🤖 Bill Gates' AI prediction

Good morning. It’s a great day - let’s go after it 💪 

Ruchirr Sharma & Shatakshi Sharmaa  

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• 📱 US tariff cuts open doors for India’s electronics exports

• 🤖 Bill Gates predicts AI will transform jobs and time itself

• 🗞️ Bite-sized summaries

  • 🪙 Growth of Indian Fintech

  • 🏭️ Indian manufacturing

• 🧑‍🍳 What else is cookin’?

• 🍿 Entertainment, Entertainment, Entertainment

EXPORTS

📱 US tariff cuts open doors for India’s electronics exports

In an interesting move, the US has scrapped additional import duties on key electronics, making iPhones, laptops, and tablets exported from India and Vietnam around 20% cheaper than those from China. This levels the playing field and gives India a significant edge, especially as geopolitical and trade tensions continue to reshape global supply chains.

Apple, Foxconn, and other major manufacturers - represented by the India Cellular and Electronics Association (ICEA) - are expected to benefit, with India’s role in the global electronics ecosystem set to grow. In FY 2024–25, India’s mobile phone exports jumped 55% to ₹2 lakh crore, with iPhones alone contributing ₹1.5 lakh crore.

While the Trump-era tariffs had cast uncertainty over production planning, the recent shift brings welcome relief and clarity for firms like Apple and Dell. However, semiconductor manufacturing equipment still faces high tariffs, hinting that the US is maintaining pressure in specific areas.

Experts caution that this is not a complete policy reversal but rather a strategic adjustment. India still faces stiff competition from Vietnam, which enjoys similar tariff benefits. However, India’s current share of US electronics imports is only $12 billion, compared to China’s 30% stake in a $250 billion market, signaling huge headroom for growth.

Implications for India:

• Boost to Electronics Manufacturing: Lower tariffs could accelerate investment in India’s electronics manufacturing sector.

• Strategic Opportunity: India can position itself as a preferred alternative to China amid shifting supply chains.

• Need for Long-Term Planning: To fully capitalize, India must focus on building a strong domestic value chain and stable policy environment.

• Job Creation & Economic Growth: Expansion in exports could generate employment and add momentum to India’s “Make in India” push.

In short, while the road ahead requires strategic action and infrastructure strengthening, India is better positioned than ever to become a global electronics powerhouse.

Read more: Economic Times

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

🤖 Bill Gates predicts AI will transform jobs and time itself

In a recent podcast with Zerodha co-founder Nikhil Kamath, Bill Gates predicted a seismic shift in the job market over the next 20 years — with AI set to replace both white-collar and blue-collar jobs.

According to Gates, AI and robotics will advance to a point where manual labour and knowledge work alike—from factory tasks to medical diagnoses—could largely be automated. This would eliminate shortages in key professions like doctors, teachers, and factory workers.

“The world won’t need as many people to make food, treat illness, or produce goods,” Gates said, suggesting this shift will free up time for millions and prompt a philosophical rethink about how we spend our lives.

He envisions a future of shorter work weeks, early retirements, and a redefined purpose for human time, as AI-generated “free intelligence” takes over core productivity.

The conversation also touched on Gates’ memoir Source Code, and his reflections on tech figures like Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, and Steve Jobs.

Implications for India:

• Workforce Disruption: India, with its large labour force, could face significant displacement unless it adapts to AI-led transformation.

• Reskilling Urgency: Massive investment in digital education and AI-related skills will be vital to keep the workforce relevant.

• Time to Rethink Work Culture: The traditional 9-to-5 may become outdated — India’s policy and corporate systems need to prepare for a shift in how work is structured.

• Opportunity in AI Innovation: India can become a key player in developing and deploying AI tools tailored for emerging economies.

Gates’ prediction may sound radical, but it echoes a growing consensus — the AI revolution isn't just coming, it's already underway. The real challenge for India lies in navigating disruption while seizing the opportunity to lead in the new AI-powered world.

Read more: Economic Times

GENERAL OVERVIEW

🗞️ Bite-sized summaries

🪙 Growth of Indian Fintech - India’s fintech sector has grown rapidly, but much more remains to be done, says MobiKwik cofounder Upasana Taku. With only 10% of Indians using multiple financial products, there’s huge potential in digital payments, credit, insurance, and savings. Taku sees the next 10–20 years as a major growth phase, despite global and regulatory challenges. MobiKwik aims for 10x growth by diversifying offerings, focusing on innovation, and balancing growth with profitability. While lending saw a dip recently, the company plans to reduce risk by expanding across multiple financial services. Taku remains optimistic about India's financial inclusion journey and fintech's future.

🏭️ Indian manufacturing - NITI Aayog released a report outlining a roadmap to boost India’s auto component manufacturing and integrate the country into global value chains. The proposal calls for fiscal incentives to support operational and capital expenditures, along with non-fiscal measures such as streamlined regulations, cluster development, and enhanced skill initiatives. The plan aims to triple auto component exports to $60 billion by 2030 and increase production to $145 billion in five years, generating 2–2.5 million jobs. This report also emphasizes the need for greater R&D, digital integration, and international collaborations. This plan aims to transform India’s automotive sector, boosting competitiveness and growth.

HEADLINES

🧑‍🍳 What else is cookin’?

What’s happening in India (and around the world 🌍️)

• AI: The next frontier of India’s digital diplomacy.

• Trump administration will not spare electronic products from tariffs, says US Commerce Secretary.

• ‘Pharmaceutical tariffs coming in next month or two’: Howard Lutnick signals imminent tariffs on imported medicines.

• Prada Group to buy Versace for €1.25 billion.

• OpenAI updates ChatGPT to reference your past chats

CULTURE

🍿 Entertainment, Entertainment, Entertainment

• Good Bad Ugly Box office collection day 3: Ajith Kumar's film crosses ₹50Cr mark.

• IPL 2025 weekend recap:

  • LSG beat GT by 6 wickets;

  • SRH beat PBKS by 8 wickets;

  • RCB beat RR by 9 wickets;

  • MI beat DC by 12 runs.

    Leaderboard here.