ACV, meanwhile, rose 1.9 percent, to US $791 million, breaking a four-quarter losing streak during which time this segment averaged a 23 percent quarterly decline over the prior year. Against the fourth quarter of 2025, ACV was down 8 percent. Within this segment, IT outsourcing (ITO) slumped 32 percent, to US $409 million. Business process outsourcing (BPO) fell by 14 percent, to US $133 million, while engineering services rose to US $249 million, up from US $22 million in the prior year.

 

 

A total of 61 managed services contracts was awarded in the first quarter, up 7 percent year on year, but down 6 percent against the prior quarter. The number of smaller deals, those between US $5 million and US $9 million, rose 19 percent versus the prior year.

 

 

“Asia Pacific continues to be a cloud-first market, with digital transformation and AI fueling demand for infrastructure and software services,” said Michael Gale, partner and regional leader, ISG Asia Pacific. “Managed services rebounded this quarter but still has not returned to the $1 billion run-rate that we saw several times in 2024.”

 

 

Results by Industry, Geography

 

 

Several of the region’s smaller industries increased their managed services spending significantly in the first quarter, including transportation, healthcare and business services, which were all up more than 100 percent. Among the larger verticals, banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI) rose 4 percent while manufacturing was flat and telecommunications was down significantly, off 60 percent from the prior year.

 

 

By geography, the smaller managed services markets of Southeast Asia, China and Korea were each up by triple digits versus the prior year. However, the larger markets weighed on overall results, with India down 9 percent, Australia-New Zealand down 33 percent and Japan down 54 percent.

 

 

New ISG AI Index™ Launched

 

 

ISG last week announced the launch of its ISG AI Index™, a first-of-its-kind benchmark that measures how AI is impacting the global technology and business services sector. The initial findings were presented during the ISG Index call last Thursday. They show that infrastructure-as-a-service (IaaS) has seen the greatest impact from AI, up 160 percent. Software as-a-service (SaaS) has risen 53 percent while managed services is up only slightly, at 0.3 percent. On a market-weighted basis, the composite ISG AI Index was up 77 percent since inception, dating to December 2022, just after the launch of ChatGPT 3.0 and the start of the current AI era. Visit this webpage for more details.

 

 

2026 Global Forecast

 

 

ISG said it is raising its full-year forecast for XaaS revenue growth to 25 percent, up 400 basis points from its January forecast, and is holding its managed services growth forecast at 2.1 percent for the year. The forecasts reflect ISG’s view that XaaS growth will continue to accelerate on strong demand for AI, while managed services growth will remain “steady” as enterprises focus on cost takeout to fund their AI initiatives.

 

 

About the ISG Index™

 

 

The ISG Index™ is recognized as the authoritative source for marketplace intelligence on the global technology and business services industry. For 94 consecutive quarters, it has detailed the latest industry data and trends for financial analysts, enterprise buyers, software and service providers, law firms, universities and the media.

 

 

The 1Q26 Global ISG Index results were presented during a webcast last week. To view a replay of the webcast and download presentation slides, visit this webpage.

 

 

About ISG

 

 

ISG (Nasdaq: III) is a global AI-centered technology research and advisory firm. A trusted partner to more than 900 clients, including 75 of the world’s top 100 enterprises, ISG is a long-time leader in technology and business services that is now at the forefront of leveraging AI to help organizations achieve operational excellence and faster growth. The firm, founded in 2006, is known for its proprietary market data and research, in-depth knowledge and governance of provider ecosystems, and the expertise of its 1,500 professionals worldwide working together to help clients maximize the value of their technology investments.

 

 

 

 

 

FIMCA Calls for Urgent Overhaul of India’s Overseas Employment Framework Amid Rising Job Losses

Business Wire India

The Federation of Indian Manpower Companies has called for an urgent strategic overhaul of India’s overseas employment ecosystem, highlighting that recent geopolitical disruptions in West Asia have led to significant job losses among Indian workers and exposed the absence of a structured system to rapidly redeploy displaced talent into new global markets.

 

In a policy note released by the organisation, FIMCA stated that while India possesses a large and skilled workforce with strong global demand, the current framework remains overly focused on emigration clearance and compliance, limiting its ability to respond dynamically to global labour market disruptions.

 

“India has the talent, the demand, and the recruitment capability. What is missing is a coordinated, promotion-led system that actively builds and sustains global labour markets,” said Alijan Rajan, Director, FIMCA.

 

FIMCA noted that the current situation underscores the urgent need to build scalable, demand-linked international employment pipelines to absorb workforce displacement and prevent prolonged income disruption for returning workers.

 

Shift from Regulation to Global Market Development

 

FIMCA emphasized that India must transition from a regulatory approach to a promotion-driven model, where overseas employment is treated as a strategic export sector supported by structured government and industry collaboration.

 

The organisation called for the integration of labour mobility into bilateral trade frameworks, proactive international outreach, and sustained engagement with foreign employers to create long-term manpower demand pipelines. According to FIMCA, global labour markets are actively developed through continuous state and industry participation, rather than passive regulation.

 

Strengthening Employer-Side Accountability

 

The policy note identified structural limitations in the current system, particularly the continued reliance on worker-side classifications such as ECR and ECNR passports, which FIMCA described as outdated in assessing risk.

 

Instead, the organisation recommended a shift toward employer-side accountability, including robust foreign employer accreditation mechanisms covering verification, wage validation, working conditions, and enforceable grievance redressal systems. This becomes especially critical in emerging markets across Eastern Europe, CIS, and the Balkans.

 

Mobility Corridors and Market Development Mechanism

 

FIMCA proposed the creation of sector-specific mobility corridors to operationalise existing labour mobility agreements. These corridors would be built around pre-approved employers, standardised contracts, defined skill requirements, and structured welfare provisions.

 

The organisation also recommended establishing an Overseas Labour Market Development Cell to systematically map global labour demand, build verified employer databases, conduct international outreach, and convert diplomatic engagement into employment pipelines.

 

Leveraging Industry and Institutional Capacity

 

FIMCA highlighted that India’s licensed recruitment agencies already represent a strong execution backbone and should be formally integrated into policy implementation.

 

The organisation recommended empanelment of compliant agencies, their inclusion in government-led delegations, and streamlined operational processes under platforms such as the eMigrate system.

 

It also called for alignment of skill development initiatives with global demand through institutions such as the National Skill Development Corporation, ensuring demand-linked training and verifiable certification standards.

 

Strengthening Worker Support and Data Systems

 

FIMCA identified post-deployment support as a critical gap and proposed the establishment of Overseas Worker Support Desks in priority Indian missions abroad to handle grievances, wage disputes, and emergency assistance.

 

The organisation further recommended upgrading the eMigrate platform into a comprehensive labour mobility intelligence system to enable real-time data tracking, policy coordination, and informed decision-making.

 

Industry Position

 

FIMCA reiterated that India already has the foundational infrastructure—including bilateral agreements, institutional frameworks, and a licensed recruitment network—but lacks coordinated execution and strategic direction.

 

The organisation stressed that without a shift toward promotion-led policy, employer accountability, and structured market development, India risks underutilising its global workforce potential at a time when international demand remains strong.

 

Further details of the policy note can be accessed here:

 

https://fimca.in/images/pdf/from-clearance-to-competitiveness-rebuilding-india-global-workforce-strategy.pdf

 

SBC Medical Announces Closing of Previously Announced Secondary Public Offering of 3.1 million shares of Common Stock

Business Wire India

SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated (Nasdaq: SBC) (“the Company”), a Management Service Organization operating a wide range of franchise businesses across diverse medical fields, today announced the closing of its previously announced underwritten secondary public offering of 3,100,000 shares of the Company’s common stock by Dr. Yoshiyuki Aikawa (the “Selling Stockholder”) at the public offering price of $3.25 per share. The proceeds from the offering to the Selling Stockholder were approximately $10.1 million, before deducting underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

The Company did not sell any shares of its common stock in the offering. The Selling Stockholder received all of the proceeds from the offering.

 

 

Maxim Group LLC acted as the sole book-running manager and Roth Capital Partners acted as the co-manager for the offering.

 

 

The offering was made pursuant to the Company’s effective shelf registration statement on Form S-3, including a base prospectus, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). The offering was made only by means of a prospectus supplement filed with the SEC and the accompanying prospectus. A final prospectus supplement describing the terms of the offering has been filed with the SEC and is available on the SEC’s website located at www.sec.gov. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, and the final prospectus supplement may be obtained by contacting: Maxim Group LLC, 300 Park Avenue, 16th Floor, New York, New York 10022, Attention: Syndicate Department, or by telephone at (212) 895-3745 or by email at syndicate@maximgrp.com.

 

 

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of, these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

 

 

About SBC Medical

 

 

SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated is a Management Services Organization operating a wide range of franchise businesses across diverse medical fields, including advanced aesthetic healthcare, dermatology, orthopedics, fertility treatment, gynecology, dentistry, alopecia treatment (AGA), and ophthalmology. The Company manages a diverse portfolio of clinic brands and is actively expanding its global presence, particularly in the United States and Asia, through both direct operations and medical tourism initiatives. In September 2024, the Company was listed on Nasdaq, and in June 2025, it was selected for inclusion in the Russell 3000® Index, a broad benchmark of the U.S. equity market. Guided by its Group Purpose “Contributing to the well-being of people around the world through medical innovation,” SBC Medical Group Holdings Incorporated continues to provide safe, trusted, and high-quality medical services while further strengthening its international reputation for quality and trust in medical care.

 

 

Forward Looking Statements

 

 

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts or statements of current conditions, but instead represent only the Company’s beliefs regarding future events and performance, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of the Company’s control. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “may,” “should,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “contemplates,” “estimates,” “believes,” “plans,” “projected,” “predicts,” “potential,” “targets,” “hopes,” “intends” or the negative of these or similar terms. The Company cautions readers not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which are current only as of the date of this release and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, assumptions, or changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict or quantify. The forward-looking statements are based on management’s current expectations and are not guarantees of future performance. The Company does not undertake or accept any obligation to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in its expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based, except as required by law. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them; such factors include, among other things, changes in global, regional, or local economic, business, competitive, market and regulatory conditions, and those listed under the heading “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in the Company’s filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), which are accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

 

 

 

 

Alipay AI Pay Launches New Service Enabling OpenClaw-type AI Agents to Make Payments

Business Wire India

Alipay today launched a new AI Pay-powered payment service that enables OpenClaw-type AI agents to make purchases and complete payments based on user instructions. These autonomous AI tools, which execute tasks on a user’s behalf, have been nicknamed “lobsters” in China. The use of the new service requires no coding or complex setup, and includes multi-layer security safeguards for every transaction, making AI agents with Alipay more capable and effective.

 

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260421171651/en/

 

 

A user renews DTClaw membership via Alipay AI Pay

A user renews DTClaw membership via Alipay AI Pay

 

The launch builds on Alipay AI Pay, an AI-native payment solution introduced in 2025 that enables secure, seamless transactions through AI agents via voice command, eliminating the need to switch between pages. Alipay AI Pay surpassed 100 million users in February 2026, becoming the world’s first AI-native payment product to reach this milestone. During the week of February 5-11, 2026, it processed over 120 million transactions.

 

The new service extends Alipay AI Pay’s capabilities by enabling OpenClaw-type AI agents to make payments, with user authorization. After installing Alipay AI Pay from its official website (https://aipay.alipay.com/) into their AI agents, users can simply say “enable Alipay payment function” and complete identity verification. From that point, the agent can handle purchases in three steps: the user states a need (for example, “help me renew my membership”), confirms the order and authorizes payment via Alipay AI Pay. Orders can be modified or canceled at any point with a single command.

 

 

The new service is now pre-installed on Alibaba Cloud’s JVS Claw, and has been rolled out on DTClaw of Ant Group Digital Technologies. Alipay AI Pay is also available to other OpenClaw-type AI agents, including Claude Code and Hermes Agent via easy installation.

 

 

Security is built into every layer of the new service. Activation requires user initiation and identity verification, each payment requires user authorization and a 24/7 intelligent risk control system safeguards every transaction. Alipay also is extending its “Full Compensation” account protection program to the new service, ensuring worry-free payments for users.

 

 

As agentic commerce has grown in China, Alipay AI Pay has expanded across a range of use cases — from AI agents embedded in apps and mini programs for traditional retailers such as Luckin Coffee, to AI smart glasses such as Rokid’s, consumer-facing AI applications like Alibaba’s Qwen and now OpenClaw-type AI agents.

 

 

In addition to the consumer-facing AI payment service, Alipay has unveiled a number of developer-facing services to support AI commercialization more broadly, including Payment MCP Server (enabling developers to integrate payment services to AI agents using natural language), Payment Integration Skill (enabling vibe coding developers to integrate payment services to applications easily using natural language), AI Tipping (providing developers who need to receive tips within an AI agent with convenient payment capabilities), and AI subscription payment (enabling developers to receive payment from an AI agent based on service usage times or duration), each the first of its kind in China.

 

 

About Alipay

 

 

As the world becomes increasingly digital, Alipay has evolved from a trusted e-wallet into an all-in-one digital platform for daily services, connecting more than one billion consumers to over 80 million merchants across China. Alipay offers users a secure, seamless mobile payment experience and integrates over 10,000 services across sectors like travel, healthcare, tourism, and entertainment. With digital tools like Alipay Tap!, mini-programs, lifestyle accounts, Alipay enables merchants, institutions, and independent software vendors (ISVs) to enhance operational efficiency and effectiveness. In addition, Alipay is developing a new AI-driven open platform by integrating AI agents to deliver smarter, more personalized services to its users as well as facilitating the digital transformation of the service sector.

 

 

 

 

 

EZE Cloud Consulting Advances AI-first Strategy with Agile In-house Deployment of Workday GO

Business Wire India

Leading by example, EZE Cloud Consulting, an official Services, Sales, and Innovation Partner of Workday, Inc., the enterprise AI platform for managing people, finance, and agents, has implemented the complete Workday Human Capital Management (HCM) and Workday Financial Management suite to power its own global operations across its people and finances.

This successful go-live, completed in 3 months, leverages an AI-first approach to standardize and automate internal processes, positioning EZE Cloud for long-term growth while demonstrating a deep commitment to adopting a best-in-class enterprise AI platform for its employees.

As a young, globally operating firm with a workforce of 130+ employees, EZE Cloud demonstrates that Workday becomes their “forever platform” as they rapidly scale, beginning with Workday GO. This offering effectively supports agile businesses seeking structure, visibility, and scale across their people and finances.

The Workday GO implementation spans five strategic markets: India, Singapore, the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Malaysia, highlighting Workday’s adaptability across diverse regulatory environments.

As part of Phase 1, EZE Cloud opted for a comprehensive, simultaneous rollout of both Workday Human Capital Management (HCM) and Workday Financial Management. The successful go-live milestones include Workday Core Human Capital Management, Workday Compensation, Workday Absence Management, Workday Time Tracking, Workday Projects, Workday Financial Management, and Workday Orchestrate. This unified approach enables seamless alignment between people and financial data, a capability seen as business-critical for a professional services company to accurately manage its operations.

This internal AI-first transformation of the backend systems is a strategic investment in the firm’s credibility. By “walking the talk,” EZE Cloud ensures that its internal support functions, HR, Finance, and IT, are as robust in the Workday ecosystem as its client-facing consultants.

Damodar Pai, Founder & Co-CEO, EZE Cloud Consulting, stated: “This go-live is an indication of our belief in the solution we advocate. By adopting Workday internally, we are reinforcing confidence in the platform’s stability and long-term value. It signifies that we trust Workday to run our own business, creating stronger alignment between our teams and the organizations we support.”

Sandeep Sharma, Co-CEO & Board Member, EZE Cloud Consulting, added: “Our objective was to share a clear message to the ecosystem: EZE Cloud’s growth aspirations require Workday. It is a vital engine for growing companies that seek scalability. Implementing both HCM and Finance modules simultaneously allows us to showcase the true power of a unified data core for digital-first companies like EZE Cloud. Our HR and Finance teams are now empowered to collaborate in a frictionless manner, aided by AI, driving collaboration and operational excellence that mirrors what we deliver to our customers.”

Jess O’Reilly, General Manager, ASEAN, Workday, said: “By unifying HCM and Finance on Workday, EZE Cloud has built the trusted data core essential for an AIfirst strategy. This foundation will unlock faster insights across their people and finances, enabling the company to scale with precision and agility.”

Sunil Jose, President, Workday India, said: “EZE Cloud stands out as both a Workday partner and customer, showcasing how the platform drives transformation inside their own business while strengthening the expertise they deliver to clients. Their rapid, multiregion deployment underscores Workday’s ability to serve as a scalable, AIenabled backbone for growth across all their markets.”

Looking ahead, EZE Cloud has already mapped out Phase 2 of its internal roadmap, which will introduce Workday Advanced Compensation, Workday Talent Acquisition, Workday Talent Optimization, Workday Expense Management, and Workday Learning, powered by Sana. This continued investment aligns with Workday’s growing footprint in India, ASEAN and beyond, positioning EZE Cloud at the forefront of the Workday ecosystem as a future-ready organization.

From Salary to Savings: AU Small Finance Bank on Structuring Your Savings Account for the New Financial Year

Business Wire India

As India steps into the new financial year, AU Small Finance Bank highlights the growing importance of structured financial planning among salaried individuals, with savings accounts emerging as the foundation of effective money management. While investment products often dominate conversations, optimizing a savings account remains the first and most critical step in building a strong financial base.

With evolving banking habits and the rise of digital-first consumers, the role of the traditional savings account is undergoing a transformation. From being a passive money holder, it has become an active financial management tool.

Savings Account as the Starting Point of Financial Planning

At the beginning of the financial year, salaries, bonuses, and revised compensation structures come into effect. This makes it an ideal time to reassess how income flows through a savings account.

Financial planners highlight that a structured approach can help individuals manage expenses efficiently, maintain liquidity, and even improve returns through better utilization of savings account interest rates.

Structuring Salary for Better Financial Control

One of the key trends observed among urban professionals is the shift towards segmenting finances across multiple accounts or buckets. Instead of relying on a single account, individuals are increasingly allocating funds for fixed expenses, discretionary spending, and savings separately.

This structured flow ensures that essential expenses are met without impacting long-term savings, while also reducing the risk of overspending. It also allows users to maintain a higher average balance in their core savings account, indirectly benefiting from better savings account interest rates.

Growing Relevance of Digital Savings Account

The rise of the digital savings account is further accelerating this shift. With instant account opening, zero or low balance requirements, and enhanced mobile banking features, digital accounts are becoming the preferred choice for younger consumers.

Industry experts note that digital banking platforms offer greater transparency and control, enabling users to track spending patterns, automate transfers, and manage their finances in real time. This shift is particularly relevant at the start of the financial year, when individuals are more likely to reset financial habits.

Focus on Optimizing Savings Account Interest Rates

In a dynamic interest rate environment, consumers are becoming more conscious of the returns generated on idle funds. While savings accounts are traditionally seen as low-yield instruments, variations in savings account interest rates across banks present an opportunity for optimization.

Maintaining higher balances, choosing the right banking partner, and understanding tier-based interest structures can help individuals maximize returns without compromising liquidity.

To support better decision-making, many users are also turning to a savings account interest rate calculator to estimate potential earnings and compare different account options before making a switch.

Automation Driving Financial Discipline

Another emerging trend is the adoption of automation in personal finance. Auto-transfers, standing instructions, and rule-based savings are helping individuals consistently allocate a portion of their salary towards savings at the beginning of each month.

This “save first, spend later” approach is gaining traction, particularly among digitally savvy users who prefer seamless and disciplined financial management.

Savings Account as a Financial Safety Net

Amid economic uncertainties and evolving lifestyle needs, maintaining an emergency fund continues to be a priority. Savings accounts play a crucial role in this aspect by offering instant liquidity and easy access to funds.

Experts recommend setting aside at least three to six months’ worth of expenses in a dedicated savings account to ensure financial resilience throughout the year.

Changing Consumer Behavior at the Start of the Financial Year

Data trends indicate that the beginning of the financial year often triggers a surge in financial product evaluation, including savings accounts. Consumers are more inclined to review account features, compare benefits, and switch to more efficient banking solutions during this period.

This behavioral shift presents an opportunity for financial institutions to engage users with more personalized, flexible, and digitally enabled savings solutions.

LTM Wins Two Google Cloud Partner of the Year Awards for 2026

Business Wire India

LTM, the Business Creativity partner to the world’s largest enterprises, announced today that it has received two Google Cloud Partner of the Year 2026 Awards. LTM is being recognized for its achievements in the Google Cloud ecosystem, helping joint customers to drive high-impact, scalable cloud transformations.

 

LTM won the Google Cloud Partner of the Year Award in the Media & Entertainment category by modernizing a global media company’s complex data estate with BigQuery. The transformation improved speed, lowered costs, and provided a scalable foundation, enabling real-time analytics and AI-ready pipelines. This approach offers a repeatable model for data modernization in Media and Entertainment industry.

 

Additionally, LTM was honoured with another Google Cloud Partner of the Year Award for Infrastructure Modernization in North America and the transformation of the ERP landscape for a global leader in healthcare services. This resulted in faster time to market, modern scalable ecosystem with ability to advance AI led innovation and business growth across the company’s global footprint.

 

“Receiving two Google Cloud Partner of the Year Awards demonstrates our proficiency and dedication to achieving client objectives. Our case studies illustrate how we assist enterprises in modernizing data, infrastructure, and ERP systems through AI-driven insights, while establishing robust digital foundations with Google Cloud,” said Venu Lambu, Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director, LTM.

 

“The Google Cloud Partner Awards honor the strategic innovation and measurable value our partners bring to customers,” said Kevin Ichhpurani, President, Global Partner Ecosystem and Channels, Google Cloud. “We are proud to name LTM a 2026 Google Cloud Partner Award winner, celebrating their role in driving customer success over the last year.”

 

These recognitions highlight LTM’s commitment to advancing global modernization, speeding cloud adoption, and fostering innovation across industries through a strong partnership with Google Cloud.