Category technology

Odisha is taking a strategic leap into India’s fast-growing semiconductor sector with the launch of the ‘O-CHIP’ Programme, backed by an allocation of ₹26 crore in the Odisha Budget 2026. The initiative aims to position the state as an emerging hub in semiconductor design, innovation, and skilled talent development.

Pic Credit: Pexel

The programme reflects Odisha’s broader ambition to move beyond traditional industrial strengths and establish a strong presence in high-technology sectors that are critical to the future economy.

Building a Semiconductor Design Ecosystem

The ‘O-CHIP’ initiative is focused on developing a strong foundation for semiconductor design capabilities within the state. Rather than concentrating only on manufacturing, the programme emphasises innovation, research, and chip design development.

Key focus areas include:

• Strengthening semiconductor design infrastructure

• Encouraging innovation-driven research

• Supporting startups and deep-tech ventures

• Building industry-academia collaboration

This approach is expected to help Odisha integrate into India’s national semiconductor value chain.

Focus on Talent and Skill Development

A major pillar of the programme is human capital development. Odisha aims to build a skilled workforce capable of contributing to advanced semiconductor and electronics industries.

The initiative is expected to support:

• Specialised training in chip design and electronics

• Skill development programmes for engineering students

• Collaboration with technical institutions and research bodies

• Creation of industry-ready talent for global semiconductor firms

This talent-focused strategy is designed to ensure long-term sustainability in the sector.

Strengthening India’s Semiconductor Vision

India is actively working to expand its semiconductor ecosystem, and Odisha’s entry through the O-CHIP programme adds regional depth to this national mission. By focusing on design and innovation, the state aims to complement existing semiconductor initiatives across the country.

The programme is expected to:

• Encourage private sector participation

• Attract semiconductor startups and design firms

• Support India’s self-reliance in chip technology

• Strengthen domestic capability in advanced electronics

Economic and Industrial Impact

While still in its early stage, the initiative has the potential to reshape Odisha’s industrial landscape. Over time, it could:

• Create high-skilled employment opportunities

• Attract investment in electronics and IT hardware

• Promote startup growth in deep-tech sectors

• Diversify the state’s industrial base beyond mining and manufacturing

The ₹26 crore allocation marks the beginning of a longer roadmap aimed at building a future-ready digital economy in Odisha.

Conclusion

With the launch of the ‘O-CHIP’ Programme, Odisha is positioning itself as a new entrant in India’s semiconductor design ecosystem. Backed by targeted investment and a focus on innovation and skill development, the initiative signals a shift toward high-tech industrial growth.

If implemented effectively, O-CHIP could help Odisha emerge as an important contributor to India’s semiconductor ambitions and a growing centre for advanced technology development.

AAEON will be at Booth 306 of Le Palais des Congrès de Paris between March 24^th and March 26^th, 2026.

(Taipei, Taiwan – Mar 20) AAEON, a leading producer of AI and networking platforms, will present a range of new products at the Upperside World Congress from March 24^th – 26^th, 2026.

Date: March 24 – 26, 2026

Booth: 306

Venue: Palais des Congrès de Paris, Paris, France 

The event, which is expected to host over 1,000 participants from 60 countries and 268 companies, will include a number of discussions and keynote speeches from leading industry figures, heavily focused on the role of AI and machine learning in critical networking infrastructures, as well as exploring the issues and challenges faced in scaling modern datacenter architectures.

AAEON will be at booth 306, and will showcase a range of networking and security appliances, with particular emphasis on their utility for uCPE, SD-WAN, UTM, and NGFW solutions, such as:

FWS-2290 & FWS-2291 – Desktop network appliances featuring both Intel Processor N-series and Intel Atom® Processors x7000RE Series for the Edge CPUs, ideally suited to uCPE, SD-WAN, and UTM deployments.

FWS-2370 – High-performance desktop network appliance powered by the Intel Atom® Processor C5315, boasting up to 14 LAN ports, on-chip technologies such as Intel® QAT and Intel® VT-d/VT-x, and 5G, 4G/LTE, Wi-Fi, cellular, and network module support.

FWS-7851 – An enterprise-grade security appliance supporting 12^th, 13^th, and 14^th Gen Intel® Core™ Processors, up to ten 2.5GbE RJ-45 ports, and dual GbE SFP ports, with optional 10GbE SFP+ expansion.

FWS-7700 – High-performance Rackmount Network Appliance featuring Intel® Xeon® 6 Processors and modular NIM slot expansion.

Among its portfolio of hardware platforms, AAEON will also be showcasing an array of NIM modules compatible with upcoming Rackmount Network Appliances, facilitating functions such as dual 100-Gigabit Ethernet connectivity for high-performance server and network security gateway deployments.

Make sure to use the code 30620UWCP6BR for a 20% discount on admission to visit AAEON at Booth 306 from March 24 – 26, 2026.

New Delhi: India is steadily establishing itself as a major force in the global artificial intelligence (AI) landscape, driven by rapid adoption and widespread real-world applications across sectors.

AI in India is no longer confined to research labs or niche industries. Instead, it is becoming deeply embedded in everyday life, fueled by expanding digital access, affordable technology, and a vast base of tech-savvy users. The surge in AI-powered tools and platforms reflects a broader shift toward large-scale digital transformation.

AI Moves Beyond Experimentation

What sets India apart is the scale and speed of AI adoption. From virtual assistants and automation tools to advanced data analytics, AI technologies are now integrated into both consumer platforms and enterprise systems. This marks a clear transition from experimentation to mainstream deployment.

Government initiatives promoting inclusive and responsible AI have further accelerated this momentum, helping ensure that technological advancements reach diverse segments of society.

Transforming Key Sectors

AI is actively reshaping critical areas of the Indian economy:

• Healthcare: Improving diagnostics, enabling early disease detection, and enhancing patient care.

• Agriculture: Empowering farmers with predictive insights, weather forecasting, and smarter crop management.

• Infrastructure and Transport: Boosting efficiency, safety, and operational planning.

• Governance: Streamlining public services and enabling faster, data-driven decision-making.

These developments highlight how AI is delivering tangible, scalable impact across both urban and rural ecosystems.

A Strong and Growing Ecosystem

India’s AI growth is underpinned by a large talent pool, a vibrant startup ecosystem, and increasing investments in technology. Its unique strength lies not just in innovation, but in the ability to deploy solutions at population scale.

Global technology companies are also expanding their footprint in India, recognizing its potential as a key hub for AI development and implementation.

Balancing Innovation with Responsibility

As AI adoption accelerates, there is a parallel focus on ethical use, transparency, and inclusivity. Policymakers and industry leaders are working to establish frameworks that ensure accountability while encouraging innovation.

Looking Ahead

India’s rise in AI applications reflects a broader transformation of its digital economy. The emphasis is not only on building advanced technologies, but on applying them to solve real-world challenges at scale.

While issues such as regulation, data privacy, and infrastructure remain, the trajectory is clear: India is positioning itself not merely as a participant, but as a global leader in the practical application of artificial intelligence.

Taipei, Taiwan – Mar 19: AVer Information Inc., an award-winning provider of AI audio-video solutions, announced today that TMC, a global, integrated media company, has named VB370A as a recipient of the 2025 Unified Communications Excellence Award presented by TMC’s INTERNET TELEPHONY magazine.

Now in its 17th year, the Unified Communications Excellence Awards recognize organizations that have delivered exceptional unified communications solutions proven to improve collaboration, productivity, and business performance. Winners were selected based on real-world customer deployments and demonstrated excellence across UC hardware, software, cloud services, and integrated platforms.

“This recognition emphasizes AVer’s commitment to delivering intelligent and reliable collaboration solutions that address the evolving needs of today’s hybrid workplaces,” said Marc Happes, Senior Product Manager for AVer Information Inc. USA. “The VB370A was designed to simplify meeting experiences by providing the user flexibility, audio visual clarity, and reliability organizations need to collaborate more effectively.”

AVer’s VB370A is an all-in-one 4K dual lens Android™ video conferencing bar designed to elevate enterprise communications. Built for mid-to-large meeting spaces, it delivers exceptional visual clarity, intelligent automation, and superior audio performance for a seamless virtual collaboration experience. At its core is an innovative dual-lens system that combines an 18X hybrid zoom PTZ camera with a 120° wide-angle fixed camera, and 92° medium angle camera allowing organizations to capture both expansive room views and detailed close-ups with remarkable clarity up to 10 meters — all in a single solution.

The VB370A features AI-powered intelligence that automates camera adjustments and optimizes video framing. Smart Composition ensures a balanced view of participants, Auto Framing dynamically adjusts based on attendee count and location, and intelligent Voice Tracking keeps the camera focused on active speakers. These capabilities make the VB370A ideal for hybrid meetings, helping maintain strong connections between in-room and remote participants.

Complementing its video performance, the VB370A includes a 14-microphone beamforming array with a pickup range of up to 10 meters. Noise-blocking, audio fencing, and echo cancellation work together to deliver clear, distraction-free audio, ensuring conversations remain focused and professional in any meeting environment.

“Every year, I am amazed by the innovation and quality represented on the Unified Communications Excellence Award winners list. And I am so impressed with AVer’s commitment to addressing the real needs of the marketplace,” said Rich Tehrani, CEO, TMC. “It’s inspiring to see such commitment to excellence and I look forward to seeing future innovation from AVer.”

Join AAEON at Booth #33074 at The Venetian Expo, Las Vegas from March 23 – 27, 2026

Taipei, Taiwan – Mar 19:  AAEON, a leading provider of edge AI platforms, will hold product showcases of upcoming products from across multiple platforms at the International Security Conference & Exposition – also known as ISC West.

ISC West is the leading comprehensive and converged security trade event in the United States, expected to host thousands of security and public safety professionals who will have access to over 750 exhibitors and 140 sessions throughout the show. AAEON will present a broad selection of products conducive to bringing edge AI functionality to security applications in areas including road safety, access control, and smart surveillance.

Date: March 23 – 27, 2026

Booth: #33074

Venue: Venetian Expo, 201 Sands Ave, Las Vegas, NV 89169.

AAEON’s live demonstration for the show will be a versatile AI vision monitoring application powered by the UP Xtreme i14. Utilizing the Intel® Core™ Ultra processor platform’s integrated CPU, GPU, and NPU in conjunction with the board’s MIPI camera support, this demonstration illustrates how power-efficient, fully embedded platforms can be used for applications such as access control.

Static displays of AAEON products catering to security applications across multiple vertical markets will also be on show at Booth #33074. Products such as the BOXER-8658AI, powered by NVIDIA Jetson Orin NX and E-Mark compliant for use in vehicles, will be on show to demonstrate how embedded in-vehicle technology can improve road safety through hazard detection. Also on show will be the upcoming BOXER-8741AI, built on NVIDIA Jetson T5000 module, which is positioned for the humanoid robotics market.   

Meanwhile, the new MEX-BTS, featuring Intel® Core™ Series 2 processors (formerly Bartlett Lake), will be on show. Compatible with both MXM 3.1 Type A and Type B GPU cards and able to perform simultaneous inference on up to eight video streams, the System Box PC is a particularly interesting offering from AAEON for smart surveillance and industrial safety monitoring applications.

AAEON will present a variety of new and upcoming products from across its diverse product ranges. Particular highlights include the EPIC-BTS7 from its Embedded Single Board Computers series, the UP Xtreme PTL Edge from its UP Edge System product line, and three new Mini-ITX Motherboards, each equipped with the newest Intel® Core™ Ultra platforms.

Enterprises empowered to detect threats early and recover in significantly faster timelines, in a fully sovereign environment

LONDON, UK — Mar 19 — Rackspace Technology® (NASDAQ: RXT), a leading end-to-end hybrid cloud and AI solutions company, and Rubrik, (NYSE: RBRK), the Security and AI Operations Company, today announced UK Sovereign Cyber Recovery Cloud, a new ransomware cyber recovery solution engineered to protect and restore UK public sector and regulated workloads within hours of an attack.

As the UK enters a pivotal year for digital sovereignty, new legislation mandates higher standards for organisations’ resilience and recovery. To meet these demands, UK Sovereign Cyber Recovery Cloud provides a dedicated, automated “clean room” recovery environment that remains entirely within UK borders and features pre-built runbooks ready for immediate activation.

The collaboration integrates Rubrik Security Cloud with Rackspace UK Sovereign Services to provide a secure, isolated recovery environment. All sensitive data, critical metadata, and support are strictly confined to the UK jurisdiction and remain offline from the outside world. An isolated cyber recovery cloud environment is activated and brought online only when a specific ransomware recovery event occurs.

Key Features of the UK Sovereign Cyber Recovery Cloud:

• True Digital Sovereignty: providing operational and data sovereignty by maintaining all hardware, data, and administrative access within the UK; this strict jurisdictional control isolates organisations from foreign influence.
• Rapid Cyber Recovery: Leverages advanced automation to reduce recovery times from days or weeks to hours.
• Regulatory Alignment: Designed to support alignment with the National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC)’s Cyber Assessment Framework (CAF) and mandatory 24-hour breach reporting requirements.
• Continuous Operations: The Rackspace security operations centre leverages Rubrik technology to monitor SaaS Cloud and on-premises applications around the clock, ensuring anomalies are detected and addressed at speed.

“2026 is the year where control becomes the new foundation of trust and truly having control over where our data is accessed and located,” said Rick Martire, General Manager, Sovereign Services at Rackspace UK.” By partnering with Rubrik, we are providing UK enterprises with the autonomy they need to recover from cyber threats while meeting the highest standards of digital sovereignty.”

“Our joint solution isn’t just about where data is stored – it’s about who has the authority to protect and restore it,” added David Kosman, Vice President, Global Managed Service Providers at Rubrik. “For UK public sector bodies and regulated enterprises, today’s announcement is a major leap forward in national cyber resilience. The evolution of our close partnership with Rackspace – which began with our strategic collaboration to deliver isolated recovery environments – continues to support enterprises that need strong security and compliance.”

In 2025, Rackspace and Rubrik announced Rackspace Cyber Recovery Cloud, to help enterprises achieve true cyber resilience and ensure business continuity in the event of a cyber-attack. Learn more here. Rubrik and Rackspace Technology are Platinum Sponsors of the CSO ThreatScape Manchester event, March 19th at the Hyatt Regency Manchester. Learn more about our presentations here.

Mar 19: The state capital, Lucknow, is rapidly transforming into a major IT and urban development hub, driven by extensive expressway and road connectivity across the region. With strategic infrastructure projects connecting the city to eastern, western, and industrial districts, Lucknow is now positioning itself as a prime destination for investment, real estate, and modern urban living.

Over the past few years, expressway projects like the Agra Expressway, Purvanchal Expressway, and the newly developed route to Kanpur have significantly improved accessibility and spurred industrial growth. Within the city, roads such as Shaheed Path, Kisan Path, and the upcoming Vigyan Path are making intra-city commuting faster and more efficient, further strengthening Lucknow’s urban framework.

“Road infrastructure is the backbone of any city’s progress. Lucknow’s evolving network of expressways and internal roads is not only enhancing connectivity but also creating new growth corridors across the city,”

Better connectivity is reshaping the city’s real estate and urban landscape. Areas once considered the outskirts are now emerging as vibrant neighborhoods with planned colonies, modern residential projects, world-class hospitals, and top-tier educational institutions. Key zones like Amrawati Sports City near the Green Corridor and Agra Expressway, and Amrawati IT City adjacent to Shaheed Path and Kisan Path, are becoming focal points for future urban development, especially with the proposed expansion of the Metro and the upcoming Vigyan Path.

The city’s expansion, guided by well-planned roads and expressways, ensures a structured and organized urban growth pattern. Analysts predict that with this momentum, Lucknow is set to evolve from being primarily an administrative capital to becoming one of Uttar Pradesh’s most active urban, economic, and technological centers.

India’s data centre industry is entering a high-growth phase, driven by rising digital consumption, regulatory push, and the rapid expansion of cloud and data-driven services. Over the past five years, the country’s data centre capacity has grown from 375 MW in 2020 to more than 1,500 MW in 2025, underscoring the scale of demand emerging from a digitising economy.

This fourfold expansion reflects more than infrastructure growth. It signals a structural shift in how India stores, processes, and secures its data as businesses, governments, and consumers increasingly move online.

Demand Drivers: Data Explosion Meets Policy Push

The surge in capacity is closely tied to India’s broader digital transformation. Rising internet penetration, cheaper data, and widespread adoption of digital platforms have led to an explosion in data generation.

At the same time, regulatory frameworks are shaping demand. The Reserve Bank of India’s mandate requiring payment system data to be stored locally has accelerated investments in domestic data infrastructure. Similar trends are expected across sectors such as fintech, e-commerce, and government services.

For hyperscalers, cloud providers, and enterprise players, India is no longer just a consumption market. It is becoming a critical data storage and processing hub.

Mumbai Leads, Chennai Emerges

Geographically, data centre capacity remains concentrated in a few key hubs. Mumbai and Navi Mumbai dominate with around 790 MW of operational capacity, benefiting from strong connectivity and proximity to submarine cable landing stations.

Chennai has emerged as the second-largest hub with over 300 MW capacity, leveraging its strategic coastal location. Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and Delhi-NCR are also growing steadily, driven by enterprise demand and tech ecosystems.

Smaller markets like Pune and Kolkata are beginning to see early-stage development, indicating gradual geographic diversification.

Connectivity Backbone: Submarine Cables in Focus

India’s global data connectivity is being strengthened through new submarine cable systems. Four such systems are currently being commissioned at cable landing stations, while three more are in the planning stage.

These cables are critical for handling international data traffic, improving latency, and supporting cloud and hyperscale operations. As global data flows increase, robust submarine connectivity will be key to positioning India as a regional data hub.

However, the government has indicated that there are no immediate plans to establish new subsea gateways, suggesting a focus on optimising existing infrastructure.

Strategic Importance: Data Sovereignty and Security

The push for domestic data centre capacity is also tied to concerns around data sovereignty, cybersecurity, and regulatory compliance.

By ensuring that critical data is stored within the country, policymakers aim to create a more secure and accountable digital ecosystem. This is particularly relevant for sectors handling sensitive data, including finance, healthcare, and governance.

Investment Opportunity and Industry Outlook

The data centre sector is attracting significant investment from global hyperscalers, domestic conglomerates, and infrastructure funds. The combination of rising demand, policy support, and improving connectivity makes India one of the fastest-growing data centre markets globally.

Opportunities are emerging not just in core infrastructure, but also in allied areas such as renewable energy integration, cooling technologies, real estate, and edge computing.

Challenges Ahead

Despite strong growth, the sector faces challenges. High energy consumption, land acquisition issues, and the need for reliable power supply remain key constraints. Additionally, as capacity expands, maintaining efficiency and sustainability will become critical.

Bottom Line

India’s data centre expansion reflects the country’s transition into a data-driven economy. With capacity scaling rapidly and connectivity improving, the country is positioning itself as a key node in global digital infrastructure.

For investors and businesses, the message is clear: India’s next infrastructure boom is not just physical, it is digital.

SEOUL, Korea, Mar 19 – SK Telecom (NYSE: SKM, hereinafter referred to as “SKT”) and Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) today announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen their collaboration on mobile network technologies spanning 5G to future 6G. The agreement underscores the two companies’ shared commitment to driving innovation in next-generation connectivity.

Under the agreement, the two companies will explore joint initiatives across key technology areas, including:

·AI-powered Radio Access Networks (AI-RAN) to enhance performance, security, and energy efficiency by autonomously learning, predicting, and optimizing channel conditions, as well as managing resources more efficiently.

·5G advancements to unlock new business opportunities and enable next-generation services.

·Open and autonomous networks to improve productivity and operational efficiency., aiming to enhance productivity and operational efficiency in multi-vendor environments.

·End-to-end security built on zero trust architecture and continuous monitoring, providing stronger protection and real-time threat response across both 5G Advanced and 6G environments.

·6G standardization and future technologies such as spectrum strategy, extreme MIMO evolution, energy efficiency, and Integrated Sensing and Communication (ISAC). Through joint research, SKT and Ericsson aim to strengthen their global collaboration framework and secure a leading position in the 6G technology ecosystem, driving the evolution of next-generation AI-powered networks.

This collaboration will establish a framework for ongoing technology evolution, enabling the practical deployment of innovations in the 5G era while laying the foundation for long term 6G research and standardization. The MoU is effective until March 2, 2031, and focuses on joint exploration and validation of cutting-edge network technologies.

“Our collaboration with Ericsson will be a core engine propelling the evolution of AI-powered networks, paving the way toward 6G,” says Yu Takki, Head of Network Technology Office at SK Telecom. “Through research focused on global standardization and real-world validation, we aim to secure world-class technological leadership in AI-powered network evolution and 6G.”

Mårten Lerner, Head of Networks Strategy and Product Management at Ericsson, said: “We’re pleased to deepen our partnership with SK Telecom to accelerate AI‑powered RAN, 5G monetization, open autonomous networks and zero‑trust security — while laying the groundwork for AI‑native 6G. Together we’ll move rapidly from standards and trials to commercial solutions that boost performance, energy efficiency and security — strengthening South Korea’s leadership in next‑generation connectivity.”